Transcript Highlights:

• No good deed goes unpunished, Ms. Rogers. Got to make sure we get it right. That's right.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee met to consider bills re-referred under Assembly Rule 77.2. The chair opened with procedural remarks, thanked committee staff, reviewed hearing rules, and established a quorum before taking up the agenda. The committee first heard AB 1707, which would transfer electrician certification authority from the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to the Contractors State License Board beginning July 1, 2028. The author and sponsor argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve administration and enforcement, and help address licensing backlogs that had delayed renewals and caused workers to lose jobs. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee recommended concurrence in the Senate amendments by a unanimous vote. The committee then heard AB 1811, which would preserve health professional shortage areas and add reporting requirements for boards of healing arts licensees and registrants after federal changes affected HPSA designations. Supporters said the bill would help maintain access to care in rural and underserved areas, with hospital and health system representatives testifying in support. The author noted that roughly 20% of Californians live in rural communities but only about 9% of health professionals serve those areas. The committee again reported the bill out with a unanimous vote to concur in the Senate amendments. After the two bills were approved, the chair reopened the roll several times to allow absent members to record votes, and additional aye votes were entered for both measures. No other bills were heard, and the meeting adjourned after the voting concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, to be your ambassador, and word, deed, and thought is our prayer.

Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344 , SB1839 , SB1280 , SB1832 , SB2001 , SB1405 , SB2143 , SB1989 , SB1393 , SB1392 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1220 , SB1516 , SB1239 , SB1531 , SB1349 , SB1221 , SB1538 , SB1309 , SB1434 , SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Keywords: Oklahoma Hospital Advisory Council, hospital licensure, public health, State Department of Health, State Board of Health, hospital regulations, healthcare regulation, hospital standards, hospital construction, hospital operations, stroke care, stroke system, emergency medical services, EMS transport, psychiatric treatment, chemical dependency treatment, substance use disorder, drug storage, pharmacy, quality indicators

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1479, Deeds Identification Forgery Notices Notaries. SB 1480, Crime-Free Lease Addendum Renters.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge of allegiance, and an electronic roll call showing 26 members present and four excused. The journal for January 29, 2026, was approved, and the chamber recognized Lucid Motors Day at the Capitol, highlighting the company’s Arizona operations, investment, and job creation. The Senate also received a gubernatorial nomination for Troy L. Campbell to the State Liquor Board, which was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. A large number of bills were introduced and read for the first time, covering topics such as commerce, E-Verify, municipal self-certification, voter registration text notices, immigration enforcement training, school eligibility and testing, campaign finance, vulnerable adults, temporary vehicle plates, tribal flags, water projects, public works apprenticeships, housing and water supply, special plates, controlled substances research, and election-related resolutions. One bill, SB 1429, was further referred to the Committee on Finance. The Senate also placed many measures on second reading, including bills on roads, labor and collective bargaining, tax relief, education data, assisted living, liquor policy, public pensions, housing, utilities, and election and redistricting proposals. The President noted that it was the final day to submit bills by the 5:00 p.m. deadline and announced upcoming caucus and committee meetings for February 3. During a personal privilege statement, the Majority Leader criticized the Attorney General’s recent remarks as dangerous and confusing, argued she should retract them, and said elected officials should lower the temperature around rhetoric that could contribute to violence. The Senate then adjourned by motion until Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1479, Deeds Identification Forgery Notices Notaries. SB 1480, Crime-Free Lease Addendum Renters.

Transcript Highlights:

• This applies only to projects without deed restrictions that would prevent such a development, and the

Bills: HB148 , HB148 , HB334 , HB554 , HB762 , HB1520 , HB1593 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , SB2215 , HB2607

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• day was a public park, and it's just to help them create items that can be used for public use and deed
• it over to... ...items that can be used for public use and deed it over to political subdivisions.
• Speaker, the bankers, the title people, all of your recorder of deeds think that the first line of defense
• Speaker, the bankers, the title people, all of your recorder of deeds think that the first line of defense

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, we localized it using the Minnesota DEED data, and this allows us to account for our state's
• finally um we localized it using the finally um we localized it using the Minnesota<00:14:28.560><c> deed
• c> and</c><00:14:30.720><c> this</c><00:14:30.959><c> allows</c><00:14:31.279><c> us</c> Minnesota deed
• data and this allows us Minnesota deed data and this allows us to<00:14:31.760><c> account</c><00:14

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• close with: We are going to be made to repent in this generation not just for the vitriolic words and deeds
• generation not just for the vitriolic<01:50:27.600><c> words</c><01:50:28.239><c> and</c><01:50:28.480><c> deeds
• ><01:50:29.119><c> of</c><01:50:29.440><c> bad</c><01:50:29.760><c> people</c> vitriolic words and deeds
• of bad people vitriolic words and deeds of bad people but<01:50:30.719><c> for</c><01:50:30.960><c>

Bills: HR780 , HR976 , HR975 , HR974

Keywords: gridlock, policy priorities, House resolution, legislative process, procedural motion, house meeting hours, legislative schedule, government procedure, House of Representatives, quorum, business proceeding, legislative procedure, government functionality, Congress, notification, Presidential communication

Transcript Highlights:

• This is because many market-rate housing projects include a share of units that are deed-restricted to
• It also limits the use of ADUs toward lower-income RHNA unless deed-restricted for long-term affordability
• The work that the recorder's office does is critical to processing documents like deeds and trusts to
• duties include, but are not limited to, recording documents that pertain to real property, such as deeds

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is because many market-rate housing projects include a share of units that are deed-restricted to
• It also limits the use of ADUs toward lower-income RHNA unless deed-restricted for long-term affordability
• The work that the recorder's office does is critical to processing documents like deeds and trusts to
• duties include, but are not limited to, recording documents that pertain to real property, such as deeds

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long slate of bills, with the chair opening by outlining hearing rules, noting in-person testimony only, and identifying several bills for the consent calendar. The committee repeatedly operated without a quorum for much of the hearing, so several authors closed with requests for aye votes before formal action could be taken. AB 407 (Jackson) was heard first and would broaden eligibility in state loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades; it drew support from the Treasurer’s office and no opposition. AB 93 (Papan) would require state and local agencies to develop best practices and reporting around data center water use; supporters emphasized water scarcity and transparency, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it as overly restrictive and potentially burdensome. The League of California Cities and water agencies were generally supportive or neutral with amendments. The committee also heard several housing-related bills. AB 650 (Papan) would give cities earlier RHNA information and require HCD to provide clearer, more actionable housing element feedback; it received broad support from cities, planning groups, and housing advocates, with no opposition. AB 507 (Haney) would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns, and AB 1294 (Haney) would create a more standardized housing application process; both drew strong support from housing and business groups, while local government groups raised concerns about one-size-fits-all mandates and local discretion. AB 610 (Alvarez) would strengthen housing element transparency and limit new local housing constraints and fees after certification; supporters said it would improve certainty, while legal aid and city groups opposed it as too rigid and potentially harmful to inclusionary housing and local fee authority. AB 610 ultimately received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. Other measures included AB 1044 (Macedo), which would create a new groundwater sustainability agency structure for Tulare County to help the region comply with SGMA; it was backed by county and agricultural water representatives and had no opposition. AB 523 (Irwin) would allow proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board, with support from several water districts and no opposition. AB 1112 (Wallace) would repeal an outdated property tax carve-out affecting Rancho Mirage; the city supported it as restoring equity, and the committee called the roll after reaching quorum, then moved the bill do pass as amended to Appropriations by a 6-0 vote with the roll left open. Finally, AB 698 (Wicks) would require analysis of the housing, market-rate, and property tax impacts before a local transfer tax is adopted; supporters said it would inform local decision-making, while opponents, including a coalition tied to Los Angeles’ Measure ULA, argued it could undermine local revenue tools and housing funding. The committee discussed that the bill was forward-looking and not retroactive, and then moved it forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• policy and finance contains the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, AURI, and the DEED
• </c><00:32:17.679><c> AURI,</c><00:32:18.320><c> and</c><00:32:18.559><c> the</c><00:32:18.720><c> deed
• </c> of animal health, AURI, and the deed of animal health, AURI, and the deed office<00:32:19.279><c

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• He noted that DES takes a different position because many deeds from the 1950s are not as precise as
• in the 50s uh not as precise as deeds in the 50s uh not as precise as you<00:18:57.440><c> might</c>
• It is not something that we have a deed for. The legislature is the trustee of the people.
• </c><00:48:06.079><c> So</c><00:48:06.240><c> that</c> fee and we have a deed for it.
• So that fee and we have a deed for it.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now going to shift to H 3211, an act relative to deeds excise receipts.
• Essentially, I'd like to give you a quick historical note in terms of the deeds excise tax.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on several property and local tax bills. The main focus was H.56, the Municipal Empowerment Act, which the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo supported as a package of local options and administrative reforms. Supporters said municipalities need more tools to relieve pressure on property taxes and fund services, citing proposed increases to local meals and lodging taxes, a new local vehicle excise surcharge, senior property tax relief, one-year override flexibility for emergencies, and central valuation of telecom and utility property by DOR. The administration said the bill was based on municipal listening sessions and was intended to give cities and towns optional, not mandatory, revenue tools. Opponents, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, argued the tax increases would hurt restaurants, hotels, tourism, and small businesses and add to affordability concerns. The committee also heard testimony on H.3211, dealing with deeds excise receipts, from Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staidi. He said Norfolk County is financially stable but needs additional revenue for major capital needs at its agricultural school, especially a new cafeteria and other aging facilities, and also to support county programs such as veteran transportation services. On S.2020, a bill to allow settlements of tax liability, Greater Boston Legal Services, the Asian American Civic Association, and several individual taxpayers urged creation of a more workable offer-in-compromise process at DOR. They said the current system is too subjective, requires an unaffordable $5,000 threshold, lacks clear standards and appeal rights, and leaves low-income taxpayers stuck with unmanageable debt, license suspensions, or business closures. Supporters said the bill would give both taxpayers and DOR a practical way to resolve liabilities and bring people back into compliance. The committee also took testimony on S.1966, which would require nonprofits selling property to disclose any back-tax obligations to buyers. Senator Peter Durant said the bill was prompted by a personal experience in which a tax bill arrived after a nonprofit property purchase was already completed, and he argued the disclosure would prevent buyers from being surprised by retroactive tax liability. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed the session after hearing from all scheduled witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• state that the management company or the POA has to state that a property is in compliance with the deed
• answer that question, you need to do an inspection to make sure there's no visual violations of the deed

Bills: HB 1087 , HB2504 , HB4113 , HB5144 , HB5146 , HB5377 , HB5543 , SB140 , SB264 , SB1244 , SB1343 , SB2121 , HR868

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: property owners, board vacancy, special election, association governance, community management, property owners' association, resale certificate, fees, real estate regulation, homeowners, HB 4113, Texas Rising Star Program, child care, child-care providers, Texas Workforce Commission, TWC, safety barriers, crash-rated bollards, bollards, playground safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Any perpetrator, any evil individual who is doing these evil deeds will think twice about perpetrating
• any evil deeds to our children.

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The City of Mineral Wells then deeded the property to the Palo Pinto Livestock Association, which has

Bills: HB4538 , HCR89 , HCR142 , SCR1 , SB2139

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: vessel registration, derelict vessels, waterways, removal fee, Parks and Wildlife Department, General Land Office, HCR 89, official state gun, cannon, Texas state symbol, Texas Revolution, Battle of Gonzales, Come and Take It, Alamo, San Jacinto, Twin Sisters, Angelina Eberly, Texas history, historical preservation, heritage tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• The weakening of deed these programs.
• The weakening of deed restrictions<01:36:50.880><c> further</c><01:36:51.280><c> exacerbates</c><01:36
• This alternative pathway says 80% of units have to be deed forever, not just 10 years, but forever, to
• forever, not just 10 years, but deed forever, not just 10 years, but forever<01:38:35.199><c> to</c>
• </c> locals only housing market of deed locals only housing market of deed restricted<01:38:46.080><c

Transcript Highlights:

• properties to ensure that they're being used according to the purposes of the conservation easement deeds
• easement Deeds which we consider<00:10:41.320><c> to</c><00:10:41.440><c> be</c><00:10:41.800><c> the
• so it's all about easements as Deeds so it's all about easements as opposed<00:11:29.040><c> to</c><
• 54.600><c> and</c><00:11:55.079><c> and</c><00:11:55.480><c> um</c><00:11:55.920><c> and</c> the um deed
• requirements and and um and the um deed requirements and and um and just<00:11:56.279><c> like</c><00

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• register of deeds in the county where the property is located for doing that work.
• The register of deeds retains 4% of the face value of the stamps that are sold in the county.
• and that is done from the to the deed and that is done from the register<01:53:29.159><c> of</c><01:
• 53:29.280><c> deeds</c><01:53:29.560><c> in</c><01:53:29.679><c> the</c><01:53:29.800><c> county</c><
• 01:53:30.079><c> where</c> register of deeds in the county where register of deeds in the county where

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Huge-scale modernizations at DEED.
• But when I read that one, I saw an extraordinary five-month effort by four agencies, DOLI, DEED, Minit
• But when I read that one, I saw an extraordinary five-month effort by four agencies, DOLI, DEED, and
• five-month effort by four agencies agencies agencies uh<01:07:03.599><c> Dolly</c><01:07:04.079><c> Deed
• uh Minute and uh uh Dolly Deed uh Minute and uh Department<01:07:07.039><c> of</c><01:07:07.200><c>

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy