Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the chair of the committee consultant Powers for your guidance and support as we were
• In 2021, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law AB 927, which authorizes the California
• He said the Governor vetoed the bill, but he hopes the Assembly Bill 927 process can play out a little
• The governor has a $20 billion operating budget deficit.
• So I want to go back to the original allocation, see whatever the governor was actually prioritizing

Summary: The committee heard Assembly Bill 664, which would authorize Southwestern College in Chula Vista to develop a limited pilot of faculty-led bachelor’s degree programs tied to regional workforce needs, with collaboration requirements, an independent evaluation, and a sunset in 2035. The author and supporters argued the bill would address local access and affordability problems in South San Diego, where many students are place-bound and the region lacks a nearby public university offering bachelor’s degrees. Opponents from the CSU, UC, and AICCU said the measure would bypass the existing AB 927 consultation process and could set a precedent for duplication and expansion outside the current statewide framework. After debate, the committee passed AB 664 on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with the roll showing eight ayes and one no, later updated to nine ayes and one no after the roll was held open. The committee then took up Assembly Bill 1241, which directs a study of a “pay-it-forward” higher education financing model in which students would attend without upfront tuition and repay costs later based on income. The author and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond framed the bill as a response to rising college costs and student debt, arguing California should study innovative affordability models used elsewhere. Some members raised concerns about fiscal feasibility and whether the model had worked in other states, while others supported the study as a modest first step. AB 1241 passed to Appropriations on an eight-aye, two-no vote. Assembly Bill 713 would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access paid campus jobs, internships, and research positions. Supporters said the bill would improve equity, affordability, and student success, and that campus employment is a critical pathway for undocumented students who already pay tuition and fees. Opponents argued the bill conflicts with federal law and could expose campuses and the state to legal and funding risks; supporters responded that state entities are not bound by the federal prohibition in the way described and emphasized the need to protect students and expand opportunity. The committee also heard concerns about student privacy and data protection. The bill was moved to Appropriations, with the roll initially showing five ayes, three noes, and one not voting, and the roll held open for additional members. Finally, Assembly Bill 1171 was presented as a modernization of the existing part-time faculty health insurance program for community colleges, aimed at making coverage more consistent and predictable across districts. The author said the bill would not create a new entitlement but would strengthen participation in the current program to better reflect the realities of a workforce made up largely of part-time and multi-district faculty. The transcript ends as the presentation begins, before testimony, debate, or a vote on AB 1171.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the chair of the committee consultant Powers for your guidance and support as we were
• In 2021, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law AB 927, which authorizes the California
• Quirk-Silva also was strongly in support—put a lot of time and effort into that bill, but the Governor
• Not just, I heard a phrase earlier today at the Board of Governors, and I have to hopefully find out
• The governor has a $20 billion operating budget deficit this year alone.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the governor will hear from Met Council at some future date.
• So even though the Department of Transportation is identified as their powers being located in section
• will hear from met council the governor will hear from met council at<00:11:28.480><c> some</c><00:11
• being located in in in section powers being located in in in section 1741<00:13:44.160><c> there</c>
• We really want you to do this, and they're shut down as saying they don't have the power to even vote

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your rights are going to be protected, but we are also going to do everything in our power to keep kids
• Your rights are going to be protected, but we are also going to do everything in our power to keep kids
• Your rights are going to be protected, but we are also going to do everything in our power to keep kids
• Your rights are going to be protected, but we are also going to do everything in our power to keep kids
• this insatiable appetite that the Democrats had when they took full control, House, Senate, and governor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This could influence how Idaho argued some of the cases that involve federal versus state powers.
• This could influence how Idaho argued some of the cases that involve federal versus state powers.
• After the notice goes out, the application goes to the FCC, the governor, the PUC of each state, and
• proper in our civil life gets dictated by what is right and proper with whichever religion has the power
• I had the same call from a constituent in Power County.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• network providers, technology innovators, and suppliers committed to connecting the world through the power
• Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Broadband for All executive orders, CETF is charged with, and actually
• population can't participate in the market in the same way without some sort of increase in their buying power
• And that increase in their buying power actually makes network deployment cheaper because it increases
• the experience from ACP, which my co-witness Sunny identified, is that if you increase the buying power

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California. Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs. Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716. Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• we do have 19 newly elected supervisors in 2024, we did have to others to county still are on the governor
• A big shopping center that's got good electric electrical power, a large parking lot. That's empty.
• However, supervisors property appraisers in Clarkston not we asked for a base power base, pay to align
• If the powers that be determined, they want one.
• They they the powers that be decide who usually the chairman of the committee and the leadership in the

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If established, the commission would consist of nine members appointed by the governor, one being from
• If established, the commission would consist of nine members appointed by the governor, one being from
• The second task is to develop a report to the governor and legislature, a proposal for addressing the
• It does not include any form of hydroelectric power.
• These rates that we're looking at would put independent power producers at a competitive disadvantage

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute House Bill 1128, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor and Industries to study child care workforce conditions and make recommendations on employment standards. Staff explained that the proposed second substitute narrows the board’s role from setting enforceable standards to making recommendations, with estimated ongoing costs for L&I staffing and smaller costs for board member stipends and possible DCYF support. Supporters, including child care providers, SEIU 925, and labor representatives, said the bill would help address understaffing, low wages, and retention problems; opponents, including child care industry groups and private schools, argued it duplicates existing work, adds bureaucracy, and creates unfunded costs. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would direct OSPI and ESDs to develop a technical assistance and training framework to help schools coordinate student behavioral health supports. Staff said the bill aligns with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and could largely be implemented with existing work and limited additional costs, though DOH would need some support. Testifiers from behavioral health and school counseling fields described severe youth mental health needs and urged passage, and OSPI said the work is doable with current resources. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2636, which would create a public education review advisory council to recommend K-12 policies and funding provisions for JLARC review; staff described JLARC, OSPI, and State Board costs, and no public testimony was offered. The committee next heard House Bill 1316, which would expand the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness program so additional university campuses can access funding. The sponsor said the program has strong retention outcomes, and student advocates testified that campuses such as UW Bothell need access to already appropriated funds for emergency aid, food pantries, and case management. Staff then briefed Substitute House Bill 2474, which would allow the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund to be used for refunds tied to broader consumer protection violations, with no expected fiscal impact; there was no testimony. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2365 on digital equity, which would expand the Broadband Office’s role, revise the digital equity forum, and rename the grant program; supporters emphasized rural access, affordability, and the loss of federal digital equity funding, while staff estimated significant Commerce staffing costs and some additional agency impacts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2401, creating a Washington State Boys and Men Commission contingent on non-state funding, with staff outlining OFM startup and fundraising costs and an estimated operating budget if fully funded. Supporters said boys and men face mental health, education, and mentorship gaps and that the commission would improve coordination; the bill drew testimony from rural school leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community members. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language access, which would require the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines and a report on interpreter and translator shortages; staff said the office could absorb the work but other agency and local government impacts were uncertain. Substitute House Bill 2517, on permitting for high-capacity transit, would let regional transit authorities apply for permits earlier and streamline land-use processes; Sound Transit and the sponsor said it would speed delivery of major projects, while staff estimated Commerce technical-assistance costs and possible local government impacts. The last bill heard was Substitute House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug pricing program, which would bar manufacturers from restricting contract-pharmacy access and require reporting to DOH; supporters said it protects safety-net providers and patient services, while opponents warned of higher costs for employers, state health plans, and litigation burdens. No final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• > deal</c><00:36:31.599><c> with</c><00:36:31.760><c> it,</c><00:36:32.160><c> and</c> than enough power
• to deal with it, and than enough power to deal with it, and it<00:36:32.640><c> uses</c><00:36:32.960
• ><c> that</c><00:36:33.440><c> power.
• So, the idea that it uses that power.
• </c><01:10:03.679><c> um</c> Kona Community Hospital, the governor um Kona Community Hospital, the governor

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aayot to the newly created Governor Aayot to the newly created Governor's<00:33:54.640><c> Special</
• I found it to be very powerful and insightful.
• </c> Um, I think that the powerful testimony we've heard so far is a great indication that a study is
• So that's another way that power and control is maintained in those situations.
• and control is way that um that power and control is maintained<01:42:30.480><c> in</c><01:42:30.639

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Governor, there are none. Messages from the Senate, there are none.
• Members, Assembly Bill 49 is an urgency bill to do everything within our power to keep ICE out of our
• It gives the judge the power to decide, do we still need these terms that they can violate like that?
• This bill requires public utilities to automatically enroll customers in power shutoff notices and to
• They were left without power and without any idea of how long the shutoff might last.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file. Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold. The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception. The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would encourage us to be very, to take a hold of of the power that we have as a legislature and
• We have our own powers here in this state to decide the future.
• AT&T recommends an alternative power source required to place phone calls, including 911, if there is
• a power outage.
• Verify that the backup power is there in the networks.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Revamp the Power to Choose website, which is kind of behind the times.
• For the $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, it makes it seem like y'all only want to... do the power
• plants, but obviously there are four programs, and the backup power plants and the resiliency plans
• BHEC has seen the buying power of its appropriations steadily reduced over the last five years, both
• MD Guidelines and ODG are aligned to provide Texas with a powerful tool set that will further enhance

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• objection, the House now returned to the Fourth Order of Business: consideration of messages from the Governor
• Now return to the Fourth Order of Business: consideration of messages from the Governor and the Senate
• 624 will be delivered to the Judiciary, Rules, and Administration Committee for delivery to the Governor
• From the Office of the Governor, March 9th, 2026: Dear Mr.
• Sincerely, Brad Little, Governor of Idaho. From the Senate, March 9th, 2026: Mr.

Summary: The House opened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the journal, then received a notice appointing Kirk Larson as a substitute representative for District 33. The chamber also handled several Senate messages and committee reports, including printing or engrossing a number of bills, and advanced multiple measures through the calendar. Among the bills introduced were appropriations bills for the judicial and legislative branches (HB 847 and HB 848), an education bill revising career ladder and endorsement provisions (HB 849), and Senate bills on occupational licensure, veterans’ benefits consumer protections, specie/tender contracts, state investment in gold and silver, and household egg production. The House passed Senate Bill 1332, a fiscal year-end cash transfer bill that reallocated about $100 million back to the general fund by pulling unspent money from several programs, including transportation strategic initiatives, the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, the Permanent Building Fund, water pollution control grants, and the In-Demand Careers Fund. Members also passed House Bill 545, which would allow military chaplains to qualify for counseling licensure and bill insurance; the bill drew substantial debate over whether chaplain training is equivalent to the education and supervised experience required for independent mental health practice, but supporters argued the military experience is valuable and the bill would help address counselor shortages. The House also passed HB 702 on securities ownership and Idaho law, HB 638 to restore Idaho’s presidential primary in March, HB 765 and HB 766 on fire district boundary changes and impact-fee collection, HB 767 on using impact fees for replacement of certain fire vehicles, HB 797 on fire district sub-district representation, and HB 672 to keep logos and slogans out of the executive budget document. Later, the House passed HB 785, which adds school disciplinary procedures for vulgar or inappropriate online posts about educators, HB 760 on property tax exemption for workforce and affordable housing, and HB 789, ratifying the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Water Rights Settlement of 2026. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 27 honoring Idaho civilians who served and died on Wake Island during World War II, and House Resolution 25 approving reviewed administrative rules. A motion to suspend rules allowed immediate consideration of HB 833, a bill requiring daily recess in elementary schools and unstructured activity for middle school students; debate focused on whether the bill would improperly limit classroom discipline, and the transcript ends during closing remarks on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• America's only Jewish governor and his family victims of arson.
• America's only<00:12:59.320><c> Jewish</c><00:12:59.720><c> governor</c><00:13:00.720><c> and</c><00:
• 13:00.880><c> his</c><00:13:01.080><c> family</c> only Jewish governor and his family only Jewish governor
• source is not at the mercy of this power source is not at the mercy of the<00:19:49.720><c> global</
• One of the most powerful tools available to the United States has been economic pressure.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and lieutenant governor passed my bill Registration and super proud that the governor and lieutenant
• and lieutenant governor passed my bill. registration and super proud that the governor and lieutenant
• And last year, if you know, the governor did include funding, if I recall, for community empowerment,
• And so the governor did not include it in this year's budget.
• Give the governor our best. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the um you know Community power the um you know Community power aggregators<00:11:40.440><c> so<
• </c> is sort of um well Community power is sort of um well Community power Coalition<01:49:23.920><c>
• </c><01:55:35.880><c> supply</c> investment decisions and power supply investment decisions and power
• </c> generation resource is putting power generation resource is putting power onto<01:56:13.119><c>
• </c> pay charge for Distributing that power pay charge for Distributing that power um<01:56:18.119><c

