Transcript Highlights:

• And we do actually have some co-location that we do with higher education as well.
• And we do actually have some co-location that we do with higher education as well.
• Aurora Educational Technology. They're a firm out of Illinois.
• So are we, is the Aurora contract bid then for the data in our special education to move that data?
• It affects a lot of educators. It's been a particular issue in the Fargo Public School system.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allow Cerritos Community College District to enter into data-sharing agreements with local K-12 education
• H.R. 112 honors the legacy and recognizes that our young people deserve access to music education that
• When learning how to become an educator, I read about the thug life pedagogy, inspired by Tupac's body
• Senate Bill 928 by Senator Sivantes and others in appellating the public post-secondary education.
• The growing use of new technology and educational settings has left many faculty members concerned about

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then handled a large procedural and floor agenda. Members suspended rules for adjournments in memory, guest introductions, and expedited committee action, rereferred AB 1199 to Health and AB 2728 to Local Government, and removed several items from calendars or returned bills to the Senate at authors’ requests. The chamber then moved through concurrence and third-reading files, with many measures passing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 230 on Pierce’s disease control, AB 1636 on a Cerritos College seamless enrollment pilot, AB 1982 on alcoholic beverages, AB 2120 on school district employees, AB 2413 on political reform and billboard use, AB 2437 and AB 2453 on vehicles, AB 2596 on housing, AB 1760 and AB 1873 on technical clarifications, AB 2312 on tidelands, AB 2390 on housing cleanup, AB 2685 and AB 2778 on agriculture, and ACR 194 on Women’s Equality Day. The Assembly also adopted several resolutions and Senate measures. HR 112 designating Black Music Month drew extensive remarks about Black artists’ influence and was adopted with 62 coauthors. HR 132 declaring September Young Women’s Reproductive Health Awareness Month was adopted with 50 coauthors. SJR 8 urging federal immigration reform passed 45-2, with supporters emphasizing immigrant contributions and the need to modernize the registry system. SCR 7 on permanent standard time was debated at length, with supporters citing health benefits and opponents warning about darker mornings and voter intent; the resolution ultimately passed 41-3 after a roll call. Other Senate bills passed included SB 105 on penny rounding for local agencies, SB 928 on AI guardrails in CSU classrooms, SB 1038 on CalPERS audit notices, SB 308 on community college reporting, SB 1172 on tax-sharing consultant fees, SB 1159 on AI-generated public participation, SB 1055 on flood project procurement, SB 1285 on juvenile dismissals, SB 1274 on industrial cities and transportation funding, SB 965 easing library card access for 16- and 17-year-olds, SB 1375 creating a narrow CEQA exemption for certain transit projects, SB 952 on clean energy accounting for water agencies, and SB 917 expanding farmers market wine sales eligibility. Several measures drew notable opposition or discussion. On SB 965, one member objected that the bill should preserve parental decision-making, while supporters argued it would remove an unnecessary barrier to library access. On SB 952, one member criticized state energy policy and the bill’s project labor agreement, but the measure still passed 64-1. On SB 1375, supporters framed the bill as reducing duplicative environmental review for major transit projects like Diridon Station while preserving other protections. The chamber also added coauthors to consent-calendar resolutions and adopted the second-day consent calendar items without objection. The meeting concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric L. Washington Jr., Ivan Garza, Darryl Preston Jackson, Richard “Dick” Oliphant, and former Madera Mayor Santos Garcia. Members described Washington as a community leader and peacemaker, Garza as a young athlete whose life was cut short, Jackson as a mentor and founder of the 1020 Club, Oliphant as a civic leader who helped shape the Coachella Valley, and Garcia as a labor advocate and public servant who fought for working families and helped reopen Madera Community Hospital. The Assembly observed moments of silence in their honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for children that are in education settings or require an educational placement, there's also statute
• I had one just quick clarify. required an educational placement.
• And so what we do in practice, right, is we would have to identify a way to educate that provider.
• We would have to identify a way to educate that provider, in our example, that would be a foster home
• And so there is a significant delay there, right, to coordinate and provide that education in advance

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not a registry that I can walk to and educate myself in understanding what this means for me
• These are acts relative to waiving the education requirements for skilled veterans to become licensed
• These are acts relative to waiving the education requirements for skilled veterans to become licensed
• However, under current regulations, many of these skilled individuals are forced to redo their education
• the event did you think that can be a key So educating the bed, do you think that can be a key goal

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now all that highlighting shows the sessions that are educational that we currently give, either
• But we do have two things there: the open administrative officer position and the education and training
• administrative officer position that's open right now, you know, can we transition that into the education
• And then the education and training specialist—I thought about, do we use that vacant position to do
• And then the education and training specialist—I thought about, do we use that vacant position to do

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Summary: The committee met to organize upcoming legislative session arrangements and staffing, and to review several rule and security-related items. It first approved a Joint Rule 211 change, recommended by the Employee Benefits Committee, that clarifies the deadline and statutory references for introducing health insurance mandate bills so required cost-benefit materials can be completed in time. Members noted the change would streamline the process, though it would not solve all timing and mandate-determination issues. The committee then discussed a draft bill on confidentiality protections for certain public officials and candidates, but members raised concerns about the statute’s complexity, the practical difficulty of administering it, and whether it would meaningfully improve safety; no action was taken and the topic was set aside for further discussion. The committee received an update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is in process to apply for grant funding that could reimburse up to about $200 per legislator for personal security-related expenses such as home cameras, locks, lighting, or monitoring services, with reimbursement handled through Legislative Council and subject to Emergency Commission approval. Members asked about eligible expenses, timing, and whether new legislators would be included, and staff said the program would likely cover current legislators only for this round. The committee also approved the 2027 joint session schedule for the State of the State, tribal-state message, and State of the Judiciary on January 5, with the tribal and judiciary addresses in the morning and the governor’s address later in the day. The committee next approved the statutory reporting schedule for the Commerce Commissioner and agricultural commodity groups, setting the Commerce report for January 13, 2027, and the agriculture reports and pesticide container disposal update for January 14, 2027. Members questioned the usefulness of some of these recurring reports, but agreed to follow the existing statutory requirements. The largest discussion centered on Legislative Council staffing for the 2027 session: the committee approved reducing session staff to 36 Senate and 41 House employees, eliminating procedural clerk positions in standing committees in favor of permanent policy analysts, while retaining quality assurance clerks and adding a House parking lot attendant. It also approved a 3% salary increase for those staff positions, matching the increase given to state employees. Finally, the committee reviewed a revised organizational session and new legislator training agenda. Staff proposed moving some orientation content into a separate pre-session training day for new legislators on November 30, including laptop setup, mock committee and floor sessions, parliamentary procedure, and HR/benefits training, while adding more security and budgeting instruction. Members strongly supported earlier and more practical training, including follow-up reinforcement during the first week of session, and suggested using experienced or term-limited former legislators as mentors. Staff also described efforts to expand training materials into podcasts, flowcharts, and other formats, and Legislative Council leadership outlined the office’s remaining vacancies and a proposed expansion of policy analysts, program evaluators, legal staff, and training support to better serve the legislature and improve oversight of state programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And four, requiring clear consumer education at the point of sale so riders understand the law.
• In response, we focused on education and enforcement.
• And the intent is not to... ...important deterrent and educational function.
• I really feel bad that it's all about education.
• I really feel bad that it's, this is all about education.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthening broker education would support more effective use of the clearinghouse.
• Strengthening broker education would support more effective use of the clearinghouse.
• And there's zero education on it within coalitions of brokers.
• And maybe, I mean, Maybe there needs to be more required education on this as a tool.
• Has caused, I think, a real lack of participation, a lack of education.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held its first outcomes review oversight hearing on the residential fair plan clearinghouse program created by AB 3012. Chair and members focused on whether the program is actually helping depopulate the California Fair Plan and move policyholders back to the voluntary market. The Fair Plan and Department of Insurance testified that the program exists as a platform for admitted and, in some cases, non-admitted insurers to review Fair Plan policies and make offers through the broker of record, but they acknowledged limited participation and limited results. CDI said it has received no formal complaints specific to the clearinghouse, but identified obstacles including only 11 participating residential insurers, the broker-of-record requirement, compensation and appointment issues, and the lack of direct consumer contact. CDI said about 730 residential risks have moved to voluntary market coverage through the program from June 2021 through April 30, 2025, and opt-outs are under 1%. Committee members pressed witnesses on the program’s opacity, the lack of data on offers made versus policies actually moved, and whether the clearinghouse is functioning as intended. CDI and the Fair Plan said they do not have data on how many offers have been made, only on cancellations that are self-reported and marked as clearinghouse-related. Members also raised regional growth in Fair Plan enrollment, especially on the Central Coast, and concerns about underinsurance when policyholders move back to the regular market. CDI recommended more mandatory reporting, broader broker education, possible direct offers to policyholders after a period of time, and changes to commission and appointment rules to reduce barriers to insurer participation. The second panel of industry witnesses generally agreed the clearinghouse is not a stand-alone solution and said its effectiveness depends on a healthier admitted market and actuarially sound Fair Plan rates. Independent agents and brokers, admitted-market insurers, and surplus lines representatives said the current system is constrained by low rate adequacy, limited insurer appetite for high-risk properties, operational friction, and misaligned incentives. Several witnesses suggested improvements such as better data sharing, clearer depopulation procedures, stronger broker education, and more flexible appointment or compensation rules. Some supported giving the program more time under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, while others said the Legislature should consider whether to strengthen, modify, or potentially sunset the program if it continues to produce limited results. A public witness later reported that a new carrier had recently joined the clearinghouse and was working with brokers to bring in additional capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthening broker education would support more effective use of the clearinghouse.
• The FAIR Plan's approved continuing education course entitled "Brokers on the FAIR Plan" should be made
• Strengthening broker education would support more effective use of the clearinghouse.
• And there’s zero education on it within coalitions of brokers.
• Maybe there needs to be more required education on this as a tool.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we are the Committee on Education, report that we have had under consideration House Bill 883
• So I like the idea of having some signage and having some laws in place to help educate people.
• House Bill 918 referred to the Education Committee. March 17, 2026, Mr.
• You've got to educate your constituents. Everyone got the brief? We got the brief out there.
• The House Education Committee will not meet Wednesday, March 18. Hawkins, chairman.

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous journal, then received gubernatorial and Senate messages and committee reports. Several new Ways and Means bills were introduced, including measures on managed recreation on endowment land, large electrical loads, Medicaid eligibility and work requirements, DOPL rulemaking and fees, daily recess in schools, rural health transformation, AI regulatory review, and Idaho Digital Learning Academy changes. The House also advanced a number of bills and memorials to the third-reading calendar and suspended rules to take up House Bill 893, a codifier cleanup bill, which passed unanimously on a voice-style roll call. The House then considered a series of Senate bills and House bills. Senate Bill 1255, dealing with involuntary commitment procedures on tribal reservations and recognizing tribal health facilities and tribal police officers, passed. Senate Bill 1257, which clarifies child protection and foster-care visitation rules in cases involving serious abuse, also passed. House Bill 803, expanding confidentiality protections for personnel involved in firing-squad executions, passed after debate over transparency and due process. Senate Bill 1293, correcting an unintended effect of prior public-benefits legislation on crime victims’ compensation, passed; Senate Bill 1308, a technical mediation cleanup bill, passed; House Bill 508, concerning roadway enhancement funds and consultant coverage, passed; Senate Bill 1272, a transportation code cleanup bill, passed; and Senate Bill 1309, clarifying restitution priority in juvenile cases, passed. Several bills drew more substantial debate and were defeated. Senate Bill 1271, which would have directed the Department of Agriculture to coordinate data collection and an abatement plan for invasive rats in southwest Idaho, failed after members split over whether it was a statewide issue or a local problem and whether it would expand government or create future costs. Senate Bill 1340, a left-lane driving bill that would have required slower traffic to move right and funded signage, also failed amid concerns about road conditions, enforcement, and confusion on multi-lane highways. Senate Concurrent Resolution 120, urging changes to Idaho’s nuclear waste agreement to support used nuclear fuel reprocessing and broader nuclear development, passed after a sharp debate over whether it would help Idaho’s energy future or weaken protections against long-term waste storage. The House also passed Senate Bill 1296, updating criminal trespass law to address disruptions at houses of worship, and Senate Bill 1325, creating a white specialty license plate to support Project Choice. Later, the House approved Senate Bill 1269 on cloud seeding transparency and liability, despite objections about consent, data, and liability protections. After the day’s business, the House announced upcoming committee meetings, returned House Bill 880 to the Transportation Committee, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who is currently making approval on those continuing education courses? Thank you for the question.
• Where do they get the continuing education? Is it through... That can approve for the curriculum.
• Where do they get the continuing education?
• We view this program will be 85% work, 15% additional education. You're recognized for a follow-up.
• We view this program will be 85% work, 15% additional education. You're right now for a follow-up.

Bills: HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Summary: The House convened, heard the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, recognized the Doctor of the Day, and held several special presentations, including the Bethany Youth Council and a centennial recognition for Ascension St. John. The chamber then took up a long series of bills on second and third reading, with members asking questions on hospice care, broadband, funeral director continuing education, economic development, court reporters, DUI-related GPS monitoring, banking discrimination, statutory interpretation, electronic filings, intoxicating hemp beverages, homemade food production, youth apprenticeships, domestic violence, school communications with minors, firearms definitions, and outdoor warning sirens. Among the measures considered, House Bill 3645 on hospice referrals for patients without next of kin or a durable power of attorney passed 16-0. House Bill 3649, allowing proceeds from certain state property sales to remain in the mental health real estate trust, passed 15-0. House Bill 2293 extending the Oklahoma Broadband Office sunset to 2030 passed 84-10. House Bill 3216 adding the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association to approved continuing education providers passed 94-0, and House Bill 3176 directing Commerce to pursue national lab and innovation opportunities passed 51-37 after extensive debate about its aspirational nature and cost. Other bills approved included HB 3177 on Corporation Commission court reporter pay and retention, HB 3114 removing DUI with great bodily harm from DOC GPS monitoring eligibility, HB 3172 restricting adverse banking actions by large financial institutions against lawful activity, HB 3322 on statutory interpretation, HB 3323 removing notarization requirements for electronic Service Oklahoma submissions, HB 4248 restricting certain intoxicating beverages to those 21 and older, HB 3720 expanding the Homemade Food Freedom Act, HB 2210 modernizing youth apprenticeships, HB 1322 creating a domestic violence offender registry, HB 1937 revising school communications with minors and receiving emergency passage, HB 3301 aligning state firearms definitions with federal law, and HB 4107 criminalizing hacking or unauthorized activation of outdoor warning sirens. Most bills passed with broad support, though some drew significant questioning over fiscal impact, public safety, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• We made major investments in education, paid family and medical leave program that's now entering its
• this, very important programs, things that are our responsibility to take care of, like special education
• </c><00:03:37.360><c> We</c> take care of like special education.
• We take care of like special education.
• , free school meals, college education, free school meals, all<00:05:20.080><c> of</c><00:05:20.160><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, Owners' names and addresses cross-referenced for transparency, adding education as well as an
• There is also a section in the bill that requires education.
• The education components in the earlier sections of the bill are not objectionable at all.
• education matters, these children were following the rules.
• education matters, these children were following the rules.

Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for engrossed substitute House Bill 2095 so it could be heard that day. It then took public testimony on House Bill 2248, a technical cleanup bill affecting Secretary of State corporate and nonprofit filings, trademarks, foreign entities, and apostille procedures. The prime sponsor said the bill makes no policy changes or fee increases, while the Secretary of State’s office supported it as a clarification measure. One testifier raised concerns about multiple LLCs and transparency in manufactured home communities, asking for stronger oversight and verification. The committee then heard engrossed substitute House Bill 2508, which expands the Office of Independent Investigations’ jurisdiction over deadly-force and related non-deadly-force incidents, broadens notification and records access requirements, and exempts certain records from disclosure. The sponsor and OII testified in support, emphasizing that the bill clarifies authority and procedures; members asked about how far back investigations could go, and staff confirmed there was no time limit for deadly-force cases under the bill. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2203, creating the offense of reckless interference with emergency operations for driving around closures on hazardous roadways. The sponsor described it as a response to flood and disaster rescues, and fire chiefs supported it as a safety and accountability measure. Defense attorneys opposed it as unnecessary and disproportionate, warning of criminal penalties, license suspensions, restitution, and fiscal costs for conduct they viewed as more appropriately handled civilly. Next, Second Substitute House Bill 1909 proposed a Court Unification Task Force to study inefficiencies and inequities in Washington’s fragmented court system; the sponsor and a legal aid attorney supported it as an access-to-justice reform, while the committee noted a large number of signed-in opponents. Finally, engrossed substitute House Bill 2095 would create a rebuttable presumption of negligence for drivers who injure or kill vulnerable road users in designated areas, along with education requirements and damages provisions. Supporters, including a widow, bicycling advocates, and a bike commuter, said it would improve accountability and help injured people who cannot easily prove fault; opponents from cities, trucking, and defense groups argued it would expand litigation, create liability and fee-shifting problems, and go beyond existing negligence law. After public hearings, the committee moved into executive session and advanced several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 received a do pass recommendation. Substitute House Bill 2239, concerning family burial grounds on private property, was amended to increase a setback from public rights-of-way and easements and then received a do pass recommendation as amended. Substitute House Bill 2178 on court rules and procedures also received a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2543 on county clerk fees was advanced despite concerns about fee increases. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 on false identification as a peace officer was amended to clarify intent and then passed out of committee. The committee also adopted an amendment to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 on firearm manufacturing, including a change allowing certain digital code and manufacturing activity for repair purposes, and discussed another amendment removing some possession prohibitions for personal use.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, very poor and just not clear education to the public, the voters that we want to educate and give
• The League expends much time, effort, and often money to help inform and educate citizens on the issues
• I'm the executive director of Missouri Right to Education.
• I implore you to think about public education in the same light as a nonpartisan amendment.
• There's nothing partisan about freedom, just as there's nothing partisan about public education.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3146, sponsored by Rep. John Simmons, which would expand legislatively written ballot summary statements from 50 to 100 words and create a revised process for court challenges to ballot language. Simmons said the bill is essentially the same as last year’s Senate Bill 22, minus the section the Supreme Court struck down, and argued it would preserve the General Assembly’s role while allowing the Secretary of State and courts to work through objections to ballot summaries. Supporters said the longer summary would better inform voters and that the back-and-forth process had worked in the recent Amendment 3 litigation. Members raised concerns that the bill would encourage misleading or argumentative ballot language, create extra procedural steps, and potentially let the clock run out before challenges are fully resolved. Rep. Woods and others argued the courts are needed to prevent “ballot candy” and dishonest summaries, while supporters countered that the legislature and Secretary of State should have primary authority and that courts should not act as a “super legislature.” The sponsor and supporters also pointed to the recent Amendment 3 process as evidence that the revised procedure can work and produce agreed-upon language. Testimony was split. Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, and a representative from the Secretary of State’s office testified in favor, emphasizing transparency, voter information, and the elected status of the officials drafting ballot language. Opponents included the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters, Jobs with Justice, Missouri Right to Education, and private citizens, who argued the bill is unconstitutional, undermines separation of powers, and would allow misleading language to survive by dragging out litigation. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For educators, this bill provides something we urgently need: preventative action.
• For educators, this bill provides something we urgently need, preventative action.
• It goes beyond my right to a safe education. HB 2320 is about saving lives. Thank you.
• I strongly believe that education and educational spaces should be focused entirely on education and
• While they should be focused on education, they worry if their lives are in danger.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2255, House Bill 2548, and House Bill 2320. HB 2255 would regulate third-party litigation funding by requiring disclosure of funders and agreements, prohibiting funder control over litigation, capping funder recovery at 25%, and creating enforcement remedies. Supporters, including the sponsor, insurance groups, and liability reform advocates, described it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure that could improve court efficiency and reduce costs. Opponents, including the Washington State Association for Justice and the commercial litigation funding industry, argued it would burden plaintiffs, reveal protected work product, chill access to justice, and create satellite litigation. No vote was taken; the chair closed the hearing and asked testifiers to submit written comments. HB 2548 would expand state oversight of health care market transactions by broadening the types of mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, and ownership/control changes that trigger notice to the Attorney General, pausing transactions until information requests are substantially complied with, expanding interagency data sharing, and revoking nonprofit status in certain transactions. Supporters, including patient advocates, nurses, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Attorney General’s office, physicians, and individual health care workers, said private equity and consolidation are driving higher costs, reduced access, and lower quality. Opponents from the Washington State Hospital Association and MultiCare said the bill is unclear, may contain drafting errors, does not adequately target private equity structures, and could create problems around nonprofit status and charitable assets. The hearing ended with the committee moving on to the next bill. HB 2320 would update Washington’s ghost gun laws to address 3D-printed firearms, CNC manufacturing, digital firearm manufacturing code, and the sale of machines marketed for firearm production, and would make certain violations per se Consumer Protection Act violations. The sponsor and supporters, including school officials, gun violence prevention advocates, a trauma survivor, a 3D-printing industry representative, and others, said the bill closes a public safety loophole and responds to the growing availability of untraceable weapons. Opponents, including the NRA, makerspace representatives, and some industry witnesses, argued the bill is overbroad, may sweep in lawful 3D-printing and CNC activity, raises First, Second, and Fifth Amendment concerns, and could create uncertainty through rebuttable presumptions and the CPA provisions. The transcript ends during the HB 2320 hearing, with additional testimony panels still to come and no final committee action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education.
• One special for $250,000 for the Office of Special Education Ombudsman for outreach to students with
• And then our Office of the Special Education Ombud is also completely funded by general fund.
• As you can see, special education law is very complex and it can get pretty contentious.
• Your presence here makes it easier for the teachers, the special ed educators, the administrators, for

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It must be a promise we actively uphold through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
• It is more critical than ever to preserve the truth and educate people, especially younger generations
• Strip you of citizenship, bar you from higher education, take away your right to vote, take away the
• And how we get through is to remember and to educate ourselves about everything that has happened.
• And so you also have and to educate ourselves about everything that has happened.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee hearings and guest access, re-referring bills, and removing one bill from the consent calendar. The chamber also observed Holocaust Remembrance Day with a lengthy ceremony and remarks from many members across caucuses, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust, combating antisemitism and other forms of hate, and supporting survivors and descendants. ACR 59, the California Holocaust Memorial Day resolution, was adopted by voice vote after 76 coauthors were added. After the ceremony, the Assembly took up the daily file. AB 390, which strengthens California’s “slow down, move over” highway safety law, passed 64-0. AB 439, making small changes to the Coastal Act and reporting requirements, passed 44-11 after debate over Coastal Commission oversight. The body also approved a rules waiver to allow the Education Committee to meet on AB 1468. Later, AB 50, allowing Medi-Cal enrollees to access over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription, passed 67-0 urgency and 67-0 overall; AB 55, streamlining alternative birth center licensing, passed 68-0; AB 596, protecting workers’ right to wear masks or respirators unless there is a direct safety hazard, passed 53-8; AB 631, requiring animal shelters to post intake and outcome data, passed 60-0; and AB 792, allowing consolidated negotiations for court interpreter contracts, passed 52-1. The Assembly also passed AB 867, banning cat declawing, by 68-0 after bipartisan support; AB 1089, expanding local permitting authority for Western Joshua Tree projects, by 16-0; and AB 1154, clarifying ADU rules, by 63-1. SCR 57, proclaiming Dolores Huerta Day, was adopted 66-0. The second-day consent calendar was then adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory remarks for Mary Hammer, a longtime San Lorenzo Valley community leader and environmental advocate, followed by recognition of her family and friends in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're here on behalf of the Early Care and Education Consortium, and you're here to testify for the
• My name is Kathleen McHenry, and I'm here on behalf of the Early Care and Education Consortium, urging
• As I like to say, we call ourselves the Golden Goose of workforce education and training in the coastal
• They are required to complete continuing education in arbitration and property.
• This bill allows arbitrators to complete approved continuing legal education courses on their property

Bills: HB511 , HB972 , HB 1035 , HB2481 , HB2723 , HB2742 , HB2894 , HB2962 , HB3077 , HB3093 , HB3307 , HB3684 , HJR67 , HJR72

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• We're all housed at higher education institutions and really be able to work.
• We've never charged them with being responsible for economic. development and educating them to that
• actually recognizing that in order to be able to have good jobs, you need to have people who are educated
• And they love it. it because then they don't have to take years and years and years to get the education
• They get into a good job and then they can always go back and get more education.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department has been leading a public awareness campaign called Real California Cannabis, which educates
• consumers about buying from legal licensed sources and provides education about the differences between
• Good morning, Chair. which educates consumers about buying from legal licensed sources and provides education
• It followed this actual regulatory progression that was discussed earlier, from education, knowledge
• in retail access. 42% of jurisdictions in the state don't have Education in retail access.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the Department of Cannabis Control’s report on the condition and health of California’s cannabis industry. Department staff reviewed the evolution of state cannabis law, the creation of the current regulatory framework, licensing and compliance efforts, and enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids. The department said the licensed market has grown in production and retail units sold, while active licenses and retail sales value have declined, and that the illicit market remains a major competitive factor. The department also highlighted consumer education efforts, product testing and recalls, and coordination through the state enforcement task force and other agencies. The department’s economist said the data show continued growth in licensed production and a rising share of consumption through the licensed market, but falling wholesale and retail prices have reduced overall industry value. He identified major headwinds as taxes and fees, illicit-market competition, local prohibitions that limit retail access, regulatory costs, and broader business pressures, while noting opportunities in product innovation and possible hemp-market changes. Committee members pressed the department on enforcement, public health concerns, equity ownership and employment, delays in grant administration, pesticide testing, and whether the legal market is truly viable for small businesses and farmers. Several members argued that stronger enforcement and lower costs are needed, while one member raised concerns about cannabis-related health harms and said the hearing focused too narrowly on supply-side issues. Public commenters from industry groups and advocacy organizations largely echoed concerns about high taxes, regulatory burdens, limited retail access, and the size of the illicit market. Many urged the Legislature not to let the excise tax rise from 15% to 19% and called for tax relief, compliance reform, more enforcement, and broader retail access. Some speakers said the report was too optimistic and did not reflect business failures, debt, and closures, while others emphasized the need to protect small farmers, address wildfire insurance, and support equity businesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 981, all