Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of protecting against and preventing this kind of manipulation, operators often lean into it
• millions of dollars of disability benefits in violation of federal law.
• Senate Bill 694 stands for the principle that any business operating in the arena of providing assistance
• Over 20,000 hours of volunteer service in that one VA hospital.
• of valid verification of this information.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guest delegations, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures approved included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on prompt payment for public works contractors, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 strengthening protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 expanding support for community land trusts, SB 479 authorizing city-based homeless response multidisciplinary teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 limiting forfeiture when a contractor’s license lapses, SB 490 allowing local inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities with state approval, SB 828 requiring permit-data verification for fireworks and explosives facilities, SB 849 barring physicians who committed sexual misconduct from license renewal, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electric lines in response to the Altadena fire, SB 96 regulating amplified advertising on streaming and related platforms, and SB 58 updating hydrogen sulfide monitoring and response standards. Most passed unanimously; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some opposition, and SB 222 passed 38-3. A major floor debate centered on SB 694, which would restrict unaccredited private firms from charging fees to assist veterans with VA benefits claims and align state law with federal accreditation rules. Supporters argued the bill would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and preserve access through accredited providers, while opponents said it would limit veterans’ choice and could reduce access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 by a 39-0 vote. The session ended with unanimous approval of the consent calendar items and adjournment until January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, CSOs in the Office of Import Operations conduct entry reviews. examinations of products
• </c> In addition, csos in the office of In addition, csos in the office of import<00:10:46.160><c> operations
• Under Minnesota law, if you receive more than 32 hours of work, you're not eligible for unemployment
• Under Minnesota law, if you receive more than 32 hours of work, you're not eligible for unemployment
• So, working too many hours with no pay forecloses the option of unemployment benefits, which must be

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This silent population in Massachusetts is doing hundreds of thousands of hours every day that our long-term
• We know from years of research and practice that the story of poverty is in large part the story of low
• ' workforce, many of whom are leaving the state because of the high costs.
• Board of Nursing, and currently I'm the CEO of Vitra Health.
• Massachusetts caregivers provide approximately 730 million hours of unpaid care, saving the Commonwealth

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Women Voters of New Mexico and the American Association of University Women.
• of Women Voters of New Mexico and the American Association of University Women.
• of University Women and the League of Women Voters of New Mexico.
• colleges of nursing. ...nurse practitioner council representation, and deans of colleges of nursing
• of life ahead of them.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chief operating officer of the YMCA of Central New Mexico is Mr. Albert Ramirez.
• with elements of... ...was this an unscrupulous operator with elements of fraud working through here
• They're part of the City of Grants.
• There are a lot, a lot of people from Grant County, and considering that's about a five-hour drive to
• He had kind of a fun day because we had maybe 40 doctors in my office for about an hour or so.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are a little bit lagging because they do a lot of verifying. Within 24 hours.
• And the thing that kind of stands out when I was doing the training is that it operates kind of like
• about that because they're, Doing the training is that it operates kind of like from the cultural deficit
• This has been a very informative couple of hours. We've really enjoyed it.
• District can include the possibility of a school or a school-embedded program operating as an ALE.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The tuition cost of an LACCD baccalaureate degree is approximately $10,600, a fraction of the price of
• So on the tuition assistance side, it's the amount of credits and hours and so forth, no matter when
• Here to testify on the measure are Mario Guerrero, Legislative Director of Business Operations for the
• their employees to receive at least 160 hours of training prior to testing for the commercial driver's
• See, so many of them. So many of them going on.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• of less than 50 hours is $250 pursuant to the statute.
• of more than 100 hours is $750.
• I'm Mary Franklin, Director of the Division of County Operations with the Department of Human Services
• the hours and some of the processes.
• And within those hours, A certain amount of upper-level accounting hours, and within those hours you

