Transcript Highlights:

• day is House File 4595. day is House File 4595.
• File<00:44:43.840> number<00:44:44.080> 3917, File number 3917, File number 3917,
• day is Senate File 3868. day is Senate File 3868.
• Members, Senate File<01:02:03.840> 3868 File 3868 File 3868 is<01:02:05.960> a<01:02:06.000
• House File<01:50:21.080> Number<01:50:21.320> 4239 File Number 4239 File Number 4239 as

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File Number 2027, second reading. House File Number 22, second reading.
• Introduction of first reading of House Files 38. First reading of House Files 3080-3115.
• Establishes a pre-filing requirement for amendments offered to the following bills: House File Numbers
• Is House File 1355.
• To the following House file: House File number 1058. Motions and resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• candidates for local office file with their respective county clerk.
• Filing authorities accept candidate filings as submitted without immediate verification of key eligibility
• file with their respective county clerk.
• Filing authorities accept filings without immediate verification of key eligibility requirements, including
• Representative Johnson said that filing authorities accept candidate filings as submitted without immediate

Keywords: Consideration of HB 684 02:30 Consideration of HB 699 19:10, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum and considered two election-related bills. The committee first took up House Bill 684, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker, and adopted a committee substitute. Decker described the bill as a “continuous improvement” measure developed with election officials, clerks, legislators, and citizens. She walked through provisions addressing precinct officer staffing in vote centers, notice to school districts when schools are used as voting centers, absentee ballot replacement when a ballot is not received, retention and disposal timelines for election-related video surveillance, permanent voting assistance certifications, write-in candidate deadlines and posting restrictions, candidate filing details, witness requirements, public posting of candidate information, felony voting language, and school district closure rules for voting locations. Members discussed the school-related provision, the handling of mail-in ballots, and a committee-substitute change removing credit cards and debit cards as acceptable voter ID. Supportive comments emphasized election integrity and the collaborative drafting process. The committee then voted to report HB 684 favorably. The committee next considered House Bill 699, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson, which would add a pre-certification verification process for candidate filings. Johnson said the bill was intended to prevent ineligible candidates from appearing on the ballot by requiring election officials to verify that a candidate’s residence is in the correct jurisdiction and, in partisan races, that the candidate is registered with the party sought, with appeals going to circuit court. He argued the current system relies on costly legal challenges after filing errors occur. During discussion, Representative Hancock voted no, saying the bill would create an unnecessary administrative burden and that filing paperwork should remain a basic responsibility of candidates, while other members voted yes. The committee ultimately reported HB 699 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• First Senate file for consideration is Senate File 27. Senate File 27, sponsored by Senator Landen.
• Senate<00:11:48.240> file<00:11:48.480> 39. Senate file 39. Senate file 39.
• 79, Senate File 80, and Senate File 39.
• 79, Senate File 80, and Senate File 39.
• And we will File 80, and Senate File 39.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• File item 1, AB 249 is on consent. Final vote, 6 to 0. File item 2, AB 363.
• File item 4, AB 474 is on consent. Final vote, 6 to 0. File item 5, AB 563.
• File item 16, AB 1120 is on consent. Final vote, 6 to 0. File item 17, AB 1161.
• File item 19, AB 1192 is on consent. Final vote, 6 to 0. File item 20, AB 1211.
• File item 16, AB 1120 is on consent. Final vote, 6 to 0. File item 17, AB 1161.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a long agenda of bills focused largely on child welfare, foster care, child care, CalWORKs, mandated reporting, and public benefits. Early items included AB 890, which would ease county transfer rules for nonminor dependents in extended foster care; AB 461, which would replace punitive truancy-related penalties with supportive services for families; and AB 753, which would create an interim associate teacher pathway to help address the child care workforce shortage. Testimony on these bills emphasized barriers faced by foster youth, low-income families, and child care providers, and members expressed support for the general policy direction. The committee also heard AB 926 on foster care visitation, AB 563 on early childhood planning and reporting, AB 601 on standardized mandated reporter training, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification aid, AB 822 extending the Commission on the State of Hate, AB 970 creating a Los Angeles County mandated reporter pilot, AB 1161 protecting public benefits during disasters, AB 1172 allowing trained staff to administer emergency seizure medication in community care settings, and AB 363 expanding CalWORKs student supports and work-study. Witnesses generally supported these measures as ways to reduce trauma, improve reunification, modernize reporting and training, and expand access to services. County welfare and child welfare groups, advocacy organizations, and providers largely testified in support, while some bills drew concerns from county representatives about implementation or needed amendments. Several bills were voted out of committee, often unanimously and sometimes as amended, including AB 926, AB 563, AB 601, AB 1074, AB 822, AB 970, AB 1161, and AB 1172; AB 1172 was reported on call. The committee also took up consent items and later voted on subcommittee-held bills AB 461, AB 753, and AB 890, leaving them on call. At the end of the hearing, the committee heard AB 1211, which would protect CalFresh benefits from federal cuts and require a feasibility study on increasing benefits and eligibility; testimony stressed rising food insecurity and the economic importance of food assistance, but the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• File 3790. File 3790.
• be uh, in regard to House File 3470. be uh, in regard to House File 3470.
• House File 1099. House File 1099.
• that House File 1099 be laid over? that House File 1099 be laid over?
• support of House File 3371. Thank you. support of House File 3371. Thank you.

