Transcript Highlights:

• They defeated Bakersfield Christian, sorry to my colleagues from Bakersfield, in a dramatic back-and-forth
• also rise to recognize an extraordinary group of student athletes from my district, the Reading Christian
• The Reading Christian Lions completed a truly historic season, finishing 15 and 0. Thank you.
• The Christian Lions completed a truly historic season, finishing 15 and 0.
• commitment, resilience, and excellence on and off the field, please join me in congratulating the Redding Christian

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, completed the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing visitors, students, and a long-serving committee secretary, Tabitha Volga-Sang, who was honored for 32 years of service. Members also took up a procedural motion by Assembly Member DeMaio to immediately consider ACA 14, the Taxpayer Protection Act, without reference to file; that motion failed on a 14-44 vote. The main policy debate centered on SB 106 by Senator Laird, a budget appropriation to provide $90 million in one-time funding for Planned Parenthood and related women’s health and family planning services after federal cuts. Assembly Member Tangipa offered amendments arguing the money should be directed more broadly to women’s health and hospitals, but the Assembly voted 41-13 to lay the amendments on the table. Supporters, including Gabriel, Sharp-Collins, Gibson, Krell, Bonta, and others, said the bill was needed to preserve access to cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing, and reproductive care, especially in rural and underserved communities, and to offset the effects of federal defunding. Opponents, including Johnson, DeMaio, Patterson, and Tangipa, criticized the bill as lacking transparency, favoring a politically connected organization, and diverting attention from hospital funding and other health needs. After extended floor debate, SB 106 passed the Assembly 55-10 and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. The chamber then took up H.R. 84, a resolution condemning racism after President Trump circulated racist imagery depicting former President Obama and Michelle Obama. Members from the Black, LGBTQ, Latino, AAPI, Jewish, Native American, and other caucuses spoke in support, saying the post normalized dehumanization and had real-world consequences; Assembly Member Tangipa also stated the post was wrong and apologized on the record. The transcript ends during continued debate on H.R. 84, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the rainbow flag representing sexual things, realize that this was something that very many Christians
• If it’s a mega flag or if it’s something, a Christian flag, in this case, and force...”
• “If it’s a mega flag or if it’s something, a Christian flag, in this case, and force that on everybody
• Christians are offended by that flag, and so it is divisive one way or another.
• citizens and whether the city of Boise thinks it's divisive or not they may see it as unifying Christians

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that as a Christian, it's important to understand our history about this issue.
• You enforce your personal religion on everyone, and that is Christian nationalism.
• Last year, a concerned Texan reached out to the National Association of Christian Lawmakers after seeing
• Texas Values Action is the largest statewide Christian law and policy organization in Texas, standing
• I come before you today as a Christian leader deeply committed to the truth that all people are made

Bills: HB229 , HB229 , HB3990 , HB5082 , HB5510

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district

Transcript Highlights:

• Cornerstone is the only full-time Christian advocacy organization in New Hampshire.
• The zoning is the area where there is the most widespread anti-religious, and not just anti-Christian
• advocacy organization in New Christian advocacy organization in New Hampshire<00:37:49.800><c> we</c
• </c><00:38:22.800><c> but</c> not just anti-christian but not just anti-christian but anti-religious<
• </c> just our churches not just Christian just our churches not just Christian churches<00:40:39.400>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Penn from the Christian Doctors and Dentists Association, said in committee that one of the mechanisms
• Penn from the Christian Doctors and Dentists Association said in committee that one of the mechanisms
• In 2015, there was a leader of the national Christian right-wing movement.
• In 2015, there was a leader of the national Christian right-wing movement.
• </c> conservatism or or right-wing Christian conservatism or or right-wing Christian stuff<02:04:35.119

Transcript Highlights:

• Among them is Artemis Kim Zade, an Iranian woman who fled Iran after converting to Christianity, a crime
• Artemis converted to Christianity in secret through a network of underground churches and online classes
• Artemis is one of 10 Iranian Christians, including three children, who are detained in Panama.
• </c><00:05:36.360><c> a</c><00:05:36.520><c> crime</c> converting to Christianity a crime converting
• to Christianity a crime punishable<00:05:37.400><c> by</c><00:05:37.720><c> death</c><00:05:38.000><c

Bills: HR758 , HR856 , HR153 , HR872 , HB1515

Keywords: fencing, youth development, underserved communities, athletics, Peter Westbrook, scholarships, academic achievement, SNAP, nutrition assistance, contingency funds, government shutdown, hunger prevention, vulnerable populations, federal funding, condolences, aviation safety, transportation disaster, victims support, first responders, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Transcript Highlights:

• I come today as a native Texan. ...and a committed Christian to speak on SB2880.
• With deep respect for you, this bill is not just un-Christian but anti-Christian and adds to the threat
• I'm a Christian, and I'm here because I want to tell this committee about my ectopic pregnancy.
• Those are pro-life Christians. This is an 80-30, I mean it's a 70-30 issue.
• Texas Values Action is the largest Christian nonprofit law and policy organization in Texas.

Bills: SB31 , SB33 , SB510 , SB871 , SB1868 , SB2024 , SB2166 , SB2309 , SB2880 , SJR27 , SJR39 , SJR40 , SB 31 , SB 33

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• column, to your right, underneath Liberty, we have a couple of faculty and students from Tri-County Christian
• Equality, we have a very special group of third- and fourth-graders from the excellent Crosspoint Christian
• column, to your right, underneath Liberty, we have a couple of faculty and students from Tri-County Christian
• County Christian School in Macon and just like the body to make them feel welcome.
• The most excellent Cross Point Christian School in Villa Ridge from my District 109.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Leborlio, Christian Family Coalition of Florida. Daniel Mendoza, waving against.
• I'm with the Christian Family Coalition, and we rise in support of 1716.
• John Leborlio, Christian Family Coalition of Florida. Daniel Mendoza, waving against.
• La Borla, Christian Family Coalition of Florida, Daniel Mendoza, waiving against, Robert Dempster, waiving
• I'm with the Christian Family Coalition, and we rise in support of 1716.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for CS for SB 462 on transportation, adopting a substitute amendment that would require counties receiving transportation surtax proceeds to report how the money is used, prohibit certain airport fees tied to collegiate flight training, create a Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority pilot program, and fund a traffic signal modernization program with $10 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund. The amendment also removed several provisions from the bill, including a sales tax transfer to the trust fund, a bid protest-related contracting requirement, and repeal of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council. A late-filed amendment was tabled, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS for CS for SB 628, “Lucy's Law,” on boating safety, which would strengthen penalties for leaving the scene of a vessel accident and reckless vessel operation. Lucy’s parents gave emotional testimony in support, describing the fatal 2022 boating crash and urging stronger accountability. The sponsor withdrew pending amendments, and the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 700, the Florida Farm Bill, was next; the strike-all amendment covered a broad range of agriculture-related changes, including water fluoridation restrictions, labeling rules, drone restrictions over farmland, disaster recovery programs, an honest services registry, FFA-related provisions, and agricultural land preservation. Testimony included support from agricultural and gun-rights groups, opposition from banking, dental, and local-government advocates, and a lengthy public debate over fluoridation and financial discrimination. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems was reported favorably with little debate. The committee then took up CS for SB 1618 on K-12 education, adopting a delete-all amendment that combined a wide range of education provisions, including VPK flexibility, agriculture education, financial literacy, reading intervention requirements, teacher assignment reporting, restrictions on spending public funds on political or social activism, postsecondary and workforce-related changes, and other school and college system updates. Several speakers opposed the activism-related funding restriction, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to keep publicly funded schools focused on education; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 7016 on initiative petitions, adopting a strike-all amendment that would sharply tighten petition circulation rules and increase penalties. The proposal would require circulators to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, impose training and registration requirements, shorten petition submission deadlines, require more identifying information on petition forms, limit sponsors to one amendment per election cycle, and create new enforcement and investigation triggers, including a 25% invalid-signature threshold. Sponsors argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect the integrity of constitutional amendment petitions, while senators raised concerns about due process, public-records issues, burdens on volunteers, and the impact on voters and sponsors. The bill was not reported in the portion provided, and the discussion remained ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christian Manuel. Mr. Speaker, move passage of all of her bills. It's Leo Wilson.
• Christian University.
• Does your diploma say Abilene Christian University or Abilene Christian College?
• Abilene Christian University. Well then we don't have the same college alma mater.
• Christian College or keep it university?

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Christian Houghton, still on Senate 115. Excuse me. Thank you. I missed in-person.
• We have Christian Houghton, still on Senate 115. No? Okay.
• Senate 115, we had Christian Houghton in person. Okay. Senate 145, Adam Boy Bear.
• Senate 115 we had Christian Houghton in person okay Senate 145 Adam boy bear okay virtual we had Colleen

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services. Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.

Transcript Highlights:

• school there, Father Mark's just a great asset to our community and a just a wonderful example of Christian
• example</c> community and a just a wonderful example community and a just a wonderful example of of of Christian
• </c> Christian brotherhood and and charity. Christian brotherhood and and charity.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Father Mark Bilek of Westminster, introduced by the Senator from the 42nd District and praised by members for his community service and Lenten message of reconciliation. The prayer was journalized. The chamber then recognized several guests, including interns, family members, a shadowing student, and the doctor of the day, Dr. Ann Benfield, before moving to floor business. A scheduling note indicated a light floor agenda, with committee work later in the day and a longer floor session expected the next day. The Senate considered several second-reading committee reports and moved multiple bills to third reading, generally without objection. These included House Bill 229, increasing Maryland Transportation Authority bond capacity from $4 billion to $5 billion; House Bill 266, allowing resource-sharing revenues to support state communications infrastructure, with an amendment conforming it to Senate Bill 85; House Bill 472, extending and adjusting the theatrical production tax credit; House Bill 607, setting constitutional officers’ salaries; House Bill 810, creating a study on blockchain-based lease recordation verification with an amendment adding the Maryland Blockchain Association; House Bill 1095, granting a Calvert County property tax credit for former tobacco barns; House Bill 1142, creating a task force on county and municipal revenue structures; and House Bill 1165, addressing apprenticeship program accountability and completion. The Senate also advanced Senate Bill 956, authorizing the Maryland Transportation Authority to waive portions of video tolls or civil penalties on delinquent accounts, with a sponsor amendment. Members briefly joked about April Fools’ Day during the proceedings, but the chamber continued to adopt reports and amendments without recorded opposition. At the end of the session, leaders announced committee schedules for the afternoon and the next day, including Finance, Triple E, Budget and Taxation, and Judicial Proceedings meetings. The Senate then held a quorum call, confirmed 45 members present, and adjourned until Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• with a concentration in public policy from the University of Alabama where I and I teach at Bard Christian
• c><00:06:08.000><c> teach</c><00:06:08.080><c> at</c><00:06:08.240><c> Bard</c><00:06:08.639><c> Christian
• </c><00:06:08.960><c> School</c> and I teach at Bard Christian School and I teach at Bard Christian School

Bills: HB272 , HB272

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: HB272, LASEA, AMSTEP, Alabama Commission on Higher Education, State Department of Education, teacher loan repayment, student loan forgiveness, educator shortage, teacher shortage, acute educator shortage, acute shortage location, public K-12 schools, school systems, math teachers, science teachers, computer science teachers, charter schools, failing schools, underperforming schools, teacher recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• Pullen from the Christian Doctors and Dentists Association, said in committee that one of the mechanisms
• physicals aren't required to play on the fourth-grade girls volleyball team at a private school, Christian
• In 2015, there was a leader of the National Christian Right-Wing Movement, I'm not going to name him,
• Representative Rarick referred to, it's not like the UN Is a bastion of conservatism or right-wing Christian

Transcript Highlights:

• Gary did a lot of good things for the state of Arkansas and for our Christian values.
• Mike Huckabee, as a member of the SFA Farmers Co-op, as a member of the National Association of Christian

Transcript Highlights:

• Christian. I'm sorry. Rebecca L. Rausch votes no. Brendan P. Crighton. William J. Driscoll Jr. No.
• His grandchildren, Alexandria, Samantha, Robert III, Max, Christian, Connor, Manning, Rachel, Matthew
• His grandchildren, Alexandria, Samantha, Robert III, Max, Christian, Connor, Manning, Rachel, Matthew

Transcript Highlights:

• We have John Labriola from the Christian Family Coalition of Florida as a proponent of the bill.
• I'm with the Christian Family Coalition, which is actually headquartered in Miami-Dade County, so we
• We now have Anthony Verdugo from the Christian Family Coalition of Florida. He's waving in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Washington State Senator Leonard Christian from the fabulous Fourth District, also known as Western
• Senator Christian. Are there any questions for Haley or Brian? Senator Christian. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: SB6005

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, transportation appropriations, capital budget, supplemental budget, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferries, Puget Sound ferries, tolling, express toll lanes, highway safety, traffic safety, impaired driving, ignition interlock, speed cameras, transit funding, public transit, multimodal transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Good evening, my name is Rob Koehler, and I'm here representing the Christian Life Commission of the
• I'm here representing the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. is speaking
• Christian Life Commission, and I am speaking in support of Senate Bill 28. I’m lying there.

Bills: SB650 , HB3667 , SB28 , HB3201 , SB1184 , HB1800 , SB 28

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: permit issuance, regulatory framework, business operations, efficiency, application process, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, lottery regulations, occupational licensing, fraud prevention, criminal background checks, lottery couriers, SB 1184, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, wine collection seller, collectible wine, vintage wine

Transcript Highlights:

• Would teaching about evolution be considered discrimination against Christianity?
• Respectful disagreements with students and faculty, atheists and Christians over things like doctrine
• Department of Education has published multiple directives telling us that we cannot discriminate against Christians

Bills: SB2972 , SB1909 , SB2815 , SB735 , SB2233 , SB800 , SB1069 , SB2683 , SB2986 , SB2058 , SB2310 , SB2055 , SB1032

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16