Transcript Highlights:

• But as you know, there's legislation moving.
• And we went and we put legislation out there, requested legislation to amend the...
• And we went and we put legislation out there, requested legislation to amend that to, what about that
• We promulgated regulations following legislation.
• the legislation passed.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> passage of the proposed legislation passage of the proposed legislation house<01:14:13.840><c> file
• Uh oppose the legislation before you.
• </c> mind, the fee caps in this legislation mind, the fee caps in this legislation are<01:25:15.520><
• </c> EWA industry has agreed to legislation EWA industry has agreed to legislation that<01:25:32.719>
• The legislation as amended statutes.

Bills: HF2400, HF1724, HF3437, HF4333, HF2874, HF4052

Keywords: real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, direct primary care, healthcare agreements, medical services, patient care, health insurance, mortgage fees, residential loans, commercial loans, finance regulations, investment properties, insurance, supplemental health insurance, short-term care, home health care, nursing care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:18.959><c> forward</c> to um bringing some legislation forward to um bringing some legislation
• Uh it might be the legislating.
• </c> much for this legislation. much for this legislation.
• 09.440><c> make</c><01:24:09.520><c> it</c> That enabling legislation would make it That enabling legislation
• </c><01:37:49.280><c> is</c> criminal court, this legislation is criminal court, this legislation is

Bills: HF3429, HF3418, HF3431, HF1597

Keywords: intelligent speed assistance, transportation, speeding offenses, public safety, license restrictions, speed control, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:21:14.239><c> um</c> making uh this legislative task force um making uh this legislative task
• I want to thank the committee for hearing this legislation.
• </c> committee for hearing this legislation committee for hearing this legislation as<01:29:19.800><c
• Thank you, Senator P, for bringing this legislation forward.
• Thank you, Senator Wesenberg, would you move this legislation?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah. ...of my fellow legislators sent a letter to DPR that, among other things, asked the department
• That was all because of these individuals in the room, making it happen, passing legislation, working
• on legislation.
• My name is Andrea Ventura, and I am the Legislative and Policy Director for Clean Water Action.
• The legislators did not represent the people by letting that thing get gutted to be meaningless.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone testifying on multiple pieces of legislation should provide testimony for all bills at once, again
• As is customary, legislators and other elected officials will be taken out of turn.
• I'm a senior legislative affairs manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
• Many legislators are convinced that harm is being caused to wildlife.
• We feel like many legislators are convinced that harm is being caused to wildlife.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that is the goal of this legislation.
• My name is Aubrey Rodriguez, and I'm a legislative advocate with ACLU California Action.
• I implore every legislator to reimagine. Which creates more tragedies.
• When you see the numbers, we see a lot of numbers as legislators, and they're all important.
• Again, thank you, Madam Chair, to you and your staff for working with us on this legislation.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and public safety bills, largely focused on traffic violence, e-bike regulation, and DUI enforcement. AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers drew support from the author, San Francisco officials, law enforcement, and the League of California Cities, who said the bill would close loopholes, add motorcycles and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and align penalties with speed contests. ACLU California Action opposed it, but members generally supported the bill, noting the need for stronger tools against dangerous takeovers. The committee also heard AB 1654 on commercial driver’s licenses and federal verification rules, with the author arguing California must comply with federal law to avoid losing CDL authority; the chair and others objected that the bill could wrongly affect U.S. citizens and codify changing federal rules. The bill was discussed but not advanced in the portion provided. AB 1976 sought to speed delivery of bicycle and pedestrian safety projects by limiting some public meetings, restricting cancellation of contracts without findings, lowering petition thresholds for traffic calming, and updating the Pedestrian Mall Act. Supporters said current procedures delay life-saving projects and give too much power to opponents, while counties and cities opposed the limits on local public input and budget authority. After discussion, the committee voted to send AB 1976 to Local Government, with several members expressing support but also concerns about preserving community participation. The committee also heard AB 2015, which would direct Caltrans to study the effects of navigation apps on local roads and safety. Supporters said apps can divert traffic onto residential streets and undermine local traffic calming, while members suggested the bill should also consider built-in vehicle navigation systems. AB 2168, on the Active Transportation Program, would update the definition of safe routes to transit, prioritize transit-rich and underserved areas, and add stronger spending accountability; it drew support from bicycle and transit advocates and some local agencies, with a few technical concerns left to resolve. Finally, AB 1942 on e-bike registration and license plates for Class 2 and 3 e-bikes drew strong support from law enforcement and medical witnesses citing rising injuries, but broad opposition from bicycle groups, micromobility advocates, and some local governments who said it would burden lawful riders, create DMV problems, and not address illegal e-motos. The committee also heard AB 1685 and AB 1687, both DUI-related bills from the same author: AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and AB 1687 would extend license revocation for a third DUI conviction to eight years with an interlock option after four years. Both bills received strong support from law enforcement and victims’ advocates, with ACLU California Action opposing them as duplicative or overly punitive; both bills were advanced by committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys all went to the legislative rodeo down in Grand Isle.
• This legislative body should be looking to support the commercial sector, not kill it.
• This legislative body should be looking to support the commercial sector, not kill it.
• And I understand in terms of the legislative order they put that information out there.
• on this legislative to pick up legislation to make them do records.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to hard-scrabble Legislative District 7, where there is very much— Welcome to hard-scrabble Legislative
• Braden Biggs, Legislative District 2. Madam Chair, Mr.
• And we were working on similar legislation this year as well.
• And Madam Chair, Senator, again, I think thankfully in this legislative process, we don't legislate via
• We legislate via language. And the language in front of us is faulty.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard a long series of bills, mostly from Senators Hoffman, Fernandez, and Bolick. Early action included SB 1436 on school bond/override ballot language, which passed 4-3 after brief debate over ballot length and transparency. SB 1568, requiring election systems to keep clocks within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor, was amended and passed 4-3 despite concerns about machine failures and the breadth of the penalty. SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting voter registrations while assisting confined voters, also passed 4-3 after testimony from county officials and a deputy registrar describing alleged misuse of SEBs. SB 1746, requiring schools to serve as polling places and closing schools on regular primary/general election days for staff training, passed 4-3 over objections about school autonomy and safety. SB 1295, allowing certain incarcerated people needing long-term care or treatment to be transferred to contracted medical institutions, passed unanimously after an amendment narrowing the medical eligibility language. The committee then took up SB 1067, a county blight/abatement bill allowing property tax bills to include assessments for removing rubbish, debris, and dilapidated structures; county officials from Gila and Pima Counties strongly supported it, and it passed 7-0. SB 1285, which would have repealed kratom protections and added kratom and its alkaloids to the narcotic-drug list, drew strong opposition from industry and a pharmacist and failed 3-4 after debate over safety, regulation, and criminal penalties. SB 1413, removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death caused by a moving violation, passed after a short explanation that it was intended to conform statutes to a prior Arizona Supreme Court ruling. SB 1476, making prenatal exposure to dangerous or narcotic drugs and fetal alcohol syndrome a class six felony child neglect offense with an affirmative defense for mothers who completed treatment, drew emotional testimony from a foster/adoptive parent and opposition from reproductive justice and criminal defense advocates; it passed 4-2. Later, SB 1585, creating standards and funding mechanisms for sex offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraphs, passed 4-2 after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents questioned the added surcharge and appropriation. SB 1662, requiring probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to risk and needs, passed 5-0 with support from justice reform advocates and defense attorneys. SB 1664, adjusting constable nomination signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima Counties, passed unanimously after county association support. The committee then began SB 1666 on in-state custodial interference, with the sponsor and a supporter describing repeated violations of custody orders and arguing for a tiered civil-penalty-to-felony structure; the transcript ends during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on your pieces of legislation, what if one of them fails?
• And this legislation helps us. Can we deliver and how well can we deliver?
• And this legislation helps us deliver faster and better.
• And this legislation helps us deliver faster and better.
• Minutes of the legislative session last year.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the vice chair of the Community Associations Institute on the Legislative Action Committee.
• As background, following the passage and approval of Senate Bill 431 of the 82nd legislative session,
• As Chief Cochran noted, this is enabling legislation.
• I know that you have been doing this for now two years since the last legislative session.
• So it was $2 million that was awarded or appropriated in AB 348 from the 2023 legislative session.

Bills: AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district

Transcript Highlights:

• of County Veteran Service Officers Legislative Chair.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.
• honored to be a part of this legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So why this legislation and why now?
• This is a preventable problem with a legislative solution.
• I know this legislation is to help advance that.
• Speaker Moody, thank you for your work on this legislation. Uh, Mr.
• The only difference is we, we support Chairman Howard's legislation.

Bills: HB47

Keywords: HB 47, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem taxes, property tax, voter-approval tax rate, tax rate election, taxing unit, injunction, taxpayer rights, property owner, local government finance, tax refund, attorney's fees, court costs, voter-approved tax increase, tax reform, municipal taxes, county taxes, school district taxes, bond election

Transcript Highlights:

• So why this legislation and why now?
• And it's an important piece of legislation.
• Thank you for your work. on this legislation. Mr.
• Chairman Howard's legislation.
• And I appreciate you bringing the legislation.

Bills: HB47, HB1552, HB1686, HB1953, HB2151, HB2355, HB2582, HB2697, HB2895, HB3073, HB3418, HB47

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, digital services, reporting requirements, children's protection, sex offender registration, indecent assault, educator-student relationship, criminal justice, legislation, crime victims, compensation fund, information disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• 29.199><c> upon</c><00:04:29.600><c> that</c> legislation seeks to build upon that legislation seeks
• I'm the American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair and the Legislative Chair for the Minnesota
• I'm the American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair and the Legislative Chair for the Minnesota
• Uh, it's a legislative the bill forward.
• </c> of the Joint Religious Legislative of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition.<00:54:10.319><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thursday, January 29, 2026, the 18th legislative day.
• Thursday, January 29, 2026, the 18th legislative day.
• I move the Senate adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, the 19th legislative day.
• Senator Riccelli has moved that the Senate adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, the 19th legislative
• Riccelli has moved that the Senate adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, the 19th legislative

Bills: SB5223, SB5067, SJM8002, SB5855, SB5865, SB5272, SCR8406, SB5000, SB5500, SJM8006, SB5325, SB5286, SB5937

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, impaired driving, driving safety, alcohol regulation, public health, transportation, Medicare, healthcare, insurance, elderly, budget impact, face coverings, civil liberties, garnishment, debt, form standardization

Transcript Highlights:

• Thursday, January 29, 2026, the 18th legislative day.
• Thursday, January 29, 2026, the 18th legislative day.
• I move the Senate adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, the 19th legislative day.
• Senator Riccelli has moved that the Senate adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, the 19th legislative
• Bercelli has moved that the Senate adjourn until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, the 19th legislative

Summary: The Senate met on January 28, 2026, and quickly approved the previous day’s journal without objection. It then received standing committee reports and, by unanimous consent, referred the listed measures to the committees designated in those reports. The chamber moved to introduction and first reading of bills, where Senate Bill 6328, sponsored by Senator Saldaña, was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation. The Senate also approved referral of the introductions and referrals report to the designated committees. No substantive debate or votes on bill content occurred during this brief floor session. The Senate adjourned without objection until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So really looking at one of those types of charts, I think, for future legislators could be—and you're
• And after our Democratic legislative luncheon caucus, I do get a little campy in this committee, if you
• And so, as such, we found that a contract is necessary for us to implement the legislation.
• Yeah, there's a lot of legislative history on this one.
• Last year's enabling legislation that increased these fees and assessments were remarkable.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.

Transcript Highlights:

• God, we pray today that you give them wisdom as they consider legislation for our state.
• I'm concerned that Representative Weninger brought us this legislation.
• And clearly, as we know from the attacks over the last few years, Republican legislators have lodged
• So this is the kind of legislation, resolution...
• We cannot continue to do these kinds of legislation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe in future legislation we can find a solution to that, but I do appreciate all the effort of the
• ><c> can</c><00:26:26.240><c> find</c><00:26:26.400><c> a</c> in future legislation we can find a in
• Thank you, legislative counsel. >> Are you ready for the question?
• One of our treasured special events that we do as a legislative group. Thanks.
• </c> legislative group. Thanks. legislative group. Thanks.

Keywords: 927, senate, all