Transcript Highlights:

• of Education without coming to Congress for approval.
• I rise today to strongly oppose the transfer of special education programs from the Department of Education
• … …from the larger education system in direct defiance of congressional intent.
• Special education programs must remain at the Department of Education, where they are… …administered
• His contributions will continue to educate and inspire generations to come. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Stacey Smith, Deputy Commissioner, with the Department of Education, with DESE.
• Ashlyn Abney, I'm the Education Division Director for the Office of Early Childhood.
• education, months and months and months of going over those numbers.
• And do we need to start doing that with early childhood education?
• And would that be enough to stabilize providers and children and educators?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondarily, the workforce pipeline and investing from all the way early education all the way through
• You can see $17 million for career technical education pilot programs on that line item.
• Chair, continuing on with the Public Education Department, I'm on page 12.
• Continuing on with the Public Education Department, I'm on page 23, line 256.
• line 279, $3.25 million for adult education. $3.25 million for adult education to continue workforce

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• It lays out what to do when a student has a seizure as well as requires training of educators and staff
• I've been in education for a long time.
• Individual education plans. Representative, you are recognized to explain your bill.
• And I'm married to a beautiful educator from Miami-Dade Public Schools.
• I am a dual-certified teacher, so I am ESC and general education.

Transcript Highlights:

• When will we make the necessary investment in public education, which educates over 90% of Arizona students
• Education and Appropriations. HB 2237, appropriation package junction.
• Education and Appropriations.
• Education. HB 2256, salvage vehicles. Infrastructure. HB 2257, HOV lane.
• HCR 2011, Higher Education Expenditure. Education. HCR 2011, higher education expenditure.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget also proposes targeted investments in a few grant programs, the largest of which are in K-12 education
• And I'll close today with education.
• And for higher education, $22 million in funding is proposed in minor works projects.
• We serve people with employment, education, and social services while preserving culture and community
• However, we're disappointed not to see the team health education renovation for WSU Spokane.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In continuation of the celebration of Education Week and echoing the representative from Mililani, and
• </c> contribute greatly to our education contribute greatly to our education system<00:23:04.720><c>
• Pantino is a dedicated educator with 20 years of experience and has served as the principal of Kōloa?
• Pantino is a dedicated educator with 20 years of experience and has served as the principal of Kōloa?
• Horseman is a dedicated educator with 21 years of experience serving the Kapa?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Participation on the educational setting in which the student was enrolled.
• Jason Crawford, Home Education Foundation is waving in support. Chris Pagel, waving against.
• Harris, Panhandle Area Education Consortium, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Harris, Panhandle Area Education Consortium, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• The relentless CCP attacks on the U.S. educational system, especially our crown jewels in higher education

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with several probate, civil rights, and claims measures. Senators Burgess’s SB 326 on curators of estates was explained as a modernization of probate law; an amendment narrowing the bill was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably 10-0 after limited public testimony, including opposition from Ray Contreras. Burgess’s SB 1096, clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, also passed unanimously 11-0. The committee then approved several claims bills, including SB 28 for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, SB 6 for a child injured after DCF’s handling of abuse allegations, SB 18 for the estate of McKenzie Navarre against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata against FDOT, and SB 2 for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV, with votes ranging from 10-1 to 11-0 and mostly no debate or opposition. The committee also took up trust and family-law related bills. Leader Berman’s SB 786 created a nonjudicial process for closing uncontested trusts and discharging trustees; after a technical amendment and testimony from Ray Contreras raising notice concerns, it passed 11-0. President Gates’s SB 50 expanded veterans’ courts statewide, drew broad support from veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations, and was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Simon’s SB 538 standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and homeschool students; after multiple amendments on homeschool eligibility, fees, and coach compensation, it passed 11-0 with support and opposition from education-related groups. President Gates’s SB 1004, aimed at consumer protections in the sale of dogs and cats, also passed unanimously after testimony from humane organizations. The committee then considered broader policy bills. President Pro Tem Brodeur’s SB 1366 on claims against the government proposed raising sovereign immunity caps and adding CPI adjustments; local government, hospital, and school representatives supported the Senate’s lower-cap approach while warning against the House version, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Jones’s SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, as amended, would let head coaches provide limited personal support to student-athletes and require reporting of assistance; it passed 10-0. Senator Grohl’s SB 1178 on foreign influence and foreign countries of concern drew extensive supportive testimony from national security witnesses and was reported favorably 11-0 after a technical amendment and withdrawal of another amendment. Finally, SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles prompted substantial debate and public testimony over domestic terrorism designations, Sharia law references, due process, and free speech concerns; the committee had not yet completed final action on that bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• My formal education is actually in real estate development.
• All right, so tribal education.
• One of the things that we do, One of our pillars is educating the public.
• Maybe provide a couple hours and educate folks on how this works.
• So again, I think an education piece on the development side is necessary.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee to order.
• Welcome to the first committee hearing of the House Higher Education Committee.
• Madam President, Madam Vice Chair, welcome to the Higher Education Committee.
• </c><00:28:12.320><c> what's</c> the Department of Education what's the Department of Education what's
• </c> happening to the Department of Education happening to the Department of Education and<00:28:14.559

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a good VA education and job training program when it works, and we have continued to improve
• My committee will continue to seek ways to level the playing field for veterans seeking education and
• In the most recent VA benefit report, only 3.5% of veterans pursued vocational or technical education
• Additionally, we recognize his tireless advancement of Georgia's higher education system both as an educator
• ADDITIONALLY, WE RECOGNIZE HIS TIRELESS ADVANCEMENT OF GEORGIA'S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM BOTH AS AN EDUCATOR

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 2, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also spends more money on education than ever before.
• They provide a high-quality education.
• </c><00:08:31.080><c> a</c> pursue career in technical education a pursue career in technical education
• Same thing with special education as well.
• </c><00:23:28.919><c> it</c> the campaign Trail housing education it the campaign Trail housing education

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today our educators can't earn paid pregnancy leave.
• You know, we ask these educators to show up every day for our children.
• Dawn Kebke, on behalf of the California Council for Adult Education and California Adult Education Administrators
• Dawn Kebke, on behalf of the California Council for Adult Education and California Adult Education Administrators
• We know this education extends far beyond the workplace.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused largely on labor, education, workforce, and public employment issues. AB 65 would provide public school employees up to 14 weeks of leave with full benefits for pregnancy and pregnancy-related health issues; supporters said current rules force educators to exhaust sick leave and suffer long-term retirement penalties, while the bill’s author noted it mirrors budget trailer language. AB 1818 would change HEERA procedures for CSU bargaining by shifting certain renegotiation disputes to PERB; Teamsters and other labor groups supported it as a way to stop CSU from unilaterally refusing agreed raises, while CSU moved from opposed to neutral after amendments. AB 1940 would explicitly reference menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause in workplace protections; supporters said it would clarify rights and improve awareness, while business opposition argued existing reasonable-accommodation law already covers these issues and warned of expanded liability. AB 1534 would add guardrails for new short-term Workforce Pell programs, including tuition caps, limits on income-share agreements, and transparency around partnerships with unaccredited entities; the author later said the bill would be amended to include private institutions. AB 1896 would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public jobs during a specified period; supporters framed it as a public-trust measure, while police and public-safety groups opposed categorical exclusion and urged a more individualized vetting approach. AB 2300 would streamline distribution of WIOA workforce funds and reduce delays in local workforce board contracting, with supporters emphasizing faster service delivery and no reduction in accountability. AB 2223 would require CDCR to report standardized data on contracted medical and mental health staffing, vacancies, and costs, following an audit that found heavy reliance on contractors and poor transparency. AB 2483 would create a pathway and certification for formerly incarcerated firefighters to move into firefighting careers after release, with strong support from the author and witnesses who described the work as a real career path and reentry opportunity. AB 2142 would require temporary classified school employees working more than 75% of the school year to receive permanent-employee benefits and protections; school administrators and community college groups opposed it as too rigid for grant-funded and fluctuating positions. AB 2367 would require quarterly reporting from state-run health care facilities on vacancies, overtime, registry/contract staffing, and missed staffing minimums, building on state auditor recommendations; health care workers supported it as a transparency and accountability measure. Several measures were voted out of committee or placed on call. AB 1818, AB 1534, AB 2300, AB 2483, and AB 2223 all received do-pass votes to the Senate Appropriations Committee, though each was placed on call after roll call. AB 65 and AB 1940 also advanced on do-pass motions but were placed on call. AB 2142 received a do-pass vote with opposition and was placed on call. S.J.R. 15, a resolution urging Congress to protect California employers from higher federal unemployment taxes tied to the state’s UI debt, drew divided testimony: business groups supported it, while labor and some members argued California should solve the problem itself and keep the unemployment system solvent; the resolution was also placed on call. The transcript also included committee discussion about working with authors on amendments, especially for AB 1940 and AB 1534, and several members noted support or co-authorship while raising concerns about implementation details and fiscal impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephen Profiter, Director of the Early Education Division at the California Department of Education,
• Hello, Stephen Proffer, the Department of Education.
• That education helped me, even to raise my children. I became an educator.
• McLean Rosansky with the Alameda County Office of Education.
• Pamela Gibbs, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education. Senate bills 1, 2, 3, and 4. education. Senate bills 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• We get criticized because we don't fully fund education.
• We get criticized because we don't fully fund education.
• We get criticized because we don't fully fund education.
• Funded education.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers. The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have another bill coming up that's going to help with education.
• And I agree, too low, maybe an educational component.
• Something that's always important to me is the education component.
• This is one of the ways that we increase education.
• We need better education.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item on the agenda is engrossed House Bill 5463, relating to decreasing Board of Education limits
• "Relating to decreasing Board of Education limits.
• And of course that cost is spread amongst our county boards of education.
• And by lowering this number, we're lowering what somebody who's been wronged by a Board of Education
• But to this point, I guess at least in the last seven years, that... ...of education.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and approved the March 4, 2026 minutes by voice vote. The committee first considered House Bill 55, which updates and modernizes workers’ compensation statutes to reflect the privatized system, remove obsolete provisions, and adjust the Workers’ Compensation Board of Review from five members to three. The Insurance Commissioner testified that the bill is part of the cleanup from privatization and would give the governor more flexibility in appointments. After adopting a strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment, the committee reported HB 55 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee then took up House Bill 5463, which would reduce BRIM’s required liability coverage for county boards of education from $1.25 million to $1 million per occurrence and eliminate the separate $5 million excess coverage requirement. BRIM’s director testified that the excess market was difficult to access and costly, but several senators raised concerns that lowering coverage could reduce protection for victims and school-related claims. After a divided vote, the motion to report the bill failed, and HB 5463 was not passed by the committee. Next, the committee considered House Bill 4869, creating guaranteed issue rights for Medicare supplement policies, including annual birthday replacement rights and a special right for certain Medicaid recipients losing eligibility. Counsel said the bill would prohibit underwriting barriers during the guaranteed issue periods and require an annual report on premium trends. With no amendments offered, the committee reported HB 4869 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 5462 on mine subsidence insurance. The bill would allow the mine subsidence fund to offset payments by amounts received from other sources and limit lawsuits over claims reported to BRIM. Members debated a proposed strike-and-insert amendment that would have softened the litigation limits and added notice and remedy provisions, but the amendment was rejected. The committee then reported HB 5462 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 22 by the Education Committee, relating to rule approval by the House Education Committee
• House Bill 608 by the Education Committee, relating to education.
• House Bill 636 by the Education Committee, relating to education.
• And it brings confusion to the existing statute that says you cannot instruct in public education on
• House Bill 635 makes a narrow clarification to the existing law regarding the Education Professional

Summary: The House convened with 69 members present, approved the previous journal, and received a substitute appointment notice for Kenneth Zakin to temporarily serve in Legislative District 3, Seat B. It also received an enrolled Senate bill for the Speaker’s signature and a large batch of committee reports and bill referrals, including several new bills and resolutions being printed or sent to standing committees. House Joint Memorial 15 and House Resolution 24 were sent for printing, and multiple bills were introduced and referred, including measures on hazardous waste, libraries, transportation funding, motor vehicle registration, campaign finance, elections, building codes, and taxation. The chamber then considered and passed several bills on third reading. House Bill 528, concerning self-directed and directed blood donation, passed 52-17. House Bill 521, which moves fingerprinting authority for certain non-criminal-justice private entities into a new code section, passed 69-0. House Bill 498, allowing the Legislature to hire private counsel for offensive litigation, passed 61-8. House Bill 539, tightening rules around temporary administrative rules and related review requirements, passed 67-2. House Bill 516, correcting a leftover reference in the parental rights and education law, passed 59-10 after debate over its effect on existing education restrictions. House Bill 522, addressing drone incursions near prisons and related penalties, passed 62-7. House Bill 635, requiring the Education Professional Standards Commission to report possible criminal conduct to law enforcement, passed 66-8. House Bill 594, codifying a court decision on distribution of penalties and interest from late tax payments to subjurisdictions, passed 69-0. House Bill 610, preserving homeowners exemptions for Idahoans serving religious or community missions when they intend to return, passed 48-20. Other business included holding House Bill 639 and House Joint Memorial 12 on the third reading calendar, and announcing that House Bill 620, 532, 629, 503, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 115 had been reported out of committee earlier in the day. The House also heard announcements about the Simplot Games, Idaho Food Bank, Whammy Kids, an Energy Caucus meeting, Idaho School Board Association lunch, and girls’ state basketball tickets. The House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm on the majority policy staff, and I do education...
• This talks about education. In other words, you need to be educated to be able to do the job.
• I'm Tavia Lee, a lifelong educator, Director of Education with Do No Harm and co-founder of Free Black
• I'm Tavia Lee, a lifelong education. Valuations, Madam Chair and members.
• I'm Tavia Lee, a lifelong educator, Director of Education with Do No Harm and co-founder of Free Black

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1023, which would require optometrists to conduct eye exams according to community standard of care at a recommended one-year interval, while allowing prescriptions to be extended up to two years or shortened based on risk factors. The sponsor described it as a compromise to reduce confusion and align prescription validity with medical judgment. The Arizona Optometric Association supported the bill, saying it codifies best practice and gives clearer standards for patients and practitioners. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1023 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1013, a merit-based public hiring bill that would prohibit state and local public employers from using hiring or personnel policies based on race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin, while preserving compliance with anti-discrimination laws. An amendment was offered and adopted to clarify that the bill would not limit voluntary veterans’ preference employment policies. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill ensures public jobs are awarded based on qualifications, experience, and merit, and several witnesses testified in favor, including representatives from Do No Harm. Opponents argued the bill could undermine diversity efforts and existing equity-focused hiring practices, and several members raised concerns about the veterans’ preference language and the definition of merit. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and then voted 4-3 to give SB 1013, as amended, a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure that the public is educated on how to mitigate the risks of adolescent social media platform
• This bill is a meaningful step toward protecting students, supporting our educators, and ensuring our
• And most of the information coming out there under the education umbrella is not doing well...
• the education umbrella is not doing well when we look at what's happening to our students.
• But what's happening is parents and educators aren't speaking.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard two bills. AB 796 by Assembly Member Lowenthal proposed a California Social Media Accountability Act that would impose a recovery fee on social media platforms’ advertising revenue and direct the proceeds to a Social Media Safety Trust Fund for education, mental health care, research, and social services related to youth harms from social media. The author and supporters, including a Long Beach Unified School District administrator and a pediatric emergency physician, argued that social media is contributing to youth mental health crises, cyberbullying, self-harm, and related school and health system costs, and that platforms should help pay for mitigation. Opponents, including taxpayer, business, and industry groups, argued the fee would raise costs for businesses and consumers, especially small businesses that rely on targeted digital ads, and warned of likely legal challenges under federal law, including the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Committee members discussed the bill’s legal distinctions from Maryland’s digital advertising tax, the potential pass-through of costs to advertisers, and whether the proposal would meaningfully address youth harms. Several members expressed support for the bill’s goal and concern about social media’s effects on children, while others raised questions about how the revenue would be allocated and whether the tax burden would fall on small businesses. After testimony and debate, AB 796 was held in committee and referred to the suspense file. The committee also took up AB 1265 by Assembly Member Haney, which was already on the suspense file. The chair recommended an aye vote on the bill as amended, with a clarification to reporting requirements, and the committee approved it 5-0, sending it to Appropriations.