Transcript Highlights:

• That's not for the utilities that they're protesting today. Stormwater is a separate issue.
• So a large refiner could protest, and the impact for us would be raising everybody's rates by up to a
• really have an appeal and you're that property owner, you don't have to go to all your neighbors to protest

Bills: SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• People who film the police or protests are often charged with this offense.
• Protesting and recording police officers are both protected by the First Amendment.
• People will be deterred from holding officers accountable and protesting in fear of being stamped as

Bills: SB552 , SB1099 , SB1124 , SB1208 , SB1372 , SB1506 , SB1667 , SB1804 , SB1806 , SB1870 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB2180 , SB2405 , SB2569 , SB2570 , SB1646

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know that every weekend, almost every day, there are protests here on the Capitol grounds.
• work closely with DPS and the ARIC system, which is our intel unit, so we work closely with the protests
• Working together, collaboratively, when protesters move off the Capitol onto Congress, we work together

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> nonviolent protesters nonviolent protesters has<03:00:58.640><c> instead</c><03:00:59.040><c> been
• , environmental protesters, pro-life protesters, they want to cut down on that form of association and
• ,<03:31:45.279><c> environmental</c><03:31:45.920><c> protesters,</c> protesters, environmental protesters
• , protesters, environmental protesters, pro-life<03:31:47.439><c> protesters.
• </c> um in an anti-ICE protest for example. um in an anti-ICE protest for example.

Bills: HB8365 , HB5625 , HCR75 , HB6260 , HB8469

Keywords: monitoring, court appointments, public service, accountability, government oversight, pro bono, reduced fees, cashless bail, criminal justice, public safety, Attorney General, pretrial release, Iran, military force, War Powers Resolution, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, Congress, national security, bail fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• A tentative pro-Palestine protest that was therefore labeled pro-Hamas.
• But I was also at the pro-Palestinian protests at the UT campus, so would that put me, potentially, on

Bills: SB2199 , SB2200 , SB2201 , SB2949 , SB2332

Committee: Senate Border Security

Transcript Highlights:

• labeled “Seeds of Resistance” promotes the liberated ethnic studies abolitionist agenda and features protest
• 42.000><c> there</c> get a good job versus being out there get a good job versus being out there protesting
• and and resisting it's not so protesting and and resisting it's not so flawed<00:19:45.400><c> that<
• We see our campuses in protests, and recently we saw the U of M in disarray.
• </c> failing we see our campuses in protests failing we see our campuses in protests and<01:43:53.080

Bills: HF29 , HF921 , HF922 , HF1048 , HF1049

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: railroad, infrastructure, transportation funding, environmental remediation, capital investment, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• Though classified as less lethal, flashbangs do cause life-altering injuries to both protesters, law
• In one case last year, a Los Angeles artist attending a protest was hit with a law enforcement-deployed
• fired directly at... ...the quote-unquote non-lethal projectiles that officers fired directly at protesters
• Protests with SELA exercising their First Amendment right have been repeatedly subjected to unnecessary
• Protests with SELA exercising their First Amendment right have been repeatedly subjected to unnecessary

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills and took testimony on each, with members often noting amendments and continuing negotiations. SB 1009 by Senator Becker would require juvenile courts to find that less restrictive alternatives are unsuitable before ordering detention, and would require periodic review of continued detention and consideration of alternatives at disposition. Supporters argued it would reduce unnecessary youth detention and improve transparency; probation, judges, and police groups opposed it as an undue limit on judicial discretion and potentially unsafe in serious cases. The chair said he would recommend an aye with amendments, but the bill was held pending quorum and later remained on call. SB 1130 by Senator Gomez Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, requiring consent before recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and banning devices or accessories designed to defeat recording indicators. Supporters said the bill addresses secret recording and invasive surveillance; opponents from tech and hospitality groups sought clarification to avoid unintended liability for businesses and exempt workplace communication devices. Members discussed those exemptions, and the chair recommended an aye, but the measure also remained on call. Senator Blake Spear presented SB 99, which would let courts consider military protective orders in domestic violence proceedings and require better communication between civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Supporters from the Department of Defense, local officials, and military representatives said it would close protection gaps for military families; the ACLU opposed it on due process grounds because MPOs are issued without judicial process. The chair and author emphasized that the bill only allows consideration of MPOs and does not require civilian enforcement of them. The bill passed out on a vote, though it remained on call for additional members. The committee also heard SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez, restricting flashbang use for crowd control and banning flashbangs and explosive breaching charges in immigration enforcement, and SB 1022, creating a statewide anti-trafficking task force. SB 937 drew support from civil rights and community groups and opposition from police and sheriffs over the use-of-force standard and limits on tactics; it passed out on a vote but remained on call. SB 1022 was supported by survivor and faith groups and opposed by public defenders and sex worker advocates who raised concerns about racial disparities and enforcement harms; it also passed out on a vote. Later, SB 1395, extending criminal protective orders for certain felony sex offenses against minors up to 20 years, and SB 1230, increasing penalties for repeat illegal dumping, were both heard with mixed testimony and were held on call after committee votes. The committee also adopted a consent calendar and several bills were moved forward with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The women in the Italian parliament were so enraged by this verdict that they launched a protest and
• The protest was picked up by international media. the sex was consensual and that led the the sex was
• :52.960><c> rape,</c><01:38:53.200><c> but</c> We make a statement by wearing denim as a means of protest
• denim as<01:39:26.480><c> a</c><01:39:26.560><c> means</c><01:39:26.920><c> of</c><01:39:27.000><c> protest
• </c><01:39:27.640><c> about</c> as a means of protest about as a means of protest about against<01:39

Transcript Highlights:

• that the water board, they're written in code, there are conditions in which an entity can bring a protest
• again, that is not only focused on the Delta Conveyance Project, but we do anticipate additional protests
• Importantly, there are already lots of protests. Those protests would carry forward.
• So folks who are actively protesting would continue to actively protest the project. to ask you to start

Transcript Highlights:

• I sat between them this past weekend after the No King's protest and retreated to this rapport.
• Protesters are ready, too, to stoke the flames of discontent. It was a pleasure to burn. Never...
• Protesters and other peaceful dissenters should not have to engage in combat with active-duty...
• Protesters and other peaceful dissenters should not have to engage in combat with active-duty soldiers

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with much of the discussion focused on housing stability and maternal mental health. On H. 1924/S. 1171, supporters including Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Jim O’Day, physicians, advocates, and people with lived experience urged the committee to create legal protections and treatment pathways for defendants who experienced postpartum psychosis or other perinatal mood disorders within 12 months of giving birth. Testimony emphasized that these conditions are rare but severe, often treatable, and can lead to tragic outcomes if criminalized rather than addressed through screening, expert evaluation, treatment, and, in some cases, resentencing or mitigation. Committee members asked about diagnosis years after the fact and how the Illinois law has worked; witnesses said retrospective diagnosis is possible and that the Illinois model has led to some successful resentencing petitions and broader awareness. Housing-related bills drew substantial testimony. On H. 1983/S. 1071, witnesses described “zombie” subordinate mortgages that were sold years after borrowers believed they had been resolved, then resurfaced with large balances and foreclosure threats. Supporters said the bill would require disclosures and court review to prevent unlawful servicing and foreclosure practices. On H. 1952, advocates from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, tenants, and legal services providers backed a permanent statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, citing data showing strong tenant outcomes and the importance of quality control, multilingual outreach, and full representation. On H. 1895/S. 1184, testimony supported codifying a two-tier summary process in eviction court and prohibiting defaults at the initial case-management stage. On H. 1883, a small property owner supported rent escrow as a way to protect landlords from bad-faith nonpayment while preserving tenant rights. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing discriminatory housing covenants, tenant oversight, and homelessness. On H. 1762/S. 1080, a housing advocate supported removing void restrictive covenants from deeds, describing the Dirty Deeds Project and the lingering harm of racist language in property records. On H. 1814, tenants and advocates described harassment, retaliation, security problems, and lack of accountability in subsidized housing, arguing for an Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Attorney General’s Office. On S. 1120, multiple witnesses supported a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, saying it would affirm the right to rest and seek shelter, reduce criminalization, and extend anti-discrimination protections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• this could be sort of an end run around our anti-BDS laws and somehow allow that union to wage a protest
• People have a First Amendment right to advocate and protest and or even disagreements.
• People have a First Amendment right to advocate and protest and First Amendment right to advocate and
• protest in any way they think appropriate.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• this could be sort of an end run around our anti-BDS laws and somehow allow that union to wage a protest
• People have a First Amendment right to advocate and protest and or even disagreements.
• People have a First Amendment right to advocate and protest and First Amendment right to advocate and
• protest in any way they think appropriate.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Transcript Highlights:

