Transcript Highlights:

• The typical fourth-year dental student. Sees two patients a day.
• Americans?
• American population, a Vietnamese population, New Mexico has it.
• There is preference given to American Indian and Alaska Native applicants, but it is open to all qualifying
• Also, unfortunately, only 8% of medical students go into primary care now.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is a uh is a native of Sivera Park.
• North American College in Rome, Italy. North American College in Rome, Italy.
• Today in the gallery we have students from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's student leadership program
• ,<00:06:52.080> and to qualified schools, students, and to qualified schools, students, and
• student Chesapeake Bay Foundation's student Chesapeake Bay Foundation's student leadership<00

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, and heard several ceremonial recognitions, including an invocation by seminarian Benjamin Oler and a resolution honoring Taiwan’s ambassador, Alexander Ui Tore, for strengthening Maryland’s partnership with Taiwan. Senators also welcomed the day’s doctor, Dr. Larry Green, AFCEA Central Maryland chapter members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation student leaders, and Salisbury University students visiting for committee work. On legislation, the chamber referred Senate Bill 995 on cannabis licensing, labor peace agreements, and collective bargaining rules to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for New Market Town Hall to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 241, which would automatically restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities; the committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 323, the Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Youth Charging Reform Act. One amendment to keep first-degree assault in automatic adult charging was offered and debated at length, with supporters arguing the offense is extremely serious and should begin in adult court, and opponents saying the bill allows judges to make individualized decisions and aligns Maryland with other states and federal juvenile practice. The amendment failed by a 27-vote negative roll call. A second amendment from the minority whip sought to exclude firearm-in-drug-crime offenses and firearm use with felony drug convictions from automatic juvenile court treatment; the sponsor argued these offenses involve serious armed drug activity and should remain in adult court, while the bill’s supporters emphasized juvenile services and judicial discretion. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that second amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 2374 establishes a state-level designation for Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific
• and Native Hawaiian under-serving students succeed.
• Because student loan debt should never be a barrier to obtaining higher education.
• Americans do not know if they are at risk for a stroke.
• Americans do not know if they are at risk for a stroke.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eliseo Lee Alcon, and whereas Eliseo leaves behind his traditional Native New Mexican Hispanic family
• Preservation and enhancement of the Native New Mexican land-based Spanish land grant and the Secchia
• Speaker, gentlelady, so one I will... ...add that out-of-cohort students means any student that has not
• So, one, these students that are out of cohort are often just invisible. We cannot find them.
• And as I said before, about 6,000 of these students go invisible. We can't find them.

Transcript Highlights:

• academic achievement, with particularly strong outcomes for low-income students, students with special
• Arizona families today are... ...best meet individual student needs.
• We all want what everybody wants: human kindness and to live in the American dream, not the American
• walking out—high school students, they can’t... ...week seeing high school students walking out—high
• I had a conversation with a constituent who is Native American and who told me that she had so much fear

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Deacon Ernie Gonzalez, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Pamela Murphy as Doctor of the Day. Members also introduced guests, including local officials, Arizona Game and Fish commissioners, and advocates from the Alzheimer’s Association. A proclamation was read designating January 26, 2026, as Arizona Aviation Day, highlighting the industry’s economic impact and the role of airports, aerospace, and aviation-related jobs in the state. The clerk then recorded a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading, covering water and energy policy, education savings accounts and school choice, elections and campaign finance, veterans issues, public safety, housing, health care, immigration-related matters, and land and natural resources. Representative Gress also read a resolution recognizing National School Choice Week and praising Arizona’s school choice programs, including charter schools and empowerment scholarship accounts. A lengthy portion of the meeting consisted of members’ personal privilege remarks responding to violence and immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and Arizona. Many members condemned ICE tactics, described fear and harm in immigrant communities, and called for constitutional rights, due process, and accountability; several requested or observed a moment of silence. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken during the transcript beyond the motion to adjourn, which passed, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have Americans for Tax Reform in opposition. Okay, not present.
• Uh, next up, American Lung Association in support." "Not present.
• legislation that supports American legislation that supports American citizens<00:57:03.640>
• than a quarter of missing girls in Hawaii are Native Hawaiians.
• More than a quarter of missing girls in Hawaii are Native Hawaiians.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it provides students the opportunity to be exempt from class to participate in these enlistment
• The students who are coming in to enroll in our schools can use their military medical records rather
• We're going to have a new military gallery, and we're reworking all of our Native American exhibits.
• He was a native of Atmore who served in the 121st Assault Helicopter Company.
• That's Operation Iron Ru from last year, which is a fantastic student veterans program to raise awareness

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will have their student ID.
• It also affects students who often rely on student IDs that this bill begins to restrict in multiple
• Students have been used to have the ability to use their student ID from a state college or university
• It's anti-American citizen, it's anti-Floridian, it's anti-senior citizen, it's anti-student, it's anti-rural
• We had the student ID issue.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• our students are taught.
• I'm a student leader at Pflugerville ISD and a first-generation American.
• Indeed, it will harm all students.
• We have a speaker that comes and talks about ex-gay marriage. and finding Native American tools and Native
• American artifacts. in Arizona.

Bills: SB12, SB1565, SB13, SJR12, SB686, SB371, SB204, SB609, SB112, SB400, SB813, SB 12, SB 13

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, school district, grievance procedure, public education, diversity and inclusion, funding penalties, school libraries, library advisory councils, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, constitutional amendment, school choice

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning, I'm grateful to welcome 42 eighth grade social studies students from Moana Middle School

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2178, SB2101, SB2373, SB2905, SB3231, SB3296, SB2704, SB3162, SB2885, SB2174, SB3256, SB2333, SB2713, SB2100, SB3012, SB2805, SB2102, SB2478, SB2103, SB3233, SB2678, SB2461, SB2645, SB3247, SB2005, SB2022, SB2083, SB2128, SB2130, SB2240, SB2306, SB2547, SB2603, SB2756, SB2782, SB2818, SB2944, SB2982, SB2986, SB3022, SB3031, SB3032, SB3035, SB3053, SB3288, SB2435, SB2970, SB2938, SB3110, SB3251, SB3322, SB2068, SB2268, SB3046, SB2526, SB2231, SB2448, SB2567, SB3095, SB3264, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2119, SB2137, SB2209, SB2180, SB2949, SB2431, SB2410, SB3199, SB3245, SB2274, SB2277, SB2175, SB2080, SB2799, SB2491, SB2310, SB2489, SB2925, SB2709, SB17, SB2227, SB2887, SB2006

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, industrial hemp, Hawaii, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, organic waste

Transcript Highlights:

• Kamehameha School graduate, class of 2007, I am pleased to introduce 25 eighth grade social studies students
• eighth grade social studies students eighth grade social studies students from<00:01:26.720>
• In the gallery today, we have some hardworking students from W.
• In the gallery today, we have some hardworking students from W.
• Just want to add that we want to thank the students for serving the cowboy stew and for all of those

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2178, SB2101, SB2373, SB2905, SB3231, SB3296, SB2704, SB3162, SB2885, SB2174, SB3256, SB2333, SB2713, SB2100, SB3012, SB2805, SB2102, SB2478, SB2103, SB3233, SB2678, SB2461, SB2645, SB3247, SB2005, SB2022, SB2083, SB2128, SB2130, SB2240, SB2306, SB2547, SB2603, SB2756, SB2782, SB2818, SB2944, SB2982, SB2986, SB3022, SB3031, SB3032, SB3035, SB3053, SB3288, SB2435, SB2970, SB2938, SB3110, SB3251, SB3322, SB2068, SB2268, SB3046, SB2526, SB2231, SB2448, SB2567, SB3095, SB3264, SB3131, SB3069, SB3180, SB2119, SB2137, SB2209, SB2180, SB2949, SB2431, SB2410, SB3199, SB3245, SB2274, SB2277, SB2175, SB2080, SB2799, SB2491, SB2310, SB2489, SB2925, SB2709, SB17, SB2227, SB2887, SB2006

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, industrial hemp, Hawaii, Native Hawaiian practices, regulation, cultural stewardship, economic development, organic waste

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I stand before you a recovering student, a competitive graduate applicant, a researcher.
• Today I stand before you a recovering student, a competitive graduate applicant, a researcher.
• <01:04:28.920> Hawaiian particular related to native Hawaiian particular related to native
• Um, Cynthia, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. In opposition, Tina Yamaki?
• Cynthia Alon, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several measures related to child welfare, health care access, overdose response, disability services, and waste management. For SB 710 on child welfare, the Department of Human Services, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Attorney General’s office, and multiple advocacy groups testified in support, with the Governor’s office noting support but deferring to the Attorney General on implementation because of separation-of-powers concerns. For SB 952 on child welfare services, DHS, the Governor’s office, and child- and trauma-informed care advocates supported the bill, saying it would help families access services, provide basic material support, and reduce strain on the child welfare system. SB 954 on a home health services rate study also drew support, including from DHS, the Hawaii Healthcare Association, and a public testifier who said the study would help ensure funds reach low-income, disabled, and kupuna recipients. SB 957 on overdose prevention received support from the Department of Health and the Attorney General, who said overdose prevention centers are evidence-based but raised federal-law concerns and recommended amendments; the Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center and others also testified in support. The committee then moved to the 1:00 regular calendar and heard SB 850 on disability health disparity, which was supported by the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, self-advocates, and others. Testimony emphasized that a disparity study could improve workforce development, training, and services for people with disabilities. SB 838 on continuous glucose monitoring drew support from health agencies and advocates, with testimony stressing that monitors can be critical for some diabetes patients. SB 829 on health care was supported by the Department of Health and health care stakeholders, who said it would help rotating physicians serve neighbor islands without local hospital privileges and align with CMS rules. SB 446 on waste management drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health and several public entities provided comments, the County of Maui opposed, and environmental advocates urged stronger aquifer protections and limits on ash reuse. During decision making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass SB 298, SB 322, SB 299, SB 450, SB 451, SB 949, SB 710, SB 957, SB 69, and SD 952 with various amendments, including technical changes, blank appropriations, and defective dates. SB 323, SB 324, SB 712, SB 950, SB 954, and SB 959 were deferred, largely because companion House measures were moving or similar Senate measures had already passed. The chair also announced recesses to find quorum and noted that some bills from the earlier Monday calendar were being deferred to avoid duplication.

Transcript Highlights:

• plants, soils, or soil microbial communities, which was a 40-week ...adverse impact on native plants
• Consortium, and by a multitude of a multidisciplinary team of faculty, postdoc researchers, and students
• More than 75% of our membership is Native American Navajo members, and many of the communities were directly
• More than 75% of our membership is Native American Navajo members, and many of the communities were directly
• , graduate students, and undergraduate students.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a student at Texas Woman's University. I'm representing myself, and I'm in favor of the bill.
• Americans, we don't have a lot of experience under that ICWA.
• One was a member of a Native American tribe, and the other was not.
• General Paxton said, knowing the difficulties that await them if they attempt to adopt a native child
• that children who are non-Native have in our state.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:11.000> Sign providing access to American Sign providing access to American Sign Language
• appreciate uh we're seeing student appreciate uh we're seeing student populations<00:49:44.119><
• Relevance to students equals engagement for students.
• Relevance to students equals engagement for students.
• Relevance to students equals engagement for students.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Speaker, I've noticed Gentleman from Bernalillo: a lot of Native American individuals in our chamber
• Estimado Speaker, I have a Native American joke. Gentleman from Bernalillo: OK, here goes.
• how many total Native voters are declined to state.
• Speaker and gentleman, decline to state and other independent for Native American voters is 23,540.
• Speaker and Representative, the American Campus Communities, at least at UNM.

Transcript Highlights:

• American.
• And so some of Our children who are actually in the Foster Care Plus program currently are Native American
• That's what I see a lot of our students going... Into.
• Sorry, my name is Mojecito of the American Heart Association.
• As a Single mom with $180,000 in student loan debt, going from associates to bachelor's, dual masters

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the right skills, students are empowered to navigate digital spaces with confidence.
• Assembly Bill 2374 establishes a state-level designation for Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific
• , Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students succeed.
• Because student loan debt should never be a barrier to obtaining higher education.
• Americans do not know if they are at risk for a stroke.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento, established a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through the daily file with several procedural motions, including moving AB 1566 to the inactive file and removing SCR 177 from the consent calendar. The chamber then took up a series of bills, mostly on third reading, with many measures described by authors as support bills and passing with little or no opposition. Among the early items, AB 2257 on county jail accountability was presented but the call was moved before a recorded result was announced in the excerpt; AB 2529 on claims against public agencies passed 41-2; AB 2689 on affordable housing management passed 49-0; AB 1722 on fish and wildlife passed 51-0; AB 2071 on digital wellness instruction passed 54-0; AB 1976 on pedestrian and bicycle safety passed 42-17; AB 2012 on manufactured home transport passed 57-0; AB 2139 on surplus land and an Inland Empire soccer project passed 58-1; AB 1548 creating a Monterey Bay stewardship authority passed after the call was moved; AB 1707 allowing online electrician license renewal passed 60-0; AB 2105 on navigation app impacts passed 44-14; and AB 2051 on coastal resiliency permitting passed 46-6. The floor also approved a number of other measures with broad bipartisan support, including AB 2074 on streamlined housing development in transit-rich downtowns (55-5), AB 2129 on Cal Fire firefighter compensation (57-1), AB 2279 on communications (16-0), AB 2282 allowing Del Puerto Health Care District to provide emergency care in rural Patterson-area communities (64-0), AB 2316 extending school facilities hardship relief to charter schools (59-0), AB 2337 adding theft by a peace officer under color of authority to serious misconduct (68-0), AB 2374 creating a state designation for AANHPI-serving institutions (47-14), AB 2464 on energy (67-0), AB 2537 on cannabis (62-0), AB 2562 requiring suicide prevention plans at alcohol and drug treatment facilities (62-0), AB 2667 on vape products (62-0), and AB 2727 raising the threshold for elderly parole review for violent sex offenses (66-0). AB 1958, which clarifies procedures under the California Racial Justice Act, was taken up later and the author said he would accept Senate amendments, but the excerpt cuts off before the final vote is shown. AB 2313, allowing customers with planned gas service line replacements to opt into electrification, drew debate over cost shifts and equity concerns before passing 41-21. The most extensive debate centered on AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for accounts on social media platforms using addictive features and create an e-safety commission. The author and supporters from both parties framed the bill as a child-safety measure responding to research on anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and other harms, while also emphasizing protections for vulnerable youth and the need for age verification and ongoing oversight. Several members raised concerns about preserving access for LGBTQ youth, isolated rural youth, and others who rely on online spaces, but said they trusted the author’s approach and the commission structure. The bill drew strong bipartisan support in floor speeches from members who described it as necessary to protect children from addictive platform design, and the excerpt ends amid that debate without showing the final vote on AB 1709.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> has Native American Affairs which has Native American Affairs which has been<03:35:28.120>
• <04:03:35.120> American Native American Native American representation<04:03:37.960> if
• Are you asking me why, as a Native American, I am not allowing another Native American tribe in here
• <04:07:59.279> allowing as a Native American I am not allowing as a Native American I am not
• Submitted by me on behalf of the commission of Native American Affairs. Um, any questions?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 610, which would fold the Office of the Consumer Advocate into the Department of Energy rather than fully eliminate consumer advocacy functions. The prime sponsor argued the current office is small, funded by a special assessment on ratepayers, and duplicative of DOE work. He said moving the function to DOE would streamline energy policy review, reduce bureaucracy, and better focus the larger agency on lowering residential energy costs. He also disputed claims that the Consumer Advocate is independent, saying the office is appointed through a political process similar to DOE leadership. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would actually relocate existing positions or replace them, and whether the Department of Energy would absorb the cost of the transferred staff. The sponsor said the fiscal note shows roughly a million-dollar reduction in both revenue assessment and spending, and that the bill would effectively reduce the office from five positions to three. He also defended his cost estimates for energy-code-related housing impacts and said the Consumer Advocate has sometimes supported policies he считает increase costs, such as energy-efficiency measures and building code changes. He argued the office should focus more on energy supply and generation, including natural gas and nuclear, rather than efficiency alone. Representative Wendy Thomas testified in opposition, saying the Consumer Advocate is an important, fair, and impartial voice for ratepayers and warning that the bill was fiscally irresponsible because the incumbent could still be owed salary and benefits if the office were repealed. She also said the bill’s drafting was confusing and that the Consumer Advocate’s role is to push back on utilities on behalf of consumers. Other members raised questions about whether the DOE would simply inherit the same political appointment structure and whether the bill would meaningfully lower bills. No vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated additional testimony would follow, and the Department of Energy was present to answer questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:57.720> Vermonters<00:07:58.280> of Sawyer, native Vermonters of Sawyer, native
• And whereas, the positive impact of social workers on the lives of millions of Americans is experienced
• <00:10:24.800> is<00:10:24.880> experienced<00:10:25.560> at of Americans is
• experienced at of Americans is experienced at hospitals,<00:10:26.360> schools,<00:10:27.280>
• and some of their social work students and some of their professors. professors. professors.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Rabbi Toby Weisman, who spoke about Passover, the obligation to remember liberation from slavery, and the Torah’s repeated command to love the stranger. He connected that theme to immigrants and the need for community, courage, and small acts of kindness. After the devotional, the chamber took up three Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 179 on the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act to Judiciary, S. 212 on potable water supply and wastewater system connections to Environment, and S. 227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools to Education. The House also referred H. 558, relating to the Medicaid School-Based Services Program, to Appropriations, and H. 937, reported favorably by Ways and Means, was also sent to Appropriations under House Rule 35a. The House adopted JRS 45, a joint resolution on weekend adjournment for March 20, 2026, by voice vote. It also read and adopted several concurrent resolutions, including HCR 187 congratulating Village Garage Distillery of Bennington for a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, HCR 213 recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month in Vermont, and HCR 224 congratulating Vermont athletes at the 2025 National Senior Games and designating March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. Members made remarks in support of the resolutions, including praise for the distillery, social workers, and senior athletes, and guests in the gallery were recognized. The House then took up H. 887, which would amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to align documentation rules for crime victims with the protections already available to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the safe leave law. The committee and sponsor described it as a modest but important fix to ensure survivors can access both leave and anti-discrimination protections without conflicting paperwork requirements. The House agreed to the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. Next, the chamber began H. 917, an omnibus military affairs bill combining several measures: correcting the Adjutant General title, defining Gold Star family member, creating a hiring preference for military spouses in state government, and providing free parking for disabled veterans. The sponsor outlined the bill’s purpose and sections, and discussion began on the title correction and related provisions.