Transcript Highlights:

• monthly with the railroad commission and we're looking at ways to, you know, further strengthen our collaboration
• Uh, we, we retain it consistent with, with, uh, records keeping practices, and we use that as background

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not a common practice in Texas. But it does exist in two of our counties.
• When the state goes to court to take somebody's children, it's not opening up a collaborative therapy

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past 12 months, we collaborated to see how we could pool our resources to come up with a regional
• restoration and increases transparency in the planning, funding, budgeting, reporting, and business practices

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear a panel discussion on implementation of Senate Bill 64 (2021), which requires elimination of non-beneficial wastewater discharges to surface waters by 2032. Department of Environmental Protection staff reported that utility plans have been approved, about 570 million gallons per day are expected to be eliminated under the plans, and roughly 176 million gallons per day have already been eliminated. The department emphasized ongoing annual reporting, continued coordination with utilities, and the need for projects such as reuse, indirect potable reuse, wet-weather backup discharges, groundwater recharge, and other beneficial uses to meet the law’s 90% reuse requirement in applicable cases. Representatives from Flagler Beach, Atlantic Beach, JEA, and Hillsborough County described how the law affects different utilities. Smaller and coastal systems said they face major cost, space, salinity, and infrastructure constraints, with limited reuse opportunities and expensive alternatives such as deep well injection or regional transfer. Larger systems described substantial capital programs already underway, including public access reuse, indirect potable reuse, regional recharge projects, and saltwater intrusion barrier wells, with costs ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars. Members and witnesses discussed the need for flexibility, regional solutions, and case-by-case permitting, and the Florida Rural Water Association asked the committee to consider hardship provisions and funding or exemption adjustments for smaller systems. The committee then took up SPB 7002, a proposed bill by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee relating to water management districts. Senator Broder explained that the bill would increase transparency, improve planning and budgeting oversight, create a gift ban, support local referendum authority for certain ad valorem funding, and provide record-level funding for Everglades restoration. After a question from Senator Smith about whether the ad valorem language was expansive or restrictive, Senator Broder said it would add a new funding tool for districts. The committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7002 as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving next to public hearings, let us begin with House Bill 1295 dealing with instructional practices
• opportunities for competency-based assess, oh sorry, relates to using evidence-based instructional practices
• It's a simple, practical step that strengthens both voter participation and election security.
• Create a community of practice where instructional materials and resources can be shared.
• And I actually had served on it specifically to help infuse those practices and strategies, like you

Bills: HB1295 , HB2007 , HB2262 , HB2636

Committee: House Education

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, the bill provides that violating this requirement is an unfair practice in a real estate
• I practice medicine and public health in Olympia for 33 years.
• It's a tailored, practical solution. It doesn't require landlords to install anything.
• The consumer concerns about this marketing practice are extensive.
• National Fair Housing and how off-market practices can deepen segregation and inequality.

Bills: SB6091 , SB6096 , SB6153 , SB6200

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: SB 6091, Washington real estate, real estate broker, residential property, home listings, exclusive listing, limited marketing, open marketing, fair housing, brokerage law, consumer protection, housing access, MLS, seller disclosure, buyer representation, dual agency, designated broker, managing broker, short sale, real estate pamphlet

Transcript Highlights:

• My own small four-person practice is deeply embedded in the community.
• practice and most recently as the general counsel of Sutter Health.
• Maybe they're no longer practicing.
• Kamara Graham, and I am a practicing emergency physician.
• Kamara Graham, and I am a practicing emergency physician here in Sacramento.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long series of health-related bills, with most measures focused on access to care, administrative simplification, and behavioral health. Early items included AB 583, allowing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would tighten provider directory accuracy requirements, add enforcement benchmarks, and allow use of a centralized database. Testimony on AB 280 highlighted the harms of “ghost networks,” while insurers and some provider groups opposed the bill as written, arguing it placed too much responsibility on plans and did not fully address provider-side data problems. AB 280 passed on a roll call vote, and several other bills were placed on consent and approved. The committee also advanced AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children up to age 21 and lowering the age threshold for access; AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and 90-day review deadline; and AB 787, requiring health plans to help enrollees find in-network providers quickly when directories fail. Supporters of these bills emphasized family financial strain, delays in care, and the burden of administrative red tape, while opponents of AB 1041 and AB 280 raised concerns about provider participation, accuracy, and liability. All three measures were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 4 and AB 29. AB 4 would allow income-eligible Californians to buy Covered California coverage regardless of immigration status, and AB 29 would authorize Medi-Cal reimbursement for community health workers and doulas conducting ACE screenings. Both bills drew strong support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations, and both passed on roll call votes, with AB 4 receiving some no votes. The committee also approved AB 416, which would allow emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances; supporters said it would reduce delays and overcrowding in emergency departments, while Disability Rights California and others warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill passed and was sent onward for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 559 is a modest, practical step. It does not impose a statewide mandate.
• , that's pretty much but in my practice, that's pretty much been<01:21:53.480><c> a</c><01:21:53.520>
• Before the tow list existed, there was no comprehensive vetting for equipment, business practices, or
• <01:36:52.640><c> by</c><01:36:52.960><c> the</c><01:36:53.280><c> division,</c> collaboratively by the
• division, collaboratively by the division, industrial<01:36:54.720><c> stakeholders,</c><01:36:55.360

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Transportation opened public hearings on three Senate bills and discussed a fourth scheduling issue. On SB 499, which would change Traffic Safety Commission reporting requirements, the sponsor’s representative said the bill would require annual aggregated data on the causes of traffic collisions in New Hampshire and recommendations to address them. Members asked about the added Trauma Medical Review Committee seat, and a representative explained that it is a longstanding state board of emergency and trauma professionals; the bill had already been amended and passed unanimously earlier in the process. On SB 500, concerning restroom access for certain commercial motor vehicle operators, the sponsor and trucking-industry supporters said the measure arose from concerns raised by female truck drivers and was intended to require larger commercial facilities with available public or employee restrooms to allow truck drivers to use them when there are no public safety concerns. Supporters from the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association said driver shortages make it important to recruit and retain women, and that lack of bathroom access is a significant barrier. Committee members asked about the scope of the problem and whether the issue affected male and female drivers differently. The committee then heard SB 559, which would reduce the minimum allowable speed limit on locally controlled roads. Supporters, including bicyclists and the Bike-Walk Alliance, testified that lower speeds improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, citing personal crash experiences and national guidance supporting lower urban speed limits where warranted by traffic or engineering studies. They emphasized the bill would not mandate lower limits statewide but would give towns local discretion. Members questioned whether the group would support 15 mph limits and how congestion and travel-time concerns were weighed. A Department of Transportation official testified neutrally, saying the agency had no formal position but had concerns about public perception and possible spillover to unnumbered state roads. The chair also noted an earlier scheduling problem that prevented immediate executive action on a bill until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This practice doesn't happen by all providers, but it does happen and takes away people's independence
• This protection helps curb the practice of private equity and other for-profit companies who purchase
• This practice uh condition of admission.
• This practice uh doesn't<00:02:45.519><c> happen</c><00:02:45.760><c> by</c><00:02:46.000><c> all</c>
• </c><00:03:16.000><c> of</c> protection helps curbs the practice of protection helps curbs the practice

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: assisted living, nursing home, long-term care, guardian, conservator, resident rights, arbitration, mandatory arbitration, consumer protection, fee increase, rate increase, price hike, private pay, public funds, Medicaid, waiver services, elderly, seniors, older adults, disability rights

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I always talk about traditional private practices.
• </c> I call them kids, but they're practicing I call them kids, but they're practicing medical<00:15:
• </c> American Academy of Family Practice American Academy of Family Practice Physicians<00:17:14.720>
• </c> practicing for 14 years. practicing for 14 years.
• </c> recommended to them, practices recommended to them, practices recommended<01:01:15.280><c> to</c

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 14 has the Center for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Engagement, and Learning at Winona State.
• Page 14 has the Center for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Engagement, and Learning at Winona State.
• The core thresholds and MMB's expected practices around structuring are not changing.
• <c> to</c><01:10:02.400><c> maintain</c> In practice, MMB expects to maintain In practice, MMB expects
• around structuring are not practices around structuring are not changing. changing. changing.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The IBank team works with Go-Biz in tandem and will collaborate with the Energy Unit and other accelerated
• The bill requires that CPUC move instead from the April and October current practice to at most providing
• We believe there is a collaborative solution here.
• We believe there is a collaborative solution here.
• We believe there is a collaborative solution here.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:22:49.679><c> PE</c> actually having that uh collaboration PE actually having that uh collaboration
• </c> with all of the new um best practices with all of the new um best practices and<01:25:50.800><c>
• Practically speaking, that's not a frequently used mechanism.
• Practically speaking, that's not a frequently used mechanism.
• Practically speaking, that's not a frequently used mechanism.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:29.720><c> with</c> will oftentimes seek to collaborate with will oftentimes seek to collaborate
• What you're trying to do may be best practice.
• What you're trying to do may be best practice.
• </c> do that it it may be best practice do that it it may be best practice representative<01:12:19.480
• </c> continue practicing continue practicing businesses<02:43:49.120><c> for</c><02:43:49.279><c> your

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Innovation, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Privacy Protection Agency, and the Fair Political Practices
• Innovation, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Privacy Protection Agency, and the Fair Political Practices
• It's out of their scope of practice. They're not supposed to be doing it.
• They missed a section, but they were still able to practice.
• We want them to continue practice. We want them to fill in that education gap.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they had assets related to their practice, their business... ...assets.
• So if they had assets related to their practice, their business, other businesses that they, you know
• I love a good practical bill. So thank you for bringing this forward.
• But I do appreciate your practical approach to this issue.
• So I'm looking at the practical aspect of the actuarial review.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It affirms that we can protect patients, uphold accountability, and support a fair practice environment
• So if they had assets related to their practice, their business... ...other businesses that they are
• I love a good practical bill. So thank you for bringing this forward.
• But I do appreciate your practical approach to this issue.
• So I'm looking at the practical aspect of the actuarial review.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 195, as amended by committee substitute, which would protect the personal assets of individual medical providers from medical malpractice judgments when they carry appropriate insurance or participate in the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address providers’ fear of losing homes and other personal property, while opponents argued it could exempt a class of people from civil justice. Supporters said it was a reasonable compromise that preserved patient access to justice while helping recruit and retain providers. The committee adopted the substitute and advanced it on a do pass vote. The committee then heard HB 295, a revised version of the Accessibility Act, which would create a centralized office for accessibility reporting, technical assistance, and annual reporting on barriers in state buildings and websites. Supporters said the bill would improve coordination, data collection, and compliance with existing ADA requirements; opponents argued it duplicated existing law and would create another government office without enforcement power. Members debated whether the Governor’s Commission on Disability should handle the work instead, but the sponsors said the commission lacked capacity and the Department of Health was a better fit. The committee adopted the substitute and advanced it 8-1. Next, HB 296 proposed doubling the working families tax credit. The sponsor and supporters described it as an anti-poverty measure that would benefit more than 200,000 families and strengthen work incentives, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, administration, and interaction with other tax credits. The bill was quickly advanced on a do pass vote. The committee then heard HB 338, which would extend the gross receipts tax deduction for health care providers through 2031 and add co-insurance payments. Health care advocates supported it, but city and municipal representatives warned it would reduce local revenue unless a full hold harmless was added. After extended discussion, the committee rejected a motion to table and instead advanced the bill 9-0 with no recommendation, with several members saying they would not support it on the floor unless local governments were made whole. Finally, the committee heard HB 259, which would create an optional actuarial review process for proposed health insurance legislation through the Legislative Finance Committee. Supporters said it would give lawmakers better data on premium, utilization, and spending impacts before voting on coverage mandates; opponents and some members raised concerns about cost, staffing, data access, and whether the process would be too limited to be useful. After discussion, the committee advanced the bill on a do pass vote. HB 279 was rolled at the sponsor’s request, and the committee adjourned after reminding members about the evening dinner.

Transcript Highlights:

• practices.
• We've developed a best management practices document, worked alongside and educated each agency, and
• Just as current practices, including bone piles and burial, have not spelled the end for California's
• Cockfighting is an important crime to address because it's an inexcusable practice that profits from
• violent cruelty to animals. inexcusable practice that profits from violent cruelty to animals.

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:46:26.400><c> Um</c> the community tourism collaborative.
• Um the community tourism collaborative.
• </c><02:12:27.840><c> We</c> office of information practices. We office of information practices.
• I'm about collaboration and just see I'm about collaboration and just see working<04:06:13.600><c> together
• </c> Wasn't collaborating, you're dictating. Wasn't collaborating, you're dictating.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism held an informational briefing on the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s interim action plans, current projects, contract updates, destination management action plans, and state auditor findings. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson described her role as temporary and said she was focused on identifying problems, gathering information, communicating with stakeholders, and implementing solutions. She said HTA is now operating as a typical state agency subject to state controls, but noted that HTA’s work often involves nontraditional programs that can create process errors. She also said she had directed staff to review the auditor’s findings on the destination management action plan process and that the review was posted publicly. A major topic was the search for a permanent CEO and the agency’s restructuring under SB 1571. HTA board chair Tata Po said he hoped to select a CEO within about four months, with three to six finalists expected in roughly two to two-and-a-half months, and said the job description would largely remain the same except for compensation and reporting changes under the new law. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism representatives explained that HTA’s board is now advisory and does not approve the budget, while DBEDT retains budget authority. They also said HTA is working with the governor’s office and DBEDT on contract and budget transitions, including a possible shift to a calendar-year process so grantees and contractors have more certainty. Members pressed HTA on staffing, oversight, and accountability, especially around the destination stewardship team and the CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB contracts. HTA said the destination stewardship team supports destination management and product development, including workforce development, sports, and implementation of destination management action plans, and that staff provide direction to contractors rather than simply handing work over to them. Anderson said the stewardship team had 11 people and that the destination management side covered about 15 contracts, while the branding side had three managers overseeing nine contracts. She said the agency had 47 contracts overall and that the major contracts included CNHA/Kilohana and HVCB. Several members criticized HTA’s management history, questioned staffing qualifications and compensation, and expressed concern that the agency had lost public trust. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• create a study committee that will conduct a comprehensive review of current sales tax diversion practices
• 30:04.640><c> sales</c><00:30:04.920><c> tax</c><00:30:05.160><c> diversion</c><00:30:05.560><c> practices
• </c> current sales tax diversion practices current sales tax diversion practices and<00:30:06.400><c>
• House Bill 479, Universal Recognition of Occupational License Act, receive revised regarding practices
• </c><02:50:07.800><c> of</c><02:50:07.880><c> marriage</c> revised regarding practices of marriage revised

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a collaborative multi-state collaborative around civil discourse.
• </c><03:32:12.000><c> multi-state</c> oh it's a collaborative multi-state oh it's a collaborative multi-state
• collaborative<03:32:13.680><c> around</c><03:32:14.239><c> civil</c><03:32:14.640><c> discourse.
• </c> collaborative around civil discourse. collaborative around civil discourse.
• </c> joining that multi-state collaborative joining that multi-state collaborative again<03:32:21.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up several school building aid bills. HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing, drew debate over whether the program is effective and whether funds should be allowed to carry forward. Supporters argued the program is underfunded and that even small leftover amounts should remain available for building aid; opponents said non-lapsing funds limit future budget flexibility and that the program creates winners and losers. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend HB 295 inexpedient to legislate (ITL). The committee then considered HB 366, which would increase school building aid for eligible projects and include retroactive funding for projects completed in the past. The motion to ITL was supported on the grounds that retroactive payments would be unfair to districts still waiting in line and that the legislature should focus on future projects. Supporters of the bill said the increase was modest and that districts that built during a prior moratorium on aid were left with long-term fiscal burdens. The committee again voted 4-3 to recommend ITL. The discussion also broadened into special education funding and a retained bill, HB 742, concerning catastrophic special education aid and the source of funding. Members debated whether the education trust fund should cover the aid and whether the committee should act now or wait for a separate commission studying special education costs. Several members emphasized that special education costs are rising, that more data is needed on student identification and funding formulas, and that the commission’s report may provide better guidance. The chair said the subcommittee’s recommendations would go to the full committee, and the next meeting was expected to be rescheduled from November 4 to later that week because of election-related conflicts.