Transcript Highlights:

• </c> accountable care models, but I'm hoping accountable care models, but I'm hoping we'll<00:08:29.520
• I hope we do more of this.
• I hope we do more of this.
• I hope we do more of this.
• </c><00:35:23.359><c> on</c> of the House Standing Committee on of the House Standing Committee on Health

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• We ought to know what that is, um, but I, um, I certainly hope the committee understands that I, I, I
• I hope the committee knows that I, I try and own the stuff that I'm responsible for, and I, I did so
• Preliminary committee.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Klein and committee members. Thank you, Chair Klein and committee members.
• Chair and committee members.
• </c><00:12:28.519><c> Mr</c> forward welcome back to the committee Mr forward welcome back to the committee
• </c><00:16:13.079><c> please</c> oh welcome to the committee please oh welcome to the committee please

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything, Senator Miller, do you want to report position or um if the I—I just hope the committee understands
• Anything, Senator Miller, do you want to report position or um if the I—I just hope the committee understands
• I hope that the sense of the committee is things aren't as good as we wish.
• I hope that the sense of the committee is things aren't as good as we wish.
• I hope that the sense of the<01:58:16.320><c> committee</c><01:58:16.560><c> is</c><01:58:17.040><c>

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Still, he found it difficult to hold on to hope. Still, he found it difficult to hold on to hope.
• And thank you to the joint committee for convening today.
• And we also hope to invest in youth.
• For the families in our communities, it is hope.
• You can email it to the committee, and we can make sure it gets distributed to members of both committees

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the title of this committee is the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, I view
• It has been 19 years since I last sat before the members of this committee.
• First Senator, thank you for the time yesterday and I hope, I think it was Graham, I hope Graham had
• I hope that we will learn some some lessons.
• And I hope you can just answer really quickly a yes or no.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth

Summary: The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just thought Missouri is a great place for hope.
• This should be a state where people can come and find hope.
• There is a lot more hope that comes with having a name. There's a lot more hope that comes with...
• Members of the Tourism Committee, I've not been a part of this committee or even sat in, so this is kind
• Any other questions from the committee?

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• You're sworn, and you're recognized to address the committee.
• We'd appreciate your sharing with the committee some... ...to address the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Gates and members of the committee.
• Where I currently serve on FAU's Governance Committee as chair and the Committee for Strategic Planning
• You also mentioned that when Hope Florida was confronted with adverse information, When Hope Florida

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members of the committee.
• Hope is not adequate public safety.
• Chair and committee members.
• Vice Chair and committee members.
• Good morning, members of the committee.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety and privacy bills, with extensive testimony on each. AB 1872 by Assembly Member Ta would make repeat swatting a wobbler and require offenders to compensate victims for property damage. Supporters, including civil liberties, sheriff, and district attorney representatives, said swatting is a serious and growing threat to first responders, schools, and public officials. Opponents argued existing law already covers false emergency reports and warned the bill could worsen penalties for people with mental illness. The committee approved the bill on a do pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1727, also by Assembly Member Ta, would make it a misdemeanor to transfer or sell a person’s genetic data without consent. Supporters framed the bill as a needed privacy protection in light of advances in genetic technology and AI, citing examples such as HeLa cells and concerns about unauthorized DNA collection. Opponents, including ACLU Cal Action, said civil penalties already exist under current law and objected to creating a new carceral offense for nonviolent conduct. The committee accepted amendments and moved the bill forward as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. The committee then took up AB 1782 by Assembly Member DeMaio, which would lower the threshold for retaining certain offenders with mental health disorders in state hospital custody and broaden the conduct considered in dangerousness determinations. Supporters said the bill responds to a recent release case and would help prevent dangerous releases; opponents, including disability rights and public defender groups, said it would weaken due process and expand involuntary confinement. The chair recommended a no vote, and the bill remained on call after a split roll. AB 1632 by Assembly Member Johnson, which removes the notarization requirement for trespass authorization letters, passed as amended despite opposition from homelessness advocates and public defenders who said it could increase arrests of unhoused people; supporters said it would reduce bureaucracy and help property owners and police respond to trespassing. The committee also heard AB 1968 by Assembly Member Gallagher, which would add conspiracy to commit murder to the list of offenses eligible for heightened juvenile court handling; supporters cited a foiled school attack in Tehama County, while opponents warned of overbroad punishment and racial disparities. The bill was discussed but not yet voted on in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope, I hope the Pope is listening and he does do the read up, and we should all be part of the
• Committee**.
• Committee, then to the **Senate Finance Committee**. That's **Senate Bill 158**.
• President, we hope you join too.
• the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee staff.
• If determined to be germane, the committee report will indicate the committee or committees' referrals
• If the standing committee passes the committee substitute, the committee process and committee report
• If the standing committee passes the committee substitute, the committee process and committee report
• Bill 264 from the Rules Committee, and then refer it to first, the Senate Committees Committee, second

Summary: The Senate convened for an Indian Day/Native American Day session featuring prayers, drum and color guard presentations, and extensive recognition of tribal leaders, students, royalty, and community advocates from across New Mexico and neighboring tribal nations. Senators used the morning to introduce guests and speak about Native sovereignty, language preservation, education, water access, economic development, and the importance of tribal-state relationships. Several speakers highlighted personal and family ties to Native communities, while others emphasized ongoing work on issues such as clean water for Navajo communities, Native youth leadership, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives. A major non-ceremonial item was the reading of Senate Executive Messages from the governor authorizing consideration of Senate Bills 306, 309, 312, and 313. Those bills would, respectively, change licensure rules for certain institutions, alter lottery tuition fund deposit requirements, and repeal or revise provisions related to safety helmets and child restraint devices in negligence and damages law. The Senate also received committee reports advancing House Bill 34, Senate Bills 204, 241, 77, 152, 190, and 143, along with confirmations for Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera to the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents. The Rules Committee also reported on the governor’s appointment of Don Walters as child advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing February 6, 2026, as New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day, with Senator Pope speaking in support of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Throughout the session, members repeatedly acknowledged the prior night’s Senate-House basketball game, which raised more than $26,000 for cancer, and used the occasion to thank participants and guests. No roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript beyond voice votes adopting the committee reports and the unanimous-consent actions on floor procedures and guest access.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for Larry, on this committee.
• </c><00:34:55.119><c> has</c> we'll make sure this committee has we'll make sure this committee has &
• </c> accountability portion, I really hope accountability portion, I really hope that<00:37:35.119><c
• I know a lot of this stuff, but I hope my colleagues on the committee will share with their colleagues
• my colleagues on the stuff, but I hope my colleagues on the committee<01:30:39.920><c> uh</c><01:30:

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met in September 2025, established a quorum, introduced new member Larry Forester, and approved the minutes from the August 26 meeting. The main presentation came from Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Johnson, who discussed the district’s work serving English language learners and multilingual students, including immigrant and refugee families. They said Warren County now serves roughly 5,500 multilingual students out of about 19,000 total, representing about 92 languages and 90 countries, with 57 certified multilingual teachers, a GO Center, migrant and refugee advocates, and the state’s first international high school. The presenters emphasized that the district welcomes immigrant families and that students and parents generally value public education, but they described major challenges tied to accountability and funding. They explained that multilingual students are tested after one year in the system, even though many need more time to become proficient in English and grade-level standards, and they argued that current graduation-rate rules can unfairly penalize schools when transient students enroll briefly and then leave. They also said the cost of serving this population has risen sharply, with special revenue and especially general-fund spending increasing substantially over the past decade, prompting the district to reallocate resources from EL teacher assistants toward translation technology and additional certified staff. Committee members asked questions about how long-term multilingual students compare with the general student body and whether the district’s data show similar graduation outcomes. Clayton said he did not have the specific comparison data at hand but believed students who stay K-12 generally reach proficiency. He and Johnson asked legislators to consider giving students more time before accountability measures apply and to shift some graduation accountability from individual schools to the district level for highly transient populations, while still maintaining accountability. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and leave it to conference committee and leave it to conference committee hoping<00:39:42.640><c
• </c> to standing committee report 2022. to standing committee report 2022.
• </c> Standing committee report 2031. Standing committee report 2031.
• Standing Committee Report 2035. Standing Committee Report 2039.
• I understand that this may go into conference committee and there may be more fine-tuning, and I hope

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope that you see that from our team.
• And I hope...
• And I'm hoping that, um, uh... ...and I'm hoping that Mr. To be here has more... Thank you.
• You know, we’re a Bagley-Keene committee.
• We largely echo the staff and committee concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hopeful that this committee and the information that we have gotten disseminate here will allow us
• It is my belief that individuals who serve at CDECR are, I hope, who serve at CDECR are, I hope, working
• And while it is not delivering results in the short term that folks had hoped for, there is still hope
• And while it is not delivering results in the short term that folks had hoped for, there is still hope
• Chair, and the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a question for the committee.
• </c><00:24:43.520><c> Um</c> that in this committee last year. Um that in this committee last year.
• My name is Jenna Bkosski and committee.
• Uh, next up, welcome to the committee.
• So I hope if nothing very very helpful.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.
• When federal funding disappears, their lives pause and hope stalls.
• So I just ask, Madam Chair and members of the committee, let's protect science and hope.
• This committee is now adjourned. committee and members. Please don't forget to sign the boards.
• This committee is now adjourned.

Bills: SB6321 , SGA9245 , SGA9247 , SGA9250 , SGA9252 , SGA9253 , SGA9254 , SGA9259 , SGA9260 , SGA9261 , SGA9262

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the committee.
• </c> for holding this hearing and I hope for holding this hearing and I hope everyone<00:04:40.440><c
• I was actually hoping actually good.
• And I come founder of Hear for Hope.
• </c><00:32:16.520><c> you</c> you for hearing this bill and hope you you for hearing this bill and hope

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and members of the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee.
• And I hope we're right. I hope this is a great. Bill. Like I said, I'm all for it.
• This is our hope.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:46.159><c> are</c> And I know um the money committees are And I know um the money committees
• I hope so. Okay.
• Uh, what we can do is propose a CD1 with the amount reflected and hope that we can get the money committees
• again that the money committees can find funding for this.
• </c> and hope again that the money committees and hope again that the money committees can<00:10:46.240