Video & Transcript : 'port visit' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 2/27/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She had breast cancer during COVID, and her husband couldn't go visit her.
  • 01:52:09.320><c> husband</c><01:52:09.719><c> couldn't</c><01:52:10.000><c> go</c><01:52:10.239><c> visit
  • </c><01:52:10.480><c> her</c> and her husband couldn't go visit her and her husband couldn't go visit
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is also a need to say here's how much damage there was at this site at the time of a field visit
  • There is also a need to say here's how much damage there was at this site at the time of a field visit
  • There is also a need to say here's how much damage there was at this site at the time of a field visit
  • I need to remember to look at that map before I go visit county meetings, because if I forget to bring
Bills: HF601 , HF271 , HF1101 , HF979
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I’m grateful that we stumbled upon this program through a constituent as I was out visiting Canterbury
  • </p> <p>If you haven't had a chance to go out and visit Canterbury and talk with Sally, you just got
  • If you haven't had a chance to go out and visit Canterbury and talk with Sally, you just got the tip
  • </p> <p>If you haven't had a chance to go out and visit Canterbury and talk with Sally, you just got
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • There have been two online meetings and a site visit.
  • meetings</c><00:38:59.440><c> and</c><00:38:59.599><c> a</c><00:38:59.800><c> site</c><00:39:00.240><c> visit
  • </c> two online meetings and a site visit two online meetings and a site visit Matt<00:39:01.720><c>
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EIG-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 01-29-2025

Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So if we had to pay that additional fee on our, you know, going to the neighbor island to go visit our
  • neighbor</c><00:38:00.800><c> Island</c><00:38:01.119><c> to</c><00:38:01.240><c> go</c><00:38:01.400><c> visit
  • </c><00:38:01.640><c> our</c> the neighbor Island to go visit our the neighbor Island to go visit our
Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on Senate Bill 103, relating to electric vehicle batteries, and then moved to Senate Bill 995, relating to renewable fuel. On SB 103, the Department of Health and the State Energy Office supported the measure, and Redwood Materials said it supported the bill’s intent but requested an amendment to add a battery recycler to the commission. Other testimony on SB 103 included support from several individuals and organizations, with one opponent noted. A committee member also raised a possible deadline change requested by the Alliance of Automobile Innovation for future work on the measure. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 995, which would create tax incentives for sustainable aviation fuel and related renewable fuel production. Supporters included the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pono Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Tax Foundation, PAR Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel, and others. Supporters said the bill would help build a local SAF industry, encourage camelina and other feedstocks, and advance decarbonization goals. Several supporters also said they had proposed amendments or technical comments and stood on their written testimony. Opposition testimony argued the bill could allow toxic waste feedstocks, such as construction and demolition waste, into fuel production, and questioned whether the incentives would truly benefit Hawaii farmers or consumers. One opponent said the bill’s benefits could flow to the producer and to imported feedstocks rather than to local agriculture, and another questioned the scale of local land and water available for camelina production. Committee members pressed witnesses on acreage, water use, expected yields, the role of PAR Hawaii’s refinery investment, and whether the state would be subsidizing a business decision that might not produce significant local fuel. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 1/21/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • allow a state to collect, to ask for more than it's, you know, divided up as a company is making visits
  • </c><00:42:14.640><c> they</c><00:42:14.880><c> they</c><00:42:15.000><c> do</c><00:42:15.440><c> visits
  • </c><00:42:15.760><c> in</c> you know they they do visits in you know they they do visits in different
Committee: House Taxes
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Executive Departments and Administration (01/22/2026)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • :22.560><c> inbombing</c><00:10:23.200><c> for</c><00:10:23.680><c> public</c><00:10:24.000><c> visitation
  • </c> select inbombing for public visitation select inbombing for public visitation and<00:10:24.880><
  • </c><00:20:56.559><c> They</c><00:20:56.720><c> need</c><00:20:56.799><c> to</c> visitation first.
  • They need to visitation first.
