Transcript Highlights:

• Community Alliance on Prisons, Pat Brady, testifying on behalf of Community Alliance on Prisons, in strong
• </c> in support next is cat Brady Community in support next is cat Brady Community Alliance<00:26:01.679
• of Community Alliance on on behalf of Community Alliance on prisons<00:26:16.840><c> in</c><00:26:17.320
• ><c> violence</c> ARA Community domestic violence ARA Community domestic violence coordinator<00:28:40.279
• </c><00:35:49.200><c> and</c> accurately reflects our communities and accurately reflects our communities

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Judiciary-related measures. SB 94 would increase the mandatory minimum jail term for a first knowing or intentional violation of a temporary restraining order from 48 to 72 hours. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposed the bill, arguing the current penalty is effective, the measure treats very different conduct the same, and the mental health assessment language is unclear and could be harmful or misapplied. Some other testifiers were listed in support or opposition, but no vote was taken. SB 15 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. The Hawaiʻi Financial Services Association offered comments rather than opposition, suggesting the bill should be clarified as applying to creditor claims rather than property taxes and possibly limited to a primary residence, with restrictions on frequency of use. Committee discussion focused on how the exemption would affect unsecured creditors, the role of recorded mortgages and judgment liens, and whether the bill should instead establish a clearer homestead-style exemption. The bill drew both support and comments, with no action taken during the hearing. The committee also took testimony on SB 117, which would protect people making sexual misconduct claims from defamation suits unless made with malice; SB 121, a constitutional amendment to give the Senate more time to confirm judicial appointments; SB 14, a reapportionment amendment tied to the decennial census and resident population; SB 175, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices from 70 to 75; SB 173, creating a three-year pilot program for free child care for minor children of parties and witnesses attending First Circuit court hearings; and SB 261, increasing juror pay from $30 to $50 per day. Testimony on these measures was generally supportive in the case of SB 175, SB 173, and SB 261, with some opposition on SB 14 and SB 117. On SB 173 and SB 261, committee members asked questions about practical implementation, and on SB 261 the State Bar Association said the increase was overdue and intended to encourage jury participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• She took the time to understand the challenges faced by every community in Louisiana.
• The state and communities rely on these organizations to fill the gap where it is not able, especially
• in rural communities, where often the emergency managers are calling us, and already stretched thin,
• These organizations have worked diligently to support the state and its communities, and our outside
• The nonprofit community, the faith-based community, we work across all denominations, faith doctrine

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Transcript Highlights:

• Which, in the mind of many on my board and in my community, is an incredibly undemocratic approach to
• There's some hand-wringing in my community about what Senate Bill 4 will make governance look like in
• Uh, we want our superintendent tied to our community.
• Uh, we want our superintendent tied to our community.
• We want him to be able to our community.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• our sages in the Ethics of the Fathers, where Hillel taught, 'Do not separate yourself from the community
• ,' that they may work constructively across... ...separate yourself from the community, that they may
• May their deliberations honor the call to tikkun olam, repairing the world, and uplift every community
• Communications from the Governor. This is on the President's desk.
• Communications from the Governor, without objection, and communications from the Governor as listed on

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized the doctor of the day and several guests, and then moved through a long floor agenda. Members received House messages, handled committee appointments, and considered a large number of bills in Committee of the Whole, including SB 1046 on information technology, SB 1066 on civil liability and fraudulent scientific research, SB 1332 on light rail expansion participation, and SB 1286 on veterinary prescriptions. Amendments were adopted on each of those measures, with SB 1332 drawing a notable objection from Senator Kuby over state interference in local transit decisions and preference for autonomous vehicles over light rail. SB 1286 was described as a compromise between stakeholders on electronic veterinary prescribing, including limits for antimicrobial drugs and longer windows for flea and tick medications. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. SB 1009 on school curriculum passed 16-10 after debate over AED training and whether it created an unfunded mandate. SB 1086 on the Arizona health care cost and payment system passed 18-8. SB 1317, appropriating money to the Attorney General for a coordinated jail reentry program, passed 22-4 amid discussion about the program’s success and concerns over the funding source. SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1709, SB 1550, and SB 1761 also passed, with comments focusing on school safety funding, probation revocation for dangerous crimes against children, a Queen Creek-related appropriation, and university cooperative extension and experiment station needs. SB 1046 and SB 1286 later passed third reading as well. The chamber also paused for a St. Patrick’s Day recognition, welcoming Speaker Murphy of the Irish Parliament and reading a proclamation honoring Irish heritage and the Phoenix-Ireland relationship. Afterward, the Senate returned to business, received House requests to return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, heard a personal privilege statement on an ICE detention death, and announced upcoming committee meetings and caucus schedules. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• , projects they're helping to finance, and that will serve their communities for many years to come.
• That's how you build long-term jobs in the community. You build more businesses in that community.
• You help them hire more workers from that community.
• And that helps these public works projects help that community.
• Arnold said those impacts would ripple regionally across communities that rely on municipal courts and

Bills: SB5944

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: language access, collective bargaining, labor relations, employment rights, worker protections

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this does a great service to our children and the community in our communities by allowing this
• So home and community-based services... ...care that Medicaid does.
• So home and community-based services, helping people in their homes with toileting and general things
• And the reason it's in writing is because the disability community is worried.
• Senator Lenney, in my community, I have the State Hospital South.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• It's 24/7, and we really appreciate all the hard work to keep the community safe.
• It's 24-7 and we really appreciate all the hard work to keep the community safe, Keep him.
• And we really appreciate all the hard work to keep the community safe, keep the drugs out of our communities
• Communications from the governor.
• Without objection, the following communications from the governor, as listed on the calendar, will not

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Jimmy Sade as Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring law enforcement officers involved in rescuing an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation, with several members praising interagency cooperation and the officers’ actions. The chamber then handled routine business, including committee substitutions, referral of HB 2245 to Appropriations, and first and second readings of numerous bills covering topics such as energy, taxes, education, health, public safety, commerce, and elections. The House resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered HB 2096, HB 2173, HB 2451, and HCR 2001. HB 2096, HB 2173, and HB 2451 were all recommended do pass. HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election requirements, drew extensive debate over voter ID, citizenship verification, foreign funding restrictions, and changes affecting early voting and mail ballots. A sub-floor amendment to HCR 2001 passed 32-26, and the resolution then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole. HB 2121 was retained on the calendar. On third reading, HB 2010 passed 59-0 on digital consumer licensing disclosures; HB 2132 passed 59-0 on drug offenses; HB 2155 passed 57-2 on continuing the Arizona Beef Council; HB 2178 passed 51-9 on state agency medical credential requirements; HB 2310 passed 59-0 on employment relationships; and HB 2395 passed 59-0 on a Department of Education-related fitness/PE reporting measure. HCR 2001 then passed the House 32-27 and was sent to the Senate. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, referred the passed measures to engrossing, and later adjourned until Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But those that are required to, we do our best to really reach out and communicate the obligation...
• ...that are required to, we do our best to really reach out and communicate the obligation.
• Aaron McGuire, J.D., executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, was welcomed
• In fact, in case we needed further communication. But that is an example.
• CBOs, the community-based organizations, and thank you for answering those questions.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by unanimous 5-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Trista Gonzalez as Director of the Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Gonzalez described her 33-year career in tax administration, emphasized taxpayer service, efficient collection, and support for small businesses, and answered questions about lithium extraction tax registration, online sales tax enforcement under Wayfair and AB 147, and CDTFA’s work with illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Members praised her responsiveness to legislators and constituents, and public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, on his confirmation. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audits, implementation of SB 519, access to local agency records, standards for detention facilities, and conditions in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board is using inspections, technical assistance, and public reporting to improve compliance and transparency, and that additional trailer bill language clarified access to records. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. The committee approved his nomination 5-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But those that are required to, we do our best to really reach out and communicate the obligation...
• ...that are required to, we do our best to really reach out and communicate the obligation.
• Of Aaron McGuire, J.D., and his executive director, Board of State and Community Corrections.
• In fact, in case we needed further communication. But that is an example.
• the CBOs, the community-based organizations, and thank you for answering those questions.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to emphasize these are your communities.
• Thank you, Chairman, and I'm welcome, and thank you for all that you guys do for our communities.
• Are these folks not able to move on and become sustainable individuals in our communities?
• Can you give us an idea of what that pulses out in the community without this program in place?
• But these are folks we're trying to stabilize and put back out into the community.

Summary: A joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee heard presentations on the Idaho judicial branch budget, beginning with court operations. Legislative staff reviewed the branch’s structure, staffing, recent technology upgrades funded with ARPA dollars, and prior budget enhancements, including support for court technology, judicial compensation, and additional judges in several districts. Court officials explained a late budget request for an additional $800,700 from a dedicated magistrate retirement fund to cover unexpected retirement bonuses and purchase-of-service costs for seven magistrates, as well as the impact of a governor holdback and reduced federal support for some treatment and domestic violence court-related services. Committee members asked about the timing of the revised retirement request, the purpose and success of the magistrate retirement bonus program, the court’s technology modernization, and the effect of losing federal and other outside funding. Court officials said the retirement timing could not be known earlier because magistrates had until January to notify the court, and they described the bonus as helping judges complete their terms. They also said the court had moved case management and recording systems to the cloud and built a statewide network, and that cuts to treatment court and peer support funding would likely force reductions in non-constitutional services. The committee then heard the Guardian ad litem division request, including a $77,900 general fund enhancement for the Second Judicial District CASA program. The CASA director said the money would support a recruiter/trainer/data supervisor position and required compliance costs such as financial review, office space, and liability insurance. She described volunteer shortages across a large rural district, declining VOCA and grant funding, and the need to spend more time fundraising instead of serving children. Members asked about the decline in VOCA funds, the share of funding coming from donations and fundraising, the number of children served, and the role of CASA for older youth. The director said about 30% of the program’s funding comes from fundraising, that the district serves children over age 12 and some older youth, and she gave an example of a case where CASA helped stabilize a family and reunify children with their parents. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a mobile office system that can go out to rural communities, roll in, set up, and those communities
• can still get the services they need in their community, even though their licensing service office
• So the second one noted that it was used for rural communities, and is that going to be the use?
• Bainbridge Island is a ferry community.
• Thank you for this opportunity to testify and for considering our ferry communities. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we have been in communication with the industry. We're like, we've done the work.
• And if we're going to have interveners, have interveners actually be folks that represent the communities
• And so I think you're going to start to see insurance companies coming back into these communities.
• You're going to start to see insurance companies coming back into these communities under the new rate
• On behalf of the business community, that's the consumer community, this is just a really profound issue

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held its fifth oversight hearing on the California Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing an update on implementation. Lara said the department has finalized major reforms, including new catastrophe modeling tools, faster rate review procedures, use of forward-looking data tied to mitigation, and modernization of the FAIR Plan. He argued the strategy is intended to improve insurance availability in wildfire-prone areas, increase transparency, and stabilize the market, while also criticizing consumer intervenor groups and saying the department will tighten rules on intervener compensation and relevance. Members questioned Lara about when the SIS would begin producing visible market changes, how long rate filings would take to approve, and what the FAIR Plan modernization would mean for consumers’ costs. Lara said catastrophe model approvals should be completed by the end of the month, insurers are expected to begin submitting SIS filings in the coming weeks, and rate reviews have already been reduced from 281 days to 71 days. He also discussed a new market conduct investigation into State Farm’s handling of wildfire claims, ongoing complaints about smoke-damage claims, and a newly created smoke claims and remediation task force to develop standards. Lara said the department has helped more than 12,000 wildfire survivors, with over 38,000 claims filed and more than $17 billion paid, and that it is also working with other western states on underinsurance issues. Public commenters from the insurance industry, homebuilding, and insurance brokerage sectors largely supported the SIS and the department’s efforts, saying the reforms are needed to restore availability and stability. They emphasized the importance of timely rate approvals, FAIR Plan solvency, and greater transparency, and several noted that member companies are preparing to use the new filing process. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, though members and the commissioner discussed ongoing legislative needs, including AB 226 and possible future FAIR Plan transparency measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also be targeted to communicate resources, and so this is really important for patients, for
• </c><00:03:55.599><c> resources</c><00:03:56.599><c> and</c> targeted to uh communicate resources and
• targeted to uh communicate resources and so<00:03:57.360><c> this</c><00:03:57.519><c> is</c><00:03:
• It's truly a loss to the medical community that could have been prevented.
• that could have been prevented community that could have been prevented that<00:08:52.160><c> same</

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, Frisco is a fast-growing, vibrant community in Collin County and Denton County.
• Senator Parker: ...Our communities.
• Senator Middleton: ...he dedicated his life to protecting and serving his community.
• He was tough on crime, and he was there to keep all of our families and our community safe.
• Senator Menendez: ...and he and his wife, Mary Esther, were beloved in our community.

Bills: SJR36 , SR8 , SR14 , SR15 , SR17 , HCR54

Transcript Highlights:

• This program continues to be a vital economic tool for smaller communities.
• Even in the larger communities, it is pretty consistent with past years.
• A lot of that capital is going to stay in state or in the local community.
• Massachusetts is considering community benefits agreements for data centers.
• So maybe the airport has to agree to some sort of community benefit plan.

