Video & Transcript : 'skilled labor' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee OKs bill to upgrade county-level human services IT 5/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, this has been a labor of love, folks.
- Uh, this has been a labor of love, folks.
- Uh, this has been a labor of love, folks.
- Uh, this has been a labor of love, folks.
- Uh, this has been a labor of love, folks.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4808, as amended by a DE3, a human services technology modernization bill. The author described the measure as a multi-year effort to modernize outdated county systems, improve data integration, and strengthen program integrity and fraud detection. The bill would create a Human Services Modernization Fund with a $50 million cap, establish an advisory council with strong county and tribal representation, and create a legislative commission to oversee the work and receive annual reports. It also includes a $10 million county-focused grant fund and a $15 million appropriation for the Office of Inspector General’s technology needs.
Testimony from the Association of Minnesota Counties and related county groups strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for immediate modernization, the importance of county and tribal involvement, and the value of legislative oversight. Members from both parties echoed support, saying the bill would help county workers spend less time on outdated systems and more time serving clients, and that better system integration could reduce errors and fraud issues. One member suggested that audits should be considered in the future in addition to reporting requirements.
The committee adopted the DE3 amendment without opposition. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to refer House File 4808, as amended, to the general register, and the motion passed on a voice vote.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Rules and Administration - 04/20/26
Rules and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- It is made up of members from industry and also members from labor.
- Um, as often pushing the deadline right to the edge, and we did hear it in labor as soon as it was available
- allow us to proceed. right to the edge, and we did hear it in right to the edge, and we did hear it in labor
- 25.720><c> was</c><00:23:25.840><c> available</c><00:23:26.440><c> at</c><00:23:26.560><c> our</c> labor
- as soon as it was available at our labor as soon as it was available at our first<00:23:26.920><c> opportunity
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I'm not going to, I don't think we're going to argue that it's horribly labor-intensive or that
- Well, when we talked about the hydrogen facility, again, I'm not sure that it was labor-intensive for
- Again, I'm not sure that it was labor-intensive for them to do some of the work and kind of put together
- You know, in labor, we're used to accountability.
- You know, in labor, we're used to accountability.
Summary:
The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers.
Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget.
Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We thank all the stakeholders, industry, labor, and our immigrant rights advocates working together to
- We thank all the stakeholders, industry, labor, and our immigrant rights advocates working together to
- Yvonne Fernandez, California Labor Fed, in support.
- Yvonne Fernandez, California Labor Fed, in support.
- Yvonne Fernandez, California Labor Federation, in support.
Summary:
The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on AI, immigration-related health care protections, digital financial assets, and online cannabis/hemp sales. SB 69 by Senator McNerney would create an AI-focused team within the Department of Justice to build enforcement expertise on civil rights, public safety, and legal issues tied to AI. SB 81 by Senator Arreguín would codify hospital and health facility policies limiting disclosure of patient immigration status and restricting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant. SB 97 by Senator Grayson would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets licensing law. SB 243 by Senator Padilla would impose guardrails on AI companion chatbots, including disclosures, anti-addictive design limits, self-harm protocols, and a private right of action. SB 378 by Senator Wiener would allow civil penalties against online marketplaces that advertise illicit intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products.
Testimony on SB 69 emphasized that California needs in-house AI enforcement expertise at the DOJ; supporters said AG offices generally lack tech-policy specialists, while members asked about the Attorney General’s role and noted the office was neutral. SB 81 drew broad support from nurses, immigrant advocates, hospitals, labor, and community groups, who argued that hospitals should remain safe places for care regardless of immigration status; there was no opposition. SB 97 was described as a technical cleanup bill with stakeholder consensus, and the main public comment focused on ensuring blockchain-based nonfinancial products are not unintentionally swept into the law.
