Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will be hearing Senate File 173. Today, we will be hearing Senate File 173.
• </c> we're hearing um Senate File 173. we're hearing um Senate File 173.
• </c> thanks for hearing the bill. thanks for hearing the bill.
• </c> spent a good portion of today's hearing spent a good portion of today's hearing talking<01:19:55.679
• Um on Wednesday, we will hear Okay.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I will close the hearing on Assembly Bill 444.
• And so we did have a hearing in Ways and Means.
• So next we'll open up the hearing on Assembly Bill 462.
• Bacchus with opening the hearing of Assembly Bill 539.
• You can't hear me? Sorry.

Committee: Senate Government Affairs

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:19.360><c> on</c> hearing on hearing on SB31FN,<00:07:21.680><c> and</c><00:07:22.000><c> I</c
• </c> post the the notice of the hearings. post the the notice of the hearings.
• </c><00:41:39.680><c> on</c> 10:40 and I will open the hearing on 10:40 and I will open the hearing on
• </c><00:57:33.359><c> for</c> We'll now open the public hearing for We'll now open the public hearing
• <01:03:16.160><c> on</c><01:03:16.559><c> the</c> hearing on the hearing on the 2025-1063<01:03:19.280

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you are speaking out in the audience, they can't hear you.
• </c> underage drinking uh you'll also hear underage drinking uh you'll also hear that<00:13:41.880><c
• Thank you for hearing this bill.
• Okay, hearing none, members, any questions?
• </c><01:21:16.120><c> the</c> 2m uh I would like to hear the 2m uh I would like to hear the reciprocity

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 29, 2025, and heard testimony on HB 108, which concerns intoxicating liquor and would expand direct-to-consumer shipping for beer and spirits. Supporters included representatives of Koloa Rum Company, Maui Brewing Company, and Ola Brew, who argued the bill would modernize alcohol laws, help small local producers compete, support jobs and local agriculture, and give consumers more access to Hawaii-made products. They also said Hawaii already has experience regulating direct wine shipments, with age verification and carrier-based delivery systems in place, and that direct shipping could help businesses reach visitors after they return home and diversify beyond tourism. Opposition came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, whose representative said the bill could increase access for underage drinking, especially because liquor commissions do not currently conduct compliance checks on alcohol shipments and may lack capacity to do so. The group also raised tax-enforcement concerns, saying the existing three-tier system makes excise and sales tax collection easier, while direct shipping would require additional auditing. They urged the committee to oppose the bill or defer it until more research is done, and suggested a common carrier reporting requirement to help reconcile shipments. Committee members questioned both sides about whether current law already allows some alcohol shipments, whether a Kentucky distiller could ship directly to Hawaii, and how reciprocity with other states would work. Supporters said the bill is modeled on wine-shipping language and could be amended to clarify reciprocity, while opponents said the bill lacks a common carrier reporting requirement and would place a burden on county liquor commissions. No vote or final action on HB 108 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear your point, sir.
• And so I hear exactly the point that you're making.
• I know Chairman King is not in the chair, but following along his comment about—we hear after these hearings
• I guess I'm trying to understand, because back to what I hear, I hear about all of this stuff we're doing
• and also participate in the rulemaking hearing.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I can't even hear back here.
• Hearing none, those in favor vote aye. Opposed vote no. Hearing none, those in favor vote aye.
• Every day we hear of a new violation of due process.
• Every day we hear of a new violation of due process.
• You didn't hear it ruling?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just says the jury can hear multiple a menu of items.
• Am I misunderstanding you because what I'm hearing is that.
• If, if, if the defendant gets up and says, look, and that's what you would hear, you would hear, look
• Juries deserve to hear these numbers.
• And the jury gets to hear from that.

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, resolutions are adopted.
• That could end up at State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Hearing none, the amendment is adopted. Amendment.
• Hearing none, the amendment is adopted.
• Hearing none, the Amendment is adopted. The following amendment.

Bills: SB2 , SJR36 , SB2 , SB2 , SR29 , SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really excited about this hearing.
• Thank you for convening this hearing and this important conversation.
• And the second thing, I was really happy to hear about CalCompute, right?
• Can you hear me okay? Yes. Perfect.
• And I mentioned this hearing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today’s hearing of the Joint Committee on Transportation.
• Today’s hearing is going to be held in hybrid format and will work as follows.
• I don't know if you can hear me. I got you. Okay, great.
• Can you hear me? Yeah, we got you. Okay, great.
• Hello, can you hear me? I got you. Great, thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on the governor’s Ride Safe Act, S. 3077, and related micromobility bills. Chairs and administration officials described the bill as a statewide, speed-based framework for e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and similar devices, intended to replace outdated device categories with clearer rules for age limits, helmets, equipment, operating locations, registration, insurance for higher-speed devices, and restrictions on tampering. They also emphasized improved crash-data collection, a working group for future updates, and battery safety standards such as UL certification to reduce fire risk. Committee members asked about enforcement, shared-use paths, commuter rail accommodations, battery storage, and how the bill would apply to other vehicles like quads; the administration said some issues would need further study or follow-up. Testimony from advocates, municipal officials, and commission members was mixed but generally supportive of clearer statewide rules. Transportation and safety advocates backed the speed-based tier system but urged additional measures, including a default speed limit on shared-use paths, automated enforcement, and more funding for Complete Streets and Shared Streets programs. Bike shop and police representatives said current laws are confusing for riders and law enforcement and that better definitions and data reporting are needed. Several speakers stressed that enforcement and education will be critical, and that local patchwork rules are difficult to apply consistently. Medical testimony strongly supported tighter protections for young riders. Pediatric emergency and trauma doctors described a sharp rise in serious injuries and deaths involving e-bikes and scooters, including severe pediatric cases, and urged amendments adding a minimum age for faster devices and a universal helmet requirement. They argued that the force and weight of these devices make crashes more dangerous than conventional bicycles and pointed to past Massachusetts safety laws as evidence that age and equipment restrictions can reduce injuries. Some public testimony opposed the bill as written, especially from moped commuters who argued that gas-powered mopeds are being treated differently from comparable electric devices and should be included in the framework. They called for clearer rules on bike-lane access, insurance, parking, and statewide standards for mopeds as vulnerable road users. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and questions only.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a hearing of the Senate Committee on the Census. Today is September 22, 2025.
• The time is 10:24, and we're opening up the hearing.
• The time is 10:24, and we're opening up the hearing.
• Chair, can you hear me okay here? Yes. All right.
• Chairman, yeah, we can hear you. Mr.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on September 22, 2025 focused on preparations for the 2030 census, with an emphasis on Massachusetts’ role in building a complete address list and improving local participation in census-related address review programs. Chair Brownsberger and witnesses from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, the UMass Donahue Institute, Watertown, and MassGIS described the importance of accurate address data for congressional apportionment, federal funding, and state and local planning. They also discussed the first major upcoming step, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and the later Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) process, both of which rely on municipalities reviewing and correcting census geography and address files. John Rosenberry of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said outreach to cities and towns is beginning now, with a likely December start for the block boundary process based on the 2020 cycle. He stressed that local officials, clerks, building inspectors, housing authorities, and GIS staff should be engaged early, especially to capture new development and conversions created under the state’s housing policies. Susan Strait of UMass Donahue explained that LUCA allows local governments to compare their address lists with the Census Bureau’s master address file, and that Massachusetts had very high participation in 2020; she cited examples where local review added hidden or newly built housing units and noted that Boston later corrected a group-quarters undercount of about 6,000 students through a post-census review program. In response to questions, she clarified that those corrections affected annual estimates and funding formulas, but not the 2020 apportionment count. Watertown City Manager George Proakis described how local address review is complicated by accessory dwelling units, single-family to two-family conversions, and large multifamily projects, and urged continued state support for local governments doing this work. Dan Marrier of MassGIS then outlined the Massachusetts Master Address Database, explaining that it combines multiple sources, including E911, assessor, voter, and municipal data, to create a standardized residential address repository used for census preparation and other state functions. He said the database has helped improve census accuracy, including by updating more than one million Census Bureau address-point locations before 2020, and noted that local municipalities remain the final authority on addresses even as MassGIS standardizes and reconciles variants across the Commonwealth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you hear that? Yes, I did hear that. I think there's serious problems with this legislation.
• Did you hear that? Yes, I did hear that. I think there's serious problems with this legislation.
• What happens to the scheduled hearings?
• Hear us. Hear what we're saying. Say yes to Calvin Duncan and vote no on Senate Bill 256.
• Did I hear that correctly? Yes.

Bills: SB256

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll get this hearing started. My name is Rep.
• We normally begin all of our hearings with opening remarks and instructions.
• Today’s hearing is about more than just naming the problem.
• Our previous hearings looked at DEI, higher education, and immigration.
• We'd love to hear... Oh, sorry, I asked. Rep. We'd love to...

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

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will hear testimony on bills and then catch up on the votes.
• The chair, for whatever reason, decided not to hear it. But he's hearing this one, so that's fine.
• So did you hear? Go ahead, Senator Hoffman, did you hear? Mr. Chair, would you mind Tyler?
• Thank you for hearing this bill.
• I was really wanting to hear from... Who's the bill number? Who do you want to hear from?

Bills: HB2091 , HB2140 , HB2320 , HB2384 , HB2398 , HB2502 , HB2780 , HB2918 , HB2939 , HB2950 , HB2999 , HB4020 , HB4026 , HB4029

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: insurance, financial surveillance, regulations, assessments, Arizona Revised Statutes, investment, state treasurer, gold bullion, treasury management, financial regulations, school districts, bonds, financial advisors, elections, municipal advisors, cost of borrowing, lease agreements, school property, tax exemptions, impact aid revenue bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• LCTCS Community College, Exxon, I think that we as a body need to hear that—to hear the challenges,
• And I don't hear any objections. Correct. Thank you.
• So I'm really glad to hear that.
• I'm sure they'll be happy to hear that clarification. Okay.
• We hear a lot of things.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 18, 2026, with 11 members present and adopted prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee first heard HB 649 by Rep. Brass, which would create a statewide common application portal for dual enrollment. Supporters from the Pelican Institute and the Board of Regents said the bill would simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork for counselors and families, and improve awareness of dual enrollment options. Members asked about nonparticipation by institutions and access for nontraditional students; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 807 by Rep. Brass, which would establish the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program within LCTCS to help recruit and retain instructors for high-demand workforce programs. Testimony from River Parishes Community College, Dow, and the Louisiana Chemical Association described instructor shortages as a bottleneck for training workers for major industrial projects, and said employer-sharing models and apprenticeships have been successful. An amendment expanded eligibility to include LSU Eunice and Southern University at Shreveport, and the committee adopted the amendments. After debate about whether the state needed a new fund versus using existing systems, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard HB 285 by Chairman Bacala, which authorizes school boards to cooperate with banks and credit unions to operate branches in high schools as part of financial literacy programs. Bacala said the bill clarifies statutory authority, and an amendment added banks to the original credit union language. Members discussed ethics, exclusivity, student access, and whether the branches could market products; supporters from LABI and financial industry groups said the programs improve hands-on financial education. The bill was reported with amendments without objection. The committee also considered HB 28 by Rep. Owen, which adds a BESE-level appeal for certain teacher certification applicants affected by administrative or contractor errors. Owen described a case in which applicants paid for certification programs but were denied because of a mentor-signature issue, and said the amendment would require BESE or its designee to act within 30 days. Department of Education staff said the Teacher Certification Appeals Council had already granted extensions rather than outright denials in the affected cases, but the committee advanced the bill after a 9-4 roll call vote. Finally, the committee began HB 268 by Rep. Carver, which would strengthen career exposure requirements for students by tying activities more closely to high-wage, high-demand jobs and adding an annual exposure requirement in K-5; testimony emphasized early workforce awareness, and discussion focused on keeping the requirements manageable for schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, since Senator Hoffman is in the room, we will hear SB 1568.
• I appreciate you hearing the bill.
• Chair, members of the committee, for hearing the bill.
• After that, great, we will hear... ...and then we'll reconvene.
• After that, great, we will hear... ...want to hear these bills simultaneously.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills and one bill on party vacancy procedures. SB 1018, which would expand Arizona’s foreign law restrictions to expressly include Sharia law and certain related religious or cultural practices, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters said it was intended to prevent enforcement of coercive or unconstitutional private adjudications, while opponents argued it was anti-Muslim and unconstitutional. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. SB 1568 would require election equipment clocks and timekeeping functions to be set to the current accurate time and verified during testing. County officials opposed parts of the bill as impractical for equipment not connected to the internet and for areas with different time zones, while the sponsor and a witness said inaccurate clocks had been observed in testing. The committee adopted the bill on a 4-3 vote. SB 1687 would move the primary election to the Tuesday before Memorial Day and adjust related filing and petition deadlines; an amendment expanding Clean Elections timing and spending provisions was offered but defeated. The bill then passed 4-3 after members discussed the need to align election timelines and Clean Elections rules. SB 1825 would change how precinct committeeman vacancies are filled, shifting authority in counties over 500,000 people toward legislative district chairs and requiring faster action by county boards. Supporters said it would streamline appointments and improve transparency, while opponents warned it could concentrate power and create abuse. An amendment clarifying the county-size threshold was adopted, and the bill passed 4-1 with one present and one absent. SB 1037, which imposes stricter cybersecurity and chain-of-custody requirements on voting and tabulating equipment and requires continuous video at counting centers, also passed after amendment on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring U.S. citizenship to register and vote, banning foreign-national election contributions, requiring proof of identity for voting, and changing some mail-ballot and polling-place rules; the transcript cuts off before any vote on that resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our second hearing as the Senate Subcommittee Number 1, as well as our first hearing.