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates and had no questions, so both were filed. The Department of Commerce sought repeal of rules tied to the minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act, explaining the rules were repealed by implication or duplicative of statute; all were reviewed and approved. The Insurance Department presented a new rule implementing Act 426 of 2025 for online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb-style host damage protection as an example, and it was approved. The Department of Education updated the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rule to reflect statutory payment amounts for milestones and diplomas, and it was approved. DFA presented a rule creating a reporting method for the Arkansas rice beer and sake excise tax credit; members asked about verification of Arkansas rice use, and the rule was approved. DHS presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes to work requirements and energy assistance counting, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64 and removing some exemptions; it was approved after questions about terminology and waiver-related issues. The committee also approved DHS Medicaid rules allowing rehab hospitals to bill for psychiatric units and exempting Arkansas from the federal recovery audit contractor requirement, citing other program integrity measures already in place. The State Board of Public Accountancy, under Labor and Licensing, presented rules implementing Act 428 of 2025, including a new CPA licensure pathway with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience, substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of the government not-for-profit accounting requirement; despite some negative comments, both rules were approved. The committee then granted the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, and approved its request to retain all 18 Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation rules under Act 781 review. Remaining outstanding 2023-session rulemaking and monthly updates were noted in packets with no questions, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> us to the flag of the United States of us to the flag of the United States of America<00:06:41.240
• </c> of the examples um you know the town of of the examples um you know the town of Bedford<00:30:44.600
• 24 of the towns of representing District 24 of the towns of stratum<01:13:09.719><c> exitor</c><01:13
• 23:35.800><c> father</c> life of the baby the life of the father life of the baby the life of the father
• </c> put on the operator of the yard where put on the operator of the yard where the<01:52:47.320><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the importance of the good work of this committee.
• I'm a citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of South Dakota and a descendant of the Lumbee Tribe of
• , the illegal annexation of our kingdom of Hawai'i, and the seizure of our trust lands.
• I can't think of a greater demonstration. of empowerment, of our tribes, of the people on the ground,
• I'm actually going to be meeting in just about an hour here with the nominee to be Secretary of Agriculture

Committee: Senate Indian Affairs Committee

Keywords: tribal sovereignty, healthcare, education, public safety, Economic Development, Tax Parity Act, PROTECT Act, trust obligations, bipartisan support, Indian Health Services

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in terms of conflict of interest, one of the first things I did as interim director was make sure
• of Tourism...”
• that the kind of tourism, marketing, advertising, and research and analysis side of all of those things
• of the Arizona Office of Tourism.
• for Director of the Department of Tourism.

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• president of the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota.
• I learned recently of a hockey player by the name of Daniel Carcillo.
• ton of tobacco.
• I was just reading a little bit more information on this, with as little as 160 hours of training.
• So, just in the state of Minnesota, that's like only a quarter of those hours required for a massage

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Of that money that's along the lines of clarity of Mr. Clark's presentation this time.
• Projects at an average wage of $24, and of those, 2,800 of them were veterans.
• I get a really good rate of return off of some of the banks now.
• The mission and the role of SBIC is not to get a long-term rate of return off of a dollar amount of an
• It's my dad starting off at 50 cents an hour working for the city of Las Vegas and moving up to Department

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I did want to show some pictures of this operation.
• </c><01:26:03.520><c> So</c><01:26:03.679><c> you</c><01:26:03.760><c> can</c> pictures of this operation
• So you can pictures of this operation.
• So this is some of the issues: how do we process more green waste, increase the hours of operation for
• So this is some of the issues: how do we process more green waste, increase the hours of operation for

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of those conversations of having some of those conversations of whether<00:27:39.799><c> that</c><00
• of the state of understand the landscape of the state of dementia<00:39:10.359><c> and</c><00:39:10.480
• um to the that improves ATC operations um to the benefit<01:19:40.280><c> of</c><01:19:40.440><c> patients
• I expect this work to be done in a couple months, happy to answer questions about the operations of the
• </c> operations of the therapeutic cannabis operations of the therapeutic cannabis medical<01:20:56.639

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on February 2 and first approved the draft minutes from the prior meeting, with minor corrections to the meeting date and attendance notation. DHHS Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly then gave a department update, describing the current uncertainty around federal priorities and funding, and provided two substantive reports: progress on the new Hampstead Youth Development Center and an update on the department’s review of an ALS registry proposal. She said the YDC project is underway with tree clearing, fencing, stormwater and site-prep work, and remains on track for completion by June 30, 2026 and operation by August 30, 2026. The center currently has 12 youth, and the new design is intended to provide flexibility for fluctuating census levels. On ALS, Tilly explained that HB 576 had prompted the department to examine whether a registry could be built, but the estimated cost of a HIPAA-compliant system was about $750,000. She said DHHS is reviewing whether existing data sources, such as hospital discharge data and CHIS claims data, could provide useful information, but noted both are incomplete for registry purposes. Committee members discussed whether the Rare Disease Advisory Council, Dartmouth, or existing cancer registry infrastructure could help reduce costs. DHHS said it is neutral and willing to continue exploring alternatives, while members emphasized the value of a registry and the need to consider shared infrastructure and funding. The committee also heard from Jenny Horan of the Alzheimer’s Association, who presented the subcommittee’s report on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. She said the subcommittee spent the past year gathering information on dementia care, abuse and exploitation issues, caregiver strain, and available services, and is now moving into a second phase focused on identifying gaps and developing a state plan. Members asked about geriatric psychiatric capacity and long-term care availability; Horan said the state has limited capacity and that the plan will help clarify where needs are greatest. She offered to return for follow-up questions at a later meeting. Finally, Olivia May of DHHS presented the quarterly report on the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage extension. She said New Hampshire implemented the extension after federal and state action, and the first claims data are still emerging because of reporting lags. In the initial cohort studied, 95% received some medical services during the extended period, 52.4% received mental health or substance use disorder treatment, 26.7% received preventive visits, and 3.2% received heart or hypertension services. Members asked about return on investment and whether higher federal matching rates are being used appropriately; DHHS said it claims the highest possible match based on eligibility group and will return with more data over time. The committee then heard the annual therapeutic cannabis program report from Michael Holt, who said the program had 1,475 registered patients as of June 30, 2024 and that growth has slowed, with New Hampshire having the lowest per-capita medical cannabis enrollment nationally.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Uh, one of the goals of the RSVP program Uh, one of the goals of the RSVP program is<00:11:01.760
• Think of the Super Bowl. You don't train in readiness for a domestic operation mission.
• Um obviously because of our operations there. So, um, I'm just not sure.
• ><c> operations</c> obviously because of our operations obviously because of our operations there.<02
• "Hampshire who are of Syrian descent and have business operations and otherwise with the republic.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Awards. of the Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Awards.
• In 2025, their combined efforts resulted in volunteer hours that had an estimated value of $1.3 million
• that had an estimated volunteer hours that had an estimated value<00:12:24.520><c> of</c><00:12:24.680
• </c> value of $1.3 million to the state of value of $1.3 million to the state of Vermont.
• of Vermont Care Partners, and two members of Voices of St.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A dip in revenues by any small percent would mean the loss of county operations.
• All six of you, you have a total of 10 minutes.
• A few of you may have met the governor. She expected that to be done within two to three hours.
• The routine release of contamination every six to seven hours is not a series of accidents.
• We did have some emails in of letters of support.

Summary: The committee first took up the proposed 2026 tax package, Senate Bill 151, and adopted a committee substitute after discussion of the package’s funding capacity and included measures. The substitute bundled five bills: a physician tax credit, a quantum facility infrastructure tax credit, a construction materials gross receipts deduction for affordable multifamily housing, a local journalist employment tax credit, and a health equipment gross receipts deduction. Members discussed amendments that raised the physician credit from $4,000 to $10,000, narrowed the housing deduction to project-based certification, and reduced the journalist credit threshold from four stories to three. Concerns were raised about the fiscal impact on municipalities, especially Albuquerque, and about the funding mechanism, but the committee voted 6-4 to give the substitute a do pass recommendation. Senator Sanchez explained his vote, saying he wished more could have been included in the package. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, the Clear Horizons Act, which would codify statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and direct the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to develop plans and rules for emissions reductions. The sponsors said the bill builds on the governor’s 2019 executive order, includes a 10,000-metric-ton threshold for covered emitters, allows certified offsets, and is intended to protect public health, reduce climate-related costs, and provide regulatory certainty. Supporters argued the bill would help communities facing wildfire, drought, health harms, and rising insurance and utility costs, and that it would encourage clean-energy investment and long-term economic stability. Opposition testimony came from mining, oil and gas, rural electric cooperatives, construction, agriculture, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, banks, water recycling companies, and realtors. They argued the bill functions like a carbon tax or broad regulatory mandate, would raise energy and compliance costs, could reduce investment and jobs, and would disproportionately affect rural, tribal, agricultural, and low-income communities. Several witnesses warned of higher electricity and fuel bills, revenue losses for local governments, and uncertainty from delegating major policy decisions to rulemaking. Supporters included public health advocates, educators, local officials, clean-energy businesses, tribal and environmental advocates, and residents affected by wildfire and drought, who said the bill is necessary to address climate harms and protect public health and the economy. No final committee vote on SB 18 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• our commitment of demonstration of our commitment of prosecutor's<00:16:01.759><c> commitment</c><00
• There's rights of law enforcement officers, there's certainly rights of defendants.
• There's rights of law enforcement officers, there's certainly rights of defendants.
• And on about three hours of sleep, I got a very angry phone call on why it wasn't a report done.
• /c><00:26:42.480><c> a</c> on about three hours of sleep, I got a on about three hours of sleep, I got

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That means that we have a stat dead that we operate the property off of.
• That means that we have a state deed that we operate the property off of.
• We can get things like operators, point of contact, size of the pipe, contents, things like that.
• We can get things like operators, point of contact, size of the pipe, We can get things like operators
• This takes a lot of hours and time in our schedule to make sure that these projects are updated.

Summary: The board met on January 21, 2026, approved the agenda and minutes, and received a CPRA implementation update from Executive Director Michael Hare. Hare reported about 103 active projects, with work focused on completing existing projects and moving more into construction. He highlighted several projects, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Northwest Little Lake marsh creation, Sugar Ridge Pump Station, a large RESTORE-funded marsh creation project, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation redesign, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf reaches, NERDA Raccoon Island restoration, and Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration. He also reviewed recreation and partnership projects such as Bayou Pigeon and Destrehan boat launches, Grand Bayou Marsh Creation, Highway 1 terracing, and four Louisiana projects funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund. Hare noted the annual plan public meetings were complete and the comment period remained open through February 17, 2026. Board members asked about the Rockefeller shoreline project, and Hare said the Corps and state agencies were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and that leadership remained committed to moving it forward. The board then heard a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Officials described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major habitat, recreation, and revenue functions, but said aging infrastructure, levee erosion, limited water control structures, and maintenance costs made a master plan necessary. The plan, finalized in October 2025, recommends coastal restoration projects, lodge and facility revitalization using private dollars, revenue-generation improvements, and long-term partnerships. Proposed work includes GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million already secured for engineering and construction and total needs estimated at roughly $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed broader habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, possible land acquisition in southwest Louisiana, and coordination with federal partners and other state agencies. Members praised the White Lake effort as a model of interagency collaboration and emphasized its importance for waterfowl habitat, public access, and tourism. Questions focused on funding sources, oil and gas revenue, and whether other agencies such as economic development and tourism should be involved. Several members also urged the state to apply similar management approaches to other refuges, including Sabine, Cameron Prairie, and Lacassine, where they said federal management has lagged. The discussion underscored a broader shift toward landscape-scale habitat management and public recreation investment. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines and related construction logistics. Staff explained that marsh creation makes up a large share of the coastal master plan and that the agency is updating its 2017 design guidelines after nearly a decade of use. The updates will address survey standards, geotechnical methods, dredge production estimates, construction monitoring, and oil and gas infrastructure conflicts. A second presentation reviewed safety, access, and logistics for marine construction, including equipment access routes, pipeline identification and coordination, cultural resources, private landowners, oyster resources, and permitting. Board members asked about reducing geotechnical costs, improving land-rights coordination, considering uncontained marsh creation where appropriate, and managing pipeline impacts; staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline updates.