Transcript Highlights:

• /c> district to dissolve in 40 years in the district to dissolve in 40 years in the state<00:04:43.720
• <00:47:20.160><c> uh</c> as uh 390 million uh in 25 415 in 27 uh as uh 390 million uh in 25 415 in 27
• </c><00:56:01.760><c> unfair</c><00:56:02.599><c> to</c> being fair it's being in fact unfair to being
• fair it's being in fact unfair to those<00:56:03.119><c> two</c><00:56:03.920><c> different</c><00:56
• in a in a maybe we can get it to you in a in a couple<01:06:39.599><c> moments</c><01:06:40.559><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They will certainly get fair compensation through the caps that we have in place, $6 million if the defendant
• That's the environment that we created in New Mexico that is arguably the most fair legal structure in
• If you're going to create fairness for the players in a casino, the casino is going to adjust to that
• fairness because, with all due respect to our friends in the insurance industry, the house always wins
• I'm just kind of... in general terms, is that fair?

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 99, a proposed reform of the Medical Malpractice Act. Representative Chandler said the bill is intended to address physician shortages, rising malpractice premiums, and litigation pressures by changing punitive damages rules, including a higher standard of proof, a requirement that punitive damages not be pleaded in the initial complaint, and limits tied to the type of provider. Supporters, including physicians, business leaders, and some patients, said the bill would help retain doctors, improve access to care, and create more predictable liability exposure. Several supporters also said current malpractice conditions are driving doctors out of the state and harming rural access to services. Opponents argued the bill would reduce patient recovery, create unequal treatment based on insurance status through the bill-versus-paid provision, and raise constitutional concerns involving equal protection, collateral source rules, and separation of powers. They also criticized the bill for not addressing other drivers of malpractice, such as hospital practices, prior authorization, staffing, and background checks for out-of-state doctors. Some witnesses urged amendments to protect the Patient Compensation Fund, ensure future medical expenses are covered, require minimum surcharge settings, and improve oversight of providers entering the state. Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses about whether the bill would actually lower premiums, whether it would improve access to care, and how it would affect hospitals, independent providers, and the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was based on negotiations and comparisons with other states, and that it should help premiums over time. Members raised concerns about the fund’s solvency, the role of hospitals in the fund, and whether some provisions would survive legal challenge. No final vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated amendments would be discussed later and the committee would continue the hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the yellow box on the bottom you can see that $9.7 million in total funding was in the bill for
• I mean legislation I think is always in the Constitution should be always in motion because we live in
• I want things to be fair but in the end that's really, I think, that's the end goal. Thank you, Mr.
• in under budget in this case.
• Chairman: Fair enough, and I appreciate that answer, and I think that gives us, that helps us in terms

Transcript Highlights:

• The key fact is there's no new projects in this budget, everything in this bill, everything in this bill
• And so whether it's in Merced or in Woodland, at Rohnert Park, as well as in the core urban parts of
• In 1967, Dr.
• in terms of inclusiveness in the local population.
• War Relocation Center in Inyo County in my district, sitting in the backdrop of the Sierra Nevadas in

Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation trailer bills. AB 107 was described as a budget junior bill making technical corrections, updating federal appropriations by about $15 million, and exempting certain Proposition 4 appropriations from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending; Senator Niello objected to the transparency implications, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117 then authorized a $590 million state loan from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to provide operating support to Bay Area transit agencies, with repayment secured by transit assistance revenues and interest; supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain, while critics questioned ridership recovery, governance, and accountability. The measure passed 28-9 after extensive debate, with several senators emphasizing both Bay Area urgency and the need for broader statewide transit funding and reform. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees. Linda Hopkins, Sonoma County supervisor and air district chair, was confirmed after brief support from Senator Becker highlighting her rural North Bay perspective. Patricia Locke Dawson, Riverside mayor and South Bay air district representative, was also confirmed, with Senator Becker again praising her academic and practical background. Both confirmations passed on largely party-line votes with broad support from the majority and opposition from a small group of Republicans. The chamber next considered SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas condemning federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under President Trump. Supporters from both parties and multiple caucuses framed DEI as essential to civil rights, education, workforce development, national defense, and inclusion for marginalized communities, while the author argued California must resist federal rollbacks. The resolution passed after a lengthy debate and roll call, with several senators also using the discussion to share personal experiences with educational access and discrimination. Finally, the Senate took up SCR 78, authored by Senator Cabaldon, commemorating the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II and warning against repeating such abuses. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, citing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of museums and historic sites such as Manzanar and the Japanese American National Museum. The resolution was presented as both remembrance and a caution against fear-driven policies and erosion of due process.

Transcript Highlights:

• In these things, we ask in Jesus' name, amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The Tangipahoa Parish Fair is held in late September, early October, and then followed shortly after
• I know the Tangipahoa Parish Fair was one of the— is the oldest event of such in the state of Louisiana
• The changes in it are technical in nature.
• and workable, especially in serious cases. ...are both fair and workable, especially in serious cases

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This makes it one of the most progressive and fair ways to invest in affordable homes.
• rate in Seattle, but that's only in Seattle.
• I have been working on balanced fair short-term rental policy since two... income in our retirement years
• Sean Lynn: In Leavenworth, I have been working on balanced, fair short-term rental policy since 2017.
• I actually support taxes, but only when fair, and I think that in this case it is not one of those cases

Summary: The House Finance Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills related to local tax authority and exemptions. HB 2559 would let cities and counties impose an additional 4% lodging/short-term rental excise tax starting in 2027, with revenues dedicated to affordable housing programs and up to 15% for administration. Staff explained existing lodging tax limits and estimated substantial local collections, while the prime sponsor and supporters argued it would give local governments a needed tool to address housing shortages caused in part by short-term rentals. Opponents, including short-term rental owners and hosts, said the tax would hurt tourism communities, reduce supplemental income for owners, and should not single out one lodging segment. The hearing on HB 2559 was suspended and later reopened for additional testimony; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2133, which would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose nonprofit senior citizen centers. Staff said the exemption is currently set to expire in 2028 and that the bill would remove it from the automatic 10-year sunset. The sponsor and a veteran/senior center perspective emphasized that the exemption helps keep senior centers open and supports isolated older adults. A question was raised about whether a broader nonprofit community center with senior-focused space would qualify, and staff said they would follow up. The hearing on HB 2133 was then closed. HB 2135 would increase and extend the adaptive housing sales and use tax remittance for disabled veterans, raising the individual lifetime cap from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the statewide annual cap, and extending the program’s expiration to 2038. Staff said the fiscal impact would be minimal because use is low, and a veterans coalition representative supported the bill as a way to ensure more federal grant dollars go toward home modifications. The hearing on HB 2135 was closed. The committee spent the most time on HB 2442, an eight-part local government tax and fund-flexibility bill. It would expand uses of existing REET revenues, allow cities to adopt an affordable-housing REET under certain conditions, authorize county public utility taxes with a low-income assistance set-aside, create a new local sales tax for children and family services, broaden housing-related sales tax uses, restructure mental health and veterans property tax levies, extend levy lid lift periods, and allow rental car tax revenues to be used for criminal justice purposes. Supporters from counties, cities, housing groups, and some local officials said the bill would provide needed fiscal flexibility and new tools to address housing, public safety, and service demands. Opponents from utilities, realtors, water and sewer districts, wireless carriers, auto dealers, and tax critics argued the bill would raise regressive costs, especially on housing and utility customers, and that some provisions lacked a sufficient nexus to the original taxes. The hearing on HB 2442 was closed after extensive testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are told this resolution is about fairness and competitiveness, yet in central Washington the redistricting
• Please reject H.J.R. 4209, preserve bipartisan protections, and let voters decide in fair, stable districts
• The reforms in this bill also promote more stable and fair working conditions for signature gatherers
• In fact, in 2021 we had 211, and in 2022 316, and in 2023 2,227.
• in time.

Bills: HJR4209, HB2260, HB2259

Keywords: redistricting, congressional representation, census, state law, legislative boundaries, ballot measures, petitioners, signature gatherers, voting rights, election integrity, initiative process, referendum, signature gathering, ballot measure, citizen actions, support demonstration, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in in in those kind of situations. in in in those kind of situations.
• </c> Fairness and accountability. The safeguards put forth in this bill are not new or radical.
• in the in that part there's a deficiency in the in that part of<00:08:00.560><c> the</c><00:08:00.720
• in a in a When a company's invested in a in a permit<00:09:07.839><c> application</c><00:09:08.399><c
• </c> in many cases. in many cases.

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll call: 00:24 SB 52 discussion: 01:28 SB 52 voting: 25:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• between classes, in class, in some instances, and throughout the day.
• I can tell you that in our non-withheld revenue, i.e., capital gains and fair share, that capital gains
• $3 billion of collections in fair share revenue.
• In 1982, the United States Supreme Court affirmed, in one of the most historic decisions in our nation's
• In fact, I would argue that in many cases the exceptions are In fact, I would argue that in many cases

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first debated and advanced Senate Bill 2561, an act to promote student learning and mental health, centered on a statewide bell-to-bell restriction on student cell phone use in schools. Supporters argued the bill would reduce distraction, improve academic performance and mental health, and encourage social interaction, while preserving flexibility for districts and exceptions for emergencies, special education, health needs, and instructional uses. Several senators emphasized local control and the need for public input, and a number of amendments were considered: some were withdrawn, some were rejected, and others were adopted, including an amendment requiring consistent and necessary exceptions and another requiring public hearings and local public input. The bill was then ordered to a third reading and passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 38-2. The Senate also took up a conference committee report on a $259 million FY2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The report funded EMS costs, home care, the Healthy Incentives Program, DTA chip card technology, veterans benefits, the state police crime lab, the SSI state supplement, the Fair Housing Fund, and the National Guard, and included major indigent defense provisions: $40 million for 320 new CPCS staff attorneys, rate increases for private bar advocates, guardrails to reduce future work stoppages, and an independent review of the indigent defense system. Senators questioned the timing of the report, the inclusion of items not previously voted on by either branch, and the funding sources, including use of the transitional escrow fund and excess revenues. The report was accepted, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the supplemental budget was enacted. In addition, the Senate passed other measures, including a bill authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District and a municipal roads and bridges financing bill, both by roll call vote. The chamber also enacted a health care protections bill, and it concurred in referrals on a governor’s municipal empowerment legislation. The session included a brief memorial tribute and adjournment in memory of Harry C. Christensen.

Transcript Highlights:

• They opted in. Multiple bodies opted in.
• That is written in there, and that was always in there.
• And then San Mateo County opted in, Santa Clara County opted in.
• And I think that's why, when you look in San Mateo County, in addition to all those opt-in votes, we've
• San Mateo County, like, we've opted in, we want to stay in.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended and coauthored by Senator Arreguín, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that without new revenue, BART could collapse and other systems could face severe reductions. They described the bill as the product of extensive negotiations among the five Bay Area counties and transit operators, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties opting in during the process. Much of the discussion focused on accountability and governance. Supporters said the bill includes some of the strongest oversight provisions in recent memory, including a third-party efficiency review and ad hoc adjudication committees that can withhold a portion of funding if operators fail to correct problems. Assembly Member Papin and Assembly Member Lackey argued the measure amounts to a taxpayer bailout with insufficient representation and too much control left to MTC, while the authors responded that the bill gives affected counties direct complaint and enforcement authority and that MTC must follow the ad hoc committees’ recommendations. Several members asked about complaint procedures, withholding thresholds, opt-in/opt-out issues, and whether the funding would return to the source counties if withheld. Testimony in support came from SPUR, Caltrain, MTC, the Bay Area Council, BART, SamTrans, VTA, San Francisco MTA, transit coalitions, environmental groups, local governments, and labor. Supporters emphasized the risk of severe service cuts, the importance of preserving recent investments such as Caltrain electrification, and the need for regional self-help. There was no registered opposition witness, though some members spoke against the bill. The committee ultimately voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended to the floor, with the committee amendments also removing urgency language.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to facilitate the committee's business and public participation in today's hearing, we will
• And here to testify in support of Assembly Bill 775 is the Chair of the Fair Political Practices Commission
• as they come in.
• In L.A.
• Is there anybody in opposition? To the bill first. Okay. See no primary in opposition.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my district in May 2024.
• hailstorm in May 2024.
• Homes were left ...in my district had a vicious hailstorm in May 2024.
• There's not a huge difference in states that have this in statute versus those that don't.
• Anyone sneak in in support of House Bill 2250?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in Evan County in Evans law enforcement in Evan County in Evans County<00:13:52.959><c> demonstrated
• </c><00:42:07.119><c> not</c> the department in fact in fact did not the department in fact in fact did
• It preserves the tipped wage and protections in the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• ><c> the</c><05:12:05.280><c> Fair</c><05:12:05.520><c> Labor</c> and protections in the Fair Labor and
• protections in the Fair Labor Standards<05:12:06.240><c> Act.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe in maintaining fairness in construction.
• We believe in maintaining fairness in construction.
• So I ask you please support SB 88 in terms of fairness.
• So at least the transparency makes it fair for both sides, in my opinion.
• That kind of shifting is not allowed and, in my opinion, wouldn't be fair.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was in, and time in the back row for eight years.
• Because there's great power in teammates and classmates in the years that you come in.
• And when you look nationally, when we worked on setting that rate, it’s a fair barometer in terms of
• There's some kind of fairness. In this case, Delaware was the 12th... There will be this.
• There's some kind of fairness. In this case, Delaware was the 12th...

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But my proposition is we go forward, um, in fairness to children, and I've said this before, that are
• But my proposition is we go forward, um, in fairness to children, and I've said this before, that are
• But my proposition is we go forward, um, in fairness to children, and I've said this before, that are
• But my proposition is we go forward, um, in fairness to children, and I've said this before, that are
• In fairness to children, and I've said this before, that are in the program, is that we need to be thinking

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was one of the priorities to review it and, frankly, in my opinion, to make sure it's fair for all
• </c><00:07:43.199><c> with</c><00:07:43.440><c> any</c> is fair must be in place with any is fair must
• Um, but I'm not under any understanding that the fair board in the Toronto County, um, has any issues
• Um, but I'm not under any understanding that the fair board in the Toronto County, um, has any issues
• But that contract you have was with, in fact, the Toronto County Fair Board, and it was their choice

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we all can agree that this is really an important and first step in fairness, stability, and
• Um, fairness, stability, and protecting the largest source of affordable home ownership in our states
• rent, we can with fair and predictable rent, we can invest<00:54:00.160><c> in</c><00:54:00.319><c>
• And so that's what they're asking for is a bit of fairness in this process. Can I respond, Chair?
• </c> they're asking for is a bit of fairness they're asking for is a bit of fairness in<01:29:30.880>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that fair? That's fair. So I think that's when I figure out what the motion should be.
• Is that fair? That's fair. So I think that's when I figure out what the motion should be.
• And they put it back in. Well, they put 77 back in. Yeah.
• And that's in the record.
• All in favor? All in favor? Dan Johnston. Okay. All in favor? I guess we'll try a voice vote. Okay.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee met on House Bill 1053 and took roll with all six members present. The discussion focused on resolving differences between the House and Senate versions, specifically around removing a 7% provision while keeping a 7,700 cap. After some confusion over the proper parliamentary motion, the committee agreed that the Senate would reject its amendments, which would leave the House version in place with the agreed-upon changes. A motion was made and seconded to have the Senate reject its amendments to House Bill 1053. The committee voted by roll call, with all members voting yes, and the motion passed 6-0. Members also identified carriers for both sides to move the bill forward. No testimony was taken. After confirming the carriers, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in schools in the state of Washington.
• It means delay in accountability. It means delay in reform.
• It means delay in accountability. It means delay in reform.
• And the ISRB has actually been pretty fair in how they measure out.
• And the ISAB has actually been pretty fair in how they measure out.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6239, which would require civil arbitration for tort claims against the state and its subdivisions before trial. Staff explained current tort-claim procedures and said the bill would apply arbitration to claims of any dollar amount, with a fiscal note pending. The sponsor said Washington’s liability exposure is unusually high and argued the bill would promote early resolution without limiting jury trials, damage caps, or attorney fees. Members asked who pays for arbitration and whether trial rights are preserved; staff said costs are generally split and the bill preserves a jury trial de novo. Testimony on SB 6239 was sharply divided. Counties, cities, school districts, risk pools, and some public-safety groups supported the bill, saying rising liability and insurance costs are straining budgets and threatening core services. Opponents included trial lawyers, legal aid groups, victim advocates, journalists, and survivors of abuse, who argued the bill would create barriers to justice, delay relief, increase costs for claimants, reduce transparency, and retraumatize survivors by forcing private arbitration before a public trial. Several witnesses said the bill was too broad because it would cover employment, contract, and other claims, not just torts involving abuse or negligence. After public testimony closed, the committee noted the large number of sign-ins, with far more in opposition than in support. The committee then took up Senate Bill 6074, which would reinstate parole for certain felony offenses committed on or after July 1, 2027, allow eligible incarcerated people to petition the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board after serving 60% of their sentence, and create a parole implementation work group. Supporters said it would recognize rehabilitation and improve reentry, while some witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s prospective-only application, the 60% threshold, and the need to address racial disparities and parole criteria more fully. The sponsor said the parole bill was paired with tort-liability reform because criminal justice reform advocates have said liability changes are needed to restore parole in Washington.