Transcript Highlights:

• We support Senator Gates's bill overwhelmingly.
• Murphy Kennedy Gearing is waving in support. Derek Tabor Schofer is waving in support.
• Colton Medill is waving in support. Michael McLean is waving in support.
• Carolyn Mann is waving in support. Luis Fasquez is waving in support.
• Theresa Niemeyer is waving in support. Zane Smith is waving in support. That is everyone.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is support. Scott Kaufman, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, in support.
• This is support. Asha Sharma, on behalf of Sierra Club California, in support.
• services at risk of severe cuts.
• I support, we support. Thank you very much.
• , and I support the bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be able to support them with technical support.
• And the Forest Service...
• In the Forest Service, they need those jobs; their families depend on those jobs, and they're not going
• I just know you're supportive, and I just thank you for your support.
• Those non-traditional families. We have so many of those families.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll urge your support. And with that, debate is open. I'll urge your support.
• I will be supporting this budget.
• Second row is the drug mental health and family court services. There's zero FTPs.
• health, and family court services, the court says, you know what?
• management services program for an administrative support position.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will not support I will not support raising the gas tax. [Applause] And we shouldn't have to.
• and support.
• ,</c><00:28:59.520><c> by</c> young people and working families, by young people and working families
• </c> expanded services and corrections. expanded services and corrections.
• </c><00:35:00.160><c> and</c> foster hope for Vermoners families and foster hope for Vermoners families

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their family and their children.
• These resources will expand service opportunities. ...through 2026.
• then we have a Pentagon that supports the ability for the service members to do the work that they need
• So these types of, whatever we want to call them—service projects, service learning, internships—really
• for the Department of General Services.

Summary: The subcommittee held an informational budget hearing covering several GovOps, CDT, CPPA, and DGS items. GovOps reported that most deliverables under the Governor’s generative AI executive order have been completed, including guidelines, procurement tools, community-impact guidance, and a new project delivery lifecycle for Gen AI projects; one workforce-related deliverable remains. Members and public commenters raised concerns about privacy, labor impacts, and how the state will explain and oversee Gen AI use. The committee also heard a proposal to create a California Education Interagency Council with $5 million ongoing and 16 positions to coordinate workforce and education systems; LAO questioned duplication and recommended limited-term funding, while supporters said a neutral convening body is needed to improve coordination and student outcomes. GoServe presented the College Corps budget proposals, describing the program as a paid service and career-development opportunity for undergraduate students that helps reduce college costs while supporting communities through tutoring, food insecurity work, climate and disaster response, and other service. The administration sought one-time and ongoing funding to expand the program to more campuses and students, while LAO objected to the high administrative costs and recommended rejection. Several students and alumni testified that College Corps provided financial support, professional experience, and career pathways. The committee also heard a $5 million proposal for a Belonging Campaign to address loneliness and social isolation through research, outreach, and local grants; LAO said the proposal lacked clear goals and measures, while supporters said the effort is needed for youth, seniors, and community resilience. The Department of Technology updated the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, saying construction is underway on the statewide open-access network and the project remains on track for the 2026 deadline, though LAO noted a required business plan had not yet been submitted. The California Privacy Protection Agency presented its Delete Act implementation request for the DROP platform, which will let consumers request deletion of personal information held by data brokers; LAO flagged oversight concerns because CDT is both developing the system and involved in project support. Public commenters from business groups urged caution on CPPA’s rulemakings, warning of compliance costs and job impacts. The Department of General Services then discussed implementation of Proposition 2 school facilities bonds, requesting staffing and administrative funding to manage the new bond program and continue school facility work. Officials said the program can also help districts affected by the January wildfires, including interim site funding and expedited assistance. Finally, DGS requested authority and positions to operate Building 18 for labor-agency tenants relocating from older Capitol Mall space; SEIU Local 1000 criticized the state’s four-day return-to-office policy and said telework has improved productivity and retention. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and member questions on each item.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> moment I deeply appreciate the support moment I deeply appreciate the support of<00:27:53.679><c
• </c><00:32:32.399><c> providers</c> community's Legal Services providers community's Legal Services providers
• :34:40.720><c> Service</c><00:34:41.720><c> established</c><00:34:42.240><c> a</c> pro bono Service established
• </c><00:51:40.480><c> Hawaii</c> Hawaii Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii Hawaii Volunteer Legal Services
• </c> thank my family for all their support thank my family for all their support and<00:52:54.440><c>

Keywords: State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I first want to rise today in strong support of the Protect Act, and I rise in particular in support
• And the disability services system depends heavily on immigrant workers, including direct support professionals
• I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Protect Act and to join me in supporting Amendment
• I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Protect Act and to join me in supporting Amendment
• for providing the service.

