Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Webb, for this important piece of legislation.
• This legislation is not being done in isolation.
• 30% above the national average after this package of legislation?
• Specifically, do you believe there is enough legislative oversight over NYSERDA?
• Is that because that report isn't filtering down to get to us rank-and-file legislators?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of utility and public service bills and resolutions. A resolution sponsored by Senator Scarcella-Spanton designating April 9, 2026, as Yellow Ribbon Day was adopted after remarks honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The chamber then moved through several Public Service Law measures focused on utility affordability, consumer protections, and PSC procedures, with some bills laid aside and others advanced. Among the bills passed were measures by Senators Mayer, Cleare, Hinchey, Comrie, and Parker. Debate on the Mayer bill centered on limiting utility expenses and fees recoverable in rate cases; supporters said it was part of a broader package to reform PSC practices, while opponents argued it would not lower current bills and had been softened from earlier versions. The Webb bill creating a residential utility usage monitoring program drew extended debate over whether it would meaningfully reduce costs, who would pay for the program, and whether it could lead to government monitoring of household usage; supporters said it would give consumers more control and transparency, while critics said it would not lower rates. The Gonzalez bill, which would add consumer protections during PSC investigations and delay shutoffs in certain circumstances, also passed after questions about whether it applied to rate cases, with the sponsor saying rate cases were explicitly excluded. Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and opponents arguing the package would not address immediate rate relief and could burden ratepayers or encourage nonpayment. Senator Tedisco and others criticized PSC appointments and state energy policy, while Democratic sponsors argued the bills were part of a longer-term effort to reform utility regulation and address climate and affordability concerns. The chamber restored multiple bills to the non-controversial calendar before final votes, and the recorded results showed passage of the major utility bills by substantial margins, along with one amendment appeal being ruled nongermane and rejected.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm excited to consider legislation that is as far-reaching and as broad as what this is, and it talks
• And that legislation set up the... ...came into the building in 2017.
• And so what this legislation does is it acts on one of the... ...getting into it.
• I ask for unanimous consent to withdraw and take it up in future legislation. Thank you.
• In that legislation, we created protections for environmental justice communities.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I know that they are notifying legislators now, and that has been at my request.
• I've assisted this committee and others in drafting similar legislation.
• how legislators should share such information with the community.
• But if legislators... ...the statutory scheme could fail as unconstitutional.
• But if legislators do not share the information publicly and defer to law enforcement, those legislators

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills, with testimony limited because of the large number of sign-ups. House Bill 2146 would expand the crime of sexual exploitation of a minor to include causing a minor to view sexually explicit conduct that is being photographed or shown in a live performance. The prime sponsor, Olympia police, and Pierce County prosecutors described cases involving adults masturbating in front of children and argued the current law leaves a gap by treating such conduct as only misdemeanor indecent exposure or communication with a minor. Committee members asked about comparisons to other states, forensic interviews, and whether related offenses could be enhanced. House Bill 2349 would expand notice requirements for sexually violent predator releases, conditional releases, address changes, discharges, and escapes to include local elected officials such as sheriffs, county executives, city officials, and legislators. The sponsor said the bill would codify a practice already occurring in some cases and help officials respond to community concerns with accurate information. DSHS supported increased communication but requested technical amendments. Several city officials testified in support, saying they had not always been notified in advance of placements in their communities. Defense advocates opposed the bill, warning that broader notification could fuel public pressure, vigilante responses, and constitutional problems for the civil commitment system. The hearing on the bill was left open for amendments. House Bill 2532 would make it a gross misdemeanor to sell or distribute nitrous oxide canisters or similar containers, with exemptions for medical, dental, food, industrial, and automotive uses. The sponsor and supporters described rising misuse among youth and young adults, public health harms, and incidents involving impaired driving and overdose deaths. Tribal representatives, the Attorney General’s Office, the Washington Poison Center, and public health officials supported the bill, while veterinary representatives asked for clarification or an amendment to preserve veterinary use. The committee also heard testimony on House Bills 2430 and 2457, which both concern the crime victim penalty assessment. Representative Barno’s bill would restore the assessment for certain offenses involving victims, while Representative Davis’s bill would increase the assessment and add a surcharge for defendants with substantial financial resources. Victim advocates, prosecutors, and sheriffs supported the bills as needed to restore funding for victim services, while defense groups opposed them as burdensome fees on indigent defendants. The chair directed the two sponsors to work together on a single proposal, and the hearings were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis Incorporated fully supports this legislation.
• Thank you, Representative, for this legislation.
• No, we don't need this legislation at all. There's nothing in this legislation. You're saying.
• No, we don't need this legislation at all.
• action, this sure looks like legislative action to me.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The permanent acquired brain injury advisory board would make legislative recommendations related to
• Nikki's Law was signed into law in 2020 by former Governor Baker from the legislation I filed during
• I was proud that the House of Representatives passed this legislation early last session.
• I had just come off being a state legislator.
• I had just come off being a state legislator.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus, I rise today to present House Resolution 81, proclaiming
• I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus in support of H.R. 81 celebrating
• As Chair of the Legislation, Californians in recognition of Women's History Month.
• On behalf of the Legislative Women's Caucus and everyone in the Assembly Chambers, we thank you.
• Recovery legislation.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through routine procedural business. A motion to suspend the rules for AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, failed on a 43-16 vote. The body then proceeded to the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. The main floor action centered on House Resolution 81 recognizing Women’s History Month. Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from several caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the contributions of women in California history and current public life, as well as ongoing issues such as violence, discrimination, wage gaps, and representation. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 74 coauthors, and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also held a lengthy Women of the Year ceremony, recognizing honorees from across the state for community service, advocacy, education, health care, public safety, housing, labor, and civic leadership. Later, the Assembly took up ACR 153 designating March as Irish Heritage Month. Members spoke about Irish American history, immigration, labor, public service, and California’s ties to Ireland. The resolution received 70 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved consent calendar items, including AB 1597 and AB 1549, both by 69-0 votes. The Assembly announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Legislative District 4.
• We understand the intent of this legislation.
• I'd like to thank Senator Werner for sponsoring this legislation.
• For the record, I'm Hilde Angus from Legislative District 30.
• For the past three years, we have been working on this legislation.

