Transcript Highlights:

• four, House Bill 2563, is the bill that relates to notices sent by the Office of Administrative Hearings
• As we started taking testimony from people in our rural areas, we keep hearing an hour-and-a-half drive
• And these are some of the things that we continue to hear.
• And these are some of the things that we continue to hear.
• And these are some of the things that we continue to hear.

Bills: HB2188 , HB2218 , HB2524 , HB2563

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, workers' compensation, medical care, healthcare access, employee rights, insurance coverage, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards, industry board, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing

Transcript Highlights:

• House Appropriations Committee will come to order for the purpose of a public hearing.
• So that will conclude the public testimony and the public hearing on House Bill 2251.
• So that will conclude the public testimony and the public hearing on House Bill 2254.
• So that will conclude the public testimony and the public hearing on House Bill 2254.
• So that will conclude the public testimony and the public hearing on House Bill 2385.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2251, sponsored by Rep. Fitzgibbon, would reorganize Climate Commitment Act revenue accounts by repealing several existing accounts and creating new operating and capital accounts, changing how auction proceeds are distributed when revenues are above or below a set threshold, broadening some tribal and overburdened-community spending language, adding electric vehicles and certain housing uses, capping Ecology administrative costs, and moving some reporting from annual to every two years. Supporters said the bill would simplify a confusing account structure and improve predictability, while opponents criticized the reduced reporting frequency and said it could weaken accountability. No vote was taken. House Bill 2254 would adjust the funding model for the Partnership Access Line and related behavioral health consultation programs by allowing the cost of the third-party administrator to be included in the carrier assessment rather than paid from general funds. Committee staff said this would produce general fund savings, and testimony from HCA, UW Medicine, Seattle Children’s, and others supported the bill as a technical fix that would stabilize the programs and potentially free up funds to restore service levels. No vote was taken. House Bill 2385 would extend deadlines and the expiration date for the Medicaid Access Program created last session, after federal HR1 restrictions prevented implementation of the original program and provider assessment. The bill would push out CMS submission deadlines, update the rate-setting reference year, and extend the act’s sunset date. The sponsor and the Washington State Medical Association supported the bill as necessary to preserve the option of pursuing the program later. The committee took no action and adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Register in advance using any of the iPad kiosks located just outside the hearing room.
• Again, we will be hearing the bills listed on today's agenda. The bill is HB1691.
• Hearing none, the bill is left pending. Thank you. The Chair lays out HB 5008 and recognizes...
• The action chair hears none and the bill is left pending.
• The Chair hears none. The bill is left pending. The Chair lays out HB 2652.

Bills: HB1654 , HB1691 , HB2545 , HB2652 , HB3799 , HB4144 , HB5008

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• When we return, we will resume laying out bills and hearing from witnesses.
• and/or submit written testimony must register using the kiosk system outside the hearing room by 2 p.m
• As you noted, members are scattered this morning in different. hearings, and I'm in Business and Commerce
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed. Let's process and try to get it back.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we want you to. to hear from them, because it's a completely different story.
• That act by itself is a discriminatory act, that we hear this whole thing about DEI.
• I want you to hear this. It doesn't matter what your political affiliation is.
• And today, February 27th, as the Senate prepares itself to hear in committee the expansion of ban...
• And I'm going to share it with my colleagues, because they need to hear this.

Keywords: education, curriculum, HB178, diverse history, equity, testimony, higher education crisis, representation

Summary: The meeting was characterized by impactful discussions focused primarily on education and the representation of diverse histories in Texas's curriculum. Notably, Representative Christina Morales advocated for HB178, a bill aimed at ensuring that all Texas high school students have access to Mexican-American and African-American studies as part of their graduation requirements, moving from elective-only status. This bill garnered support from both sides of the aisle, highlighting a cooperative effort to improve educational equity in Texas. Several representatives shared personal stories reflecting on the importance of inclusive education, showcasing the bill's far-reaching implications for students' sense of identity and history.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear me? Is it working? There we go, we're going to go ahead and get started.
• We are going to have a public hearing on this, and we will be voting on this today because the initial
• party that actually called the public hearing—I think y'all have worked through the issues they potentially
• Yeah, I didn't know there was going to be a public hearing, so that's good to know.
• All right, and finally on the calendar, HB33, which was scheduled for a public hearing, we are carrying

Bills: HB37 , HB187 , HB177 , SB63 , HB82 , SB48 , HB33 , HB37 , HB33

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: judicial compensation, salary increase, court system, Alabama legislation, judges, HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And and in fact, I will hear that.
• That that seems to be what we hear hear hear people<00:54:27.920><c> saying,</c><00:54:28.240><c> well
• </c><02:52:32.880><c> the</c> really big questions that hearing the really big questions that hearing
• Russ, do you hear us? Mr. Russ, do you hear us? Mr.<03:13:25.040><c> Russ,</c> Mr. Russ, Mr.
• </c> Can I hear a motion? Can I hear a motion?

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public hearing on HP 1317. public hearing on HP 1317.
• Seeing no one, I'm going to close the public hearing on HP 1321 and open the public hearing on HP 1368
• began. and we're was pleased to hearing began. and we're was pleased to hear<05:37:41.600><c> that</
• </c> hearing on HP 1372. hearing on HP 1372.
• /c><06:00:42.400><c> a</c> What we did not hear, we did not hear a What we did not hear, we did not hear

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hear on our health care system.
• ><c> the</c> we're hearing from the we're hearing from the Democrats<01:30:32.639><c> that</c><01:30:
• But I didn't hear a single that.
• </c><01:58:37.920><c> a</c> child welfare system, which we hear a child welfare system, which we hear
• Members, at the start of this session, uh, we would hear, and I've been hearing it today, that we are

Transcript Highlights:

• to request a unusual for a hearing to request a hearing<00:04:49.240><c> request</c><00:04:50.000><c
• Seeing none, I hear by close the public hearing on Hospital 194. e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e [No
• With that, I close the public hearing and open the public hearing on House Bill for what's that?
• </c><01:57:42.639><c> on</c> hearing and I open the public hearing on hearing and I open the public hearing
• </c> um what I'm finding uh what I'm hearing um what I'm finding uh what I'm hearing is<02:13:37.880>

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:23:10.560><c> I</c> So again I I one of the other hearings I So again I I one of the other hearings
• 28:39.439><c> of</c><02:28:39.600><c> parents,</c> you'll hear the voices of parents, you'll hear the
• Um which that's in the hearing report.
• ><c> again</c><02:54:46.880><c> and</c><02:54:47.520><c> my</c> hearing that again and again and my hearing
• I I hear you and I think be the Sure.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.” Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes. The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• They understand the programs and they know the questions to ask when you get to committee hearings.
• so that we could all hear it at the same time.
• When they present the child care study so that we can hear it, just so that everybody...
• I think if we all hear the same thing at the same time, it's easier.
• and hear it again.

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• so that we could all hear it at the same time.
• When they present the child care study so that we can hear it, just so that everybody...
• I think if we all hear the same thing at the same time, it's easier.
• and hear it again.
• and hear it again.

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• She just wanted to hear what they had to say.
• We hold hybrid public hearings so people can come to testify in person or remotely.
• The chair hears none. And the order is adopted. Brief recess.
• The chair hears none, and the President casts one ballot for Michael D.
• The chair hears none, and the order is adopted. The chair hears none, and the order is adopted.

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators. The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session. In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement. The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we will now go forward on that hearing, and we'll begin by taking testimony.
• And then we hear the patient has died. A lot of cases are like that.
• And then we hear the patient has died. A lot of cases are like that.
• Representative Dahl, I didn't hear your vote. I'm sorry. It's with us.
• I'm not hearing either one of those, but you have one, two, three, four, five.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there were some recent industry news that you hear that basically folks aren't interested in
• It feels like that because that is usually the face, like that's what people hear about.
• So we're hearing that concern. We have a shared interest in that.
• We're going to close the public portion of this hearing to move into closed session.
• We're going to close the public portion of this hearing to move into the close session. a session.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointments and routine agenda items by 4-0 votes, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 to be heard after the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard the appointment of Clint Kellam as Director of the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis regulation, especially illicit market activity, consumer education, labeling, and youth protection. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts such as the Real California Cannabis website, the required educational pamphlet for new users, inspections, and package review. Senators raised concerns about attractive-to-children packaging, high-dose beverages, and the need for tighter labeling rules; Kellam said the department is open to legislative changes, is working on an AI tool to help licensees review packaging, and uses recalls, citations, and administrative actions when products violate rules. He also described enforcement efforts against illegal cultivation and retail, including the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies. The committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointment. The committee next heard Jennifer Osborne’s appointment as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Osborne described her background in state administration and said she aims to remove barriers, improve systems, and support workplace safety, wage enforcement, workers’ compensation, and apprenticeship programs. Senators asked about PAGA enforcement, Cal/OSHA audit findings, backlogs, staffing shortages, and complaint handling. Osborne said DIR’s role in PAGA is limited, but the department is working on Cal/OSHA policy revisions, training, additional investigation staff, centralized intake, IT modernization, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also said the department is addressing vacancy and backlog issues through classification changes and new hiring strategies. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given that we are here in hearing today, and given those representations, still procedurally we do have
• So when I hear claims that this bill is a market destroyer, I have to be honest: I actually scoffed.
• So when I hear that the claim claims that this bill is a market destroyer, I have to be honest.
• And Amy is the expert at this because this is one of the number one issues that we hear.
• Because this is one of the number one issues that we hear, and it's heartbreaking.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1315 by Senator Cabaldon, the “Drive My Car Act,” which was described as a forward-looking bill aimed at ensuring that owners of vehicles with advanced autonomous or software-driven features retain the right to drive their own cars. Cabaldon explained that, after discussions with stakeholders, the bill would likely be redirected out of the insurance space and into transportation to address concerns about mandatory software updates disabling human driving. Members broadly praised the concept as a timely response to emerging technology, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to the Transportation Committee, with members voting aye and the bill held on call until all votes were recorded. The committee then took up SB 876, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, presented by the Insurance Commissioner and supported by the committee chair. The bill was framed as a comprehensive response to wildfire disaster claims problems, especially after the Los Angeles-area fires, and would require more accurate replacement-cost estimates, stronger optional extended replacement-cost coverage, improved building code upgrade coverage, faster claim payments, clearer adjuster communication, pre-disaster emergency response plans, and stronger penalties and restitution for unfair claims handling. Supporters, including United Policyholders, California Environmental Voters, the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, AARP California, and consumer advocates, said the bill would help survivors avoid underinsurance, delays, and repeated trauma in the claims process. Opposition came from several insurance and industry groups, including APCIA, the Personal Insurance Federation of California, the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies, the Civil Justice Association of California, and the California Building Industry Association. They argued the bill remained too broad, would raise premiums, reduce flexibility, and could worsen availability in an already fragile market, especially because of mandatory coverage expansions and faster payout requirements. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about cost, optional versus mandatory provisions, contents coverage, ALE limits, building code upgrades, and rate-setting timelines. The committee ultimately passed SB 876 as amended to the Judiciary Committee on a due pass motion, with one no vote from Vice Chair Niello and the remaining recorded members voting aye; the bill was held open briefly to add a missing vote before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room will be open for in-person attendance, and all are encouraged to watch the hearing from
• But I do hear RCRC. I hear the League of Cities.
• I hear RCRC.
• I'm glad I got to hear your comments before I spoke to my colleague.
• I hear them whispering about it.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills, with most of the discussion focused on streamlining approvals, clarifying housing law, and expanding planning resources. AB 2005 would expand SB 9 urban lot split eligibility to homeowners using living trusts or LLCs and allow partnerships with small builders; supporters said it would help owner-occupants create more homeownership opportunities, while members raised concerns about enforceability and possible loopholes for corporate investors. AB 2676 would clarify the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 to make clear that referendums or initiatives cannot be used as de facto moratoriums on approved housing projects in affected cities and counties; the author said it codifies existing intent and court rulings, and members discussed retroactivity and pending actions before moving it forward. AB 1621 sought to tighten timelines and accountability for post-entitlement permits by limiting repeated plan checks and preventing local agencies from requiring changes that deviate from already approved plans, with supporters from the building industry and apartment sector saying delays add major costs. Cities and counties opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could limit their ability to ensure compliance with local and state standards and create unintended loopholes. The committee also heard AB 2002, which would codify and expand the REAP 1.0 regional planning grant program to support RHNA-related planning, housing elements, technical assistance, and some housing trust fund activities; supporters emphasized its value for under-resourced jurisdictions, while the building industry sought guardrails against grant conditions that exceed state standards. AB 2118 would refine the AB 2011 streamlined pathway for mixed-income housing by clarifying that state permits are ministerial when objective standards are met and limiting local standards that block mixed-use projects; it drew broad support from housing and planning groups and no opposition. AB 2074 proposed a ministerial pathway for high-rise mixed-income housing in major transit-rich downtowns, paired with labor standards and a state-backed revolving loan fund; supporters said it could revitalize downtowns and leverage private capital, while housing advocates and some members questioned whether public financing should prioritize mostly market-rate high-rise projects and raised budget concerns. The committee took roll-call votes and advanced the bills, with AB 2676, AB 1621, AB 2002, AB 2118, and AB 2074 all moving out on majority or unanimous votes, and consent items AB 1899 and AB 2390 also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Gowan, did you hear it all from our insurance companies that this may, ...hear it all from
• And Arizona, every year we hear of a kid getting run over crosswalking in the school zone.
• And Arizona, every year we hear of a kid getting run over crosswalking in the school zone.
• And you're going to hear that bill later today, SCR 1004, and that puts this whole photo enforcement
• Thank you for hearing SB 1232 and thank you for President Peterson for sponsoring it.

Bills: SB1010 , SB1024 , SB1205 , SB1232 , SB1366 , SB1552 , SB1624 , SCM1002 , SCM1006 , SCR1004

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Roads and bridges is what we hear most about. Unfunded mandates.
• We will be hearing H.B.... We will be hearing H.B. 852 by Representative Lyons. Mr. Wiggins.
• Hearing none, seeing no objections, HB 852 moves forward favorably as amended.
• Hearing none, seeing no objections, we move HB 474 forward favorably.
• Hearing none, Member Set 1681 has been adopted.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 16, 2026, and heard several bills dealing mainly with tax checkoffs, severance tax revenue, and estimated tax administration. The first major item was HB 156 by Rep. Bagley, a proposed constitutional amendment to remove the cap on the 20% share of severance tax revenues remitted to parishes where production occurs. Supporters from local government and the Police Jury Association argued that the cap prevents parishes from receiving the full share intended to help repair roads, bridges, drainage, and other infrastructure damaged by oil and gas activity. Members raised concerns about the bill’s roughly $42 million fiscal note and the state budget outlook, and the author ultimately agreed to voluntarily defer the bill after discussion of possible phase-ins and other compromises. The committee then took up HB 602 by Rep. Bamberg, another severance-tax-related constitutional amendment that would phase in a higher parish cap over five years, with a separate amendment tying the increase to parishes that exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes. After questions about how it would interact with the pending inventory-tax amendment and its fiscal impact, the committee adopted the amendment and voluntarily deferred the bill pending a fiscal note. The committee also heard HB 852 by Rep. Lyons, which restores the income tax checkoff for donations to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence by lowering the performance threshold from $10,000 to $5,000; members discussed the number of checkoffs on the return and the need to keep the form manageable, but the bill was reported favorably as amended. Next, the committee considered HB 474 by Rep. Young, creating an individual income tax checkoff for the Grambling University National Alumni Association. Members again debated whether tax-return checkoffs amount to government-facilitated fundraising and whether they crowd the return, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 633 by Chairman Bacala, a cleanup bill adjusting estimated tax penalty timing and calculations to match current tax law; an amendment set was adopted to replace references to personal exemptions with the standard deduction, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The meeting concluded with adjournment.