Transcript Highlights:

• This RS signals Idaho's willingness to participate in the federal education freedom tax credit that was
• entities, whichever they may be, as they are approved by the governor or the State Department of Education
• , to donate for education tax credits.
• framework for that program to exist, and it requires that the governor of the State Department of Education
• framework for that program to exist, and it requires that the governor of the State Department of Education

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on February 19, 2026, and first approved the minutes from its February 13 meeting. It then considered RS 33462, which would signal Idaho’s willingness to participate in a federal education freedom tax credit program and set up a framework for scholarship-granting organizations. Members raised questions about possible general fund impacts and the federal nature of the credit. A substitute motion to hold the RS for further committee debate failed on a roll call vote, and the original motion to introduce the RS and send it to the second reading calendar passed, with Representatives Barbieri, Shepherd, and Birch recorded as nays. The committee next heard RS 3302, a sales tax exemption proposal for the Salvation Army. Representative Cornilles said the bill was complicated and would not move beyond introduction this session, with more work to be done over the summer. Members asked about the organization’s federal tax-exempt status and the broader policy implications of granting similar exemptions to other groups. The RS was introduced. The committee also heard RS 33398, which would align Idaho’s partnership audit procedures with the federal model by allowing audits at the partnership level rather than separately for each partner. Supporters said this would improve efficiency for the Tax Commission and taxpayers, while members questioned whether reduced granularity could affect revenue capture; the RS was introduced. Finally, the committee considered RS 33417C1, a change affecting certain rural school districts with wind, geothermal, or solar energy revenue. Representative Furman said the proposal would adjust how tax distributions are calculated when a district no longer has a supplemental levy, using the county levy rate instead, and would apply only to geothermal and wind, not solar. The committee introduced the RS without objection. The meeting then adjourned, and members were told there would be no meeting the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to start our Postsecondary Education meeting.
• create credentials of value that help to ensure that they earn enough to cover the cost of their education
• credential, apprenticeship credential, or other post-secondary or CareerTech award issued by an educational
• To me, I believe that grit and education are the two things that bring people up out of poverty.
• To me, I believe that grit and education are the two things that bring people up out of poverty.

Summary: The Postsecondary Education Committee met and adopted PCS working drafts for several bills before hearing them. House Bill 2210, by Representative Lay, would modernize Oklahoma’s youth apprenticeship system by allowing earlier entry, expanding eligibility to ages 16-25, assigning implementation to CareerTech, and adding paid-work protections and statewide ROI reporting; it passed 9-0. House Bill 4363, by Pro Tem Moore, would update outdated statutory references to reflect current operations and governance; it also passed 9-0. House Bill 2398, by Representative Hill, would create a “credential of value” framework to align higher education, CareerTech, and workforce systems, with safeguards for high-need fields and regional wage considerations. Supporters said it would help students understand the earning value of programs before enrolling, while concerns were raised about possible effects on humanities and other lower-paying fields; the bill passed 8-1. House Bill 3557, by Representative Danny Williams, would clarify that 4-H and county extension fundraising money remains locally controlled and protected rather than being swept into a state-level account. Members discussed how the funds are currently handled and who would control them under the proposal; the bill passed 6-2. House Bill 3701, by Representative Caldwell, would codify the State Regents’ existing process for reviewing and potentially consolidating low-producing higher education programs, including mandatory action after repeated low-producing status while preserving exemption authority. Questions focused on whether the bill merely formalized current practice and whether reporting back to the legislature should be added; the chair offered to include a reporting requirement if desired. The bill passed 6-2, and the chair announced this was the committee’s last House bill meeting for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• a request to send questions to the Arkansas Department of Health regarding sexual risk avoidance education
• The Standing Committee on Education Institutions and Representative Duke is going to present that report
• met Thursday, February 12, 2006, and adopted the minutes from the January 8th, 2020s meeting. 31 education
• This slide presents program expenditures by This slide presents program expenditures by higher education
• situation because, I mean, you've spread the administration of this out over three or four higher education

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes and then adopted reports from its executive and standing committees. The Executive Committee reported on scheduled audits, denied a special report request concerning the I-owned fire department, approved questions to the Arkansas Department of Health about Title V sexual risk avoidance education funds, authorized the Office of Property Risk to hire a CPA for its annual audit, and asked staff to gather information on circuit judge caseload assignments in Benton County. The Counties and Municipalities Committee reported progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of 19 entities after required reports were filed and 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities submitting reports. It also noted that Adona was now in substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, while officials from Denning and Gum Springs appeared regarding noncompliance. Of 109 current reports reviewed, 15 were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, 94 were filed, and 15 were deferred. The Education Institutions Committee filed 31 audit reports, including one for Cedarville School District that was referred to the prosecuting attorney, Attorney General, and Governmental Bonding Board, and the State Agencies Committee filed 10 reports involving issues at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard a Medicaid Subcommittee report that included presentations from DHS, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Office on their Medicaid-related roles. In special reports, Legislative Audit presented a review of Cleburne County’s library expenses, finding more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases lacking a documented business purpose, undocumented disbursements, and possible improper fuel expenses; the matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. The committee also reviewed the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UALR, where auditors found scholarship awards to ineligible students, numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, and that the program had ceased in 2024 with remaining funds returned to the school districts. After discussion, the committee filed both special reports and adjourned, with the next meeting set for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• a request to send questions to the Arkansas Department of Health regarding sexual risk avoidance education
• The Standing Committee on Education Institutions, and Representative Duke is going to present that report
• Thirty-one education audit reports were included on the committee's agenda for review.
• This slide presents program expenditures by higher education institution for the life of the program,
• Because, I mean, you've spread the administration of this out over three or four higher education institutions

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes. It then received and adopted reports from the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee on Counties and Municipalities, the Standing Committee on Education Institutions, the Standing Committee on State Agencies, and the Medicaid Subcommittee. Those reports covered audit follow-up items, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, state agency audit findings, and a Medicaid oversight presentation. Several reports were filed after discussion, and in multiple cases agencies or local officials were present to answer questions about repeat findings or compliance concerns. Among the notable audit matters, the committee reviewed a Cleburne County library audit that found more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases that appeared personal in nature and improper fuel expenses. The library director had been placed on leave, later charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office, and the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General. The committee also heard a special report on the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which found scholarship ineligibility issues and numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, while noting that the program had ended in 2024 and remaining funds were returned to the school districts. During the state agency report, Legislative Audit described findings at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs, including improper benefit payments, a cashed warrant by someone other than the intended payee, missing receipts, unauthorized fuel card purchases, and payroll and overtime issues. The committee filed that report after agency representatives responded to questions. The meeting ended with the filing of the Cleburne County and Donaldson Scholars Academy reports, and the next committee meeting was announced for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• partnerships with community-based organizations that help survivors develop new skills, continue their education
• Survivors develop new skills, continue their education, and find employment opportunities that allow
• Foundation, the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, and our local partners for their employee education
• that Representative Wynn will temporarily replace Representative Willoughby on the Committee on Education
• Speaker Pro Tem, the Education Committee will resume at 2:00 p.m. after we finish.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the school district local accountability plans and actions is focused on challenging the Texas Education
• Agency's decisions related to public school accountability for the Committee on Public Education.
• In populous counties, this bill is used to promote agricultural support for youth and provide educational
• program and the adoption of assessment instruments in public schools for the Committee on Public Education
• state-required assessments with instructionally supported assessments for the Committee on Public Education

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the simplest way to educate the public and our public health agencies about the risks and side
• ideology in the classroom and reinstate the requirements for parents to opt their children into sex education
• Look, this has passed the Senate and right now it's in public education.
• HB 1655 would ban social transitioning in public education, meaning that your, the teachers at schools
• That's HB 1655 and public education. We need that hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• being an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the conduct was for a bona fide educational
• I submit to you, Representative Fairley, that there is no bona fide educational, medical, psychological
• In which there was a bona fide educational use of the material in the arena of training law enforcement
• other words, became part of law enforcement or a branch of law enforcement, and it was a bona fide educational
• I would hope so, but I like the idea that education within law enforcement is also covered, at least

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Davis: I AM NOT SURE THAT I HAVE ANY EDUCATION QUESTIONS BUT SENATOR GAETZ WHAT IS THE LEVEL
• OF EDUCATION, I HEARD YOU SAY THIS IS A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE AND I GUESS THE COMPANIES ARE HAVING TROUBLE
• FINDING DEGREED FOLKS BUT WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION REQUIRED BY THESE FOLKS THAT WE ARE TALKING
• >> Chair: SENATOR GAETZ. >> Senator Gaetz: THE ANSWER IS THERE IS NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT IN THE BILL
• BUT THERE IS NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT PER SE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work to train and to educate what to do. If you see something, say something.
• the Texas Trucking Association and Titus Transportation to say boys are sex trafficked, to bring education
• the Texas Trucking Association and Titus Transportation to say boys are sex trafficked, to bring education
• So together, we must be able to fight this and bring education and awareness to this program.
• And it takes a team like this to come together to really bring education and awareness to this, to let

Summary: Texas senators, representatives, trucking industry leaders, DPS, and Bob’s House of Hope held a press event to launch a new awareness campaign against human trafficking, with a particular focus on the trafficking of boys and young men. Speakers said Texas remains among the worst states for stopping trafficking and emphasized that the problem affects people of all ages and genders, not just women and girls. They described the trucking industry’s role in spotting suspicious activity, the importance of public education, and the need to tell people to “see something, say something.” The Texas Trucking Association and Titus Transport announced that trucks will carry decals/posters promoting Bob’s House of Hope and providing a QR code and phone number for help and information. Bob Williams said his organization operates the first safe house in the country specifically for boys and young men who have been sex trafficked, and he cited studies suggesting boys may make up a substantial share of trafficking victims. He also said many of the youth in their care have suffered severe abuse and some have also experienced labor trafficking. Legislators and DPS officials praised the partnership and said the state must give law enforcement every possible tool to combat trafficking. Senator Hinojosa added that the issue is especially visible in South Texas and along the border, and that private-sector involvement is needed to help eradicate the crime. The event ended with plans to photograph the first truck carrying the new decals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii is a statewide organization born out of efforts by parents who collaborated with the Board of Education
• parents who collaborated with the board parents who collaborated with the board ofed<00:02:29.920><c> education
• </c><00:02:30.280><c> to</c><00:02:30.440><c> shape</c><00:02:31.040><c> Hawaii's</c> ofed education
• to shape Hawaii's ofed education to shape Hawaii's homeschool<00:02:32.599><c> law</c><00:02:33.519><
• we need to find out what that policy is so that any of our students, no matter how they're being educated

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have also listened to very intelligent, and education. in that perspective.
• And again, you have set the education will definitely be your legacy.
• Also, you know that, like, we're not 100% aligned on all education issues.
• You've let me be the education chair. I needed to be based on my life experience.
• So being able to serve alongside you and discuss education...

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education. Oh, sorry. Strike that.
• </c> department of education. department of education.
• Education. Education.
• Education. Education.
• </c> and Technical Education. and Technical Education.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dailen Order, with the Alameda County Office of Education, in support. Thank you.
• And I think it's important to know and to have some kind of training and education on that that would
• So, you know, too many families are having to make these choices where they forego income, education,
• Are having to make these choices where they forego income, education, careers, because of lack of child
• Jalen Woodard, with the Alameda County Office of Education, in support.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two master’s degrees in educational and counseling psychology.
• I have two master's<00:02:45.920><c> degrees</c><00:02:46.319><c> in</c><00:02:46.720><c> educational
• </c><00:02:47.440><c> and</c> master's degrees in educational and master's degrees in educational and
• We also provided further education for those members that requested it, uh, to help educate them on better
• </c><00:10:58.880><c> for</c> We also provided further education for We also provided further education

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on a series of gubernatorial nominations to health, disability, aging, and advisory boards. Early nominees included Pria Tay for the Kauaʻi Service Area Board on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, who emphasized her 25 years in the mental health field and commitment to community access to training and resources, and Ashley Mishihara for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee, who described her involvement in the Red Hill response and ongoing concern about protecting the sole-source aquifer and ensuring remediation. Christopher Luthie, nominated to the State LGBTQ+ Commission, said he wanted to advocate for LGBTQ+ residents statewide and help improve programs so people are not overlooked, and he received support from commission member Michael Galuyo Jr., who said the commission had lacked a Hawaii County representative since December. The committee also heard from nominees to the Radiologic Technology Board, including David Wodsworth and Reena Shimata. Wodsworth said the board should modernize rules and regulations, while the Department of Health supported him and clarified that the board focuses on policy and procedures rather than direct licensing decisions. Shimata said she wanted to help protect patients, technologists, and the public from radiation exposure, and the Department of Health and several medical professionals supported her, with one witness noting that modern technology reduces dose but competent technologists remain essential to avoid unnecessary exposure. The committee deferred GM712, a nomination not present at the hearing, until Monday, March 9. Additional nominations included Judy Pike for the disability communications/access board, who cited her prior DECAP staff experience and long involvement in disability access work, with strong support from a current board member; Rick Taber for the Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, who sought a second term and highlighted his committee leadership and long mental health career; Amy Healey Austin for the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, who said she wanted to represent rural health needs and described her leadership roles in West Hawaiʻi health care; and Ed Chevy for DECAB, who stressed the importance of interpreter access and communication access, with support from Christine Pagano. The committee took no final votes in the portion of the hearing provided, and several nominees were told their decisions would be taken up later in the meeting or at the end of the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• She later transferred to UCLA and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education.
• Speaker, your Committee on Education reports that it has had under consideration House Bills 608 and
• House Bill 710, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section 33-512, Idaho
• House Bill 711, by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Chapter 5, Title 33
• House Bill 635, by the Education Committee, regarding education.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then held a memorial program honoring former Idaho legislators and public servants, including tributes to Frank Brunel, Jeannie Givens, Carl Shirtliff, Wendy Ungrich Kachetti, Ron Vieselmeyer, and Gail Wilde. Speakers highlighted their careers, community service, family lives, and contributions to Idaho, and the chamber observed the memorial with music and remarks about public service and legacy. After the memorial, the House received messages from the Senate and reported several committee actions. Committee reports moved a number of bills and resolutions to calendars or other committees, and the House introduced a large slate of new bills covering state budget/logo restrictions, elections, telecommunications, broadband, water, fish and game, trapping, self-defense and public assemblies on roads, child abuse interview recording, criminal procedure, parental rights, sex offender residency, sheriff reimbursement, masking during crimes, bribery and nepotism, artificial intelligence procurement, airbags, administrative subpoenas, attorney general duties, child protection, election interference, voting rights, divorce and custody attorney fees, unauthorized employment, rental application fees, commercial code changes, professional licensing, land use, building codes, land division, HOA dissolution, programmable money, school start dates, civics education, and health insurance cost-sharing. The House then took up third-reading votes on three bills. House Bill 576, concerning the Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund and limiting coverage to Idaho residents or former Idaho residents at the time of purchase, passed 53-14. House Bill 577, which removes the requirement to replace license plates every 10 years so long as they remain legible and readable, passed 66-1. House Bill 632, expanding whistleblower protections and setting a timeline for legislative information requests, passed 68-0. House Bill 607, dealing with separate restroom, shower, and locker room access in government buildings and public accommodations, generated extended debate over privacy, safety, enforcement, and business costs, but no final vote was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please go to slide 35, while you’re going to 35, which is education, one, two, three.
• Let’s do education first, because I know that’s a lot. I do want to talk about that.
• Let’s do education first, because I know that’s a lot of requests to talk about it has come up.
• Moving into K-12 education.
• in K-12 education.

Summary: The joint House-Senate appropriations committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation from Ben Henderson, director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. Early discussion focused on the state economy and revenue outlook, with Henderson describing strong GDP growth and low unemployment but also fragility for working families. Members questioned the executive’s revenue assumptions, which were said to be about $100 million per year higher than the JLBC baseline, and the committee chair asked for a written comparison of the revenue differences. Henderson also said the governor’s budget is structurally balanced and includes both ongoing spending and proposed revenue changes. A major portion of the hearing centered on data centers, AI investment, and water policy. Henderson argued Arizona’s data center tax incentive should be eliminated because it had already succeeded in attracting investment, while lawmakers questioned whether repealing the incentive and imposing a new water-related fee would discourage future growth. The executive said the water proposal would create a Colorado River Protection Fund and give the Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority, with the aim of encouraging more modern air-cooled facilities. Members also raised concerns about whether the data center changes would require a supermajority vote and whether the fee was effectively a new tax. The committee then reviewed major “critical spending” items, including correctional officer pay, prison health care compliance, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl enforcement, cyber readiness, and border-related costs. Henderson said the budget includes $24.4 million ongoing for correctional officer pay and $118.3 million one-time for prison health care staffing, plus other public safety and homeland security items. He also defended the governor’s assumption of $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border expenses, saying the governor had met with federal officials and that the state would seek the full amount. Members expressed skepticism about relying on that reimbursement and asked what would be cut if it does not materialize. Education and health and human services were also discussed. The governor’s budget includes K-12 funding, Prop. 123-related school facility bonding, and a proposal to shift some school facilities funding to bond financing, which several members criticized as inappropriate for short-term maintenance needs. The committee also reviewed AHCCCS/Medicaid costs, Division of Developmental Disabilities funding, and the expected impacts of federal HR1 changes on eligibility, provider funding, and rural hospitals. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly limited debate and directed members to keep questions brief while the presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mexico has a harder time sometimes getting that FDI attention, just for lack of awareness and lack of education
• We want to educate the law enforcement in these communities.
• Extra steps are needed to educate stakeholders and people across many different communities.
• Outreach and education is a big component of our mission.
• And then our newest program is the Water Education Program.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We are starting today as a subcommittee because we are lacking a couple members who are in education,
• We are starting today as a subcommittee because we are lacking a couple members who are in education,
• We're an intermediary nonprofit organization exclusively focused on improving Los Angeles public education
• Being tied to some of these other programs, post-secondary education grants or Covered California.
• . being tied to some of these other programs, post-secondary education grants or covered California.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 470, which would change California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules and allow a phased transition away from copper landlines in areas deemed well served by alternative phone options. The author and AT&T argued the bill would protect consumers, preserve 911 access, require public notice and CPUC review, and direct investment toward modern fiber and emergency communications. Supporters included a wide range of business, civic, tribal, and community groups, while opponents from TURN, rural counties, labor, digital equity organizations, and local governments warned the bill could let AT&T shed service obligations too quickly, weaken protections for rural and underserved households, and harm workers. After extensive member discussion about CPUC authority, rural carveouts, labor impacts, and reinvestment, AB 470 was passed do pass as amended to Appropriations, with one no vote and one not voting, and the roll left open. The committee then took up AB 1532, a committee omnibus bill extending funding and surcharge authority for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and the TNC Access for All program, while also adding CPUC accountability provisions. Chair Boerner Horvath explained the bill would not raise consumer costs and would require the CPUC to appear at hearings when requested and adopt rules for commissioner attendance. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was moved do pass and re-refer to Utilities and Energy, though the roll was left open because it had not yet reached the threshold for immediate transmission. Finally, the committee heard AB 353, the Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025, which would establish an affordability floor for home broadband for low-income Californians after the expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Supporters said broadband costs remain too high and that families, students, and vulnerable communities need a state solution now; opponents from the wireless industry and rural county representatives argued the bill would amount to an artificial price mandate and could complicate existing rural broadband buildouts. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on small ISPs and rural areas, and the bill was moved forward with a motion and second while discussion continued about possible exemptions and amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• a bill that reflects our continued commitment to strengthening democracy and expanding access to education
• the knowledge with me and my team, and I think just me watching this committee this morning also educated
• AB 1411 requires counties that did not adopt the Voter Choice Act to create a voter education outreach
• Since that time, the Voters Choice Act, which requires participating counties, to produce education and
• From Assemblymember Stephanie, I think voter education and outreach is critical to ensuring our elections

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all