Video & Transcript : 'school construction assistance program' :
Page 461 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:22:38.159><c> and</c> agency responsible for programs and agency responsible for programs and
- So even the Abigail Kanakoa Foundation, the payment for that crypt, the placement construction, that
- </c><00:37:32.880><c> that</c><00:37:33.040><c> was</c> cryp the placement construction that was cryp
- it does go to OHA, we can just do in the OHA section transfer the program ID over to OHA?
- It doesn't have a specific program ID under DLNR 806.
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations.
Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation.
Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 9th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Marvin Lavelle Boomer Jr. was an educator at Castlemont High School with deep passions for community
- at Castlemont High School, and his legacy will continue with the students that high school and his legacy
- He wanted workforce development, affordable housing, community policing, and paid youth programming.
- She was a major donor toward the current construction of a new community lecture hall.
- She was a major donor toward the current construction of a new community lecture hall.
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions recognizing the League of Women Voters of San Francisco Youth Council, the Jane Center of Northern California, a departing UC Sacramento intern, and members of the Sam Yup Benevolent Association/Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. The chamber then moved to the Daily File, where most items were passed and retained on file, and AB 1044 was moved to the inactive file at the author’s request.
The main floor action was on ACR 91, authored by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which recognized June 2025 as Portuguese Heritage Month, June 10 as the Day of Portugal, and April 18 as the Day of the Azores. Supportive remarks highlighted the long history and contributions of Portuguese Americans in California, especially in agriculture, business, public service, and culture, and Assembly Member Macedo spoke as a co-author and second-generation Portuguese American. The resolution received 64 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. Macedo also shared Portuguese sweet bread with members, and Aguiar-Curry introduced Portuguese dignitaries and community leaders in the chamber.
The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournments in memory. Members honored Phil Jerizzo, Dr. Marvin Lavelle Boomer Jr., and Elizabeth Starr, describing their public service, mentorship, community leadership, and family legacies. The Assembly then announced upcoming session dates and adjourned until Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 9 a.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Transcript Highlights:
- of our program to change.
- So while a program that is run by BHN might be the right pathway for someone, a program like Stony Brook
- Like another program.
- This program, that's not the pain.
- not a criticism of those programs, but because of the way our program is built and our design, we don't
Summary:
The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care.
Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings.
A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime.
No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-10 (11:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Florida High School Athletic Association determined the assistance violated the impermissible benefit
- The Florida High School Athletic Association determined the assistance violated the impermissible benefit
- school.
- Literally, schools in their mental health programs, in their CAPS, you know, counseling centers and so
- programs.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities.
The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support.
Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2.
The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- In partnership with the Idaho State Department of Education, our school liaison program manager corrected
- The school liaison program manager corrected a deficiency in identifying military-connected children
- identifier, and the Purple Star Schools program that support military-connected students throughout
- The Mountain Home School District received a Public Schools on Military Installations grant to fund 80%
- And in that capacity, I became familiar with the school bond guarantee program, which we review through
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- I founded a new high school in South Florida. It's called Jewish Culture High School.
- one day we'll have a doctorate program in the nursing program at West Florida.
- These programs, curricular and extracurricular at this relatively small school, are off the charts.
- And I believe the dual enrollment program, which I know is everywhere, but generally in our local schools
- , which is one of our state's A schools, where I oversee athletic programs, compliance, budgeting, and
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We currently have 10 school districts that have been approved for their teacher apprenticeship programs
- program.
- programs.
- So they're AS degree programs, career certificate programs, and college credit certificate programs that
- high schools from middle schools in Pinellas County.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Mar 23rd, 2026
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- We led the effort to expand the program to a statewide pilot in 2021.
- Then the program ultimately generated $22 million in fine revenues.
- And this has been a pilot program for 20 years, since 2007.
- And this has been a pilot program for 20 years since 2007.
- We also plan to complete our review of the authority's construction quality program, review how compliance
Committee:
House Transportation
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I founded a new high school in South Florida. It's called Jewish Culture High School.
- These programs, curricular and extracurricular at this relatively small school, are off the charts.
- The oldest is a freshman in college, two in high school, and one in middle school.
- And I believe the dual enrollment program, which I know is everywhere, but generally in our local schools
- s A schools, where I oversee athletic programs, compliance, budgeting, and student-athlete development
Summary:
The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative.
The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions.
Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I still believe in Care Act as a voluntary program.
- The program already has low utilization rates.
- Maybe they need to get into a different outpatient program.
- , a program that is unique in the nation.
- They can assist, maybe veer them in the right direction.
Committee:
House Judiciary
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Sep 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- grow beyond pilot programs. and whether schools have stability and sustained progress year over year
- I mean the parents that have students in our programming through surveys and school visits, and sometimes
- high school?
- So the Latinos in Action programming started with three schools.
- Pecos High School, Pecos Middle School, and Albuquerque Technology.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 27, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We have people now who mess around with their homestead to get into certain schools that we're unable
- So you're saying you're going to let not preempt the municipalities and the school districts, but you're
- So you're saying you're going to let not preempt the municipalities and the school districts, but you're
- This bill revitalizes Florida's brownfield program and incentivizes the private sector to act swiftly
- performance bonds for the construction of their affordable homes in the Florida Keys.
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee met on March 27, 2025 and first considered HJR 1257 and its implementing bill, HB 1259, which would create two $25,000 property tax exemptions and an assessment cap for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians who also have a homestead in the state. Supporters argued the measure would increase long-term rental supply and help Florida residents, while opponents from counties and cities warned of a large revenue loss, potential tax shifts to businesses, and weak guardrails against abuse. Members raised concerns about wealthy owners holding many condos, possible family-member workarounds, and whether savings would actually reach tenants. The committee adopted an amendment to the implementing bill, then reported both measures favorably after party-line-leaning debate and recorded votes.
The committee then unanimously reported HB 761, which limits deferred ad valorem and non-ad valorem tax relief to properties with a just value of $1 million or less and raises the minimum tax certificate sale amount from $250 to $500. Members also unanimously approved CS/HB 733 on brownfields, which expands and clarifies the state brownfields program, and two Osceola/Sunbridge local bills, CS/HB 4043 and HB 4059, dealing with special district infrastructure and district boundary expansion subject to voter approval. HB 995 on Areas of Critical State Concern, focused largely on the Florida Keys, was amended to remove the ad valorem tax exemption portion and to adjust the growth cap from 500 to 825 units, then was reported favorably.
Later, the committee approved HB 6021, which repeals sales tax on all bullion purchases of gold, silver, and platinum, with supporters calling it a sound-money measure and critics asking about future revenue effects if related legal-tender legislation passes. Finally, the committee passed HB 1339, which excludes wind-damage mitigation improvements from assessed value for property tax purposes, after adopting a clarifying amendment about secondary water barriers. Throughout the meeting, most bills were reported favorably, often after brief debate and with little or no public testimony beyond support or opposition from affected local-government and industry groups.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Specialized programs include academic, vocational programming, substance abuse programming, preforestry
- can work and attend school.
- , volunteer programs to academic programs.
- programs.
- CTE programs.
Summary:
The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse.
The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- and different programs have kind of different scenarios.
- I know that program is really successful.
- “Generally, it’s a return rate to prison after successful program completion or after program failure
- Generally, it's a return rate to prison after successful program completion or after program failure.
- Is this a nonprofit program?” “Yes.” “Okay. Okay.” “That we have? Is this a nonprofit program?”
Committee:
House Budget
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jan 12th, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Robert Nita is here for technical assistance. Thank you, Madam Chair, members.
- The key here is that a proper license is required to enter into a construction contract.
- about, we're insisting as much as possible on our right to self-enforcement for our labor management programs
- We have the State Building and Construction Trades, and we are in strong support. I can do that.
- Mike Monaghan, we have the State Building and Construction Trades, and we are in strong support.
Summary:
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard three bills. SB 849 by Senator Weber Pearson would address physician sexual misconduct by clarifying that physicians or surgeons who committed specified sexual offenses against patients cannot petition for license renewal, and by requiring automatic revocation in certain misconduct-related cases, including where a license was surrendered, revoked, or the person was convicted or required to register as a sex offender. Support came from the California Medical Association and the American College of OBGYN; there was no opposition in the room. The bill was moved do pass to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, then later confirmed out on call.
SB 96 by Senator Umberg would extend California’s advertising-volume rules to streaming services, podcasts, and similar content by requiring ads to be kept at the ambient level of the surrounding content. The author said the bill was inspired by a child awakened by loud streaming ads and argued it would update the earlier CALM Act for modern media. There was no support or opposition testimony in the room. The committee discussed how the rule might affect platforms operating statewide or nationally, and the bill passed do pass on a 9-0 vote, then was confirmed out on call.
SB 342 by Senator Umberg, the Contractors Licensure Fairness Act, would allow contractors to recover payment for work performed while licensed even if they were unlicensed for part of a project, while still barring payment for unlicensed days and preserving existing prohibitions on starting work without a license. Supporters, including representatives of the California Conference of Carpenters, State Building and Construction Trades, and contractor associations, argued the current law can be overly punitive and can create windfalls for owners when a technical lapse is discovered later. Committee members raised concerns about consumer protection, burden of proof, and whether the bill could create loopholes, but the author and supporters said existing protections remain and the bill is intended to be proportional. The bill passed do pass to Judiciary on a 9-0 vote and was later confirmed out on call to Appropriations.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 5907 relates to expanding access to our state-funded comprehensive preschool program, ECEAP
- This deals with a young, good-looking senator from his district, had a problem with one of his school
- Anyways, had a problem with the school district.
- to that regard. ...and even look at things that they might just discontinue as far as programs.
- President, this bill addresses phone use by students in schools.
Committee:
Senate Rules
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Mar 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We led the effort to expand the program to a statewide pilot in 2021.
- The program ultimately generated $22 million in fine revenues.
- And this has been a pilot program for 20 years, since 2007.
- We also plan to complete our review of the authority's construction quality program, review how compliance
- successfully complete that program, there's no point on my license.
Summary:
The Assembly Transportation Committee heard six bills. AB 1837 (Gonzalez) would remove the sunset on transit agencies’ authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking violations in bus lanes and at bus stops. The author and supporters from transit agencies, Streets for All, and the California Police Chiefs Association said the program improves bus reliability, safety, and access for riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Some members raised concerns about automated enforcement error rates and due process, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection.
AB 1944 (Lee), presented by Assemblymember Arreguín, would delay implementation of declining axle-weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the existing final cap in place. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit agencies, said heavier batteries are needed for longer-range zero-emission buses and the delay would help agencies comply with clean transit goals. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1599 (Arreguín) would require Caltrans to create a centralized statewide transit stop registry with standardized stop information. Move LA, AARP, Streets for All, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve trip planning, data consistency, and accessibility for riders; the bill also passed to Appropriations.
AB 1608 (Wilson) would expand the California High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General’s authority, including hiring and contracting flexibility and a requirement to publish reports with limited confidentiality protections. The author, the Inspector General, and the First Amendment Coalition said the bill would improve oversight and transparency while protecting sensitive information; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1613 (Wilson) would create a mandatory off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course for access to off-highway lands starting in 2029. Supporters from the off-road community said the bill was developed through stakeholder safety summits and would reduce accidents and protect public lands; it passed to Water, Parks, and Wildlife. AB 1662 (Wilson) would require DMV points for certain offenses that are dismissed through diversion programs, which supporters framed as a needed accountability measure for dangerous driving and opponents from ACLU Cal Action criticized as undermining diversion and harming low-income drivers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Final roll calls showed each bill advancing, with AB 1662 receiving the strongest support and the other measures also moving forward despite some no votes on AB 1837, AB 1944, AB 1608, and AB 1613.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- As Senator Villarra mentioned, under current law, a home must be constructed substantially equivalent
- to the original home to be able to transfer the base tax year to the new construction.
- that's incredibly important to us locally: our school bus program.
- Our school bus program. However, despite these successes, our countywide challenges continue.
- Is to ensure that the program is administered more cost effectively in the future.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post signage at tobacco retail locations about lung cancer screening eligibility. The author and a UC San Diego thoracic surgery resident testified that lung cancer screening is underused because many Californians do not know it exists, while retailers and convenience store groups raised implementation concerns about sign size, store space, and notice before penalties. Members discussed penalties and screening access, and the author said he was willing to reduce the penalty in later amendments. The bill passed 4-0 and was sent to the Committee on Health.
The committee also considered several disaster-related tax measures. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without losing their Proposition 13 base-year value, and it received support from the Los Angeles County Assessor, the California Association of Realtors, and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dahle, would create a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased after a disaster for a primary residence; the chair raised concerns about administration and benefits flowing to higher-income households, and CTA opposed. Both bills were approved and sent to Appropriations, with SB 1352 passing 5-0 and SB 1343 passing 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted.
SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place limits and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to examples from Shafter and Dinuba where local revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. The city of Shafter, League of California Cities, and California Retailers Association supported the bill, while some members worried it could infringe on local control; the author and sponsor argued it would protect local tax dollars without eliminating local discretion. The bill passed 4-0 and went to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; supporters included transit agencies and county officials, while Howard Jarvis and the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association opposed. The committee emphasized that the measure only lets voters decide, and the bill passed 4-1.
The committee also took up SB 1404 by Senator Stern, which would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to help fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with the author saying he wanted to reduce administrative costs and work on hardship protections. NRDC and PG&E supported the concept, while rural county representatives, Howard Jarvis, and Butte County opposed, arguing the fee would unfairly burden rural and fixed-income residents and function like a tax. Members split over affordability and local impacts, but the bill passed 4-1. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help retention and access to care in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 after committee amendments were accepted. The consent calendar and other listed bills were also approved on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You mentioned a housing program. You can't get pension work in Texas.
- We've got the few charitable trusts who endorsed this kind of program.
- The initial proposal was for the construction of a 546,000-acre wind farm.
- SCR 19 allows a replica to be constructed outside of the historic Capitol grounds.
- If anything, it adds more flexibility into that program.
Summary:
The Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 945, which concerns political shareholder proposals by insurers and insurance holding companies. Senator Hughes argued the bill would protect Texas-based insurers from activist shareholder pressure, especially proposals aimed at limiting insurance coverage for oil and gas companies for ESG or political reasons. The motion to suspend the regular order was adopted over objection, and SB 945 passed to engrossment on a 20-10 vote with one present not voting.
The chamber also passed Senate Bill 1117, allowing any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin in oral or maxillofacial regions for aesthetic purposes, and House Joint Resolution 98, renewing Texas’s application for an Article 5 Convention of States to propose amendments on fiscal restraints, federal power limits, and term limits. Both measures advanced after debate and roll-call votes; SB 1117 passed unanimously after suspension of the three-day rule, and H.J.R. 98 was adopted on a 17-14 vote.
Members then approved several other measures, including the committee substitute for House Bill 142 on HHSC’s Office of Inspector General and Medicaid overpayment recovery, Senate Bill 2373 on AI-enabled financial fraud and deepfake/phishing schemes, Senate Bill 2221 on fraudulent UCC financing statements, and Senate Bill 2681 on the basis for third-party voter-registration challenges. The Senate also adopted a resolution authorizing a Texas Life Monument replica at the Capitol complex, and passed S.J.R. 59 creating funds for Texas State Technical College capital needs.
The body debated and passed Senate Bill 946, which would bar credit discrimination against organizations based on social, political, religious, or similar value-based considerations and require credit decisions to rest on creditworthiness. Senators raised concerns that the bill could create a special protected class for non-human entities or conflict with existing state policies, but the bill advanced to engrossment on a 20-11 vote. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 2477 to ease office-to-residential conversions in large cities after adopting an amendment negotiated with municipal stakeholders, and began consideration of Senate Bill 715 on ERCOT reliability requirements for generators, including existing generation, with extensive debate over impacts on renewables, power purchase agreements, and grid reliability.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-HHS, WAM-TRS Informational Briefings 01-15-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's for the 2024-25 school year.
- <01:23:55.199><c> health</c><01:23:55.920><c> 100</c> Program I pro program ID health 100 Program I pro
- </c> speed or automated enforcement programs. speed or automated enforcement programs.
- </c> program for us. program for us. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
- Um, and there was a 10-year maintenance program. Did we enter into that 10-year program?