Committee: Joint Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum and approved the prior minutes. Staff reviewed the interim work schedule, noting that most assigned studies were complete and that the final meeting would be September 29, with remaining work focused on economic development tax incentives, the stripper well exemption, and property tax reform items such as the primary residence credit. The committee then took up a referral on political subdivision compliance with state law, especially reserve limits and levy calculations. State Auditor Josh Gallion explained the audit standards used for local governments, the state auditor’s limited authority to force compliance, and the practical challenges created by a shortage of auditors. He used Stark County and Mountrail County examples to show how reserve balances affect levy calculations, including Stark County’s 2023 general fund levy issue and Mountrail County’s zero-levy approach. Stark County Commission Chair Neil Messer defended his county’s decision to keep reserves for major projects and volatility in oil-related revenues, while acknowledging the county remained out of compliance with the 75% reserve rule. Committee members and staff discussed possible enforcement mechanisms, the role of county auditors, and whether the law should be changed to better fit current fiscal conditions. Linda from the Association of Counties and Matt Gardner from the League of Cities said both organizations have been heavily training local officials on the new tax cap and reserve rules. Linda said counties and cities are using standardized worksheets for the 3% cap and levy limitations, and suggested that an affidavit certifying compliance could be attached to levy submissions. She also clarified that the primary residence credit does not reduce mill levies; it only reduces the taxpayer’s bill. Gardner said city auditors receive required finance training and that his organization was unaware of current city reserve noncompliance. The committee did not take action on the issue and planned to revisit it at the September 29 meeting. The final portion of the meeting moved into a subcommittee report on the property tax statement, where Representative Headland introduced a bill draft to remove the legislative property tax relief line from the statement for further committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and administrative and communicative and administrative and communicative skills<00:21:12.080><c
• President, the reality is the Vermont legal community is in an aging crisis.
• President, the reality is the Vermont legal community is in an aging crisis.
• President, the reality is the Vermont legal community is in an aging crisis.
• He chaired the Vermont community.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm concerned about the unintended consequences for rural communities.
• I'm concerned about the unintended consequences for rural communities.
• </c><00:29:12.559><c> and</c> school leadership, and communication and school leadership, and communication
• </c> test scores to demands of the community test scores to demands of the community to<00:30:15.360>
• </c><00:35:19.440><c> that</c> about businesses in your community that about businesses in your community

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It really just depends on the needs of the local community. I'm sure... In-house.
• It really just depends on the needs of the local community.
• I think the department does a good job of communicating.
• I believe that has been communicated.
• I believe that has been communicated.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken. The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs. A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other requirement that was deleted from that section required the community water system provider
• However, that could also fall under number two above, which is communication.
• So it just seems like communication.
• </c><00:25:43.279><c> under</c> effectively communication under effectively communication under communication
• </c> some person may define as communications some person may define as communications other<00:27:01.120

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, seating alternates, and approval of the minutes and consent calendar. Both were approved without opposition. The committee then moved to the regular calendar, beginning with Department of Environmental Services drinking water rules (2532). Staff noted that the final proposal deleted requirements that had been in the initial proposal, making the published notice technically inaccurate because it said there were no substantive changes. The agency responded that the requirements still exist in other rules, that regulated entities and the Water Council were notified, and that the public had notice through related hearings. After discussion about whether a new noticed hearing was needed, the committee approved the rule. The next item was Department of Administrative Services personnel rule 2510 on seniority and employee performance evaluation. Staff raised informational comments and one unclear comment about language that appeared to require a checkbox even though no form exists, and about evaluation categories that could overlap. The agency said the checkbox language should be removed, but defended the overlapping categories as part of a long-standing template used by agencies for the past 10 years. Members discussed whether the language was too ambiguous or could lead to inconsistent application, but the committee ultimately approved the rule with a condition striking the checkbox language in the affected sections. The committee then considered personnel rule 25109 on investigations, discipline, non-disciplinary communications, and non-disciplinary removal. Staff recommended clarifying language distinguishing license suspension from termination for cause, and questioned whether the sexual-harassment discipline language was too broad because the same conduct could fit multiple discipline levels. The agency agreed to add the suggested clarification for the license-suspension provision, but argued the sexual-harassment language should remain because another rule already provides the factors for determining the appropriate discipline and the agency needs discretion for fact-specific cases. The discussion included concerns about how non-verbal conduct might be treated, but the committee moved toward conditional approval with the agreed clarification and approval of the rest of the rule as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• you're a very valuable asset in your community.
• , they should be responsive to that community and their community should be able to be on that jury.
• view themselves as a part of the community.
• and the community.
• And there the bill stayed in committee out of respect for that community.

Bills: HB285 , HB795 , HB1795 , HB1871 , HB2407 , HB2461 , HB2695 , HB3507 , HB4911 , HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence