Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and it of a permanent authority.
• </c><02:10:30.960><c> to</c> you know to have permanent authority to you know to have permanent authority
• Um, and the emergency had to be, um, authorized if you will.
• Um, and the emergency had to be, um, authorized if you will.
• Um you know authorized as an emergency.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an author in the room, so excited about that.
• I appreciate what the author is trying to do.
• grateful to the esteemed author.
• by the author, and I appreciate all that.
• So I really want to applaud the author.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an author in the room, so excited about that.
• It's very obviously author-sponsored, but we are in strong support and are grateful to the esteemed author
• It's very obviously author-sponsored, but we are in strong support and are grateful to the esteemed author
• So I really want to applaud the author.
• We're proud to be standing with the author of this bill.

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime wage costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and other agricultural groups, argued that California’s ag overtime law has reduced take-home pay by limiting hours and that the credit would help employers continue offering overtime while putting more money back into workers’ paychecks. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the bill would subsidize employers for complying with the law, shift costs to taxpayers, and set a precedent for industry-specific carve-outs. The bill was held in subcommittee and taken up later when more members arrived. The committee then considered SB 1083, a follow-up to last year’s school employee misconduct database law. Senator Perez said the bill would add due process protections for classified school employees by requiring an administrative law judge review before placement in the statewide egregious misconduct database, require notice when an employee leaves during an investigation, and extend vetting to some contractors and non-permanent workers. Supporters, including the California School Employees Association and California Federation of Teachers, said the bill balances student safety with fairness for employees who could be wrongly accused. Opponents, including school business officials, joint powers authorities, administrators, and school employers, warned the bill could delay investigations, create conflicting timelines, and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved SB 1083 on a 3-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1089, authored by Senator Richardson, would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and direct CalRx to help make the drugs more affordable. The senator described the bill as a response to personal experience with coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs, and said broader access could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The American Diabetes Association and other medical groups supported the measure, citing diabetes prevention and treatment benefits, while a pharmaceutical industry representative said there were still concerns but noted ongoing discussions. The committee passed SB 1089 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar. The committee next heard SB 954, which would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by narrowing the definition and adding environmental, tribal, labor, and community protections, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce requirements, and review for projects near disadvantaged communities. Support came from labor unions, environmental groups, and community organizations, which said the bill would restore oversight and prevent harmful projects from bypassing CEQA. Business groups and chambers of commerce opposed, arguing the bill would make the exemption too restrictive, discourage investment, and worsen California’s manufacturing job losses. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1299, which would codify training and certification standards for fire sprinkler fitters after a court decision invalidated prior regulations on procedural grounds; the author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect public safety and ensure qualified installation of fire suppression systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an author in the room, so excited about that.
• I appreciate what the author is trying to do.
• It's very obviously author-sponsored, but we are in strong support and are grateful to the esteemed author
• It's very obviously author-sponsored, but we are in strong support and are grateful to the esteemed author
• So I really want to applaud the author.

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• served as director of the Commission on Aging from 1975 to 1978 and as director of the State Housing Authority
• and Families Department to the Children's Behavioral Health Services Division of the Health Care Authority
• the New Mexico Finance Authority to issue and sell revenue bonds for the Hila Regional Cancer Center
• a joint resolution proposing to amend Article 8, Section 1 of the Constitution of New Mexico to authorize
• I hope a lot of my colleagues listened in yesterday to the Adjutant General for the National Guard speak

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky optometrists have had this authority since 1996.
• She's our ninja guard dog. Vicious. I'm also a motorcyclist enthusiast. I'm not a biker.
• She's our ninja guard dog. Vicious. I'm also a motorcyclist enthusiast. I'm not a biker.
• Authority. Suppressor: No. Okay. Kosslo, are you voting yes on—okay, just want to make sure. Okay.
• Again, you have the authority. You can set up the public policy. I'm not here to say yes or no.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just gives the governing authority two bills, Rapides Parish, for the governing authority to make
• Members, House Bill 6 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson authorizes the governing authority of Rapides Parish
• Members, House Bill 498 by Representative Schamerhorn authorizes the governing authority of Beauregard
• House Bill 497 authorizes the governing authority of Vernon Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide
• House Bill 504 authorizes the governing authority of Sabine Parish to determine whether carbon dioxide

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is acceptable to the author.
• Permission to question the author. Do you yield? Yes, Mr. President, I yield.
• Question to the bill author. Do you yield? Yes, Mr. President, I yield.
• It's acceptable to the author.
• To ask friendly questions of the author. She's asking you friendly questions of the author.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quorum members, members, respect our authors, please. File item number 41.
• The North Coast has been particularly hard hit by this phenomenon.
• Let's show respect to our authors, please.
• I am one of the 30 principal authors of this legislation.
• I rise today as a co-author in support of this bill.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the CEO of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, and I'm the one who is the primary author
• Association and I'm the one who the Association and I'm the one who the primary<00:11:34.480><c> author
• <c> this</c><00:11:35.200><c> build</c><00:11:35.800><c> to</c><00:11:36.000><c> come</c> primary author
• of this build to come primary author of this build to come before<00:11:36.680><c> you</c><00:11:36.800
• neighborworks talk about a Authority neighborworks talk about a collaborative<00:12:15.760><c> effort

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Senator Man, for the the bill author.
• , authorized dealerships are Further, authorized dealerships are properly<00:39:17.200><c> equipped</
• </c><00:47:06.240><c> Senator</c> author or for the testifier. Senator author or for the testifier.
• <00:57:06.720><c> and</c><00:57:06.880><c> authorization</c><00:57:07.520><c> for</c> authorization and
• authorization for authorization and authorization for expedited<00:57:08.240><c> rulemaking</c><00:57

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It grants authority to the Public Service Commission and certain agencies to oversee various aspects
• I have it on the best authority that this place has never seen a team like this before, and we will always
• Connerley said, demand will continue to increase in my district, the Space Coast.
• Members, this bill authorizes the Board of Historic Black Cemetery to generate revenue for maintenance
• Under this statute, it authorizes the use of funds in the contractor-operated institutions for the inmate

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• to address give a agency the authority to address give a agency the authority to address that it does
• of this most court you being the author of this most court you being the author of this most likely
• to whoever is the person have authority to whoever is the person have authority thinks that it ought
• that that is authorities that that is a turny turny over there ATT turny a turny turny over there ATT
• up let's put going to put rail guards up let's put going to put rail guards up let's put some real real

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill requires the FHSAA to adopt bylaws that authorize a coach employed by the school or school
• This bill requires the FHSAA to adopt bylaws that authorize a coach employed by the school or school
• I'm going to catch you guys off guard. All right, Representative LaMarca, it's your turn, my man.
• , and one of my original supporters. and renowned author, and one of my original supporters, C.S.
• And I think that's just way too much power and authority to give to the executive branch.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only about 82% of those fall under HCD's authority and jurisdiction, and the others are local enforcement
• Authority and jurisdiction, and the others are local enforcement agencies, right, at the local level.
• However, HCD currently lacks the statutory authority to allow developers to extract those equity gains
• Statute authorizes HCD to set aside a portion of funds appropriated for rental housing construction as
• Statute authorizes HCD to set aside a portion of funds appropriated for rental housing construction as

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think what we have to guard against is adulterated product, which is quite common, apparently.

Summary: The working group met for a legislative-only discussion on kratom ahead of a special session, with members agreeing to keep remarks brief and noting a public open house and expert testimony would follow the next week. Staff provided an overview of kratom regulation, describing the substance, its psychoactive effects, reported health risks, federal DEA action on 7-OH, state approaches, and North Dakota’s recent executive action and special session call. Legislators then debated whether the state should prohibit kratom, regulate it, or distinguish between natural kratom and synthetic or concentrated 7-OH products. Several members cited extensive testimony from the 2025 session, including House Bill 1101, which would have scheduled kratom as a Schedule I substance and failed in the House, and House Bill 1566, which evolved into a study. Supporters of regulation emphasized testimony from people who said natural kratom helped with chronic pain or function, while others stressed concerns about addiction, adulterated products, youth access, infant withdrawal, and deaths linked to kratom or 7-OH. Members also discussed enforcement and public health issues, including whether the Good Samaritan law should be updated, how law enforcement would respond under the executive order, and whether withdrawal could drive people toward harder drugs. One member urged a temporary approach until the 2027 session, while others argued the short special session could still address a narrow ban on 7-OH and tighter controls on natural kratom. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans for additional testimony and further legislative hearings during the special session.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was very, there was a little girl that came to our office because she saw it in one of the guards.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes, and received a financial update showing a projected $75,171.57 remaining in the commemoration fund based on approved expenditures and accrued revenue, with additional funds expected to return after final celebration invoices are reconciled. Members then heard a lengthy update from Treasurer Julie Ellsworth on the America 250 ambassador program, including statewide Fourth of July and related events, the Liberty Bell tour, the service challenge, the to-go activity packs, and the planned Liberty Heritage Fountain. She reported strong public participation, donated in-kind support, and that the committee’s float won third place in the Boise parade, earning $1,000. The committee considered and adopted a motion to use all currently unallocated funds for implementation of the council-approved ambassador projects, with spending coordinated through the ambassador co-chairs and approved by the council co-chairs. The motion also requested that any leftover funds be directed, through the legislature, toward a savings account for the America 300 celebration rather than reverting to the general fund. Members discussed clarifying the motion’s language and the role of the speaker and pro tem, but ultimately approved it unanimously. A subcommittee update highlighted the success of the Boise Fourth of July celebration, the extensive volunteer and staff effort behind the event, and the positive public response to the refurbished Liberty Bell and related exhibits. Director Gallimore reported on additional America 250 activities, including the Spirit of America event, the Twin Peaks Ranch State Park opening, the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo’s Smithsonian recognition, and the Great American State Fair Showcase in Washington, D.C. The committee also discussed reducing meeting frequency and set the next meeting for August 18 before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was very—there was a little girl that came to our office because she saw it in one of the guards.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 24 minutes, and received a financial update showing about $75,171.57 currently unobligated in the commemoration fund, with additional money expected back after celebration invoices are finalized. Members also heard a detailed update on the America 250 ambassador program and related statewide events, including the Liberty Bell tour, the service challenge, to-go activity packs, community celebrations, and the planned Liberty Heritage Fountain. Testimony emphasized broad volunteer participation, donated in-kind support, and strong public turnout across Idaho communities. The committee then considered and adopted a motion directing all currently unallocated funds to be used for implementation of council-approved ambassador projects, coordinated through the ambassador co-chairs, the pro tem, and the speaker, with approval by the council co-chairs. The motion also requested that any leftover funds be considered for transfer to a savings account for America 300, subject to legislative action. Members discussed clarifying the motion’s language and the role of the co-chairs, but ultimately supported the spending framework. A subcommittee update highlighted the Boise Fourth of July/America 250 celebration, the Liberty Bell display and parade, the many volunteers and agencies involved, and the use of leftover water for wildland firefighters. The governor’s task force update reviewed other America 250-related events, including Spirit of America, the Twin Peaks Ranch State Park opening, the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo, and the Great American State Fair Showcase in Washington, D.C. The committee ended by scheduling its next meeting for August 18 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ninja Guard, dog. Okay. You talk about cost. What about the cost?

Summary: The Transportation Committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2741. Members adopted a committee amendment correcting a wording error, then voted the House committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 9 ayes, 2 noes, and 1 present. Supporters said the bill addressed safety concerns, especially for commercial vehicles, while opponents objected to the subjective standard for proving proficiency and to the $3,000 penalty for violations. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bills 1831, 2328, and 2553, all related to motorcycle passenger safety for children. The bills would require young child passengers to wear helmets, be able to reach foot pegs, and ride on properly equipped seats; the discussion also focused on whether officers could stop motorcycles based on a reasonable suspicion that a child passenger was underage or improperly secured. Bill sponsors said the measures were intended to prevent child deaths and injuries, citing the death of Calvin James, a 4-year-old grandson of one witness, as the reason for “Calvin’s Law.” Testimony was mixed. Family members and several supporters, including emergency nurses, argued the bills were common-sense child protection measures and could prevent traumatic brain injuries or fatalities. Motorcycle advocacy groups and some witnesses said the bills were overbroad, could lead to arbitrary stops or family services involvement, and needed clearer definitions for terms like “proper passenger seat.” Several members raised questions about enforceability, age verification, and whether the fine structure was an effective deterrent. No votes were taken on the three motorcycle bills, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ninja Guard, dog. Okay. You talk about cost. What about the cost?

Keywords: 959, house, all