Transcript Highlights:

• They're at risk of being swept before the doors can even open.
• Obviously, we'll hold it open and give me a second. Yeah, thank you all. This issue open.
• I remain skeptical but open on this conversation. I'd like to see the research.
• Since March 2020, we've opened six schools in child care deserts in San Diego County.
• If we're not open, we don't get paid when there's not a hold harmless.

Summary: The hearing was a joint budget discussion focused first on California preschool and child care, then on universal transitional kindergarten (TK), with later movement toward a reading-difficulties screener item. Members emphasized the need for a coordinated early childhood system that better serves families’ real schedules and needs, rather than forcing families to fit existing program structures. The preschool panel reviewed access, quality, workforce, facilities, and information systems, with repeated concern about whether current funding and program design are sufficient for infants, toddlers, three-year-olds, and full-day/full-year care. Witnesses from the Learning Policy Institute, CDSS, CDE, and community providers described major growth in preschool and child care enrollment, especially for two- and three-year-olds, but also noted persistent gaps, waitlists, workforce shortages, low reimbursement rates, and the need for more stable funding. Several witnesses urged expansion or permanence of two-year-old eligibility in CSPP, more support for mixed-delivery systems, facility conversion and renovation grants, better statewide enrollment and referral systems, and continued funding for one-time grants such as UPK coordinators and planning/implementation supports. Provider and parent testimony stressed that rate reform, enrollment-based reimbursement, and continued hold-harmless protections are needed to keep programs open and accessible. The TK panel reviewed the Governor’s budget proposal for full implementation of universal TK, including Proposition 98 funding for expansion and lower adult-to-child ratios, plus a multilingual learner screening implementation budget change proposal. LPI and CDE reported that TK enrollment has grown rapidly but uptake is now a little over half of eligible four-year-olds, with families citing lack of awareness, preference for other care, and logistical barriers such as location and hours. CDE and providers said the UPK planning and implementation grant, mixed-delivery planning grants, and UPK coordinators have been critical, but these one-time funds are set to sunset. Members pressed for more information on eligible population projections, full-day/full-year demand, teacher credential data, and how administrative credential programs are preparing leaders for early childhood settings. The committee held the issues open and requested follow-up data from the departments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we'll open one more as well.
• </c> are open to the public. are open to the public.
• >> Uh, I'm not familiar with WikiWiki. are open. Every single teacher position are open.
• So every school is open uh position. So every school is open right<01:31:54.800><c> now.
• </c> have enough land for um open play area. have enough land for um open play area.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to close in the same spirit that I opened, and that's one of gratitude.
• Development allows us to grow, and it is also a vital piece that allows me to keep the shop open.
• Of the 460 cases that have been open so far around the state, 92% of them the eviction is prevented or
• One of the primary arguments against additional residential development in communities has been that
• Without them, many small businesses cannot open or operate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• “As I mentioned at my opening, my goal is to ensure that we are not unduly restricting competition for
• “No, but I would be open to accepting an amendment like that on the floor to expand it.”
• “I would be open to accepting an amendment like that on the floor to expand it if need be.”
• The DA could decide to retry again if he chose to under this bill, but the primary thing is to have a
• Como, actually, where we opened the polling slips, and the polling was different on each charge.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the primary thing this is going to affect is Texas residents being able to utilize skimmer nets on
• So if someone opened a daycare three years ago, they wouldn't be grandfathered into this set of updated
• That's why I participated in it, just so it opened up avenues to all forms of energy and where we needed
• They deserve truth and openness from all of us.
• Now it’s wide open. They’re feeding more than they ever did.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned at my opening, my goal is to ensure that we are not unduly restricting competition for
• No, but I would be open to accepting an amendment like that on the floor to expand it.
• I would be open to accepting an amendment like that on the floor to expand it if need be.
• The DA could decide to retry again if he chose to under this bill, but the primary thing is to have a
• Como, actually, where we opened the polling slips, and the polling was different on each charge.

Bills: HCR50 , HB123 , HB219 , HB251 , HB404 , HB769 , HB1065 , SB58 , SB81 , SB92 , SB97 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB207 , SB396 , SB410

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations

Transcript Highlights:

• We think best value can work, but only when it is truly open and competitive, not when it embeds mandates
• The reason we are starting with a pilot program, as I stated in my opening statement, is that the need
• than making it the pilot program the reason we are starting with a pilot program as I stated in my opening
• Mark Landgraf, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, in strong support.
• Our students are predominantly part-time working adults who rely on us as their primary access point

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills. SB 1154 would let community college districts use best-value procurement for public works over $1 million. The author and community college supporters argued it would improve project quality and reduce delays and change orders, while contractor groups opposed it, saying the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce and safety provisions would narrow competition and add subjectivity. The bill passed the committee on a 4-2 vote and was placed on call. SB 1347, a cleanup bill clarifying that stock albuterol may be kept in all public schools, including preschool programs, drew support from school nurses, respiratory care advocates, and a physician who said it would help schools respond to asthma emergencies. With no opposition, it passed unanimously and was placed on call. SB 1222 would create a pilot program designating a lead county office to help regions improve career technical education implementation; supporters said it would expand access and build regional capacity, while Senator Cabaldon questioned the need for another pilot and urged more direct funding instead. The bill passed and was placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1378, which would create a California Excellence in Service Learning designation for schools and districts. Supporters said it would recognize and encourage service-learning programs without mandating curriculum changes, while some members raised concerns about adding more state designations and administrative work. It passed and was placed on call. SB 1048 would create a Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students; supporters said it would recognize climate-related learning and connect students to green careers, while members cautioned against using seals to influence curriculum and noted equity and implementation concerns. It also passed and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1101 would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when their personal information is shared with federal agencies in OCR-related investigations or subpoenas. Supporters framed it as a privacy and free-speech protection in response to recent federal requests for campus information, while the author said the bill would not block lawful subpoenas but would require notice and limit voluntary disclosures. The committee discussed legal and constitutional issues, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I admit I did not see that article and have not heard of that technique, but I will say we're open to
• I'm an open book. I'm not in bed with Lamar. Witness: I'm not in bed with the small guys.
• professionals that have seen some issues about being able to identify what is a school zone for a primary
• And what I mentioned in my opening about current law and how there's a loophole...
• What I mentioned in my opening about current law and how there's a loophole: I actually drove one here

Summary: The committee met on March 30 and first took up House Resolution 1, which approves the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s annual State Integrated Coastal Protection Plan for fiscal years 2026-2027. CPRA leaders described the plan as a roughly $1.54 billion coastal investment, with most funds directed to construction and project implementation. They outlined funding sources including GOMESA, BP settlement dollars, state surplus, and new coastal sediment revenues, and reviewed major work across the coast such as marsh creation, barrier island restoration, levees, pump stations, shoreline protection, and nonstructural flood mitigation. Members asked about specific regional concerns, including the Sabine River area, the Chafalaya Basin, Bayou Sorrel, and tidal flooding in inland parishes. The committee heard public support cards and then reported H.R. 1 favorably without objection. The committee then considered House Bill 838, as substituted, dealing with vehicle inspection stickers and related inspection requirements. The bill would repeal inspection requirements for assembled vehicles, adjust inspection rules for commercial and student transportation vehicles, allow out-of-state inspections in some cases, and move toward a QR-code-based system tied to the vehicle identification number. OMV officials said the QR code would contain only the VIN and would be used by law enforcement through existing or upgraded ticketing systems, with the change taking effect January 1, 2027. Members asked about privacy, local law enforcement compatibility, unsafe vehicles, and the annual fee structure. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably via substitute. Next, the committee heard House Bill 888, also with amendments, on temporary dealer plates and temporary registration plates. Supporters said the bill cleans up last session’s temporary tag law, increases security features for print-on-demand plates, clarifies placement rules for dealer tags, extends certain temporary tag periods from five to ten days, and delays fee changes until the electronic issuance system is implemented. A question was raised about whether the new plates would be readable by license plate recognition cameras, and the sponsor said that would be checked with State Police. The committee adopted the amendment set and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 885, which authorizes electronic titles, electronic lien recordation, and electronic signatures for motor vehicle transactions. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill is intended to modernize vehicle sales, reduce duplicate paper signatures, and make the process more secure and efficient, while preserving anti-fraud protections and allowing the OMV to set rules. Members asked whether the process would be mandatory, how fraud would be handled, and how identity would be verified; the sponsor said the system would become mandatory for participating commercial entities once implemented, with security standards and good-faith protections. The committee reported the bill favorably via substitute. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 723, as amended, allowing certain two- and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds to proceed through a red light when sensors fail to detect them. The sponsor framed it as a safety measure to avoid riders being stranded at malfunctioning signals and to reduce rear-end collision risk. The committee also took up House Bill 882 on outdoor advertising, which would increase spacing between billboards on state highways from 150 feet to 1,000 feet, with an amendment preserving certain nonconforming signs rebuilt after acts of God. Supporters said the change would reduce billboard clutter and improve aesthetics, while opponents argued it would hurt smaller billboard owners, shift power to larger companies, and override local control. The committee adopted the amendments and continued debate on the bill, with testimony focused on its economic and local-government impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have open enrollment like a traditional public, free and equitable access like other public
• They don't have open enrollment like a traditional public free and equitable access like other public
• Carswell covered in her opening remarks.
• We did open up the FY26 award cycle earlier this year in July, and we did have a call for projects or
• One thing that I felt to mention in my opening remarks is that budget request was submitted during a

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what we're going to do right now is open the floor up for questions of the speakers that are at the
• floor</c><00:19:31.280><c> up</c><00:19:31.440><c> for</c><00:19:31.679><c> questions</c> going to open
• the floor up for questions going to open the floor up for questions of<00:19:33.280><c> the</c><00:19
• What I'm going to do first is open it up for questions and then I'm going to allow you guys to respond
• , Independence, Support, and Engagement (RISE) initiative, serving Medicaid recipients who have a primary

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then took up several administrative regulations. The first was an Office of the Attorney General regulation creating an online submission process for an annual certification report to replace prior quarterly notarized certification forms; there were no amendments or questions. The main discussion centered on Personnel Cabinet regulations 101 KAR 2:034, 2:102, 3:015, and 3:045, which include staff-suggested technical amendments and address state employee compensation and leave. The compensation provisions clarify salary and rehiring/demotion rules, increase critical position premiums from one to three, and update weekend premium and ACE award practices. The leave provisions would provide up to six weeks of paid leave per 10-year interval for birth, adoption, foster placement, or a serious health condition, and allow one paid adverse-weather day per year with supervisor approval. Staff explained that annual and sick leave already accrue and roll over, and that the new six-week benefit was intended as an additional enhancement tied to the 10-year and 20-year sick-leave milestones.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am certainly open to further discussion.
• It also found that family overnight travel from May to September decreased by 30% when school opened
• The primary problem of no expulsions or suspensions has been in their top three priorities.
• So starting five years ago, I began asking how we could open up the pool for... ...our schools to have
• I'm really excited for our schools to be able to open this...

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'm open for questions.
• from all four and then open up for questions from the members and again as a reminder the witness registration
• Educating Undocumented serves as the primary. catalyst for engaging all students in the political, social
• accessing the same. opportunities as their peers, like going to college and building a future, and it opens
• At 17 I devoured that policy booklet that was opening not just the higher education doors to me, but

Bills: HB232

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• involved in business for 50 years, I think it will have a major chilling effect because of just the open-ended
• Chair, respectfully disagree on that issue. disagree on that issue, um, because it is open-ended.
• And so it makes it very, very difficult to even be open and to have. Dialogue, Mr.
• And I'd like for her to offer an opening statement. members of the committee, and thank you, Representative
• This is a key that opens opportunities for our members and New Mexicans in energy economic development

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We do everything in open committee under open committee rules in full transparency.
• We do everything in open midi<00:32:51.320><c> open</c><00:32:51.720><c> committee</c><00:32:52.480><
• c> under</c><00:32:52.720><c> open</c><00:32:52.960><c> committee</c> midi open committee under open
• committee midi open committee under open committee rules<00:32:53.720><c> in</c><00:32:53.840><c> the
• Minnwest was the primary banker.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the genesis of the bill is looking at open jobs that have not been filled for over a year.
• uh jobs that the bill is looking at open uh jobs that have<00:05:15.400><c> not</c><00:05:15.560><c>
• There's three primary reasons why a position would be open for an extended period of time.
• Um, in 2013 we had 1 million openings in cybersecurity; by 2021 that has grown to 3.5 million openings
• </c> opens openings in cyber security opens openings in cyber security by<00:13:00.399><c> 2021</c><00

Bills: HF1 , HF1754 , HF1809 , HF1478

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want someone coughing and hacking on open plasticware.
• They're out with a lot of the open.
• </c><03:02:04.520><c> open</c> coughing and hacking on on open open coughing and hacking on on open open
• Shebo, please open the Whole Report. Mr.
• </c> secondary contract to your primary secondary contract to your primary contract. contract. contract

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's alarming to me that driving with an open container of cannabis infused beverages is still legal
• As the primary sponsor, can I withdraw Senate floor amendment number one? Senator from Jefferson.
• </c><01:16:21.920><c> and</c> concerning that we are opening and concerning that we are opening and widening
• And as it looked, it was not because the opening day of March Madness. Thank you.
• </c> opening day of March Madness. Thank you. opening day of March Madness. Thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> every</c><00:49:49.920><c> single</c><00:49:50.280><c> county</c><00:49:50.760><c> ready</c> Primary
• Uh so, primary<00:52:52.200><c> purpose</c><00:52:52.520><c> is</c><00:52:52.640><c> just</c><00:52:52.880
• ><c> getting</c><00:52:53.080><c> access</c> primary purpose is just getting access primary purpose is

Bills: HF4525 , HF3002 , HF3665 , HF4420

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, background studies, NETStudy 2.0, licensing, license suspension, license revocation, provider enrollment, program integrity, fraud, medical assistance fraud, Medicaid, payment withholding, credible allegation of fraud, background check, disqualification, variance, set-aside, foster care, family foster setting, adult foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a trade association for the big primary wood-consuming mills in the state.
• Association for Industries we're a trade Association for the<00:54:04.559><c> big</c><00:54:04.799><c> primary
• wood</c><00:54:05.400><c> consuming</c><00:54:05.760><c> Mills</c><00:54:06.040><c> in</c> the big primary
• wood consuming Mills in the big primary wood consuming Mills in the<00:54:06.319><c> state</c><00:54

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector. Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity. Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• But your staff and you opened your doors to your office to me, and that was, thank you, because that
• I'd like to tell the members of the body that Senate Bill 104 has been signed in open session by the
• It's an open building. You can see the second and third deck in there.
• But we can't leave it open-ended. We put $3 billion into education.
• We can't leave money just open-ended and not have some timeline for it needs to stop.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and agreed by unanimous consent to allow cameras on the floor and gallery, excuse several senators, and move to announcements and miscellaneous business. The chamber then adopted a ceremonial resolution honoring Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales for his years of service as Senate president and lieutenant governor, followed by extensive remarks from senators and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham praising his leadership, fairness, education advocacy, and personal kindness. Morales briefly responded, thanking members, the governor, and his family, and noting he would offer fuller remarks on his final day. After messages from the House were read, the Senate adopted several committee reports. These included favorable action on Senate Memorial 31; House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 70; House Bill 124, referred to Finance; Senate Joint Resolution 6, referred to Judiciary; Senate Joint Resolution 7; House Bills 103, 154, 165, and 285 as amended; and the Finance Committee’s amended report on House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bills 2 and 3. The Judiciary Committee also reported Senate Bill 104 as duly enrolled and engrossed, and the body noted that SB 104 had been signed in open session. During personal privilege, Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth discussed a State Ethics Commission advisory opinion on whether legislators who are attorneys may vote on medical malpractice cap legislation, arguing the issue is governed by Senate rules rather than the Governmental Conduct Act. He said he would continue to disclose his interests and vote under Rule 7-5, and also rejected a newspaper suggestion that he had a conflict in sponsoring a judgeship bill for the First Judicial District Court. The Senate then moved into third reading, beginning with Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 264, which Senator Duhigg explained as an election-security measure responding to concerns about federal interference, intimidation, and emergency election disruptions; Senator Nava then spoke in support as a co-sponsor.