Transcript Highlights:

• I echo Senator Cain’s sentiments and believe that this legislation is overdue.
• We've got a request in to the LBB; they have to approve it.
• We have not had—we'll have to go out for a request for proposals.
• We just go out for requests for proposals, award that, and they would start manufacturing it.
• We have you registered as Charlie Leal, State Legislative Director for the Farm Bureau.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OSPD is requesting to make OSPD is requesting to make permanent positions necessary to implement the
• So your request will include the need? Yes, our request includes an increase in the request. Yes.
• A couple questions and requests.
• A couple questions and requests.
• What is the amount of money that you're requesting? We're requesting three separate investments.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on the Office of the State Public Defender, civil legal aid funding, and Judicial Branch operations. The State Public Defender requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the workload has grown substantially through retroactive capital-case briefing, habeas proceedings, data requests, and related statistical analysis. She also presented findings from a public defense workload and staffing report showing that California’s county-based public defense system is under-resourced, with too few attorneys, investigators, and support staff, especially in rural counties, and that statewide standards and funding are lacking. Committee members asked about the scope of racial bias claims, the impact of collaborative courts and Prop. 36, and the need for statewide cost estimates and phased funding options. The committee then heard from legal aid advocates and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in support of increased civil legal aid funding. Witnesses described the Equal Access Fund, homelessness prevention services, health care access, and immigration detention defense as cost-effective ways to prevent evictions, stabilize families, and reduce downstream public costs. They requested a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, along with additional targeted investments from the California Access to Justice Commission. Testimony emphasized the severe shortage of legal aid attorneys, the high demand for immigration representation, and the role of legal aid in domestic violence, housing, and family law matters. Senators asked for more information on service locations, outreach, funding losses, and how the requested amounts were calculated. In the Judicial Branch overview, Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including a $70 million increase for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel and case processing. They said the money is needed to offset inflation, supply chain costs, and staffing pressures, and to preserve access to justice. Senators pressed the branch and Department of Finance on interpreter shortages, midyear funding flexibility, courthouse facilities needs, and judgeship needs in inland counties. Finance officials said they were aware of the broader facilities backlog, and the committee requested follow-up information on the full capital and maintenance needs, interpreter funding, and updated judgeship and workload data. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And some visitors today, state law prohibits persons in the gallery from interfering with legislative
• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• Without objection, I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 118A to allow Assemblymembers
• And I just want all of us to say hello to our future legislative leaders.
• All requests to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's actually the chairman of appropriations and transportation, and he's kind of needed over there.
• And so we, they came to us and said, would you help us get legislation passed?
• We also included, at the request of your colleagues on the Democrat caucus over in the Senate, we added
• That indicates risk, then we're trying to utilize that appropriately as an unbiased form of an equation
• Well, be careful because I'm in a feisty mood and I'm looking for ideas for legislation.

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, a moment of silence, would that be appropriate?
• I think the request was pretty close to the $45 million that we obtained.
• The state has already appropriated $45 million.
• Last legislative session, the legislature passed.
• We're legislators, and there are different committees you're appearing to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Although tragedy inspired legislation.
• This was at the sheriff’s request.
• I just didn't pieces of legislation.
• ><c> the</c><01:09:08.239><c> medical</c> were requested by the medical were requested by the medical
• appropriated funds and nonstate appropriated funds and nonstate appropriated<01:10:23.840><c> funds</

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd be happy to evaluate that request. I have not received such a request. Okay.
• I'm definitely requesting that. And Ms.
• The only appropriate response...
• So my request to...
• I expect that my legislators...

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the department's policy director and legislative liaison. Nice to see you.
• So I think having some more uniform legislation is of interest to us.
• These caps are voluntary, so they're not required by existing legislation.
• The appropriate counseling resource would be.
• They are in the second panel and have requested they go first, if that is possible.

Summary: The committee first heard a work session on cryptocurrency kiosks from the Department of Financial Institutions and Spokane City Councilmember Paul Dillon. DFI described crypto kiosks as licensed money transmission terminals that allow cash purchases of virtual currency, and said the main concern is fraud: scammers often pressure victims, especially older adults, to deposit cash into kiosks and send it to wallets controlled by organized crime. DFI cited a sharp increase in kiosk volume, nationwide fraud complaints and losses, and said Washington currently has licensing and disclosure rules but lacks transaction and fee limits. The department said it is seeking stronger disclosures, a $1,000 daily transaction limit, and a fee cap. Spokane described its unanimous ordinance banning new kiosks and removing existing ones after local scam reports, and members asked about how the machines work, whether the fraud is in the hardware or the transaction, and whether stronger warnings or screening could help. The committee then reviewed home equity sharing agreements, or CHISAs, based on a report by Mariana Amaram and testimony from DFI and industry representatives. The report found that CHISAs provide homeowners a lump sum in exchange for a share of future home value or appreciation, with no monthly payments, but that consumers often struggle to understand the products and settlement calculations. The report said the market has grown quickly in Washington, that costs can be hard to predict, and that early uncapped contracts could produce very high settlement amounts, especially during periods of rising home prices. DFI said it views these products as mortgage loans and is moving forward with rulemaking, including counseling and clearer disclosures, while industry witnesses said the products are equity-based rather than debt-based and asked for tailored regulation. Members discussed the need for better consumer education, clearer payoff schedules, and whether the products should be treated as mortgages or a separate category. The final panel focused on Washington’s space economy, with presentations from Amazon Leo, Blue Origin, Stoke Space, Space Northwest, and Green River College. Speakers highlighted major in-state investments in satellite manufacturing, launch systems, and workforce training, including Amazon Leo’s Redmond and Kirkland facilities, Blue Origin’s Kent headquarters, and Stoke Space’s Kent manufacturing and Moses Lake test site. Space Northwest presented data showing the sector’s growing economic footprint, high-wage jobs, and regional clusters in Kent and Redmond, and urged more workforce programs, incentives, infrastructure support, and a state space commission. The companies emphasized local hiring, apprenticeship and certification programs, and the role of Washington’s aerospace supply chain in supporting the broader space industry. No votes were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Tef CIGA is a nonprofit entity created legislator to protect policyholders by paying covered claims
• So that's what you're trying to do here, I think, with legislation.
• I'm going to shorten this significantly at your request. That would be great, um.
• There was a handful of changes made in the legislation in the Senate side.
• And then I've seen provisions where they can request, the insured can request another 180 days.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We're holding this hearing today during an important point in the legislative process.
• The legislative process.
• I have to go to Appropriations really quickly, and I'll be back. And just thank you, Al.
• I have to go to appropriations really quickly, and I'll be back and just thank you, Al.
• This bill and that legislation did not anticipate these types of liabilities.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 972 by the Appropriations Committee regarding appropriations, Health and Welfare, Division
• House Bill 973 by the Appropriations Committee regarding appropriations, Military Division.
• House Bill 974 by the Appropriations Committee regarding appropriations, Idaho State Police.
• House Bill 975 by the Appropriations Committee regarding appropriations.
• House Bill 976 by the Appropriations Committee regarding appropriations.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do pass to Appropriations, file item number 7, AB 415, Chen.
• Do pass to Appropriations, file item number 8, AB 655, Alvarez.
• And so I am requesting an aye vote. Thank you. Thank you, Assemblywoman.
• File item number 6, AB 254, Gallagher, do pass to Appropriations.
• Do pass to Appropriations. File item number 8, AB 655, Alvarez, do pass to Appropriations.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask that you guide our legislators' minds that they may clearly perceive solutions to sometimes difficult
• Speaker, and gentlemen, that this booklet is given to us legislators.
• Well, you know, I'm introducing legislation.
• Speaker, I move we go to the next order of business, introduction of legislation.
• Well, as presentations from the Legislative Finance Committee. Thank you very much.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a legislative process that can take time.
• And I wouldn’t even say that a slap on the wrist is appropriate.
• And I wouldn't even say that slap on the wrist is appropriate.
• Um, we will push for, you know, the appropriate penalty there.
• And in some ways, it's the same with animal legislation.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The joint Audit Committee hearing focused on implementation of Ollie’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels and the new municipal reporting requirements. MDAR Director Mike Cahill said the department formed the required advisory committee, held two Zoom trainings for municipal officials, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretariat review. He reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had submitted kennel data, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the department has been posting compliant and noncompliant municipalities online to increase transparency. Committee members pressed MDAR on the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report and on the delay in finalizing regulations. The chair urged the department to consider stronger sanctions and asked for a central reporting system for injury data, noting that injury reports currently go only to municipalities. Cahill said the statute does not give MDAR explicit authority to fine municipalities, though he supported a House bill that would grant that power. He also said the department could not easily add municipal penalties through regulation alone. Representatives from the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the MSPCA, including the advisory committee chair Jenny Mather, said the advisory process was thorough and aimed to balance animal safety, consumer transparency, and fairness to compliant businesses. They supported better municipal accountability, more standardized training and resources for animal control officers, and clearer reporting of injuries and kennel information to MDAR. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed home-based kennels and argued that public education and enforcement should focus on bad actors rather than penalizing well-run facilities. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, but with support expressed for the pending bill and for continued regulatory revisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I strongly urge legislators and their staff to attend as well.
