Transcript Highlights:

• Bobby shared her passion for storytelling through the arts and local history.
• Ballot question campaigns have moved more than $10 million in Massachusetts alone, and a significant share
• The FY27 budget is the fourth year that the revenue from the Fair Share amendment will be incorporated
• Some of the highlights for the Fair Share include, on the education side, $360 million for C3 Early Child
• support the MBTA system, which, combined with the $595 million in funding from the recently passed Fair Share

Summary: The House opened with routine procedural actions, including suspension of Joint Rule 12 for two petitions and suspension of Rule 7A to take up several bills immediately. Members advanced multiple Ways and Means bills to third reading, including measures on campaign finance reporting for statewide ballot questions, tax-free medical devices, fairness for Massachusetts Water Resources Authority employees, releasing land use restrictions in Revere, and authorizing a land taking in Norwood. Several engrossed local and special bills were then passed to be enacted, including measures affecting Boston police age waivers, the Hudson charter, Plymouth’s land acquisition account, Falmouth sewer-related costs, and Randolph’s charter. The House also considered Senate Bill 2916 on campaign finance reporting for ballot questions. Supporters said the bill would strengthen disclosure, close reporting loopholes, and improve transparency around ballot question committees and signature gathering, while also creating a commission to review the initiative petition process. Amendments were adopted, including changes to the commission’s membership and a separate amendment related to signature-gathering provisions. After debate, the bill passed to be engrossed by roll call vote 149-0. Members then took up the fiscal year 2027 budget conference report, House No. 5555, totaling about $63.4 billion. Supporters highlighted funding for Chapter 70 education aid, local aid, Fair Share investments in education and transportation, MBTA and regional transit support, housing and homelessness programs, food assistance, and immigration legal aid. The conference report was adopted by roll call 142-6, the emergency preamble was adopted, and the budget bill was passed to be enacted by the same vote. The House also declined concurrence on Senate Bill 3064, “to build resilience for Massachusetts communities,” and appointed a committee of conference, and later appointed a conference committee on House Bill 4646, enhancing child welfare protections. The session ended with a moment of silence for community figures and adjournment to the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bobby shared her passion for storytelling through the arts and local history.
• Ballot question campaigns have moved more than $10 million in Massachusetts alone, and a significant share
• The FY27 budget is the fourth year that the revenue from the Fair Share amendment will be incorporated
• Some of the highlights for the Fair Share include, on the education side, $360 million for C3 Early Child
• support the MBTA system, which, combined with the $595 million in funding from the recently passed Fair Share

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to unite district defenders and local offices through increased communication, collaboration, and shared
• As a result, relationships among offices have strengthened, best practices are shared more readily, and
• That's one thing Remy and I share is our love for Sam Dalton. Sam Dalton was the old guy.
• His family, in the last basically a couple of years of his life, allowed him to share him with us when
• His family, in the last basically a couple of years of his life, allowed him to share him with us when

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board met on June 18, 2026, with a quorum present and adopted the agenda. Public comment was dominated by district defenders and other public defense leaders praising State Public Defender Remy Starns for improving communication, collaboration, and overall system performance. Speakers from multiple districts said the system is more unified, better supported, and more stable than in prior years, and several credited Starns with helping resolve long-standing tensions and improve coordination across capital, district, and appellate work. One speaker also paid tribute to the late Mike Ginnard, describing him as instrumental to earlier public defense reforms. In his report, Starns said the system has improved over the last seven years but still needs a sustainable funding source. He discussed legislative changes affecting public defense, including a cleanup bill, elimination of filing fees for writs and appeals, and a new procedure related to expert-fee requests in light of recent court rulings. He also described ongoing efforts to integrate capital and appellate work into district offices, expand the laws/writs program, and continue post-conviction work under new statutory rules. Starns emphasized recruitment and retention, including the need for affordable health insurance and retirement benefits, and again honored Mike Ginnard for his leadership and service. The board then adopted proposed bylaws, after some discussion about special committees and public meeting requirements. Members agreed to create a committee to review and refine the bylaws later, and they also elected a vice chairman and designated the Office of the Public Defender, with staff support, as secretary for recordkeeping. Finally, the board heard a presentation on the strategic plan, which was described as largely an update to the prior version with terminology changes, new accessibility-related goals, and added performance measures for training, compliance, and communications. The strategic plan was adopted by resolution, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you all will support this bill, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share.
• Are there any other people in the room that would like to step to the mic and share your name, organization
• I do share that same desire to ensure that military and overseas voters can cast their ballots in a way
• We do think an interim step would be important, and we share the concern about overseas and military
• I share the concern of the Secretary of State that we need to really clarify what is meant there.

