Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr.
• Speaker, I rise to commend uh the Mr.
• And I commend<04:33:28.639><c> Mrs.
• Samantha Harvey for her commend Mrs.
• </c><04:34:43.600><c> her</c> like her in Congress and I commend her like her in Congress and I commend

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just wanted to stand today and commend Senator Kaladayud for bringing this forward.
• I also want to commend Senator Ruson, who has kind of been carrying this mantle in his own way.
• First, I just want to thank you and commend you because in the history of this chamber over the last
• I commend everyone for saying what they needed to say about the conversation to protect personal property
• I will not miss another one of her birthdays, and I will return to who I was when I became a young man

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to the special order calendar and took up a long series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills before final passage. Among the measures approved were bills creating an expedited DNA testing grant program for local law enforcement, adding aggravating factors in capital cases involving gatherings for religious, school, or government activities, requiring state health coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, authorizing indemnification for commuter rail providers, prohibiting abandonment of migrant vessels in Florida waters, and creating new specialty license plates. The Senate also passed bills on Alzheimer’s awareness, relocating the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter schools, sex offender registration, utility worker protections, juvenile justice, student mental health reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School, school readiness, sexual images involving children, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county property appraiser employees. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and Brownfields. Debate was especially extensive on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered but failed 13-23 after arguments over election-related communications and the scope of existing law. The certified recovery residences bill also drew notable debate, with supporters emphasizing housing as essential to recovery and opponents raising concerns about implementation and local control. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes, including the capital aggravating factors bill, charter schools, and the Office of Faith and Community measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we approach America's 250th birthday, we have much to celebrate.
• 250th birthday, we have much to<00:06:17.360><c> celebrate.
• Chairman, I want to end by again commending all those involved and my friend Mr.
• and my commending all those involved and my friend<05:12:56.560><c> Mr.
• </c><07:50:47.920><c> Eric</c> district, it is my honor to commend Eric district, it is my honor to commend

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The University of Texas, as an Aggie, I have to commend them.
• The University of Texas, as an Aggie, I have to commend them.
• The University of Texas, as an Aggie, I have to commend them.
• Little baby Tensley just celebrated her seventh birthday.
• A little baby Tensley just celebrated her seventh birthday.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• We commend your efforts to find bipartisan compromise, and under these circumstances, inevitably not
• We commend<01:12:54.560><c> your</c><01:12:54.800><c> efforts</c><01:12:55.199><c> to</c><01:12:55.360
• ><c> find</c><01:12:55.679><c> bipartisan</c> commend your efforts to find bipartisan commend your efforts
• because he started with the story of his mom, and I wanted to speak today because today is my mom's birthday
• :34:15.679><c> his</c><01:34:15.840><c> mom</c> Representative Lee continued, “Today is my mom's birthday

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I would want to commend that as well, too, just because, um... All right.
• Well, I would want to commend that as well, too, just because, you know, committee assignments might
• In one test, a researcher submitted a false driver's license and a birthday to buy a BB gun, and the

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the main discussion focused on AB 1705, AB 1898, AB 2076, and AB 2564. AB 1705 would require pornographic websites and uploaders to certify consent and age before sexually explicit content is posted, including AI-generated nude images, and would allow civil actions by nonconsenting individuals or minors depicted in the material. Supporters, including child advocacy, women’s groups, district attorneys, and university women’s organizations, said it would help combat nonconsensual sexual imagery and revenge pornography; there was no opposition testimony, and the bill drew favorable comments from members. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI-powered tools to surveil or manage employees, including disclosure of the purpose, data collected, decisions affected, and general locations of use. Labor groups and privacy advocates supported the measure as a transparency and worker-protection bill, while business and industry groups opposed it, arguing the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements could expose proprietary or security-sensitive information, and the private right of action could lead to litigation and overbroad compliance burdens. Members raised cybersecurity and scope concerns, and the author said the bill had already been narrowed and would continue to be refined, but the committee ultimately took a roll call and advanced the bill on a vote, leaving it on call for absent members. AB 2076 would add nitrous oxide to the list of products subject to online age verification under the Parents’ Accountability and Child Protection Act and increase penalties for large sellers that fail to comply. The author and supporters, including a parent, a deputy district attorney, narcotics officers, Children Now, labor, and the Children’s Advocacy Institute, described rising youth access, health harms, and online sales loopholes. Some opposition groups said they appreciated the amendments but remained concerned about other provisions. Members questioned the bill’s gift-card restrictions and whether they would unnecessarily limit adult purchasing choices; the author and committee staff explained the restriction was aimed at anonymous purchases of the most dangerous items. The bill passed on a 7-0 vote and was left on call for absent members. AB 2564 would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” or using personal data to set individualized prices, while preserving certain transparent discounts and loyalty programs. The author and supporters from Consumer Reports, TechEquity, labor, and privacy groups argued the bill would prevent discriminatory pricing and protect consumers from opaque data-driven price manipulation. Retail, chamber, and industry opponents said the bill was too broad, could chill legitimate discounts and promotions, created compliance and litigation risks, and contained vague definitions. Members discussed the balance between consumer protection and business concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote on AB 2564.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I would want to commend that as well, too, just because, um... All right.
• Well, I would want to commend that as well, too, just because, you know, committee assignments might
• In one test, a researcher submitted a false driver's license and a birthday to buy a BB gun, and the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Woodson, I just want to commend you for the consideration and make hoping that today this
• I wanted to commend Representative Aristide.
• And so Representative Cassell, I really commend you on all the work that you've done.
• And I commend you both for this great policy and working together on it to save lives. Thank you.
• all and ask that you join me in wishing my boy, Representative Chase Tramont Jr., a happy second birthday

Keywords: 998, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> resolution commending and congratulating resolution commending and congratulating the<00:17:12.319
• Senate Resolution Number 124, commend Ingomar Lady Falcons basketball team for... 106 commend Simpson
• :34:41.360><c> Simpson</c> Resolution number 107 commend Simpson Resolution number 107 commend Simpson
• </c> Senate Resolution number 108 commend Senate Resolution number 108 commend Brookhaven<00:34:51.360
• ><c> Mississippi</c> 109 commend Northwest Mississippi 109 commend Northwest Mississippi Community<00

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you make dinner for your family or cut a cake on someone's birthday, should you or your...
• ><c> someone's</c> your family or cut a cake on someone's your family or cut a cake on someone's birthday
• 13.920><c> should</c><00:11:14.240><c> you</c><00:11:14.880><c> or</c><00:11:15.120><c> your</c> Birthday
• One of the things that I did was commend them for answering the call to serve and their willingness to
• </c><01:46:55.280><c> them</c> the things that I did was commend them the things that I did was commend

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants. Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors. After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's his birthday.
• That's his<02:11:00.960><c> birthday.
• That</c><02:11:01.840><c> happens</c><02:11:02.079><c> to</c><02:11:02.239><c> coincide</c> his birthday
• That happens to coincide his birthday.
• I commend Representative Moran abroad.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Babies did not live to see their first birthday.
• There live to see their first birthday.
• Willis has lived a life of birthday. Mr.
• Willis, for 99th birth birthday, Mr.
• Police Week, I rise to commend the Police Week, I rise to commend the bravery<06:51:10.558><c> of</c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Dr.
• Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Dr.
• I want to commend service to our nation.
• I commend Representative Pallone for his work on this legislation.
• ><c> and</c> commend Representatives Carbajal and commend Representatives Carbajal and Valido<05:38:10.320

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I commend the chair and committee staff for their work and thoughtful analysis of this bill.
• He died in his bedroom less than two weeks after his 16th birthday.
• His birthday balloons were still up in his room.
• First of all, I want to commend the author and certainly those providing testimony.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everett, and Wells of Milton, celebrating Caroline San Martino Moran on the occasion of her 80th birthday
• right of the rostrum, are here to accept a resolution filed by Representative Gonzalez and DeCoste, commending

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority. Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, there are people who are making it, but Christmas comes or a birthday comes, and it's an expense
• But listen, I would like to commend you. I think you do have a good bill.

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 12 and considered a wide range of health, social services, and licensing measures. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably HCR 98, which asks the Louisiana Department of Health to study whether SNAP recipients should be allowed to use benefits for grocery delivery fees. The author said the proposal would not change SNAP rules directly, but would examine access issues for elderly, disabled, rural, and transportation-limited residents. The committee also advanced SB 273, a hospice patient-protection bill requiring documentation of hydration, nutrition, and care decisions in inpatient licensed facilities where hospice is provided, with LDH oversight and enforcement authority; members discussed how responsibility is shared between facilities and outside hospice providers, and adopted technical amendments. The committee then approved SB 415, creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program, a privately funded charitable food-card program intended to let nonprofits distribute food-only cards to people in need. Members and the author discussed whether the cards would be reloadable, which retailers could accept them, and whether prepared foods could be included; LDH said the program could use all SNAP-authorized retailers, and the bill was reported favorably with amendments. SB 437, a cleanup bill for judicially referred residential substance abuse treatment facilities, was also reported favorably with amendments after LDH clarified that facilities providing treatment must be licensed, while residences only housing individuals would not be. SB 451, updating newborn hearing screening terminology and reporting requirements, was reported favorably after testimony that the bill would strengthen early detection and follow-up for deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Later, the committee advanced SB 426, which modernizes the addictive disorder regulatory authority and creates a formal peer support specialist licensing pathway. Supporters said the bill would strengthen the behavioral health workforce, improve accountability, and create a progression from peer support to higher credentials; the committee adopted technical and transition amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments. SB 236, requiring LDH annual reviews and reports on kidney disease treatment services in Medicaid, was also reported favorably with amendments. Additional measures approved included SB 39, allowing provisional licenses for massage therapy graduates; SB 190, which tightens oversight of poor-performing nursing facilities in the CMS Special Focus Facility Program and sets an 18-month improvement timeline; SB 124, allowing hospitals within the same health system to share peer review records without waiving privilege; HR 174, urging study of fenbendazole as a possible cancer treatment; SB 270, allowing terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana in health care facilities; SB 359, changing terms for certain Morehouse Parish hospital district commissioners; and HR 194, requesting de-identified school visual acuity screening data for research. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, several with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, there are people who are making it, but Christmas comes or a birthday comes, and it's an expense
• But listen, I would like to commend you. I think you do have a good bill.

Bills: HR174, HR194, HCR98, SB39, SB124, SB190, SB236, SB270, SB273, SB359, SB415, SB426, SB437, SB451

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• Everett, and Wells of Milton, celebrating Caroline San Martino Moran on the occasion of her 80th birthday
• right of the rostrum, are here to accept a resolution filed by Representative González and DeCoste, commending

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran on her 80th birthday and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It then advanced a bill authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, adopting the Ways and Means amendment and ordering the bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up and advanced another bill, Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust, and Equal Constitutional Treatment (the “Protect Act”), after a brief recess and a quorum call. Most of the transcript focused on House Bill 5305, the Protect Act, which was described by supporters as a measure to separate state and local law enforcement from civil immigration enforcement, prohibit ICE arrests in courthouses without a judicial warrant, limit cooperation with ICE on civil matters, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, expedite U and T visa certifications, and create rules for sensitive spaces and enforcement by the Attorney General. Supporters from both parties and several caucuses argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, and preserve public safety by maintaining trust in courts, schools, and communities. Several members also spoke from personal experience as immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, or law enforcement professionals. The House considered and voted on a series of amendments to H.5305. Amendment 6 to strike Section 4 failed; Amendment 7, which would have required ICE civil warrants to be presented to a court and reviewed for impact on justice, failed; Amendment 2, adding immigration judges to the bill’s definition of government, failed; Amendment 3, concerning 287(g) agreements and federal reimbursement, was withdrawn; Amendment 13, expediting U visa certifications when a family member is aging out, was adopted by roll call 150-3; Amendment 10, clarifying the definition of law enforcement agency/officer to include sheriffs’ correctional roles, was adopted 127-25; Amendment 5, expanding a release-date provision, was adopted 154-0; and Amendment 14, addressing school-related protections and ICE presence, was adopted 135-18. The bill itself was still under consideration at the end of the transcript, with debate continuing after the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everett, and Wells of Milton, celebrating Caroline San Martino Moran on the occasion of her 80th birthday
• right of the rostrum, are here to accept a resolution filed by Representative González and DeCoste, commending

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a commendable first step.
• for two weeks in between because I was formerly incarcerated from age 12 all the way to my 17th birthday

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, with the chair outlining hearing procedures and several bills on consent. The committee heard and advanced AB 1581, which would improve collection of tribal affiliation data for California students so Native students are more accurately counted and better served; supporters said current systems undercount Native students and erase their needs. AB 1586 also passed, requiring school resource officers who volunteer to carry naloxone to receive opioid overdose response training every two years; supporters emphasized student safety and the need for rapid response to overdoses on campus, while one school employees’ group raised concerns about retaliation protections for non-volunteers. Both bills were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations, with roll calls held open for absent votes. The committee then approved AB 1943, which updates school notices about secure firearm storage by making the information clearer, more visible, and more likely to reach families at key moments such as counseling or discipline interventions. Supporters from gun violence prevention groups, educators, and parents argued that many school shooters obtain guns from home and that plain-language, digital, and timely notices could help prevent child deaths and suicides; the author shared a personal story about a child accessing a gun at home. AB 1792 also advanced, directing the Instructional Quality Commission to consider updating health education to address digital safety issues such as deepfakes, extortion, grooming, and AI-generated exploitation; supporters said students need instruction that reflects modern online risks, while an opponent objected to language referencing LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse students. AB 1653 passed as well, adding heat-illness guidance to the health framework after a young Girl Scout described students suffering during extreme heat and not recognizing symptoms. Later, the committee approved AB 1861, which would require the California Department of Education to create a public database of special education investigation reports with personal information redacted; supporters said families need better access to complaint outcomes and accountability, while an opposition witness warned of unintended consequences, misuse of incomplete information, and added burdens on districts. AB 1721 also moved forward, creating a stakeholder work group to review and streamline school safety plan requirements so plans remain practical and focused on emergency preparedness. AB 1631, which would make kindergarten mandatory, received mixed testimony: supporters argued it would help close achievement gaps and improve readiness, while opponents framed it as an intrusion on parental choice; the bill was held on call after a split vote. Finally, AB 1809, extending job order contracting authority for school and community college districts, was also held on call after opposition from contractors who argued project labor agreement requirements raise costs and reduce competition. The committee then began hearing AB 1659, aimed at improving transitions for court school students back to their home districts, with testimony describing re-enrollment barriers and the need for a designated district contact.