Summary: The Senate took up the Protect Act, a broad immigration-related bill, and first adopted Amendment 6 offered by Senator Kennedy. Kennedy framed the amendment as strengthening protections for DDS facilities and other disability-related settings, arguing that immigrant caregivers are essential to the direct care workforce and that these spaces should be treated as sensitive care environments. The chamber also agreed to print several senators’ remarks in the journal. Members then considered a series of amendments, with many withdrawn or rejected. An effective-date amendment was adopted, while multiple amendments from Senator Tarr and Senator Keenan dealing with 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, notification procedures, sanctuary-related language, and other enforcement provisions were defeated. Amendment 34, expanding safe-space language to include residential schools and residential programs licensed or funded by the state, was adopted. Amendment 11 on protecting immigrant victims of crime and trafficking was not adopted. Later, the Senate adopted Amendment 10 from Senator Edwards on courthouse curtilage and Amendment 20 establishing a commission on immigration, with Edwards noting minority-party representation would be included. Amendment 13 from Senator Miranda, protecting health care workers from retaliation when acting in good faith for patients, was also adopted. A corrective amendment from Senator Friedman was adopted, and Senator Montigny used the occasion to speak about human trafficking and the need to protect victims and prosecute traffickers. After the Ways and Means recommendation was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 37-3. The Senate then took up a House amendment to a student learning and mental health bill, rejected the House changes, and appointed a conference committee. The chamber also adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support Senate Bill 5995 and implore everyone to do so.
• their surviving family by working on the waterfront.
• their service as a child of a registered member who dies prior to retirement age to support their surviving
• family by working on the waterfront.
• Support Senate Bill 5995. Thank you for your time.

Summary: The committee heard four bills. On kit homes (ESSB 5552), staff explained the bill would direct the State Building Code Council to adopt rules for residential kit homes of 800 square feet or less by March 31, 2027. Prime sponsor Sen. Jeff Wilson said the bill would add housing options and asked that kit homes be treated as a distinct category from modular or factory-built structures; members asked whether current rules exist and whether the bill would cover 3D-printed homes. The public hearing was postponed, and later one supporter testified that the bill would help create clearer statewide standards without changing local zoning or safety requirements. On SB 5467, staff said the bill raises the thresholds for water-sewer districts to sell surplus property without notice or by private sale, increasing the personal property threshold to $5,400 and the real property threshold to $7,500. Sen. Keith Goehner said the change simply updates outdated limits to reflect inflation and improve efficiency. A representative of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts supported the bill, noting the thresholds had not been updated since 2011 for real property and 1993 for surplus property. The committee closed the public hearing without action. The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County’s authority to apply a freight rail-dependent use overlay to certain lands under prior law. Sen. Adrian Cortes argued the existing exemption has harmed agricultural and forest lands, led to environmental violations, and cost taxpayers money, while local supporters said the overlay has not produced promised economic benefits and should be removed. Opponents, including a railroad operator, the Association of Washington Business, and others, said the rail line supports economic development, rail-served industrial demand, and existing contractual and public investments, and warned repeal could strand investments and limit future freight and climate-friendly transportation options. The hearing was closed with no vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 5995, which would remove the 2031 sunset from the existing prohibition on using public port funds to buy fully automated marine cargo container handling equipment, while continuing to allow zero- and near-zero-emission equipment purchases. The sponsor and labor witnesses said the bill protects family-wage jobs, keeps taxpayer money from subsidizing automation, and preserves human oversight for safety and efficiency. Port and shipping industry opponents argued the bill is premature, could reduce port competitiveness, and should remain subject to the current sunset so the policy can be revisited later. The public hearing was closed with no action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> services.
• </c> non-emergency transport services. non-emergency transport services.
• </c> still receiving Medicaid services. still receiving Medicaid services.
• Kentucky families are being pushed to emotional and financial limits by a system intended to support
• Kentucky families deserve stability. it. Kentucky families deserve stability.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 1 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 1 Vote 00:15:05 HB 2 Discussion 00:17:20 HB 2 Vote 01:13:20, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a shirt my family wears when we go to the State Fair. Yes, we are that family.
• I am a pharmacist who has years of experience treating and supporting transgender military service members
• I'm in support of this bill. I'm in support of this bill, and quite frankly, it's common sense.
• I'm the executive director of Texas Family Project, and I'm here testifying in support of Senate Bill
• Is that civil service file...

Bills: SB7, SB14, SB 7, SB 14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are for support.
• Green cards are for support.
• I think anything that requires an appearance requires service unless you waive service.
• , I prefer this type of service.'
• all the legislative intent that currently allows service after the original service of the petition

Summary: The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure met on May 23, 2006, and considered a series of civil law bills, most of them reported favorably or as amended. Representative Mandy Landry’s HB 135, which updated motor vehicle exemptions from seizure in bankruptcy by raising vehicle value limits, allowing a second vehicle, increasing the exemption for vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities, and protecting certain HSA funds, was reported favorably. Her HB 297, expanding early lease termination rights to include stalking and cyberstalking victims, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from housing and domestic violence advocates. Representative Robbie Carter presented HB 292 on security deposits, HB 215 on raising the small succession threshold from $125,000 to $200,000, HB 226 on requests for admissions, and HB 216 on service of process. HB 292 was amended to give landlords an additional 15 days to send itemized security deposit statements and then reported as amended. HB 215 was reported favorably over opposition from the Clerks of Court Association, which argued the higher threshold would reduce clerk-generated revenue. HB 226 was amended to require a Rule 10.1 discovery conference before filing a motion based on unanswered requests for admissions and then reported as amended. HB 216, which would have allowed parties to choose how they receive service in later filings, drew concerns about practicality and electronic service and was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably HB 609, which exempts veterans from one-time fees for obtaining private medical records needed for disability claims, and voluntarily deferred HB 170 and HB 194 at the authors’ requests. Representative Weibel’s HB 284, modeled on existing blight and expropriation procedures, would expand local government tools to address abandoned and blighted property and was reported as amended after questions about property rights, notice, heirs, and title protection. Finally, the committee took up HB 142, a Law Institute package of civil procedure revisions, including changes to default judgments, appeals, motions to quash, trial notices, small claims reconventional demands, and abandonment procedures; after discussion of the abandonment affidavit requirements and appeal record costs, the bill was reported as amended. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And congratulations back to you and your family on your growing family. That's wonderful to see.
• so that we can provide the services.
• directly support families, youth, and seniors.
• We've learned of young adults left to support their families after the deportation of the family breadwinner
• of family separations.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held an early planning hearing on how Massachusetts can maximize participation in the 2030 census, with Chair Will Brownsberger and Vice Chair Rebecca Rausch emphasizing the need to start well in advance. The first panel, made up of leaders from the Massachusetts Voter Table, MassVOTE, MIRA, and MESA, stressed that grassroots community organizations are trusted messengers and should be funded early to do multilingual outreach, training, and direct assistance in hard-to-count communities. They described lessons from 2020, including the shift to internet response, reduced federal census infrastructure, the importance of coordinated statewide networks, and the need to begin messaging several years before Census Day because building trust and staffing outreach takes time. Panelists repeatedly warned that immigrant communities are facing heightened fear because of federal immigration enforcement and the possibility of a citizenship question or other federal changes, making census participation more difficult. They said 2020 funding arrived too late to fully staff and train outreach teams before the pandemic, and argued that future resources should be deployed earlier and more flexibly. In response to committee questions, they estimated Massachusetts should invest roughly $8 million to $10 million or more in state census outreach, with one proposed model of about $3 million to $5 million at the start, additional funding in the middle years, and a larger final push closer to 2030. They also suggested that funding should support communications infrastructure, translation, social media and ethnic media outreach, and possibly a permanent complete count structure or trust fund to preserve institutional knowledge. A second panel from Common Cause Massachusetts and the ACLU of Massachusetts echoed the call for stronger, earlier investment and stronger privacy protections. They urged the legislature to expand existing census line items, consider a trust fund or other dedicated funding stream, and coordinate census outreach with other state programs that already work through trusted community messengers. The ACLU testimony focused on racial inequities in census counts and warned that federal efforts to exclude non-citizens or add a citizenship question would deepen distrust and undercount immigrant communities. Committee members asked about the 2020 overcount/undercount results, funding levels, timing of grant distribution, and whether census outreach should be routed through the Secretary of the Commonwealth or other state mechanisms; no votes were taken, and the hearing moved on to a later panel on immigrant-community outreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• provider that provides services in medically underserved areas.
• reproductive health care services.
• It is true that this legislature should and does support a range of reproductive health care services
• our students and our families and our professional staff.
• And as a result, we can't support this bill.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services.
• .. of Education for the office of student of Education for the office of student Support Services<00:
• </c> farmers and those that are supporting farmers and those that are supporting the<00:15:15.199><c>
• As a community health worker, I help families navigate essential systems and services to live healthier
• a family on the go.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:24.560><c> and</c><00:11:24.760><c> support</c> helps to finance services and support helps
• </c><00:16:01.360><c> survivors</c><00:16:02.360><c> services</c> funding to support survivors services
• funding to support survivors services for<00:16:03.079><c> survivors</c><00:16:04.079><c> given</c><
• </c> be directly channeled into vital support be directly channeled into vital support services<00:30
• what helps families, and I know families want the help and support of the people they elect.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Petro from Florida Family Voice, waves in support. Ms. Karen Geroch from Heritage...
• John Labriola from the Christian Family Coalition, waves in support.
• John Labriola from the Christian Family Coalition, waves in support. He's here. Oh, okay.
• I'm with the Christian Family Coalition, and we're pleased to rise in strong support of this bill.
• John Labriola from the Christian Family Coalition, Christian Family Coalition, Waves in Support.

Summary: The committee first heard CS/HB 1263 on insurance regulation. The sponsor said the bill would strengthen the Office of Insurance Regulation’s tools to oversee property and auto insurance markets, including market conduct and solvency exams, mitigation discounts, storage of mitigation inspection forms, and clearer oversight of pharmacy benefit managers. An amendment narrowing fingerprinting requirements was adopted, and the bill passed favorably after supportive testimony from OIR and others. Members then considered CS/HB 527, which would require a qualified human review before an insurance claim can be denied or reduced when artificial intelligence is used in the process. After an amendment removing the word “algorithm” was adopted, insurers and trade groups testified in opposition, arguing current law already covers claims handling and that the bill could create duplicative work and slow innovation. Supporters, including a consumer and labor representative, said human judgment is needed to protect claimants. The bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/HB 637 on farm equipment “lemon law” rights, with an amendment clarifying consumer definitions, refund rights, repair-period extensions, and a July 1, 2026 effective date. CS/HB 107 on data centers also passed after an amendment narrowing the five-mile siting restriction to data centers over 50 megawatts and adding noise-study requirements; business groups supported a framework but opposed the NDA ban and siting limits, while several members raised competitiveness and local-impact concerns. Later, the committee passed CS/HB 1291 on NICA funding and solvency, CS/HB 185 on a sales tax exemption for home-hardening products, CS/HB 425 on historic African-American cemetery preservation, CS/CS/CS/HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, CS/CS/CS/HB 657 on community associations and HOA/condo reforms, and CS/CS/HB 1221, the DFS package. The final major item discussed was CS/HB 1001 on local government DEI restrictions, which drew extensive questioning about definitions, exceptions, cultural and religious observances, advisory councils, and contracting rules; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s final disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we urge your support. Thank you. Hi, my name is Jan Heimbaugh.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave Advisory Committee.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave Advisory Committee.
• Gatekeeping happened when people needed services and had to wait.
• And so I urge support again.

Bills: SB6134, SB6136, SB6188

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• autism services.
• Helping providers understand expectations strengthens compliance while supporting high-quality services
• Helping providers understand expectations strengthens compliance while supporting high-quality services
• ><c> of</c> support medically necessary services of support medically necessary services of children.
• So if patients or family members see a problem in the service that is provided or in access to care,

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can the friends and family of Mike please rise. Michael A.
• Speaker, Kathy Glazer has been an advocate for Virginia's youngest learners and the families who support
• House Bill 425 relates to the Department of Medical Assistance Services, remote monitoring services through
• House bill 425, relates to the Department of Medical Assistance Services, remote monitoring services
• regulations for service providers, and emergency medical drills.

Keywords: March 11, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all