Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to make a motion to adopt amendment number 0743 H.
• The amendment is 0733 H, that was distributed a few minutes ago to all members of the committee.
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Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote: 108 yeas, 1 nay, Mr. Speaker.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108, yay is one name, Mr. Madam Speaker.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Speaker.
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108 yeas, zero nays, Mr. Speaker.
• He did not seek re-election after the 1927 session because of his declination.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the House would focus on Senate bills and returning messages, and that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed by the end of the week. The chamber then adopted the special order calendar for the day. The House passed several technical and open-government bills, mostly on strong bipartisan votes. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and reviser changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public records or meeting exemptions involving the Public Service Commission, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety investigations, cybersecurity, small business loan records, trade secrets, emergency shelter locations, and conviction integrity units. Members asked questions on several of these bills, especially about the scope and purpose of the exemptions, but the bills generally advanced with little opposition. The chamber also took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund and drew extended debate over whether the fund had been misused for the Everglades detention facility; an Escamani amendment to let the fund expire failed, while a Griffiths amendment adding limits and oversight was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 82-25. CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency passed unanimously after supporters highlighted nature-based shoreline protection and a Biscayne Bay provision. CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits passed after a House amendment aligned it with the House version. CS/SB 474 on military affairs passed unanimously after an amendment allowing local governments to extend Guard leave. SB 488 on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was debated extensively over vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and I-94 documentation, with amendments including one for disabled veterans and another on dealer allocation; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, what I would like to see is the pros and cons, because some of these, I just look, we got a bunch
• Chairman, is the approval of contracts on tab H.
• taking into custody and putting into foster care have an almost one in five chance of being abandoned or re-abused

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognize him because he's a re recognizable guy. Thank you, Senator Woods.
• But my question is, why couldn't we have To where I at least understand the pros and cons.
• Uh, items H and I are sort of general topics. They're broad items.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's hard because I can see the pros and cons, but when it comes to party membership, it's different
• It's hard because I can see the pros and cons, but when it comes to party membership, it's different
• It's hard because I can see the pros and cons, but when it comes to party membership, it's different
• support next is Jerome par Carl<00:15:49.399><c> for</c><00:15:49.560><c> the</c><00:15:49.639><c> h<
• Police Department on Zoom Carl for the h Police Department on Zoom maybe<00:15:52.279><c> they're</c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that was included in the SB 108 report we submitted recently to the Legislature, and I think the
• The SB 108 report did provide options and information for the Legislature to consider if there's an interest
• We really want to caution against expanding prison-like re-entry facilities run by the same department
• CDCR recently released the SB 108 report regarding alternatives to incarceration for the elderly, disabled
• budgetary oversight and legislative action, so we want to uplift important solutions mentioned in the SB 108

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to all the legislators here for your consideration to oppose H. 355.
• 330, S. 221, and H. 371.
• For these reasons, RAM asks for support of H. 330 and S. 221 to advance.
• I oppose these bills, H. 330, S. 21, and also H. 371.
• H. 330, S. 21... ...to make informed choices, not confuse or criminalize them.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with the longest discussion focused on House Bill 426 and Senate Bill 263, which would prohibit the sale in Massachusetts of cosmetics known to rely on vertebrate animal testing. Supporters from Animal Defenders International, Humane World for Animals, and the Animal Rescue League said animal testing is cruel, outdated, and unreliable, and pointed to non-animal alternatives and similar laws in other states and countries. No opposition was heard on that bill during the excerpt, and witnesses urged the committee to report it favorably. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 4543, which would clarify an existing pipe-fitting exemption for certain work performed on property owned by industrial plants, utilities, colleges, and similar institutions. A representative for Construction Industries of Massachusetts supported the bill, saying it would preserve longstanding practice for outside contractors doing yard piping work. Pipefitters Local 537 opposed it, arguing the work is properly licensed pipefitting and that the bill would weaken licensing standards and undermine state inspectors. Another major topic was Senate Bill 237 on regulating self-checkouts in grocery establishments. The Mass AFL-CIO and UFCW Local 1445 supported the bill, saying self-checkout has reduced staffing, increased worker stress and customer conflict, and contributed to theft and safety problems. Workers described being responsible for multiple machines at once, verbal abuse, and even assaults, and said the bill’s staffing and machine limits would improve safety and customer service. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 355, which would allow veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship via telehealth; ASPCA, MSPCA, and several veterinarians supported it as a way to expand access to care, while the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians opposed it, arguing that an in-person exam is essential for proper diagnosis and that telemedicine should only follow an in-person VCPR. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 330, Senate Bill 221, and House Bill 371, which would preempt local boards of health from adopting tobacco-related age or sales restrictions beyond the statewide standard. Public health advocates opposed the bills, arguing they would block local innovation and undermine nicotine-free generation policies adopted by municipalities, while retailers and tobacco trade groups supported them as necessary to preserve a uniform statewide age-21 standard and avoid confusion for consumers and businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have an amendment ending in 0.03-H. It has been distributed, and I move for its adoption.
• All those in favor of supporting House Amendment 0.03-H, say aye. Aye.
• House Amendment 0.03-H, say aye. Aye. In favor of adopting, you voted. You think I mean. Okay.
• All those in favor of adopting 0.03-H, say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no.
• get these topics that we've been hearing so we can all sit around and talk about them, the pros and cons

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• So in those cases, that's just kind of a reality of where the federal subsidies go, whereas the re-verification
• So in those cases, that's just kind of a reality of where the federal subsidies go, whereas the re-verification
• Maryland, they—yeah, policy example—and I'm assuming basically if you could expound upon the pro and con
• government was shut down with the SNAP program, and this is going on with the Rainy Day Fund, we saw an H

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Doug Howe of the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and Evan Horowitz of Tufts on the fiscal effects of federal policy changes, especially the OB3 reconciliation law, federal shutdown risks, and Massachusetts budget planning. Howe outlined a framework of direct and indirect federal impacts on the state budget, capital program, and grant funding, emphasizing uncertainty around Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, immigration, NIH funding, and federal tax changes. He said OB3 is expected to reduce federal health spending in Massachusetts by about $3 billion annually when fully implemented, with an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 people losing coverage, and could shift up to $400 million in annual SNAP costs to the state if Massachusetts’ error rate remains above the federal threshold. He also discussed the governor’s proposal to delay conformity with certain federal tax changes and to expand the pass-through entity tax to offset revenue losses. Members questioned the witnesses about SNAP error rates, unemployment insurance, the use of the stabilization fund, and whether the state should adopt a Maryland-style delay in implementing federal tax changes. Howe argued the stabilization fund should not be used to backfill permanent obligations, but could be used for temporary crises, and said the state should improve data-sharing and administrative systems so eligible residents do not lose MassHealth or other benefits because of paperwork barriers. He also said unemployment insurance remains a major problem and that a broader fix should include benefit, tax, and possibly state contributions. Horowitz took a more aggressive view on using reserves for urgent needs like SNAP, argued the state should harden its budget against volatility, and warned that Massachusetts is increasingly exposed to stock-market-driven revenue swings and to a possible income tax ballot question that could significantly reduce revenues. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair asked both witnesses for follow-up written recommendations, especially on system integration and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the difference between an I-B-H-T-F and an ESF?
• There are also just some new restrictions around access to subsidies: annual re-verification.
• Currently, folks can maintain their coverage and be automatically re-enrolled in the subsidy program,
• And so this bullet isn't making any statement pro or con, but it did introduce policy changes that states

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a work session covering juvenile rehabilitation system capacity, behavioral health capacity, federal funding changes, and a 2026 budget overview. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth and post-25 residents, and is projected to keep growing, creating crowding at Green Hill School and placement limits across the system. They described safe operating capacity concerns, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for additional medium-security and specialized mental health beds, including a proposed Parkland facility and continued development of Harbor Heights. Committee members were told to follow up separately with questions, and the presentation moved on due to time. Behavioral health officials from DSHS and HCA then reviewed forensic and civil capacity. DSHS described expanding state hospital and civil treatment capacity through Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, Brockman Campus, and a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State, while noting ongoing construction, staffing, and funding issues. HCA outlined its strategy to move long-term civil commitment care into community settings through contracted long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams. Members asked about out-of-state placements, Medicaid funding, and the differences among facility types; officials said the goal is to right-size inpatient capacity while expanding community-based supports. OFM then presented an update on federal funding and the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371. Agency staff said H.R. 1 would tighten SNAP work requirements, reduce exemptions, shift some lawful immigrants to state-funded food assistance, increase state administrative and benefit costs, and affect Medicaid eligibility, redeterminations, cost sharing, and state-directed payments. HCA estimated major Medicaid caseload reductions and significant future fiscal impacts, while OFM also noted marketplace subsidy changes and higher education and K-12 downstream effects. H.R. 5371 was described as a short-term federal funding extension through January 30, 2026, with some full-year appropriations and a change affecting hemp producers. Finally, Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview, citing declining NGFO revenue forecasts, reversions, vetoes, and the added uncertainty from H.R. 1, with the projected ending fund balance moving from positive amounts to a negative outlook over the four-year period.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very quickly, what's the difference between an I-B-H-T-F and an ESF?
• There are also just some new restrictions around access to subsidies, so annual re-verification.
• Currently, folks can maintain their coverage and be automatically re-enrolled in the subsidy program,
• This bullet isn't making any statement pro or con, but it did introduce policy changes that states are

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may be
• Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may be
• </c> Referrals and re-referrals are made in accordance with the supplemental orders of the day that may
• <00:13:35.680><c> contact</c><00:13:36.040><c> the</c><00:13:36.199><c> house</c><00:13:36.560><c> cons
• </c><00:13:37.360><c> consumer</c> can contact the house cons consumer can contact the house cons consumer

Transcript Highlights:

• Your amendment to Senate Bill 15, members, this is on page 100 through 108. This is item D-21.
• It just deletes that section and re-numbers the section. Members, we need a motion.
• creates an ...it creates an incentive and a mechanism for those donors to come back to the table and re-engage
• Is there a commitment from the commission that if they receive the funds, that they'll re-engage with
• Is there a commitment from the commission that if they receive the funds, that they'll re-engage with

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Summary: The committee reconvened and took up several amendments and bills. Senate Bill 15 was amended to transfer Keep Arkansas Beautiful functions to ARDOT and replace the current commissioners with an advisory council; the amendment was adopted without objection. An amendment to Senate Bill 7 lowering the claims-data threshold for group health insurance from 50 employees to 25, to help smaller employers and municipalities shop for coverage, was also adopted. An amendment to Senate Bill 41 that would have restricted University of Arkansas at Fayetteville athletic funding from academic funds was rejected after members questioned its scope and fiscal basis. The committee then considered an amendment to House Bill 1051 that would cap online sports-betting free play at 5% of gross receipts. Senator Hester argued the current unlimited promotions were predatory and effectively subsidized casinos, while other members questioned the tax and accounting assumptions and whether the proposal belonged in a fiscal committee. The amendment failed, and a separate agriculture-related amendment from Representatives Vaught and Painter to exempt certain tractor parts tied to diesel exhaust fluid systems was also not adopted, with members citing drafting and enforcement problems and suggesting it should go through the revenue committees. After suspending the rules to add items, the committee adopted a technical correction to Senate Bill 4 clarifying physician licensure language so the rural workforce pathway would apply to underserved and primary care shortage areas, rather than the narrower federal term originally used. The committee also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 77 deleting a fund-transfer section and instead increasing appropriation authority and creating a matching-fund mechanism to help Arkansas TV pay PBS dues, with supporters saying it would leverage private donations and preserve PBS access while allowing the commission to decide programming. The bill passed as amended, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Go ahead, Representative H. that but the bill also brings in a give that but the bill also brings in
• go thank you you have more questions go ahead<00:28:35.240><c> representative</c><00:28:36.240><c> H<
• Dante H. from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.
• /c><02:28:57.240><c> subsection</c> to 12 will'll remove subsection to 12 will'll remove subsection H<
• /c><02:29:02.000><c> on</c> H um we we'll remove subsection h on H um we we'll remove subsection h on

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard testimony on Senate Bill 897, which would create a Wildlife Liability Trust Fund within DCCA for administrative purposes. The chair opened by noting the hearing had to end by noon because of floor session, and that written testimony would be considered if not all witnesses could speak. Testimony included support from DCCA, the Attorney General’s office, the Public Utilities Commission, Charter Communications, Ulupono Initiative, AES Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy Group, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, Hawaiian Telcom, and IBW Local 1260, with opposition or concerns from the Hawaii Association for Justice and some others. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill and asked for amendments, saying the fund would help address wildfire liability, protect customers and the economy, and support restoration of investment-grade credit; it also proposed a larger shareholder contribution and said the bill was part of a broader effort to raise settlement funds and improve grid safety and resiliency. Committee members focused heavily on whether the bill would actually lower costs for ratepayers and improve credit ratings. DCCA said there was a nexus between limiting liability, creating a sufficiently large wildfire fund, and transparent mitigation requirements, but acknowledged there was no guarantee of a credit-rating improvement or precise estimate of rate impacts. Members questioned Hawaiian Electric about the assumptions in its cost comparisons, the 30-year securitization structure, and whether funding could be shifted later to shareholders after credit was restored. Hawaiian Electric responded that the bill assumes the fund is paid through securitization, that removing that presumption could undermine the credit-rating benefit, and that its models suggest credit-spread savings could offset the customer charge over time; it also said it would follow up with additional analysis. The company and Ulupono both described the measure as a difficult but potentially necessary way to socialize wildfire risk and avoid a larger crisis later. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps and raised concerns about consumer rights, oversight discretion, statute-of-limitations changes, and evidence rules. Hawaiian Telcom suggested amendments to clarify compliance with FCC pole-attachment agreements. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and members indicated they wanted more analysis before being comfortable with the bill’s long-term ratepayer impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum. 108 members voting on quorum's
• The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108 yeas, two nays, Mr. Speaker. pilots.
• Cloak will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108, yeas, two nays, Mr. Speaker.
• Clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote. 108 yeas, two nays, Mr. Speaker.
• , HB-6-45, H-HB, HB, HB 831, HB 39, CS for HB 645, HB 953, CS for HB 951, HB 603, CS for HB 1051, CS

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum and journal business before taking up the special order calendar. Several bills were explained and moved through amendment and final passage, including CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters’ child-abuse reporting violations, which was clarified on the floor to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. CS/SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to align with the House version and passed 111-0. The chamber also recognized Spina Bifida Week and guests in the gallery before considering additional measures. Members then passed CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), described as preserving the program’s actuarial soundness, by a 112-0 vote; CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund, expanded to support broader health science education programs and non-health-care partner contributions, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care facility standards by 111-0; CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, including transfer-of-ownership and MAT-related provisions, by 168-0; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, allowing limited coach support for student welfare with parental consent and other guardrails, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts, limiting use of ADS-B data for airport billing, by 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, modernizing licensure and exclusivity rules, by 111-0. The House also took up CS/SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related restrictions. The sponsor argued the bill would prohibit counties and municipalities from official DEI actions and related funding while preserving numerous exceptions for holidays, observances, public safety, and other activities. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect local programs, events, and offices, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing two prongs; debate centered on vagueness, enforcement, and local-government impacts. The transcript cuts off during consideration of that amendment, so no final action on the bill is shown. The session also included lengthy farewell remarks from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf, reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, without objection, we will move to Assembly Third Reading to take up file item 97, Assembly Bill 108
• File item 97, Assembly Bill 108. Secretary, please read.
• Assembly Bill 108 by Senator Member Gabriel, an act relating to the state budget and making an appropriation
• A.B. 108 is a budget bill junior that amends A.B. 108 is a budget bill junior that amends the Budget
• I rise in support of AB 108 and am happy to vote for this today, but I think throughout this year this

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to wait a year, so at least the VSOs will have a year to re-exempt. ...to go after a veteran
• Senator Cabaldon, you have file item 108, SB 828. Secretary, please read. File item 108, SB 828.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Alex Prettie, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments: Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures that passed included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on public contracts and contractor payment claims, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 to strengthen protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 on community land trusts and affordable housing, SB 479 allowing certain cities to share information in homeless response teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 on contractor license lapse rules, SB 490 on inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities, SB 828 requiring better state-local permit verification after the Esparto fireworks tragedy, SB 849 barring physician license renewal after specified sexual misconduct, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electrical lines and wildfire risk, SB 96 on over-amplified streaming and digital ads, SB 677 as a technical cleanup to last year’s housing law, and SB 58 on hydrogen sulfide monitoring and public health. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with overwhelming support; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some no votes but still passed. The most extended debate centered on SB 694, which would align California law with federal VA accreditation rules for those assisting veterans with benefits claims and impose penalties for unauthorized claims assistance and data access. Supporters argued it would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and ensure only accredited providers charge fees; opponents said it would reduce veterans’ choice and could limit access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 on a 29-10 vote. The session concluded with unanimous approval of the consent calendar and adjournment until January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 108 ayes and 27 nays, the House concurs with Senate amendments to House Bill 3619.
• There being 108 ayes and 28 nays, the House concurs with Senate amendments to House Bill 4464.
• But when the federal government re... Did that program then result in a loss for the districts?

Bills: HB149 , HB2017 , HB705 , HB223 , HB 1056 , HB2854 , HB4623 , HB3000 , HB46 , HB 117 , HB3619 , HB4464 , HB5646 , HCR84 , HB500 , HB2963 , HB5509 , HB1973 , HB3909 , HB718 , HB252 , HB5666 , HB 119 , HB346 , HB5624 , HB5658 , HB5677 , HB1545 , HB3073 , HB4081 , HB 121 , HB4236 , HB3848 , HB4144 , HB40 , HB5682 , HB3697 , HB3333 , HB3642 , HB20 , HB549 , HB2731 , HB4233 , HB4690 , HB 127 , HB2525 , SB1637 , SB1 , SB1198 , SB509 , SB13 , SB15 , SB30 , SB268 , SB331 , SB441 , SB447 , SB457 , SB568 , SB650 , SB763 , SB1540 , SB1610 , SB1660 , SB2018 , SB2024 , SB2217 , SB2337 , SB2753 , SB2900 , SB2972 , SB3059 , HB14

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, community supervision, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, municipality, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• comment will be heard after the presentation and discussion, and today we're going to hear Assembly Bill 108
• Guadalupe Manriquez with the Department of Finance here to present on AB 108.
• As you nicely summarized, AB 108 includes $25 million one-time General Fund for grants to hospitals in
• AB 108, the motion is to pass. Senator Laird? Aye. Senator Niello? Aye. Senator Archuleta? Aye.
• On AB 108, please call the absent member. AB 108, the motion is to pass. Senator Weber Pearson?

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress, along with a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing options, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status, with expedited contracting and rulemaking exemptions so funds could be distributed quickly. Members repeatedly questioned whether $25 million was enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day threshold was too narrow, while also raising broader concerns about hospital reimbursement rates, seismic compliance costs, federal policy changes, and the need for more up-to-date data and a longer-term solution. Several members and the LAO noted that the bill was intended as a short-term bridge to keep a very small number of hospitals open until July 1, while the larger distressed-hospital discussion would continue in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Some members argued the state should consider grants rather than loans more broadly, and others emphasized that hospitals serving Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, including safety-net facilities like MLK Community Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, face structural pressures. Public comment was uniformly supportive of the bill, with the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, counties, and CHLA all backing the proposal and urging additional funding for distressed hospitals in the coming budget. The committee approved AB 108 on a roll call vote of 18-0 and held the roll open briefly to secure remaining votes before formally reporting the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is Senate Bill 108 on administrative procedures by Senator Grall.
• On behalf of Senator Grall, Senator Burgess will be explaining Senate Bill 108 today.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 108 is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 108 is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator.
• So I would vote yes on SB 108 that I missed. Is anybody else? Is there objection?

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up two bills and one presentation. Senate Bill 108, on administrative procedures, was presented by Senator Burgess on behalf of Senator Grall. The bill would require agencies to systematically review rules over five years old, submit annual regulatory plans and reports, and take action on reviewed rules; it also would speed publication of proposed rules after new rulemaking authority and expand transparency for incorporated materials and rule histories. Americans for Prosperity appeared in support, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer on implementation of statutory investment restrictions affecting state funds. He reviewed the SBA’s structure and fiduciary duties, said the agency must maximize financial return using only pecuniary factors, and described the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions involving Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He noted recent changes, including expanded Iran restrictions after the October 7 attacks, the addition of China-related divestment requirements, and the SBA’s move to eliminate China and Hong Kong from its global equity benchmarks; he said the agency is ahead of schedule on required divestment and in compliance with the law. Senate Bill 100, on display of flags by governmental entities, was then presented by Chair Fine. The bill would prohibit political flags on government buildings and allow active-duty service members and veterans to use reasonable force to stop flag desecration. The committee heard extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing government buildings should not display political messages and opponents raising First Amendment, vagueness, and enforcement concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ-related flags and school settings. Senators also questioned the bill’s definitions and the reasonable-force provision. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 100 favorably, with Senators Arrington and Polsky voting no and Senators Brodeur, McClain, Rodriguez, Fine, and Chair DeSiglie voting yes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Rodriguez was recorded as voting yes on SB 108, and the committee adjourned.