• This is our second hearing as the Senate Subcommittee Number 1, as well as our first hearing on TK through
• So it's helpful to hear that.
• Thank you for hearing our request today. Thank you for hearing our request today.
• Thank you for having this hearing.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the state budget and K-12 education, noting the large increase in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee, the use of deferrals and reserves in the prior budget, and the challenge of balancing education funding against other state priorities. Superintendent Tony Thurmond described California education as improving overall, citing gains in test scores, graduation, and college readiness, but said major gaps remain for low-income students, students of color, agricultural communities, English learners, foster youth, and students with disabilities. He praised recent investments in universal meals, transitional kindergarten, community schools, arts, broadband, and special education, while warning that declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and the proposed $5.6 billion Prop. 98 settle-up create uncertainty for districts. He also urged a long-term literacy plan, expanded tutoring, universal kindergarten, and continued protections for students and families affected by immigration enforcement, including ICE-related fear and attendance loss. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Proposition 98 from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Finance explained that the Governor’s budget projects the minimum guarantee will rise by about $21.7 billion over three years, with a $5.6 billion settle-up obligation in 2025-26 intended to avoid overappropriation if revenues weaken. Finance also described revised reserve deposits and withdrawals, ending with about $4.1 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account by 2026-27. The LAO said recent revenue collections were stronger than expected in the current year but warned that the outlook for 2026-27 is weaker and that stock-market-driven revenues remain volatile. The LAO supported maintaining reserves and one-time spending buffers, but recommended fully funding the guarantee and using other budget solutions rather than shifting the settle-up into future deficits. Members asked about the settle-up process, certification timeline, the effect of attendance declines tied to immigration enforcement, and wildfire-related impacts, including Pasadena Unified’s $4 million special appropriation. On LCFF and necessary small schools, Finance proposed a 2.41% COLA and about $2.2 billion in additional LCFF funding for districts and charters in 2026-27, plus a $30.7 million ongoing increase to raise the necessary small schools allowance by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA but said the small-school increase was not tied to a specific cost study and could be redesigned to better target small districts, noting that only a fraction of very small districts would benefit. Questions focused on how small schools access supplemental and concentration grants and how attendance recovery programs are being implemented. The Department of Education said only 130 LEAs had reported attendance recovery so far, likely because it is a new program with compliance requirements, though interest appears to be growing. FICMAT then reviewed the fiscal health of local districts, reporting an uptick in qualified and negative certifications, though still far below Great Recession levels. It said declining enrollment, rising special education costs, and higher labor and insurance costs are the biggest fiscal pressures, and that some districts are using fiscal stabilization plans and staff reductions ahead of second interim reports. FICMAT also discussed wildfire impacts on Pasadena Unified and Los Angeles Unified, explaining that Pasadena’s $4 million state appropriation was based on an early post-fire assessment and that the district is being monitored with the county office of education. Members raised concerns about Pasadena’s leadership, special education staffing shortages, AB 218 sexual abuse litigation costs, insurance premium increases, and the need for stronger prevention and training measures. FICMAT said SB 848 and related policies address some of those concerns by strengthening standards, training, and reporting requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I look forward to hearing from the panels today. Thank you so much, Mr.
• Can you hear me? You can go first. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay. Okay. Go first. Can you hear me?
• And I think what we hear again and again is it's just not about one.
• Chair, for having this very important hearing.
• Thank you to Assembly Member Lee for leading this hearing.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing this bill.
• Chris Williams, can you hear me? Yes, sir. All right, very good.
• I think we should be having hearings on a number of these things.
• And I hear the superintendent saying that she hasn't.
• Sembitt, so you should hear ahead.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection. The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight. The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hearing me too.
• Across the stories we hear from mothers, one theme is clear.
• Yeah, sorry, I can't hear you very well. That's okay.
• But I can certainly augment what I've said if anybody wants to hear more.
• Seeing none, hearing none. Mr. Vice Chair, please move House Bill 2085.

Bills: HB2049 , HB2050 , HB2051 , HB2072 , HB2082 , HB2085 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2179 , HB2183 , HB2195

Committee: House Health & Human Services

Keywords: radiation therapy, particle accelerator, critical access hospitals, patient care, rural healthcare, radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice