Transcript Highlights:

• This signals that advanced air mobility is no longer just a research concept.
• It is no longer just a research concept.
• I'm the legislative research intern on the Senate Natural Resources Committee. Senate Bill...
• I'm the legislative research intern on the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
• His amazing research stuff. So I think they're building a great team, fix the deficit.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, a stakeholder work group, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create a Medicaid-funded long-term care option for the most disabled SMI patients, reduce costly hospital and state-only care, and improve continuity of care. A committee amendment narrowed eligibility to individuals needing a long-term SMI level of care, changed reporting to semiannual, reduced the initial cap to 250 members with possible growth tied to savings, and required AHCCCS to keep pursuing approval if CMS denies it. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1630 as amended passed 10-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1131, which originally required every school district and charter school to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan and appropriated $1 million for implementation. A Warner amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether a plan exists, while shifting the appropriation toward AED grants and limiting school spending to purchasing and maintaining AEDs. The American Heart Association supported the amendment as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, while some members questioned the funding split and the rural-school priority. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1131 as amended passed 9-1. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 1582, dealing with the school safety interoperability fund. The amendment changed the appropriation from ADE to ADOA and allocated funds to specific county sheriff’s offices to continue existing interoperable communication systems linking schools and first responders; supporters said the systems had been used in drills and some real incidents, and were important for school safety. One member raised concerns about the auditor general’s report and whether the program should continue, but sheriffs and school officials described it as a useful communication tool. The amendment was adopted, and SB 1582 as amended passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel and reduce the waiting period for cost-of-living adjustments. The sponsor, police and fire representatives, and pension consultants argued the bill would improve recruitment and retention and align benefits more closely with what employees were promised, while cities, counties, and taxpayer groups warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. The committee spent extensive time on actuarial costs, funding status, and the effect of the amendment exempting the bill from statutory pre-funding requirements; the transcript ends during that discussion before a final vote on SB 1504 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subsequent research conducted by the Rand Corporation found no conclusive evidence that banning so-called
• Subsequent research conducted by the Rand Corporation found no conclusive evidence that banning so-called
• Subsequent research conducted by the Rand Corporation found no conclusive evidence that banning so-called
• Subsequent research conducted by the Rand Corporation found no conclusive evidence that banning so-called
• Research conducted by the Rand Corporation found no conclusive evidence that banning so-called assault

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that allowing full practice authority for APRNs is a safe, proven method to alleviate
• I'm a Ph.D. economist from the Regulatory Research Center at West Virginia University.
• I know one of you all have it printed out; it's from the National Bureau of Economic Research.
• So when you look at the research on quality of care and the malpractice experience, nurse practitioners
• Research demonstrates that midwifery-led care for low-risk pregnant women... ...gives over $2,000 per

Bills: SB1888 , SB3003 , SB2417 , SB2459 , SB3055 , HB1393 , HB2884 , SB2943

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• 3 article 2 agencies the budget totals over 5 billion dollars including for programs related to research
• , among other things, promote economic development and tourism. and serve as a central source of research
• Doesn't the research yield that result? No, I don't believe it does at all.
• I believe in learning, curiosity, do more research.
• More information. more research, more data will make you a better quality of life, will bring you more

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Mary Davis from House Research.
• Uh, Mary Davis<00:15:08.880><c> from</c><00:15:09.040><c> House</c><00:15:09.279><c> Research.
• c><00:15:10.160><c> Um,</c><00:15:10.639><c> I'm</c><00:15:10.959><c> gonna</c> Davis from House Research
• Um, I'm gonna Davis from House Research.
• ,</c> Zipco, um our partisan researchers, Zipco, um our partisan researchers, Chelsea<01:10:16.080><c

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning

Transcript Highlights:

• Anna Shelene is our um<00:10:32.399><c> house</c><00:10:32.800><c> researcher</c><00:10:33.360><c> because
• I know that um house researcher because I know that she's<00:10:34.320><c> working</c><00:10:34.480>
• Kevin McKinnon introduced himself as the deputy commissioner of economic development and research.
• You can disseminate information on various programs, or you could continue to do research, essentially
• </c><00:20:34.159><c> uh</c> could continue to do research uh could continue to do research uh essentially

Bills: HF2440

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Matrax has ambitious plans to build a research and design facility for electric aviation right at the
• plans</c><00:03:06.400><c> to</c><00:03:06.640><c> build</c><00:03:06.879><c> a</c><00:03:07.040><c> research
• </c><00:03:07.360><c> and</c> ambitious plans to build a research and ambitious plans to build a research
• I was not mayor at that time, but I know that it was thoroughly researched.
• And madam chair, thoroughly researched.

Bills: HF604 , HF1972 , HF578 , HF1951 , HF629 , HF864 , HF874 , HF1155 , HF884 , HF2365 , HF643 , HF234 , HF2655 , HF2637 , HF2535 , HF2530 , HF2344 , HF584 , HF524

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: airport funding, bonds, transportation, capital investment, Karlstad, community center, Breckenridge, state bonds, economic development, HF578, Faribault, River Bend Nature Center, bonding bill, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR grant, nature center, visitor center, environmental education, multicultural center

Transcript Highlights:

• the budget for the Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and Agriculture Utilization Research
• budget for the Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, and the Agriculture Utilization Research
• Animal Health, and the Agriculture Animal Health, and the Agriculture Utilization<00:15:17.600><c> Research
• </c><00:15:18.880><c> Um,</c><00:15:19.279><c> uh,</c> Utilization Research Institute.
• Um, uh, Utilization Research Institute.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, and as you know, we do a lot of tech and research and
• development, so we really strongly support the small business research innovation grants.
• ><01:15:37.560><c> and</c><01:15:37.719><c> development</c><01:15:38.719><c> and</c> of tech and research
• and development and of tech and research and development and so<01:15:39.000><c> we</c><01:15:39.159
• Innovation grants um business research Innovation grants um we<01:15:46.320><c> we've</c><01:15:46.639

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also produce original research, and it’s our research and our on-the-ground technical assistance that
• :38.239><c> also</c><01:11:38.440><c> produce</c><01:11:38.840><c> original</c><01:11:39.320><c> research
• </c><01:11:39.880><c> and</c> um we also produce original research and um we also produce original research
• and it's<01:11:40.239><c> our</c><01:11:40.440><c> research</c><01:11:40.840><c> and</c><01:11:41.000
• and our on the grounds it's our research and our on the grounds technical<01:11:42.440><c> assistance

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: HR204 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB3320 , SB2543 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3140 , SB2593 , SB2567 , SB2466 , SB2140 , SB2088 , SB3090 , SB608 , SB2795 , SB3294 , SB3263 , SB3001 , SB2907 , SB3251 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2354 , SB2908 , SB2353 , SB3045 , SB2047 , SB3254 , SB3246 , SB3133 , SB2425 , SB2671 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB1166 , SB896 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB3118 , SB3325 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB494 , SB2376 , SB3326 , SB2001 , SB2599 , SB3048 , SB3169 , SB2002 , SB3247 , SB3253 , SB2155 , SB2192 , SB3187 , SB2190 , SB2398 , SB2424 , SB3028 , SB2338 , SB3219 , SB2981 , HCR14

Keywords: H.R. 204, House Resolution, Hawaii LifeSmarts, LifeSmarts State Competition, student competition, academic recognition, congratulatory resolution, Iolani School, Kalani High School, Waipahu High School, personal finance, consumer rights, health and safety, technology education, environmental education, National Consumers League, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Credit Union League, youth achievement, high school teams

Bills: HR204 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB3320 , SB2543 , SB3097 , SB3096 , SB3140 , SB2593 , SB2567 , SB2466 , SB2140 , SB2088 , SB3090 , SB608 , SB2795 , SB3294 , SB3263 , SB3001 , SB2907 , SB3251 , SB2074 , SB2360 , SB2354 , SB2908 , SB2353 , SB3045 , SB2047 , SB3254 , SB3246 , SB3133 , SB2425 , SB2671 , SB3229 , SB2969 , SB1166 , SB896 , SB2391 , SB2125 , SB3118 , SB3325 , SB2613 , SB2614 , SB494 , SB2376 , SB3326 , SB2001 , SB2599 , SB3048 , SB3169 , SB2002 , SB3247 , SB3253 , SB2155 , SB2192 , SB3187 , SB2190 , SB2398 , SB2424 , SB3028 , SB2338 , SB3219 , SB2981 , HCR14

Keywords: H.R. 204, House Resolution, Hawaii LifeSmarts, LifeSmarts State Competition, student competition, academic recognition, congratulatory resolution, Iolani School, Kalani High School, Waipahu High School, personal finance, consumer rights, health and safety, technology education, environmental education, National Consumers League, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Credit Union League, youth achievement, high school teams

Transcript Highlights:

• Further research in olfactory psychology shows that people vary widely in how they perceive and react
• Research in social psychology shows that implicit bias is not easily eliminated by training in situations
• We'd like to apply a legal analysis and research analysis to that before we can. Senator Kavanaugh.
• The research does not support the idea that marijuana smoke or odor alone creates harm.
• Unfortunately, this bill and several others proposed are not supported by decades of research in this

Bills: SB1012 , SB1099 , SB1234 , SB1392 , SB1489 , SB1535 , SB1570 , SB1609 , SB1627 , SB1634 , SB1661 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1725 , SB1743 , SB1829 , SCR1027 , SCR1040 , SCR1048

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• Pantz, NBD Councilor's Vice President, Jim Kenney, Environment Secretary, John Hancock, Staff of the Research
• We do not have at the Environment Department an office of research and development, if you will.
• I'm a senior research and policy consultant.
• With Fractracker Alliance, a non-profit organization that performs research on oil and gas production
• Don Hancock, Southwest Research and Information Center in Albuquerque.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that almost half of food insecure families in California do not qualify for federal school
• I'm conducting research this summer in the Central Valley prisons, preparing to lead an academy for middle
• $130 million cuts even more, with our food pantries being filled to capacity, K-12 advocacy and research
• benefits, and inflation, but most notably, the federal government continues to cancel awards for research
• This loss of research funding will have long-term adverse consequences like preventing us from hiring

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our research builds on prior studies highlighting potential benefits of home sharing for home providers
• to go through this further with you because I think, you know, as we continue to comb through the research
• the Legislature empowered community-based organizations, including sponsors of this bill, to do research
• AB 464 will codify recommendations coming from that research and the extensive work done by the Women's
• AB 464 will codify recommendations coming from that research and the extensive work done by the Women's

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today speaking largely on behalf of my patients and our research community that has done so
• In fact, health equity research has shown that policy that this state has implemented has eliminated
• I will be submitting my testimony as well as any other supporting documentation, statements, research
• In fact, health equity research has shown that policy that this state has implemented has eliminated
• I will be submitting my testimony as well as any other supporting documentation, statements, research

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The county's position is, you guys are ethical. You're supposed to do the right thing.
• Yeah, so you think we should meet at 10, or do you need that time to do some more research and then..

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Division 3 Finance held a work session to move through five bills before noon, noting one member’s early departure and adjusting the order of bills accordingly. The first item, HB 54, would allow some alternative treatment centers in the medical cannabis system to operate for profit. Members discussed a fiscal note showing a one-time $133,000 cost, which was described as a Division 1 budget item to be handled through HB 2 rather than directly in Division 3. After discussion about keeping Division 1 informed and the distinction between retaining a bill versus funding it, the committee voted unanimously to retain HB 54 for further finance work and conversion into HB 2. The committee then took up HB 547, concerning reimbursement to counties for enhanced FMAP funds during the COVID period. The chair summarized the issue as federal enhanced Medicaid matching funds that were received by the state before authority existed to pass them through to counties, creating a disputed amount owed to counties. County representatives said the money should have gone to counties and clarified the relevant time period, while the department did not take a position. The chair proposed retaining the bill and moving it into HB 2, with discussion of a possible four-year repayment structure in equal annual installments. The committee agreed to retain the bill for continued work in the budget process. During the HB 547 discussion, members also clarified the fiscal and accounting details, including that the fiscal note had not been widely available and that some figures in the note should be treated as county revenue rather than county expenditure. Testimony explained that the enhanced FMAP increased from 50 percent to 56.2 percent, and that the state’s and counties’ shares of claims were affected by the timing of the federal change and the later state authorization. The committee emphasized that the issue was complex and budget-dependent, and that retaining the bill would allow further negotiation and incorporation into HB 2 rather than immediate final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2612 would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to research, develop, and propose
• The Department of Housing and Community Development would research, develop, and propose for adoption
• Directors for the Council of Infill Developers, and Nolan Gray, Senior Director of Legislation and Research
• Senior Director of Legislation and Research for California YIMBY. Thank you very much.
• Decades of research evidence supports that Housing First models overwhelmingly end people's homelessness

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and operated briefly as a subcommittee while the chair outlined public comment procedures and the consent calendar. The first major item was AB 1751, a townhome/homeownership measure by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Wicks. The author accepted amendments to strike the bill’s wage provision and to limit unit size and project size, but declined other proposed amendments on downzoning, demolition protections, and site restrictions. Supporters, including the New California Coalition and California Conference of Carpenters, argued the bill would expand attainable homeownership and create more townhome sites; opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about renter protections, demolition/displacement, density impacts, and local control. Several labor groups and local government representatives were neutral or supportive of the amended bill, while the committee members discussed the tension between housing production and worker protections. The committee ultimately passed AB 1751 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. The committee then heard AB 750, which expands HCD’s Portfolio Reinvestment Program to more at-risk affordable housing developments needing rehabilitation. The author and supporters from the California Housing Consortium and California Housing Partnership said the bill would help preserve deed-restricted housing facing expiring affordability restrictions and disrepair, especially when paired with anticipated bond funding. Members asked about the program’s prior funding and how it works to keep units affordable through rehabilitation rather than state takeover; the author emphasized the goal was preservation of existing affordable housing stock. AB 750 passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a roll call vote and was held on call for absent senators. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Next, the committee heard AB 306, which would create a more workable statewide appeals and code-interpretation process at the California Building Standards Commission for local building code decisions. The author and supporters from AIA California and the Housing Action Coalition said the bill would reduce inconsistent interpretations across 540 jurisdictions, improve transparency, and support housing innovation while preserving local authority over local matters. Members discussed how the bill would interact with local amendments and alternative methods and means, and the committee moved the bill to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote. AB 2612, directing HCD and the Building Standards Commission to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems in new construction, also advanced to Appropriations after supportive testimony and brief questions about safety standards and stakeholder consultation. AB 1070, which orders a study on allowing 3- to 10-unit missing-middle housing under the Residential Code and requires a one-time report on code-related cost pressures, passed to Appropriations after building officials removed opposition. Later, AB 2181, a narrow bill concerning hotel and motel valuation and density bonus potential, passed to Local Government after testimony from Unite Here and others about protecting hospitality jobs and preventing speculative appraisals. Finally, AB 1237, clarifying safety rules for private in-unit pools in hotels and condominiums, passed to Health after the author described added safety measures such as pool covers, alarms, emergency devices, certified operators, and AEDs.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2612 would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to research, develop, and propose
• Housing and Community Development to research, develop, and propose for adoption standards for a qualified
• Directors for the Council of Infill Developers, and Nolan Gray, Senior Director of Legislation and Research
• Decades of research evidence supports that Housing First models overwhelmingly end people's homelessness
• Decades of research evidence supports that Housing First models overwhelmingly end people's homelessness

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all