SB 243 generated the most debate. Supporters, including the mother of a Florida teen who died by suicide after interacting with a chatbot, urged stronger protections for minors and vulnerable users. Opponents argued the bill’s definitions were too broad and could capture general-purpose AI systems, and raised concerns about privacy, cost, and a private right of action. Committee members largely supported the bill’s intent and discussed the need for guardrails without stifling innovation. SB 378 was supported by cannabis workers, retailers, and local government representatives who said online sales of untested intoxicating hemp and illegal cannabis are harming public health and the legal market; opponents from hemp and tech groups argued the bill could sweep in lawful hemp businesses and that definitions need refinement. The committee ultimately passed SB 69, SB 81, SB 97, SB 243, and SB 378, with SB 81 and SB 243 amended, and all five bills were sent onward to their next committees.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 10th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow the Labor and Employment Committee to
- AB 746, McKenna from the Public Safety Committee to the Labor and Employment.
- AB 1326, Aarons from the Labor and Employment Committee to the Health Committee.
- As a co-founder of the United Farm Workers, alongside Chavez, she has been a fearless advocate of labor
- Dolores' work laid the foundation for many of the labor protections we fight to uphold today.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a cost- and labor-intensive process for an airport to go through.
- That's, again, another cost- and labor-intensive process to go through as an airport.
- It's a cost and labor-intensive process for an airport to go through.
- That's, again, another cost and labor-intensive process to go through as an airport. environmental reviews
- That's, again, another cost and labor-intensive process to go through as an airport.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions.
The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up.
The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Agriculture Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- this produce and maintain livable wage for farms, maintain that competitive edge while focusing on labor
- Many of us have moved to speed scratch or cooking for farms…” “...on labor in schools.
- So our costs are now in labor and our food costs have gone down so that we can make these amazing purchases
- AB 1603 has earned overwhelming support from farmworker organizations, community groups, consumers, labor
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard five bills and took up four consent items. AB 312 would shorten from six months to three months the time agricultural commissioners must hold proceeds from the sale of seized agricultural commodities before unclaimed funds go to the county general fund. The author said it is a narrow administrative change that preserves existing ownership and recovery protections; there was no opposition, and the bill advanced on a 5-0 vote.
AB 1731 would create the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program to connect schools with California farmers and food businesses through an approved vendor system and procurement support, with a priority for climate-smart agricultural practices. Supporters included school nutrition, farm, environmental, and consumer groups, as well as a rural school district and a farm that described the bill as helping local markets and student access to fresh food. Senators raised questions about climate-smart eligibility and school budgets, but the bill was supported and passed 5-0 to Appropriations.
AB 2380 would raise the maximum county fee used to support county agricultural commissioner operations, with a three-year phase-in. The author and the county commissioners’ association said the increase is needed because fees have not been updated in decades and the work is essential for pest control, pesticide enforcement, and public safety. The bill passed 4-0. The committee also heard AB 1603, as amended, which would require DPR to list PFOS pesticides in the pesticide use reporting database and share the information with county agricultural commissioners; the author and supporters described it as a transparency measure, while agricultural and industry groups said they would remove opposition once amendments were in print. It passed 4-1. The four consent items—AB 1711, AB 2326, AB 2685, and AB 2778—were also approved.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Crime of physically assaulting a hospital or clinic security officer established 2/25/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that employees within healthcare and social assistance
- </c><00:04:09.200><c> the</c><00:04:09.360><c> Bureau</c><00:04:09.680><c> of</c><00:04:09.840><c> Labor
- </c><00:04:10.319><c> Statistics</c> Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data from the Bureau of
- Labor Statistics um<00:04:11.439><c> indicate</c><00:04:11.840><c> that</c><00:04:12.080><c> employees
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 16th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- May we labor toward what Dr.
- King spoke powerfully about poverty, labor rights, and exploitation, calling for fair wages, the right
- to fight for justice today: movements for women's rights, immigrants' rights, disability justice, labor
- of Korean immigrants across the Pacific, not just in search of opportunity, but carrying language, labor
Summary:
The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call, then proceeded with prayer, the pledge, and routine motions. Members approved several procedural requests, including moving AB 362 to the inactive file and allowing the Natural Resources Committee to hear AB 34 on January 16. The chamber also recognized guests and paid tribute to retiring Republican caucus consultant Daryl Thomas, with remarks from multiple members praising his long service and legal analysis work.
The main floor action centered on ACR 116, a resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Members from several caucuses and both parties spoke in support, emphasizing King’s legacy of civil rights, economic justice, nonviolence, and unfinished work. After opening the roll for coauthors, the resolution received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly then took up ACR 118, recognizing Korean American Day; members highlighted Korean American history, community contributions, solidarity with other communities, and the significance of Koreatown and Korean American civic life. That resolution also received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote.
The consent calendar was then adopted on a 64-0 vote, including ACR 115 on National Blood Donor Month. The chamber also held an adjournment in memory for former legislator David Kelly, with a tribute to his military service, agricultural background, and legislative work on water conservation and sustainable agriculture. The Assembly announced the upcoming Martin Luther King Day recess and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20 at 1 p.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State government committee hears anti-fraud bill, HF2 1/23/25
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a general whistleblower protection statute under state labor law.
- whistleblower protection statute um<00:09:16.040><c> under</c><00:09:16.279><c> State</c><00:09:16.519><c> labor
- </c><00:09:16.880><c> law</c><00:09:17.720><c> my</c> um under State labor law my um under State labor
Summary:
The committee took up House File 2, a bill on mandatory fraud reporting and grant oversight. Representative Davis described the bill as a response to recent fraud scandals and said it would require state agencies to report suspected fraud immediately to law enforcement and legislative leaders, post organizational charts and staff contacts online, require unannounced site visits to verify grant recipients and financial stability, mandate reporting of grant-process violations to supervisors, the commissioner or designee, and the legislative auditor, and suspend or terminate grant agreements when recipients are charged with or convicted of related criminal offenses. He also said the bill’s concepts would apply to nonprofits through grant-making and oversight provisions.
Members asked several clarifying questions about whether reporting obligations were either/or or cumulative, whether whistleblower protections would cover those making reports, and whether contract employees should be included. One member suggested adding language for inspectors general or other appropriate law-enforcement contacts for clarity, and another raised the idea of halting funding immediately when fraud is reported; the author responded that section 10 already provides for immediate suspension upon criminal charges. Representative Joy supported the bill but suggested funding should stop during investigations, and Representative Anderson noted surprise that the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits was listed as an opponent. The author said he was open to considering contract employees and additional wording.
The chair announced the bill would be laid over because a fiscal note was not yet available, stating a commitment not to move bills out of committee without one. He said members could continue refining the bill and that the committee administrator could help contact the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to seek more detailed concerns. The author closed by emphasizing the bill as a nonpartisan effort to address waste, fraud, and abuse in state spending.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 11th, 2026
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Labor, different things.
- large-scale plant, 50 MGD and above, be between three to four years, depending on availability of labor
- Monitoring, treatment, and response are very labor-intensive and dependent upon a strong awareness and
- Adequate revenue is required to attract and retain skilled workers, assess facility conditions, manage
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- repair and these are uh work Workforce repair and these are uh work Workforce uh<00:36:38.040><c> laborers
- 39.520><c> low</c><00:36:39.800><c> income</c><00:36:40.520><c> and</c><00:36:40.640><c> so</c> uh laborers
- folks in low income and so uh laborers folks in low income and so they're<00:36:41.000><c> kind</c><
- As a result, the children build skills to enter school with behaviors to help them succeed and will prevent
Keywords:
affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 14, 2026 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I did take the time to watch them labor over this issue for hours and hours and hours.
- But it is something that's been labored over in the charter review board.
- It's been labored over on the county commission.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- digital equity commission which would include members with backgrounds in broadband, digital equity, labor
- Commission will consist of 11 diverse members with representation from industry community nonprofit and labor
- much the geographic diversity, but that you have industry, community representatives, nonprofit, and labor
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- the workers that we have in North Dakota; unemployment insurance for over 26,000 employers; and then labor
- market info, you know, making it so you can make informed decisions on labor data.
- The Workforce Development Council, which is comprised of labor and employees around the state, recommended
Summary:
The committee met to consider three measures, beginning with Senate Bill 2016 for Job Service. Testimony described Job Service’s workforce, unemployment insurance, and labor market functions, its long-term reduction in FTEs and budget, and its reliance on federal funding that does not keep pace with inflation. The bill included funding for an additional FTE for the H-2A housing inspection program, continued support for the JP3 offender placement pilot, and one-time funding for IT and mainframe costs tied to a system modernization effort. The committee approved the bill 20-0, with Representative Swiontek named as carrier.
The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2305, which would allow family members to be paid as caregivers for certain young people with disabilities instead of only licensed outside providers. Members noted the specialized, 24-hour nature of the care, workforce shortages, waiting lists, and the potential to avoid more expensive institutional care. Questions focused on how the program would be structured, including certification requirements and whether it would remain a pilot or become part of the broader human services budget. The committee passed the bill 20-0, with Representative Roar as carrier and Representative Nelson available as backup.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2024 for the Department of Environmental Quality. The House change was limited to increased special-fund support for water and wastewater operator certification testing to expand availability, while the Senate version already included added FTEs for emerging contaminants and fuel inspection work. Members discussed federal funding uncertainty, including IIJA and ARPA-related concerns, but the department said its major projects, including the new laboratory, were not currently in jeopardy. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 22-0, with Representative Berg as carrier.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Senators Tan Parker, Brent Hagenbuch, and Adam Hinojosa Jan 29th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And on top of that, over half of the young men in our care have also been labor trafficked.
- The labor trafficking problem is huge.
- So labor trafficked in the daytime and sex trafficked at night—big problems.
Summary:
Texas senators, representatives, the Texas Trucking Association, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a Capitol press event focused on human trafficking awareness, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and argued that public awareness must expand beyond the common assumption that victims are only girls and women. Several participants described trafficking as modern-day slavery and stressed that it affects people across all backgrounds, including in border and highway communities.
The event highlighted a new awareness campaign in partnership with the trucking industry, including decals and posters to be placed on trucks statewide to encourage drivers and the public to “see something, say something.” Texas Trucking Association leaders said the industry’s large statewide footprint gives it a major role in spotting suspicious activity and educating drivers. Bob Williams of Bob’s House of Hope said his organization opened the first U.S. safe house for sex-trafficked boys and young men and cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims, though the problem is underreported.
Lawmakers and DPS officials said the state should continue giving law enforcement more tools to combat trafficking and praised the partnership with private industry and victim services. No formal vote or legislative action was taken at the event; the main action was the launch of the awareness campaign and the public rollout of the truck decals, with participants posing for photos with the first truck carrying the new messaging.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- Republicans in Randolph, so getting Republican workers to serve in elections and have this language skill
- Seeing no... ...have this language skill is that much more difficult.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on several election-related bills, with most testimony focused on voting access, ballot administration, and election procedures. Senator Driscoll testified for S. 509, a Randolph home rule petition to require bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole, and Randolph officials and community members strongly supported it, saying it would improve access, confidence, and participation for Haitian Creole speakers. Other speakers, including advocates and residents, described language barriers as a form of voter suppression and urged favorable action.
Leader Donato testified on H. 822, which would remove the word “physical” from the absentee voting disability standard, and on a bill to raise the signature threshold for creating political designations and allow dormant designations to be dissolved. Senator Rausch testified on several bills, including one expanding the State Ballot Law Commission’s jurisdiction over presidential primary candidate placement and a broader elections infrastructure bill that would change registration deadlines, primary dates, reporting systems, ballot design, mail voting procedures, and voter outreach. Representative Cattelda also testified on a bill to rename the ballot title for governor’s councilor to “governor’s counselor.”