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in Georgia with a Republican governor in Georgia with a Republican legislature<00:23:17.840><c> deeply
• And so we know, and I've again witnessed and seen firsthand the transformative power of these mental
• And so we know, and I've again witnessed and seen firsthand the transformative power of these mental
• </c><00:46:15.679><c> of</c> firsthand the transformative power of firsthand the transformative power
• The governor has already said that she's not looking to modify our existing abortion laws.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1067-FN, which would formalize and expand mental health courts in New Hampshire and create a grant-based funding structure for them. Representative Mark Pearson, the prime sponsor, described the bill as a bipartisan, compassionate, and cost-effective approach that would connect people with mental illness to treatment and supervision instead of incarceration, while still holding them accountable. He said the proposal was developed with input from the judicial branch, law enforcement, corrections, mental health organizations, and others, and emphasized that local courts could tailor programs to their needs. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal note, whether the legislature had previously studied the issue, how the program would be funded, and whether the bill should more explicitly address treatment, prevention, and data collection. Representative Buzz Sher, who helped develop the bill, explained how mental health courts work, including referral, clinical and public-safety assessments, case management, goal-setting, and graduation from the program. He said existing New Hampshire mental health courts are mostly partial and county-funded, and that the bill would formalize them, set standards, and allow grant funding. He also cited data from Georgia and New Hampshire suggesting significant savings from reduced incarceration and related costs. Members also raised concerns about due process, whether people not formally charged could be swept into the system, and whether individuals with violent offenses or domestic violence histories could be diverted inappropriately. Sher responded that only people already in the criminal justice process are eligible and that courts use safety assessments to screen out most violent cases. The committee requested that Sher file supporting financial data from other jurisdictions, and he agreed to do so. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're appointed by the governor and the executive council.
• The way that is done is that we get nominated from the governor to the executive council.
• </c><01:25:07.800><c> and</c> 262a we're appointed by the governor and 262a we're appointed by the governor
• So we would want something certainly more powerful to take down an animal as large as a moose.
• So we would want something certainly more powerful to take down an animal as large as a moose.

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and said Governor Walz's name was brought up several times today, and he longs for the days when
• </c> West thank you Mr chair um governor West thank you Mr chair um governor governor<01:10:42.239><c
• plenty's name was brought up governor plenty's name was brought up several<01:10:44.560><c> times</c
• In specific, the one on the left really just shows a depreciation of just the purchasing power of CPA
• uh and two just the depreciating power uh and two just the<01:37:41.840><c> an</c><01:37:42.000><c>

Bills: HF25 , HF4

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief