Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, are there any additional witnesses in support in the hearing room?
• With that, I look forward to supporting the measure here today. Do we have a motion?
• When the time is permitted with me, we have two individuals here to testify in support.
• Osama Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions, co-sponsor, in support.
• So I will support. Thank you so much. Senator would like to close. Or you're good? I'm sorry.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today in support of Senate Bill 5649.
• So thank you for your time, and I urge you to support this bill. Thank you. Next, please.
• I'm here in strong support of Senate Bill 5649.
• I am here in strong support of Senate Bill 5420.
• It modernizes our state code to support those who serve.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses by adding the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to various eligibility provisions, extending some employment preferences to military spouses, and updating related protections. Staff and the prime sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, described it as a long-worked-on measure that passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Pro of the Department of War supported the bill, saying it modernizes state law and better recognizes service members and military families. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which would create a Washington State supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal port projects tied to freight mobility and supply chain performance. Sen. Marko Liias and port representatives testified in support, saying ports are critical to Washington’s trade-driven economy and that the bill would help fund needed infrastructure, including rail and terminal improvements, especially for smaller and rural ports. Testifiers said the program would fill a gap because ports lack a dedicated state grant program and could help leverage federal funding. An amendment to SB 5649 was explained as limiting eligible projects to those not already eligible for funding from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, to avoid duplication. The committee paused and later closed the hearing on SB 5649, then returned to SB 5420 to hear additional testimony. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended after the public hearings were closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, for the testimony, first up HHFDC in support. MERS, thank you. DLNR, SHIPY, in support.
• Hal Mahu in support. Pacific Commercial Realty in support. On Zoom, not present.
• Green Party of Hawaiʻi, in support. Maui Chamber of Commerce, in support. Stella Kaman, in support.
• We also have over 30 individuals in support and one in opposition.
• We also have over 30 individuals in support and one in opposition.

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on March 19 for a brief public hearing on two bills. SB 79 SD1, relating to historic preservation reviews, drew support from HHFDC, DLNR/SHIPY, and NAOP Hawaiʻi, with NAOP recommending a technical amendment to ensure applications submitted to the department are complete and accurate. No opposition or questions were raised during the hearing. The committee also heard SB 170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. Testimony was generally supportive, including from HHFDC, Hal Māhu, Pacific Commercial Realty, KCOM Corporation, the Green Party of Hawaiʻi, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several individuals, with one person testifying in opposition. Supporters emphasized the need to speed affordable housing redevelopment, especially for Lahaina fire victims, displaced residents, workers, and people experiencing homelessness. A KCOM representative described proposed technical amendments to avoid special-law concerns and to clarify that a permit in process with the county should be sufficient if an emergency proclamation expires before completion. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 79 SD1 with amendments and to pass SB 170 SD2 HD1 with substantial amendments. For SB 170, the chair described amendments to incorporate Pacific Commercial Realty’s proposed changes, clarify application-completeness requirements, exclude shoreline- and erosion-impacted parcels, remove references to flooding and tsunami, clarify an exemption from HRS 343 for certain permanently affordable multifamily projects in the SMA on historic properties, and move the bill’s provisions into statute. Representatives Cochran, Kagawa, and Peric were excused on the vote. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is a very reasonable proposal that should be able to get broad bipartisan support as well
• Did they plan to support it? Not yet. But again, you know, it's going to be a long session.
• across Congress I bipartisan support across Congress I think<00:03:19.640><c> this</c><00:03:19.760>
• </c> dfl colleagues did they plan to support dfl colleagues did they plan to support it<00:04:29.280>
• and I'm open to broad bipartisan support and I'm open to conversations<00:04:43.400><c> about</c><00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• James McFadden of Autism Speaks, waves in support.
• Dena Justice from The Arc of Florida, waves in support.
• So I speak in support of the bill.
• So I hope that you support it.
• County Public Schools, waving in support.

Committee: Senate Education Pre-K - 12

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and passed two autism-related bills. SB 112, by Senator Harrell, would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services from age three to age four, designate the University of Florida autism center as a statewide hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish an autism microcredential for educators and paraprofessionals. Three technical or clarifying amendments were adopted, and the bill received support from Autism Speaks, The Arc of Florida, Foundation for Florida’s Future, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who emphasized early intervention and the need for training and expanded services. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. The committee then considered SB 102, by Senator Gaetz, which would direct the Department of Education to create a workforce credential for students with autism spectrum disorder, including badges for job skills and workplace safety, and require reporting on outcomes such as employment after graduation. An amendment was adopted to allow students on a modified curriculum before formal diagnosis to participate and to require coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Testimony from Amy Weatherby of the FSU Autism Institute and CARD strongly supported the bill, stressing the importance of employment outcomes and early preparation, while other organizations also supported it. SB 102 was reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after Senator Harrell was recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 112.

Transcript Highlights:

• And these are universal supports. We talk about child care, housing supports, economic supports.
• And so, this is secondary supports.
• </c> built an array of services that support built an array of services that support families.<00:08:
• </c><00:08:39.080><c> mental</c> include parenting supports, uh mental include parenting supports, uh
• </c> to support that those parents recovery. to support that those parents recovery.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19 DCBS 00:01:58, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> strong support of Senate File 4730. strong support of Senate File 4730.
• </c> $2 million will be needed to support $2 million will be needed to support full<00:15:09.000><c>
• It'll help support hundreds of jobs.
• </c><00:37:08.640><c> for</c> today to offer our full support for today to offer our full support for
• </c><00:42:12.160><c> Uh</c> bipartisan support on this bill. Uh bipartisan support on this bill.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> supporting this amendment. supporting this amendment.
• I support this amendment. they desire. I support this amendment.
• So, what structure to support that law.
• Um, I will and support the framework.
• </c> but I will support what it is. but I will support what it is.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• supports.
• Today we are here in support of Senate Bill 1318.
• I’m testifying today in support of SB 1451.
• I'm testifying today in support of SB 1451.
• Are you in support or not in support? I'm neutral. Okay, okay. Thank you. I'm neutral.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 minutes, then heard Senate Bill 1086, which would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse non-contracting providers for certain lab services when a member was referred by a contracting provider and would bar prior authorization for diagnostic services. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address unpaid claims and improve access, while Access testified neutral but warned the prior-authorization ban could increase utilization and create a fiscal impact. The committee adopted the Warner amendment limiting non-contracting reimbursement rates to no more than contracting rates, then passed SB 1086 as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1611, an emergency measure to require Access to contract with an administrative services organization for the American Indian Health Plan, while keeping Access ultimately responsible for administration. The chair’s amendment expanded ASO duties to include provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, removed Access claims-payment authority, added tribal observers to the selection committee, and exempted IHS and tribal-facility services. The sponsor and tribal witnesses described the bill as a response to fraud, provider nonpayment, and harm to Native communities, while Access raised concerns about the fast timeline, tribal consultation requirements, possible duplication of program-integrity functions, and fiscal uncertainty. After debate over the emergency clause and tribal consultation, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1611 as amended on a 5-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1630, which would direct Access to seek federal approval for a Medicaid home- and community-based services program for adults with serious mental illness. Supporters said the bill would create a long-term community-care option for the sickest SMI members, reduce cycling through hospitals, jails, and homelessness, and potentially save state general fund dollars; family members and advocates testified in support. Access was neutral and said it was finalizing a fiscal estimate. The Angus amendment narrowed eligibility to long-term SMI, reduced the enrollment cap from 500 to 250, changed reporting to semiannual, and removed priority-order language; the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1630 as amended unanimously. Later, the committee passed Senate Bill 1193, which protects emergency medical care technicians’ personal identifying information from sale or disclosure by the Department of Health Services, after adopting a clarifying amendment expanding the protected information and addressing commercial requests. It then heard Senate Bill 1318, which repeals the state’s separate dense-breast notification requirement so Arizona law aligns with the FDA’s newer mammography notice standard; the sponsor and DHS said the change would reduce confusion from duplicate, slightly different notices, and the bill was moving forward with discussion of possible future amendment language.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, working with KLC and Kentucky League of Cities, which both support this bill, this allows for Kentucky
• I certainly appreciate the most support I certainly appreciate the school<00:15:14.600><c> facility<
• you know athletic facilities supporting you know athletic facilities and<00:20:00.880><c> my</c><00:
• um you know a humbly ask you to support Augusta<00:21:42.039><c> and</c><00:21:42.240><c> Marian</c>
• Our schools are foundations of our communities, and with your support we can provide quality education

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 537 Discussion 00:00:40 HB 537 Vote 00:02:45 HJR 34 Discussion 00:03:30 HJR 34 Vote 00:07:45 HJR 30 Discussion 00:08:30 HJR 30 Vote 00:10:25 HJR 32 Discussion 00:11:00 HJR 32 Vote 00:41:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask for your support.<00:17:56.240><c> Thanks.</c> support. Thanks. support. Thanks.
• </c> rise in support of the amendment. rise in support of the amendment.
• </c> think supports that. think supports that.
• I support those workers. I support all of our workers. Mr.
• I support all of our I support all of our workers.<03:09:20.720><c> Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the support of one of our victims is all internal.
• We provide all the resources and support of our victims to the...
• The support of one of our victims is all internal.
• They had support from the local district attorney and Department of Defense.
• Please consider supporting our mission, and thank you for watching.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Clint Van Wolfen, and on behalf of the Arizona Sheriff's Office, I'm here in support of HB
• like search and rescue, emergency response, patrol support, and event control.
• We respectfully ask for your support in moving this bill forward. Thank you.
• Ask for your support. And if you have any questions, I'm happy to answer them.
• This is just in support of our county sheriffs.

Committee: Senate Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety approved the March 18, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills, beginning with HB 4018, which would give county sheriffs exclusive authority to regulate posse and reserve organizations acting under the sheriff’s authority and in support of the sheriff’s office. Supporters said it merely clarified existing law and improved accountability for volunteer public safety groups; one member opposed it as concentrating too much authority with too few guardrails. The committee recommended the bill do pass by a 5-1 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2417, which would let certain drivers choose a speed-inhibiting device instead of a license suspension for specified offenses, and HB 2771, which would allow the Department of Corrections to require prisoners to pay reasonable rehabilitation program costs as a condition of community supervision. HB 2417 drew support from a coalition focused on safer roads and second chances, but one member raised concerns about cost, privacy, and enforcement; it passed 6-1. HB 2771 was described as a simple language clarification and passed 5-2. Members also approved HB 2772, which would place a medical indicator on a driver’s license for advanced health care directives such as a living will or DNR so first responders can see it quickly; the sponsor said ADOT helped design the process and that it would not create a burden, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed HCR 259, reaffirming support for county sheriffs, by a 4-3 vote; HB 2418, which directs $600,000 in state funds to be distributed evenly among five county sheriff task forces, by a 7-0 vote; and HB 2170, which would bar state contracts with companies domiciled in or controlled by the Chinese government except in limited circumstances, by a 4-3 vote. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd ask for your support of House Bill 684.
• I'd ask for your support of House Bill 684. Thank you, committee.
• I certainly support the motion.
• So I do want to support that.
• So I do want to support that.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee approved minutes from February 2 and February 18, 2026, then heard several bills. Senate Bill 1369, sponsored by Senator Hart, would reorganize and simplify Idaho’s venue statute for district court cases and allow plaintiffs to file in their home county when the defendant lives out of state. Hart and Idaho Trial Lawyers Association representative Barbara Jordan said the change would make the law easier to read and more convenient, and Senator Ruchti supported it as a long-needed clarification. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 615, presented by Senator Taves, would clarify that the disturbing-the-peace statute applies to houses of worship and religious gatherings, while also removing obsolete language and making minor grammar changes. Senator Wintrow asked why the bill was limited to religious venues, and Taves said it was narrowly focused on protecting religious liberty. The committee received no testimony and advanced the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 521, carried by Senator Kaiser and Idaho State Police Bureau Chief Lila McNeil, was described as a technical fix to align Idaho law with FBI requirements so state police can contract for fingerprint services for people working with vulnerable populations. McNeil said the FBI had placed Idaho in a grace period while the statute is corrected. The committee also heard House Bill 684 from Senator Lakey and Sheriff Matt Clifford, which would reimburse county sheriffs for costs of retrieving Idaho Department of Corrections probationers or parolees who abscond out of state; supporters said sheriffs are currently paying these costs from local budgets. Both bills were sent to the floor with due pass recommendations. Finally, House Bill 695, presented by Senator Kaiser and supported by Terry Durden of the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, would correct a one-word error in eviction-related statute by changing “writ of possession” to “writ of restitution” so sheriffs can charge the proper fee for eviction service. Durden said the current wording causes underbilling for a more time-consuming process. The committee voted to send House Bill 695 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support the delivery of employees. We support the delivery of 62,000<00:27:10.480><c> babies.
• </c> supporting charity care by the state. supporting charity care by the state.
• </c> And with that, I'd ask for your support. And with that, I'd ask for your support.
• </c> support this. support this.
• </c> support it. support it.

Bills: HF1925

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: nurse licensure, multistate license, healthcare, public safety, interstate compact, nursing regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the support that can best fit their situation when that support can have the most impact, from the day
• the support that can best fit their situation when that support can have the most impact, from the day
• ><c> that</c> journey by modernizing the support that journey by modernizing the support that can<00:
• So there's no other supports in there.
• </c> because I served um working in supported because I served um working in supported employment<01:

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um support the bill was 7-4-0. um support the bill was 7-4-0. Thank<00:50:24.240><c> you.
• in support of the position. position. position.
• </c> are subject of a uh committee-supported are subject of a uh committee-supported amendment<01:06:
• </c><01:15:15.720><c> Thank</c> forward to the body's support. Thank forward to the body's support.
• </c> support on the amendment of this bill. support on the amendment of this bill.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:12.320><c> so</c> Market interest to to be supported so Market interest to to be supported
• </c> are paid back but it really is a support are paid back but it really is a support of<00:15:41.720
• from past funding support.
• </c><00:19:37.080><c> as</c> agencies uh that actually support as agencies uh that actually support as
• I will say that state support comes in the support of bonds, but they truly are a grant to the transit

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are for support, red cards are in opposition.
• I'll read off the cards in support and present.
• We do have two green cards in support.
• Charles Watkins, Assistant Secretary of Family Support. Mr.
• , and in every way they need to be supported.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 20 minutes and then advanced HCR 95, which would create a more uniform tax base for future state and local tax exemptions and credits, requiring a two-thirds vote of both chambers to deviate from that uniformity. HB 648 was deferred by the author. HB 1049, dealing with public meeting procedures and notice requirements, was amended after discussion with the Police Jury Association, school boards, and local government groups; the amendments removed a requirement for a lawyer at every meeting and clarified notice and posting language, and the bill was reported with amendments despite opposition from local government associations and the City of Baker. The committee then heard HB 615, which would expand livestreaming and two-year archiving requirements to more public bodies, including non-elected boards and commissions with taxing or rulemaking authority. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while local government and association witnesses argued it would impose an unfunded mandate, especially on small volunteer boards, and raised concerns about costs, staffing, record retention, and reliance on social media platforms. The bill was not advanced. HB 1201, as amended, would provide legislators reimbursement for travel and limited out-of-session expenses, including housing and mileage, beginning with the next term; members discussed the need to make public service more financially feasible and to broaden who can afford to serve. The committee reported HB 1201 with amendments. The committee also considered two constitutional convention-related bills. HB 244 would set guardrails for any future convention by capping delegates at 144, specifying delegate selection, requiring a two-thirds delegate vote to send proposals to voters, and requiring both a majority of voters and approval by three-fourths of the parishes for ratification; after debate over whether the parish threshold was too high, the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. HB 4, as amended, was narrowed to require the Senate and House Governmental Affairs committees to meet in the off-season to discuss the mechanics of a possible convention, but members viewed it as more of a study resolution than binding legislation, and the committee voted to keep it in committee. The meeting then moved to confirmation hearings. Courtney Myers, nominated for Deputy Secretary for the Office of Juvenile Justice, and Ernest Jacob Reade Jr., nominated as Assistant Secretary, testified about their backgrounds and priorities, emphasizing juvenile rehabilitation, education and vocational programming, mental health services, credible messengers, family contact, and better communication with legislators and families. Nathan McBride, nominated as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, testified about his engineering and government affairs background and said he would focus on legislative work, waste tire management, permitting modernization, and constituent service.

Transcript Highlights:

• A portion of this program was intended to be supported by fees.
• I'm here to request your support, and thank you, Senator.
• I'm here to request your support, and thank you, Senator Cabaldon, for expressing your support already
• But I'm here to thank you for your support and ask for your continued support to ensure that the California
• And we support their efforts to try to address that problem.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board, with public comment to come later and all items held open. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program implementing Proposition 12, including a one-time $5.2 million General Fund transfer to the Ag Fund and $2.8 million ongoing, and the LAO recommended approval while noting the Legislature should revisit the funding once litigation and federal preemption questions are resolved. CDFA also proposed ending state oversight of industrial hemp and moving to the federal USDA program by January 1, 2028, with an $8.3 million General Fund transfer to cover startup and transition costs; the LAO supported the transition. Additional CDFA items included $204,000 ongoing and one position to preserve agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to clarify the department’s 5% indirect cost cap; both drew no objections from Finance or LAO. The Government Operations Agency and Cradle to Career items focused on implementing the new federal Workforce Pell program. Finance described trailer bill language establishing state eligibility processes, with the California Student Aid Commission as the authorizing entity in consultation with the Workforce Development Board, and proposed $1.3 million one-time General Fund for Cradle to Career to build data linkages. The LAO urged caution because federal rules were just finalized and said more information was needed on workload, costs, and whether existing data systems could support the work. Senators raised policy concerns about limiting the program to public institutions and about aligning the proposal with broader workforce and labor goals. The committee also briefly discussed SB 53/Cal Compute, with GovOps saying no appropriation had been provided for its consortium work, and Finance saying the administration was not proposing funding at this time. The Department of Technology presented a $30 million operational backstop for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, intended to cover any shortfall if expected revenues from the Golden State Net third-party administrator do not materialize in time. The LAO initially recommended rejection over broad spending authority, then suggested amendments with stronger reporting and legislative review; committee members questioned the revenue assumptions, oversight, and whether the request could recur. CDT also sought $1 million for Poppy, the state’s GenAI digital assistant, to expand secure statewide use; the LAO had no concerns, and members asked about data security, model bias, training restrictions, and possible local-government use. Finally, FTB proposed realigning CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, retaining three ongoing positions and returning the rest of the funding and positions to the General Fund; the LAO said the reduced scope was reasonable, and members discussed keeping the free filing system user-friendly and ready for future federal changes. The committee also heard the administration’s digital pre-written software tax proposal, which would extend sales tax to electronically delivered software and SaaS beginning January 1, 2027, generating an estimated $450 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing, plus local revenue. The LAO supported modernizing the tax base but recommended broadening the proposal to include more digital products while considering a business-use exemption or reduced rate, and flagged a newly added video game exemption as a revenue downside. Senators generally supported the goal of raising revenue and aligning California with other states, but questioned the local revenue distribution and equity effects, and one senator said they would not support expanding the tax to books, music streaming, and similar consumer products. All items were left open without votes.