Transcript Highlights:

• Utilizing the themes of blackness, land, and southern identity, Green centered this piece around the
• resilience of Black women in the American South.
• </c> which featured text from three black which featured text from three black women<00:36:24.720><c>
• ,</c><00:36:35.160><c> land,</c> Utilizing the themes of blackness, land, Utilizing the themes of blackness
• </c> black women in the American South. black women in the American South.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12 America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15 America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overwhelmingly, these are people of color, Black and Latino.
• Overwhelmingly, these are people of color, black and Latino.
• Against Black people.
• Black and Latino households face even deeper disparities.
• Black unemployment, it is the canary in the mine.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the issue as a major federal disruption that would reduce benefits and shift costs to the state, counties, hospitals, and other local systems. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center, each describing projected enrollment losses, higher state and county costs, and implementation challenges. The LAO outlined H.R. 1’s main changes: new and expanded work requirements, more frequent eligibility redeterminations, restrictions on certain non-citizen eligibility, and financing changes affecting provider taxes and federal matching rates. The LAO estimated that 1 to 2 million people could be disenrolled from Medi-Cal and more than 600,000 could lose CalFresh, with additional costs from reduced federal support and possible state and county administrative burdens. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s budget includes about $1.4 billion General Fund in 2026-27 to respond to H.R. 1, with larger out-year reductions in federal funds and projected Medi-Cal caseload losses of up to 2 million by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, while noting the state could choose policies that would reduce some of those losses. The Food Research and Action Center warned that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, worsen health outcomes, and strain local economies and emergency systems. Members questioned the witnesses about procedural disenrollments, regional variation, the overall growth in Medi-Cal spending, the future of the MCO tax, the CalFresh error rate, and the downstream effects on hospitals and county indigent care. Several senators argued that the federal law was driven by tax cuts for high-income earners and would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color. Administration witnesses said some impacts are still being analyzed, that counties and departments are working on implementation, and that the Legislature may need to use statute, reporting, and oversight tools as federal guidance develops. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• been several positive outcomes for black students.
• seen one that at black males, per se.
• say it was black males? Yes, I would say the achievement gaps are very large there.
• It demonstrates what it does for black males and the fact that you also acknowledge that Black males
• The overall positive trend for black scores, there's a pretty good chance it's also for black males,

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• We work at the Black Latin Asian Culture Coalition to awaken that awareness, heighten the awareness of
• Black incarcerated individuals should be able to vote due to the fact that mistakes should not deprive
• I'm the chairman of the Black Latino Asian Cultural Coalition here at MCI Shirley.
• It disproportionately disenfranchised Black and brown citizens.
• Black and Latinx residents are disproportionately incarcerated in Massachusetts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters. A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Black and brown residents are less likely to have a regular doctor, less likely to find And Black
• For example, the community of Hyde Park, which is one of the places that has the most Black homeownership
• in Lawrence, and I saw firsthand disparities when it comes to health care access for those who are Black
• Black women are 38% more likely to die, Black women are 38% more likely to die than their white peers
• Black women die at a much higher rate of breast cancer than their white counterparts.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so my question is: What specific outreach are you doing, in particular, to Black and Latino media
• The makeup of the advisory council, which is in statute, has a seat for Black media.
• I think about Black Media News, for example.
• We now have a historic Black cultural district in the state of California.
• So there had not been a Black cultural designated area in the state of California.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's horrible that these are just brought to the black market.
• And like, there's so much crazy stuff on the black market. I was reading a news article.
• There's fewer supply on the black market in New Mexico.
• We are a statewide organization by and for Black, Indigenous women and people of color.
• We are a statewide organization by and for black indigenous women and people of color.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I share with you that frustration that the state doesn't track this in something that's black and white
• </c><00:47:53.440><c> and</c> track this in something that's black and track this in something that's
• and white, you're something to be black and white, you're going<00:52:20.559><c> to</c><00:52:20.640
• Not black and white, but if you look at what's in the blue chart here that has the summary, if you look
• </c><01:16:03.360><c> and</c> proves R&amp;D tax credits not black and proves R&amp;D tax credits not

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to review tax expenditures, elect a chair and clerk, and hear updates on two credits due for periodic review: the career and technical education (CTE) center tax credit and the research and development (R&D) tax credit. Members first organized the meeting, then heard from Jennifer Ramsey of DRA, who explained the purpose of the tax expenditure review process and summarized the CTE and R&D credits. She said the CTE credit allows donations to CTE centers for a credit against business profits tax, is capped at 25% of a taxpayer’s liability, has a $500,000 aggregate limit, and was extended in SB 98 to fiscal year 2031. She also noted DRA could not provide detailed financial data because of statistical disclosure limits when too few taxpayers claim the credit. Committee members pressed for more historical and aggregate information, arguing they needed numbers to judge whether the credit is effective and worth continuing. The committee then heard from Chrissy Vanderhook of the Department of Education on the CTE credit. She described New Hampshire’s CTE system as serving 26 secondary centers and seven post-secondary centers, with industry partners providing internships, work-based learning, equipment, employee time, and other in-kind support that can qualify for the credit. She said the department reports annually to legislative leaders and that fiscal year 2025 credit activity was down about 48% from FY24, partly due to staffing changes and outreach issues. Members asked whether the program extends to community college-level programs, and she said it can, though she was not sure how broadly it is used that way. The committee also discussed a new Granite Patron of the Arts credit, which DRA said went into effect July 1 and is included in the tax expenditure report even though it is not yet listed in the statute. For the R&D credit, Ramsey explained that it offsets business profits tax and can carry forward to business enterprise tax, is based on incremental research spending, and currently has a $7 million annual aggregate cap. She said the cap has not yet been reached but could require proration as early as fiscal year 2026 if not increased. She noted there were 271 taxpayers claiming the credit in fiscal 2024 and that a proposal last session to raise the cap to $10 million and increase the per-company limit did not advance. Mark Liberty of BEA said the credit is an important recruitment and retention tool, especially for life sciences, aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing, but acknowledged BEA does not track direct revenue return. Andrea Hchvaria of New Hampshire Life Sciences argued the R&D credit is critical for startups and cited growth in applicants from 71 in 2008 to 248 in 2024, with qualified wages rising substantially over that period. Committee members repeatedly asked for more objective economic-impact data, but DRA said it only tracks who claimed the credit and the amount claimed, not broader business outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only 26% of low-income students and 20% of Black students and 26% of Latino students are performing at
• California fourth grade students scored lower in 2024 than in 2013 on NAEP math, with Black students
• performing at grade level in math. 26% of low-income students are performing at grade level. 20% of Black
• Good morning, my name is Carl Pinkston with a community-based organization, Black Parallel School Board
• And especially when we're dealing with our Black and our Latino students. It's in reading and math.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point. SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum. After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call. The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Laughter] Recognizing the delegate and chair of the Black Caucus. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• He was a free Black man who owned a farm in antebellum North Baltimore in an area known as Hose Hill.
• And if Granderson black Baltimoreans.
• Black land ownership has always been one of the most fraught journeys in the Black American experience
• And this is today's Black History Moment. [Applause] Thank you.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of $231,000, which has now been moved into three pots of funding at about $500,000 apiece for the Black
• So we have, for example, the Black Education Act has a specific anti-racism portal for reporting.
• Sorry, I'm coming from a performance right now, but I'm here to speak about the black...
• from a performance right now, but I'm here to speak about the Black Education Act.
• It helps to bridge gaps for Black students across the state and ultimately benefits them.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020, the suicide rate for young people in the Black community was nearly twice the rate of their
• In 2020, the suicide rate for young people in the black community was nearly twice the rate of their
• From an equity standpoint, the creation of the Deputy API, Black, and Latino discrimination prevention
• I am here representing the California Legislative Black Caucus, and Black Californians experience hate
• And with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus

Summary: The committee first heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand school discrimination prevention coordinator roles, including new coordinators focused on disability and anti-AAPI discrimination. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen school climate, provide clearer guidance and training, and help schools address discrimination before it escalates. Support came from education, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ groups, while some witnesses expressed support if amended but raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and preferred civil service hiring. Several senators debated whether the bill duplicated existing protections and whether it diverted attention from academic priorities, but the chair and coauthors emphasized it as follow-up legislation tied to prior civil rights commitments. The committee voted SB 998 out on a due pass motion to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the bill was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring faster district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The author and sponsor said families often face long delays and inconsistent practices, and supporters argued the bill would improve fairness and reduce administrative burden without changing local approval authority. The California School Boards Association had an oppose-unless-amended position but said it was re-evaluating after amendments, and some other groups said they were removing opposition. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. Next, the committee heard SB 960 on community college baccalaureate degrees. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in unmet workforce areas when CSU programs are unavailable or effectively inaccessible because of impaction, while also limiting growth so community colleges do not drift from their core mission. Supporters said the bill would expand access for place-bound students and align with workforce needs, while CSU and faculty opponents warned it could duplicate programs, affect faculty jobs, and worsen pressure on the CSU system. Members debated the master plan, impaction, funding inequities, and whether the bill would siphon students from CSU. The committee ultimately moved SB 960 out on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the bill was placed on call. Finally, Senator Blakespear presented SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described inconsistent local rules and said the bill would reduce barriers while preserving local library policies on checkout and liability. The transcript ended during testimony on SB 965, before any committee vote or further action was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her parents were the first Black family on that street, on the west side.
• Her parents were the first Black family on that street, on the west side.
• Moore is one in probably a hundred of those in the Black community.
• The Black and Brown—we use the word vulnerable.
• We want to be sure we're not using that too loosely because it's our Black...

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, tomorrow night, it is black tie optional. So, some of us may be wearing tuxes.
• will be here in all her formal attire, as will I in my back black tie, but all are welcome to come as
• Congressional</c> executive director of the Congressional executive director of the Congressional Black
• We think it's an honor uh Black Caucus.
• President. >> Please proceed. attire, as will I in my back black tie, attire, as will I in my back black

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives Vogel, Black, Boggs, Chappell, here, Christensen, here, Collins, Cupps, Cupps.
• Thank you, Representative Black. I want to make sure I heard you correctly.
• Thank you, Representative Black. I want to make sure I heard you correctly.
• Representative Black, you have an inquiry? I do, Mr. Chair.
• Representative Black, you have an inquiry? I do, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee heard the Department of Health and Senior Services’ FY 2027 budget presentation from Director Sarah Wilson and budget director Maddie Starns, followed by testimony from division directors. Wilson framed the budget as one shaped by fiscal pressure, federal funding dependence, and the need to preserve core public health and senior services while reducing spending. She emphasized the department’s role in outbreak response, newborn screening, cannabis regulation, senior services, licensure, and administration, and said priorities include workforce capacity, data modernization, and protecting essential functions. Members repeatedly praised the department for being responsive and for working to identify savings and reallocate funds carefully. A major focus was the shift in substance use disorder funding. The department explained that the governor’s budget reduces DHSS’s direct SUD grant authority from the Health Reinvestment Fund while proposing transfer authority to the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Corrections for related initiatives. Several members pressed for clarity on whether this represented real cuts or a transfer of the same adult-use marijuana revenue, and staff said some line items were reductions while others would be picked up in other departments’ budgets. The committee also discussed tobacco prevention and cessation reductions, local public health agency support, and the department’s use of federal versus general revenue, with members urging the department to spend federal and other funds before GR whenever possible. Members asked detailed questions about lapses, vacant FTEs, donated funds, loan repayment defaults, rural health programs, CHIP vaccine costs, nutrition services, and the J-1 visa waiver program. DHSS said many lapses were due to federal timing, pandemic-related funds, or program realignment, and that some excess authority was being reduced to better match actual spending. The department reported low default rates in its loan repayment programs and noted that Missouri’s J-1 waiver recommendations are capped federally at 30. There were also questions about local health department incentive payments, minority health activities, and the extended women’s health program, which the governor proposed transferring out of DHSS. The committee also reviewed community and public health programs including communicable disease control, environmental health, maternal and infant mortality review, vital records, and COVID/ARPA cleanup reductions. DHSS said the fetal and infant mortality review program is now operating statewide, though some members raised concerns about a pause during the transition from local NGOs to the new statewide model. The hearing concluded with the state public health laboratory budget, where staff explained funding needs for newborn screening, cannabis reference testing, safe drinking water testing, and courier services, and said some authority increases were needed to match growing program activity.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have an important vote tally before we do announcements so that we can do a recognition for Black
• Colleagues, I rise to give the first Black History Month speech of the year.
• /c><00:32:13.440><c> give</c><00:32:14.559><c> the</c><00:32:15.120><c> first</c><00:32:16.159><c> Black
• </c><00:32:16.720><c> History</c> rise to give the first Black History rise to give the first Black History
• . is unacceptable, especially the Blacks and the Browns.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, February 5, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Reverend Carissa Serber, and journalized her remarks. Members then welcomed several guests and groups in the gallery, including Maryland Community Action Partnership advocates, Cecil College students and Dr. Mary Bolt, Cecil County Executive Adam Strait, the Maryland Association of Justice, Faith Baptist School students, and several interns and staff members. The chamber also introduced Senate Bill 585 and a bond initiative for the Active Achievers Youth Center, both of which were referred to the appropriate committees or subcommittees. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 255, the Voting Rights Act of 2026 for counties and municipal corporations. Senators questioned the bill’s scope, especially whether it would affect county commissioner election methods, who could bring suit, what “vote dilution” means, and whether the measure was tied to district maps or candidate filings. The sponsor explained that the bill creates a state framework for the federal Voting Rights Act, provides standing rather than a remedy, and applies when a protected class believes its vote has been diluted; political party was said not to be a protected class. The committee amendment was adopted without objection, and the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. On third reading, Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 29 passed with constitutional majorities. Senate Bill 93 also passed. Senate Bill 141, dealing with election misinformation, disinformation, and deep fakes, was moved back to second reader for a technical amendment and then special ordered to Tuesday. The Senate also held a lighthearted recorded vote on Seahawks versus Patriots, with the Seahawks winning 28 to 8, and then received committee scheduling announcements for upcoming hearings and voting sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Jewish, This new bill is the product of deep discussions and partnership among the Jewish, AAPI, Black
• We are deeply grateful to the chairs of the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses, Senator Akilah
• colleague Assembly Member Zbur and I and principal co-authored, as we mentioned, by chairs of the Black
• that we do experience, that our children do experience. ...blackness or API hate or one's immigration
• I do want to join everyone in acknowledging that this is a joint effort of the Black, Latino, API, and

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion. The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues. Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• homeless woman being punched in the face by a security officer during a front... ...Black homeless woman
• Because these workers are largely Black and brown young men, and why shouldn't we be investing in...
• We want to use Black and brown bodies to protect these buildings, but we don't want to make sure that
• Black and brown men and women are trained.
• of our legacy, is that after the Olympics, we will have a more trained workforce, that we will have Black

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for me, when we talk about doing a moratorium on solar development, when I represent the Black Belt
• </c> development when I represent the black development when I represent the black belt<00:31:04.720>
• So my point is I'm not doing any more than trying to protect the Black Belt and other places that needs
• So my point is I'm not doing any more than trying to protect the Black Belt and other places that needs
• So my point is I'm not doing any more than trying to protect the Black Belt and other places that needs

Bills: SB341, SB340

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Transcript Highlights:

• But we found larger-than-average effects for Black students.
• In particular, your figure number four really shows that the gains for Black students really jump out
• I'll note that Californians for Justice released a report within this past year documenting the Black
• Lincoln is a school of about 1,400 students whose demographics include 70% Latino, 19% Black, and 10%
• And I want to see what it is about the community school model that is so impactful for Black students

Keywords: 988, house, all