Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to thank the author of this legislation.
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• We also, as legislators, recognize that alcohol is a terrible disease.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with extensive testimony and debate. AB 1535 would add political affiliation as a sentencing aggravator when a felony is motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived political affiliation. The author said the bill is intended to deter political violence while preserving judicial discretion; supporters framed it as a response to rising threats and attacks tied to politics. Opponents, including ACLU Cal Action, Initiate Justice, and public defender groups, argued the term is vague, could sweep in protected speech and association, and would expand punishment without addressing crime prevention. The bill was later moved on a due-pass recommendation and passed on roll call. AB 1656 would add human trafficking to the list of offenses that qualify for good-cause continuances so a vertical prosecutor can stay with a case. The author and a San Diego DA representative said the change would support trauma-informed prosecution and improve continuity for survivors. Most support testimony came from prosecutors, victim advocates, and civil liberties groups, while some public defender and justice organizations remained in opposition or pending review of amendments. The committee ultimately approved the bill on a due-pass-as-amended vote. AB 1589 would allow Level 1 reserve peace officers to use firearm suppressors while on duty, matching the exemption already available to full-time officers. The author and reserve officer witnesses said the bill is a narrow safety measure tied to hearing protection and parity in training and equipment. Opponents, including Brady and ACLU Cal Action, said suppressors are unnecessary, could endanger the public and other officers, and further militarize policing. After discussion about safety, fiscal concerns, and community trust, the committee passed the bill on a due-pass vote. The committee also took up AB 1566, which would align the statutory definition of severe neglect with the structured decision-making tool used by county child welfare agencies. Supporters said the bill would reduce overreporting, racial disparities, and unnecessary family trauma while keeping mandated reporting in place. Opponents, including school resource officer groups, warned it would lower reporting thresholds and risk missing serious abuse. Members debated the impact on child safety versus unnecessary investigations, and the bill was held on call after a split vote. In addition, the committee approved several consent items, including bills on human trafficking data, criminal procedure jurisdiction, firearms/unsafe handguns, and the Hugs Act of 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be covering 53 legislative proposals today, 53 bills.
• We'll be covering 53 legislative proposals today, 53 bills.
• I urge this committee and all legislators to support and advance this bill.
• It is subject to appropriation, so that there is that in the bill.
• , and there's been legislation in Connecticut, Illinois, and Puerto Rico.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with much of the discussion focused on housing stability and maternal mental health. On H. 1924/S. 1171, supporters including Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Jim O’Day, physicians, advocates, and people with lived experience urged the committee to create legal protections and treatment pathways for defendants who experienced postpartum psychosis or other perinatal mood disorders within 12 months of giving birth. Testimony emphasized that these conditions are rare but severe, often treatable, and can lead to tragic outcomes if criminalized rather than addressed through screening, expert evaluation, treatment, and, in some cases, resentencing or mitigation. Committee members asked about diagnosis years after the fact and how the Illinois law has worked; witnesses said retrospective diagnosis is possible and that the Illinois model has led to some successful resentencing petitions and broader awareness. Housing-related bills drew substantial testimony. On H. 1983/S. 1071, witnesses described “zombie” subordinate mortgages that were sold years after borrowers believed they had been resolved, then resurfaced with large balances and foreclosure threats. Supporters said the bill would require disclosures and court review to prevent unlawful servicing and foreclosure practices. On H. 1952, advocates from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, tenants, and legal services providers backed a permanent statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, citing data showing strong tenant outcomes and the importance of quality control, multilingual outreach, and full representation. On H. 1895/S. 1184, testimony supported codifying a two-tier summary process in eviction court and prohibiting defaults at the initial case-management stage. On H. 1883, a small property owner supported rent escrow as a way to protect landlords from bad-faith nonpayment while preserving tenant rights. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing discriminatory housing covenants, tenant oversight, and homelessness. On H. 1762/S. 1080, a housing advocate supported removing void restrictive covenants from deeds, describing the Dirty Deeds Project and the lingering harm of racist language in property records. On H. 1814, tenants and advocates described harassment, retaliation, security problems, and lack of accountability in subsidized housing, arguing for an Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Attorney General’s Office. On S. 1120, multiple witnesses supported a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, saying it would affirm the right to rest and seek shelter, reduce criminalization, and extend anti-discrimination protections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate and enjoy your legislative day. Thank you, presiding officer.
• At the request of the author, please remove file item A43, AB 1389 Rubio from the inactive file.
• Returning to motions and resolutions, this is the time to address adjourn-in-memory motion requests.
• Please bring his name to the desk so he may be appropriately memorialized. Senator Blakespear.
• Please bring his name to the desk so he may be appropriately memorialized. Senator Blake Spear.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including students from Florence High School’s Law Academy, a fourth-grade class from Holy Spirit School, and Brigadier General Nick Brown of Marine Corps Installation West/Camp Pendleton. The chamber also handled routine business, including a motion to remove AB 1389 (Rubio) from the inactive file. The main floor action was on two gubernatorial appointments. Andrew Rakestra was confirmed to the Board of Environmental Safety by a vote of 28-0, and Indira Cameron Banks was confirmed to the Civil Rights Council by a vote of 28-8. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings on resources/environmental protection/energy, health and human services, judicial branch funding and court facilities, and state administration/general government. The Senate then took up adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senator Archuleta honored Yoshi Nakamura, a World War II veteran, educator, artist, and community activist whose life included service in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and decades of teaching in Whittier and at Rio Hondo College. Senator Blakespear honored Dr. Rosemary George Strayley, a longtime international development and women’s rights advocate who served in the Peace Corps, worked with major global institutions, and co-founded Run Women Run. The Senate expressed condolences and agreed to memorialize both individuals.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can request reconsideration, and after that, the decision is final.
• And so I decided to take this forward as I became a legislator. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• It is not spelled out in the legislation itself. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And so that's what brings me to my first issue: when we're looking at this as legislators, as appropriators
• Appreciate that request. And to the Vice Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 97, which would appropriate funding to the Department of Health for updated shaken baby syndrome, now called abusive head trauma, prevention training and educational materials, including baby models used in demonstrations. Testimony from the sponsor and the New Mexico Injury and Violence Prevention Coalition supported the bill and emphasized that the materials had not been updated since 2016. Members noted the budget already included about $167,000 for this purpose, and the bill was tabled without opposition. The committee then heard House Bill 280, creating a Youth Internship Pilot Project to support paid internships for youth as a workforce development tool. Supporters from New Mexico Voices for Children said the bill would provide mentorship and relevant work-based learning, while members questioned what occupations would qualify, whether the program would focus on trades and high-demand jobs, and how schools, employers, and Workforce Solutions would participate. The bill was tabled, with Representatives Duncan and Pettigrew recorded in opposition. The main item of the meeting was House Bill 151, as substituted by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. The bill would create a compensation fund and commission for survivors of childhood sexual abuse involving public entities, while also allowing a three-year lookback window for claims and preserving private civil claims for private entities. The sponsor explained that the substitute removed a forward-looking statute-of-limitations change, set a $700,000 cap tied to the Tort Claims Act, used an administrative eligibility process with a "more likely than not" standard, and included reporting, confidentiality, and referral provisions. Supporters described the measure as a survivor-centered way to provide compensation while limiting state exposure, but members raised concerns about attorney fees, fund solvency, private versus public liability, rural impacts, and whether the state should pay for claims involving public institutions. After public testimony in support, the committee adopted the substitute but then voted on the bill itself and ended in an 8-8 tie, so the measure remained in committee and was not advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a popular refrain out there for those opposed to legislation.
• They notify the Governor; that's different than requesting, you know, permission essentially.
• But evidently, that's in our legislation.
• For many years, I've sought to give this committee and legislators subpoena authority.
• And so for years, I've sponsored legislation to, by constitution, give us that authority.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a Freedom of Information Act request a Freedom of Information Act request regarding<00:12:29.320
• So that's what this bill seeks to do: make the appropriate accommodations for those who need it.
• So that's what this bill seeks to do: make the appropriate accommodations for those who need it.
• </c> seeks to do is make the appropriate seeks to do is make the appropriate accommodations<00:14:10.399
• That'll give us time to make sure everything is locked down appropriately.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:19:28.560><c> overreach</c> check legislative overreach check legislative overreach and<01:19
• legislative legislative uh<01:31:18.080><c> should</c><01:31:18.320><c> have</c><01:31:18.560><c> the
• </c> appropriate thing to talk about. appropriate thing to talk about.
• on a legislative matter.
• </c><02:16:45.120><c> I</c> vote on a legislative matter. I vote on a legislative matter.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, we've had legislators run for office; that's a regular thing.
• The agency has been an active partner in the committee's work during the legislative session and over
• We have continued to respond to requests and will continue to do so.
• I don't think we need legislative approval to do that.
• Some of those are legislative fixes. ...signatures on treatment records, that could be a start.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's an admin request, but just so that the public can understand what you're trying to do with
• Just to give the committee context of what the request is, I did, and I was very fortunate to go and
• in terms of appropriations and allotments exceeding over $200 million.
• </c> legislation in terms of Appropriations legislation in terms of Appropriations and<01:24:53.360><
• </c><01:28:02.760><c> allotments</c> intent of the appropriation allotments intent of the appropriation

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> legislation without issue. legislation without issue.
• But our job as<00:38:54.400><c> legislators</c> as legislators as legislators is<00:38:56.640><c> to<
• Well, just like we can't legislate charity, we can't legislate love. You cannot compel love.
• We can't legislate that.
• Co-sponsorship<01:25:27.280><c> request.</c> Co-sponsorship request. Co-sponsorship request.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion was do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion was do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Individualized data is not required, which is proposed in the legislation.
• Motion is due pass and re-refer to Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on labor standards, worker safety, and public transparency. SB 954 by Senator Blakespear would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by adding worker protections such as prevailing wage, a skilled and trained workforce, high-road employment standards, and environmental guardrails. Supporters from labor, environmental justice, and conservation groups said the bill restores promised safeguards after SB 131, while business groups argued the added requirements would undermine the exemption and discourage investment. The committee voted 5-0 to do pass and re-refer SB 954 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open for absent members. The committee then considered SB 966 by Senator Gonzalez, which would codify refinery worker participation and safety protections adopted in 2017 after the 2012 Chevron Richmond fire. Supporters, including United Steelworkers and a former refinery worker, said the bill would preserve workers’ ability to report hazards, select representatives, and stop unsafe work, preventing future disasters. The Western States Petroleum Association opposed the bill, arguing it could be preempted by federal labor law and would add regulatory uncertainty. The committee passed SB 966 3-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations, with the roll left open. Next, SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas sought to modernize private security guard training, expand de-escalation instruction, strengthen accountability, and create a clearer professional pathway for the industry. The author and many security workers testified that guards are often first responders in volatile situations and need more practical training and better standards; opponents from industry and business groups warned the bill would raise costs, worsen staffing shortages, and create implementation problems, especially around third-party training and a new wage order. The committee voted 4-1 to do pass and re-refer SB 1203 to Public Safety, with one no vote and the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 1284 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, a transparency bill requiring DHCS to publish the names of large employers with workers enrolled in Medi-Cal and the estimated taxpayer cost. Supporters said the measure would show how low wages and unaffordable coverage shift health costs to the public, while opponents argued Medi-Cal enrollment depends on many factors and that naming employers would be misleading and amount to public shaming. After discussion, the committee voted 4-2 to do pass and re-refer SB 1284 to Appropriations, leaving the roll open. The transcript then began discussion of SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would improve workforce data collection and sharing to better evaluate job-training pathways, but the excerpt cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones of North Reading requests a quorum roll call. Chair, objection? Chair has none.
• And when a vote is taken, I request that it be taken by a call of the yeas and nays. Mr.
• And then... ...when it came to the CBD aspect of this legislation.
• Today we stand before a critical piece of legislation, H. 4187.
• Furthermore, this legislation commits us to robust data collection and analysis.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed students from the Frederick C. Murphy School in Weymouth, along with other guests introduced by members. The chamber then suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow several petitions to be referred, including proposals on alcohol labeling for beers consumed on premises, parity in funding for regional vocational and traditional public schools, and legal protections for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The main floor business was House No. 4187, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, reported by Ways and Means as a substitute bill. Members speaking in support described it as a comprehensive overhaul of the Cannabis Control Commission and the state’s cannabis and hemp regulatory framework. The bill would reduce and restructure the CCC, expand options for cannabis businesses and social equity operators, raise license and ownership caps, remove the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana, and create stronger rules for hemp and CBD products, including a ban on unregulated intoxicating hemp products and a new regulatory structure for allowable hemp beverages and CBD items. Several amendments were offered and adopted by roll call, including changes narrowing the hemp beverage ban from 11 ounces to 7.5 ounces, requiring out-of-state testing labs to be certified in good standing with the commission, and other technical revisions. After debate, the House passed H. 4187 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 153-0. The chamber also passed to be engrossed two sick leave bank bills, for Andrew Satara and Dana Johnson, and ordered House No. 1590, establishing a sick leave bank for Eric J. Wenaka, to a third reading. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My personal legislative aide is Julia Valdez.
• In particular, this bill, like other legislative structures.
• I would like to raise a question about the appropriation.
• We do have several concerns regarding the legislation.
• I am so impressed with this legislation.

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a charge for for gambling legislation. a charge for for gambling legislation.
• </c> appropriate in the future. appropriate in the future.
• </c><05:13:03.880><c> actions</c> uh due to certain legislative actions uh due to certain legislative
• </c> for action on a legislative citation. for action on a legislative citation.
• :48:43.120><c> specialist</c> with our legislative security specialist with our legislative security

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:44.280><c> unanimous</c> recognition Mr Speaker request unanimous recognition Mr Speaker request
• </c><00:39:54.480><c> that</c> years I have introduced legislation that years I have introduced legislation
• </c> colleagues to oppose this legislation colleagues to oppose this legislation and<00:42:42.079><c>
• Speaker, request the ayes and nays are requested.
• ><c> those</c> A's the A's and A's are requested those A's the A's and A's are requested those favoring

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on certain types of cases, and/or maybe the individuals requesting the information, whether
• So, as an earlier testifier had pointed out, that they may be disclosed upon request of a decedent's
• I like the concept, but I just wonder maybe a little more wordsmithing might be appropriate.
• And that was taken from other legislation. We had actually passed on DMV as far as donor.
• It would be whatever they requested as far as photos based on this legislation.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our guests and 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
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills to committee
• We are going to be recognizing the retirement of a long time legislative staff member, dedicated a member
• He always considered the impact of any legislation to the taxpayer.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 45.5 to allow Assembly Members Berman, Gallagher
• Beyond his legislative work, Doug was deeply rooted in his faith and values.
• Doug made me a better legislator, simply by showing me how to show up.
• All requests to be adjourned in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, there'll be future legislation, but as we expand wildfire mitigation and we, um, require,
• I, I believe, as we, um, stated in our legislative appropriations request that we would be seeking additional
• To date we have not received such a request from the railroad commission, although I will caveat that
• Um, you'll see that we've addressed that gap in our legislative recommendations. So, so currently.
• Uh, it would be available to the public subject to an open records request.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation forward.
• , 53rd Legislative representative, 53rd Legislative District.
• The submission requests used to complete CIPs are eliminated, and all submission requests not required
• </c> home run this year with this legislation home run this year with this legislation right<00:31:02.240
• And once again, I thank legislation.

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon Recess of the Senate Chambers. There is not an exact time for this meeting therefore a placeholder time for the live stream has been set for 12:30PM est., 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills near the end of session. House Bill 342, which would require a financial literacy course for Kentucky high school students, was presented by Rep. Michael Meredith and student advocate Patrick Reovi. Meredith explained that a committee substitute addressed Kentucky Department of Education concerns by making the course a required elective anywhere in high school rather than limiting it to junior or senior year, and by retaining flexibility on credit options. Reovi testified in support, arguing that many students lack basic financial knowledge and should graduate prepared to handle budgeting, credit, debt, and student loans. The substitute was adopted, and HB 342 passed the committee 10-0. The committee then heard House Bill 480, a teacher workload and bureaucracy reduction measure. Rep. Shane Baker described the bill as the product of a working group with educators and administrators and said it was intended to reduce redundant requirements and let teachers focus more on students. He said the bill would lengthen the evaluation cycle from every three years to every five, streamline professional development requirements, update continuous school improvement plan filing rules, and limit new reporting mandates. A committee substitute removed the CSIP provisions after discussion with KDE, and members noted concerns about implementation and federal funding implications for mentor training language. The substitute was adopted and HB 480 passed unanimously. House Bill 190, relating to advanced education opportunities, was presented by Rep. Robert Duvall. He said the bill would require districts to adopt policies on advanced coursework and accelerated learning for grades 4 through 12, with local flexibility. He also explained that the House committee substitute changed several provisions from mandatory to permissive, including automatic enrollment for students scoring distinguished and parent opt-out language. The bill passed unanimously. House Bill 430, on school bus safety training, was presented by Reps. Mike Clines and Emily Callaway, who said it would reduce regulations, improve bus safety, and fix regulatory issues arising from prior legislation allowing nine-passenger vans for school transportation. A committee substitute was adopted, the bill passed unanimously, and a title amendment was also adopted. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 208 on technology and public schools. Rep. Josh Bray, Rep. James Tipton, and Nick Spencer of the Family Foundation of Kentucky supported a policy requiring districts to prohibit student cell phone use during instructional time, with exceptions for disabilities, teacher-directed educational use, or incentives. They argued the bill would improve academic performance, reduce bullying and mental health problems, and limit social media access during school. The transcript cuts off during testimony on HB 208, before any committee action on the bill is shown.