• It must go to the capital to your legislators.
• Talk to your legislators. Figure out who your legislators are. We do not have a voice.
• I've spoken to the legislators, not all of them, of course, but many of them.
• Here's just a high-level broad overview of the active legislation.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A number of pieces of legislation were mentioned at the beginning of your testimony.
• The point of this slide is to document the ways that we have benefited from legislative direction, legislative
• As per state statute, and that's what this legislation does.
• They still appropriate the money. They still oversee it.
• They still appropriate the money. They still oversee it.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the March 2, 2026 minutes without opposition. It then took up House Bill 771, and at the sponsor’s request moved to hold the bill indefinitely in committee. Representative Schurz said he would return with a replacement version that narrows the bill’s focus on THC products sold through a loophole. The main item was Senate Bill 1271, as amended, which would declare Norway and roof rats a public nuisance and invasive pest, direct the Department of Agriculture to coordinate a statewide response with counties, public health districts, and the private sector, require a public abatement plan and reporting, and make state and local participation voluntary rather than mandating spending. Supporters, including the sponsor, Ada County, and Boise officials, argued the rats are spreading quickly, can cause major property, agricultural, and public health damage, and require coordinated action before the problem grows. Opponents from the pest management industry said rat control is already handled by licensed private professionals, warned the bill could create confusion with other abatement proposals, raise taxpayer liability and future costs, and compete with private businesses. Public testimony on SB 1271 was split between those favoring a coordinated government-private response and those urging the issue be left to private industry and local control. After debate, a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee failed 9-6. The committee then voted 9-6 to send SB 1271, as amended, to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Afterward, the Department of Agriculture gave an extensive presentation on invasive species, focusing on quagga mussel detection and treatment in the Snake River. The director said Idaho’s treatment effort has reduced the impacted area and remains aimed at eradication, with monitoring, watercraft inspection stations, law enforcement partnerships, and a public-private treatment contract all part of the response. Committee members asked about fish mortality, environmental effects, enforcement of boat inspection rules, and the role of private contractors in the treatment program.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so a legislator could not 1487 this, even if they wanted to, all right?
• Initially, legislative districts were based on county boundaries.
• Yeah, you were requested, Senator Mesnard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• We think this is an important piece of legislation because we have found in our public records requests
• So again, this is really just a request that they keep an eye on it.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1036, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring five weekly work-search actions, weekly reporting, cross-checks against data sources for fraud or ineligibility, and employer reporting of refusals to return to work or accept suitable work. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while DES said it was neutral but warned of system-update costs, added workload, and more appeals; some members raised concerns about apprenticeship programs and administrative burden. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee considered SB 1054, a strike-everything amendment to make city and town emergency measures subject to referendum. Supporters, including Payson’s mayor, former mayor, and council members, said local governments had abused emergency clauses to push through tax increases and bond measures without voter input. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposed the measure, arguing it would undermine true emergency powers and slow city responses. The committee adopted the amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then heard SCR 1022, which would increase the House from 60 to 90 members beginning in 2033, with a later amendment delaying implementation to 2043. Senator Mesnard said the change would improve representation by reducing the number of constituents per member and nesting three House districts within each Senate district; some members and a public witness supported the idea, while others questioned cost, feasibility, and the effect on legislative power. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the resolution do pass as amended on a 5-2 vote. Finally, the committee quickly passed SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses based on the number of emergency calls or the value of stolen/damaged property, with exceptions for malicious or false calls, and SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic format with fees limited to material costs. Both measures received unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief testimony, and the committee also began hearing SB 1439, a strike-everything amendment creating a Conservative Grassroots Network specialty plate, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I'm going to move on to one of the other legislation that was... ...of the other legislation
• But just so everybody understands, this legislation is extra... This legislation is extra credit.
• It is not like the legislative process...
• Um, one of the pieces of legislation I've been working with the legislators on the last couple of years
• That legislation was trying to utilize a procedure called a declaratory order that we don't feel is appropriate