• And this also creates unnecessary bid protest risk, allowing...
• And this also creates unnecessary bid protest risk, allowing This also creates unnecessary bid protest
• Even when those protests fail, they delay awards, stall construction, and increase costs.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s route jurisdiction transfer study. Commissioners and staff said the current state highway system is generally well connected and that wholesale realignment is not needed, but they recommended clarifying statutory criteria, improving the transfer process, increasing interagency coordination, and making data analysis more transparent. Members asked about why transfers occur, who pays for maintenance after a transfer, how often transfers happen, and how the Legislature’s role should be understood. Staff said there have been only 16 RJT transfers since 1991, with a net transfer of about 10 miles of state highway to cities, while DOT abandonments happen more often but are not tracked as consistently. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2172, which would fold longer abandonments and bridge-related abandonments into the RJT process, require pre-request conferences, expand legislative review of costs and risks, and update highway criteria. Tacoma officials, the Transportation Commission, counties, cities, and the Transportation Improvement Board testified in support, citing transparency, local input, and the need to address large bridge and corridor transfers; the bill sponsor said a substitute would allow agreed transfers to proceed without final legislative approval, but send disputed cases to the Legislature. The bill was also described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact, with WSDOT estimating possible added maintenance costs if transfers are delayed. The committee next heard House Bill 1367, which would allow motorcycles to use the right shoulder of limited-access highways under specific congestion conditions. The bill and a proposed substitute would limit shoulder use to wide shoulders, require hazard lights, cap speed at 10 mph over adjacent traffic, and bar passing other vehicles on the shoulder; the fiscal note projected costs for driver education and possible maintenance and signage impacts. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce rider fatigue, heat stress, and rear-end risk in stop-and-go traffic, while opponents from law enforcement and WSDOT said shoulders are intended for emergencies, debris and visibility create safety risks, and the proposal could increase maintenance and enforcement burdens. Several motorcyclists and advocates supported the bill as a safer alternative to lane splitting, while a student and some agencies said it would give riders a more predictable option; the committee then closed the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2174, which would create “crash prevention zones” in areas with repeated serious collisions or fatalities. The bill would allow cities, counties, towns, or WSDOT to designate zones after a public hearing, require engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, and impose a $73 penalty for certain infractions within signed zones, with revenue dedicated to safety work in the zone. The sponsor pointed to dangerous stretches of Highway 395 and Highway 12 in eastern Washington and said the bill is intended as a temporary safety tool until long-term fixes are completed. Counties and cities supported the concept and asked for liability protections and language from a Senate companion bill; the committee then moved to House Bill 2718, a transportation permitting and project-delivery bill. Staff said HB 2718 would impose timelines and deemed-approval rules for certain state and federal permits, require early outreach to affected governments and tribes, create a public contractor-rating website, and direct WSDOT to report on permit-streamlining options by December 1, 2027. The sponsor said the bill is meant to reduce delays and costs in transportation projects by improving accountability, coordination, and permitting efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives governments the power to spy on us wherever they go, tracking our faces at protests, political
• 09:18.080><c> such</c><00:09:18.240><c> as</c><00:09:18.480><c> immigrants,</c><00:09:19.279><c> protesters
• ,</c> groups such as immigrants, protesters, groups such as immigrants, protesters, gun<00:09:20.399>
• identify and persecute<00:09:41.920><c> immigrants</c><00:09:42.320><c> and</c><00:09:42.560><c> protesters
• </c> persecute immigrants and protesters. persecute immigrants and protesters.

Bills: HF3661 , HF2380 , HF3468 , HF3483

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• But a protest and dissent because we were trying to have honest conversations about what the Annunciation
• </c><01:40:43.440><c> and</c><01:40:43.600><c> descent</c> but a protest and descent but a protest and
• Um, and this is important, I know, to many families listening because that's why I filed this protest
• read from the Annunciation shooters' manifesto, platforming that shooter in their own words. this protest
• Um, and what this protest and descent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then RSA 675:5 is about zoning protest petitions, when citizens can get together and protest a zoning
• </c><01:36:07.800><c> zoning</c><01:36:08.159><c> ordinance</c><01:36:08.600><c> protest</c> zoning protest
• zoning ordinance protest zoning protest zoning ordinance protest petitions<01:36:09.520><c> when</c>
• a zoning amendment together and protest a zoning amendment that<01:36:14.920><c> has</c><01:36:15.040
• </c><01:36:30.119><c> petition</c> change via a a zoning protest petition change via a a zoning protest

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• He led protests, pickets, marches, and sit-ins against big companies like Bank of America, San Diego
• One year later, based on student protests, he established the Department of Afro-American Studies, which

Summary: The Assembly met with an initial quorum call, then proceeded through routine floor business, guest introductions, and several procedural motions. Members approved requests to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, removed some bills from the consent calendar, and re-referred or withdrew several measures. The chamber also took up a number of second-reading and concurrence items later in the day. Two major bills drew floor debate. SB 762, a tax measure allowing eligible local governments to seek voter approval for transactions and use tax rates above the statutory cap, was presented as a response to local fiscal pressures and was described by supporters as giving voters local choice rather than imposing a tax increase. It passed with an urgency vote of 54-13 and was sent immediately to the Senate. AB 126, the education budget trailer bill, was presented as a major investment in TK-12 education, special education, community schools, and educator leave; one member supported many provisions but objected to policy changes affecting charter schools being included in a budget bill. The Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments on AB 126 by a vote of 56-1. The Assembly also concurred in AB 35, an urgency environmental protection bill intended to speed implementation of Proposition 4-funded projects by narrowing administrative delay; supporters said it would accelerate wildfire prevention, water, and other environmental projects. The measure passed unanimously, 66-0. The consent calendar was then adopted, including AB 2796 on criminal history information, which passed 67-0. The session concluded with multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remarks honoring victims of a B-52 test flight crash at Edwards Air Force Base, former West Covina Mayor Lloyd Johnson, civil rights leader Harold Brown, educator and activist Kiyoko Nancy Oda, and Auburn Mayor John Mike Holmes, followed by announcements of summer recess and adjournment until August 3.

Transcript Highlights:

• He led protests, pickets, marches, and sit-ins against big companies like Bank of America, San Diego
• One year later, based on student protests, he established the Department of Afro-American Studies, which

Transcript Highlights:

• change was allowing the governor some flexibility in the Board of Review, the one administrative protest
• has been reduced to the point that it is possible that, going forward, with further reductions in protests

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and approved the March 4, 2026 minutes by voice vote. The committee first considered House Bill 55, which updates and modernizes workers’ compensation statutes to reflect the privatized system, remove obsolete provisions, and adjust the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review from five members to three. The Insurance Commissioner testified that the bill is part of the cleanup from privatization and would give the governor more flexibility in appointments. After adopting a strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment, the committee reported HB 55 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee then took up House Bill 5463, which would reduce BRIM’s required liability coverage for county boards of education from $1.25 million to $1 million per occurrence and eliminate the separate $5 million excess coverage requirement. BRIM’s director testified that the excess market was difficult to access and costly, but several senators raised concerns that lowering coverage could reduce protection for victims and school-related claims. After a divided vote, the motion to report the bill failed, and HB 5463 was not passed by the committee. Next, the committee considered House Bill 4869, creating guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement policies, including annual birthday replacement rights and a special right for certain Medicaid recipients losing eligibility. Counsel said the bill would prohibit underwriting barriers during the guaranteed issue periods and require an annual report on premium trends. With no amendments offered, the committee reported HB 4869 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance. The bill would allow the mine subsidence fund to offset payments by amounts received from other sources and limit lawsuits over claims reported to BRIM. Members debated a proposed strike-and-insert amendment that would have softened the litigation limits and added notice and remedy provisions, but the amendment was rejected. The committee then reported HB 5462 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• we made was allowing the governor some flexibility in the Board of Review, the one administrative protest
• has reduced to a point that it's very possible that, going forward with more reductions of those protests

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance