Transcript Highlights:

• A direct care worker holds someone's universe for $16 an hour.
• A direct care worker holds someone's universe for $16 an hour.
• A direct care worker holds mercy.
• Throughout the years, she provided crucial health care services to generations of patients, counseling
• </c> she provided crucial health care she provided crucial health care services<07:52:43.120><c> to</

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> time off from work getting child care. time off from work getting child care.
• </c> expense or using the community care expense or using the community care network<00:44:04.560><c>
• </c> services have been provided for years. services have been provided for years.
• HB452 stands in direct freely.
• Um, he had to get care facility.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• attempting to get in front of our tort liability problem by giving some tools to courts in shelter care
• Shelter care hearings to try to protect children. I urge your support. Further remarks?
• Senate Bill 5911 relates to strengthening financial stability of young people that are in the care of
• carriers for the purposes of paying for abortion care services.
• A dedicated state account for this funding to direct via grants for the intended purpose.

Summary: The committee and rules meeting advanced a package pull of measures and then moved a series of individual bills and one joint memorial from the white sheet to the floor calendar or second reading calendar. Among the measures discussed were SB 6308 on tools for courts in shelter care hearings to address child protection and tort liability concerns; SB 6200 on tenant rights to install portable cooling devices; SB 6080 on parameters for local jails holding ICE detainees and reimbursement; SB 5911 on protecting benefits and funds for youth in extended foster care; SB 6177 on expanding disclosures on the LEAP website; SB 6052 on a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment; SB 6182 on an Abortion Savings Program; SB 5828 on college scholarships for private universities; SB 6335 on changes to the Transportation Commission; SB 6017 on trauma-informed treatment of victims and witnesses; SB 6346 on a tax on high earners, which drew opposition over constitutionality and impacts on businesses; SB 6262 on vehicle weight thresholds for certain transportation vehicles; SB 5470 on detached accessory dwelling units outside urban growth areas; SB 5999 on allowing advanced practice registered nurses or physician assistants to serve as acting local health officers in smaller counties; SB 6244 on extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products; and SB 5961 on transferring the Imagination Library Program to SPI. The committee also advanced Senate Joint Memorial 8014 requesting an investigation into a killing. Most measures were described by sponsors as technical, administrative, or supportive of housing, transportation, public health, child welfare, or transparency goals. SB 6346 prompted the most substantive debate, with Senator Braun arguing it functioned as an income tax that could harm small and medium businesses and raise constitutional concerns, while the sponsor characterized it as a tax on millionaires. SB 5999 drew a brief concern about how long acting local health officers could serve, though the member said they would still support it. SB 5961 was noted as having local support and was framed as better aligning the Imagination Library with early childhood literacy goals. The committee approved the package pull and each individual motion by voice vote, with the record reflecting ayes carrying the motions and no recorded roll-call votes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Peterson said it was likely the last sit-down of the first half of session and noted one more standing rules meeting was expected on Monday before cutoff on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I'm directed to inform the House that the Senate has passed Senate Finance Committee substitute
• Senate Bill 21 has been read by title and is referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee
• fund budget caps, repealing the Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act, amending, repealing, and
• fund budget caps, repealing the low income telephone service assistance act, amending, repealing and
• House Health and Human Services Committee will meet at 9:00.

Bills: HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Transcript Highlights:

• Or as your service expense and then also number of your service Corps members are growing, this revenue
• Forest Service.
• Wildland Fire Service, as well as a director from the U.S. Forest Service.
• Forest Service about the planned closure and consolidation of their research stations into service centers
• Forest Service.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the California Conservation Corps on its 50-year history, current operations, and budget proposals. Director J.P. Patton described the CCC’s work in conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development, noting 26 facilities, about 3,000 Corps members annually, and a funding mix of roughly 55% General Fund and 45% reimbursements. Members praised the program and asked about revenue sources, recruitment, retention, and post-service tracking. The CCC said it has a 5,000-person waitlist, uses first-come, first-served admissions with minimal eligibility requirements, and is working to improve data on outcomes. The committee also discussed the Greenwood Residential Center, where the CCC seeks staffing and operating funds to reopen a rebuilt facility in El Dorado County; the LAO suggested considering fewer new members or a delayed opening to reduce General Fund pressure, but no vote was taken and the item was held open. The committee then considered a CCC wildfire readiness proposal to move hand crews to a seven-day operational schedule. CCC and Cal Fire representatives said the change is needed because wildfire is now year-round and because the current model leaves crews unavailable in many months due to staffing gaps. They said the proposal would improve reliability for Cal Fire, preserve training opportunities for Corps members, and better align the CCC with Cal Fire’s 66-hour workweek. The LAO supported the concept but recommended considering lower-cost alternatives, such as relief staffing or partial reimbursement. Members also discussed the decline in incarcerated fire crews, with Cal Fire explaining that reforms and eligibility changes have reduced the pool of incarcerated people who qualify for camp and fire work. One member raised the use of goats and grazing for fuel reduction, and staff responded that such methods can help with prevention but cannot replace hand crews for suppression. The item was held open. Cal Fire then presented its department overview, emphasizing its expanded workforce, year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and partnerships with federal, local, tribal, and private entities. Members asked about contract counties such as Orange County, reforestation and seedling capacity, federal reimbursement, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Cal Fire said it is still below the seedling capacity needed for post-fire reforestation and relies heavily on public-private partnerships. The committee also reviewed a proposal for permanent funding for defensible space inspections. Cal Fire said it needs 31 positions and ongoing General Fund support to replace temporary funding that expires in 2027 and to maintain a goal of 250,000 inspections per year. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested alternatives such as a different General Fund/GGRF mix, reinstating an SRA fee, or approving the positions on a one-time basis. Members generally supported the work but raised budget concerns, and the proposal was held open. Finally, Cal Fire began presenting a fixed-wing pilot and mechanics contract increase, explaining that its aviation fleet has grown and become more complex, requiring more pilots and maintainers for year-round operations. The department said labor market pressures have increased contractor costs and that the contract is needed to support continuous aerial firefighting readiness. The transcript cuts off before further discussion or any action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Operation Services Division—Reno Soulight is our division director.
• </c><00:18:07.720><c> of</c> really the people who take care of really the people who take care of everything
• </c> because you now have a longer uh direct because you now have a longer uh direct distance<01:08:31.239
• We take this a little different direction. I'm the new guy here, Mr.
• </c> costs either so those Services costs either so those Services contracts<01:34:59.000><c> could</

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• age to receive services from a shelter?
• That when people go to shelters, they're seeking care.
• They apparently went through a civil service appeal.
• Or for all the civil service cities, including Houston.
• There's a lot of other services.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Transcript Highlights:

• , special needs services, extended day, private education.
• ,<00:16:05.199><c> special</c><00:16:05.519><c> needs</c><00:16:05.920><c> services,</c> services, special
• needs services, services, special needs services, extended<00:16:06.959><c> day,</c><00:16:07.519><c
• Specifically, they have to service at least two schools. They have to service at least 10 students.
• If you want to do it for special needs services, that is fine.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't want anybody to go a different direction when obtaining a firearm.
• I don't care about burdening government.
• I care about burdening people—burdening people's constitutional rights.
• National parks and national museums recognize military service; I believe state government should as
• Chair, I am asking for a no, and I'm being very careful with my no, but I do need you, Mr.

Bills: HB2159 , HB2251 , HB2521

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: preK, education funding, childcare, youth development, state budget, climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• That text draws no direct association between athletics and the regulated restrooms.
• Assessment window status quo, and then that just directs the department and the state board when they
• Educators enter the profession because they care deeply about students.
• have earned through years of service.
• House Bill 2249 moves us in the wrong direction.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Education approved the minutes from February 18 and March 4, 2026, then took up several bills. HCR 2003, the “Protect Girls in Sports in Arizona Act,” drew extensive testimony. Supporters, including Superintendent Tom Horne, argued it would protect fairness, safety, and privacy in girls’ sports and locker rooms by requiring teams to be designated male, female, or co-ed and by limiting access to sex-designated private spaces. Opponents, including ACLU and transgender advocates, said the measure was discriminatory, would function as a bathroom ban, and could force schools to police students’ bodies and identities. The committee voted 4-3 to give HCR 2003 a due pass recommendation. The committee then advanced HB 2020, which lowers certain student threats or disruptions at educational institutions from a Class 6 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor, and HB 2032, which changes the statewide testing window so assessments begin later in the spring and scores are returned later, with supporters saying it would better reflect a full year of instruction. HB 2033, allowing school districts or charter schools to choose paper-and-pencil administration of statewide assessments by governing board vote, also received support from educators who said it would reduce technology barriers for younger students. HB 2318, as amended, would impose term limits on school district governing board members after eight consecutive years; school board groups opposed it as harmful to rural districts, but the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also approved HB 2378, which changes eligibility rules for School Facilities Oversight Board members who are architects or engineers so their businesses may not include school construction. HB 2313, which prohibits teacher strikes or organized work stoppages and ties funding penalties to districts or charters that violate the ban, advanced despite testimony that it duplicates existing law and could chill educators’ speech and worsen staffing shortages. Finally, HB 2249, a major expansion of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, passed after heated testimony. Supporters said it would prevent schools from socially transitioning minors without written parental consent and stop staff from encouraging children to hide information from parents; opponents warned it was vague, punitive, and would expose teachers and schools to massive liability and litigation. The committee adopted amendments on HB 2318 and HB 2249 and reported all of the listed bills out with due pass recommendations, with recorded split votes on several measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think collaboration is a huge role we play in the fire service.
• It's not work that I don't want to do, but if we're not going to take care of the people in care and
• She has the best health care of any 87-year-old in this country, I bet.
• When I tell other people in other states about the health care, Care of any 87-year-old in this country
• Nuclear war is bad for the idea that we could have universal medical care.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a move in the right direction. So this is a great bill. It's a move in the right direction.
• But it's more than food service, too. It's entertainment. It's tourism-based businesses.
• And it's going to leave these employees without any care from anybody.
• And it's going to leave these employees without any care from anybody.
• But I do care about my constituents.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 3, 2026 by roll call vote, 131-1. Members then spent much of the morning introducing special guests, including a page for the day, Missouri State University Citizen Scholars, JAG program students, school counselors, elementary students observing online, interns, and a tribute honoring Josephine Baker’s life and legacy. The chamber then moved to first reading of several bills and to perfection of multiple House Committee Substitutes. The most substantial debate centered on a composite anti-trafficking bill, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2273, 1946, 1814, and 2551. Supporters said it would strengthen Missouri’s response to trafficking, grooming, sextortion, and child sexual abuse material by updating terminology, creating a permanent Attorney General’s statewide council, expanding training for professionals, extending the civil statute of limitations for trafficking claims, increasing penalties, and allowing expungement for victims. Members cited testimony from survivors and advocates and emphasized the need for coordinated enforcement and education. The House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members also debated House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1694 and related bills, a package aimed at curbing abusive website-accessibility lawsuits against Missouri businesses. Supporters described “sue-and-settle” tactics targeting small businesses with little notice and high settlement demands, while opponents of the abusive practice argued the bill preserves legitimate ADA claims and gives businesses a chance to cure problems. The House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2375 on workers’ compensation, which supporters said would clarify the “prevailing factor” standard, address preexisting-condition claims, adjust treatment and appeal rules, and reduce costs; opponents warned it could make it harder for injured workers to obtain care and create disputes between insurers. The House adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The chamber then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also support our care for the land for future generations.
• Would you care to explain the committee sub? Sure.
• And how do we take care of that one problem itself?
• Carlos Lucero with Public Service Company of New Mexico.
• I think the direct appeal is important as well.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Their work can either be at a job, it can be a research project that they have, or a service-learning
• needs and be a illness healthc care needs and be a caregiver<00:31:35.000><c> for</c><00:31:35.600><
• </c> food safety food safety is the direct food safety food safety is the direct result<00:32:47.840>
• We do direct them to multiple different resources for that liability insurance, and we are currently
• This has a direct impact on all food retailers.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• , health care, all increasingly unaffordable.
• , health care, all increasingly unaffordable.
• So I think we're 100% in the wrong direction.
• And I'm not sure that's the right direction for Washington.
• My other quick question is directed to Senator Braun.

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders used the media availability to focus on affordability and to criticize the Democratic majority’s newly released income tax proposal. Leaders John Braun and Drew Stokesbary argued the plan would raise costs, harm small and medium-sized businesses, and fail to deliver meaningful tax relief elsewhere. They said the bill’s marriage penalty, lack of loss carryforward, and treatment of pass-through entities were especially problematic, and they warned it could eventually expand beyond high earners. They also cited other pending measures they said would increase costs, including taxes or fees affecting insurance, tires, clothing, social media, cigarettes, and solid waste. A major portion of the discussion centered on Republican-hosted listening sessions on the initiatives, which they said were intended to provide balanced public testimony after Democrats declined to advance hearings. House Republicans said they invited speakers both for and against the initiatives, including a wide range of opponents, and emphasized that the sessions were meant to show the public a fair debate. They also discussed several policy bills they oppose, including housing and homelessness measures they said would limit local control near schools and parks, and a bill creating a regulatory framework for automated license plate readers, which they said still raises concerns for cities and law enforcement despite some improvements. In response to questions, Republicans said they support funding for public defense but believe it should be handled within existing budget priorities rather than through an income tax. They also said they are watching bills on government fraud oversight, SNAP restrictions on unhealthy foods, and public safety, including measures related to sexually violent predators and child safety. Throughout the event, leaders repeatedly framed their agenda as protecting affordability and public safety while opposing what they described as tax increases and regulations that would make life more expensive in Washington.

Transcript Highlights:

• So trying to navigate and help people solve the problems that they care about and understanding that
• Brown testified, the Harriman gift deed calls for a professionally staffed career park service.
• I would think we would all sort of agree that it would not be considered a professional service.
• entities had to have what were considered professional services.
• They can sell by the bottle, can, or glass, which is great for tap rooms and direct sales.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But where I think we can, we take care. of that in the statute.
• I particularly commend the bill's careful drafting in several areas.
• That could go either direction.
• It's intimate care, prisons.
• You know the direction. Thank you. security and myself.

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS pays for health services and provides some direct care and treatment.
• Boarding care homes: 2001. Hospice: 2002. Hospitals: 2009. Outpatient services: 2009.
• Human Services, said DHS has a few health care-related budget proposals from the governor and lieutenant
• He added that people are going to lose services in long-term care nursing homes, and that both this budget
• He said people are going to lose services in long-term care nursing homes, and that both this budget

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Direction. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• These services include Metrolink, Coaster, Caltrain, SMART, and ACE.
• These regional services are also locally managed.
• However, these services include more frequent train stops than intercity rail services, and they’re funded
• The second difficulty is agreeing on the revenue division for joint services.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Now you've heard the human services.
• </c> the provision of mental health services. the provision of mental health services.
• Division</c><00:21:30.880><c> of</c> Service the Family Services Division of Service the Family Services
• </c> enforcement officers, family service enforcement officers, family service division<00:33:19.440>
• </c> to bring down health care costs. to bring down health care costs.