Transcript Highlights:

• along with an adjacent public cemetery.
• And again, it's been years in Orange County not having a veteran cemetery.
• I know this is the largest county that doesn't have a veterans cemetery.
• I know this is the largest county that doesn't have a veterans cemetery.
• Cemetery. It's something that's long overdue.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard four bills after briefly opening as a subcommittee due to a lack of quorum. AB 571 by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva proposed a targeted CEQA exemption and urgency clause to help move forward the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim. Supporters, including the Orange County Board of Supervisors, veterans organizations, and county veterans service officers, said the project has broad local backing, significant funding, and has been delayed for more than a decade; there was no opposition testimony. The committee later voted the bill out on a unanimous 8-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 1412 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez would require school districts to implement a transferring special education student’s IEP within 30 days of receiving records from out of state, coordinate with parents and prior schools, and accept unofficial records pending validation. The author and a Department of Defense witness said military-connected children with special needs often face harmful delays when families move, while the Association of California School Administrators registered opposition and said it was working with the author on clarifying concerns. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations. AB 1433 by Assembly Member Sharp-Collins sought to expand eligibility for student support funding at non-credit centers and stand-alone community college institutions, especially those serving veterans and other non-traditional students. Support came from San Diego College of Continuing Education, Calbright College, the Department of Defense, and several students and staff who described non-credit programs as important pathways to jobs, certifications, and veteran transition support; there was no opposition. The committee approved the bill 8-0 to Appropriations. The consent item, AB 1346 by Assembly Member DeMaio, was also moved out on a unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill SB 777 to address the issue of abandoned cemeteries. Currently we have 187 private cemeteries.
• There are two abandoned cemeteries in my district, and recently I've been There are two abandoned cemeteries
• to protect the cemetery because the cemetery had been broken into at least six times.
• where some of the volunteers had dogs, guard dogs, in the cemetery to protect the cemetery because the
• cemetery had been broken into at least six times.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate took up a series of bills focused on consumer protection, housing, worker safety, privacy, and local fiscal authority. Measures discussed included SB 1312 on abandoned cemeteries, SB 1112 on towing fee notices, SB 877 on insurance claim transparency after wildfire losses, SB 1046 on Cal/OSHA standards for Tijuana River Valley pollution exposure, SB 1091 on anti-displacement housing preservation, SB 951 on notice and protections when AI displaces workers, SB 1030 repealing the “man in the house” rule for public assistance, SB 1218 tying vehicle registration to unpaid illegal dumping fines, SB 1013 regulating automated license plate reader data, SB 1116 making technical changes to the starter home housing law, SB 1201 protecting veterans from food assistance cuts, and SB 1164 strengthening state voting rights protections. The Senate also considered SCR 171, declaring May 20, 2026, California Nonprofits Day, and welcomed Berkeley Mayor Adina Ishii during floor introductions. Debate was often divided along policy and fiscal lines. Supporters of the local tax authorization bill AB 1768 argued it would let voters in Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties decide whether to backfill major health and human services cuts tied to federal changes, while opponents said it would raise costs, bypass normal tax-policy review, and worsen affordability. SB 1013 drew strong support from senators who said ALPR data needs tighter safeguards, but opposition warned the bill would hamper law enforcement investigations. SB 951 on AI-related layoffs received support as a worker-protection measure, while SB 1164 drew opposition over concerns about litigation and expanded Attorney General oversight. SB 1030 was framed as a long-overdue repeal of a discriminatory welfare rule, and SB 1201 was presented as a way to shield vulnerable veterans from federal food assistance cuts. Most measures passed on strong bipartisan votes, often unanimously. SB 1312, SB 1112, SB 877, SB 1046, SB 1091, SB 1030, SB 1218, SB 1116, SB 1201, SB 1164, and SCR 171 were adopted, and AB 1768 passed as an urgency measure after extended debate. SB 951 also passed, with some no votes. The Senate then announced committee meetings for budget subcommittees and adjourned until the next floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we heard from the National Cemetery Administration.
• So we heard from the National Cemetery Administration.
• So the way this Cemetery Administration.
• service, and burial in state cemeteries service, and burial in state cemeteries are<00:14:28.640
• again to the state veterans cemeteries again to the state veterans cemeteries account. account.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• out to you to have a designated veterans area for that cemetery.
• Pettigrew to address the cemetery question specifically.
• part of them, any city cemetery or county cemetery does have a veterans section.
• That Carlsbad Cemetery, the Taos Cemetery encompasses even Texas regions when they bring that on board
• a completely state-funded cemetery, not a VA-funded reimbursed cemetery like the other three are, which

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This fee allows MDVA to deliver the level of service needed in our state veterans cemeteries.
• use those burial fees to support salary costs and other operational needs of our cemetery.
• But on a national level, in a federal cemetery, we cover the cost. OK, thank you for that.
• Are going to want to be buried in our state cemeteries? That is what the offset would be, yeah.
• There's a lot of spouses being buried in state cemeteries. Any further questions? Seeing none, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the veterans cemetery. to the veterans cemetery.
• Is do they also qualify for transportation to a civilian cemetery? >> Mr.
• Is do they also qualify for transportation to a civilian cemetery? >> Mr.
• So, ours is a is a no not to cemetery.
• More broadly than I've not seen any county deny transportation to a cemetery. All right.

Bills: HB0032

Keywords: English proficiency, commercial drivers, vehicle operation, traffic safety, penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A veteran and a spouse or the family can choose to go to any cemetery of their choice, their church cemetery
• A veteran and a spouse or the family can choose to go to any cemetery of their choice, their church cemetery
• A veteran and a spouse or the family can choose to go to any cemetery of their choice, their church cemetery
• To go to a veteran cemetery, a veteran and a spouse or the family can choose to go to any cemetery of
• their choice, their church cemetery, anything.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And first we have Matthew Stevens, who is president of Mount Auburn Cemetery.
• These new technologies and practices should be integrated Currently performed by cemeteries.
• Our cemeteries are running out of space, especially in urban areas.
• , and religious cemeteries across Massachusetts and has really become the spokesperson for those cemeteries
• Furthermore, cemeteries have a unique obligation and responsibility for perpetuity to be able to keep

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 598, funeral, cemetery, and consumer services by Senator Trudeau.
• Florida law governing licensed funeral and cemetery service providers.
• Key provisions of the bill include limiting exclusive contracts between funeral or cemetery licensees
• Senate Bill 598, funeral, cemetery, and consumer services by Senator Trudeau.
• Florida law governing licensed funeral and cemetery service providers.

Bills: S0326, S0598, S0632, S0786, S1110, S1256, S1380, S1588, S7042, S7044

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state cemeteries, we've adopted the state cemetery in Taos and are moving quite well on a glide path
• All three of our existing cemeteries, three out of 30 nationally, were recognized by the National Cemetery
• Association for Cemetery Compliance Audit Inspection.
• Inside the Veterans Cemetery, what is the progress on that? Mr.
• Chair, Senator Block, again, that's a VA cemetery.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 711035 of the Health and Safety Code exempts non-profit cemeteries from public taxation.
• Yet, across the state, we have seen at least eight incidents of non-profit cemeteries being sold for
• property tax exemption, which must be signed by the owner at a given cemetery.
• So we've got cemeteries, clearly cemeteries, and there's no identifiable owner in some cases.
• And I might add, in my community, there's an old historical cemetery, as we call it, Negro Cemetery,

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, this proposal will not alter who is eligible for burial in our cemeteries.
• and I do have a veteran cemeteries and I do have a testifier<00:26:20.799> go<00:26:20.880>
• overall this proposal will not Cemetery overall this proposal will not jeopardize<00:27:08.240> any
• state veteran cemeteries clearly outline the<00:27:17.080> eligibility<00:27:18.000> uh
• in our cemeteries it simply provides<00:27:27.640> a<00:27:27.720> clear<00:27:28.200>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are confident that those interred in our cemeteries today would agree.
• We are confident that those interred in our cemeteries today would agree.
• We are confident that those interred in our cemeteries today would agree.
• be buried in our state cemeteries. be buried in our state cemeteries.
• <00:44:17.119> You to be buried in state cemeteries?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Weber offers Senate Bill 1063, a bill to amend the Cemetery Regulation Act.
• Senate Bill 1063, a bill to amend the Cemetery Regulation Act. Second reading of the bill.
• Senate Bill 1066, a bill to amend the Prepaid Funeral and Cemetery Sales Act.
• Senator Santana offers Senate Bill 1068, a bill to amend the Cemetery Regulation Act.
• Senator Victory offers Senate Bill 1069, a bill to amend the Cemetery Regulation Act.

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present and a quorum, opened with invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary and full excusals for absent senators. During introduction and referral, the chamber received a large number of new Senate bills and House bills, covering election law, public health, occupational and skilled trades regulation, school code and school aid issues, child protection, cemetery and funeral regulation, insurance, estates, food law, political activity, credit unions, social welfare, transportation, natural resources, and a veterans hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant/fund proposal. All of these measures were read and referred to the appropriate committees; no substantive debate occurred at this stage. The Senate then moved into the Committee of the Whole and considered Senate Bills 480, 517, and 278. SB 480, dealing with child care organization licensing and regulation, received and adopted a committee substitute and advanced. SB 517, a Revised School Code bill, received and adopted a floor substitute and advanced. SB 278, amending the State Housing Development Authority Act, was reported without amendment and advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported SBs 480 and 517 with amendments and SB 278 without amendment, and the Senate concurred in those recommendations. On third reading, the Senate took up Senate Bill 49, amending the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Senate Bill 50, amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. Senator Albert offered an amendment to SB 49 to require citations within six months of a violation, arguing it would align with federal standards and provide certainty; the amendment failed. Both SB 49 and SB 50 then passed by votes of 20-15, with three senators excused. The Senate also suspended the rules to immediately consider Senate Resolution 134, which recognized June 23-29, 2026 as Grassroots Week; Senator Kavanaugh spoke in support, citing civil rights history and modern grassroots organizing, and the resolution was adopted. The chamber then proceeded to statements and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a memorial as well as our Merchant Marine Cemetery.
• I wanted to highlight on page 5, our cemeteries, NMDVS, our state cemeteries.
• To run it appropriately as a state cemetery.
• Those are our cemeteries and memorials.
• The cemetery is critically important.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3803 adds a confidentiality Chairman Lambert: Provision to perpetual care cemeteries, which
• In the case of perpetual care cemeteries, I would interpret that to protect against competitors as well
• Representative Bo, in the past, has any of the cemetery failed?
• Representative Bo: Has any perpetual care cemetery failed in the past?
• Representative Bo: Of the Representative Bo: Cemeteries are doing well, or just 100% or 80%?

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:07.760> in Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in
• veteran cemetery veteran cemetery that<00:28:33.679> was<00:28:34.399> it<00:28:34.720
• But they it was it was veteran cemetery.
• cemetery in there. cemetery in there.
• New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boswin<02:44:20.319

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in work session to consider amendments to House Bill 1332, which concerns Gold Star-related flag displays. Members discussed two proposed amendments: one would allow the governor to choose to honor Gold Star families by ordering display of the Gold Star flag at the State House and at the State Veterans Cemetery, and another would define the flags covered by the bill as those officially recognized by the federal government. Members debated whether the language should be mandatory or permissive, whether the State House display would trigger broader flag-flying requirements, and whether the veterans cemetery language was necessary. Testimony noted that the Gold Star flag is federally recognized, while the Honor and Remember flag has not been officially recognized by Congress. The committee also took up House Bill 1097, dealing with historic road signs and the committee referral for that bill. Representative Janet Wall explained an amendment changing the bill’s referral from the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee to the Joint Historic Committee, saying the historic committee is better suited to handle issues involving historic signs and artifacts. She described the Joint Historic Committee’s broader jurisdiction after a prior statutory combination of committees, and members discussed whether that committee has authority beyond the State House complex. Supporters said the change would provide more appropriate oversight and public input on controversial historic markers; one member opposed legislative involvement in removing markers, arguing the issue should remain with existing historical and transportation entities. The amendment was discussed favorably, and members indicated they liked it. No final votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee appeared to set aside the Gold Star amendments for further consideration and moved on after discussion of the historic-signs amendment, with members noting the need to review the written amendment text before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 275, an act relating to creation of the Cemetery Vandalism Response Fund.
• <00:05:19.440> Vandalism<00:05:20.400> Response<00:05:21.039> Fund, Cemetery Vandalism
• Response Fund, Cemetery Vandalism Response Fund, introduced<00:05:22.479> by<00:05:22.800>
• relating to the creation of >> S275, an act relating to the creation of the<00:05:30.880> Cemetery
• the Cemetery Vandalism Response Fund. the Cemetery Vandalism Response Fund.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 840 simply removes the costs for burial fees for spouses of veterans in state cemeteries.
• Currently, a veteran is eligible for burial in a state cemetery.
• to support salary costs and other operational needs of our cemetery.
• <00:37:07.079> we national level in a federal Cemetery we national level in a federal Cemetery
• Yes, a lot of spouses being buried in state cemeteries. Any further questions? Seeing none, Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7-11035 of the Health and Safety Code exempts nonprofit cemeteries from public taxation.
• These cemeteries were put up for sale due to a discrepancy between codes, as Section 1117 of the tax
• This wording assumes that every nonprofit cemetery has an identifiable owner, something that could be
• a given cemetery.
• So we've got cemeteries, clearly cemeteries, and There's no. Identifiable owner in some cases.