Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time. Thank you. Mr.
• Thank you for the time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Senator Duhigg for a second time now. With some amendments, we have some times. Thank you, Mr.
• It's an audible at all times.

Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 35, which would create one additional judgeship in the First Judicial District. Senator Trujillo and Chief Judge Bichai explained that the position had been approved through the judiciary’s unified budget process based on caseload and weighted-caseload needs. Members asked about how the new judge would be appointed, election timing, and courthouse space; the judge said the district would make room temporarily and that technology had helped with courtroom efficiency. One member of the public testified in opposition, alleging questionable case-assignment practices in the district court. The committee then voted do pass on SB 35 to the Finance Committee without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 17, the Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act, with extensive testimony on both sides. Supporters, including the sponsors, gun-violence survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement, city representatives, educators, and advocacy groups, argued that the bill would address a retail-to-criminal pipeline by requiring gun dealers to secure inventory, train employees, track sales, report suspicious activity, and restrict future sales of certain military-style firearms and large-capacity magazines. They cited gun violence statistics, local homicides, and the impact on children and schools. Opponents, including NRA and industry representatives, sheriffs, ranchers, dealers, and other citizens, argued the bill would violate the Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments, create a de facto registry, impose costly burdens on lawful businesses, and fail to stop criminals. Several opponents also raised concerns about litigation costs and the effect on rural gun owners. Committee members then questioned the sponsors and debated the bill’s definitions, recordkeeping, confidentiality, and dealer requirements. Senator Duhigg offered and the committee adopted several amendments, including removing narrow loss-language tied to fire/theft/flood, changing backup timing language back to the federal standard, and revising the confidentiality/IPRA language to protect names and personal identifying information of transferees. The sponsors said the bill was intended to align with or build on federal standards in some areas while adding state-level dealer oversight. The chair allowed extended amendment discussion and indicated the committee would continue working through the substitute bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen this time and time again.
• Instead, don't wait to file.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a series of bills, many dealing with cryptocurrency and tax administration. SB 1042 would allow certain state retirement and treasury funds to invest up to 10% in virtual currency; SB 1043 would let state agencies accept cryptocurrency payments; SB 1044 and SCR 1003 would exempt virtual currency from property tax, with SB 1044 contingent on voter approval of the referral. All four measures advanced on 4-3 votes, with Democratic members largely opposing them as risky, speculative, and favoring wealthy crypto interests. The committee also considered SB 1221, which would require the Department of Revenue to notify legislative tax chairs before adopting a new tax interpretation or application that would adversely affect taxpayers and to testify if a hearing is held. Supporters framed it as transparency and good governance, while opponents worried about added red tape and administrative burden. The bill passed 4-3. Another major item, SB 1142, would opt Arizona into a new federal scholarship tax credit program administered through certified scholarship-granting organizations; supporters said it would expand scholarship opportunities for public, charter, private, and homeschool students, while opponents argued it would deepen inequities, lack accountability, and divert resources from public schools. That bill also passed 4-3. A lengthy discussion followed on the Department of Revenue’s press release about tax conformity and the governor’s executive order. DOR explained that the forms were issued assuming conformity with federal changes, including the standard deduction and certain below-the-line adjustments, and said taxpayers generally should file on time but may need amended returns if the Legislature later changes the law. Members pressed DOR on the cost and clarity of the guidance, with estimates that widespread amendments could cost the department about $20 million. Finally, the committee heard SB 1254, which would require both grantor and grantee signatures on real property conveyances before recording; county assessors said it would reduce deed-fraud risk and fix recording gaps. County officials from Maricopa and Mohave supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> just waiting on WAM uh release. just waiting on WAM uh release.
• </c><00:07:59.840><c> equivalent</c> fill up to three full-time equivalent fill up to three full-time
• On behalf of the Senate, myself as chair, co-chairs Lee and Moriarty Walkin', manager Favela. time time
• Yes, same time. Same time, same bat station. All right, sounds good.
• Amen. time. Same time, same bat station. All time. Same time, same bat station.