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the list, we have the Minnesota Legislative Auditor Office.
• I'm with the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and I was the manager for this evaluation.
• </c> I'm with the office of the legislative I'm with the office of the legislative auditor<00:02:48.239
• I think you have this handout, which is our response to the Legislative Auditor report.
• </c><01:08:05.400><c> for</c> eventually um began to make requests for eventually um began to make requests

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A fiscal note was requested on January 22nd, but has not yet been received, and I'm available for any
• Members of the committee present here on this long legislative day.
• I have the honor of representing the 33rd Legislative District.
• And even with that and the legislation that passed, we're still having issues.
• Please join me in supporting this life-saving legislation.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held an evening hearing on several bills. Senate Bill 6249, sponsored by Sen. Torres, would require all people convicted of stalking to be supervised by the Department of Corrections. Staff explained current community custody rules and said the bill would make stalking convictions subject to DOC supervision; the fiscal note had been requested but not yet received. The sponsor and several survivors and advocates testified in support, saying stalking is dangerous, victims need ongoing monitoring, and supervision could help prevent future harm. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6255, sponsored by Sen. Lovelett, which renames and updates the Legislative Executive Poverty Reduction Oversight Task Force (LuPRO) as the Legislative Executive Economic Justice and Well-Being Task Force, expands membership, and revises duties to monitor and update the state’s 10-year plan to dismantle poverty. Staff said the bill has a partial fiscal note showing a $4,000 OSPI cost for a report, with no additional cost beyond that this biennium. Testimony from DSHS and a constituent supported the bill as a way to improve coordination and accountability in poverty reduction efforts. Senate Bill 6286, sponsored by Sen. Orwall, would authorize the Department of Health to fine private detention facilities that deny inspectors entry, with escalating daily fines and a new account to support people harmed by wrongful detention or ICE-related abuse. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a human rights and public health measure, citing complaints about food, sanitation, medical care, and mental health conditions in private detention facilities. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6224, sponsored by Chair Wilson, which would create a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Leadership Council to implement the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and extend the existing work group. Supporters from state agencies, providers, parents, and advocates emphasized early intervention, cross-system coordination, and youth mental health needs; one witness opposed the bill, arguing it should focus more on non-psychiatric causes of distress. The hearing ended with no recorded votes or final action on the bills.