Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I think there’s probably going to be some cuts, and I happen to sit on that budget committee.
• I mean, I think there’s probably going to be some cuts, and I happen to sit on that budget committee
• I do think a better way to do this is, given the timing, through the budget process.
• I just want to, on behalf of Hikma, also recognize that both in budget committee, which I was also part
• We had a hearing on this in the health budget subcommittee.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um to budget or staff in a given year.
• Out of our $3.2 million budget, $2.75 million is spent on our employees. That is 86% of our budget.
• </c><01:12:14.000><c> with</c><01:12:14.320><c> $2.1</c> Our budget is $3.2 million with $2.1 Our budget
• We are not That is 86% of our budget.
• </c> of the overall state government budget. of the overall state government budget.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in fact, in the last budget, I know it was a very tight budget.
• , I know it was a very the last budget, I know it was a very tight<01:09:50.560><c> budget.
• </c> result in the adoption of the budget result in the adoption of the budget proposed<06:05:00.160>
• And they call that an adjusted budget. default budget is in districts that are default budget is in districts
• . budget. budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee met to hear a non-germane amendment to House Bill 131, which concerns bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the prime sponsor, said the amendment was intended to revise and improve language from last year’s SB 210 and to incorporate measures from a cyberbullying bill previously passed by the House. He described changes to school communication requirements, mandatory reporting of bullying and retaliation, stronger investigation and collaboration requirements for cross-district cases, added safety and remediation language, a required conference with the alleged perpetrator and parents if available, updated reporting deadlines, and disciplinary consequences for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and false reports. He also noted a later amendment would be needed to insert the words “the perpetrator” in one section, and he explained that some changes were meant to align with prior legislation and legislative drafting suggestions. Committee members raised several concerns. Representative Murray questioned the treatment of private and parochial schools, the change from gross negligence to negligence, and the removal of a definition of bullying based on imbalance of power and perceived characteristics. Representative Damon also objected to deleting that definition, arguing it would narrow the scope of bullying too much. Representative Han spoke in opposition, saying the amendment was too broad, unnecessary in parts, and not ready for final action; he criticized the removal of the imbalance-of-power language, the conference requirement when parents may not participate, and the reporting obligations for bus drivers and others. Cordelli responded that some issues were already addressed in prior law or SB 210 and that private schools have their own policies. Michelle Wongran of New Hampshire Legal Assistance testified in opposition, saying the bill was being heard without enough notice and that it does far more than the committee analysis suggests. She said the amendment adds undefined retaliation language, imposes reporting duties on school vendors and contractors, may conflict with FERPA and other federal privacy rules, and includes provisions that could have serious implications for schools and students. She said she supports parental involvement and some conference provisions in concept, but urged the committee to reject the amendment or at least send it through the normal legislative process for fuller review. No vote was taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the same program, but it's being funded and has been funded through the budget.
• And I know the line in the budget, and it's lined out. I'm comfortable with that.
• Just wanted to make sure of that. ...line in the budget and it's lined out.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget Subcommittee No. 1 will be meeting in Room 2100 at 9:30 or upon adjournment of session.
• Budget Subcommittee No. 2 will be meeting 15 minutes after adjournment in, I'm not sure what room—2200
• I'm happy to report that the Budget Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 will be meeting five minutes after

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered a prayer and pledge, welcomed a seventh-grade class from Contra Costa Jewish Day School, and made routine announcements, including birthday wishes for Senator Hurtado and committee meeting notices. The body then took up two resolutions on the daily file. SR 82 by Senator Perez recognized Children’s Dental Health Month and highlighted the importance of early oral health care, the prevalence of tooth decay among California children, disparities affecting Latinx, Black, and low-income children, and Medi-Cal and other state efforts to expand dental access. SR 84 by Senator Caballero commemorated Women in Construction Week and emphasized the need to expand opportunities for women in the construction trades through apprenticeships, inclusive job sites, and workforce development to address labor shortages and support California’s housing and infrastructure goals. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously by roll call votes of 31-0. Afterward, members announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings. The Senate then heard multiple adjourn-in-memory requests, including one from Senator Alvarado-Gil honoring eight victims of the February 17 avalanche near Truckee and another from Senator Wiener honoring Camille Moran, a San Francisco transgender advocate, artist, and community leader. The presiding officer noted the Senate would recess and reconvene on Monday, March 9, 2026, with an adjournment motion to follow later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of piggyback off of Representative Steinmeyer, how might the CPI indexing affect the future budget
• However, it's still subject to appropriations annually, depending on budgets and the will of the legislature
• However, it's still subject to appropriations annually, depending on budgets and the will of the legislature

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and voted on three bills. House Bill 1906, at the sponsor’s request, was first approved do pass and then approved do pass by consent, both by 16-0 votes. House Bill 3003 was described as a bill worked on with the building trades and was approved do pass by a 15-1 vote. House Bill 2898, referred to as the “Lamb Bank” bill and noted as having previously passed the House before being struck down on a procedural issue, was approved do pass by a 16-1 vote. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2096, sponsored by Representative Farnan, which would increase state matching-fund caps for Missouri regional planning commissions and update the list of eligible commissions. Farnan said the bill would raise the larger commissions’ cap from $65,000 to $130,000 and the smaller commissions’ cap from $25,000 to $50,000, subject to appropriations, and that the funds are matching dollars tied to local contributions. Members asked about the source of local funds, the CPI indexing language, and whether the bill could be amended to protect against reductions if CPI is flat or negative. Testimony in support came from Jeremy Tans of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning Commission and immediate past president of MAKOG, who said the cap has not changed for years and the commissions provide coordination for infrastructure, transportation, broadband, and economic development across jurisdictions. Laura Holloway of the Missouri Municipal League also supported the bill, saying municipalities work closely with the commissions. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on House Bill 2096 was closed before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee or task force, this is the one that is basically that goes, that's in the language, like in our budget
• book that says that the governor will have a task force over this. ...the language, like in our budget
• So, and next week we'll be hearing from the Department of Health and Welfare on, I believe, their budget

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are going to have a balanced budget amendment... Gentleman 12, the floor. Thank you, Mr.
• So we are going to have a balanced budget amendment informational hearing this week on the 22nd at 8
• He's going to be there to answer some questions and give some remarks on the balanced budget amendment

Summary: The House convened with 70 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the House Journal. The chamber then received committee reports noting that House Bills 489 through 493 had been printed and referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. Under resolutions and first reading, House Concurrent Resolution 21 was introduced to designate 2026 as the Year of Volunteerism and the America 250 in Idaho Service Challenge, with related commemorative activities for the nation’s 250th birthday; it was referred for printing. The House also introduced House Bills 494 through 498, covering background checks and related code updates, dentistry and denturist regulation, podiatry licensure and discipline, controlled substances scheduling and related technical changes, and authorization for legislative leaders to employ outside counsel in federal litigation. All five bills were referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for printing. During announcements, members welcomed teachers, IEA members, and several guests in the gallery, and noted a sound money talk, a balanced budget amendment informational hearing featuring Governor Ron DeSantis, and a pharmacy student reception. Committee meeting notices were also read for the coming days. The House then adjourned until 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• A budget bill that will significantly cut federal funding to many vital programs, whereas health care
• Appropriating funds in response to recent federal budget cuts. 5.
• Appropriating funds to supplement the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's budget. 10.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes modernizing Medicaid payment methodologies, evaluating global budgets and other value-based
• There is a view that were upstairs for the bill budget signing, the supplement signing, and then the
• And then he also established the budget reserve account known as the Rainy Day Fund.
• The fiscal year 2027 capital budget highlights are...
• As I was saying before, the fiscal year 2027 capital budget highlights that it provides $1.25 billion

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:58:00.280><c> Is</c><00:58:00.320><c> that</c> large part of our budget.
• Is that large part of our budget. Is that correct?
• in a committee that and a budget in a committee that controls<00:58:25.840><c> a</c><00:58:25.880><c
• </c><00:58:51.480><c> I</c><00:58:51.520><c> don't</c><00:58:51.760><c> I</c> schools budgeting right
• I don't I schools budgeting right now.

Committee: House Ethics

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also money available in the federal budget, the general fund, as well as the military budget.
• There's also money available in the federal budget, the general fund, as well as the military budget.
• There's also money available in the federal budget, the general fund, as well as the military budget.
• There's also money available in the federal budget, the general fund, as well as the military budget.
• There's also money available in the federal budget, the general fund, as well as the military budget.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the entirety of the cumulative revenue excess may be used to develop the clerk's total combined budget
• Excuse me, with the development of the clerk's total combined budget rather than only 50% of such cumulative
• Senator Branis and I got kicked off of the committee when it came around a budget time because we were
• Senator Branis and I got kicked off of the committee when it came around a budget time because we were
• I'll say what I said on the floor when we passed our budget: we are blessed with the hardest-working,

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, or debt free and fully funded for the first year's budget.
• Um, and then first year's budget is at about 180,000. home in one one location.
• So, or debt free and fully funded for the first year's budget.
• So or debt free and fully funded budget.
• So usually for the first year's budget.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Families and Children met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and received an update that the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements was 8,647 as of September 7, 2025. The first presentation was from Isaiah 117 House, a nonprofit that provides a home-like setting for children on removal day so they do not have to wait in a state office. Speakers described the mission as reducing trauma for children, lightening the burden on case workers, and easing transitions to foster or kinship placements. They said the Kentucky home in Logan County opened on August 15 and had already served 10 children in its first six days. Committee members asked about logistics, including whether children placed with kinship caregivers would still come to the house, how long children can stay, who remains responsible for them, and how volunteers are screened. The presenters said children are brought to the house regardless of whether they are headed to kinship or foster placement, that 72 hours is not a hard cutoff, and that a case worker remains in charge at all times while volunteers provide support. They also said volunteers undergo background checks, trauma-informed training, confidentiality instruction, and annual continuing education. In response to questions about funding and expansion, they said Isaiah 117 House is community-funded without state or federal money, and that new homes are opened only when fully funded, with construction costs typically ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 and first-year budgets around $180,000. The committee then heard a presentation from Remy Eastep Homes on its Family Centered Integrated Healthcare and related services. Leaders described the organization’s history from its origins as separate orphanages in Boyd County to residential treatment, treatment foster care, prevention services, and outpatient behavioral health. They said the organization shifted about 15 years ago toward engaging families more directly because family involvement improves outcomes and helps keep children safely at home when possible. The presentation continued into program details, but no votes or formal actions were taken on either presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see our budget chair. I believe Senator Laird. Chair? I believe—yes. Wonderful. Senator Laird.
• Well, at this time of year, you're my budget chair, too. Thank you, Mr.
• And as the budget chair, as the budget subcommittee chair, Dr.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you recall, in our last couple of budget sessions, we've done so well with those that we really didn't
• comes before us on an annual basis for our consideration is the General Appropriations Act, the state budget
• The General Appropriations Act, the state budget. And Mr.
• addition to the amendment we just offered and was approved, would expand the time we received the budget

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate continued debate on a package of amendments to its rules, with many proposals focused on floor procedure, transparency, attendance, remote participation, and budget timing. Several amendments were debated at length, including changes to the dilatory timeline for laying matters on the table, reporting Senate procurements, electing Senate counsel, requiring best efforts for in-person attendance, identifying whether members vote remotely, and adjusting deadlines for budget documents and amendments. Most of the procedural and transparency amendments were rejected, while a few were adopted, including an amendment allowing another minority caucus member to call a caucus if the minority leader is absent, a change to the filing deadline for amendments on Thursday-dated bills, and a corrective amendment from Senator Lovely. An amendment to create a Senate Committee on Reproductive Rights and Freedom was also offered and supported in debate but was not adopted. The Senate also adopted amendments extending the time for members to receive the Senate Ways and Means General Appropriations Act from five to seven days and increasing the minimum filing time for budget amendments from 48 to 72 hours. Another amendment requiring a two-thirds roll call vote to continue past 10 p.m. was rejected, as were proposals related to remote-vote designation and shortening the late-session tabled-bill rule from 14 days to seven days. The chamber briefly recessed several times during the amendment process, and votes were taken both by roll call and by voice vote, with many amendments failing on recorded votes. The Senate paused to honor Brockton Fire Captain Stephen A. Montero, who died after a battle with occupational cancer. Senator Brady offered a motion that the Senate adjourn in his memory, and members observed a moment of silence. The Senate then completed its formal business, adopted an order to reconvene the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned in memory of Captain Montero.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's even a bigger question is that we actually fund these tax credits in this budget.
• So I'll use this opportunity as the budget... ...credits in this budget.
• So I'll use this opportunity as the budget chair that hosts housing and homelessness to say that we have

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Later today we will present the Conference Committee report for the Transportation Budget.
• This is a critical, essential element of that agreed-to conference budget.
• It ensures that we have a balanced budget over six years.
• It will still enable us to make the historic preservation investments that were included in the budget

Bills: SCR8410 , SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• visitors to their home states, the same visitors that we're competing with with a very, very small budget
• visitors to their home states, the same visitors that we're competing with with a very, very small budget
• some of the largest taxpayers in some of these districts, and so that depreciation, because of the budget-based
• accounts as needed, and it is important for us to pass this bill to ensure that it aligns with the budget

Bills: HB2325 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2675 , HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't have a specific talk with his staff about this part of it, but looking at his budget requests
• I didn't have a specific talk with his staff about this part of it, but looking at his budget requests
• But at this point, I do not recall a specific line item in budget request for this year. Follow up?
• Do you have any... ...budget request for this year. Follow up. Thank you.

Bills: SB1670 , SB1716 , SB1521

Committee: Senate Technology and Telecommunications

Keywords: higher education, state regents, university research, technology transfer, intellectual property, patent ownership, royalty income, commercialization, startup companies, research partnerships, public universities, faculty inventions, student inventions, innovation policy, economic development, medical technology, biotechnology, energy technology, telecommunications, aerospace and defense

Summary: The Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee considered three Senate bills. SB 1670, by Senator Reinhart, would require the State Regents to update Oklahoma university technology transfer guidance, create a tiered ownership framework, and revisit the guidance every seven years. Members questioned the seven-year review period, the scope of terms like aerospace and autonomous technologies, and how broadly the new tiered system would apply. The bill was presented as a way to modernize an outdated 1989 framework and help turn university research into companies, jobs, and economic impact. It passed 8-0. SB 1716, by Senator Howard, amended the Security Breach Notification Act to replace references to a “cybersecurity event” with “breach of the security of a system” and to clarify that there is no private right of action for ordinary negligence when a business reports breaches to the Attorney General. Howard explained that the Attorney General would retain exclusive enforcement authority for reasonable-standards violations, while private lawsuits would remain available only for more egregious conduct such as willful, wanton conduct or gross negligence. Members asked about the negligence standard, HIPAA-related breaches, and staffing needs for the Attorney General’s office. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 8-0. SB 1521, by Senator Hamilton, would prohibit minors from accessing artificial intelligence companions and set age-verification and re-verification requirements, including use of government-issued identification and periodic re-verification. Hamilton said the bill was aimed at protecting children from harmful interactions with AI companions and was narrowly drafted to avoid sweeping in other AI tools like customer-service bots. Members raised concerns about the reasonableness and consistency of age verification, account creation requirements, and how the bill would interact with existing statutes on sexually explicit conduct. The chair spoke in support of the measure, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee then adjourned.