Transcript Highlights:

• And Dave Berto comes to us from the Professional Services Council.
• Now, transitioning from authorities to our capabilities, we really have to focus on turbocharging our
• But it's really now the time to transition more to production, and there are ways to do that through
• Acquisition program managers and even service acquisition executives have told me they can't afford to
• This is my eighth transition of one president to the next.

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• also on the particular language in each compact, because each compact is based upon the particular service
• is that people go hours without receiving help, and some have passed away waiting for ambulance services
• They are both governor's bills, and I think it's important to call out that emergency medical services
• two days, yeah, two or three days because the compact was about to expire and all these nurses that live
• They desperately need these services. Thank you. My name is Adrian Bratcher.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That may not be enough to cover the cost of that. special education services and if those services change
• has about eight years of service with the state.
• I know y'all have the drive like a Texan, but I've lived both.
• In many instances they may be... private service stations.
• One in six Texans live in a flood. that live or work in a flood hazard area, so it's a significant issue

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were very excited to be able to restore domestic service.
• But increasingly unpredictable ferry service is testing those limits.
• But increasingly unpredictable ferry service is testing those limits.
• We do need transit and we do need rail.
• They could connect to good transit and intercity passenger rail.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> service providers for Orisa plans. service providers for Orisa plans.
• </c> motto live free or die. motto live free or die.
• </c> dying for isn't fit to live." dying for isn't fit to live."
• </c><02:28:11.760><c> King</c> live. Very few people will cite Dr. King live.
• His legacy of service lives on through his family, including his son, Joseph, who also served in the

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we're going to transition to the second panel, and I think you're staying. And then Mr.
• We know that about one in five Californians live in poverty.
• Without strong savings, we would ultimately see cuts to social services or higher taxes.
• In 8037, I know some of the member Hart stepped out, 73,000 people live in poverty.
• In 8068, nearly one in three children lives in poverty.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years. The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains. Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• groups just to name a education Transit groups just to name a few<00:11:49.120><c> so</c><00:11:49.560
• I'm Jory Danielson, and I serve as the Administrative Services Director for Crow Wing County.
• So I live in Dakota County, if you haven't heard.
• </c> been a lot of issues with mail service been a lot of issues with mail service and<01:08:52.159><
• </c><01:09:55.679><c> uh</c> find out from the Postal Service uh find out from the Postal Service uh

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . to make our service possible.
• My eldest son Gordon and his wife Yao have lived in Japan for 13 years.
• You did have a very strong reputation in your service in El Salvador.
• Thank you to the witnesses for your previous service and again for being here.
• Again, thanks for your service. Thanks. to your family for assisting you in that service.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: U.S. foreign policy, Mexico relations, Japan relations, border security, trade agreements, drug trafficking, ambassadorial nominations, intergovernmental communication

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on critical discussions concerning U.S. foreign policy, particularly relationships with Mexico and Japan. Notable attention was given to border security, trade agreements, and implications of drug trafficking. Ambassadorial nominees discussed their strategies to strengthen ties with these nations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing mutual challenges, particularly concerning security and trade. The committee engaged in extensive dialogue, highlighting the urgency of improving intergovernmental communications to deter drug trafficking and support democratic governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's where they live. They can move in somewhere.
• Where is he supposed to live?
• I live within 200 feet of the house in question.
• HB 2870 would make their living arrangement illegal.
• But they can only live there a year. Mr. Chair, Ms.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2415, which would regulate kratom by treating certain synthetically derived compounds as narcotic drugs, raising the minimum sale age to 21, and penalizing sales of products exceeding a 400 parts per million cap. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill targets dangerous synthetic or highly concentrated kratom while preserving natural leaf products; testimony included a woman describing kratom addiction and treatment, family members describing harm from 7-OH products, and law enforcement and Attorney General’s Office support. Opponents, including criminal justice advocates, warned the bill could sweep in users and create harsh felony penalties, while some speakers urged a full ban and others defended natural kratom as distinct from synthetic products. The committee adopted the Wynn amendment and then gave HB 2415, as amended, a do-pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2870, which would prohibit more than one Level 2 or Level 3 registered sex offender from residing in the same home unless they are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a neighborhood case involving multiple sex offenders in one residence and argued it was aimed at residential homes, not supervised group homes. Supporters described fear and disruption in their neighborhoods, while opponents argued the bill would reduce already limited housing, make supervision harder, and potentially force people onto the streets; some also raised due process and recidivism concerns. After discussion about possible amendments and the distinction between group homes and unsupervised residences, the committee approved HB 2870 with a do-pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 2413, which requires GPS or electronic monitoring for registered sex offenders who are homeless or lack a permanent address until they obtain one. Supporters said the bill would close a gap because transient registrants are only required to check in every 90 days, leaving law enforcement without regular location information; a policy analyst said monitoring could be implemented through existing systems, though costs and administration would vary. Opponents argued the bill raises due process and equal protection concerns, duplicates existing reporting requirements, and could impose costs on people trying to stabilize their lives. The committee passed HB 2413 on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 2720, which increases the penalty for purchasing prostitution to a class 6 felony and directs a $200 assessment to the anti-human trafficking fund, with an amendment clarifying the affirmative defense for trafficking victims and restricting use of the assessment to trafficking services. Supporters, including the sponsor, prosecutors, Phoenix police, and a city council member, said the bill targets buyers who drive demand and exploitation. Opponents from criminal justice and anti-violence groups argued the bill could still ensnare trafficking victims and sex workers, especially because the affirmative defense may be hard to assert in practice. After adopting the amendment, the committee gave HB 2720, as amended, a do-pass recommendation by an 8-0-1 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate services passes.
• </c> to service and to develop leadership. to service and to develop leadership.
• . lives. lives.
• Not<01:07:58.240><c> saving</c><01:07:58.720><c> lives,</c> Not saving lives, Not saving lives, not<01
• </c> in our lives, including in our housing. in our lives, including in our housing.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing oversight by the Attorney General, the Department of Financial Services, and the Office of Insurance
• I can't afford to live in Miami. I have to move out. I can't afford to live in Miami.
• As we know, the cost of living is increasing throughout our state.
• This bill will also prohibit a money service business from avoiding disciplinary action by clarifying
• Scott Jenkins, waiving and supporting, representing the American Financial Services Association.

Bills: S0266 , S0394 , S0540 , S0632 , S0642 , S0832 , S0834 , S1028

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: public adjuster, contract cancellation, state of emergency, vulnerable adults, disciplinary actions, financial regulation, information security, financial exploitation, licensing, transportation, insurance, TNC, ride-sharing, automobile liability, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, residential property insurance

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on insurance requirements for nonprofit religious organizations and health care sharing ministries. The bill repeals a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing fraud and disclosure protections; opponents said allowing agents and brokers could create consumer confusion and has been associated with bad actors. A title amendment was adopted, and after debate the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and passed SB 642, which extends reporting and duty requirements to foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and SB 394, a technical bill updating reinsurance intermediary manager law to match current DFS practice. SB 266, which lets vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, was reported favorably after testimony from supporters in the insurance and elder law communities and a public adjuster who said the intent was good but the bill may need refinement. SB 832, a residential property insurance transparency bill requiring rate breakdown reports and a consumer resource center, also passed after discussion about consumer clarity and whether the required cost categories can be compiled as written. Later, the committee approved SB 540, which creates cybersecurity requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, closes a regulatory gap for certain investment advisers, adjusts OFR examination-payment deadlines, changes de novo charter requirements, allows virtual credit union meetings, and makes other financial regulation updates. Several amendments were adopted, including a substitute amendment removing fintech sandbox provisions. Finally, SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was reported favorably after debate over a commercial lines clearinghouse intended to reduce Citizens’ exposure and shift more business to the private market; members discussed taxpayer risk, market competition, and consumer protections. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• What type of services are you doing? Are you doing legal advocacy? Are you doing crisis services?
• And then after that, 12% is other services. like legal advocacy, crisis services, other human trafficking
• Protect and financially reward first responders and emergency services personnel for years of service
• It was over 750,000 services with counseling representing the number one service across victims.
• Thank you all for your service.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Information Technology Services.
• He's lived in Idaho for over 30 years.
• It would account for standards of living.
• So that said, cost of living is still a concern.
• So that could be a relief to rising cost of living.

Summary: The committee was convened to review Idaho’s economic outlook and general fund revenue projections, with members instructed to complete and submit individual “homework” revenue projections for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 by noon the next day. Chairmen explained the binder materials, the committee’s constitutional charge, and the plan to compile member projections into an average and median for deliberation and a recommendation to JFAC. They also noted the meeting was being broadcast publicly and thanked staff and presenters. Keith Bybee of Legislative Services Office outlined the state’s general fund budget picture, emphasizing structural imbalance between revenues and expenditures, the impact of statutory spending growth, and the need to decide whether to address the gap through spending cuts, cash balances, or other policy changes. He highlighted major budget drivers such as Medicaid expansion, public defender costs, IT consolidation, public school funding changes, and water resources spending, and discussed available cash reserves, including the budget stabilization fund. Committee members asked about Medicaid’s net cost, the treatment of the $330 million school funding adjustment, the Millennium Fund, and whether rainy-day funds or interest earnings were being used in the governor’s budget. Aaron Phipps of the Division of Financial Management presented the executive revenue forecast and explained changes in reporting for sales tax and the tax relief fund, including how certain transfers would now be treated as accrued general fund revenue. She described a sharp but likely temporary drop in corporate income tax collections tied to federal tax changes and taxpayer behavior, especially the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the SALT workaround, and said the overall income tax forecast remained relatively steady. Robert Spindlove of Zions Bank described national conditions, including lower Fed rates, a re-steepening yield curve, higher tariffs, mixed inflation signals, slowing but not contracting labor markets, and continued consumer spending, and said 2026 looked like a rebuilding year. Sam Wilkenhauer of the Idaho Department of Labor reported that Idaho’s labor market remained strong, with low unemployment, steady job growth, balanced industry expansion, and wage growth moderating from the overheated post-pandemic period; he forecast continued but more sustainable growth over the next two years.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that the driver and vehicle services that the driver and vehicle services operating<00:35:48.960
• Well, driver services operating account.
• Students changed three people's lives.
• </c> often just feet away from live traffic. often just feet away from live traffic.
• </c><00:58:56.960><c> to</c> women who risk their lives to women who risk their lives to accommodate<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, committee members, staff, presenters, and all who are watching live on TVW, to the Senate Environment
• Anyway, Christine Brewer here today representing Washington Water Service, and we are a private water
• Christine Brewer here today representing Washington Water Service, and we are a private water utility
• Christine Brewer here today representing Washington Water Service, and we are a private water utility
• It authorizes an electric utility to recover the costs of service charge to include both installation

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you put a new large user on in our service territory, I live in Ameren service territory in the central
• service agreements.
• service agreements.
• In our opinion, the Public Service Commission did not go nearly far enough.
• The Public Service Commission...

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The Missouri House Committee on Utilities held an informational hearing on data centers, with the chair saying the goal was to hear different perspectives and better understand the issue before future legislation. No public testimony was taken, but three invited speakers presented: a labor representative, an Ameren Missouri executive, and a consumer advocate. The discussion focused on the economic benefits of data centers, including construction jobs, local hiring, apprenticeship opportunities, tax revenue for schools and local governments, and related spending by Missouri businesses. The labor witness described current Montgomery County projects, said hundreds of Missourians were already working there, and argued that closed-loop cooling and generator noise were manageable. Committee members also raised questions about water use, noise, cybersecurity, local hiring, and how much tax revenue a project could generate annually. Ameren’s Rob Dixon said Senate Bill 4 and the PSC’s large-load tariff provide key protections for ratepayers by requiring large customers to pay their own interconnection costs, sign long-term contracts, post collateral, and pay for most of their requested load even if they use less. He said those rules help prevent costs from shifting to other customers and that large loads can put downward pressure on rates by contributing to fixed system costs. Dixon also said Ameren is planning for significant new generation, including gas, nuclear, hydro, coal, and renewables, and that data centers are subject to the same load-shedding and emergency restoration rules as other customers. He noted that the protections apply to investor-owned utilities, not co-ops or municipal utilities. John Kaufman of the Consumers Council of Missouri argued the PSC protections are still too weak and warned that data centers could raise rates through construction work in progress, stranded generation costs, and other risks if projects are delayed, shrink, or fail. He urged stronger consumer protections, more upfront financial commitments from data centers, and greater transparency for ratepayers, while also suggesting community benefit agreements and cautioning against over-reliance on utility projections. Several members pushed back on his characterization of Senate Bill 4 and QIP/CWIP provisions, and the hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this hearing of the Assembly Committee on Human Services to order.
• to make a huge difference in the lives of so many children.
• Data, including the CDSS, CDE, and the California Health and Human Services Agency.
• Counties like Contra Costa County face growing challenges in delivering timely services.
• It's my lived experience.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda focused largely on CalWORKs, child care access, early childhood supports, and family stability. Measures discussed included AB 1655, which would protect CalWORKs benefits for families when a child or family member is temporarily absent due to immigration detention; AB 1746, which would require counties to give CalWORKs applicants the actual child care request form and respond within 10 days; and AB 1755, which would repeal the CalWORKs 100-hour work penalty for two-parent families. Supporters across these bills emphasized reducing poverty, preventing administrative barriers, and avoiding punishments that can destabilize working families. No opposition witnesses appeared on these items. All three bills were moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with committee amendments accepted where noted. The committee also heard AB 2072, creating a state contingency fund to keep CalFresh and WIC benefits flowing during a federal shutdown, with support from the California Retailers Association and anti-poverty groups; AB 2429, which would make targeted changes to the early childhood mental health consultation model by making one screener optional and reducing required observations; AB 1969, the "It Takes a Village Act," establishing a grant program for cradle-to-career place-based partnerships; and AB 2092, giving the Department of Social Services lead authority over an early childhood integrated data system and creating an interagency governance structure. Testimony on these bills stressed the need for coordinated services, better data, and more flexible implementation. Each advanced out of committee, with AB 1969 receiving the most discussion and a split vote before later being finalized on the record. Two additional bills addressed county administration and emergency aid. AB 2278 would authorize a Contra Costa County pilot to test technology to speed IHSS eligibility and reassessments amid heavy caseloads and penalties, while AB 2567 would let counties issue emergency CalWORKs aid without first requiring applicants to apply for all other potentially available income sources. Both were presented as ways to reduce delays and help families in crisis faster. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing several other measures. At the end of the hearing, the committee returned to open votes and finalized the roll on all items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times you have people who own hotels who do not live in that locality.
• Social workers are essential to public service in Texas.
• We support empowering people to choose how they live as they age.
• As many adults age, they live on fixed incomes and face higher healthcare costs.
• It looks like my district has the most people currently living in poverty.

Bills: HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• , intended to be a supplemental emergency transitional housing.
• We are currently looking at economic housing or labor services.
• that are in public service.
• per public service ambulance companies.
• It's intended to pay the service fee charged by Identico.

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When President Thompson took over at CPE, they started more of what I'll call transitional classes.
• now is our students are taking courses that count for credit and they're getting the wraparound services
• classes a remedial class is transitional classes a remedial class is a<00:19:39.120><c> class</c><00
• </c> they're getting the wraparound services they're getting the wraparound services to<00:19:50.240>
• can con can will confirm before service can con can can<00:20:31.760><c> begin</c><00:20:32.760><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 276, which would revise the membership of the performance-based funding work group for postsecondary education. Representative Tipton explained that the committee substitute changes the group so the CPE president chairs it as a nonvoting member, all nine university and KCTCS presidents serve as nonvoting advisory members, and the voting members are three House members, three Senate members, the state budget director, and one gubernatorial appointee. He said the goal was to reduce deadlock among institutions and allow legislators to deliberate before meetings. Some members raised concerns that the change shifts influence away from the universities and toward the legislature, but Tipton said he had not heard pushback from the presidents. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 276 with an expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached; several members voted yes, while Representative Roarx voted no and Representative Stalker passed. The committee then considered House Bill 711, another bill sponsored by Representative Baker and presented by Representative Tipton. Tipton said the measure is a cleanup bill for postsecondary statutes, repealing outdated provisions for groups that have not met in years, including the Strategic Committee on Postsecondary Education, the STEM Initiative Task Force, and local P-16 councils, and removing obsolete language about one-time board appointments. It also strikes the statutory definition of remedial education because Kentucky public postsecondary institutions no longer offer remedial classes, instead using transitional courses with wraparound support that count for credit. A question was raised about whether Senate confirmation requirements for some appointees had been removed in the committee substitute, and Tipton confirmed they had. The committee then passed HB 711 with an expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached. After the bills, the committee reviewed administrative regulations from the Council on Postsecondary Education. CPE Senior Vice President and General Counsel Travis Pahl explained that the regulations update the performance funding model for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to reflect changes made by Senate Bill 191, including a Community Needs Index that reallocates part of an equity adjustment based on regional poverty, unemployment, and labor participation across the 16 colleges. Members were told the committee could ask questions, propose amendments, or find the regulations deficient, but no further action was taken. The meeting then adjourned.