Transcript Highlights:

• I support the bill. Your bill was much better, but I totally support it. We'll go for it.
• I'm asking that you all support me, support my constituents, and along with Senator Garcia's constituents
• When it came to the House, I supported it. When it was up in committees, I supported it.
• It's something we've supported. It's something we've supported our entire careers.
• I encourage your support.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support the bill. Your bill was much better, but I totally support it. We'll go for it.
• I’m asking that you all support me, support my constituents, and along with Senator Garcia’s constituents
• ... ...support me, support them, my constituents, and along with Senator Garcia’s constituents, and please
• When it came to the House, I supported it. When it was up in committees, I supported it.
• I encourage your support.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions of guests and staff. The chamber then took up returning messages from the House and acted on several bills, including transportation facility designations (SB 628), affordable housing/Live Local Act changes (HB 1389), utility services (HB 1451), education (HB 1279 substituted for SB 7038), data centers (SB 484), and land use/development regulations (SB 208/HB 399). Several other measures were temporarily postponed, including education, emergency services, and environmental rule ratification bills. On SB 628, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-4. On the affordable housing bill, senators discussed the fourth iteration of the Live Local Act, including a new provision allowing certain affordable housing on religious institution property, removal of accessory dwelling unit language, and changes to tax exemption and expiration provisions; the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 35-0. On the utility services bill, the House amendment shortened the surcharge phase-out timeline and advanced reporting dates; the Senate concurred and passed the bill 30-6. The education package was substituted with the House companion, amended to include agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid, and passed 36-1. The data centers bill drew extensive debate over transparency and ratepayer protections. Senators questioned the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and whether costs could be shifted to residential and commercial customers. Supporters said the amendment strengthened ratepayer protections and maintained local land-use authority, while critics objected to the loss of transparency and the possibility of local NDAs. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill 31-6. The land use and development bill generated the most contentious discussion. Amendments addressed a Fontainebleau/Miami Beach resort water park issue, a sunset provision, and a major rural boundary/property rights proposal affecting counties such as Orange and Seminole. Senators debated whether the rural boundary language protected property rights or undermined local planning and environmental safeguards, with concerns raised about takings, county liability, and the use of an Attorney General opinion. The transcript cuts off during extended debate on that amendment, so no final vote on the land use bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 656 does two things to support those efforts.
• I would appreciate your favorable support.
• Actually, you're speaking in support? You're speaking in support? No, ma'am.
• Actually, you're speaking in support. You're speaking in support? No, ma'am.
• You're just waving in support? Great. Thank you very much.

Bills: S0164 , S0656 , S0892

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Keywords: wrongful death, unborn child, civil liability, medical provider, parental rights, habitual felony offenders, violent crimes, enhanced penalties, criminal justice, recidivism

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed. The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to go on record in support of these bills.
• We also want to go on record in support.
• This bill passed the House last year with bipartisan support, many who otherwise support abortion recognize
• And we gave her all of the love, care, and support.
• I'm Timothy Faber, and I'm here to support this bill.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to voice my support.
• Can y'all give me supporting material on that? I appreciate that.
• I urge support on Senate Bill 383.
• Urges support on Senate Bill 383.
• So it's a lot of support.

Bills: SB383 , SB1012 , SB1181 , SB1705 , SB2075 , SB2221 , SB2586 , SB2864 , SB2994

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any me-toos in support of this bill?
• I certainly support those who did come today for the other bill.
• Okay, well, we will take the me-toos in support.
• Do we have support witnesses here?
• John Kacharizki, Santa Ana POA, in support.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm testifying in support of S. 11 and H. 71.
• And so we're in support of Senate Bill 11 and House 71, as you know, sponsored by Senator Comerford and
• Respectfully, we ask for your support as this moves through the process and for a favorable report.
• I respectfully ask that you report this bill out favorably and really appreciate your support.
• I respectfully ask that you report this bill out favorably and really appreciate your support.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held its first hearing of the session, led by House Chair Adrian Madaro and Senate Chair James Eldridge. The committee explained the constitutional amendment process and the hearing procedures, then took testimony on four bills concerning proposed amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, with the main focus on S. 11 and H. 71, which would amend Article 99 relating to agricultural and horticultural land taxation. Senator Jo Comerford, Rebecca Miller of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, and Representative Natalie Blay all testified in support of the bills. They argued that the current five-acre minimum for farmland tax treatment is outdated and harms farmers, especially new, urban, and smaller-scale farmers, by forcing some land to be taxed at higher commercial rates. Supporters said the change would help preserve farmland, strengthen the local food system, and address economic pressures on farms, including high land values, climate impacts, and an aging farm workforce. In response to a question about abuse or false claims, Comerford and Miller said existing certification processes under Chapter 61A and municipal review help verify active farming, and Miller noted the bill requires land to be in production for two years before receiving the rate. Committee members asked about the status of the 21st Century Farm Commission, and Comerford said a report was expected in the spring. After testimony concluded, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then entertained a motion to adjourn, which was made and accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Witnesses have approximately two minutes to testify in support of or in opposition to the bill.
• Thank you, and we ask for your support.
• Thank you, and we ask for your support. Thank you. Is there anyone else here in support of AB 1916?
• So I just want to repeat: I support the online updating and technological improvement.
• All right, well, I will be supporting the bill, and thank you very much.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting
• plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting
• I'm here to express my strong<00:02:40.480><c> support</c><00:02:41.080><c> for</c><00:02:42.080><c>
• SR</c> strong support for SR strong support for SR um um um SCR95,<00:02:46.239><c> which</c><00:02:46.480
• </c> every possibility and way to support every possibility and way to support those<00:03:12.400><c>

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs met on March 27 to hear six resolutions. The first pair, SCR 39 and SR 23, urged Maui County’s planning department to retain the word “required” in the South Maui community plan so development would not proceed without adequate infrastructure; with no testimony or questions, the committee voted to pass both unamended. The second pair, SCR 82 and SR 65, called on Maui County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kadi Palolo Bridge, but because there was no testimony, the chair deferred those measures. The final pair, SCR 95 and SR 78, asked Maui County to study the feasibility of a universal basic income program for residents and businesses affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. Emma Hayenrik testified in strong support, saying the fires devastated lives and that UBI could provide immediate financial relief and support recovery. After hearing oral and written testimony, the committee voted to pass both resolutions unamended, with no objections.

Transcript Highlights:

• I report I support retaining this bill. I report I support retaining this bill.
• </c> certainly do not support retaining this. certainly do not support retaining this.
• </c> feeding hungry kids and supporting feeding hungry kids and supporting families.<01:05:59.839><c>
• </c> supporting New Hampshire public schools. supporting New Hampshire public schools.
• </c> that it's providing significant support that it's providing significant support to<01:52:19.280>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn. The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not. Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• :43:08.640><c> Jeff</c><00:43:08.960><c> How,</c> supported um by senators Jeff How, supported um by
• </c> Representative Anderson also supported Representative Anderson also supported the<00:43:18.800><
• </c> commitment and strong community support. commitment and strong community support.
• She said she is proud to support this bill and proud to have members support it.
• </c><01:17:04.239><c> I'm</c> I'm proud to support this bill. I'm I'm proud to support this bill.

Bills: HF1569 , HF460 , HF850 , HF707 , HF798 , HF852 , HF366 , HF365 , HF836 , HF866 , HF885 , HF959 , HF1196 , HF1788 , HF1349 , HF2272 , HF2652 , HF1251 , HF607

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• We support our college of students.
• </c> is continuing to provide that support is continuing to provide that support and<01:07:58.559><c>
• </c> STEM field and have supportive STEM field and have supportive experiences<01:20:00.400><c> at</c
• </c> investment and your continued support. investment and your continued support.
• supported.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Incident Support Teams and Incident Support Task Force, as well as our faith-based and volunteer organizations
• We need to continue to support our great state.
• We can support; we can bring resources in to help effectuate that.
• Nobody does this alone, and our job is to support them.
• . technical support as needed.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> cannot support uh making this change. cannot support uh making this change.
• I just um it support this amendment.
• I support all of the pension talk.
• I support all of the pension talk.
• </c> might be get able to get some support might be get able to get some support for<01:49:21.440><c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I supported it back in the Ducey administration.
• I've supported it back in the Ducey administration.
• We've got two speakers to support and one, if necessary, is neutral.
• So just to clarify, after hearing that, you are now in support?
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of HB 2828.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2307, as amended by a strike-everything amendment, which would require the Department of Health Services to contract with an out-of-state facility when a person found dangerous and incompetent under a court commitment order cannot be placed in an Arizona secure mental health facility. Supporters, including the sponsor and Senator Angus, said the measure was a temporary stopgap to prevent dangerous individuals from being released because Arizona lacks secure behavioral health beds. Opponents raised due process, disability rights, family access, cost, and interstate-legal concerns, and DHS said it had no fiscal estimate and little experience with such contracts. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 6-5. The committee then took up House Bill 2083, which updates diabetes-related insurance coverage to include items such as continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, smart insulin pens, and certain injectable medications. Supporters said the bill reflects modern diabetes care and can prevent serious complications, while an insurer representative warned that putting the coverage in statute could create state-mandated costs and raised concern that the language might be read to include GLP-1 drugs. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 11-1. House Bill 2673, dealing with mental illness screening and treatment for incarcerated people, would require sheriffs to ensure prisoners showing symptoms of mental disorder are examined within 24 hours and, if appropriate, referred for evaluation and treatment. Representative Hernandez said she intended to revise it into a study committee-style measure after stakeholder feedback, and a family member testified about her son’s death after untreated psychosis in jail. Opposition focused on competency and civil-commitment concerns, costs, and the burden on jails, but the committee passed the bill 12-0. House Bill 2923, which revises timelines and notice procedures for judicial review of court-ordered mental health treatment, also passed 12-0 after supporters said it would clarify outdated language and improve communication with families and guardians; opponents argued it shifted burdens onto patients and could prolong confinement. The committee next passed House Bill 2251, as amended, which expands licensed midwives’ authority to dispense certain medications and devices, adds reporting and oversight requirements, and creates an advisory committee. The sponsor said the amendment narrowed the medication list, clarified transfer-of-care triggers, strengthened oversight, and added sentinel-event reporting after stakeholder discussions with medical groups. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2914 on electronic monitoring in resident rooms at nursing care and assisted living facilities, with the sponsor’s statement emphasizing the bill as a protection against abuse or neglect and noting similar laws in other states; the transcript cuts off before testimony or a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's why I'm here today: to give my support for Senate Bill 1054... ...to give my support for Senate
• they say they support.
• And so I hope that you'll all support it.
• ...struggling to support our schools, struggling to support our disabled community.
• struggling to support our schools, struggling to support our disabled community.

Bills: HB2070 , HB2129 , HB2227 , HB2439 , HB2667 , HB2745 , HB2773 , HB2825 , HB2873 , HB2876 , HCR2005 , HCR2044 , SB1002 , SB1036 , SB1054 , SB1271 , SB1432 , SB1435 , SB1437 , SB1439 , SCR1022 , SCR1031 , SCR1033

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> individuals into dignified, supportive individuals into dignified, supportive communities<00:32:
• </c><00:33:40.720><c> 25</c><00:33:41.440><c> Cali</c> your support, we've opened 25 Cali your support
• </c> safe home, therapy, and supportive safe home, therapy, and supportive community,<00:34:44.480><c
• We'll support that.
• We'll support We'll support that.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Have been able to show up and support a very small number of people.
• We're trying to surround them with the best support we can.
• How can we not support them?
• We also need some instructional design support.
• We have deep support for our students.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to support Senate Bill 836.
• I'm here to support Senate Bill 836.
• I appear before you today in strong support of SB 906.
• I support law enforcement.
• I want to make it clear: I support law enforcement.

Bills: SB693 , SB781 , SB836 , SB860 , SB906 , SB993 , SB1101 , SB1321 , SB1370 , SB1537 , SB1563 , SB1610 , SB1637

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard a series of bills focused on criminal procedure, public safety, victim protections, and law enforcement administration. SB 1537 would require criminal-proceeding interpreters to meet the same appointment standards used in the Government Code, and SB 993 would let the Comptroller’s Criminal Investigative Division seek mobile-tracking warrants directly in motor fuel theft and related tax-fraud investigations. SB 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notaries who notarize documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add continuing education for notaries. SB 1610 would tighten rules for civilly committed sexually violent predators at the Texas Civil Commitment Office, including penalties for new crimes and assaults on staff, sex-offender registration requirements, and removal of certain provisions from the filed version; the substitute reduced some of the harsher penalties and preserved parole/community-supervision eligibility. SB 836 would expand privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of certain trials, allowing pseudonyms earlier in the process, and protecting forensic exam evidence and invasive recordings under protective orders. SB 1563 would require county jailers to receive training on interacting with veterans, with testimony emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails. SB 906 would give the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo authority similar to other Texas tribes to commission peace officers under state law to enforce Texas laws on tribal land. SB 781 would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officers’ personal information and create a confidential departmental file system modeled on Chapter 143 civil-service practices, though members raised concerns about whether the bill could affect disciplinary records and existing disclosure rules. Testimony was largely supportive for the bills, especially from prosecutors, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, and agency officials. Supporters of SB 693 described widespread deed fraud tied to improper notarizations; supporters of SB 836 stressed survivor privacy and the harms of livestreamed sexual-assault proceedings; supporters of SB 1563 said jailer training could help prevent veteran suicides and improve treatment; and supporters of SB 906 said state commissioning would improve public safety and coordination on tribal lands. SB 781 drew support from police and TCOLE witnesses who said the bill would extend confidentiality protections already used in civil-service departments, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law or could be read to shield misconduct information. Public testimony included opposition to SB 1610 from a civil-rights advocate who urged waiting for Sunset review, and opposition to SB 781 from a family member of a person killed by police, who objected to expanding confidentiality for officers. Several bills were left pending after testimony because the committee lacked a quorum or chose to hold them for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, how are we supported by both the federal and the state?
• The state also supports this through two different programs.
• and what they need to do to support this economy here.
• and what they need to do to support this economy here.
• And what they need to do to support this economy here.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.