Transcript Highlights:

• That is an average based on filings over the past two years that incorporates both, I think, property
• I played a fun game today where I asked a lot of my colleagues on my side of the aisle, can you tell
• I know we're not winning the game right now.
• And then what the judge does is the judge does the reduction of the number based on the percentages of
• You had $100,000 in the game. You had $0 in the game. You should have known better.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• city, their local money they get through MSA or other funds gets depleted because of requirements based
• Richfield has a predominantly residential tax base and is uniquely bounded or bisected by State Highways
• based on their policies<00:41:13.040><c> and</c><00:41:13.280><c> their</c><00:41:13.520><c> rules</
• <00:58:14.079><c> on</c><00:58:14.200><c> a</c><00:58:14.359><c> Friday</c> game on a Friday game on
• </c> basically all the new money above base basically all the new money above base since since since

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “So it's based on the amount of time that the staff takes to review it.
• Am I correct in reading that it based this, the legislature...”
• So based off what I heard, I've been writing all these notes down, but based on what I heard, there's
• “Investing, what's your base at, where you're at?
• It's time we all address CWD based on science, facts, and common sense.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need to figure out a game plan so we know there's going to be an end.
• </c><00:31:24.240><c> plan</c> need to figure out a game plan need to figure out a game plan so<00:31
• So we really don't have a game plan one.
• But I think we need to have a game plan to say we are going to be able to get to the finish line.
• I would say it's a combination based on what we know. What would you recommend?

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:01 Staff Report on Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System- 00:01:09 Kentucky State Police and Finance and Administration Cabinet Response to Staff Report- 00:48:37 Adjournment-01:34:512, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a staff report on Kentucky’s statewide emergency responder voice system (SERVS), a multi-phase project intended to improve interoperable radio communications for first responders. Staff said Kentucky State Police did not appear to have violated statutes or regulations, but the project lacked an overall master plan, clear milestones, and consistent documentation, which contributed to delays, spending issues, and deployment problems. The report recommended updating the Kentucky Field Operations Guide to reflect SERVS and noted that the project has been funded in phases since 2018, with appropriations totaling roughly $216 million across 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, while about $109 million had been spent by the end of fiscal year 2025. The report raised concerns about project sequencing and oversight. Staff said most spending was concentrated in special mobile equipment, with Motorola accounting for about two-thirds of all SERVS expenditures and the top four vendors making up 81 percent of spending. They also said a sample of Motorola payments suggested possible late payments, though they could not confirm whether interest was paid. Staff criticized the use of master agreements for a project of this size, the lack of a centralized ledger, and the absence of a documented timeline or risk mitigation plan. They recommended stronger procurement and planning requirements, including possible legislative changes requiring approved master plans for large capital projects and additional funding conditions tied to SERVS master agreements. Land acquisition and deployment progress were identified as major bottlenecks, especially in Eastern Kentucky. Staff said the project began in western Kentucky using existing tower sites, but the remaining work is concentrated in harder-to-acquire areas, with more than 95 percent of new towers still incomplete. They said the Division of Real Properties did not begin formal contract work on acquisition until October 2024, despite earlier coordination, and recommended earlier consultation on future projects. Staff also noted that the Kentucky Wireless Interoperability Executive Committee had not been active in oversight, and survey results showed limited awareness and involvement among first responders. Committee members agreed that the lack of an initial implementation plan and the continuing need for funding reflected broader planning problems, and they discussed the need for a clearer end-to-end game plan rather than continuing to fund the project without a defined completion path.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is that based on? Why are you trying to pull it from BHSA?
• These contractors are community-based infrastructure.
• These contractors are community-based infrastructure.
• Under MHSA, innovation was largely county-based.
• So what CDPH is doing is statewide population-based efforts.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is some skin in the game with the universities.
• There is a game with the universities.
• Most often... similar differences in tuition based on similar differences in tuition based on universities
• ,</c> don't see a difference in tuition base, don't see a difference in tuition base, you<00:13:13.760
• Now, it base funding for operations.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for its first summer interim meeting, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and took roll. The first presentation came from Jerry Gels, principal of Ignite Institute in Erlanger, who focused on the rising cost of dual credit. He said dual credit tuition has increased from about $150 to $290 for a three-credit course over roughly five years, which he argued is discouraging participation, especially for working-class and low-income students. He cited Ignite data and broader college outcomes to argue dual credit improves college persistence, shortens time to degree, and reduces student debt, noting that many of his students enter college with substantial credit and that low-income students at Ignite have increasingly participated after targeted efforts and scholarship use. He also said the instructional labor is largely paid by county school systems, so he questioned the size of the tuition increase and said the committee should examine how the costs are being set and whether college tuition should be stabilizing as more students arrive with credits already earned. Members asked about who pays for dual credit, the role of state scholarship support, and whether tuition varies by institution. Gels said students in his district generally pay the dual credit cost themselves, though some districts may cover it, and he noted the dual credit scholarship now covers fewer classes than before. He said the price appears to be set centrally rather than varying by university, and he emphasized that the higher cost is creating barriers even though the courses are taught largely by local teachers on school payrolls. He also described Ignite’s efforts to expand access for free- and reduced-lunch students, saying participation among that group rose from 27% with no dual credit to about 90-92% taking at least one dual credit class. The committee then heard from the Goldwater Institute, represented by Michael Frazier and Dr. Tim Minella by Zoom. They argued Kentucky’s public universities should face stronger accountability and transparency, citing declining public confidence in higher education, rising costs, and what they described as administrative growth and research spending that does not clearly benefit students or the Commonwealth. They proposed requiring a 10-year accounting of staffing growth by category, comparing it to enrollment and low-income Kentucky enrollment, and limiting non-STEM faculty teaching releases for research unless approved under a baseline consent process. They also criticized certain university-funded research projects as examples of misdirected spending and said public reporting should distinguish Kentucky residents from non-residents more clearly, pointing to a reported decline in low-income in-state undergraduate enrollment. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:55.840><c> uh</c> jobs will be held by highly skilled uh jobs will be held by highly skilled
• That means a greater tax base for Minnesota schools and our communities.
• That means a greater tax base for Minnesota schools and our communities.
• </c><01:13:53.520><c> Um,</c><01:13:54.080><c> we</c> tax base and lower the rate.
• Um, we tax base and lower the rate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• activities, which will yield long-term benefits for the state of Washington by cultivating a highly skilled
• and competitiveness... ...long-term benefits for the state of Washington by cultivating a highly skilled
• programs, they're designed, like many others, to help scholars build leadership and communication skills

Summary: The Senate approved the previous day’s journal, then handled routine referrals of committee reports and gubernatorial appointments to the designated committees, including appointment 9329 to the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee. It also received a WSDA pesticides report from the Department of Agriculture. The main substantive item was Senate Resolution 8693, honoring scholars and participants in Washington State Leadership Board programs such as Boundless Washington, Compassion Scholars, and Washington World Fellows. Senator Claire Wilson sponsored the resolution and spoke at length about the value of youth leadership, service, civic engagement, and opportunities for students across the state, with examples of individual scholars’ accomplishments. Senator Torres also praised the students and their future potential. The Senate adopted the resolution by voice vote, with ayes prevailing. The chamber then recognized guests from the Washington State Leadership Board and the LGBTQ Youth Advisory Board in the North Gallery before adjourning until Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure it's based in data. Got it.
• It shouldn't just be rewarded based on the power of the industry.
• It should be based on data, like you said.
• It is based on actual tailpipe and smokestack emissions in the state of California.
• to go back and set those based on, you know, real leakage risk.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Summary: The committee heard an overview and discussion of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840. Chairs and members emphasized the program’s role in meeting climate targets while balancing affordability, and CARB described the proposal as intended to preserve market certainty, strengthen cost containment, address utility affordability, and support the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goal. CARB also noted the public comment period, the planned board hearing, and the goal of an effective date of September 1, 2026. Members questioned CARB on several implementation issues, including whether the rulemaking would be completed on time, the treatment of carbon capture and sequestration, the timing of the transfer of allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and the impact on ratepayers. CARB said it was on track to meet the May deadline, that CCUS/CDR could be further refined in the proposal and would also be addressed in a separate SB 905 rulemaking later in the year, and that it was seeking to protect ratepayers while inviting more utility data during the comment period. The committee also discussed refining-sector leakage risk, gasoline imports, and how imported fuel is accounted for under cap-and-invest versus the low-carbon fuel standard. A second panel of outside experts and stakeholders then testified. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and IEMAC representatives explained the major statutory changes, including putting offsets under the cap, shifting allowances from natural gas to electric utilities over time, and changing how allowance value is divided among utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They stressed that CARB has significant discretion in setting the allowance “pie,” and that more free allocations to utilities or industry reduce GGRF revenues. EDF’s representative argued the proposal should be adopted this spring, said the utility transition should happen faster, and urged a tighter near-term emissions cap. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, opposed the proposed utility allocation changes, saying they would reduce expected allowances, undermine long-term planning, and could force higher rates or reduced decarbonization investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I never saw it in committee based on the committees that I serve on.
• “Very skilled and veteran teachers.
• You were an administrator like me, you know, based on your student group that you have, based on your
• You were an administrator like me, you know, based on your student group that you have, based on your
• The strategy most likely to work is team-based, building capacity within the school.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and several recognitions before taking up a series of Senate messages and House motions. Members also recognized House Sergeant at Arms staff, visitors in the gallery, and family members. The chamber approved the journal and then moved into message lists and concurrence motions on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1668, relating to the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), the House concurred in a Senate amendment that clarified that if the NICA plan lacks adequate cash flow, the Office of Insurance Regulation may authorize a cumulative transfer of up to $20 million over the life of the plan and removed a proposed time limit on provider assessments. The bill then passed 96-2. The House also concurred in a Senate amendment to CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the foreign influence bill, after debate over a proposed strike-all amendment that would have removed surrogacy-related language; that amendment failed. Supporters said the bill still retained key foreign-influence restrictions, while opponents objected to the surrogacy provisions and other remaining restrictions. The bill passed 83-17. The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1279 on education. The Senate amendment added provisions on tuition residency for certain military and State Department families, a one-year deferral option for Benacquisto Scholarship recipients, virtual school notifications, educational emergency authority for persistently low-performing schools, epinephrine flexibility, VPK and New Worlds Reading changes, math pathways, dance credit, IEP service notifications, charter school safety officer options, and FEFP adjustments for Florida advanced courses, while removing several House provisions including the 95% Florida resident requirement for preeminent universities, the 5% cap on undergraduate international enrollment, and DEI-related provisions. Debate focused heavily on the educational emergency and collective bargaining language for persistently low-performing schools, with supporters saying it would help districts improve student performance and opponents warning it would weaken unions and affect schools that are not truly failing. The bill passed 81-16. Finally, the House considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. An amendment to repeal portions of last year’s SB 180 was ruled not germane. The House then took up a Senate amendment on compost facilities that would bar local governments from conditioning compost-facility approval on the purchase of additional property to expand a privately owned road and would limit local revocation of permits when facilities comply with state or regional environmental regulation; debate began on that motion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This hands-on experience allowed me to add to my skills in ways that are meaningful and applicable to
• I also love that I'm gaining these skills at work.
• at work uh I I do gaining these skills at work uh I I do spend<00:25:09.279><c> some</c><00:25:09.399
• So by understanding and anticipating some of the antecedents to behaviors, and through their skills—I
• So by understanding and anticipating some of the antecedents to behaviors, and through their skills—I

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives and providing that all temporary and pending rules of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• But in the urban districts, because of the tax base, they can tax; they've got all kinds of electives
• off legislation that was passed in 2003, House Bill 304, which directed the Department of Fish and Game
• So Fish and Game reached out to the Senate sponsor and said they have a shooting range out at Farragut
• This is really, in my mind, the important part: taxes shall not be computed based on the total sales

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• budget this session as new dollars, the equivalent of $800 million in the base bill.
• So we remove the $60 million cap and do it based on the ADA.
• We have chosen, as a state, to pay our schools based on average daily attendance.
• Up to the state base.
• By the state for any of the extra at the state base. Right, so you need that.

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> base for the bienium. base for the bienium.
• </c> remains at the base amount. remains at the base amount.
• </c> remains at the base. remains at the base.
• base amount as compared to base is a base amount as compared to base is a $6,60,000<00:12:33.920><c>
• </c> base amount. base amount.

Bills: HF2312

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• :26:35.600><c> leaders</c><00:26:35.919><c> of</c><00:26:36.159><c> America,</c><00:26:36.559><c> Skills
• </c><00:26:36.960><c> USA,</c> business leaders of America, Skills USA, business leaders of America,
• Skills USA, Educators<00:26:38.480><c> Rising,</c><00:26:38.880><c> and</c><00:26:39.200><c> Future</
• ,</c><00:28:42.159><c> managorial</c><00:28:43.120><c> group,</c> technology, skill, managorial group
• , technology, skill, managorial group, employees<00:28:44.960><c> and</c><00:28:45.360><c> students.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees. The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The initiative is a co-curricular program that aims to equip students with skills, knowledge, and real-world
• The initiative is a co-curricular program that aims to equip students with skills, knowledge, and real-world
• The initiative is a co-curricular program that aims to equip students with skills, knowledge, and real-world
• program that aims to equip<00:25:31.200><c> students</c><00:25:31.560><c> with</c><00:25:31.720><c> skills
• ,</c><00:25:32.200><c> knowledge,</c> equip students with skills, knowledge, equip students with skills

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 6, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A skilled multi-instrumentalist, his fusion of rock and hip hop has captivated audiences worldwide.
• A skilled multi-instrumentalist, his fusion of rock and hip hop has captivated audiences worldwide.
• A skilled multi-instrumentalist, his fusion of rock and hip hop has captivated audiences worldwide.
• A skilled multi-instrumentalist, his fusion of rock and hip hop has captivated audiences worldwide.
• A skilled multi-instrumentalist, his fusion of rock and hip hop has captivated audiences worldwide.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and opened with a moment of contemplation honoring Bob Marley. Several senators spoke about Marley’s life, music, and activism, emphasizing his messages of peace, justice, unity, and resistance. One senator highlighted Marley’s 1979 visit to Hawaii and his influence on Hawaiian and “Jawaiian” music, while another introduced members of the Marley family and recognized their continuing musical work and cultural legacy. The Senate also recognized staff members from one senator’s office during the introductions. After the contemplative remarks and guest introductions, the presiding officer asked for a few minutes for photographs. The chamber then processed Governor’s Message No. 665, withdrawing a nomination to the Campaign Spending Commission, and Governor’s Messages Nos. 666 to 668, transmitting nominations to various boards and commissions. Those messages were referred according to the Order of the Day, and Standing Committee Reports Nos. 480 to 674 were adopted by motion without objection. In announcements, the presiding officer thanked the SMA team and legislative staff for efficient work on a record number of bills during the first lateral, noted the upcoming three-day weekend, and extended birthday wishes to Clerk Carol Taniguchi. The Senate then adjourned by motion until 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18th.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s a lot of skin in the game, for lack of a better term, on both sides, and I don’t want to get
• There’s a lot of skin in the game, for lack of a better term, on both sides, and I don’t want to get
• This is the one venue where kanaka sit and talk about—and when you say skin in the game, I'm going to
• This is the one venue where kanaka sit and talk about—and when you say skin in the game, I'm going to
• And when you say skin in the game, I'm going to say iwi in the ground. This is their ohana, right.

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• technical training, and it teaches students how to solve real-world problems, giving them 21st century skills
• when he was introduced to his schools, Ethan has gained hands-on experience, learned industry-level skills
• serving more than 35,000 California students who are gaining confidence and learning the valuable skills
• These spaces help students build confidence, strengthen critical thinking skills, and introduce STEAM

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, a prayer marking World Water Day, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then suspended Senate Rule 55 to allow guests on the floor. Several special introductions followed, including California Wildlife Photo of the Year winner Alice Cahill, outgoing Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham, Avalon Fire Chief Michael Alegría, and a Cal Poly Pomona student delegation participating in CHESS/CSU Lobby Day. Members praised Bonham’s long service and the students’ advocacy on higher education issues. The Assembly’s passage of AB 2156 was announced, and the Senate approved the March 16–19 journals as corrected. The chamber then took up SCR 132, designating March 22, 2026 as California STEAM Robotics Day. The author and supporting senators emphasized robotics and STEAM education as hands-on preparation for careers in engineering, AI, manufacturing, and other technical fields, and highlighted partnerships with industry and programs such as FIRST Robotics. The resolution passed on a 34-0 vote. Afterward, the author introduced robotics students and industry representatives, including Ethan Wynn of Poway High School and leaders from Garner Holt Productions, to recognize their work in STEAM education and robotics. The Senate next considered five gubernatorial appointments, all brought by Senator Grove: Paul Toopee to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Peter Britery to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, Dr. Youngping Chen and Gregory Lung to the California Acupuncture Board, and Roy Mather to the Board of Pilot Commissioners. Each nominee was described as experienced in the relevant field and each was confirmed unanimously, 34-0. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 62(a) to allow the Committee on Governmental Organization to hear AB 2156 on March 24 without sufficient notice. In closing, Senator Blakespear requested adjournment in memory of Anne Colchin, a longtime Carlsbad city councilmember and civic leader remembered for decades of public service, environmental stewardship, and community planning. The Senate agreed to memorialize her, then announced that members would proceed to the Assembly chambers for the joint convention and State of the Judiciary address, with the next floor session scheduled for March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• us up to be a fantastic partner for the national labs to carry out this huge endeavor of moving our base
• endeavor of labs to carry out this huge endeavor of moving<00:03:14.480><c> our</c><00:03:15.040><c> base
• The money we're going to be using is to basically hire the key skill sets we need in order to be able
• upon the f puff endowment funds based upon the f following<00:09:50.000><c> formula.
• </c><01:12:58.800><c> on</c> realize I was making decisions based on realize I was making decisions based

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all