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Human Services heard and advanced a series of Senate bills focused largely on mental health, public health, child welfare, and insurance coverage. SB 1113 would allow screening or evaluation agency employees to personally serve court documents on patients in involuntary mental health proceedings; supporters said this would reduce burdens on police and be less disruptive for patients. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment limiting reimbursement to services provided under county contract, and SB 1113 was given a due pass recommendation 12-0. SB 1122 would limit Access from imposing over-100% prepayment review on certain behavioral health providers serving American Indian Health Program members unless a corrective action plan is in place; Access was neutral and said it had worked with the sponsor, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1123 would remove a board-certification requirement so trained, licensed forensic pathologists can supervise pathology trainees during autopsies; Maricopa County supported it as a workforce and efficiency measure, and it passed 12-0. SB 1125 would require DCS to make annual efforts to enter MOUs with Arizona tribes and improve coordination on tribal children in state care; DCS said it was already working on pending MOUs, and the bill passed 12-0. The committee also heard several bills tied to breast cancer screening and court-ordered treatment. SB 1165 would prohibit cost-sharing for follow-up breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental screening services in private insurance; the sponsor and advocates described it as removing financial barriers that can delay diagnosis, and it passed 12-0. SB 1243 would require guardians to be notified before discharge or release of patients under court-ordered treatment and allow guardians to seek continuation of treatment; family members and advocates testified that missed renewals can create dangerous gaps, and the bill passed 10-0 with two absent. SB 1318 would repeal a state breast-density notice requirement that now overlaps with a newer federal FDA standard; ADHS said the change would reduce confusion and duplicate notices, and it passed 11-0 with one absent. Later, SB 1188 would align Arizona controlled-substance schedules with federal FDA/DEA scheduling; the sponsor said it would speed access to new treatments, while one member opposed it over concerns about relying on federal agencies, and it passed 8-2. SB 1193 would bar DHS from selling or disclosing EMT personal identifying information for commercial purposes without consent; the sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns about vendors buying licensee data, and members discussed whether broader privacy protections should be considered, but the bill passed 10-0. Finally, SB 1477 would require referral agencies serving assisted living facilities to verify background-screening practices, registry status, and insurance coverage; the sponsor and PASSRS said it would raise standards in senior placement services, and it passed 10-0 after a technical amendment. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate, Legislative District 35. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Mark Harris, Idaho State Senate, Legislative District 35, here to present Senate Bill 1328.
• And so you kind of create this legislative sort of quasi-judicial process and try to legislate away a
• So if this legislation was enacted, would that clarify that problem that you just described?
• The fees in this chapter were last updated in the 2020 legislative session.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You started the ... ... legislative day and recommend the same be adopted as corrected.
• So this is legislation that has to do with us as legislators who are potentially this week going to be
• It's concerning to me that we don't allow people to fix legislation.
• Speaker, this is a great piece of legislation. I encourage your green light. Thank you.
• Speaker, this is a great piece of legislation. I encourage your green light. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee reports and bill referrals. Among the measures introduced or advanced were bills on restroom access and indecency, assertive community treatment, foreign law in Idaho courts, police dog protections, hospital taxing district petitions, legislative residency requirements, driver education options for parents, and redesigning the agricultural license plate. The House also passed several bills on second or third reading, including HB 652, HB 556, HB 602, HB 654, HB 549, HB 628, and HB 663, sending them to the Senate. HB 556 drew the most debate. Supporters argued the state should raise reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails because county costs have risen well above current reimbursement levels, counties are overcrowded, and property taxpayers are subsidizing state obligations. Opponents said the fiscal note was too large for the current budget year, though several members still acknowledged the underlying problem. The bill ultimately passed the House 59-10. HB 602, which limits the use of foreign law when it conflicts with Idaho or U.S. constitutional rights, also passed after questions about prior legislation affecting child support enforcement; the sponsor said this bill was narrower and preserved existing law as the guardrail. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the preceding year before filing, generated significant concern about retroactivity, fairness, and impacts on military members, missionaries, traveling workers, and others with temporary absences. After debate, the House voted to send it to general orders for further work rather than advancing it immediately. HB 628, concerning parent-taught driver education in urban districts, was defended as expanding parental choice and reducing costs, while opponents raised safety concerns about teaching teens on busy roads without dual brakes or other safeguards; it passed 63-6. The House adjourned after announcements and committee meeting notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Following that discussion, Representatives Wheeler and Levitt expressed interest in pursuing legislation
• A virtual charter school, they said, sorry, will be affected by this legislation.
• That was put in by you guys and everybody else to put this legislation into practice.
• So I appreciate this legislation. For our daughter, it was one of the few options we had.
• So I'm so grateful for a good legislation, a really good bill that protects the great things that are