  • It's actually two site visits a year minimum with an ADS by a licensed acupuncturist, and um, and I've
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/05/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • 55:01.319><c> leaning</c><03:55:01.680><c> in</c><03:55:02.319><c> uh</c><03:55:02.399><c> to</c> visits
  • and now we're leaning in uh to visits and now we're leaning in uh to our<03:55:02.760><c> larger</c>
  • That's when you, like, fuzz the images in the background, especially when we go into a home visit and
  • </c><04:47:02.878><c> committed</c><04:47:03.200><c> a</c><04:47:03.360><c> crime</c> came here to visit
  • committed a crime came here to visit committed a crime here<04:47:03.920><c> and</c><04:47:04.040><c
Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Management Aug 17th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I brought this bill forward after reviewing county commission meetings and visiting with the county commissioner
  • bill and a data center bill, we'd like to be able to give the public an opportunity another day to visit
  • I want to visit with the chairman to see if that can be changed. Okay. Okay.
Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I couldn't travel to visit my family in Peru.
  • My parents and I couldn't own our own home, and I was constantly visiting lawyers' offices.
  • Many schools allow students participating in club sports tournaments or college visits excused absences
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - House Commerce

House Commerce Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I would like to share a little story about me visiting my hometown, and I was going to a story about
  • me visiting my hometown, and I was convinced by my nephew to open a food truck over there.
  • people pay their bills on time, manage their cash flow, and handle emergency expenses, like a doctor's visit
Summary: The House Commerce Committee heard House Bill 2181, which would extend the deadline for funeral establishments or responsible individuals to complete and submit death certificates. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the maximum extension to 14 days and clarifying that the medical certification deadline for health care providers excludes weekends and holidays. Testimony from a mortuary owner and the sponsor described delays caused by doctors’ schedules, county processing, holidays, and families needing more time; some members argued the bill did not address the underlying accountability problems for doctors and counties, while others supported the added flexibility. HB 2181 was approved 6-4-1 with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2682, which creates a DES rental assistance program providing up to two months or $5,000 in aid and appropriates $5 million from the general fund for administration. Supporters said the bill would help families facing short-term crises stay housed, reduce evictions, and serve as a preventive measure that could save money downstream; a constituent testified in Spanish about receiving emergency rental help after falling behind. Some members raised concerns about the program’s cost, the limited target population, and whether seniors should be included, while others supported it as a pilot and asked for possible amendments. HB 2682 passed 7-4. House Bill 2698, which creates a rental assistance study committee to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and repeals the committee in 2028, was heard next and passed on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2476, revising CPA certification and reciprocity requirements by creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said the bill would help address a CPA workforce shortage and align Arizona with other states; after questions about whether the bill made licensure harder or easier, the committee unanimously approved HB 2476, 11-0. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill would prevent conflicts of interest and preserve separation between payers and providers, while Delta Dental opposed the measure as overbroad and potentially burdensome for nonprofit insurers and investors. After discussion about private equity, nonprofit charity care, and vertical integration, the bill was approved 8-0 with three members present. The committee then started House Bill 2118 on mobile food vendors, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing it would streamline duplicate local permitting, while cities and some vendors opposed it as a loss of local oversight and control; testimony continued, but no final action on HB 2118 appears in the excerpt.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I would like to share a little story about me visiting my hometown, and I was going to..." "...a
  • story about me visiting my hometown, and I was convinced by my nephew to open a food truck over there
  • people pay their bills on time, manage their cash flow, and handle emergency expenses, like a doctor's visit
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education May 6th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, I appreciate you laying out the committee substitute because that is critical to what I want to visit
  • But I have heard from other trustees who say legislators do not always take the time to visit with them
  • convention, in years that include a legislative session, we sponsor a lobby day at which our members visit
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Apr 9th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Visit Florida is at $80 million. Affordable housing initiatives are at $403.8 million.
