Transcript Highlights:

• So the way that this legislation is written gives the Fish and Game Commission the latitude to set those
• So the way that this legislation has written gives the fishing game commission the latitude to set those
• Tucker Williams, legislative and community engagement coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• On behalf of the Fish and Game Commission, thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of House
• For these reasons, the Fish and Game Commission supports House Bill 678 and asks that you send it to

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• They're very difficult. to fill and requires a lot of knowledge and skills.
• Those are based in today's dollars. We all know that today's dollar is...
• based upon depth of the...
• Based on population, the results are pretty interesting.
• So, based on your $5.00 an hour.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Based on the number of witnesses, the polling looks good.
• on a sewer master plan, which is based on engineering, which is based on how much we each excrete, and
• it's based on the science.
• The property, their property right is based on the property sitting on top of the land.
• So any standing or claim they would have based on their lease is gone.

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see on the right-hand side there, based on our housing strategy that was finalized in 2022, those
• Well, this is obviously based on several assumptions and some preliminary projections.
• Based on what we've got, I think that money has been spent.
• My question may be a little off base, but when you get a complaint filed, Mr.
• days is the minimum that our tracks are required to run for game machines to operate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Based on input from House research, we also took the opportunity to reorganize the statutes to make them
• So, the Speaker has decided that this amendment, based off of the numbers, prevails.
• This is their base funding. How many agencies This year, they have only gotten base funding.
• A bunch of you would say I would love to cut government below base; I did too.
• If he were to pass away, she could keep her state-based health insurance. This was a catch-22.

Transcript Highlights:

• provides hands-on experience in agriculture and environmental sciences and equips students with the skills
• provides hands-on experience in agriculture and environmental sciences and equips students with the skills

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• A report of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission pursuant to Section 69 of Chapter 23K of the General
• Massachusetts Gaming Commission pursuant to Section 69 of Chapter 23K of the General Laws submitting
• half, Sam Ellinger, who replaced senior Max Cruz on an injury substitution, was able to score the game-winning

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, briefly recessed several times, and noted receipt of Massachusetts Gaming Commission reports on December 2024 and January 2025 casino and sports wagering revenue, which were placed on file. The chamber also featured several ceremonial introductions, including Cohasset High School’s boys’ soccer team, recognized for winning the school’s first state championship, and a group of visitors from Northborough and Worcester welcomed by Senators Kennedy and Donaghue. The only substantive action taken was adoption of an order extending the previously established subcommittee under the temporary committee on rules so it could continue handling matters related to Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024, with its membership unchanged. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn and set the next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m. No roll call votes were recorded; both orders were adopted without objection, and the Senate adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• > in</c><00:15:06.240><c> the</c><00:15:06.360><c> polling</c><00:15:06.680><c> place</c> voted on game
• day in the polling place voted on game day in the polling place the<00:15:07.120><c> traditional</c>
• Those were allocated based on per capita plus a flat rate, and then out to any counties that applied
• Those were allocated based on per capita plus a flat rate, and then out to any counties that applied
• Those were allocated based on per capita plus a flat rate, and then out to any counties that applied

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• , and I'll give you an example in the fishing game statute right now.
• </c><00:42:57.320><c> If</c> game statute right now. If game statute right now.
• So, it sounds to me, based on the four reasons that you can go into non-public, that perhaps if there's
• People may change their votes based on whether something is going to overturn the tax cap or not.
• </c><01:29:43.720><c> on</c> People may change their votes based on People may change their votes based

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• priorities as well, even if it didn't make it into the admin package, but I just wanted to clarify based
• I just wanted to clarify based on the I just wanted to clarify based on the memo<00:03:55.240><c> that
• would be in violation of federal law or based on that letter?
• </c> of federal law or based on that letter? of federal law or based on that letter?
• You don't want prices to increase based on your surveillance.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> uh in these programs are market-based, uh in these programs are market-based, market-based<00:10
• And as they are market-based tariffs.
• 29.760><c> could</c><01:29:30.000><c> have</c> base understanding is you could have base understanding
• </c><01:31:06.400><c> technology</c> talking about a Wi-Fi based technology talking about a Wi-Fi based
• </c> impact that can be done by fish and game impact that can be done by fish and game as<04:20:33.520

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have taken testimony on them, and so we're not going to do the musical chairs game of shuffling things
• musical chairs game of shuffling things musical chairs game of shuffling things around around around
• are things like the science of reading and literacy, which we already heard some of that, evidence-based

Bills: HF60 , HF3067 , HF3730 , HF3638 , HF3401

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the one year is based on when the election is coming up.
• We base our judgments on whether this is appropriate in terms of maybe age-based.
• </c><03:55:01.040><c> So,</c><03:55:01.279><c> for</c> in terms of uh maybe age based.
• So, for in terms of uh maybe age based.
• on replacement or cost-based value.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We are very supportive of HB 461 so that our school tax rates can be applied to tax bases that are more
• by requiring sports officials who are not otherwise covered by existing law to undergo fingerprint-based
• House Bill 425 recognizes that school-based mental health supports depend on a team.
• And so that in addition, you know, it ties in the recent changes to Regulation 609, those school-based
• Furthermore, the bill's focus on expanding access to school-based mental health services and staffing

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I signed on to the letter of support based on your request because I thought we would get to a place
• I signed on to the letter of support based on your request because I thought we would get to a place
• And I know, and that was based on the Rules Committee confirmation...
• It just didn't work out, and I know that was based on the Rules Committee confirmation.
• I frankly feel it should be based upon what is the need of the area.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, based on these findings, we conclude that operations should be limited because they have
• Second, redirect funding to evidence-based victim identification methods that are more effective and
• So I think that what we see from the data that we have is it was based upon just in general.
• And that is based on partnerships we have with CBOs in the community. Thank you, Chief.
• And that's really where we see these cases get to the correct place: when they're based.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety held an informational hearing in Pomona on sex work-related crimes and efforts to combat human trafficking. The chair and Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez framed the issue as a major public safety and victim-protection concern, referencing the repeal of the loitering law in SB 357 and the recent enactment of AB 379, which targets buyers of sex rather than sex workers. The hearing was organized into three panels: data and research, policing and anti-trafficking efforts, and courtroom/prosecution impacts. In the first panel, the California Department of Justice presented arrest and conviction data for the repealed loitering statute, noting overall declines from 2019 to 2022 but also explaining that the data did not distinguish clearly between people selling sex, people loitering to sell, and people purchasing sex. USC law professor Hannah Gary summarized a 2021 report finding that law enforcement stings and raids often lack transparency, disproportionately harm Black women, minors, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented migrants, and rarely achieve the stated goals of protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, or preventing trafficking. The ACLU of Southern California argued that criminalization of sex work is discriminatory and historically used to police women and people of color, and that laws aimed at buyers still harm sex workers and can increase immigration consequences. Committee members asked about data collection, racial disparities, and whether the new law could worsen profiling; the panelists urged public health approaches, better data, and more survivor services. The second panel featured the California DOJ human trafficking coordinator, Pomona Police Chief Mike Ellis, and survivor advocate Jess Torres of Rising Worldwide. DOJ described its regional trafficking teams, task forces, victim services, and prosecutions, emphasizing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. Chief Ellis said SB 357 limited police intervention and contributed to visible open-air prostitution near schools and other sensitive locations, citing complaints from residents and a reported drop in juvenile rescues in Pomona after the law changed; he supported AB 63-style enforcement with safeguards and service referrals. Torres, speaking as a survivor, argued that anti-trafficking policy must be survivor-led, that many youth in the sex trade are boys or LGBTQ youth, and that criminalization and street enforcement often worsen harm and displacement rather than solving the underlying problems. In the final panel, a Riverside County deputy district attorney said AB 63 could help law enforcement make earlier contact with potential victims and identify traffickers, while stressing the need for training, documentation, and oversight. A Los Angeles County public defender argued that prosecuting trafficked people reinforces traffickers’ control, creates lifelong barriers, and retraumatizes survivors, and pointed to diversion programs as a better model. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking began its testimony by describing its survivor services and crisis response work. The hearing ended without any vote or formal action, but with committee members and witnesses continuing to debate the balance between enforcement, data collection, and survivor-centered services.

Transcript Highlights:

• oils for low carbon make seed-based oils for low carbon Transportation<00:14:48.600><c> fuels</c><00
• They also employ several thousand highly skilled university graduates.
• <00:27:47.399><c> universities</c> skilled universities skilled universities graduates<00:27:50.080><
• on uh research in the Minnesota based on uh research in the electrical<00:36:48.160><c> engineering<
• guess um just based on the amount<00:54:55.240><c> of</c><00:54:55.440><c> traffic</c><00:54:55.799>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Fundamentally, such time-based goals, even if just estimates and not fully within the campus's control
• Fundamentally, such time-based goals, even if just estimates and not fully within the Fundamentally,
• Based on the rate of repatriations between November 2022 and December 2024, roughly a two-year period
• And we're just not there yet based on the results of our audit. Would it be...
• And we're just not there yet based on the results of our audit.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the University of California’s compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and CalNAGPRA, based on the California State Auditor’s April 2025 report and updates from UC and tribal representatives. Committee members and tribal witnesses emphasized the moral urgency of returning ancestral remains and cultural items, criticized the lack of clear timelines and accountability, and noted that other institutions have repatriated collections more quickly. The State Auditor said UC still has major gaps in identifying collections, completing campus searches, setting measurable deadlines, securing items, and fully using repatriation funding; the auditor projected that some campuses could take until 2037, 2041, 2053, or even 2089 to finish at current rates, and said 12 of 19 audit recommendations remained open. The Native American Heritage Commission said progress has been too slow and that new CalNAGPRA enforcement regulations are being finalized. UC Office of the President and campus leaders responded that the university has made substantial changes since 2019, including a revised NAGPRA policy, expanded staffing, new committees with tribal representation, more consultation, and more financial support for tribes. UC said it has repatriated more than 9,000 ancestors, 280,000 associated funerary objects, and 59,000 other cultural items systemwide, and that it is continuing to implement audit recommendations and improve transparency through a repatriation dashboard and funding information. Berkeley, San Diego, Riverside, and Santa Barbara each described campus-specific progress, including more staff, more consultations, more site reviews, and updated timelines; Berkeley said it is on track to publish remaining ancestors by the federal deadline, San Diego said it has repatriated 73% of remains and about 53% of cultural items, Riverside said nearly all known ancestors and associated funerary objects have been noticed or repatriated, and Santa Barbara said it has restructured its program and added staffing and tracking systems. Members pressed UC on why timelines remain so long, why some campuses still lack clear completion dates, and whether the Legislature should use budget tools to increase accountability. The auditor suggested the Legislature could consider stronger funding conditions and clearer expectations, while some members noted constitutional limits on earmarking UC’s base budget. UC said repatriation must be tribally led, that consultation and reburial can take time, and that some delays stem from incomplete records, overlapping tribal claims, and the need to reunite items with ancestors. No formal vote or action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of these guidelines, whether this law is passed or not, are based off of the federal ruling.
• Based on number one, again, their own information and what they've told us with respect to what they
• We do require that DCF eliminate that, and I believe they already have based on what they've told us.
• So I'll tell you that based on my conversation and certainly what we were told in committee by DCF, I
• They just don't either have the skill set or the ability to do the documentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• it prohibits a health insurance, health care insurer from reimbursing doctors at a different rate based
• Rate based on patients' refusal to get vaccinated. So should we pull it?
• Based on the ridiculous language alone. Yes. SB 1432.
• Based on the ridiculous language alone. Yes. SB 1432, Nicole.
• Madam Chair, members, that are due from 2021 to the current date based on penalties, what's the total

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills, with members instructed to move quickly, note short titles, and pull only selected measures from consent. Many bills were reported as passing committee on party-line votes or with split votes, while others were unanimous. Several members repeatedly requested bills be pulled from consent, especially on contentious topics such as artificial intelligence content verification, gender transition procedures provider liability, vaccine reimbursement rates, light rail expansion feasibility, public employee merit hiring, health board evaluations, rural health funding, patient steering, DCS policies, school safety, virtual currency payments, undocumented immigrants’ financial services, central bank digital currency, and various criminal justice and education measures. A number of bills drew brief substantive comments or objections. One member criticized SB 1015 on Trans Visibility Day. Another raised concerns about fingerprinting requirements for behavioral health facilities, arguing similar safeguards should apply to universal voucher programs. Judiciary-related bills also prompted strong reactions, including measures on narcotics sentencing for minors, probation and immigration notification, crimes against children monitoring, and a death penalty bill involving firing squad, which drew an explicit objection for the record. Several bills were flagged because of split votes, Democratic no votes, or concerns about funding, constitutional issues, or policy consistency. The caucus also discussed a blue-sheet amendment to HB 2874 on campaign committee termination statements and penalties. Members asked about the retroactive date, the size of outstanding fines, the Secretary of State’s position, and who offered the Senate amendment. Supporters described it as a cleanup bill that would help committees close out old accounts, while others questioned the retroactive scope and financial impact. The chair ultimately announced that Mr. Winninger was refusing the Senate amendment, so final passage would not occur that day and the measure would instead go to conference committee or remain unresolved.