Transcript Highlights:

• Holly, for many days, use with Lighthouse Public Affairs on behalf of the San Diego Housing Commission
• I serve on the San Jose Housing Commission, and I'm here on behalf of the Housing Action Coalition, in
• Good morning, Kate Rogers, on behalf of the Student Homes Coalition, the UC San Diego Housing Commission
• , and the Youth Bridge Housing Commission at UC San Diego.
• We've already secured $25 million in state reinvestment funding and 53 rental vouchers.

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Catherine Squire on behalf of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls in support.
• these concerns, ACSA requests an exemption for LEAs if they cannot project that they are able to secure
• AB 1251, authored by Assemblymember Luz Rivas, at some point in the past six years, requires the Commission
• We've tried everything, and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing reviews those requests and says,
• AB 1119 establishes a work group through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to examine and address

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cross country team, under the leadership of legendary Coach David Hopper, has now secured their fifth
• their fifth consecutive has now secured their fifth consecutive MAIS<00:15:50.040><c> Class</c><00:15
• House Bill 1563, Municipal Utilities Revised: composition of the commission.
• It's the commission<01:22:43.200><c> and</c><01:22:44.160><c> if</c><01:22:44.280><c> there</c><01:22
• :44.400><c> are</c><01:22:44.440><c> any</c> commission and if there are any commission and if there

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Within the block grant, it will fund social security and Medicare through its model allocations, as well
• </c><00:15:57.040><c> and</c> will fund uh social security and will fund uh social security and Medicare
• not to pay for it facilities commission not to pay for it as<01:20:07.199><c> part</c><01:20:07.280>
• Chairman, I was on the school facility commission at one point, and that was a topic of conversation,
• ><c> one</c><01:37:07.199><c> point</c> facility commission at one point facility commission at one point

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that appropriation existed in case the state needed to reimburse Social Security for those expenses
• Basically, at this point, we have a credit with Social Security.
• Basically, at this point, we have a credit with Social Security, so we have not had to dip into this
• So these are actually prior to them coming into placement at a secured facility.
• Karen Perry of the Department of Public Safety said those appropriations were moved to the Commission

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please keep your goats secure because he's visiting the goat pen every night.'
• And the plan B is just to study how secure the goat pen is. It's not secure at all.
• So we need to secure that pen, and that's what we did.
• You're securing your animals just at night, where mountain lions are more active.
• We provide education on not feeding wildlife, securing attractants, and appropriate guided hazing when

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• And after representing herself in trial, she was able to secure a full acquittal and gave birth to her
• And after representing herself in trial, she was able to secure a full acquittal and gave birth to her
• Amendments taken in the Senate authorized the State Lands Commission to contract with real estate financing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impact of this legislation would basically just allow evidentiary documents to be digitized and securely
• I hope that as we have the conversation, as the commission is created, that there will also be a conversation
• In 2005, on a route security mission, my lead vehicle was hit with a suicide vehicle-borne improvised

Bills: SCR37 , SB145 , SB237

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: informed consent, healthcare, medical procedures, patient rights, surgeon general, regulatory review, adult residential care, generators, emergency power, health safety, Louisiana Department of Health, compliance, regulations, child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews

Transcript Highlights:

• they/them pronouns, and I serve as commissioner and legislative chair with the Washington LGBTQ+ Commission
• criteria are designed to ensure that coverage is affordable and accessible, so that every family can secure
• the care they need when they need it without being forced to choose between health and financial security

Bills: SB5985 , SB6019 , SB6161 , SB6183 , SB6210 , SB6194 , SB6102 , SB6103

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: endometriosis, healthcare, reproductive health, patient education, awareness campaign, home care, home care services, home care agency, home care worker, caregiver, direct care, consumer directed employer, consumer-directed care, Medicaid, long-term care, aging services, disability services, personal care, respite care, vendor rate

Transcript Highlights:

• they/them pronouns, and I serve as commissioner and legislative chair with the Washington LGBTQ+ Commission
• criteria are designed to ensure that coverage is affordable and accessible, so that every family can secure
• the care they need when they need it without being forced to choose between health and financial security