  • And through that visit, he shared that experience with our committee staff, who have been incredible
  • also have other members in this chamber who have received death threats for other reasons and even visits
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just visiting with some sports shops in the last day or two and asking kind of where are your sales when
  • lot of folks are making that choice, and this is a simplification of technology that's... um just visiting
  • with uh some uh uh um just visiting with uh some uh uh Sports<00:16:04.199><c> shops</c><00:16:05.120
Bills: HF647 , HF2824 , HF1249 , HF623 , HF820
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on State and Local Government - 02/27/25

State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We serve hundreds of seasonal residents and guests who visit our resorts and travel the area through
  • We serve hundreds of seasonal residents and guests who visit our resorts and travel the area through
  • We serve hundreds of seasonal residents and guests who visit our resorts and travel the area through
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS DEFER, HHS-LBT, HHS Public Hearings 02-10-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • 25.719><c> exact</c> the private insance it's the same exact the private insance it's the same exact visit
  • :27.000><c> C</c><01:17:27.800><c> that's</c><01:17:27.960><c> about</c><01:17:28.239><c> half</c> visit
  • but with part C that's about half visit but with part C that's about half of<01:17:28.600><c> the</c
Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • In addition to Jen and Saul and Eliana, we also have visits today from the National Capital Therapy Dogs
  • National Capital Therapy Dogs, we have Lori Hollibuck, and she has actually done 800 dog therapy visits
Summary: The House received a series of Senate communications and committee reports, then took up a long consent calendar and several individual measures. Early actions included passing consent calendar items, recognizing Freedom of Speech Week and Juneteenth, and hearing numerous introductions and tributes, including remarks honoring House fellows, Father’s Day, and Representative Mara Gorman. The chamber also adopted several procedural motions and recesses, with roll calls recorded throughout. Among the bills considered, the House passed House Bill 134 on animal cruelty, increasing penalties for repeat offenses; House Bill 131 with Senate Amendment 1 on pet stores and animal welfare; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320 on technical corrections to the Delaware Constitution; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407 on technical updates to the Hazardous Substance Control Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 on salary supplements for certain school employees; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 450, the Road Delaware Act, on land use and permitting reform; House Bill 459 on restricting energy drink sales in schools; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 439 on electric moped and motorcycle disclosures; and House Bill 444, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, after amendment delaying its effective date to July 1, 2027. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 459 was adopted, and House Amendment 1 to House Bill 444 was adopted before final passage. The House also rejected House Amendment 1 to House Substitute 1 for House Bill 425 after debate over salary supplement policy for school-related certifications, then passed the substitute bill itself. House Bill 407 prompted questions about the increase in civil penalties, which DENREC said was intended to update outdated fines and align the penalty structure with other laws. House Bill 444 drew floor speeches emphasizing voting rights protections and concerns about voter suppression and dilution. The session ended with the House moving to recess after continuing consideration of House Bill 355, the Speaker Truth Act, which had just adopted an amendment changing damages language to attorney’s fees and costs.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee Jun 17th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sacramento State... ...State, I have gotten to interact very briefly with a couple of trustees when they visited
  • completing multiple redundant, duplicative reports, and those were two days that she was unable to visit
Committee: Senate Education
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee Jun 10th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • And going around the campuses and visiting them and talking with students who said, I can't get an appointment
  • And going around the campuses and visiting them and talking with students who said, 'I can't get an appointment
Summary: The committee heard AB 1159, which would expand and modernize student data privacy protections, extend similar protections to higher education students, and create limited enforcement mechanisms. The author and supporters argued that ed tech now collects far more sensitive information than students and families realize, including health, location, and identity-related data, and said the bill is needed to address AI, subpoenas, data theft, and misuse. Some higher education and bookstore interests raised concerns about definitions and preserving ordinary student communications, but committee members generally supported the bill and emphasized protecting sensitive information; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection Committee and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1171, which would protect and stabilize the Part-Time Community College Faculty Health Insurance Program by keeping funds dedicated to that purpose and requiring districts to begin negotiations by 2030. The author and supporters said part-time faculty often lack employer-sponsored coverage despite teaching most community college courses, while opponents from the Community College League and administrators argued the measure was premature because participation is growing and the Legislature should retain budget flexibility. Several senators discussed the tension between budget discretion and honoring the state’s commitment to faculty health care; the bill was moved on a due pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1581 followed, proposing changes to improve identification and reporting of Native American students in CalPADS through tribal affiliation data. Supporters said current systems severely undercount Native students and that better data would improve resources and accountability, while members raised implementation questions about multi-tribal identities and consultation with tribes. The bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. The committee then heard AB 1665, requiring mental health training for school sports coaches. The author and a psychiatrist witness said coaches are trusted adults who already receive training on physical safety and should also be trained to recognize mental health warning signs and connect students to help. Support came from school, health, and sports organizations, with no opposition, and the bill was moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Finally, AB 1766 was heard, expanding human trafficking prevention education from grades 7-12 to K-12 and adding content on online exploitation, grooming, and digital abuse. The author, a survivor witness, and a foundation representative described the need for earlier, age-appropriate prevention education and stronger staff awareness; supporters included educators, school districts, and industry groups, with no opposition. Senators praised the testimony and the bill’s focus on prevention, and a motion was made to move it forward.