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• I filed this with Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier. We've filed this bill now for many years.
• I filed this with Representative Tricia Farley-Buvier. We've filed this bill now for many years.
• Actually, it's been two sessions that I've filed it.
• Actually, it's been two sessions that I've filed it.
• Truancy filings rose 13%, and habitual school offender filings rose 15%.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death. Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements. On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2433 will be laid over. House File 2433 will be laid over.
• presentation on Senate File 4059. presentation on Senate File 4059.
• So do we have House File 2433 in front of us, or do we have Senate File 4059 in front of us?
• House file 2433 is in front of us. House file 2433 is in front of us.
• to House File 2433. to House File 2433.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:32.880> 13 townships uh the goal of house File 13 townships uh the goal of house File
• similar to what we did with house file similar to what we did with house file 62<00:21:01.360>
• we are trying to do with house file we are trying to do with house file 16007<00:47:21.319> is
• some audits so in summary uh house file some audits so in summary uh house file 167<00:47:33.440
• you to support house file 1607 to ensure you to support house file 1607 to ensure students<00:58:35.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So our first bill up is House File 2769.
• We are moving on quickly to House File 2955.
• Is there anyone else that would like to testify on House File 2909? That's House File 2909.
• So that's House File 1883.
• The Chair lays over House File 1883 as amended for possible inclusion in our omnibus bill, House File

Transcript Highlights:

• filed escrow rates.
• And if they're medically underwritten, they ask for the file, and it is now a part of the file.
• File item number three, AB 1680. File item number three, AB 1680, Calderon. Motion. Thank you.
• File item five, AB 1795. Take Gibson. Not yet. All right. File item five, AB 1795, Gibson.
• File item 7 is next, AB 1931 by Papin. File item 7 is next, AB 1931 by Papin.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Second reading of House File number 1270. >> Second reading of House File number 2169. >> Second
• reading of House File number 2358. >> Second reading of House File number 3425. >> Second reading of
• House File number 3428. >> Second reading of House File number 3440. >> Second reading of House File
• number 3615. >> Second reading of House File number 3709. >> And second reading of House File number
• House File number 3731. 3731. 3731.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, before you today I have Senate File 542.
• <00:14:36.480> uh child and with that um Senate file uh child and with that um Senate file
• <00:15:12.079> uh file uh file uh 661<00:15:14.480> on<00:15:14.720> behalf<00:15
• uh anyway starting out with Senate file uh anyway starting out with Senate file 48<00:26:10.960>
• bill the next bill is uh Senate file bill the next bill is uh Senate file 153<00:31:54.720> uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House file files here with transmitted.
• > number on House File number on House File number 747?
• Members, we're on House File 129. Any discussion on House File 129?
• Any other discussion on House File File File 1346?
• on House File discussion on House File 1346?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to pass and retain on file items 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38. File item 39...
• I'm going to pass and retain file item 42. File item number 43.
• Pass and retain file item 47. File item 48. That's AB 767, by Assembly Member Alanis.
• File item 51. File item 52 is AB 946 by Assembly Member Brian.
• File item 57 is retained on file. File item 58 is AB 1204 by Assembly Member Alvarez.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on guest introductions recognizing visitors, community college delegations, students, caregivers, a retired Assembly staff member, and a championship high school football team. Members also observed an adjournment in memory for Alex Preddy, a VA nurse killed in Minnesota, and later for Kathy Wooten and Rowena Ramos. The chamber then moved through the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. Among the bills taken up, AB 34 on renewable portfolio standard exemptions for publicly owned utilities passed 55-0; AB 35 to accelerate implementation of Proposition 4 climate resilience funds passed 62-0; AB 52 on food and agriculture equity passed 50-6; AB 72 creating an EV economic opportunity zone passed 58-0; AB 96 removing a diploma requirement for Medi-Cal peer support specialists passed 55-0; AB 230 extending Pierce’s disease control programs passed 64-0; AB 277 requiring background checks for behavioral health employees passed 59-0; AB 647 clarifying a county RV disposal pilot passed 54-0; AB 664 authorizing limited bachelor’s programs at Southwestern Community College passed 60-1; AB 673 creating a support grant for unaccompanied homeless youth passed 55-1; AB 710 on dynamic electricity pricing passed 54-0; AB 748 streamlining pre-approved housing plans passed 65-0; AB 767 expanding protections around sexually violent predator placements near schools and daycares passed 65-0; AB 883 protecting officials’ personal information from data brokers passed 66-0; AB 946 expanding 30x30 conservation efforts to urban areas passed 65-0; AB 1054 creating a deferred retirement option program for CHP and Cal Fire passed 61-1; AB 1070 on missing middle housing code simplification passed 66-0; AB 1159 strengthening student data privacy passed 54-4; AB 1204 revising the Local Control Funding Formula passed 54-1; AB 1265 extending the historic building tax credit passed 64-0; AB 1349 banning speculative ticketing passed 61-0; AB 1359 allowing seniors 80+ to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note passed 67-1; AB 643 on organic waste procurement credits passed 48-4; AB 685 creating a small business resiliency fund passed 63-0; AB 714 tightening oversight of commercial driving programs passed 65-1; and AB 805 establishing a youth apprenticeship bridge program passed 66-0. Several other items were passed and retained or continued without debate. Debate on AB 1054 drew the sharpest disagreement, with opponents warning about pension costs and supporters arguing it would help retain experienced CHP officers and firefighters. AB 767 also prompted strong comments about public safety and placement of sexually violent predators in rural communities. On AB 1349, supporters from both parties backed the anti-speculative ticketing bill as consumer protection, while AB 664 drew support from members emphasizing access to higher education in underserved regions. The Assembly then adjourned until January 29, 2026, after announcing upcoming session dates and recording a few vote changes from the dais.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm carrying House File 2233 on behalf of the Uniform Law Commission.
• Okay, next one is House File 1614, the first engrossment.
• So we've got House File 2781.
• Representative Curran has two bills, the first being House File 1316. So, House File 1316...
• And now we are up to House File 2521, Representative Frazier.

Bills: HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• They can receive up to $1,154 by filing their state taxes.
• are receiving over $5,200 back when they file their taxes.
• Bills on the consent calendar: File Item 2, SB 444, Hurtado, with amendments; File Item 4, SB 471, Menjivar
• ; File Item 8, SB 792, Arreguín.
• File item 2, SB 444, Hurtado with amendments. File item 4, SB 471, Menjavar.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services met to hear several measures focused on children, foster youth, farmworker families, and disaster assistance. AJR 12, recognizing May 2025 as Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding, was presented by Assemblymember Hadwick on behalf of Assemblymember Arambula. Testimony emphasized Head Start’s role in early education, health, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities. The resolution passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 624, which would expand access to the California Foster Youth Tax Credit by requiring counties to mail notices and provide guidance to non-minor foster youth about filing taxes and claiming the credit. Supporters from John Burton Advocates for Youth and former foster youth described the credit as a meaningful poverty-reduction tool that helps with rent, transportation, and other basic needs. Members praised the bill, and it passed 7-0 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. SB 778 would broaden eligibility for the Migrant Child Care and Development Program by redefining migrant agricultural worker family and allowing self-certification of income eligibility. Support came from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, California Citrus Mutual, and First 5 California, with witnesses saying the changes would ease enrollment for farmworker families facing seasonal and verification challenges. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 444, SB 471, and SB 792, all on a 7-0 vote. Finally, SB 739 would authorize the Department of Social Services to check whether counties in disaster areas can provide timely CalFresh and Disaster CalFresh services, aimed at improving coordination when local systems are damaged or overwhelmed. Supporters said the bill would help protect access to food benefits after disasters, and members noted its importance in light of recent Los Angeles County emergencies. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned after all items were acted upon.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's House File 3768.
• Representative Johnson's House File 3771 Representative Johnson's House File 3771 is<00:02:22.480>
• That's House File 3768.
• <00:03:51.720> That's is House File 3827. That's is House File 3827.
• Schwartz's House File Representative Schwartz's House File 2169 2169 2169 is<00:05:15.360> section

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3990, Chair Novotny’s bill, as the vehicle for a public safety policy package. Members were told the DE1 amendment had been posted for public review, so no formal action would be taken at this meeting; the committee planned to act on the bill at the next hearing on March 25. Chair Novotny said questions from Judiciary on the original bill had been addressed or were still being worked on, and he expressed hope the bill would pass out the next day. Non-partisan staff walked through the DE1 amendment, explaining that it combines multiple bills into one package. The included provisions covered BCA fraud investigations and administrative subpoenas, disaster assistance reporting dates, DOC policy on substance use and TV screening, raising the kratom possession/sale age to 21, DOC facility licensing, restitution considerations for early release, BCA data collection and local law enforcement reimbursements, public employer review of applicants with criminal convictions, victim notification and minor-victim privacy protections, second-degree murder language involving out-of-state protection orders, increased penalties for certain coercion offenses tied to non-consensual image dissemination, and reporting when law enforcement deploys chemical irritants. No one signed up to testify, and there were no votes or formal amendments acted on during the meeting. The chair noted that additional amendments were expected at the next hearing, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a cost to file for a protective order? No, ma'am.
• What's the current process for filing a protective order? Okay.
• In other words, the reason for filing the restraining order?
• Please tell me he didn't file a claim on them. No, I didn't file a claim.
• No, I didn't file a claim.

Bills: HR245, SCR30, SCR40, SB259

Keywords: transparency, justice, Epstein, Maxwell, investigation, human trafficking, government accountability, domestic violence, protective orders, online application, judicial administration, Louisiana, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4331. Senate File 4331.
• Senate file 5000 before us.
• Senate<00:35:30.000> file<00:35:30.320> 3983 Senate file 3983 Senate file 3983 is<00:35
• Senate file 3560 were made.
• Senate file<00:36:04.240> 4200 file 4200 file 4200 is<00:36:06.480> also<00:36:06.800><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all