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• And the DU comparison page in the legislative budget book.
• So this is from page 3-005 in the legislative budget book.
• That would be House Bill 330 from the 2022 legislative session.
• Senators, I bring this legislation.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved the January 19, 2026 minutes and voted to send Michael Kennedy’s gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Judicial Council to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then received a JFAC budget presentation on the judicial branch, Idaho Department of Correction, and Idaho State Police. Judicial branch highlights included a requested increase for guardian ad litem/CASA pass-through funds in the Second Judicial District and a large increase for the Senior Magistrate Judge Retirement Fund to cover expected retirements and related service purchases. For IDOC, analysts described declining dedicated fund balances, the governor’s holdback exemption, and population-driven costs for county and out-of-state placements and medical services; members asked about vacant FTE reductions, inmate labor revenue declines, probation/parole collections, and population growth despite lower crime trends. For Idaho State Police, the main budget issue was a proposed commission pay plan funded by increasing the Project Choice fee from $3 to $12 per vehicle registration, which drew questions about the impact on motorists and whether state general funds should cover the cost instead. JFAC Chair Scott Grow also discussed overall state budget conditions, emphasizing structural balance, revenue uncertainty, and the need to avoid relying on one-time funds for ongoing expenses. He noted that general fund revenues and appropriations are tightening, that conformity legislation and other policy bills could affect the bottom line, and that JFAC is considering ongoing spending reductions for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Members questioned the assumptions behind the revenue forecast and the size of the ending balance under different scenarios. The committee then printed two RSs from Senator Lakey: RS 33169, which would further align Idaho’s illegal-entry/presence law with federal immigration law and address preemption concerns, and RS 33172, which would clarify juvenile probation officers’ authority to detain or arrest juvenile probationers for in-person violations and to execute warrants and transport juveniles. Finally, the committee heard and passed Senate Bill 1239, a technical change to sex offender residency restrictions that would treat locally approved or zoned daycare facilities the same as state-licensed daycares for purposes of the 500-foot restriction; the bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after questions about retroactivity and whether existing residents would be forced to move.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in the Senate, when we talk about legislating legacy, we're talking about passing on and preserving
• And so over time, more and more people know about it, and people are applying to it, and legislators
• More robust and more transparent, and at the same time also allow legislators opportunity to help out
• not been put forth to help them, and legislation now have been put forth by their children, which...
• c><00:16:29.839><c> have</c> to help them and legislation now have to help them and legislation now have

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as we are in the second year of the legislative biennium, because no action was taken on the bill
• But each of the agencies that are affected by this legislation, I think, has a similar story to tell.
• But each of the agencies that are affected by this legislation, I think, has a similar story to tell.
• I'm testifying as other on this legislation and would like to echo the sentiments of my colleagues.
• So I've got a district slightly over 2,000 students in my legislative district.