The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, through Tom Joyce and Ben Kaufman, said it supported a number of the bills and offered local election administration expertise. Former Representative Lenny Mera and Sandra Cato testified for S. 536, a bill on accountability for defective and spoiled ballots, citing a disputed 2022 Revere recount and arguing that spoiled ballots should be documented and publicly inspectable so improperly rejected ballots are not lost. Emma Chinman of Partners in Democracy supported multiple reforms, including the elections infrastructure bill and a bill allowing unenrolled voters to serve on boards of registrars. After testimony concluded, the committee accepted written testimony by email and then adjourned without taking any votes.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- The second one: 'Girl State was such a wonderful experience that taught very valuable life skills.
- couple days taught me more about civil duties as an American citizen, but it also taught communication skills
Summary:
House Management considered a series of House resolutions honoring individuals, teams, and organizations. Resolutions passed recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and commending CASA programs, the Mountain Home Bombers’ boys and girls cross-country championships, a corrected honor for a girls’ team roster, Mount St. Mary Academy’s state golf title, Central Arkansas Christian High School Choir, a local candy shop, Joe T. Robinson’s football and swim/dive state championships, Arkansas Tech University’s Golden Suns and their cross-country team, and North Little Rock’s girls basketball championship. One resolution honoring the Passion Play was pulled from the agenda and moved to regular session. Most of the honors were approved without opposition after brief presentations and no questions.
The committee then took up House Resolution 1052, which drew extended discussion. Sponsors and several legislators argued that many Arkansas girls selected for Girls State were being denied participation because school counselors missed an application deadline, despite the students meeting requirements and similar deadline flexibility having been granted in prior years. They said the issue affected roughly 150 girls statewide, that the American Legion Auxiliary board had not been responsive to calls or requests for a meeting, and that the legislature was offering to help with space, funding, or volunteers if needed. Supporters framed the resolution as a matter of fairness, civic opportunity, and not punishing students for adult mistakes, especially since Boys State deadlines had been extended in some cases.
Committee members asked about the impact on girls whose brothers were allowed to attend Boys State and whether the situation sent a negative message about equal opportunity. Sponsors said the girls were being treated unfairly and that the resolution was intended to urge the Auxiliary to allow participation. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the resolution. The meeting then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 9th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a powerful example of how skilled law enforcement working together can...
- This is a powerful example of how skilled law enforcement working together can fight back against sophisticated
Summary:
The Senate opened with a roll call establishing a quorum, a moment of silence for Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, and a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Senator Pérez then introduced representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, highlighting the organization’s community role and economic impact. The body also approved the Senate journals and moved to confirmations and resolutions.
Three gubernatorial appointments were confirmed unanimously or near-unanimously: C.N.R. Lomeli to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and C. Don Clay and Joshua Pertula to the University of California College of Law and San Francisco Board of Directors. The Senate then adopted SCR 120, designating National Consumer Protection Week and Slam the Scam Day, after remarks on fraud, senior scams, data brokers, and a Pleasant Hill cryptocurrency scam case in which law enforcement recovered stolen funds. The resolution passed 36-0, and the floor recognized Pleasant Hill police and Secret Service personnel involved in the case.
The Senate also adopted SCR 126 proclaiming March 9, 2026 as Special Olympics Day, with support emphasizing inclusion and the organization’s programs in California; SCR 79 designating Sleep Health Awareness Week, with discussion of sleep deprivation and support for permanent standard time; SCR 135 declaring Peace Corps Week, with remarks on volunteer service and returned Peace Corps members; and SR 83 recognizing Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, stressing early screening and disparities in outcomes. Each of these resolutions passed unanimously or by unanimous roll call. After adoption, the Senate welcomed guests tied to each measure, including Special Olympics athletes, returned Peace Corps volunteers, and colorectal cancer advocates.
The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Paul McAley and Robert Uyoha, honoring their professional, civic, and family contributions. The Senate then recessed, with the next floor session announced for March 12, 2026.
CA