Bills: SB2057 , SB2109 , SB2400 , HB1752 , SB2599 , SB2930

Transcript Highlights:

• on the wait list.
• the youth were on the wait list at that time.
• Wait, wait, wait. Let's pause right there real quick.
• Wait, wait, wait. So, I want to stop you there. Sure. But I think that's one of the problems.
• We've seen this time and time again.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are no further— >> Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. >> Speaker, I'm...
• If there are no further &gt;&gt; Wait,<01:01:49.040><c> wait,</c><01:01:49.200><c> wait,</c><01:01:49.359
• ><c> wait,</c><01:01:49.520><c> wait.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. &gt;&gt; Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
• </c> took the time to respond to our efforts. took the time to respond to our efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:13.759><c> list</c> applicant's position on the waiting list applicant's position on the waiting
• </c> homelands she then got on the waiting homelands she then got on the waiting list<00:16:06.560><c
• Not at this time. I think what we end up with 99% of the time is junk, right?
• </c><00:23:46.880><c> and</c> time is junk right so we just wait and time is junk right so we just wait
• , though they need to be full-time at the time they're getting the voucher.

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, we're going to go ahead and move on to agenda item number one.
• So for that, we're going to have to wait for a couple of minutes until we have quorum.
• So for that, we're going to have to wait for a couple of minutes until we have quorum.
• So let the public know that we're waiting until 9:41.
• So let the public know that we're waiting until 9:41. Yes, on time. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• Always we're still struggling over time.
• It is time for change.
• It is time for change.
• It is time for change.
• It is time for change.

Transcript Highlights:

• But what I will never forget are the children who didn't wait for us to do that. Kids don't wait.
• It's unprecedented times for us as well. L.A.
• We’ve seen what happened during that time.
• , all the time.
• At a time when child care is being used as political leverage, we believe California and At a time when

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now. Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color. Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility. During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The time off could be staggered.
• I had a lot of time. I had a lot of time.
• They don't have to wait for a letter or they don't have to wait for any extended days to get a response
• for get a letter or they don't have to wait for any extended days to get don't have to wait for get
• There could be times where we're waiting on the medical provider to provide something, we're waiting

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration held an informational hearing on whether the Employment Development Department is ready for the next recession, with a focus on EDD Next, the department’s long-running technology modernization effort. The Legislative Analyst’s Office reviewed EDD’s major benefit programs, the history of prior modernization attempts, the current Integrated Claims Management System work, and the department’s remaining risks, including continued reliance on a COBOL-era mainframe and the challenge of adapting quickly to future federal or state policy changes during a downturn. The LAO also explained that most pandemic-era fraud was tied to temporary federal unemployment programs rather than California’s core UI system, and that the state’s UI loan repayment is not largely attributable to fraud. Members raised concerns about the cost of repeated modernization efforts, paper versus online claims, appeal overturn rates, WARN notices, and legislative oversight of the project. EDD’s panel said the department has made substantial customer-service and processing improvements, including online self-service tools, improved call center features, identity verification, fraud controls, language access upgrades, and a new document management system. Officials reported that as of early 2026, about 83% to 85% of claims across programs were being processed timely within two weeks, and said paid family leave delays in 2024 were tied to the transition into the disability insurance online platform and seasonal workload patterns. They also said EDD is working with the Department of Technology on EDD Next and that the project will proceed in phases, with paid family leave and disability insurance first and unemployment insurance later. Members pressed EDD on persistent paid family leave backlogs, the share of paper applications, response times for constituents, and whether the department tracks long-running cases and WARN notice trends. EDD said its service standard is generally immediate response through phone, chat, or callback tools, while more complex cases can take longer because the department may be waiting on claimants or medical providers. The department also said it tracks call outcomes and outstanding cases, and that it can provide additional data on WARN notices. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with plans to continue discussing EDD Next and paid family leave at a later March 10 budget hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be able to start as a subcommittee while we wait to establish quorum and while we wait to have
• Most of the time, no one knows for sure.
• So we have worked in this building for a very long time.
• I've been with the association for a very long time.
• Premiums by 6.2% during that same time period.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are the man of the hour, the man we've all been waiting for.
• Assemblywoman Irwin has been on this committee for a long time, right?
• And so I think you started with Speaker Doris Allen a long time ago.
• Okay, we will wait for Assembly Member Gonzalez, but otherwise, this is it.
• So thank you so much, members, for being here on time.

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• And so 277 of them were referred during this time period.
• And so 277 of them were referred during this time period.
• And you may, I'm sorry, one-time funding. I apologize. One-time funding for that.
• Is there a waiting list? I thought it was 225, but it's a substantial waiting list.
• Do you, are you waiting for some yet? Okay.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met to consider three measures, beginning with Senate Bill 2016 for Job Service. Testimony described Job Service’s workforce, unemployment insurance, and labor market functions, its long-term reduction in FTEs and budget, and its reliance on federal funding that does not keep pace with inflation. The bill included funding for an additional FTE for the H-2A housing inspection program, continued support for the JP3 offender placement pilot, and one-time funding for IT and mainframe costs tied to a system modernization effort. The committee approved the bill 20-0, with Representative Swiontek named as carrier. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2305, which would allow family members to be paid as caregivers for certain young people with disabilities instead of only licensed outside providers. Members noted the specialized, 24-hour nature of the care, workforce shortages, waiting lists, and the potential to avoid more expensive institutional care. Questions focused on how the program would be structured, including certification requirements and whether it would remain a pilot or become part of the broader human services budget. The committee passed the bill 20-0, with Representative Roar as carrier and Representative Nelson available as backup. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2024 for the Department of Environmental Quality. The House change was limited to increased special-fund support for water and wastewater operator certification testing to expand availability, while the Senate version already included added FTEs for emerging contaminants and fuel inspection work. Members discussed federal funding uncertainty, including IIJA and ARPA-related concerns, but the department said its major projects, including the new laboratory, were not currently in jeopardy. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 22-0, with Representative Berg as carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a concern if a polling place is having what the chair said, a three-hour wait time to obtain
• Yes, we have received complaints about locations where there are long wait times.
• </c><01:37:41.280><c> Um</c><01:37:41.679><c> in</c><01:37:41.920><c> the</c> there are long wait times
• Um in the there are long wait times.
• Register, are you still waiting for more time or? Uh, yes, sir. If I could have— That's right.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is the time.
• That has really strained our staffing capacity, and so we do experience residents experiencing wait times
• </c><00:30:59.279><c> times</c><00:30:59.559><c> for</c> seeing longer and longer wait times for seeing
• longer and longer wait times for Social<00:31:00.039><c> Security</c><00:31:00.480><c> approvals</c>
• </c> and often that results in longer wait and often that results in longer wait times<01:20:42.600><

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I know many of us can remember this time.
• It's just now is not the right time.
• It's just now is not the right time.
• So that was the FY25 one-time appropriations.
• Half the time they didn't work, so it was time to replace that location, and we are under construction