Summary: The committee met on June 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and initially proceeding as a subcommittee. Members heard several Senate bills, with testimony focused mainly on redistricting, Bay Area transit funding, and military/overseas voting access. The chair also announced committee membership changes and that SB 1369 had been pulled by the author. Written testimony was accepted through the committee portal, and public testimony was limited by the chair’s rules. SB 1414 by Senator Reyes would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters, including Inland Empire United, Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters, argued the bill would improve transparency and reduce political influence in map drawing. Opponents, including San Bernardino County and several local government/election groups, said the county’s existing advisory commission already provided substantial public input and raised concerns about cost. The bill was moved do pass as amended and re-referred to Local Government, with one no vote from Assembly Member Lackey; it was later taken off call and passed 6-1. SB 830 by Senator Wiener made technical changes to the administration of the Bay Area regional transit sales tax measure authorized by SB 63, including uniform ballot naming and county-specific ballot arguments. Support came from labor, transit, business, and advocacy groups, who said the bill would help voters understand the measure and protect transit funding. Members emphasized the Bay Area’s transit funding crisis and the need for local action. The bill passed do pass as amended, 5-1, and was later recorded as out 6-0 on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing six bills. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes addressed military and overseas voting after the federal discontinuation of the Department of Defense fax service used for ballot return. Supporters, including county election officials and local government organizations, said California needed a secure replacement to avoid disenfranchising service members and overseas voters. The Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised security concerns and suggested a task force or more detailed standards, but the author and supporters argued the bill was urgent and should direct the Secretary of State to develop secure regulations. The bill passed do pass and was re-referred to Military and Veteran Affairs, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we shared some of that with you, with the staff. Okay, thank you. Thank you.
• Well, if you would like to, or I work with Pierce closely, if you would like to share some of that language
• We share DPH's commitment to resident safety, dignity, and high-quality care, and we have worked collaboratively
• Our shared mission is to protect vulnerable individuals while preserving access to appropriate levels
• I know we have the shared goal of ensuring high-quality, safe, person-centered care for residents, and

Bills: H5243 , H5376 , S3056 , S3057

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Aging and Independence

Keywords: rest home, rest homes, medication administration, medication management, assisted living, long-term care, elder care, older adults, senior care, nursing home, resident care, self-administration, licensed facility, Chapter 111, section 71, Responsible Person, caregiver, direct care staff, care facilities, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Taiwan is a vibrant and trusted democracy that shares with the United States core values of freedom
• of law, and both enjoy a close partnership grounded in democratic principles, mutual respect, and shared
• ..between the State of Arizona and Taiwan, whereas Taiwan is a vibrant and trusted democracy that shares
• of law, and both enjoy a close partnership grounded in democratic principles, mutual respect, and shared
• Beyond this diplomatic career, Jason and his wife Anne share a profound passion for the arts as experienced

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and received routine communications from the governor and House. The body then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2369 on photo-enforcement traffic citations, HB 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, HB 2481 on school district financial records, HB 2621 on access to special education in public schools, and HB 2756 on public utilities and high-load factor customers. Each of these bills received amendments and were advanced with do pass recommendations. Members discussed HB 2423 at length, with supporters saying it would better identify high-achieving students for advanced math while critics argued the larger issue was funding and teacher shortages. HB 2756 also drew debate over data centers, utility reporting, and ratepayer impacts, but was amended and advanced. The Committee of the Whole then rose and reported its recommendations, which the Senate adopted. The Senate also adopted a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, and welcomed Taiwan’s Director General Jason Poyon Ma. The chamber calendared HB 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment clarifying that telecom and broadband providers are not included in the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill as amended. Later, the Senate took up third-reading votes on multiple measures, including HB 2249, HB 2482, HB 2641, HB 2661, HB 2662, HB 2673, HB 2745, HB 2752, HB 2895, HB 2923, and several House concurrent memorials on foreign ownership, endangered species, and related federal policy. Most passed, though several senators explained no votes on grounds such as budget concerns, policy objections, or opposition to limiting testimony or subpoena enforcement authority. At the end of the session, the Senate also passed HB 2369, HB 2423, HB 2481, HB 2621, HB 2756, HB 2192, and other listed bills by recorded roll call, with final vote totals announced for each. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the following Monday. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas Taiwan is a vibrant and trusted democracy that shares... ...between the State of Arizona and
• Whereas Taiwan is a vibrant and trusted democracy that shares with the United States core values of freedom
• of law, and both enjoy a close partnership grounded in democratic principles, mutual respect, and shared
• Beyond this diplomatic career, Jason and his wife Anne share a profound passion for the arts as experienced
• choral vocalists. ...and his wife Anne share a profound passion for the arts as experienced choral vocalists

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so my concerns that I shared with him are true about, you know, we keep calling it dark money.
• And so my concerns that I shared with him is true about, you know, we keep calling it dark money.
• conversation we also had, you know, I understand this is not Congress, but in Congress, I think it was, I shared
• We will actually have any witnesses in opposition also approach, if they would like to share, to continue
• I shared with you as well that, funny enough, my senior thesis at Hopkins was on this very issue, on

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, they make up the largest single share of state spending is K-12 education.
• Unfortunately, the district offices in school districts apparently don't share that view, because they
• the Capitol, which included Down Syndrome Network of Arizona, Gigi's Playhouse Phoenix, SANDS, and Sharing
• So I just wanted to say... ...that we are so happy that you were here to come to the Capitol, to share
• SRP is looking forward to sharing the day with you.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an electronic roll call showing 24 members present and six excused. After approving the journal, the body recessed for a performance marking America’s 250th birthday, then returned for introductions and recognitions, including Hispanic Leadership Institute Day at the Capitol, Children’s Health Day advocates, guests of members, and the doctor of the day. The Senate also handled routine calendar items, including gubernatorial nominations and bill referrals, and appointed Senator Shope to temporarily serve as vice chair of the Finance Committee for the day. The main floor action was on SCR 1032, a measure relating to school district budgets and classroom spending. The bill, as amended, would require larger school districts to spend at least 60% of operational spending on direct instructional expenses, with a step-in penalty reducing classroom site fund allocations for continued noncompliance. Senator Hoffman explained the amendment as a moderated version that exempted certain rural/smaller districts and phased in penalties over several years; supporters argued it would ensure more money reaches classrooms and teachers. Opponents, including Senators Epstein, Miranda, Kuby, and others, argued it would micromanage local school districts, ignore important non-classroom costs such as nurses, transportation, counselors, and librarians, and unfairly target district schools while excluding charter schools. The Senate adopted the committee and floor amendments and then passed SCR 1032 on third reading by a vote of 16-12, with 2 not voting, sending it to the House. The Senate also considered SB 1071 concerning the Arizona Rangers. Supporters said the bill was not a full repeal but would create external oversight, improve background checks, and increase accountability and training transparency. Some members said they expected the House to further amend the measure. SB 1071 passed on third reading by a vote of 17-11, with 2 not voting, and was transmitted to the House. The session concluded with caucus and committee announcements, a recognition of World Down Syndrome Day advocates, an invitation to SRP Day at the Capitol, and adjournment until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• During his time there, he also served as an adjunct professor, sharing his love of history and learning
• Bobby thought deeply about the future of the breed, and he never hesitated to share his views if he believed
• And these moments of joys and heartache can be shared.
• They have worked tirelessly to share their personal stories and visit many of us to ensure that their
• voices are heard, and they were sharing with us how the policies from Washington, D.C., were impacting

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• same example of the shoulder that I gave you, you know, that required six weeks of PT, I can actually share
• If so, could you share that with us? Representative Wheeler.
• I share this not for sympathy, but to make one thing clear: children's rights are not always given equal
• Thanks for being with us and sharing. We have Kevin Watson. Welcome.
• Okay, if I can share just a minute. Could we get her name? Amory Day. Emory. Amory.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said profit sharing is deal-dependent and that the arrangement is more about partnership than profit
• sharing.
• He said profit sharing is deal-dependent and that the nonprofit's mission-based role and community knowledge
• He said profit sharing is not really the main issue because it depends on each deal, and the arrangement
• If the commission is actively doing something we do not share that same value structure with.

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 5, 2026, and first reordered its agenda to move RS 33471 to the end. The committee then introduced RS 33580, a proposal from Rep. Charlie Shepard concerning sales tax “sales price,” which he described as a fix for a recent Tax Commission practice of going back several years to tax and penalize businesses that had followed longstanding practice. The motion to introduce the RS passed without opposition. The committee next heard House Bill 760 from Rep. John Weber, which would create an optional county property tax exemption for workforce and affordable housing projects. Testimony from Dominium’s Austin Vanderhaden explained that the bill would allow Idaho-based nonprofit and for-profit partnerships, require rents at or below 60% of area median income, require annual county certification, and leave the exemption entirely to county discretion. Supporters from the Boise Metro Chamber, Idaho Realtors, and the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry said the bill would help address housing shortages, support employers and workers, and provide a local tool for communities. The committee voted to send HB 760 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Representatives Monks, Ehlers, and Razor requested to be recorded as voting no. Finally, the committee considered RS 33471 from Rep. Jeff Ehlers, a DOGE Task Force recommendation to phase out general state funding for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs beginning July 1, 2028, while leaving the commission intact and shifting it toward private funding. Members debated whether the proposal would undermine the commission’s mission and whether it was appropriate to remove the commission from a list of charitable contribution options in the tax code. A substitute motion to return the RS to the sponsor failed, and the original motion to introduce the RS passed, with Representatives Birch and Gannon recorded as no votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill's pertinent to shared inmate housing facilities, which ultimately what I'm talking about
• And in the instance of a shared facility, what we're doing in this state pertinent to governmental tort
• this piece of legislation on the inmate, on the county responsible for placing the inmate in such shared
• What we're doing is trying to build a system where some of our smaller counties can build a shared facility
• Trying to build a system where some of our smaller counties can build a shared facility, a better facility

Bills: HB1322 , HB2015 , HB2933 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB2977 , HB2981 , HB3040 , HB3055 , HB3062 , HB3087 , HB3115 , HB3134 , HB3244 , HB3297 , HB3298 , HB3299 , HB3304 , HB3319 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB3345 , HB3407 , HB3471 , HB3497 , HB3500 , HB3505 , HB3544 , HB3581 , HB3648 , HB3755 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB3767 , HB3906 , HB3974 , HB3982 , HB4104 , HB4105 , HB4106 , HB4107 , HB4108 , HB4126 , HB4130 , HB4139 , HB4144 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4226 , HB4227 , HB4236 , HB4260 , HB4343

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: domestic violence, offenders registry, public safety, law enforcement, victim protection, conviction records, landlord, tenant rights, rental agreement, housing safety, tenant protections, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large number of bills, mostly by unanimous or near-unanimous due-pass votes. Early measures included HB 34, expanding “zones of safety” to include places like skating rinks, youth centers, pools, arcades, amusement parks, and water parks to bar sex offenders from loitering; HB 3407 on abandoned personal property and manufactured homes; HB 43 on rates for court-appointed property appraisers; and HB 2981 requiring school board meeting minutes to be posted online. Members also considered criminal justice and public safety bills such as enhanced penalties for people on the DOJ terrorist list (HB 3764), updating controlled dangerous substances schedules (HB 3767), and a bill to allow first responders to notify law enforcement after responding to suspected overdoses, with immunity for good-faith reporting and a fentanyl-related presumption in fatal overdoses (HB 2941). Several bills were laid over, including HB 2015, HB 2959, HB 3087, HB 3581, and HB 4227. The committee also advanced bills affecting courts, property, and administrative procedures. These included HB 3321 ending cost-arrest warrants for unpaid court fines, HB 3322 codifying rules for interpreting multiple versions of statutes, HB 3323 moving notarization requirements for electronic documents submitted to Service Oklahoma, HB 3497 clarifying appeals of pretrial orders in criminal cases, HB 3500 removing a nine-month deadline for successor affidavits after transfer-on-death property transfers, and HB 3505 creating a uniform wage garnishment law. Other measures addressed workers’ compensation and public employment, including HB 4260 creating a rebuttable presumption for first responders in workers’ comp, HB 4202 aligning radiology reimbursement with other specialties, and HB 3055 and HB 315 setting qualifications for the CLEET and DOC directors. Later in the meeting, members approved bills on consumer protection, technology, and public safety. HB 2933 tightened insurance claim timelines and penalties and made mediation mandatory for carriers; HB 3544 targeted AI chatbots that simulate emotional relationships with children; HB 3299 created a criminal offense for creating or disseminating digitized or synthetic media using another person’s name, image, voice, or likeness; HB 4107 criminalized misuse of outdoor tornado sirens; HB 4108 expanded critical infrastructure protections to airports; and HB 4139 revised home service contract rules to require truthful offerings and qualified service providers. The committee also passed HB 1322 creating a public domestic violence offenders registry, HB 4104 adding certain voyeurism-related crimes to the sex offender registry, HB 4106 lowering the grand larceny threshold to $900 and making a third petty larceny offense a felony, and HB 3974 addressing liability in shared inmate housing facilities. The meeting ended with HB 4144, which revises Open Records Act language for arrest and incident reports, and the committee adjourned with plans to meet again Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that he is older and able to express himself much better, he would like to share with And able to
• express himself much better, he would like to share what it feels like to live on the autism spectrum
• Again, these people go on a ride-sharing, when somebody tells you, hey, you can go on a ride-sharing
• When somebody tells you, hey, you can go on a ride-sharing, and the parent may say, okay, but somehow

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and voted on several education-related bills. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School was presented as a cleanup bill responding to audit-related statutory updates; it would remove priority language, allow all Florida students and eligible overseas military dependents access, clarify teacher employment/retirement status, permit local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct support organizations. The bill drew support from Seminole State College and Florida Virtual School and was reported favorably 15-0. HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Reps. Eskamani and Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and procedures to prevent and respond to elopement by students with autism or similar needs. Testimony from the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and a student advocate emphasized safety risks and the need for clear school protocols. Members spoke strongly in support, and the bill passed unanimously 16-0. CS for CS for HB 753 on school counselors removed two certification barriers, kept the master’s degree requirement, and aligned evaluations with Florida school counseling standards; school counselor groups and several members argued it would help address counselor shortages and workload issues. It also passed unanimously 16-0. The committee also approved CS for CS for HB 1253, which would let school-employed coaches use up to $15,000 per team per year of personal funds to support student-athletes with items like food, transportation, therapy, and rehabilitation, with an amendment requiring written parental consent. Several members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and guardrails, but the bill passed 17-0. PCS for CS for HB 833 on private school facilities would allow small private schools of 150 students or fewer to locate in commercial or mixed-use zoning without rezoning and to use certain existing buildings if fire and life-safety standards are met; members discussed traffic, school zones, and proximity to dispensaries, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS for HB 1325 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund clarified matching contributions, allowed use of funds for expansion or modernization of existing space, and permitted two-year awards; it passed 16-0. Finally, CS for HB 1437 on conversion charter schools created dispute-resolution options over facility maintenance and, via amendment, allowed capital outlay funding if the charter assumes full maintenance responsibility; despite some opposition, it passed 13-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to share. My name is David Magera.
• And so I find it interesting that the administrative department is saying they do not want to share their
• allocation of money for these individuals, but the instruction or teacher pool of money that is being shared
• not, and so I find it interesting that the administrative department is saying they do not want to share
• allocation of money for these individuals, but the instruction or teacher pool of money that is being shared

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 16 and 17 without objection. It then heard House Bill 623, which would require a 60-second moment of silence at the beginning of each public school day. The sponsor and several supporters, including a rabbi, a pastor, a church representative, and a former teacher, argued that the bill is neutral, low-cost, and intended to promote calm, reflection, and better student behavior while protecting religious freedom and parental authority. Some members raised concerns about mandating the practice, local control, whether it could be seen as encouraging prayer, and how it would apply to late arrivals or charter schools. The sponsor said it would apply to public and charter schools but not private schools, and that students could silently read or pray if they wished. The committee passed HB 623 on a 10-4 roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 728, a school funding and staffing definitions bill sponsored by Representative Church. She said the bill would clarify statutory definitions for instructional, administrative, classified, and per-pupil staff, and would move positions that are not directly instructing students into the administrative category, based on LSO review and Department of Education guidance. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability in how state education dollars are categorized and spent. Questions focused on how the new definitions would affect principals, superintendents, teacher-leaders, mentors, instructional coaches, and rural districts that split duties between teaching and administration. The Idaho Association of School Administrators testified in opposition, warning that the bill would reduce flexibility and could make instructional coaching unsustainable, especially in smaller districts with limited administrative allocations. Members debated whether to hold HB 728 for further clarification or move it forward. A substitute motion to hold the bill until February 27 failed on a 6-8 roll call. The committee then voted on the original motion to send HB 728 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and that motion passed unanimously on the recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pablo and I shared a strong bond because we both grew up in a small rural community in the Central Valley
• We knew the struggle, and we shared a deep sense of responsibility to make our communities better than
• That shared understanding shaped our work.
• That shared understanding shaped our work and our commitment and our love for good tacos and banda music
• We want to extend our sincere condolences to all of you, and we thank you for sharing Pablo with us.

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. After routine procedural motions, members voted to withdraw SB 106 from committee for third reading and to suspend the rules so AJR 25 could be taken up immediately. AJR 25, authored by Assembly Member Bonta, urged Congress to restore and extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that expired on January 1, with supporters arguing the lapse would sharply raise premiums for millions of Californians, including veterans, working families, and other vulnerable residents. Opponents, led by Assembly Member DeMaio, argued the resolution blamed federal action for California’s high health care costs and said state mandates and spending choices were the real problem. The resolution was adopted 58-4, and Assembly Member Addis was added as a joint author. The chamber also took up H.R. 76 on affordable homeownership, presented by Assembly Member Schultz and supported by Assembly Member Wicks, who emphasized the importance of homeownership for wealth-building and noted ongoing efforts to expand programs such as CalHome. H.R. 79, by Assembly Member Valencia, recognized February 2026 as Unclaimed Property Month; supporters highlighted the large amount of unclaimed property held by the state and encouraged residents to search for funds owed to them. Both resolutions received broad support, with co-author rolls opened before final adoption. The second-day consent calendar, including ACR 127 on National School Counseling Week, was adopted 64-0. Members also heard a lengthy adjournment in memory from Assembly Member Soria honoring Pablo Rodriguez, a Central Valley organizer and civic leader remembered for his work with United Farm Workers, Communities for a New California, and AB 1441 on the Merced County Independent Redistricting Commission. The Assembly observed a moment of silence for Rodriguez, welcomed his family and colleagues, and then adjourned until Monday, February 9, at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• forfeitures; amending Section 37-27-44, Idaho Code, to require state and local law enforcement agencies to share
• And let me share with you where that came from.
• House Revenue and Tax and JFAC are like conjoined twins sharing a common circulatory system.
• I believe I have shared why this is a reasonable projection. We cannot wait...
• I believe I have shared why this is a reasonable projection.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• need to know about how you treat small business, how you react to small business, because when I was sharing
• When I was sharing with another small business, they said, 'Wow, I heard they made a big announcement
• I thank my colleague for sharing that with us. We know who to call.
• And if you don't share with us exactly what you're going to do, do you have next steps?
• So without sharing what you would do, do you have a plan B, plan C, plan D?

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and routine committee actions. The committee first approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, appointments to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, the appointment of Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, a reference of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Members then heard testimony from Trista Gonzalez, nominee to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, who described her long career in tax administration, efforts to improve taxpayer compliance and service, readiness for the state’s lithium extraction tax, and the department’s work on online sales tax, cannabis, and tobacco enforcement. Senators asked about responsiveness to legislators, small business support, accountability, and enforcement; public commenters from tax and accounting groups supported her nomination. Her appointment advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, nominee to lead the Board of State and Community Corrections. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention-facility inspections, large grant programs for violence intervention and reentry, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audit transparency, statutory authority for in-custody death reviews, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, site visits, audits, and compliance reviews to reduce fraud and ensure grant funds are used appropriately, and that trailer bill language had clarified access to records for death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in some juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with counties and the courts to improve conditions. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. His appointment also advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate and share Representative Kincart Jonsson's goal.
•   463 I HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT TAKES. 464 I APPRECIATE AND SHARE REPRESENTATIVE KINCART
• We agree with the Trump administration that other countries need to pay their fair share.
• nbsp; 511 WE AGREE WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT  OTHER COUNTRIES NEED TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE
• One is sharing some of those rebates and negotiated savings, which are up to half of the cost of medicines

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Becker, thank you for coordinating the invitation, and to each of you for opening this platform to share
• I had given someone the kind of joy and experience I had always hoped to share.
• Well, I can't thank you enough for being here today and sharing your story and, you know, promoting what
• Today I want to take the opportunity to share with you about our efforts to provide a glimpse into agricultural
• We so appreciate the invitation to join you today to share more about what Florida FFA is doing as a

Summary: The Agriculture Committee took up SB 806, the consumer and agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill by Senator Trumbull. Trumbull said the measure would expand repair options for portable wireless devices and farm equipment while protecting trade secrets. The committee adopted two amendments: one clarifying the bill does not apply to motor vehicles, and a technical staff amendment. Testimony was mixed: an Everglades Equipment representative opposed the bill, warning it could weaken local dealer support, reduce parts inventory, and increase downtime for farmers; the Consumer Technology Association also opposed the bill in its current form, citing concerns about a patchwork of state repair laws, private lawsuits, and inconsistent standards. The bill was reported favorably as CS for SB 806 by a roll call vote of 4-0, with Senator Rouson not voting. The committee then heard a presentation from Florida 4-H state officers Timmy Hawes, Summer Wayne, and Taylor Thigpin. They described 4-H as a youth development organization focused on citizenship and leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, serving more than 216,000 youth statewide. They highlighted personal stories about how 4-H built confidence, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills, and they outlined goals to grow participation to 300,000 youth and to invest in 4-H camps, especially Camp Cherry Lake and Camp Timpoochee, as year-round learning sites. Senators praised the program and asked questions about how youth get involved and what drives participation. Florida FFA state officers Hope Storder and Isabel Jenkins then presented on agricultural education and FFA. They explained FFA’s three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development, and noted that Florida now has more than 65,000 FFA members and that state funding has allowed all agricultural education students to participate at no cost. They emphasized agriculture’s role in feeding a growing population and discussed how technology, innovation, and urban agriculture can help meet future production needs. Senators commended the organization’s work and its role in preparing future leaders and agricultural professionals. At the end of the meeting, Senator Burton requested a group photo with the students, and the committee agreed.