Transcript Highlights:

• So, we have gone through our formal RFO process to secure a third-party vendor. Thank you, Chair K.
• </c><00:20:10.240><c> that</c><00:20:10.400><c> they</c> some child care centers that they some child
• care centers that they visited<00:20:11.520><c> despite</c><00:20:12.039><c> those</c><00:20:12.360>
• Centers visited despite those Child Care Centers receiving<00:20:13.679><c> millions</c><00:20:14.520
• </c> off the fraud because how do you operate off the fraud because how do you operate when<00:32:51.880

Bills: HF1169 , HF1916

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services, welfare administration, Minnesota tribes, child care assistance, CCAP, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• It signals economic stability, generational wealth building, and housing security. Thank you.
• Stability, generational wealth building, and housing security.
• It provides a secure foundation for families and provides them a brighter future.
• today and in the gallery, and we just heard them, are members of Habitat for Humanity from different regions
• halls, countless sculptural works of art, including his sculptures everywhere from the World Trade Center

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several floor items focused largely on housing, public health, and tax-credit awareness. The chamber adopted SR 71, a resolution by Senator Arreguín recognizing the importance of affordable homeownership in California. Supporters from both parties emphasized homeownership as a path to wealth-building, stability, and community strength, highlighted racial disparities in ownership, and praised nonprofit builders such as Habitat for Humanity. After passage, Senator Arreguín introduced Habitat for Humanity advocates in the gallery and noted the role of the CalHome program in funding affordable homeownership projects. The Senate also confirmed Trista Gonzalez as Director of the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Aaron McGuire as executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, and Lee Herrick for another term as California Poet Laureate, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The Senate then adopted SCR 115 by Senator Daly, recognizing February as Heart Health Month and focusing on women’s heart health. Senator Daly shared her own experience with a stroke during a heart procedure and urged women to listen to their bodies and seek care early. Several senators spoke in support, describing silent heart attacks, the need to recognize symptoms in women, and the importance of challenging medical assumptions. The resolution passed unanimously. The Senate also adopted SR 75 by Senator Rubio, designating California Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Week. Senators described CalEITC as a key anti-poverty tool and urged greater outreach so eligible families do not miss the credit; that resolution also passed unanimously. Later, the Senate heard a series of adjournment-in-memory tributes, including one for architect Frank Gehry, whose work in Los Angeles and Bilbao was praised for its global influence and civic impact, and one for June Roberti, remembered for her long partnership with former Pro Tem David Roberti and her advocacy and family life. Senator Arreguín also moved to place file item 67 on the inactive file. The session ended with announcements, including a committee meeting notice, and the Senate recessed with the next floor session scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It signals economic stability, generational wealth building, and housing security. Thank you.
• Stability, generational wealth building, and housing security.
• It provides a secure foundation for families and provides them a brighter future.
• today and in the gallery, and we just heard them, are members of Habitat for Humanity from different regions
• halls, countless sculptural works of art, including his sculptures everywhere from the World Trade Center

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency operations ample lead times for effective decision-making. ...to ensure California can better
• It's a major San Diego regional employer and a global leader in fusion research.
• It ensures California retains control over any military or law enforcement operations conducted within
• But your long list of accomplishments has included securing $44 million for the construction of a new
• jail in Monterey County, securing $44 million for the construction of a new jail in Monterey County,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It imposes no new operational requirements.
• , child-centered, youth-centered framework in the child and family team.
• I'm a policy attorney with Children's Law Center of California.
• . ...operate.
• Until about a year ago, McKinley operated a foster family agency.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why so few retailers choose to operate WIC.
• They operate in a silo, so they all have their specialties and mini operating centers, but they are still
• On the first story, we have the Counseling Center.
• And you are with the Gladney Center, testifying on behalf of the Gladney Center. on behalf of the Gladney
• Center and yourself.

Bills: HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes ratios such as one-to-one care for a patient who's in an operating room, a trauma unit,
• This includes ratios such as one-to-one care for a patient who's in an operating room, a trauma unit,
• Scenario one: an operating room nurse calls in sick 20 minutes before the start of a shift.
• </c> on-site security.
• By the time security on-site security.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's 100 million in that for career tech facilities, the regional career centers that entered the
• There's 100 million in that for career tech facilities, the regional career centers that entered the
• There's 100 million in that for career tech facilities, the regional career centers that entered the
• </c> career tech uh facilities, the region career tech uh facilities, the region regional<01:04:46.000
• :04:47.280><c> the</c> regional career centers that entered the regional career centers that entered

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax on high-earning jobs to be paid by large operating companies.
• A large operating company does not include... ...at least $7 million in annual payroll.
• system that operates one or more hospitals.
• The tax would be administered by the Employment Security Department, and the Employment Security Department
• Increasing operating costs on businesses will not make Washington well.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. HB 2140 would exempt land sold or transferred to a governmental entity from additional tax when removed from open space classification in certain circumstances. Staff explained the current use property tax system and said the bill would likely have minimal but indeterminate revenue effects, with about $30,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Representative Lowe said the bill was intended to fix a niche problem where a farmer loses a small frontage strip to a county and is then charged back taxes despite no change in land use. FutureWise testified in support of the bill’s intent but asked for small language changes to ensure transferred land remains compatible with agricultural or open space use. The public hearing on HB 2140 was then closed. HB 2326 would allow a fire protection district that is partially overlapped by another district’s EMS levy to impose its own levy on the portion not already covered, subject to voter approval in the affected area. Staff said the bill would have no state general fund impact and about $28,000 in one-time Department of Revenue costs. Fire district and fire chief representatives testified in support, describing situations in Clark County and Kittitas County where most residents cannot vote on an EMS levy because a small overlapping area already has one. Opponents, including Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill would add to property tax burdens. The hearing on HB 2326 then closed. HB 2334 would require rounding of cash transactions to the nearest five cents as pennies are phased out of circulation, while leaving non-cash payments unchanged. Staff said the bill would apply to the final total after taxes and fees, with an indeterminate but minimal state revenue impact and significant Department of Revenue implementation costs. The prime sponsor said the bill was needed because the federal government ended penny production without giving states guidance. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the concept but requested amendments for clarity, consumer protection, SNAP compliance, and flexibility while pennies remain in circulation; one witness opposed the bill as another tax burden. The hearing on HB 2334 was then closed. The committee then heard HB 2100, a proposed statewide payroll expense tax on large operating companies to fund a new Well Washington Fund for higher education, health care, cash assistance, energy, and housing. Staff said the proposed substitute would apply to employers with at least 250 employees and $7 million in annual payroll, exclude certain public and health care entities, and generate substantial revenue, with the fiscal note estimating about $7.6 billion to the general fund and $4.2 billion to the new fund in the 2027–29 biennium under the revised threshold. Supporters, including poverty, housing, labor, education, disability, and faith advocates, said the bill would help offset federal cuts and protect vulnerable residents. Business, retail, hospitality, construction, and technology groups opposed it, warning of job losses, higher costs, reduced competitiveness, and broader impacts on consumers and employers. The prime sponsor said the bill was a response to federal divestment and that the state needed a progressive revenue source now; no vote was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Centers, if you remember a couple years ago, we had this very, very similar question in front of the
• I'm keeping beaches at the front and center.
• president, and speaker for the purposes of providing recommendations for the planning, construction, operation
• ; two, the appropriateness of the proposed location; three, the regional economy; four, the regional
• Augustine, Fort Mose, a corridor center, and the other high school there for many, many years that was

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met and considered a series of bills on trust law, homestead property assessments, emergency preparedness, utility service restrictions, Black history museum planning, historic preservation, firefighter benefits, and community redevelopment agencies. Several measures were presented as technical or policy updates, including CS/SB 262 on trust code clarifications, SJR 174 and SB 176 on limiting homestead assessment increases for flood-mitigation elevations, SB 608 renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Florida statutes, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 582 increasing penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, SB 1202 extending health insurance premium benefits to firefighters permanently disabled during training, and SB 1242 phasing out CRAs and restricting new projects. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response also advanced after a strike-all amendment that added FEMA reimbursement streamlining, mutual aid coordination, and other disaster-response provisions. SB 1128 on building permits for single-family dwellings was amended to clarify local review authority and professional liability protections before passage. The committee heard substantial testimony on SB 466, which implements the Black History Task Force’s recommendation to locate the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County/St. Augustine. Supporters emphasized the area’s civil rights and Black history significance, the task force process, and the backing of Florida Memorial University and local leaders; one witness opposed the bill and urged a feasibility study and consideration of other sites. SB 1242 drew the most sustained debate, with supporters arguing many CRAs have outlived their purpose and opponents warning the bill would eliminate a valuable local economic development tool, harm affordable housing projects, and create uncertainty for phased developments and existing projects. SB 1002 also drew opposition testimony from advocates who warned of broad unintended consequences for municipal utilities and local energy choices, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve a specific legal misunderstanding. Votes were taken on each measure, and all of the bills considered were reported favorably by the committee. The committee adopted the amendment to CS/SB 262, the strike-all amendment to SB 180, and the amendment to SB 1128 before final passage. Several senators requested to be recorded on specific tabs after the meeting, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's food security.
• Senior citizens centers in my district.
• We have our Aging and Disability Resource Center. It is not just a call center.
• Are they living a dignified life, financially secure or more financially secure than they were before
• They have some security, but the main security for the case management system is coming from the administrative

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're actually very unique, and they may be unique to that area and that region.
• 00:09:27.800><c> that</c> may be unique to that area and that may be unique to that area and that region
• .<00:09:28.520><c> So,</c> region.
• So, region.
• and additional options for spending campaign funds on security issues.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> attorneys at the Children's Law Center attorneys at the Children's Law Center uh<01:51:35.000><c
• He's been working with the Department of Homeland Security on a lot of these issues.
• </c> officer with Homeland Security officer with Homeland Security investigations<02:35:04.560><c> in
• </c> Homeland Security Homeland Security officials officials officials charged<04:19:57.560><c> three
• </c><04:54:45.718><c> a</c> which are difficult to secure a which are difficult to secure a conviction

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have the resources to hire a security have the resources to hire a security guard?
• And how is this the um Target Center.
• ,</c> weapon in a vehicle that's not secured, weapon in a vehicle that's not secured, right,<01:24:14.960
• </c> policy would events would event centers policy would events would event centers or<01:25:50.239>
• Those tips do come in a 247 operation.

Bills: HF3409 , HF3487 , HF3401

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: immigration status, undocumented students, immigrant rights, K-12 education, public school enrollment, Plyler v. Doe, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, law enforcement access, ICE, immigration enforcement, civil lawsuit, private right of action, injunctive relief, mandamus, student records, directory information, parental engagement, equal access to education

Transcript Highlights:

• Some say that this bill will make SNAP operate more like WIC.
• , they are costly, which is why so few retailers choose to operate WIC.
• specialties, right, and they all have their sort of mini operating centers, but they are still like
• It was just basic operating structure of an organization. Thank you.
• And you are with the Gladney Center, and you're here testifying on behalf of the Gladdy Center and yourself

Bills: HB 2510 , HB 3589 , HB 4611 , HB 4655 , HB 4665 , HB 4666 , HB 4670 , HB 4700 , HB 4730 , HB 4798 , HB 4838 , HB 5136 , HB 5243 , HB 5302 , HB 5539

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> services the Social Security services the Social Security Administration<00:24:30.159><c> the</c
• So we worked with them to kind of fold our cyber security model into that physical security domain to
• So we worked with them to kind of fold our cyber security model into that physical security domain to
• So we worked with them to kind of fold our cyber security model into that physical security domain to
• c> guarantee the security of those systems guarantee the security of those systems to<00:41:54.720><c

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our Sunday afternoon meeting of the Senate Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections
• State law mandates that for Clark County, we operate 100 vote centers on Election Day and 25 during early
• That means we begin securing these locations in the summer.
• I cannot secure vote centers without knowing a definite date of when the presidential preference primary
• Our elections are safe and secure.

Committee: Senate Legislative Operations and Elections

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, as the fraud, waste, and abuse that we hear about all the time continues to be front and center
• of this committee, but also to increase our impact throughout the region.
• </c><00:07:25.599><c> due</c> program to other parts of the region due program to other parts of the
• region due to<00:07:25.960><c> the</c><00:07:26.080><c> recommendation</c><00:07:26.720><c> of</c><00
• We've secured private business and other funding totaling 25% of our budget, representing one of the

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> local food production and food security local food production and food security rather<00:14:26.440
• It requires all dealers of deposit beverage containers to operate as redemption centers.
• It requires all dealers of deposit beverage containers to operate as redemption centers.
• [Applause] centers<00:56:23.440><c> on</c><00:56:23.839><c> this</c><00:56:24.160><c> measure</c> centers
• </c> the uh Water Resources Research Center the uh Water Resources Research Center to<00:58:34.799><c

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard several agriculture and food-system bills. SB 1562 would create a Combined Housing Operational Agricultural Mobilization Program to help bona fide farmers live and farm on agricultural lands and provide a tax credit for donated land. Testimony generally supported the goal of housing for farmers and farm workers, but raised concerns about placing the program within the Department of Agriculture, possible constitutional and drafting issues, land-quality standards, lease structure, and whether another agency might be better suited. The committees recommended passing SB 1562 with amendments, including clarifying DOA authority to acquire agricultural lands and establishing an advisory committee within the department; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also heard SB 1171 on providing monofilament netting through hardware stores to help slow coconut rhinoceros beetle spread, SB 1186 on creating a statewide interagency food systems coordination team and working group, SB 1250 on a Farm to Families program, SB 1303 on agricultural loans, SB 1395 on a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund, SB 504 on a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program, SB 1185 on reviewing and repealing obsolete agricultural laws, and SB 187 on funding permanent agricultural biosecurity positions. Most testimony on these measures was in support, with some suggested refinements: for SB 1186, a youth advisory seat and clearer performance benchmarks; for SB 1250, broader eligibility for food pantries, cold storage, and staffing support; for SB 1303, support for lower interest rates and expanded loan tools; for SB 1395, debate over the fund’s structure and revenue source; for SB 504, clearer eligibility for small and beginning farmers, cooperatives, and food hubs; and for SB 1185, interest in joining the working group but concern about overbroad deregulation. No roll-call votes were taken on the other measures in the excerpt, but the chair reported testimony counts on some bills, including 89 in support and none opposed for SB 1250, 13 in support and one opposed for SB 504, and 14 in support with one comment for SB 1395. SB 1303 and SB 187 also drew supportive testimony from the Department of Agriculture, farm groups, food banks, and industry organizations, with SB 187 emphasizing the need to make Act 231 biosecurity positions permanent and fully funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I checked into it, and I found that you don't even need somebody's Social Security number to be
• So our concern is that gives a sense of false security. It slows things down.
• It might give you a sense of false security, but you're not actually catching people's identities or
• With the Department of Finance's operating costs rising, license fees have been periodically raised to
• A friend of mine is a broker in the region and approached me last year with this after the initial filing

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all