Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• And be led in prayer by Pastor Richard Hamlin, Senior Pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Cabot, to remain
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands
• to the Department of Ag.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal and received committee reports from Joint Budget on several appropriations bills, along with an executive communication from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders noting approval of House Bill 1001 as Act 2. The Speaker also recognized several guests, including law enforcement personnel, physicians, a nurse, STEM students, line workers, and Council of State Governments visitors. The main business was the budget calendar. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes for East Arkansas College, DHS resource reallocations, Nursing Board positions, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office staffing reductions. The chamber then sent the amendments to engrossing. Members passed House Bill 1060, the State Library appropriation, by 77 yeas, 15 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 5, the Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, by 90 yeas, 5 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 13, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission appropriation, by 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; Senate Bill 39, the Arkansas State University appropriation, by 97 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; and Senate Bill 56, the Auditor of State continuing education appropriation for local offices, by 81 yeas, 14 nays, and 3 present. The Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and moved next week’s floor schedule from Tuesday-Thursday to Monday-Wednesday, with a likely Monday start time around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. The House then adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House of Representatives of the State of New Mexico recognizes January 23rd, 2025, La Vida Llena
• They are here with the University of New Mexico School of Law Wild Friends Citizen Science Program, and
• of our Bataan prisoners of war.
• Cody is part of the 2017 cohort of the combined B.A.M.D. program at the University of New Mexico for
• his undergraduate studies, and is now a fourth-year visiting medical student from the University of New

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, we are truly grateful for the gift of life, the blessing of liberty, and the honor of serving the
• of the World.
• Board of Education.
• of Joseph R.
• Joe had kind of a limp, a little bit of a limp, a bad leg.

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, we are truly grateful for the gift of life, the blessing of liberty, and the honor of serving the
• of the World.
• Board of Education.
• of Joseph R.
• Joe had kind of a limp, a little bit of a limp, a bad leg.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• out of context, but even taken out of context, saying things like, if I see a black pilot, I'm going
• And just like the University of Miami in the national championship, you're back.
• Besides, a lot of things start in your neck of the woods, don't they? They do. Good and bad.
• And just like the University of Miami in the national championship, you're back.
• Besides, a lot of things start in your neck of the woods, don't they? They do. Good and bad.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for University of Minnesota Extension.
• of</c><00:02:16.800><c> Minnesota</c> I work for University of Minnesota I work for University of Minnesota
• ranging from the University of Illinois, Harvard, MIT, and the University of California, Davis.
• </c> University of California, Davis. University of California, Davis.
• </c><01:25:12.640><c> of</c> One study by the University of One study by the University of California

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

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My district is one of the many, but is certainly a distinction of being a hub of innovation in California
• California has some of the best colleges and universities, some of the best national labs, nonprofit
• of that.
• And the University of California, San Diego, just recently came out with a report that they are having
• And so that part of customer friendliness, it's part of the ease of use, of course, as we just talked

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow students at the University of California, California State University, and California
• Ed Howard, on behalf of the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law
• This past fall, the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law investigated
• This past fall, the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law investigated
• Afternoon, Ed Howard, on behalf of the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum. The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition. Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of timing, and I'll let CDE confirm if there's anything more today, but because of timing of
• participating in college going culture greater number of students participating in college and university
• shifted the age of start of school.
• shifted the age of start of school.
• So in light of the risks of abuse or fraud or situations like that, are the, In light of the risks of

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow students at the University of California, California State University, and California
• Ed Howard, on behalf of the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law
• This past fall, the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law investigated
• This past fall, the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School of Law investigated
• Afternoon, Ed Howard, on behalf of the Children's Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego School

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of timing, and I'll let CDE confirm if there's anything more today, but because of timing of
• shifted the age of start of school.
• shifted the age of start of school.
• Some of them are inclusion, where their problems of practice are identified for inclusion, and some of
• of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and understanding of their roles in the governance of the great state of Florida.
• It costs millions of dollars, like tens of millions of dollars.
• petition gatherer as a college student at the University of Central Florida, where I was able to participate
• The point of reading that is every single one of us, all 120 of us, stood on the seal at the front of
• The point of reading that is every single one of us, all 120 of us, stood on the seal at the front of

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• and professional views, not the position of the University of Utah.
• And professional views, not the position of the University of Utah.
• I direct the doctor of audiology program at the University of Utah, but I am appearing here as a private
• For full transparency, my full-time work is at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, which
• My full-time work is at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, which offers graduate degrees

Committee: Joint Business and Labor Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of his record.
• Kennedy studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of
• We had the first case, and it really was the fast response by the University of Washington that helped
• The University of Washington has conducted groundbreaking stem cell research on fetal tissue.
• heart tissue now at the University of Washington.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Christian Hospital sought the importance of healthy eating and partnered with Lincoln University to build
• .. ...I would like to introduce Cade Carmen from Center, Missouri, also studying at the University of
• of my tax committees. ...am able to keep track of anything in any of my tax committees, and I just wanted
• of being 30%.
• We were roommates at the University of Central Missouri trying to play football, so anybody can try to

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of our people following the leading of your those who work with them and all of our people.
• Next order of business is introduction of special guests.
• top of the pile and because of that, we're going to...
• The other piece of this bill, which was not last year's bill, is their right of first refusal of unused
• of a process of board members that developed a plan for collaboration and repurposing of public schools

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of a big bill. Let's— It's kind of a big bill. It is already a part of that bill.
• So about half of ours will go college and university, and the other half will go into hospitals, clinics
• So about half of ours will go college university and the other half will go into hospitals, clinics,
• , and I'm going to try and help on some of the education of some of your questions.
• But that is something of more of the gatekeeper role of saying, you need to go see this physician who

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have the University of Hawaii in support.
• Jan Goa on behalf of the University of Hawaii, and we stand on our written testimony in support.
• </c><00:15:05.920><c> of</c><00:15:06.040><c> Hawaii</c><00:15:06.480><c> in</c> have the University
• of Hawaii in have the University of Hawaii in support<00:15:09.639><c> good</c><00:15:09.839><c> afternoon
• :14.480><c> and</c> behalf of the University of Hawaii and behalf of the University of Hawaii and we<

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 205 HD1 and HB 480 HD1 on workers’ compensation. Testifiers from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Human Resources Development supported the bills, with DLIR saying HB 205 would codify and regulate nonprescription over-the-counter drugs at a reasonable rate, and DHRD saying HB 480 would encourage timely and accurate assessments of injured workers’ physical abilities. No opposition was raised on those measures, and the committee moved on without votes or amendments noted. On HB 331 HD1 relating to permits, the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii School Facilities Authority supported the bill, while the Board of Water Supply and Greg Mikan opposed it. Supporters did not elaborate much beyond standing on written testimony, but the School Facilities Authority asked that renovations be added to the definition of repeatable projects. Opponents argued the Department of Planning and Permitting is understaffed and that bypassing or speeding the permitting review process could create problems, especially for projects requiring proper engineering review. No action was taken beyond hearing testimony. The committee also heard HB 72 HD1 on pharmacy technician regulation, with the Board of Pharmacy offering comments and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Walgreens, and Mōʻiliʻili Drugs supporting the measure. Supporters said pharmacy technicians already perform essential duties such as vaccinations, compounding, inventory, and dispensing, and argued Hawaiʻi is the only state without an active managed list of practicing pharmacy technicians. On HB 139 HD1 regarding insurance, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and the Hawaii Society for Clinical Oncologists supported the bill, arguing fertility preservation coverage should not conflict with federal law or the prepaid health care system. On HB 32 HD1 relating to cannabis, the Attorney General and Department of Health raised concerns about allowing purchase before certification is approved, while the Hawaii Cannabis Industry Association supported the bill and suggested lowering the purchase limit from 2 ounces to 1 ounce; the Department of Health said its average turnaround is two to three business days, with about 20% of applications returned for incompleteness and an internal expedited process for certain cases. Later, the committee heard HB 470 HD1 on noise, with the Department of Health supporting the goal of reducing noise pollution but cautioning that regulating intermittent noise like string trimmers is complicated, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi opposed the bill as a hardship for small businesses and questioned the practicality of battery-powered equipment. Ted Bolan supported the measure, saying it would not ban gas leaf blowers but would require quieter models over time. The committee then heard HB 534 HD1 on labeling requirements, where DLNR and the Department of Agriculture offered comments and several fishing and consumer groups supported the bill. Testimony focused on seafood origin labeling, especially raw tuna used in poke and sushi, with DLNR explaining the bill was being narrowed to avoid federal preemption and to avoid unintentionally covering canned tuna or other processed products. Finally, the committee heard H47 HD1 on aquaculture, with the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supporting the measure; no votes were taken on any bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're amazing student leaders who are part of ASU, the University Student Government Association, and
• </c><00:19:35.120><c> of</c><00:19:35.280><c> Hoy</c><00:19:35.600><c> at</c> students at the University
• of Hoy at students at the University of Hoy at Monoa.<00:19:36.559><c> They're</c><00:19:36.799><c>
• of ASU, the University who are part of ASU, the University Student<00:19:40.320><c> Government</c><00
• </c><00:54:32.720><c> us</c> amount of power as as each one of us amount of power as as each one of us

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The University of Kentucky reported various medical and equipment research equipment purchases.
• The University of Kentucky issued an RFP for an enterprise services partner.
• The University of Kentucky issued an RFP for an enterprise services partner. Thank you, Katherine.
• </c><00:02:17.760><c> of</c> partnership where the University of partnership where the University of
• of the amount of we paying that on top of the amount of the<00:25:17.360><c> lease?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December meeting minutes and received several information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, University of Kentucky medical and equipment purchases, school district bond issue notices, and a University of Kentucky RFP for an enterprise services partner. Members also briefly discussed a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for student housing and dining, with comments that such arrangements may improve efficiency and use of taxpayer dollars during a difficult budget year. The main substantive discussion centered on a new CHFS lease in Harlan County for the Department for Community Based Services. Members questioned the proposed annual cost of $25.62 per square foot, which was far above the county average cited in the meeting, and raised concerns about the one responsive bid, the long lease term through 2033, and whether a nearby hospital or other entity might have been interested. CHFS staff said the current office space is in poor condition, that the new lease includes needed construction and 60 parking spaces, and that the office is limited to considering only actual bidders. After debate over whether to rebid or negotiate, the committee voted to approve the lease, with some members supporting it because of the current facility’s condition and others recording reservations. The committee then approved the remaining 10 lease renewals as a group. These included one renewal for the Commonwealth’s prosecutorial system and renewals for several CHFS offices, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Natural Resources. One member noted that seven of the 10 renewals were at or below the county average rate and said the overall package was substantially in line with local market conditions.