Bills: HB1662, HB1683

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The American Heart Association is in support of this very good legislation.
• Senator Simon, thank you for all your efforts in this legislation.
• And that's truly the goal of this legislation.
• So this is an important piece of legislation.
• I urge you to support this vital legislation.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this legislation makes clarifying changes to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• I was around back in 2008 and 2010 when this legislation was put together.
• And Kevin Ambler was a legislator back in the day who started this alongside Senator Victor Crist.
• And Kevin Ambler was a legislator back in the day who started this alongside Senator Victor Crist.
• And these children have really made pieces of legislation come to life and actually become law.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to consider three bills before moving to its budget presentation. HB 843, relating to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds, was explained as a set of clarifying changes to improve budget flexibility, including use of certain trust funds for law enforcement and other conservation-related purposes. After questions about whether the bill would shift resources away from conservation, an amendment removed the sections dealing with the Administrative Trust Fund and the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. The amended bill received support in public testimony and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 295, which directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026 based on prior recycling recommendations. Supporters, including students involved in an “Ought to Be a Law” program and representatives from the waste and recycling industry, said the bill would create a roadmap for improving recycling and waste diversion. An opponent argued the state should instead enact more direct statutory changes on issues such as food waste, yard waste, and manure handling rather than study them further. Members praised the student participation and the bill passed. HB 339, creating a temporary alternative credentialing pathway for surveyors and mappers, was presented as a response to workforce shortages and an aging profession. The sponsor said the bill would help meet demand while preserving oversight, and an amendment added a four-year work requirement and adjusted renewal provisions. After brief supportive debate, the amended bill passed. The subcommittee then received its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal, which emphasized spending reductions, vacant-position cuts, and a smaller overall budget than the current year while still funding water resources, Everglades restoration, resiliency, land management, cleanup programs, agriculture facilities, and other projects. Members closed by thanking the chair for an inclusive budget process, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do give deference to legislators who come to testify, so it is...
• Give deference to legislators who come to testify, so if there's a legislator here now or if a legislator
• , and those three legislative...
• Enchamping this concept and an earlier version of this legislation in those three legislative sessions
• legislation to fix the Chapter 70 inflation adjustment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:52.199><c> improv</c> seen so far from this legislation improv seen so far from this legislation
• </c><01:07:20.880><c> school</c> medical leave legislation school medical leave legislation school districts
• </c> policies after the last legislative policies after the last legislative budget<01:08:15.359><c>
• </c><01:14:43.800><c> began</c> training before the legislation began training before the legislation
• There are many other hidden costs associated with new legislation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:10.960><c> to</c> our board did propose legislation to our board did propose legislation to
• <00:29:40.880><c> agenda</c><00:29:41.799><c> thank</c> legislative agenda thank legislative agenda thank
• </c><00:46:45.400><c> changes</c> that time with other legislative changes that time with other legislative
• I'm the legislative liaison for TR.
• uh excuse me a as far as a legislative uh excuse me a legislative<00:58:59.400><c> agenda</c><00:58:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your flexibility working with us in our legislative calendar.
• And so appreciate legislative, those who were instrumental in putting this together.
• If we are given a legislative mandate, we have to do those things.
• So I don't anticipate too many conflicts coming up with legislative or legislator priorities.
• We do from a legislative perspective and a gubernatorial perspective.

Summary: The LEAD Committee met with the Department of Commerce to review a high-level strategic plan for Oklahoma economic development. Commerce Director Bud presented a plan centered on the state’s competitive advantages: central location and logistics, low cost of doing business, energy availability, labor force, tax environment, and partnerships with tribes, local communities, universities, and workforce organizations. He said the agency must focus on industries where Oklahoma has a “right to win,” identifying aerospace and defense, energy, agribusiness, manufacturing, and cybersecurity as priority sectors, with other sectors such as transportation logistics, automotive, finance/shared services, federal offices, bioscience, and broader IT treated as secondary or longer-term opportunities. Members asked about workforce, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, incentives, research and development, housing, and how Commerce should stay focused on its core mission. Commerce said CareerTech remains a major asset, but the state needs better coordination among agencies, universities, and workforce partners. Officials also said entrepreneurship should be encouraged within target industries, infrastructure readiness should be mapped and aligned to industry needs, and incentives should be evaluated against total cost of operations rather than compared only on percentage terms. They noted that the Incentive Evaluation Commission is comparing Oklahoma’s incentives with other states and that closing deals begins early, with the right people and partners involved from the start. The discussion also emphasized the need for stronger statewide marketing, better use of regional development staff, more robust research/data capabilities, and a stronger international strategy. Legislators raised concerns about Commerce being tasked with programs outside its core mission, and Commerce said it must administer those programs unless the Legislature changes the law, though it would like to streamline and reallocate resources where possible. The meeting ended with broad support for the strategic direction, appreciation for Commerce’s work on recent projects, and adjournment without any formal vote or action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually requested an extension to that deadline due to the legislative session, as their feedback
• These pilots are great, but I think that we have done some Good legislation, I support.
• legislative session.
• Chair, that is a legislative... I feel like I'm going to be graded at the end. How many...
• Yes, that's a legislative function, but we are... we? do welcome this partnership.