Summary: The committee met for an oversight update on how one-time and recurring transportation-related appropriations are being implemented. Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Director Grayson Artees reviewed ARPA and PREP-funded airport and aerospace projects, including completed or nearing-completion work at Will Rogers, Woodward, Ardmore, Tulsa’s air traffic control tower, and multiple hangar, terminal, taxiway, utility, and UAS infrastructure projects statewide. He also discussed one-time FY25 and FY26 appropriations for airport development, the repurposing of an unneeded Lufthansa project allocation into other aerospace projects, and the department’s aerospace education grants, classroom labs, aircraft-build programs, and internship support. Members asked for lists of participating schools and for a clearer overall accounting of the funding; Artees said the department would provide those materials and estimated roughly $400 million has been invested in aerospace and defense since PREP and ARPA, with about $250 million directed to airport infrastructure. The committee then heard from ODOT Secretary Tim Gatz on the Retro Fund, lake and industrial access roads, ports of entry, and the PACT Fund. Gatz said Retro, created in statute and funded with $200 million in both 2024 and FY25, is helping accelerate rural high-impact road and bridge projects; he reported $249 million awarded so far, supporting about $1.4 billion in construction, with most projects expected to be awarded by September 2027. He also described lake and industrial access projects, including work at the Port of Inola, and updated members on ports of entry, internal way stations, and the replacement of the aging OkiPROS permitting system with ProMiles. On PACT, he said the county road and bridge allocations are being administered, but the Tax Commission’s role in distributing the county road share has created unnecessary bureaucracy; he urged a statutory fix so the money can go directly to counties. Members asked for lists of approved lake/recreational projects and for clarification on the Tax Commission issue; Gatz said ODOT would provide the project list and that he would welcome Tax Commission input on a legislative remedy. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the updates and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been waiting this a long time, waiting for a long time, long fight. Not just for our family.
• We've been waiting for a long time. Long fight. Not just for our family. That's the Greenlees.
• The time is not...
• So we take all the time we need, but thank you for taking the time to travel.
• Thank you for your time.

Bills: S0330 , S0474 , S0694 , S1120 , S1216 , S1366 , S1442 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: firefighter disability, law enforcement disability, correctional officer disability, correctional probation officer, presumptive disability, workers' compensation, line of duty presumption, heart disease presumption, hypertension presumption, tuberculosis presumption, public safety employees, first responders, physical examination, preemployment exam, medical specialist, Medicare reimbursement, employing agency, Florida Statutes 112.18, Florida Statutes 943.13, occupational disease

Transcript Highlights:

• waiting for them.
• Take your time. You're good.
• Jackson, he's talking, so we got to wait. Wait, wait. Let me just say that.
• I have been here many times; I know how many more times I have to come.
• Oh, wait, wait, wait. Hold up. Okay. Wait, wait, wait. All right, maybe we'll play it over here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Respectfully, I ask for an aye vote at the right time.
• In general, any construction sometimes they are waiting, waiting for the permit and the waiting period
• In general, any construction, sometimes they are waiting, waiting for the permit and the waiting period
• is, Sometimes they are waiting, waiting for the permit, and the waiting period is all cost to them.
• Second, it's the method and timing of case assignment.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a program that's meant to help address the really long employee parking waiting list.
• So, uh, and there's no place at that time.
• So, uh, and there's no place at that time. So I think it's kind of right now.
• Wait, wait, uh—[Music]—sorry. Same recommendation. We go ahead and thank you.
• </c><00:15:58.360><c> wait</c><00:15:58.759><c> uh</c> guys wait wait uh guys wait wait uh [Music] [Music

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The joint hearing of the Government Operations and Transportation, Culture and the Arts committees considered three bills. SB 1092 would establish a transportation demand management program for state employees, including a parking cash-out option. Testimony was largely in support, including from state planning, energy, labor, and several individuals, while committee members raised concerns about whether the program was mandatory and whether there was a full implementation plan. The bill’s proponents said it was voluntary and intended to reduce long parking waitlists by incentivizing employees to opt out of parking. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1092 be passed with amendments, and the measure was adopted in both committees. SB 1093 would create a parking demand management program and require DAGS to transition state employees from monthly parking to daily-rate parking. Testimony included strong opposition from most individuals and several agencies, with one supporter. A committee question focused on the loss of pre-tax payroll deductions under a daily-rate system, and the Deputy Attorney General explained that the current monthly arrangement allows deductions from gross pay, which would not work the same way with daily payments. Given the opposition and concerns, the committees recommended deferral indefinitely. SB 1121 would establish a procurement preference, beginning in 2027, for construction companies with electric vehicles. Testimony included comments from DAGS, the Department of Transportation, and others, with opposition noted from DOT. Committee members questioned charging infrastructure and battery disposal for electric vehicles used in construction. After discussion, the committees concluded it was in the best interest to defer the measure.