Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair Perez, distinguished members of the committee.
• There's already a safety committee that puts these together.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• The Senate Education Committee is adjourned. Great.
• The Senate Education Committee is adjourned.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• As the bill currently stands, it would come before this committee for that review. ...committee as the
• Good afternoon, members of the committee.
• on the other side of the house.
• You have an ethics complaint filed against you, or if you are filing an ethics complaint.
• I noticed that we, as members of the committee, were not given I noticed that we, as members of the committee

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the licensing and occupation committee, for the opportunity to present on House Bill
• I represent the 18th District and I chair the House Committee on Families and Children. Mr.
• Chairman, I do have a House committee substitute.
• Thank you, committee, for giving me a few minutes to talk about House Bill 459.
• House Bill 424 is amended by committee<00:45:29.280><c> sub</c><00:45:29.599><c> passes.

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to present House Bill 607 to the committee.
• I appreciate the opportunity to present House Bill 607 to the committee.
• 642 as amended by the on House Bill 642 as amended by the committee<00:32:01.160><c> sub.
• House Bill 642 as amended by the committee sub passes 9-0. We have a title amendment.
• House Bill 642 as amended by the House Bill 642 as amended by the committee<00:32:56.120><c> sub</c><

Committee: Senate State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• uh Joint Ethics Committee may uh Joint Ethics Committee may exempt<02:35:05.280><c> somebody.
• </c><02:35:16.240><c> Committee</c> uh Ethics Committee uh Ethics Committee as<02:35:18.400><c> you</
• ethics committee for an go to the joint ethics committee for an exemption. exemption. exemption.
• </c><02:40:00.080><c> Committee</c> that the Ethics Committee that the Ethics Committee was<02:40:01.560
• </c><02:46:51.040><c> a</c><02:46:51.560><c> an</c> Ethics Committee, you now have a an Ethics Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission on Ethics believes that if witnesses to ethics violations are going to be the ones who
• file ethics complaints, they should be protected from retaliation.
• As far as implementation goes, having the Ethics Whistleblower Program with the Commission on Ethics
• And by your vote, committee substitute for Senate Bill 60 is...
• I interned at the Republican National Committee under Lee Atwater.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability took up three bills. First, it heard Senator Gates’s employee protection bill, which would create whistleblower-style protections for people who file ethics complaints based on personal knowledge, allowing the Ethics Commission to investigate retaliation and, if probable cause is found, letting the complainant seek administrative or civil relief. The Commission on Ethics supported the measure, saying it had long recommended such protections and that implementation costs would be low. The committee adopted the delete-all amendment and then reported the committee substitute for Senate Bill 92 favorably. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 60 by Senator McLean, which reclassifies certain district assistant regional counsel supervisor positions in the Florida Retirement System to the senior management class, aligning them more closely with comparable attorney positions in public defender and state attorney offices. A late-file technical amendment aligning class codes with Florida statutes was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. A representative from the regional council spoke in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 194 by Senator Martin, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The sponsor argued the day would honor Kirk’s advocacy for free speech, debate, and civic engagement, and said it would not create a state holiday or require closures. The bill drew strong opposition from Senator Polsky and Senator Bracy Davis, who cited Kirk’s public comments on race, women, gun violence, and systemic discrimination and argued he was not a unifying figure worthy of state honor. Julie Keefe also spoke against the bill, while representatives from the Venezuelan American Republican Club and the Christian Family Coalition spoke in support. Despite the debate, the committee voted to report Senate Bill 194 favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill was referred to the Committee on General and Housing, which recommends that the House propose
• Madam Speaker, the Committee on General and Housing heard extensive testimony on this legislation from
• The bill was reported favorably out of your House Judiciary Committee on a vote of 8-0-3, and the committee
• </c> The House Judiciary Committee took a straw poll of 11-0-0 in favor.
• The bill was referred to the Committee on Health Care, which recommends that the House propose to the

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, House Bill 411, relating to ethics administrative fines.
• House Bill 371. We are in support of House Bill 371.
• I’d just like to add a mahalo to the Legislature, the House in particular, and this committee for passing
• Next, House Bill 411, relating to ethics administrative fines, establishing uniform provisions for assessment
• </c><01:56:40.199><c> 411</c> on House Bill 411 House Bill 411 on House Bill 411 House Bill 411 recommendation

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement. Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair Perez, distinguished members of the committee.
• There's already a safety committee that puts these together.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• That’s my ethical way of thinking is that we all are adults.
• The Senate Education Committee is adjourned.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard several bills focused on school nutrition, campus safety, college affordability, and UC contracting ethics. SB 1058 by Senator McNerney would remove price as the primary factor in school nutrition procurement, allowing districts more flexibility to prioritize meal quality, cultural appropriateness, local sourcing, and sustainability. Support came from school nutrition officials, education agencies, and school business groups; there was no opposition. Members raised questions about vendor selection and safeguards against favoritism, and the bill was ultimately moved forward on a due pass motion. SB 1140 by Senator Ashby, sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers, would require school safety plans to address access control during construction, maintenance, and repair projects by limiting unattended entry points such as open doors and gates. Supporters included Brady Campaign, Moms Demand Action, school employees, labor groups, and Prism. Members discussed how the bill would apply to both new construction and ongoing maintenance, and the measure advanced on a due pass motion. SB 959 was taken up on consent and also moved forward. SB 1006 by Senator Padilla would raise the Cal Grant B Access Award to a new minimum and tie future increases to inflation, with related supplemental awards for student parents and former foster youth also indexed. Support came from higher education advocates, CSU, student groups, and public advocacy organizations, with testimony from a Sac State student describing housing, transportation, and food insecurity. Members generally supported the bill, though questions were raised about fiscal impact; the author estimated about $21 million in first-year costs. The bill passed the committee on a due pass motion. SB 1141 by Senator Wahab would bar businesses from contracting with the University of California if a UC executive is paid by, or has been paid by, that business within the prior year, aiming to address conflicts of interest in UC contracting. AFSCME and UC workers supported the bill, citing examples of executives serving on corporate boards while their institutions contract with those companies. UC and business groups opposed it, arguing it was overly broad, could capture ordinary dividends or unpaid advisory roles, and could disrupt essential contracts and operations. After extensive debate over existing conflict-of-interest laws and whether the bill would create practical problems, the committee approved SB 1141 on a 4-3 vote and then reported the remaining bills out 7-0 as calls were lifted, concluding the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee for the opportunity to lay out House Bill 366, which is a necessary step. towards
• The committee substitute working with stakeholders and hopefully get something on the House floor.
• House Bill 366 is left. pending. House Bill 912 and recognize Speaker Moody to explain the bill.
• House Bill 912. House Bill 912 is left pending. Thank you.
• Thank you. out House Bill 470.

Bills: HB 13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145 , HB366 , HB470 , HB805 , HB912 , HB13 , HB143 , HB144 , HB145

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• So the numbers were so low that it even got waved off from the finance committee in the House because
• So the numbers were so low that it even got waved off from the finance committee in the House because
• The code of ethics is not. actionable. The code of ethics is not.
• </c><01:17:54.800><c> Bill</c> up House Bill up House Bill 1792.
• </c> opposition to House Bill 1792. opposition to House Bill 1792.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Madam Chair and members of the committee, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to talk about House
• So, I think last week, the committee did hear have an opportunity to hear the provisions of House Bill
• So, I think last week, the committee did hear have an opportunity to hear the provisions of House Bill
• House Bill 414, as amended by the committee substitute, passes with favorable expression; the same should
• Thank you very much, Madam Chair and members of the House Health Services Committee.

Summary: The Health Services Committee met with a quorum and took up House Bill 414 with a committee substitute. The bill, described by sponsors and supporters as a continuation of prior maternal-health legislation, was framed as a clarification of medical standards and an effort to improve care for women and families facing complicated pregnancies. Representative Tate, Representative Nemes, Adair Wushar of Kentucky Right to Life, and Dr. Jeff Goldberg of ACOG Kentucky all testified in support, saying the substitute was developed collaboratively to reduce confusion in the law and help physicians provide evidence-based care without fear of criminal penalties. Supporters said the committee substitute was intended to define what is not an abortion under Kentucky law and to spell out medical treatments for conditions such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, sepsis, hemorrhage, preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, and fetal demise. Dr. Goldberg said current statutes contain significant ambiguity and have created unintended barriers to treating pregnancy complications, including emergency situations, and he gave examples of patients who were delayed or harmed because physicians were uncertain about what the law allowed. Representative Nemes said the measure was the result of unusual cooperation among groups that do not usually agree and described it as a first step toward fixing a discrete problem. Representative Wilner raised concerns that the language could effectively require a patient to be in severe distress before treatment is clearly permitted and that it was too prescriptive about how physicians should manage miscarriages. In response, Dr. Goldberg and the sponsors said the substitute was not perfect, was meant as a short-term solution, and was designed to give doctors more confidence in providing routine, medically necessary care for pregnancy complications. The transcript indicates the committee substitute was adopted, but no final vote on the bill itself is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair Pérez, distinguished members of the committee.
• There's already a safety committee that puts these together.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• The Senate Education Committee is adjourned.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard several bills related to school nutrition, campus safety, college financial aid, and UC contracting ethics. SB 1058 by Senator McNerney would remove price as the primary factor in school nutrition procurement grants, allowing districts more flexibility to prioritize quality, local sourcing, cultural responsiveness, and healthier meals. Supporters from school nutrition and education groups said it would help districts better serve students and local farmers without increasing state costs. After questions about vendor selection and safeguards against favoritism, the bill was moved do pass and later approved 7-0. SB 1140 by Senator Ashby, sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers, would require school safety plans to address access control during construction, maintenance, and repair projects. Supporters said the bill closes a gap that can leave gates or doors unsecured and could help prevent unauthorized access to campuses. There was no opposition, and the committee approved the bill unanimously. SB 959 was also taken up on consent and passed. SB 1006 by Senator Padilla would raise the Cal Grant B Access Award and tie future increases to inflation using the California Consumer Price Index. Supporters said the current award has lost most of its value and does not cover basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and books, affecting hundreds of thousands of students. Members discussed the fiscal impact and the need to keep aid aligned with rising costs; the bill was moved forward and later approved 7-0. SB 1141 by Senator Wahab would bar UC contracts with businesses that pay UC executives or where executives serve in paid roles, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest. UC and the Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill as too broad and potentially disruptive to operations, while supporters argued existing rules are insufficient because many contracting decisions happen outside public view. After extended debate over recusal, transparency, and the scope of the restrictions, the committee passed the bill 4-2 and then finalized all bills on the agenda before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• reports, and joint committee reports, motions to place a new business for the house, members offering
• So, please welcome them to the people's house. Welcome to the people's house, Miss Leader.
• To the house. Thank you, Lee Lawson, and welcome all to the people's house.
• I move the house stand at ease. The house will stand at ease. Also back in session, Miss Leader.
• House Resolution 1047 by Sneed of the House, a resolution relating to CompSource Mutual Insurance Company

Bills: SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1721 , SB1433 , SB1316 , SB1280 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1461 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , HJR1088 , SB1684 , SB378 , SB1447 , SB1920 , SB1443 , HR1047 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB1365 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1810 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1530 , SB1847 , SB1990 , SB2060 , SB1992 , SB1579 , SB1778 , SB2132 , SB1623 , SB2067 , SB1589 , SB1441 , SB1224 , SB372 , SB1232 , SB1264 , SB1450 , SB2011 , SB2030 , SB1980 , SB1936 , SB1477 , SB1593 , SB1725 , SB1670 , SB1480 , SB1726 , SB1633 , SB1735 , SB1632 , SB1277 , SB1217 , SB1826 , SB1824 , SB1813 , SB1326 , SB1937 , SB1641

Keywords: elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, advanced nuclear energy, nuclear power, small modular reactor, SMR, microreactor, generation III+, generation IV, nuclear reactor, nuclear permitting, nuclear licensing, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, OCC, Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Development Revolving Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Garrison: Representative, welcome to the Rules Committee.
• Lopez: House Bill 603 makes an update to Florida ethics laws by recognizing foster families as family
• Lopez: foster children to the definition of relative for ethics purposes.
• Stillman from the Commission on Ethics waving in support.
• Lopez and come back to the Rules Committee anytime. I love having you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, I'm John Crenshaw.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Madam Chair, committee members, Tom Madam Chair, committee members, Tom Patterson, President New Mexico
• would pass out of the House first.

Bills: SB104 , SJR3 , SM3 , SB104 , SJR3 , SM3

Committees: Senate Senate Rules , Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Keywords: wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, thank you, committee.
• I'm very confident that my body, that I was in the House and this body... members of the committee uh
• So that's one piece of ethics.
• So that's one piece of ethics.
• Good afternoon, committee.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee.
• So before us is House Bill 515... ...motion.
• Chairman and members of the committee.
• The second area that we've increased our focus on is educator ethics.
• Last year in this committee, we talked about and voted on...

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I move to the House of Representatives third read and adopt the report by the committee.
• I move to the House of Representatives third read and adopt the report by the Committee on Ethics dated
• committee in the House of Representatives.
• Speaker, I want to personally thank the members of the Ethics Committee and their staff.
• Speaker, I want to personally thank the members of the Ethics Committee and their staff.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for January 21, 2026 by roll call vote, 138 ayes with 6 present. Members then introduced several special guests and interns, including the Tipton High School football team, which was recognized for winning its first Class 1 state championship, along with multiple student interns and a birthday acknowledgment for a member. The clerk read first readings of House Bill 69, House Bill 3070, and House Bill 3071. The main substantive business was House Complaint No. 1, the Ethics Committee report concerning Representative Jeremy Dean. The committee chair explained that the nonpartisan Ethics Committee had unanimously recommended reprimand and sanctions, including removal from committee assignments for the rest of the General Assembly, mandatory sexual harassment training, no contact and physical separation from the complainant, and reassignment of seating and parking. A member from Jefferson County gave an extended statement describing the impact of the conduct on her personally and on her family, saying the messages were harmful, retraumatizing, and not adequately addressed by the apology offered. She said she would vote yes but believed expulsion would have been the appropriate penalty and urged stronger rules for future accountability. The House invoked the previous question by a vote of 138 to 8, then adopted House Complaint No. 1 by a vote of 138 to 10, making the Ethics Committee sanctions immediately effective. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, January 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Robinson, members of the committee, I'm Amanda Cecil, staff to the committee, here with Senate
• Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
• We urge you to pass it out of committee.
• We urge you to pass it out of committee.

Summary: The committee began with a work session from the State Investment Board, where staff described the board’s structure, $230 billion in assets under management, and its mandate to maximize returns at a prudent level of risk for pension and other state funds. They reviewed long-term performance, noting strong historical returns and explaining that the board generally invests public equities passively through low-cost index funds. Members also discussed sustainability practices, including ESG integration, proxy voting, climate and DEI blueprints, and the board’s view that divestment or asset-class restrictions can reduce returns and increase costs. Senators asked about deferred compensation, legislative influence over investment policy, and digital assets; staff said the board is slow-moving and that any major change would be studied carefully. The public hearing then focused on SB 5439, which would prohibit new thermal coal investments beginning in 2026 and require full divestment by 2030, with limited exceptions. Supporters argued coal is a poor long-term investment and a major climate and health risk, and several said the bill still gives the board flexibility to retain holdings in companies transitioning to clean energy. The committee also heard testimony on SB 6109, which would bar investments in private detention facilities and require divestment by 2030; supporters said state money should not profit from immigrant detention, while staff confirmed the board currently holds a small investment in Geo Group. SB 6304 would require responsible investment principles for the State Investment Board, including consideration of human rights, environmental degradation, corruption, and related risks, along with proxy voting guidelines and annual reporting. Testimony in favor emphasized ethical investing, climate risk, and avoiding complicity in human rights abuses, while board staff had earlier said they view such decisions through an investment-risk lens rather than a values-based lens. The committee also heard Substitute SB 5945, which would exclude most offenses committed before age 18 from counting as strikes under the state’s persistent offender law and would allow retroactive resentencing for affected people, with exceptions for first- and second-degree murder and serious sex offenses. Staff said the substitute would likely affect fewer cases than the original bill, with estimates ranging from about 10 to 24 resentencings. Public defense, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives raised concerns about workload, victim impacts, and retroactive application, while supporters and pro bono providers said they were prepared to help with resentencing and reentry support. No votes were taken during the hearing.