Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires DCF and each community-based care lead agency to coordinate with organizations that
• The bill requires DCF and CBC lead agencies to regularly meet with such organizations and publish the
• The bill requires DCF and CBC lead agencies to regularly meet with such organizations and publish the
• Tirelessly advocating for our needs and communicating our feelings, just for it to lead to no change,
• This bill makes sure youth aren't just invited to the conversation, but that our input leads to real

Bills: S0996 , S1022 , S1462 , S1690

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs heard and advanced four bills. CS/SB 1690, on early childhood education, was amended with a delete-all amendment that required public posting of child care inspection reports and data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse; changed certain notice and insurance provisions for family and large family child care homes; created the Florida Endowment for Early Learning; and made related definitional changes. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported the bill favorably. SB 1022, on children’s initiatives, would add two new Florida Children’s Initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County; the sponsor described the program as a community-based service network model, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. SB 996, on dependent children, would require DCF and community-based care lead agencies to coordinate and regularly meet with organizations focused on people with lived experience in the child welfare system, and to publish how suggestions are implemented. Several young adults with foster care experience testified in support, emphasizing the importance of youth voice, normalcy, and teaching financial responsibility through allowance. The bill was reported favorably after supportive debate. The committee also considered CS/SB 1462, on temporary cash assistance eligibility, after adopting an amendment that narrowed a SNAP eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the bill was intended to remove barriers to reunification and redemption. After supportive testimony and no opposition, the committee reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• physical job, as you know, I think this bill is going to be impactful to the members that we are here to lead
• , that Florida will lead on this measure.
• And we just really want to say thank you for To lead that Florida will lead on this measure and we just
• But they suppress a lot, and there's a lot that ends up leading down, and certainly to us, as their children
• Alvarez, Chairman Alvarez, leading the charge here and bringing Rhett Booth along for the ride and in

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered only one bill, C.S. for House Bill 929, relating to firefighter health and safety. The bill sponsor explained that it would strengthen firefighter workplace safety and mental health supports by requiring reporting of firefighter suicides, directing the Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal to establish mental health best practices, requiring notice about potential chemical hazards in protective gear, and encouraging work schedules not exceeding 42 hours per week. Florida Professional Firefighters testified in support, tying the bill to prior cancer and PTSD legislation and emphasizing the need for prevention and best practices. Members from both parties spoke strongly in favor of the bill, describing firefighters as heroes and highlighting the mental health toll of the job, toxic gear concerns, and the importance of support for firefighters and their families. Several members noted personal connections to firefighting or experiences with firefighters in emergencies. The chair also stressed concern about rising firefighter suicides and the trauma first responders face. No amendments were offered. The committee then voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. Afterward, the chair briefly discussed broader budget conference issues, including agency vacancies, salary information, and ongoing talks with agencies before conference, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we give thanks for the opportunity to serve, for the patience to listen, for the courage to lead
• Assembly members of Boer will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Luis is a community builder and proud Navy veteran who leads with heart, purpose, and a deep belief in
• And so I want to thank my colleague for leading us today and reminding us how important this is.
• The Alzheimer's Association is a leading advocate for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several Senate bills, notices for committee hearings, and a successful motion to suspend rules so ACA 20 could be taken up later in the week. The chamber also recognized former Assembly Member Christina Garcia and later moved into a Pride Month observance. The main ceremonial item was House Resolution 115 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward opened on the resolution, and multiple members from different caucuses spoke in support, highlighting Pride history, LGBTQ+ rights, and the contributions of LGBTQ Californians. Assembly Member DeMaio offered supportive remarks while noting policy differences, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 53 co-authors were added. The Assembly then held a Pride honoree ceremony recognizing 15 individuals and groups for contributions to the LGBTQ community. On the floor file, members also adopted several resolutions by voice vote after adding co-authors: ACR 187 on Men’s Mental Health Month, ACR 157 marking the 50th anniversary of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, ACR 222 declaring Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month, and ACR 224 recognizing Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day. Each drew personal testimony from members about the underlying issues, including suicide prevention, caregiving and dementia, mining reclamation, and harms to youth from social media. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 46 on mental health diversion by a 51-1 vote, and later adopted the consent calendar 66-0. The House adjourned until June 25, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program recognizes women ages 60 and older who volunteer, lead, and commit to having helped honor
• when the mainstream movement tried to keep them in the shadows, Black queer people found a way to lead
• , to love, ...shadows, Black queer people found a way to lead, to love, to organize.
• You can see she breaks barriers and she leads by example.
• And to the senators from the LGBTQ caucus, thank you for leading a beautiful celebration for Pride on

