Transcript Highlights:

• So is there, I don't know if it has to be a legislative... Bakersfield for treatment.
• So is there—I don't know if it has to be a legislative fix.
• Is that a regulatory fix or is that a legislative fix? Thank you, Senator.
• Yeah, ensuring appropriate Medi-Cal eligibility enrollment is crucial, not only to...
• Appropriate Medi-Cal eligibility enrollment is crucial not only today, but also in light of a number

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that we started giving the appropriation that we started giving the appropriation was<00:54:35.440
• </c> million uh Grant is being appropriated million uh Grant is being appropriated is<01:28:37.000><c
• </c><01:33:23.239><c> for</c> then we'll make our first request for then we'll make our first request
• current request that you have that you current request that you have that you were<01:37:15.239><c> here
• </c><01:37:26.199><c> would</c> on this $10 million appropriation would on this $10 million appropriation

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• via a data that data could be requested via a data practices<00:20:41.760><c> request</c><00:20:42.960
• ><c> um</c> practices request um practices request um it<00:20:44.720><c> is</c><00:20:44.960><c> not
• </c><00:21:11.120><c> requiring</c> are passing state legislation requiring are passing state legislation
• </c><00:25:24.720><c> a</c> that background when you had requested a that background when you had requested
• </c><00:30:14.640><c> rather</c> TEGA board I can see legislation rather TEGA board I can see legislation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I would request a roll call. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.
• Roll call requested. Roll call green. Roll call requested.
• President, I request a roll call. Mr. President, I request a roll call.
• Rushing legislation never legislation. Rushing legislation never functions<02:33:15.680><c> well.
• And I request a roll call. A roll call requested. A roll call granted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> comfortable leaving the appropriation comfortable leaving the appropriation open<00:59:37.760><c
• All right then, a roll call having been requested, the Legislative Assistant will take the roll.
• <01:00:00.000><c> the</c><01:00:00.200><c> community</c><01:00:00.559><c> Legislative</c> requested the
• community Legislative requested the community Legislative Assistant<01:00:01.359><c> will</c><01:00:
• Are we anticipating that in some of the current or future requests for appropriations from the state?

Bills: HF601 , HF271 , HF1101 , HF979

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> session,</c> During the 2025 legislative session, During the 2025 legislative session, this<00:03
• </c> And so would it be appropriate And so would it be appropriate Senator<01:00:31.760><c> Hoffman,<
• Uh, Senator Abeler, we can request that someone from DHS come down, but if they don't have the appropriate
• </c> if if they don't have the appropriate if if they don't have the appropriate person<01:02:08.400>
• > the</c><01:02:12.040><c> Commissioner</c> Maybe we could request the Commissioner Maybe we could request

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know specifically there was broad legislation for school districts, right?
• This is a Legislative Women's Caucus priority bill.
• And I don't think it's appropriate for you to be out of the home.
• Like, many $150,000 requests as needed? For each of the contracts.
• So I'm not clear why the need for additional legislation here.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the legislative auditor.
• He's requested to be heard next. Mr.
• And this is from the Legislative Auditor's Office.
• The present proposed legislation gives The present proposed legislation gives no requirements for the
• I didn't think that was appropriate for us.

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported House Bill 1175, which updates aeronautics-related definitions to make Louisiana more attractive to the aviation industry. It then approved House Bill 655, giving DOTD clearer authority to contract for operation and maintenance of state ferry systems on a cost-plus basis, with testimony focused on flexibility for the Cameron Ferry and other state-run ferries. House Bill 1037, which reorganizes certain DOTD operations by shifting duties to a chief operating officer and extending work on a unified permitting platform, was also reported favorably, as was House Bill 1174, which recreates the Department of Transportation and Development on a revised cycle. House Bill 714 was voluntarily deferred. The committee next took up several port-related measures. House Bill 871, which would have added two St. Tammany appointees to the Port of New Orleans board, was voluntarily deferred after the author said the timing was premature given ongoing work on the LIT project and regional trade zone issues. House Bill 345, expanding the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure at ports, was reported favorably. House Bill 713, which would cap the Caddo-Bossier Port executive director’s compensation at the statewide average of the top ten port directors, drew extensive testimony for and against; supporters argued the salary was excessive and the port needed accountability, while opponents said ports are different from one another, the local appointing authorities already oversee the board, and the bill could hurt recruitment. The committee voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer HB 713. House Bill 667, which would change the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission from appointed to elected members, also drew strong opposition over cost, voter confusion, and loss of local appointing authority, and it too was involuntarily deferred by a 12-1 vote. The committee then favorably reported House Bill 743, creating the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish, after testimony that the airport should be managed as a dedicated economic development asset. House Bill 836, which would reconfirm members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East, was amended to move the reconfirmation date from August 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026, to avoid disrupting hurricane-season operations, and was reported favorably by substitute. Finally, House Bill 730, concerning the use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data, was discussed with an amendment limiting the bill’s application to smaller aircraft; the measure was presented as a privacy and safety bill to prevent assessors or others from using ADS-B data to impose fees or taxes on aircraft owners.

Transcript Highlights:

• We request an aye vote. We'll now hear from those testifying in opposition.
• with specific detail as to what the stakeholders... and communities would like to see through the request
• Unfortunately, our requests were ignored, and so we turned to a letter of opposition. right after it
• passed appropriations in the Senate and have met with your office multiple times including again this
• Appropriations Committee, Soria? Aye. Soria, aye. Alanis? Aye. Alanis, aye. Agricuri?

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For requesting a roll call? Senator Short requests a roll call.
• For requesting a roll call? Senator Short, request a roll call.
• Do one-sixth of the members join in the request for a roll call? The request is sustained.
• President, this legislation is about accountability. Under this legislation, our law enforcement...
• But yet this legislation could have removed him.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Senate took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which would modernize and strengthen laws governing sheriffs, police chiefs, town marshals, and other law enforcement agencies, particularly by setting certification and background-check standards and addressing what happens if an elected sheriff is decertified. The chamber first considered several amendments focused on preserving voter control over sheriffs, limiting the bill’s reach, and shifting costs to the state. Amendment 632, which would have required a recall-style vote if a sheriff were found uncertified, failed. Amendment 628, which would have excluded foreign convictions from consideration, failed. Amendment 633, which would have made the state pay background-check costs, failed. Amendment 634, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s five-year uninterrupted employment requirement, failed on a roll call vote of 21 yeas to 28 nays. Members then rejected additional amendments: Amendment 631, which would have carved out an exception for Capitol security personnel, failed; Amendment 629, which would have prevented a vacancy if a sheriff was acting consistently with the state and U.S. constitutions, failed; Amendment 630, which would have created a private right of action for removed sheriffs, failed; and Amendment 627, which would have retained language barring men and women from being confined in the same cell when removing an old “police matron” provision, failed on a roll call vote of 19 yeas to 30 nays. Supporters of the bill argued it was about accountability, integrity, and aligning sheriffs with certification standards already applied to other law enforcement officers. Opponents argued it would override voter choice, create unfunded mandates, and let an unelected state body remove elected sheriffs. After amendments were disposed of, the Senate suspended the rules and advanced the bill to third reading and final passage. In final debate, supporters emphasized public safety, professional standards, and the need for clear decertification rules when a sheriff loses certification. Opponents repeatedly framed the bill as an unconstitutional intrusion on local democracy and a solution in search of a problem, warning it would disenfranchise voters and set a dangerous precedent. The transcript ends during final-passage debate, with no final vote on the bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, you may not like it, and I might not like it, but I do think that that is an appropriate thing for
• Chair, I also would like to request unanimous consent to strike title at this time.
• Members, you've heard the unanimous consent request to strike title.
• This was just something that was missed in last year's legislation as it got through that we're coming
• All parties involved from last year's legislation are great with this update.

Bills: SB2106 , SB1471 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1619

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: zoning, municipal compensation, property rights, financial impact, reversion ordinance, solid waste management, municipal authority, regulatory fees, waste reduction, environmental impact, restrictive covenants, discriminatory covenants, racially restrictive covenants, housing discrimination, Fair Housing Act, plats, subdivision plats, residential additions, county clerk, municipal ordinance

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with municipal authority, land use, waste management, and transparency. Senate Bill 2106, by Senator Brooks, would require municipalities that use a reversion ordinance to change zoning back to a prior designation to compensate landowners for any loss in property value; it passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1471, by Senator Boren, as amended, would allow cities and towns to impose narrowly tailored fees related to solid waste and packaging impacts, with revenue limited to waste collection, recycling, cleanup, education, and related contamination-reduction efforts; members discussed microplastics, bag fees, and concerns about scope and oversight, and the bill passed 6-2. Senator Nysha and the chair spoke in support of the measure as a conservation and landfill-reduction tool. Senate Bill 2139, by Senator Hicks, was presented as a cleanup bill directing county clerks to remove discriminatory language from recorded plats, including digital records, after an ordinance amending a plat is adopted and recorded. The committee adopted a committee substitute, struck title, and advanced the bill 8-0. Senate Bill 2154, by Senator Reinhardt, would require lien holders to be notified before foreclosure proceedings begin when a municipal lien is filed; Senator Nice asked whether the notice period could be defined as 10 business days, and the author agreed to discuss that with stakeholders. That bill also passed 8-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1619, by Senator Hamilton, was broadened from an original focus on data centers to a general transparency measure for municipal and county governments. It would prohibit officials from using nondisclosure agreements to conceal how public tax dollars are spent, while still protecting proprietary business information. Members discussed constituent concerns about secretive economic development deals, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee then concluded its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they funded in this budget request?
• request request extensions proa parties request extensions<04:43:04.760><c> as</c><04:43:04.920><c>
• There's no request anywhere.
• There's no request anywhere.
• There's no request anywhere.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, legislation can always be better. Okay, Chris.
• I am in favor, and NJPP is in favor of this legislation.
• Thank you. ...on this piece of legislation. Thank you.
• The legislation aims to address.
• to FY26 Appropriations Act.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is focused on creating a safe path for communities to opt in to legal street usage of
• What's the need to try to create all the legislation, then, to allow them to be driven like a vehicle
• As you remember, and as I just told everyone here, it's an opt-in type of legislation.
• So I respectfully request that you allow this to move forward as we work together, and I ask you for
• I would like to request a moment of silence for Mr. James Bennett.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework allowing counties and municipalities to designate certain roads for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) under local conditions, including driver licensing, insurance, and speed-limit restrictions below 55 mph. Senator Wright said the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and mirror the local-option approach used for golf carts. Supporters included a retired Volusia County sheriff and county commissioner, who argued UTVs are safer than golf carts and are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are designed for off-road use, lack federal safety standards, and pose crash and tire-blowout risks on public roads. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash severity, but the committee ultimately voted to report SB 356 favorably. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding, beginning with a moment of silence for JaxPort COO and former FDOT employee James Bennett. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and the Port of Palm Beach described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the need for continued state and federal support for dredging, bulkheads, cranes, rail, and terminal expansion. Senators asked about ROI, trade shifts, intermodal connections, fuel and LNG availability, leverage and reserves, and operational risks such as flooding, sea level rise, and channel depth; port officials emphasized resiliency, private partnerships, and long-term master planning. The committee also confirmed appointees to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority in one vote, with no objection. Finally, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, explaining that coordinated statewide use of LiDAR and aerial imagery could reduce duplication, improve emergency management and planning, and support insurance and storm-damage assessment. FDOT recommended a formal statewide coordination program, shared procurement and cost-sharing agreements, dedicated staffing, and statutory updates to Chapter 334 to support interagency agreements and recurring funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we use AI to address public records requests at scale so we can free up our people?
• And then the second part is that you mentioned the public records request.
• For you to consider for the 2026 legislative session.
• For the record, Omar Santana Gomez, legislative director for the Office of Equity.
• But as you all know, as legislators, there's a lot to that.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on technology in government, AI, broadband, and digital equity. Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd described the city’s AI strategy, emphasizing responsible use, privacy, security, community input, and data strategy. He said Seattle is using small pilots and partnerships to test AI for tasks such as public records processing, infrastructure inspection, and permitting, while keeping humans as the final decision-makers. Members asked about bias, liability, training on best practices, labor involvement, and public records; Lloyd said AI should remain an assistant tool, not a replacement for human judgment, and that Seattle is still testing solutions for records requests and permitting. WATech CTO Nick Stow and Deputy Director Mark Quimby discussed the state’s broader AI policy, the generative AI executive order, a sandbox with more than 15 agencies, and use cases including a resident portal, cybersecurity, and wildfire detection. They stressed consent, closed systems, human-centered design, and the need to govern all forms of AI, not just generative AI. Committee members raised concerns about federal data access, labor issues, and wildfire detection effectiveness. Spokane County IT staff described a more restrictive approach to AI, citing privacy, bias, and cyber risks. The county standardized on Microsoft Copilot as its only approved chat-style AI tool, blocked other AI chat platforms, and requires human review of all AI-generated content. They said AI is also being used by criminals for phishing and deepfakes, underscoring the need for strong policy and security controls. The committee also received an update from the Attorney General’s AI Task Force. Yuki Ishizuka said the task force has 19 members and eight subcommittees covering ethics, consumer protection, labor, health care, public safety, education, government efficiency, cybersecurity, and industry/energy. The task force is working toward an interim report due December 1, 2025 and a final report due July 1, 2026, and is reviewing recommendations through public forums and advisory committees. Ishizuka warned that a federal budget reconciliation provision could bar states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, and several members voiced support for state authority and asked about possible 2026 legislation. The committee then heard updates on broadband and digital equity. Commerce’s Dave Pringle said the BEAD broadband program is being reshaped by new NTIA guidance, which removed or reduced emphasis on several prior priorities, and Washington is now working under an expedited process to submit its state application by September 4. He noted that no projects have been built yet, that four counties did not receive applications in round two, and that the state is trying to keep applicants engaged through office hours and a shortened review window. The Office of Equity and the Digital Equity Forum reported increased participation, new members, and ongoing outreach to tribal, rural, and underserved communities, while previewing recommendations such as creating an interdepartmental digital equity team and improving data use. Finally, Lumen’s Robert Thoms described private-sector broadband deployment challenges, including permitting, regulation, and the economics of extending fiber, while noting continued investment in overbuild projects, a $30 low-cost service option tied to the former ACP, and work with the state, tribes, and libraries. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• As such, we respectfully request a no vote on SB 1414. Thank you.
• And you make an unusual request.
• Motion is do pass to Appropriations with recommendation to consent.
• Motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations with recommendation to consent.
• Motion is do pass to Appropriations with a recommendation to consent calendar.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we shall watch out as developing policies and, where appropriate, will adopt rules to govern the
• So, but we shall watch out as developing policies and where appropriate will adopt rules to govern the
• I am required to note that that is the lifespan of my legislative assistant.
• I am required to note that that is the lifespan of my legislative assistant.
• A world where I have room to get really crazy, you... ...we have one request for this bill if you're

Bills: SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:39:44.320><c> a</c> Senator Alt Schiller has requested a Senator Alt Schiller has requested a
• Passing this legislation does statewide.
• ><c> to</c> legisl legislative study committee to legisl legislative study committee to examine<05:03
• </c> wardens and matrons do the appropriate wardens and matrons do the appropriate thing<05:10:12.718
• Critically, PAS legislation problems.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• request.
• >> We’ve modified our request down. We’re no longer requesting 70.
• </c> requesting to stay at 62. requesting to stay at 62.
• And so the difference in our request this year from previous years is we need a general fund appropriation
• And so the difference in our request this year from previous years is we need a general fund appropriation

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 2, line 21, after 7, insert the request. Last line.
• On page 2, line 21, after 7, insert the request. Last line.
• It has been changed by legislation that was passed last year.
• During last year's committee exec vote on this bill, several legislators voted no.
• Friday, January 16th, the fifth legislative day, hearing no objection, so ordered.

Bills: HB1175 , HB1376 , HB1500 , HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas