Transcript Highlights:

• Uh on line 80 uh public defense 29.
• We moved to public safety.
• We moved<00:19:01.360><c> to</c><00:19:01.600><c> public</c> moved to public moved to public safety.<
• </c> to 395 the subtotals for the public to 395 the subtotals for the public safety<00:25:14.159><c>
• </c> lags behind the rest of the public lags behind the rest of the public sector<00:31:43.919><c> in

Summary: The conference committee met late on Friday evening to discuss the Public Safety and Judiciary budget agreement, beginning with a brief exchange among members about concerns that the executive branch had been delaying the committee’s work by waiting to approve legislative decisions. Members emphasized that the legislature should retain its independence while still allowing normal collaboration with the governor’s office. The committee then moved through several outstanding policy items and adopted them without opposition, including the A38 amendment addressing data-sharing concerns involving disability-related information, a study of firefighting services by the state fire marshal, and an A46 amendment governing access to unredacted portable recording system data in collision investigations, with guardrails on disclosure and use. The committee next reviewed the spreadsheet and budget targets. Fiscal staff explained the judiciary side of the agreement, including funding for court operating costs, a one-time Justice Partner Access Program appropriation, forensic exam rate increases, guardian ad litem funding, public defense, human rights, the competency attainment board, the cannabis expungement board, and fee increases for civil filings and motions. On the public safety side, staff described the target as well as the discretionary items funded, including nonprofit security grants, BCA staffing changes, fire marshal initiatives, a 10-year arson statute of limitations, prosecutor training grants, legal representation for children, E911 funding for critical infrastructure, Philando Castile Training Fund support, corrections-related savings from the Stillwater phased closure and sentence-to-serve elimination, a mandatory minimums task force, a victims of crime account transfer, a decommissioning study, in-service use-of-force training, and extensions of several expiring appropriations. The committee also noted a correction to a spreadsheet label related to the Stillwater closure item. After the spreadsheet walkthrough, the committee took testimony from Chief Justice Natalie Hudson and State Court Administrator Jeff Shorban on behalf of the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Hudson thanked the committee for its work and said the agreement covers some unavoidable costs, including insurance, lease expenses, forensic examiner pay, and the new access system, but argued it does not adequately address the judiciary’s most urgent problem: staffing and judicial compensation. She said court employees are leaving for better-paying jobs, judicial salaries are frozen for two years, and applicant pools for judgeships have declined, especially in greater Minnesota. She also said the judicial branch was not meaningfully consulted on the budget target and urged lawmakers to recognize the courts as a constitutional obligation rather than a discretionary program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Nuli, Executive Director for the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.
• </c><00:17:41.200><c> from</c><00:17:41.400><c> the</c> celebration commission from the celebration commission
• </c><00:19:36.559><c> the</c> about um and for the public the about um and for the public the transition
• Public, thank you so much. We are adjourned.
• </c><00:33:24.120><c> thank</c> members thank you so much public thank members thank you so much public

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The House Committee on Culture and the Arts met on January 29 at 10:30 a.m. and heard four bills. HB 133, relating to surfing, drew testimony from the Department of Education and one individual in support. Committee discussion focused on the department’s estimated cost of about $44,000 per event, including judges, lifeguards, security, and administrative expenses. Members also asked about why surfing has been difficult to implement statewide and were told safety concerns, open-water conditions, and league-level decisions were among the barriers. The committee moved the bill forward with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation, and noted it wanted the Education Committee to review the cost breakdown further. HB 307, relating to special license plates for the island of Kahoʻolawe, received strong support from Protect K Ohana, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, and other supporters in person and via Zoom. Testimony clarified the name of the receiving entity and noted a recent petition showing significant public interest. The bill was advanced with technical amendments, and the chair said the fund name was already correct and that the measure would not reflect DCCA but the bank account designation. HB 450 would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT and move authority over the Works of Art Special Fund to DBEDT’s director. The State Foundation and DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division supported the measure. In response to questions, the State Foundation said it had researched the transfer, believed funding would not be lost, and requested about a year for the transition to avoid payroll and payment disruptions, along with consideration of an additional DBEDT staff position. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, including adding the requested FTE and noting a two-year transition period in the report. HB 663, authorizing a special license plate commemorating the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, had little testimony and no one signed up to speak. The chair said OHA advocacy testimony was on file but that support for the measure appeared limited, and the bill was deferred. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Holding public office. And so that could be very broad.
• The next Emergency Commission meeting will likely be held early September.
• So we have a discussion of legislative council services to legislators.
• Legislators, more services, more resources, have people down in the standing committees.
• They're providing a great public service, but they have limitations on what they can do.

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking at the components of the tax rate, how much is being used for current services versus net services
• I'm the Vice President of Public Policy.
• Supporting responsible innovation in financial services and encouraging sound public policy is a core
• Christian Life Commission.
• So typically, most services that involve tipping are for a service, right? Yeah, yeah, or whatever.

Bills: HB1453 , HB1718 , HB2043 , HB2207 , HB2798

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair does not plan on taking public testimony on this.
• This requirement is inconsistent with other public works processes.
• This requirement is inconsistent with other public works processes in Idaho.
• So I know that I'm going to have to pay for these services no matter what.
• So the provider is incentivized because they get paid on the date of service.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• He's the executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission.
• And it's also deceiving the betting public.
• Izzy Trejo, executive director of the New Mexico Racing Commission.
• respond to public testimony before we go to the committee.
• But we're not going to hear public testimony tonight.

Bills: SB251 , SB150 , SB154 , SB73 , SB111 , SB172 , SB76 , SB181 , SB235

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something that was flagged by legislative council service.
• Such improvements will enhance the public safety, public welfare, and public health of these entities
• safety public welfare and public health of these entities also madam chair Public welfare and public
• I was appointed years ago to the New Mexico Acequia Commission.
• I'm also a member of the New Mexico Acequia Commission, or I serve on the New Mexico Acequia Commission

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, do a public service campaign, which we all know that funding was cut.
• You know, do a public service campaign, which we all know that funding was cut.
• You know, do a public service campaign, which we all know that funding was cut.
• Question on the service animals: does a comfort animal fall under the service animal?
• It's only service animals.

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I've passed Commission on Aging.
• </c> kiosk companies are money service kiosk companies are money service businesses<00:55:42.319><c>
• This is addressing Commission.
• </c> to a very large financial service to a very large financial service provider, provider, provider
• </c> on uh, Senate Bill 508 from the public? on uh, Senate Bill 508 from the public?

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the Industrial Commission has a general counsel.
• It's also the case with the Industrial Commission.
• The public was engaged through rulemaking public meetings, written comment periods, commission public
• The public was engaged through rulemaking public meetings, written comment periods, commission in public
• meetings. through rulemaking public meetings, written comment periods, commission public meetings, press

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• office, or they can run for public office and complain about it here.
• They can run for public office and complain about it here.
• Thank you very much for your service. Let's go at ease. We're going to be able to have you.
• I wasn't even notified until seeing his suicide made public on TV.
• I wasn't even notified until seeing his suicide made public on TV.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It would allow the California Energy Commission to apply appliance efficiency standards.
• It would allow the California Energy Commission to apply appliance efficiency standards to appliances
• Diego County and is looking for ways to get key infrastructure projects to the public faster.
• My name is Francis Barraza, Vice President of Policy for the San Diego Housing Commission.
• benefit, significant public investment, and financing urgency these projects carry.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• And public sector, public sector colleges essentially, when workforce Pell is intended to be accessed
• And then software as a service...”
• File as a service in 2026.
• , improved free-filing service.
• We're now going to proceed to public comment, and we'll be taking public comment on all items on the

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board, with public comment to come later and all items held open. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program implementing Proposition 12, including a one-time $5.2 million General Fund transfer to the Ag Fund and $2.8 million ongoing, and the LAO recommended approval while noting the Legislature should revisit the funding once litigation and federal preemption questions are resolved. CDFA also proposed ending state oversight of industrial hemp and moving to the federal USDA program by January 1, 2028, with an $8.3 million General Fund transfer to cover startup and transition costs; the LAO supported the transition. Additional CDFA items included $204,000 ongoing and one position to preserve agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to clarify the department’s 5% indirect cost cap; both drew no objections from Finance or LAO. The Government Operations Agency and Cradle to Career items focused on implementing the new federal Workforce Pell program. Finance described trailer bill language establishing state eligibility processes, with the California Student Aid Commission as the authorizing entity in consultation with the Workforce Development Board, and proposed $1.3 million one-time General Fund for Cradle to Career to build data linkages. The LAO urged caution because federal rules were just finalized and said more information was needed on workload, costs, and whether existing data systems could support the work. Senators raised policy concerns about limiting the program to public institutions and about aligning the proposal with broader workforce and labor goals. The committee also briefly discussed SB 53/Cal Compute, with GovOps saying no appropriation had been provided for its consortium work, and Finance saying the administration was not proposing funding at this time. The Department of Technology presented a $30 million operational backstop for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, intended to cover any shortfall if expected revenues from the Golden State Net third-party administrator do not materialize in time. The LAO initially recommended rejection over broad spending authority, then suggested amendments with stronger reporting and legislative review; committee members questioned the revenue assumptions, oversight, and whether the request could recur. CDT also sought $1 million for Poppy, the state’s GenAI digital assistant, to expand secure statewide use; the LAO had no concerns, and members asked about data security, model bias, training restrictions, and possible local-government use. Finally, FTB proposed realigning CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, retaining three ongoing positions and returning the rest of the funding and positions to the General Fund; the LAO said the reduced scope was reasonable, and members discussed keeping the free filing system user-friendly and ready for future federal changes. The committee also heard the administration’s digital pre-written software tax proposal, which would extend sales tax to electronically delivered software and SaaS beginning January 1, 2027, generating an estimated $450 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing, plus local revenue. The LAO supported modernizing the tax base but recommended broadening the proposal to include more digital products while considering a business-use exemption or reduced rate, and flagged a newly added video game exemption as a revenue downside. Senators generally supported the goal of raising revenue and aligning California with other states, but questioned the local revenue distribution and equity effects, and one senator said they would not support expanding the tax to books, music streaming, and similar consumer products. All items were left open without votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we are authorized by a publicly elected body, whether that's the Public Education Commission or
• Whether it's tribal lands, forest service land, or BLM land, the PSCOC, the Public School Capital Outlay
• Commission?
• That's not possible through the Public Education Commission (PEC) if they are a state-chartered institution
• What says the Public Education Commission about all of this?

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:07.640><c> for</c> licensing uh and Child Services for licensing uh and Child Services for
• </c> participation an independent commission participation an independent commission such<00:58:05.039
• </c> are otherwise uh defined as public are otherwise uh defined as public officials<01:03:10.960><c>
• </c> bit troubling to see on this commission bit troubling to see on this commission um<01:05:33.839>
• </c> things like that as well as the public things like that as well as the public it<01:34:19.840><c

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the Department of Commerce and Public Utilities Commission for providing some early
• </c> single issue raised at the commission. single issue raised at the commission.
• With this in mind, the Department of Commerce and our sister agency, the Public Utilities Commission,
• </c><00:43:27.839><c> utility</c><00:43:28.160><c> commission</c> of Commerce uh public utility commission
• of Commerce uh public utility commission feedback.<00:43:29.040><c> There's</c><00:43:29.280><c> nothing

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• , public safety, plowing.
• , public safety, plowing.
• , public safety, plowing.
• , public safety, plowing.
• </c> military Affairs and veteran service military Affairs and veteran service services<01:24:24.960>

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• . services caseworkers.
• House Bill 136 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to create a provider type for lactation
• Commission.
• I do only see one public witness when we open up public testimony.
• in lieu of other services.

Bills: HB136 , HB451 , SB425 , SB466 , SB905 , SB1986 , SB2311 , SB2450 , SB2805 , SB2826 , SB2919 , SB3001 , HB136

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• U got a special Commission at this time.
• Then Public Health, an additional 2.6 million.
• Then Public Health, an additional 2.6 million.
• </c> down in order to maintain the services down in order to maintain the services that<01:16:23.679>
• It's for additional um debt service,<01:34:20.880><c> right,</c> service, right, service, right, that

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. It adopted motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with reading the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be taken up throughout the day. The chamber received multiple House messages and a gubernatorial confirmation, including House Bill 1 on motor vehicles, Senate Bill 170 on health insurance, and Senate confirmation 90 for Chenica Johnson Anom to the Alabama Cickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, all of which were referred to the appropriate committees. The Senate later concurred in the House amendment to Senate Bill 170 by a 29-0-1 vote. Committee reports covered a wide range of measures, with favorable reports and, in several cases, amendments or substitutes. Judiciary reported favorably on House Bills 228, 132, 347, 405, 86, 263, and 302, and on Senate Bills 318 and 260; State Government Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 435, 97, and 407 and Senate Bill 361; Education Policy reported favorably on Senate Bills 337 and House Bills 520 and 75; Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development reported favorably on House Bills 303 and 477 and Senate Bills 360, 325, 329, and 330; Transportation and Energy reported favorably on Senate Bills 341, 354, and 340; Veterans and Military Affairs reported favorably on House Bills 465 and 307 and Senate Bills 338 and 359; and Local Legislation reported favorably on Jefferson County Senate Bill 243 and Shelby County House Bill 532. These reports generally advanced the bills to second reading and placement on the next legislative day’s calendar. The Senate also confirmed George Pierce to the Alabama Ethics Commission by a 33-0 vote after a favorable committee report, with several senators offering brief remarks of congratulations. In motions and resolutions, the chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 77 honoring the Section boys basketball team and Senate Joint Resolution 78 honoring the North Sand Mountain girls basketball team for state championships. It also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 79 establishing a legislative study commission on child sexual abuse laws and policies. A senator additionally urged colleagues to support broadband expansion efforts in rural Alabama and to ask the education chair to place HB 4 on the agenda. The most substantial floor discussion concerned Senate Bill 146, the state general fund budget substitute. The sponsor explained several budget provisions, including a $12 million transfer and an additional $5 million for the judiciary to address funding for newly created judgeships, a conditional $40 million for the Department of Corrections tied to progress on the Elmore and Escambia prison projects, conditional funding for DHR tied to reducing its federal error rate and developing a SNAP-related plan, conditional mental health funding tied to reporting and data requirements, and language preserving legislative control over certain federal rural health care funds. The Senate adopted the committee substitute for SB 146 by a 32-0-1 vote and then continued with the budget explanation as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilities Commission, and the power of the California Energy Commission to make decisions and circumvent
• We have destroyed our ability... ...utilities commission, the power of the California Energy Commission
• Food programs are spread across at least five departments: social services, public health, education,
• safety and respect for public order.
• Medical service, medical care service funding, anything to do with the funds that we get from the federal

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open. The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended. The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.