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and advanced Senate Bills 6102 and 6103 with due-pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and referred Senate Bill 6194 to the Ways and Means Committee without recommendation. SB 6102 would align the Ambulance Transport Fund quality assurance fee with federal regulations, SB 6103 would make payments for rural emergency hospital services subject to appropriation, and SB 6194 would allow cost-based Medicaid payments for rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations under specified conditions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6183 would require health plans, beginning in 2027, to cover FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with one therapeutic-equivalent exception for prevention drugs. The prime sponsor and one testifier supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to timely HIV treatment and prevention; sign-in testimony showed 53 pro, 58 con, and one other. SB 5985 would create an online endometriosis resource center, require Department of Health training modules, and direct OSPI to include menstrual health and endometriosis awareness in school standards. The sponsor and multiple patients and clinicians testified in support, emphasizing long diagnostic delays and the need for earlier education; sign-in testimony showed 36 pro, 56 con, and 92 not testifying. SB 6019 would revise home care rate statutes to clarify how Medicaid home care agency rates are set, cap administrative portions at 20%, and require verification that funds are spent as required. The sponsor, labor, and provider representatives supported it as a technical fix to preserve pay parity, while sign-in testimony showed 46 pro and 57 con. SB 6161 would direct the Department of Health to include dementia risk-reduction information in public and provider materials when appropriate and to consult experts; supporters said it could help reduce cognitive decline and align with the state Alzheimer’s plan, while sign-in testimony showed 61 pro and 62 con. Finally, SB 6210 would authorize the Health Benefit Exchange to add a new certification criterion for marketplace plans to address affordability and access, including possible requirements tied to county availability, plan differentiation, and metal-level offerings. The prime sponsor, the Exchange, AARP, and patient advocates supported it as a response to rising premiums and limited choices, especially in rural or single-carrier counties; insurers, brokers, and some carriers opposed it, warning it could reduce competition, create uncertainty, and raise costs. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill with a requested amendment to avoid premature disclosure of proposed rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're moved to item B-3, Treasurer of State, Arkansas Financial Education Commission.
• wrote into the bill the need to file for a waiver or any other instrument of assistance to be able to secure
• But there's no reason DHS can't act on the pediatric portion. ...able to secure that, but there's no

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. It approved without objection an Insurance Department amendment implementing Act 261’s holding company system requirements, two State Board of Election Commissioners rules on poll watchers/provisional voting and certified election monitors, and a Treasurer of State rule removing DEI-related membership requirements to comply with Act 938. The committee also held over for a month a Department of Education request related to excluding a rule from reporting requirements so it could be discussed further with the Department of Commerce. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from rulemaking for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said federal CMS guidance created comparability and other issues for the Medicaid-related dental and diagnostic lab provisions, making it difficult to implement the acts as written by their effective dates. DHS outlined possible paths, including broader adult dental coverage, waivers, or splitting the dental rate increase from the special-needs cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s approach, arguing Act 1025 is workable, that the pediatric rate increase should move forward separately, and that DHS should continue pursuing the law rather than stop rulemaking. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about CMS correspondence, waiver timelines, fiscal impact, and whether the acts could be severed. After testimony from DHS, the Dental Association, and a public commenter, the committee adopted a motion not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025, meaning DHS must continue the normal rulemaking/reporting process. The committee then accepted the Division of Higher Education’s report, which recommended repealing three of its 32 rules and keeping the remaining 29 in effect. It also received routine written updates on older and newer rulemaking items and filed the monthly updates without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Neptune Beach Police Department, I serve as a subject matter expert on Florida's regional domestic security
• Neptune Beach Police Department, I serve as a subject matter expert on the Florida's regional domestic security
• CSHB 113 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by Representative Schof. Sir, welcome.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and voted on a series of bills dealing with traffic enforcement, drug-related homicide charges, vessel regulation, crime-stoppers records, cyber harassment, pawn data sharing, hotel removals of nonpaying guests, and Fish and Wildlife Commission authority. Members and witnesses generally framed the bills around public safety, law enforcement efficiency, victim protection, and property rights, while several bills drew concerns about criminal penalties, due process, and impacts on workers or families. Public testimony included support from sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, hospitality workers, civil liberties groups, and industry representatives, depending on the bill. PCS for CSHB 351, creating a criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding, passed 13-4 after debate over whether the new offense would expand search-and-seizure authority and whether the penalties were too harsh. HB 457, which expands third-degree murder to include unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and removes the under-18 exclusion, was amended to add a knowledge/should-have-known fentanyl standard and then passed unanimously 17-0. CS for HB 1285 on disposition of migrant vessels and HB 1149 on vessel accountability both passed unanimously after brief discussion and a cleanup amendment on HB 1149. HB 397, providing a public records exemption for Crime Stoppers organizations, passed 16-0 after a clarifying amendment. HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment also passed 16-0 after an amendment expanding definitions, penalties, civil remedies, and limitations periods. PCS for HB 1359, requiring FDLE to study a statewide pawn database, passed 16-0 with support from law enforcement and concerns about linking local systems and private vendors. CSHB 535, which clarifies when guests in public lodging establishments may be removed for nonpayment and also addressed service-charge language affecting gratuities, generated the most extended debate and strong opposition from hospitality workers and labor advocates over due process and tipped income. Supporters argued it would clarify transient occupancy and protect property owners, but the bill passed 11-6. Finally, CS/HB 1133 on Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointments and warrant requirements for FWC officers passed 16-0 after an amendment requiring warrants or probable cause for entry onto private land. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• A secured party's interest in digital assets is not protected under the current law.
• provide affordable health coverage options for Florida farmers and ranchers who face challenges securing
• If you want to go to Florida Human Rights Commission on Human Rights, it's one of the first things that

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism took up several measures, beginning with SB 1666, which would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, smart contracts, blockchain, and NFTs. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. It also approved CS/SB 480, a proposal to create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model; the bill drew significant questions about preexisting conditions, ACA coverage, costs, and whether the plans would function like insurance, but it was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from some members and outside groups. The committee then unanimously advanced CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program; an amendment added military-spouse hiring preferences and protections for private employers that adopt them voluntarily. The committee also approved CS/SB 1400, a bill aimed at non-consensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes. The measure requires covered platforms to provide a removal process, post clear notice of that process, and remove identified content within 24 to 48 hours, with liability under the Florida Unfair Trade and Deceptive Practices Act for noncompliance; an amendment carved out internet service providers from liability. Members raised concerns about repeat uploads and the meaning of “reasonable efforts,” but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adopted SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, despite testimony opposing it as unnecessary and constitutionally questionable. It also passed SB 1252, which would create a centralized statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies; the sponsor said the first step would be a $250,000 feasibility study, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 922, which revises Florida’s restrictive covenant laws by creating a streamlined process for certain non-compete and garden leave agreements involving employees with access to sensitive information and higher wages. The bill drew extensive debate over worker mobility, global scope, and whether it would strengthen employer leverage too much; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. The last major item was SB 1776, a Florida Whistleblowers Act revision that adds a notice-to-cure requirement, narrows retaliation and employer definitions, and limits claims where another statutory remedy exists. Members and public speakers raised concerns that it could make whistleblower claims harder to bring and give employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was amended and then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• believe in fairness and equity in our relationship with the state, I'm asking you today to help us secure
• So we're not asking for a handout, we're asking just a little bit of help to help us secure the future
• As the county judge of Cass County and the Commission Association of Texas and yourself. Yes sir.

Bills: HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB22 , HB8 , HB9 , HJR1 , HB22

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7 on ergonomic factors, Section 9 on effective communications, and Section 10 on data security
• So the commission has the authority to find them what he or she thinks is appropriate.
• So the commission has the authority to find them what he or she thinks is appropriate.
• So the commission has the authority to find them what he or she thinks is appropriate.
• I know that in order to do workers' comp, you have to register with our insurance commission.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:09:32.040><c> admin</c> as uh Social Security admin as uh Social Security admin Administration
• </c> provide the Social Security provide the Social Security Administration<01:09:45.960><c> data</c>
• </c><01:09:57.000><c> Administration</c> a social Social Security Administration a social Social Security
• </c><01:31:44.159><c> Federal</c> atrisk populations securing Federal atrisk populations securing Federal
• In addition, each DHHS state employee will need to take cyber security and information security annual

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• approve the permits for fairs, but is there a commission that's set up to make sure that these fairs
• If you're just forming a commission to just make nice suggestions to fairs, then probably not.
• approve the permits for fairs, but is there a commission that's set up to make sure that these fairs
• If you're just forming a commission to just make nice suggestions to fairs, then probably not.
• If you're just forming a commission to just make nice suggestions to fairs, then probably not.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to protect 24-hour customized living and secure ongoing HIV funding.
• protect 24-hour customized<00:41:00.480><c> living</c><00:41:01.240><c> and</c><00:41:01.560><c> secure
• We have one overarching aim, and that's to help older adults in greatest need live healthy and secure
• We have one overarching aim, and that's to help older adults in greatest need live healthy and secure
• said and everybody thank the commission said and everybody thank you<02:00:53.199><c> for</c><02:00:

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:59.079><c> and</c><00:50:59.280><c> subcommittees</c><00:51:00.240><c> regarding</c> commissions
• and subcommittees regarding commissions and subcommittees regarding assessing<00:51:02.040><c> um</c
• we are a nonprofit lender that provides loans to individuals and organizations who are unable to secure
• financing from unable to secure financing from traditional<01:55:43.239><c> Banks</c><01:55:43.960><
• Avard mentioned, there are currently 151 of those communities across New Hampshire, and that has secured

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have had to issue no employee security have had to issue no trespass<02:01:07.960><c> orders</c><02:
• We're going to be hearing next week to establish a commission to study the shortage in law enforcement
• We're going to be hearing next week to establish a commission to study the shortage in law enforcement
• </c><05:11:54.240><c> to</c><05:11:54.480><c> study</c><05:11:55.360><c> the</c> establish a commission
• to study the establish a commission to study the shortage<05:11:55.840><c> in</c><05:11:56.040><c> law

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all