Transcript Highlights:

• It's the federal government. So, ICE has federal authority.
• It's the federal government. So, ICE has federal authority.
• It's the federal government. So, ICE has federal authority.
• majority, is declared passed. Clerk, majority, is declared passed.
• </c> majority, is declared passed. majority, is declared passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Joint Resolution 12 is a measure opposing the federal government's proposal for the 11th National
• So to protect marine environments and coastal communities from these disasters, to ensure the state's
• So to protect marine environments and coastal communities from these disasters, to ensure the state's
• to the proposed leasing of federal lands off offshore California for oil and gas development.
• Day. ...which declares Tuesday, April 21st, California Agriculture Day, with the theme of California

Summary: The Senate convened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA’s 175th anniversary through floor remarks highlighting its long history of community service, youth programs, child care, and civic engagement. The body then moved through routine messages and appointments, confirming three gubernatorial appointments: former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. On third reading, senators debated and adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing proposal off California and calls for California to be removed from the plan and for stronger environmental review and public participation. Supporters emphasized coastal protection and climate goals, while opponents argued the state faces energy supply and affordability problems and needs more domestic production. The resolution passed by roll call. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118, urging full release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to promote transparency and accountability for survivors, and Senate Resolution 99, declaring April 21, 2026, California Agriculture Day and recognizing the state’s agricultural production, farmworkers, and climate-smart practices. The final major item was Senate Resolution 100, designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, support survivors, and expand prevention and mandated reporter training. The author and supporters spoke about the prevalence of abuse, the importance of reporting, and survivor support; the resolution was adopted unanimously. The Senate then lifted the calls and confirmed the earlier appointments, adopted the consent calendar, announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, and adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman. The session ended with notice that the next floor session would be Monday, April 27, 2026, with Denim Day observed that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to protect marine environments and coastal communities from these disasters, to ensure the state's
• So to protect marine environments and coastal communities from these disasters, to ensure the state's
• The resolution states that this resolution declares the legislature strong and unequivocal opposition
• to the proposed leasing of federal lands offshore California for oil and gas development.
• Which declares Tuesday, April 21st, California Agriculture Day, with the theme of California Leads.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a federal program.
• The House Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee visited last week and was able to see these improvements
• We've got a lot of open disasters. ...team now to talk about a lot of disasters.
• We've got a lot of open disasters with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and I want to give you
• with all federal requirements since it's federal money.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s mission, outreach efforts, state veterans nursing homes, and support programs. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the state’s existing nursing homes and the planned 10th home in Collier County, and the department’s dental assistance program, which served 245 veterans in the first quarter of the fiscal year and completed 1,631 procedures while saving more than $525,000. He also discussed veteran service officers, the benefits guide, the department newsletter, efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, and mental health outreach through the Overwatch/Firewatch program. Senators asked about future nursing home locations, adult day health care, homelessness, and the dental program; Hartzell also announced that retired Colonel D.J. Reyes will become deputy executive director on November 7. The committee then heard from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and agency modernization. He described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office warehouse in Auburndale, and the new state emergency operations center in Tallahassee, which is ahead of schedule and designed to hold about 220 people and withstand 200-mph winds. Guthrie reviewed recovery efforts for recent storms, including debris removal, volunteer villages, sheltering, and FEMA reimbursement totals for Hurricanes Milton, Helene, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, and earlier storms. He also discussed the Elevate Florida home-elevation program, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation training initiative, the DEMES platform, and WebEOC, noting that 60 counties and 22 colleges and universities are using the system. Members asked Guthrie about flood-response resources for cities, training for local officials, and lessons from inland flooding after recent storms. He explained how local governments can request pumps and other assistance through county and state channels, described upcoming elected-official training, and emphasized mutual aid and EMAC as key future disaster-response tools. The committee took no formal votes or other legislative action and adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s federal. We can’t touch that.
• Amendments one, two, three, four, and five are technical in nature.
• This public health emergency declaration is urgent and needed.
• This declaration would, in fact, address...
• We're using an example from Mississippi, where they passed a declaration, or have a declaration, on infant

Bills: HR267 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR110 , HCR113 , HCR114 , SB4 , SB52 , SB57 , SB145 , SB152 , SB194 , SB237 , SB333 , SB433 , SB483 , SCR37

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• So the current number of precincts that we're currently doing in the federal process is sufficient enough
• disaster.
• While the federal law allows military personnel to receive absentee ballots electronically, it does not
• While the federal law allows military personnel to receive absentee ballots electronically, it does not
• Emergency contingency plans, if necessary, to be in a state of emergency declared by the governor, and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on election security bills, focusing first on S. 517 and H. 876, which would strengthen Massachusetts’ post-election audit process. Testimony from the Brennan Center, Common Cause Massachusetts, Verified Voting, and the League of Women Voters supported expanding audits to include all ballot types, increasing audit frequency from every four years to every two years, requiring statewide audit reports to be posted within 30 days and kept online for six years, and allowing municipalities to conduct audits under state standards. Witnesses also praised the bill’s creation of a work group to study risk-limiting audits and other improvements, emphasizing public confidence, transparency, and the ability of audits to detect errors or deter fraud. Committee members asked detailed questions about how Massachusetts compares with other states, how risk-limiting audits differ from current tabulation audits, how audits are selected and expanded if discrepancies appear, and what the costs and mechanics of different audit methods would be. Witnesses explained that current audits are typically random, hand-count-based checks of selected contests and batches of ballots, that risk-limiting audits use statistical sampling and can escalate to a full recount if needed, and that Massachusetts’ local-control structure makes a collaborative work group useful. They also noted that audits generally confirm results but can uncover errors that do not change outcomes, and occasionally more serious problems. The committee then heard testimony on H. 832, which would authorize the Secretary of the Commonwealth to take emergency actions affecting elections during declared emergencies. Supporters said the bill would create a clear statutory process for rescheduling or adjusting elections during severe weather or other crises, including allowing emergency absentee ballot accommodations for civilian responders, and would reduce the need for court intervention. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing, and the meeting ended with adjournment after no additional testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• DISASTER BY SENATOR GAETZ, YOUR RECOGNIZED. >> Sen.
• AND NANCY STEWART WAIVING IN SUPPORT, FLORIDA POULTRY FEDERATION.
• THE KINDS OF REVIEW THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
• NEXT WE HAVE SCOTT CHALET WITH FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION.
• SOLUTION, THAT THERE'S MORE ENERGY FOR A FEDERAL SOLUTION.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is in response to a natural disaster.
• So if there's been a natural disaster declaration statewide by the Governor, that qualifies, and the
• The federal policy changes.
• Sisney, around paying down the federal debt for the UI Fund.
• Sysney around paying down the federal debt for the UI Fund.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• disaster assistance for school districts or county offices of education impacted by a natural disaster
• We did also have sort of concurrently some requests related to natural disaster assistance going through
• Additionally, there was natural disaster assistance funding provided to Berry Creek Elementary School
• Proposition 2, although it establishes that new authority for the board to provide natural disaster assistance
• So rebuilding of schools damaged or destroyed in natural disasters would come from the overall bond authority

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:34.399><c> changed</c> months later Mother Nature changed months later Mother Nature changed
• </c> needed efficiency to the federal needed efficiency to the federal government<00:49:04.200><c> and
• </c> dictator Nicolas Maduro boldly declared dictator Nicolas Maduro boldly declared his<00:57:44.400
• declaration.
• </c><04:06:27.960><c> Disaster</c> recipients of Federal Disaster recipients of Federal Disaster Assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• The way the calculation is done, it's a federal calculation.
• It's not a federal program.
• The House Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee visited last week and was able to see these improvements
• We've got a lot of open disasters.
• We've got a lot of open disasters with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and I want to kind of

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• By State Affairs Committee, Natural Resources and the Disaster Subcommittee, Representative Mooney and
• By State Affairs Committee, Natural Resources and the Disaster Subcommittee, Representative Connerly
• disasters.
• Thank you. ...natural disasters. Thank you. Representative Overdorf, you are recognized to close.
• He's a naturalized citizen.

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0. The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1. Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now in emergency response or emergency declarations regarding animal disease.
• Federal employees? Yes, sir, they are federal employees. Boy, beans and bacon. Yes, sir. All right.
• Instances for natural disasters and things like that.
• That deer was marked with natural hair dyes so it could be identified after treatment.
• And now the federal government has formally recognized the urgency by declaring an emergency and authorizing

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• this federal government... ...tax dollars to the federal government than any other state by far, and
• or disasters in general that are paid for pursuant to DRIOA or the Governor's disaster...
• Paid for as pursuant to DRIOA or the Governor's disaster declaration would come out of the SFEU, so I
• federal tax credits for housing.
• sources or is backed by federal dollars?

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:52:02.200><c> disasters</c><05:52:03.200><c> and</c> Wars natural disasters and Wars natural
• c> that</c><07:33:51.318><c> is</c> Federal money Federal research that is Federal money Federal research
• government that so many other regions have received unconditionally after natural disasters.
• government that so many other regions have received unconditionally after natural disasters.
• government that so many other regions have received unconditionally after natural disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• The threat of natural disasters increases as our... ...natural disaster resiliency.
• The threat of natural disasters increases as our climate continues to change.
• Unfortunately, wildfire is not the only natural disaster that threatens our state.
• California is facing the risk and reality of more frequent and severe natural disasters, including wildfires
• California is facing the risk and reality of more frequent and severe natural disasters, including wildfires

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal law.
• So we're going to have federal troops breaking federal law.
• But yes, if our federal government breaks federal law, our local law enforcement can't enforce federal
• In federal law.
• , it would bar federal agents from enforcing federal laws.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and agreed by unanimous consent to allow cameras on the floor and gallery, excuse several senators, and move to announcements and miscellaneous business. The chamber then adopted a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his years of service as Senate president and lieutenant governor, followed by extensive remarks from senators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham praising his leadership, fairness, education advocacy, and personal kindness. Morales briefly responded, thanking members, the governor, and his family, and noting he would offer fuller remarks on his final day. After messages from the House were read, the Senate adopted several committee reports. These included favorable action on Senate Memorial 31; House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70; House Bill 124, referred to Finance; Senate Joint Resolution 6, referred to Judiciary; Senate Joint Resolution 7; House Bills 103, 154, 165, and 285 as amended; and the Finance Committee’s amended report on House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bills 2 and 3. The Judiciary Committee also reported Senate Bill 104 as duly enrolled and engrossed, and the body noted that SB 104 had been signed in open session. During personal privilege, Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth discussed a State Ethics Commission advisory opinion on whether legislators who are attorneys may vote on medical malpractice cap legislation, arguing the issue is governed by Senate rules rather than the Governmental Conduct Act. He said he would continue to disclose his interests and vote under Rule 7-5, and also rejected a newspaper suggestion that he had a conflict in sponsoring a judgeship bill for the First Judicial District Court. The Senate then moved into third reading, beginning with Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 264, which Senator Duhigg explained as an election-security measure responding to concerns about federal interference, intimidation, and emergency election disruptions; Senator Nava then spoke in support as a co-sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• California's first governor stood before the first legislature in the state of California and declared
• That infamous declaration paved the way for destruction and persecution of tribal communities across
• These amendments were technical and clarifying in nature.
• Assembly Joint Resolution 27 by Assembly Member Harabedian and others relative to federal disaster aid
• Rabbis declared boycotted grapes non-kosher and lobbied in Sacramento.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, then proceeded through a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor ceremonies. Members also recognized Assemblymember Ward’s birthday and welcomed several guests, including family members, business and community leaders, firefighters, and students. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Native American Day ceremony and adoption of ACR 208 by Assemblymember Ramos, which recognized California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the need to tell California’s history honestly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were added, followed by a ceremonial honoring of tribal elders and leaders. The Assembly also adopted several other resolutions and concurred in Senate amendments on multiple bills. These included ACR 126 designating the Captain Vida Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 requiring disclosure of AI use in bar exam development, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 protecting local officials taking parental leave. Later, ACR 213 designated September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HR 102 recognized Filipino American History Month, and ACR 230 proclaimed California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day; all were adopted with broad support and many coauthors. The Senate file also began with SCR 136 on coastal protection and SJR 12 opposing offshore drilling, with debate reflecting strong environmental opposition and a dissenting view that the resolution was too absolute and could raise energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The emergency project had to stem from a certified disaster declared by the governor in the last three
• An emergency as a result of a natural disaster declared such by the governor. Declared a disaster.
• Under the state, the SWEDPA programs consist of federal dollars.
• We are ultimately trying to fund with the federal dollars.
• private capital for every federal dollar.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Mayhew clarified that he was asking whether locals can use federal dollars to match federal
• dollars, such as using part of one federal grant to match another federal grant.
• We see a fair amount of federal lapse, and I’m asking if you could expand a little bit more on the federal
• they are still waiting on many of the national declared disasters from last year.
• Carver said they are still waiting to see whether they will receive funds for the national declared disasters

Committee: House Budget