Video & Transcript : 'cistern program' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- I serve as the coordinator of the Safety and Justice for Immigrant Program at the Elizabeth Freeman Center
- To participate in the 287 program.
- This bill helps restore the confidence necessary for people to seek care, access safety net programs,
- The 287G program is a key part... All 287Gs nationwide.
- The 287G program is a key part, all 287Gs nationwide.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses.
Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role.
Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM. Jun 2nd, 2026
AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM.
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, this is a three-year program, readiness program for career development, integration around
- And agribusiness solutions as the foundation of this program.
- Actually running these programs on farms that their fathers probably never dreamed about.
- I mean, we're working with some of the hunger relief programs and food pantries and so forth.
- I know you said you worked with this program over in United Arab Emirates, I think.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 27th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Literacy programs, navigation services, and community connection.
- So whether he's a master's in public policy, a Sacramento Capital Fellowship program perhaps, or work
- The program includes the class visiting the State Capitol and state agencies for firsthand exposure to
- this year. from Byron Union and Knightsen Elementary had program funding cut this year.
- This group is a mix of students in the Tobacco Youth Prevention Education Peer Mentor Program and some
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the early session on guest introductions recognizing students, interns, advocacy groups, sorority members, and other visitors. Members also noted Assembly Member Castillo’s birthday and announced a later floor photo for members wearing denim. The chamber then moved to the Daily File and took up a series of bills and resolutions.
Among the major actions, AB 2323 by Assembly Member McKinnor, on modernizing public notice while preserving transparency and due process, passed 57-0. ACR 149 by Assembly Member Hart, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and the Coastal Conservancy, drew extensive debate both in support and opposition before being adopted by voice vote, with 46 co-authors added. AB 2011 by Assembly Member Hart, codifying mental health parity standards, was also taken up, and AB 2691 by Assembly Member Addis, expanding disqualifying felony convictions for elected office to include sexual assault and human trafficking, passed 53-0. The Assembly also adopted HR 31 on Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month after lengthy testimony from members describing personal experiences and the need to support survivors.
The body then approved several policy bills with broad support, including AB 1621 on housing permitting timelines (64-0), AB 1704 on studying the cost of low-embodied-carbon building materials and pausing standards if cost parity is not reached (58-0), AB 1916 updating the definition of certified interpreter to include ASL interpreters (59-2), AB 2559 on returning construction and demolition permit deposits when compliance is documented (61-0), AB 2663 as an urgency sunset extension for alcoholic beverage law (64-0 on urgency and measure), and AB 2731 expanding on-sale general alcohol licenses in Santa Cruz County (63-0). The Senate consent calendar was also adopted. The session ended with an adjournment in memory of Josado Dado Banatao, honoring his life, engineering achievements, and philanthropy, followed by a motion to adjourn until April 30 at 9 a.m.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's a whole program for microreactors at military bases, a program called Janus, if you want to
- So we’re a multi-program office. We’re the safety basis approval authority.
- The 10 companies and 11 reactors that came in through the pilot program.
- Think about it as pilot program 2.0. Yes, sir?
- Allisade is supposed to restart as part of the DOE loan program.
Committee:
Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Summary:
The meeting was a presentation and Q&A at Idaho National Laboratory focused on the state of nuclear energy, advanced reactors, and the lab’s role in testing, regulation, and commercialization. Speakers described INL’s broader mission beyond nuclear, including cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, but emphasized its major nuclear capabilities: the Advanced Test Reactor, TREAT, the Materials and Fuels Complex, and other test beds used to accelerate fuel and materials testing. They also highlighted the lab’s size, workforce, internship pipeline, and partnerships with DOE, DHS, DOD, and private companies.
A major topic was the federal push to speed up nuclear deployment through executive orders and regulatory reform. Speakers said DOE and the NRC are reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, streamlining environmental reviews, and working toward a goal of having three new nuclear systems achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. They discussed the difference between microreactors, small modular reactors, and traditional gigawatt-scale plants, arguing that advanced reactors can be factory-built, safer, and better suited for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, and other nontraditional uses. They also said the U.S. is rebuilding its nuclear supply chain, including enrichment and fuel fabrication, and that states willing to host parts of the fuel cycle could see major economic benefits.
The speakers addressed questions about cost, safety, waste, and international competition. They said advanced reactors rely on passive safety features, TRISO fuel, and natural circulation, and that the industry’s challenge is often cost uncertainty rather than a precise fuel or materials limit. They argued used nuclear fuel should be viewed as a resource rather than waste if recycling becomes policy, and said microreactors should produce relatively small amounts of spent fuel. They also noted that China and Russia continue to build aggressively, with China on pace to surpass the U.S. in total nuclear generation, while U.S. projects such as Palisades, Crane Clean Energy Center, Duane Arnold, Oklo, Aalo, MARVEL, and Project Pele are moving forward under DOE and private-sector partnerships.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Mar 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I did provide this pamphlet that speaks to Placer County specifically and what our program looks like
- And at this point, in our six-year experience, we have not rejected anybody from our program.
- One, requiring them to create a program can, I'm assuming that the inspectors, you know, they need to
- It protects the programs that help that workforce thrive, not just survive.
- It's just that simple of a change, hoping that we can encourage more to use the program.
Summary:
The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a full agenda of housing-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and advancing on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Early in the hearing, AB 2035 by Assembly Member Dixon was presented as a narrowly tailored fix for a large senior HOA in Laguna Woods Village, allowing a lower vote threshold to amend outdated CC&Rs after repeated failed elections; members raised questions about broader impacts, but the bill passed 12-0 to Judiciary. AB 1684 by Assembly Member Ward would bar HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace cooling systems; supporters cited heat-related health risks and a constituent’s experience, while HOA representatives sought amendments to preserve reasonable rules on drainage, electrical capacity, and common-area protection. The committee discussed those concerns and advanced the bill 8-0 to Judiciary.
AB 1710 by Assembly Member Carrillo would extend SB 330-style vesting protections to state and regional permitting agencies so housing projects are not subjected to shifting post-entitlement standards, with supporters arguing it would improve predictability and speed housing production. Special districts and utilities opposed unless amended, warning about conflicts with changing state and regional rules, but the bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. AB 1738 by Assembly Member Crewe would require remote virtual inspections for certain simple home renovations; supporters from SPUR and Placer County described faster, lower-cost inspections already in use, while labor groups raised concerns and sought amendments. Members emphasized keeping inspections jurisdiction-based and not replacing safety oversight, and the bill passed 8-0 to Local Government.
The committee also approved AB 1890 by Assembly Member Curry, which increases state matching support for Napa County farmworker housing centers from $250,000 to $500,000 annually through 2036; supporters described the centers as a successful public-private model providing housing and services for farmworkers, and the bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations. AB 2433 by Assembly Member Alvarez would modernize the density bonus law by improving notice, clarifying eligibility and ministerial approval, and adding incentives for for-sale affordable housing; it drew strong support from housing and business groups and passed 10-0 to Local Government. AB 1567 by Assembly Member Ta would allow assisted living communities to be counted in housing element reporting and RHNA-related planning, and it passed 10-0 to Local Government. The consent calendar, including AB 1573 and AB 2162, was also approved unanimously, and the committee adjourned after taking roll-call votes on the remaining items.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 11th, 2026 at 08:37 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Different than what we call safety net programs or benefit programs like Medicaid at the federal and
- It's a pilot program to see if it works, and I like that.
- It's a pilot program and see if it works, and I like that.
- Did you talk to them about administering this program? Mr.
- Chair and expert, who did you talk to at MFA about this program? Mr.
Committee:
House House Taxation & Revenue
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 2nd, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, there's a resource witness for the program.
- Again, we've had the benefit of seeing the success in this program in other states.
- It does not impact Texas' 13-week extended benefit program, which is a joint federally state-funded program
- And that's not because they're getting kicked off the program.
- I'm assigned to the service contract providers and administrators program.
Keywords:
school district, bond issuance, election dates, voter approval, Texas Education Code, HCR 9, Texas State Cemetery, Hill Country flood, July 4 2025 flood, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, memorial, monument, concurrent resolution, disaster remembrance, natural disaster, flood victims, survivors, State Preservation Board, Texas secretary of state
Summary:
The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development met with a quorum and moved quickly through a long agenda, hearing testimony and taking recorded votes on several bills. Early in the meeting, HB 2214 was laid out to exempt certain short-term residential leases and leaseback arrangements from flood-disclosure requirements; Texas Realtors supported the change, and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out a series of pending measures, including HB 46, HB 186 (with a committee substitute), HB 431, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2788 (with a substitute), HB 2791 (with a substitute), HB 3260, and HCR 90, all reported favorably to the full House, with HB 1147 receiving two nays and the others passing unanimously or nearly so.
A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 112, which would create a Texas Science Park district and commission to support advanced manufacturing and innovation sites. The bill’s author and supporters, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Texas Association of Business, and the Governor’s economic development office, argued it would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support national security and workforce development. Testimony described interest from semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies and referenced the model of foreign science parks such as Sinshu in Taiwan. HB 112 was left pending after testimony.
The committee also heard HB 3698 and HB 3699, both related to unemployment insurance administration. HB 3698 would expand eligibility for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program using federal funds, while HB 3699 would tighten the definition of “last work” to help the Texas Workforce Commission investigate UI fraud. Both bills were discussed with TWC resource witnesses and left pending after the committee withdrew the substitutes. HB 1349, which would extend HOA transparency and property-rights provisions to condominiums and refine HOA rules, and HB 621, which would require HOA meeting spaces to be available for residents to reserve for qualified political candidates or elected officials, were also heard and left pending. Finally, the committee heard HCR 9 to designate the first Saturday of each month as Small Business Saturday, HB 199 to index unemployment benefit duration to the state unemployment rate, and HB 3466 to exempt certain cancelable service contracts from Texas’s in-home sales cooling-off law; each drew supportive and opposing testimony and was left pending before adjournment.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 19th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- This programs I see funding for new technologies and innovation across all industry sectors.
- US based small businesses with less than 500 employees are eligible to participate in these programs.
- HB 1268 creates the Texas Technology Innovation Program, TTIP housed within the office.
- This program will become a powerful tool to ensure as many of this federal funds. to Texas as possible
- I, I don't, I don't believe that this would be a program. That would be cut.
Bills:
HB 186
Keywords:
public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 19th, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- These programs provide seed fundings for new technologies and innovation across all industry sectors,
- F68 creates the Texas Technology Innovation Program, TTIP. housed within the Office of the Governor's
- When this program is created, they come back to Texas, and Texas would match that grant with a certain
- I don't believe that this would be a program that would be.
- For this program, I'm very optimistic that they will continue. Thank you for your optimism.
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Jan 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- CORRECT BUT NOT OPERATED BY CHURROS AND LOTS OF A SHERIFF OR CHIEF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER CAN SELECT A PROGRAM
- Pizzo: LINE 414, WHERE THE OFFICE SHALL ANNUALLY AWARD ANY FUNDS APPROPRIATED FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM TO
- THAT IS REALLY A GREAT ATTRIBUTE AND PART OF THAT PROGRAM. >> REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL PERSUASION AND
- MANY OF WHICH ATTEND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AT THE LOCAL YMCA WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS.
- THAT'S NOT A SAVINGS, A HARD COST SAVINGS WE CAN JUST TRANSFER OVER TO SOME OTHER PROGRAM THAT WE CAN
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (01/08/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The RPS program and the RECC program and the RECC markets are critical to the sustainability of the biomass
- </c><00:02:59.200><c> The</c> standards program. I'll get there. The standards program.
- The RPS program and the RECC program and the RECC markets are critical to the sustainability of the biomass
- We also have a great partnership with a program called the Taking Action for Wildlife program, where
- which started as kind of a a programs which started as kind of a a mapping<00:47:56.480><c> program<
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/30/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> intensive needs Elementary program intensive needs Elementary program you'll<01:30:15.239><c> see
- </c> schools which have types of programs schools which have types of programs you're<01:36:10.199><c
- Chairman, for this program, for the Summersworth program, when they were with a bigger school district
- </c> the the program the the program okay<01:57:35.159><c> that</c><01:57:35.520><c> that's</c><01:57
- </c><04:21:02.080><c> this</c> impacts on education programming this impacts on education programming
Summary:
The hearing focused on HB 563, which would revise the education funding formula for pupils receiving special education services by replacing the current single special education amount with three differentiated categories. Representative Rick Ladd, the prime sponsor, said the bill largely tracks a House-passed version from the prior session with minor figure adjustments, and explained that the proposal uses projected FY26 amounts for three categories based on time in general education versus more intensive placements. He also noted that the bill does not address catastrophic aid directly, but that special education aid, CAT aid, and proration all remain issues for later work sessions.
Ladd and supporters argued that weighted categories better reflect actual costs and are more sustainable than treating all IEPs the same. Representative Margaret Drye said the approach was one of the best ideas from the education funding subcommittee and urged the committee to support differentiated aid. Representative Ames asked how the category amounts were derived, and Ladd said Category A follows the FY26 base, Category B is a higher weight, and Category C is a still higher weight for more intensive services, though he acknowledged the exact multipliers were developed earlier and could be revisited. He also said the committee would continue discussing whether the weights are appropriate and how they interact with CAT aid.
Testimony from Bonnie Dunham strongly opposed the bill. She argued that funding based on placement rather than actual service need would create incentives to move students into more restrictive settings, could stigmatize children with labels such as "Category C," and would undermine the least restrictive environment requirements under federal special education law. She described her son’s experience in inclusive settings as beneficial and said the bill would have penalized the district for serving him there. In response to questions, she said schools and parents should base funding on the child’s actual needs and costs, not on placement, and urged the committee to recommend the bill inexpedient to legislate.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- The court, in its ruling, acknowledged that the certification program is necessary to protect public
- This decision focused on procedural concerns only, not the merits of the certification program.
- The State Fire Marshal sprinkler certification program has been in effect for nearly a decade.
- The State Farm Marshal Sprinker certification program has been effect for nearly a decade.
- However, the court stated it's ruling that the program was necessary for purposes of public safety.
Committee:
House Emergency Management
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda May 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- With the Rural Health Transformation Program, as folks are aware, this was authorized.
- This program empowers states to strengthen rural communities by improving health care access, quality
- mentioning. ...of our program visits and continuing all the support that I've been mentioning.
- And we will celebrate one year in the program in December.
- In addition, states have to report starting in year one on the sustainability of their programs.
Summary:
The Rural Health Transformation Committee met with a quorum and approved the April 22 minutes. CMS officials Kate Sapra and Jonathan Jones joined as part of Idaho’s site visit and gave an overview of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, describing it as a $50 billion, five-year cooperative agreement with all 50 states approved. Sapra emphasized CMS’s close oversight, annual rescoring, reporting requirements, and the need for states to obligate funds by October 30 and spend them by the following September, with unspent or unallowable funds subject to recovery. She said the first year will focus mainly on implementation milestones, with outcomes becoming more important in later years.
Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon then reviewed Idaho’s first round of year-one funding opportunities and the proposed review process. She said the department is moving quickly to post initial solicitations in June, using both full RFPs and sub-grants depending on the type of project. Early priorities include structural and administrative contracts, data and evaluation support, provider recruitment and retention administration, needs assessments, technology and infrastructure investments, transportation, and service-oriented sub-awards such as EMS, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and chronic disease prevention. Committee members asked for more detail on KPIs and requested access to the underlying RFP documents through SharePoint.
Members also asked about reimbursement versus upfront funding, multi-year projects, minor renovations, and whether funds could be shifted between categories. CMS said funds cannot supplant existing financing, but states may structure awards to provide upfront funding if allowed under state procurement rules; it also said minor renovations are defined through CMS guidance and FAQs, not a strict federal definition. Sharon and Sapra said year-one category allocations would be difficult to change significantly, though adjustments may be possible later with CMS approval. The committee agreed to continue sending feedback through the co-chairs and set the next meeting for July 15, with the meeting adjourned afterward.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Get into our training program on the next slide. 24 months.
- But is there talk about expanding your program beyond St.
- On top of that, we've talked about expanding into a PTSD program eventually.
- Warriors' Hoof Haven has four core program areas.
- Well, that program actually isn't ours. That's Truman VA's.
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
Summary:
The Veterans and Armed Forces Committee heard presentations from three organizations focused on veteran support and mental health. Dogs for Our Brave described its service-dog program for veterans with mobility limitations and PTSD, emphasizing the dogs’ daily assistance with tasks like retrieving items, opening doors, bracing, and getting help, as well as the emotional benefits for veterans and their families. The group said each dog costs about $50,000 to train, with total lifetime support for a veteran-dog team estimated at $75,000 to $125,000, and noted it serves veterans nationwide from a St. Louis base. Committee members asked about fundraising, expansion, and what happens to a dog if a veteran dies; the organization said it relies mainly on private donations and grants, is moving into a larger facility that will increase capacity, and would try to repurpose a dog when appropriate, with family wishes considered first.
Dalton Schmidt of Warriors’ Hoof Haven outlined a newer, free program for combat veterans and their families centered on horses, farming, outdoor recreation, and community outreach. He said the group is based near Thomas Hill Lake in Huntsville on 13 acres and is building activities such as horse handling and riding, meat chicken and produce farming, fishing, kayaking, jet skis, boats, firewood delivery, food bundles, and farm-tool lending. He said the organization funds its work through grants, donations, and sponsors, and that its goal is to reduce financial barriers and get veterans back into the community. Members asked about fundraising and the venison-for-vets effort, which Schmidt said is run by Truman VA and is supported by his group through incentives and outreach.
Brian Nooner, founder of the Mental Health Huddle and a commissioner with the Department of Mental Health, gave a personal account of his own depression, anxiety, PTSD, and isolation after a serious fall and a prolonged COVID-related recovery. He said his experience led him to create the Mental Health Huddle to encourage people to seek help, reduce stigma, identify triggers, avoid one-way relationships, and find hope through faith, family, or other supports. He stressed that he is not a medical professional but a patient sharing resources and said the effort is aimed at making help free and confidential. Committee members thanked him for his testimony and courage, and the chair adjourned the committee after the presentations.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Get into our training program on the next slide. 24 months.
- But is there talk about expanding your program beyond St.
- On top of that, we've talked about expanding into a PTSD program eventually.
- Warriors' Hoof Haven has four core program areas.
- Well, that program actually isn't ours. That's Truman VA's.
Committee:
House Veterans and Armed Forces
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 16th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She launched workforce training programs for school-aged Black and brown girls. Please welcome.
- Workforce training programs for school-aged Black and brown girls. Please welcome Ray Naletz.
- Price served for six years as director of the Department of Social Services, overseeing programs such
- has advanced community-centered programs, public-private partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives
- Members, you can find more information about our 2026 Women of the Year in the program on your desks.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through routine procedural business. A motion to suspend the rules for AJR 28, urging Congress to pass the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, failed on a 43-16 vote. The body then proceeded to the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued.
The main floor action centered on House Resolution 81 recognizing Women’s History Month. Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from several caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the contributions of women in California history and current public life, as well as ongoing issues such as violence, discrimination, wage gaps, and representation. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 74 coauthors, and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also held a lengthy Women of the Year ceremony, recognizing honorees from across the state for community service, advocacy, education, health care, public safety, housing, labor, and civic leadership.
Later, the Assembly took up ACR 153 designating March as Irish Heritage Month. Members spoke about Irish American history, immigration, labor, public service, and California’s ties to Ireland. The resolution received 70 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The chamber then approved consent calendar items, including AB 1597 and AB 1549, both by 69-0 votes. The Assembly announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Mar 11th, 2026
Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Examples, for example, in the COVID-era food program.
- the program is solid.
- the program is solid.
- ...to find out that there's only one bad apple in the entire program.
- We did that with the federal food program.
Summary:
The committee met in executive session and first voted House Bill 2563 do pass by a 12-1 vote. It then took up House Bill 3491, which would allow the state auditor to investigate specific subrecipients or subgroups directly when there is a whistleblower complaint, rather than having to audit an entire department or program. Testimony from the bill sponsor and the auditor’s office described the measure as a way to improve efficiency and respond to credible complaints about misuse of state or federal funds; members discussed safeguards, overlap with another federal-funds coordinator bill, and whether the authority would extend to private or semi-private entities. The committee adopted an amendment to clarify language, then voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3491 do pass by an 8-3 vote.
The committee also considered Senate Bill 1087, on which it adopted a technical substitute correcting conflicting language about when a driver’s license suspension takes effect. After adopting the substitute, the committee voted the House Committee substitute for SB 1087 do pass by a 9-2 vote. Later, the committee heard House Bills 2139 and 2175, identical bills aimed at preventing foreign or religious law, specifically Sharia law, from being applied in Missouri courts. Supporters argued the bills were needed to protect constitutional law, while opponents, including a Baptist minister and several members, said the measures were unnecessary, discriminatory, and could create unintended consequences for marriages, adoptions, and other foreign legal documents. No vote was taken on those bills in the transcript.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3210, which would let property owners in municipalities over 100,000 population seek compensation up to their property tax liability when a city allegedly fails to enforce laws against public camping, loitering, theft, intoxication, and related conditions on their property. The sponsor said the bill was meant to hold local governments accountable and help property owners dealing with ongoing encampments and sanitation problems. Members raised concerns about vague standards, possible unfunded mandates, and the burden on cities, while supporters said it could address serious local problems and encourage action. The hearing closed without a vote on HB 3210.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Feb 17th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- There'll be some adjustments made to federal authority for various programs.
- There will be some adjustments made to federal authority for various programs to reflect updated federal
- for projects. $590 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program for projects within the
- guidelines and selection criteria necessary to effectuate or implement programs funded by climate bond
- , so the staff member who said STA, that stands for State Transit Assistance Program.
Committee:
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We are working towards a full eradication program. The folks here expect nothing else of us.
- We are working towards a full eradication program.
- The folks here expect nothing else of us. full eradication program.
- Of that, one-third of our total general fund footprint is the invasive species program.
- That is not a program that has a ton of dedicated dollars coming into it. There's some.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations.
The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.