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we will now hear from lead witnesses in opposition. Two minutes each.
• I don't believe we have lead witnesses in opposition.
• Do we have lead witnesses in opposition or just add-ons? I'm sorry.
• Members in opposition are lead witnesses in opposition.
• Lead opposition, please come forward. Two minutes.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• Oversight authority by defining and empowering a lead organization and assuming the authority to oversee
• Again, the current structure is a co-lead between Washington State Broadband Office and the Office of
• The work with the forum leads to recommendations that are provided to the legislature.
• Additionally, the contracts did not outline duties of Commerce, lead grantees, or subgrantees.
• For example, the 2023-2025 contracts required lead grantees to, quote, manage subgrantees, yet provided

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard three State Auditor’s Office performance audits: implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act, Washington’s digital equity planning, and the Department of Commerce’s Digital Navigator Program. In the law enforcement training audit, the State Auditor found the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training content but had not developed all required topics, lacked a systematic project management approach, and had weak tools to ensure participation and compliance. Auditors said most officers had not completed the required 40 hours, patrol tactics training was a major bottleneck, and the Commission’s reporting did not clearly show statewide compliance. The Commission said it generally agreed with the recommendations and had begun implementing some changes. Committee members raised concerns about staffing, liability, incentives, and whether the law had enough enforcement “teeth.” In the digital equity audit, auditors said Washington lacked a comprehensive, unified statewide plan, a designated leader, and reliable funding for digital equity efforts. They said existing plans were fragmented, with the NTIA-approved plan the most complete but no longer fully funded after federal changes. The State Auditor recommended the legislature establish oversight authority and require a lead organization to coordinate and evaluate statewide digital equity efforts and develop a unified plan. The Department of Commerce and Office of Equity agreed with the need for clearer leadership and coordination, and a public witness described ongoing coalition and local planning work. Committee members asked about best practices from other states and whether the auditor could provide additional research on coordination models. In the Digital Navigator Program audit, the State Auditor concluded Commerce did not consistently follow core grant-management practices, including competitive award processes, vetting of grantees, clear contracts, performance monitoring, and reimbursement controls. Auditors said Commerce expanded grants without a new competition, lacked adequate documentation and reporting, and paid out millions without sufficient support; they also cited management decisions that overrode staff concerns. Commerce said it had already begun major contract-management reforms, created a new contracts and compliance structure, and was working on risk assessments, documentation standards, and staff training. Members pressed Commerce on accountability, possible recoupment of improper payments, ethics issues, and whether the agency had clear performance metrics for the program. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• internet, but in today's climate and retaliatory politics, releasing such personal information could lead
• Okay, and the two lead witnesses will each have two minutes.
• And the two lead witnesses will each have two minutes. Good morning, Mr. Chair and members.
• While I don't believe that SB 1310 in its current form will lead to such an unfair cancellation, I've
• Our two lead witnesses will each have two minutes. Great.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 would require lobbyists to file employment changes, terminations, and amendments directly with the Secretary of State through the Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through their employer or firm, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining that the notice is not itself a petition. Both bills drew support from the Secretary of State’s office and election officials, with no opposition heard in committee. The committee also heard SB 1369, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, said the measure would protect judicial independence and safety amid what they described as politically motivated recall campaigns; one member raised concerns about treating judges differently from other officials. SB 1414 would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County, modeled on other California jurisdictions, to draw supervisorial districts through a more transparent process. It had support from good-government groups and only limited concerns from the county, which said it wanted further amendments. The committee then heard SB 970, which would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, with the author saying California should modernize as fax service declines and mail service becomes less reliable. County election officials and veterans’ groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting-security advocates opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not currently feasible and could conflict with existing law. SB 1420 would expand voter education and guidance around “sign, scan, and go” voting, which lets voters cast a vote-by-mail ballot in person at a voting site; supporters said it can speed processing and improve voter convenience, while the Secretary of State’s office sought more clarity on double-voting safeguards. SB 1310 would allow limited information from jury questionnaires to be shared with election officials to help identify possible voter-registration issues, but opponents warned it could lead to wrongful purges and harm eligible voters. All bills were voted out of committee, with SB 1175 and SB 1357 receiving unanimous support, SB 1369 and SB 1414 passing on 4-1 votes, and SB 970, SB 1420, and SB 1310 passing unanimously or near-unanimously after absent members were added on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• internet, but in today's climate and retaliatory politics, releasing such personal information could lead
• Okay, and the two lead witnesses will each have two minutes.
• And the two lead witnesses will each have two minutes. Good morning, Mr. Chair and members.
• While I don't believe that SB 1310 in its current form will lead to such an unfair cancellation, I've
• Our two lead witnesses will each have two minutes. Great. Thank you, Chair Wiener.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jake Douglas, Quantum Business Development Lead at Sandia National Laboratories, and Megan Ivory,
• My name is Jake Douglas, and I serve as the Quantum Business Development Lead at Sandia.
• We've been leading for decades, as Dr. Ivory mentioned.
• And so if we can lead in that area, bring the experts to New Mexico, and invent the things here, then
• And so together we help lead the TRIGGER program, the Technology Readiness Initiative.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And now, with the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure law, we're also funding lead service line
• One other question: You see that the lead service line replacement is for community water systems.
• It concerns me because, as we all know, lead is a major factor in really older pipelines.
• We did receive 28 million last year for the lead service line funding.
• I'm sure you're all aware of the lead copper rule that's going around.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And as many of you know, California is home to a growing and leading alternative protein sector, from
• We have three panels of speakers leading in the innovative work of alternative protein.
• At the same time, it leads to pollution of our water supplies.
• Antimicrobial resistance is already leading to the deaths of millions of individuals around the world
• Beyond Meat is the leading and largest plant-based meat company in the world.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair opened by noting California’s $5 million public investment in UC research in 2022 and framed the hearing around three panels: the climate, environmental, and security potential of alternative proteins; industry scaling and commercialization; and university-led research and workforce development. Members emphasized that the committee will continue with site visits and additional hearings across the state. The first panel focused on the case for alternative proteins as a climate, land, water, biodiversity, and food-security solution. Shana Fertig of the Good Food Institute argued that plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use while helping California meet its climate and conservation goals. Zane Swanson of CSIS added that alternative proteins could reduce risks tied to zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, supply-chain disruption, and broader national security concerns. In questions, members discussed the role of pharmaceuticals in animal agriculture and how alternative proteins might complement, rather than replace, traditional farming by creating new markets for California crops and helping farmers diversify. The second panel featured industry leaders Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat, Myra Passick of Upside Foods, and Arye Elfenbein of Wildtype. Brown highlighted plant-based meat’s health and climate benefits, criticized misinformation campaigns against the sector, and urged better labeling, reduced subsidies for factory farming, and more plant-based food in public institutions. Passick described cultivated meat as a scalable food-production technology, said Upside Foods has already produced millions of pounds annually at its Emeryville facility, and asked for grants, low-interest loans, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or similar revenue programs. Elfenbein described cultivated seafood as a way to address overfishing, contamination, traceability problems, and the heavy import dependence of the U.S. seafood supply, while also noting conservation benefits and the need for California to remain a hub for the industry. The final panel centered on research and workforce development. UCLA’s Amy Rowat described state-funded work on technical bottlenecks such as growing fat cells and creating edible scaffolds, along with a Future Food Fellows program that trains students across science, engineering, law, and policy. UC Santa Cruz economist Galina Hale argued that alternative proteins are necessary to meet future protein demand while reducing food-system emissions, and said California must support the sector through grants, loans, procurement, and research centers to avoid losing leadership to other states and countries. The hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses, noting that all materials would be posted online, and saying the committee would continue building policy and budget proposals to support the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• bring a bill to ensure that that 2022 investment is used more effectively and efficiently by our leading
• these and other fields, House File 2561 ensures Minnesota has a homegrown talent pipeline ready to lead
• I also included for you a copy of the conversation that Senator Umu Verbatim has been leading in the
• My name is Zach Hubert, and I lead Corporate Development at Minnesota-based Puris, which was founded
• Puris is the leading ingredient supplier for plant-based products and the largest operating processor

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The FDA is now under President Donald Trump's control and should be the lead for nationwide food product
• For me, you know, I always think that Florida needs to lead.
• But I think that we've never been afraid to lead in Florida.
• The other thing is it can lead... Uh, the risks of allowing equipment modifications are serious.
• The other thing is it can lead to costly repair bills and voided warranties.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and first heard SB 1826 by Senator Martin, which would restrict ultra-processed foods served to public school students during the school day. Senator Martin said the bill is aimed only at government-purchased food in public schools, not parents’ lunches or after-school sales, and argued it is intended to protect children’s health and school performance. Members questioned the bill’s definition of ultra-processed food, its scope during the school day, and possible cost and compliance issues. Senator Rouson offered a friendly amendment extending the compliance date from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026, and the committee adopted it. Several industry groups and associations spoke against the bill, citing lack of a clear definition, FDA preemption concerns, costs, and the risk of a state-by-state patchwork; Moms for Liberty waived in support. Senator Martin then temporarily postponed the bill for further work. The committee next took up CS for SB 1132 by Senator Truenow on consumers’ right to repair certain equipment, including agricultural equipment and portable digital devices. An amendment by Senator Boyd was adopted to exclude security and life-safety systems and remove automobile-related provisions. Public testimony included opposition from TechNet, which said the bill is unnecessary because repair parts, tools, and manuals are already available and asked for changes to make the bill prospective and remove the private right of action. Agricultural equipment dealers and manufacturers testified against the bill, arguing that current repair resources and a memorandum of understanding with the Farm Bureau already address repair access, while warning that the bill could undermine dealer margins, parts inventory, training programs, safety, cybersecurity, and emissions compliance. Some members supported the concept but noted the bill still needed work. The committee voted 4-0 to report CS for SB 1132 favorably. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Florida 4-H youth leaders on the organization’s impact and goals. The presenters described 4-H’s role in leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, highlighted statewide participation and camp programs, and asked for continued support for camp improvements, especially the Camp Cherry Lake revitalization effort. Senators praised the students’ presentations and the value of 4-H before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want Texas to lead in this, to lead in the digital...
• to deficits, it leads to inflation.
• It leads to debt, and it leads to a declining economy and a weaker dollar.
• I think Texas should lead on this.
• Because we wanted Texas to lead.

Bills: SJR34 , SB10 , SB18 , SB19 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB480 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB767 , SB790

Transcript Highlights:

• It leads to a loss of quality of life and independent function that places an immense burden on families
• I'm proud to champion the effort to give Texas the tools to lead the charge against these devastating
• That will lead to ways to spend money on prevention.
• This growth presents a pressing need for nation-leading neurologic care and treatments today. ...for
• But that is what this type of innovative research can address, which also leads to prevention.

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , SB 5 , SJR 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Which designates the flood hub has lead institution for coordinating research on flooding and sea level
• There are unpredictable consequences, altering weather patterns that can lead to harmful effects.
• The certification listed lead does not have a resilient distinction.
• In fact, the upcoming release of lead, which is of the 5, will acknowledge resilience.
• They're typically caused by those environmental factors, the lead to other conditions that expand on

Transcript Highlights:

• LLS is leading or collaborating with great patient advocacy group partners on a package of medical debt
• Just three days before I turned 18, I injured my foot, leading to extensive treatment and a flood of
• You can lead the nation in proving that health care is about healing people and not about maximizing
• But Massachusetts has the ability to lead the way to find the solution.
• It leads to less morbidity and mortality risk.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• The lead author on that bill is Senator Port, who is on her way, and I am a co-author on that bill.
• Um, and with that, I will hand it over to our lead, Senator Dornink.
• ,</c><00:01:11.200><c> um,</c> will hand it over to our lead, um, will hand it over to our lead, um,
• the lead 2775, a bill that is uh lead the lead author<00:02:01.520><c> is</c><00:02:02.079><c> uh</c
• Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:38.880><c> Paul</c> and I am the group lead for the St.
• Paul and I am the group lead for the St.
• And the fact of the matter is this leads to death.
• Lead more? Chair Bliss. I'm going to say something to say. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Lead<00:43:16.160><c> more?</c> Lead more? Lead more? Chair<00:43:17.960><c> Bliss.

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• He goes on to say lead suggestions, which will be valuable to the committee to review further.
• This leads to inconsistent citation.
• They lead to inconsistent citations.
• </c><00:45:17.000><c> to</c><00:45:17.319><c> inconsistent</c> they lead to inconsistent they lead to
• </c> as a staff leaving a classroom will lead as a staff leaving a classroom will lead to<00:47:57.160

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy