Video & Transcript : 'Ms. Mejia' :

Page 58 of 492
FL
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

May 13, 2025 - 02:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, before I turn it over to Ms.
  • And with that, Ms. Baker, welcome to our committee. Thank you.
  • Before I turn it over to Ms.
  • You're recognized, Ms. Baker. We haven't yet.
  • Good afternoon, Ms. Baker.
Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for a listening session focused on a presentation by Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research on local government revenues and expenditures. Baker reviewed statewide financial data for counties, municipalities, and independent special districts, using 2018-19 as a baseline year because it was stable and pre-COVID. She explained that counties rely heavily on taxes, with ad valorem taxes making up about 73% of county tax revenue and about 24% of total county revenues statewide, while municipalities rely more on charges for services and have a lower statewide ad valorem share of about 14.7%. She also noted wide variation across local governments, with some counties and cities highly dependent on property taxes and others using them minimally or not at all. Special districts were shown to be very different from counties and cities, with hospital-related revenues and expenditures dominating many of them, while water management districts were more reliant on ad valorem taxes and focused expenditures on the physical environment. Baker also summarized expenditure patterns: counties spent the largest share on public safety, while municipalities spent the largest share on general government services, followed by physical environment and public safety. She emphasized that local government structures vary widely and that the committee should study what characteristics are associated with greater property tax reliance. She said the next research steps would be to extend the analysis through later years, including the COVID and inflation period, and to examine institutional and legal factors that shape local fiscal structures. Members asked about unfunded mandates, fuel taxes, reserves, school taxes, millage rates, and how property taxes relate to specific services such as police and fire. Baker said the current analysis did not yet account for mandates or school taxes and that further work could examine links between revenues and expenditures, commercial versus residential tax burdens, and other factors. After the presentation, members reported back on local meetings with counties and municipalities. Several described large differences in millage rates, revenue mixes, and the impact of any property tax changes on fiscally constrained counties versus larger, wealthier ones. Concerns were raised about how local governments would replace lost revenue, especially for public safety and emergency response, and members discussed the need to consider both revenue replacement and ways to rein in spending. The co-chairs said the committee would continue gathering information, send members follow-up homework and requests for panel suggestions, and invite additional input from constituents, stakeholders, and local governments. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Apr 1st, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Ms. Baker.
  • We have, again, green cards and support we have at the table, Ms. Becknell and Ms. Garrison.
  • Libby-Soney with the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, and Ms.
  • Ms. Smith, whenever you're ready, we'll see. House Bill 996. Ms.
  • Thank you, Ms. Smith, Representative DeWitt. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Bills: HB4 , HB206 , HB244 , HB270 , HB361 , HB459 , HB486 , HB540 , HB615 , HB627 , HB648 , HB813 , HB996
Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs
Keywords: constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, legislative attendance, task force, executive meetings, public meetings, confirmation process, delegates, state election, ratification, Louisiana, absentee voting, incarcerated voters, voter registration, mail-in voting, election rights, felony conviction
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 16 Feb 17th, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ms. Howard of Lowell moves suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
  • Chair recognizes Ms. Howard of Lowell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chan of Quincy, Mr.
  • Wynn of Andover, Ms. Howard of Lowell, Ms. Oidohaven of Somerville, Ms. Anjolo of Newton, and Mr.
  • Ms. Anjolo of Newton and Mr.
  • Ms. Howard moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Ms. Dixon.
  • Ms.
  • Thank you, Ms. Krell.
  • Thank you, Ms. Patel.
  • Thank you, Ms. Wilson. Ms. Berman, you are recognized on the matter.
Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Ms. Dixon.
  • Thank you, Ms. Papan. Thank you, Ms. Papan.
  • Thank you, Ms. Krell.
  • Thank you, Ms. Patel.
  • Thank you, Ms. Wilson. Ms. Burner, you are recognized on the matter.
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Ms. our community. Mahalo. Thank you, Ms.
  • Welcome, Ms.
  • Thank you very much Ms. opportunity. Thank you very much Ms.
  • </c><01:16:47.200><c> Ms.</c> &gt;&gt; Thank you very much, Ms. Sites. Ms.
  • &gt;&gt; Thank you very much, Ms. Sites. Ms.
Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 83, which would require hotel keepers to give adequate notice of service disruptions to guests and third-party vendors. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but asked for amendments to restore remedies and add a nonwaiver provision, arguing that without penalties the measure would lack consequences and that consumers should not be able to waive the notice rights. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 5 and individual testifiers, said guests deserve transparency and meaningful recourse when disruptions occur, especially for labor disputes, construction, or other service interruptions that affect the experience they paid for. Hotel industry representatives, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, and hotel workers/testifiers, opposed the bill in its current form while offering amendments. They said the measure was too broad, difficult to implement, and could interfere with collective bargaining, third-party booking systems, and existing contracts. They also argued that some disruptions are not easily known in advance and that the bill unfairly singles out hotels compared with other industries. One testifier emphasized that notice should be required only for actual, known disruptions rather than potential events, and another raised concerns about applying the bill to properties not directly involved in a labor dispute. After the SB 83 testimony, the committee moved on to SB 2798, which would make permanent and expand statewide the agricultural enforcement pilot program created in 2025 and rename it the agricultural enforcement program. The chair introduced the measure and called on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity as the first testifier, but the transcript excerpt ends before testimony or any vote on SB 2798.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 64 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair recognizes Ms. Ramos of North Andover. Andover. Thank you, Mr.
  • Ms. Kilcoyne of Clinton moves to amend the bill in Section 12, in line 191. Ms.
  • Chair recognizes Ms. Kilcoyne of Clinton. Thank you, Mr.
  • Ms. Decker of Cambridge offers an amendment in the hands of the clerk.
  • Ms.
Summary: The House first took up several routine matters, adopting resolutions recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival and congratulating Father Gerald Francis Finnegan, S.J., on his long ministry. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition establishing a sick leave bank for a Massachusetts State Police employee to go to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then moved to Senate Bill 2543, An Act Strengthening Health Care Protections in the Commonwealth, and adopted the Ways and Means amendment before sending the bill to third reading. Later, after the bill was released from third reading, the House considered it on final passage. Supporters described the measure as protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care, patient data, providers, and Massachusetts residents from out-of-state interference, while also incorporating federal emergency care requirements. Amendment 4, which would have barred state funding for campaign ads discouraging pregnant women from using pregnancy resource centers, was rejected. Amendment 8, which would have broadened the bill to include refusals of care and other preventive care for adults and minors, was also rejected after opposition argued it could allow one parent to block care for a child. Amendment 6, as changed, narrowing certain data protections to abortion-related care, IVF, and gender-affirming care, was adopted. The House also adopted Amendment 7, clarifying that businesses handling information for payment, treatment, or health care operations would not violate the bill, and Amendment 9, directing the Commissioner of Public Health to convene a technical advisory group to review a section of the General Laws. After these amendments, the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 136-23. The House then observed a moment of silence for victims of the Gabriel House assisted living fire in Fall River and adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.
DE
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 37th Legislative Day Jun 17th, 2026

Delaware House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ms. Bolden. Present. Mr. Burns. Present. Mr. Bush. Ms. Bolden? Present. Mr. Burns. Present. Mr.
  • Ms. Harris. Ms. Heffernan. Absent. Mr. Hensley. Absent. Mr. Hilovsky. Mr. Lovsky. Mr. Heffernan.
  • Ms. Phillips. Present. Mr. Postles. Absent. Ms. Romer. Present. Ms. Ross-Levin. Present. Mr. Short.
Summary: The House received communications from the Senate announcing passage of several bills and resolutions and requesting concurrence on a number of measures, including Senate Bills 287, 326, 337, 264, 294, 217, 319, and House bills such as HB 131, 299, 291, 380, 323, 296, 339, and 308, along with House Concurrent Resolution 140. The chamber briefly adjourned and then reconvened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer focused on guidance, justice, Juneteenth, and voting rights. A major item of business was House Concurrent Resolution 155, recognizing the young men from across Delaware participating in the 2026 session of Delaware’s Boy State. Several Boy State delegates were introduced and spoke about their experiences and future plans. The resolution was read by title, a voice vote was taken, and HCR 155 passed the House. Members also used privilege of the floor to introduce guests, including local officials, constituents, and a job-shadowing student. Announcements included a staff birthday, a reminder about illegal fireworks and House Bill 63, and notice that Doggy Day would return to Legislative Hall the next day. The House then passed consent calendar number 26, consisting of SCR 200, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211, and 212, and recessed to the call of the Speaker until the next day.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 29, 2026 - 03:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Order, Ms. Rosa, please call the roll. Chair Manning? Present. Vice Chair Costa? Here. Present.
  • Having closed on this bill, Ms. Rosa, please call the roll. Chair Manning? Yes. Vice Chair Costa?
  • Representative Greco, having closed, Ms. Rosa, please call the roll. Chair Maney? Yes.
  • There being no further debate, Ms. Rosa, if you'll please... He's called the roll.
  • Ms. Rosa, if you'll please call the roll. Chair Maney? Yes. Vice Chair Costa? Yes.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Informal House Session 46 May 18th, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ms. Kilcoyne of Clinton moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
  • Ms. Kilcoyne of Clinton moved suspension of the rules. All those in favor say aye.
  • Ms. Kilcoyne of Clinton moved suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye.
  • The Chair would like to take this opportunity to introduce guests of Ms.
  • The Chair would like to take this opportunity to introduce guests of Ms.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/23/26

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ms. Heising, go ahead with your testimony. Ms.
  • </c> Thank you, Ms. Thor.
  • &gt;&gt; Thank you, Ms. Della Hunt. Um and uh &gt;&gt; Thank you, Ms. Della Hunt.
  • Thank you, Ms. Hangey.
  • &gt;&gt; Ms.<01:19:19.000><c> Ollie.</c> &gt;&gt; Ms. Ollie. &gt;&gt; Ms. Ollie.
Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 7th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ms.
  • Okay, we're going to show Ms.
  • Thank you, Ms. Darby. Members, are there questions for Ms. Darby? We show Austin.
  • Thank you, Ms. Szabo.
  • Thank you, Ms. Aponte. Members, are there questions for Ms. Aponte?
Bills: HB28 , SB3 , SB 3
Committee: House State Affairs
Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education Apr 23rd, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm looking at Ms.
  • I know Ms.
  • Ms.
  • Ms.
  • He said he and Ms.
Committee: House Education
Summary: The committee first heard SB 206, which would require cardiovascular pre-screening and blood pressure testing for student athletes beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Chairman Miller said the bill was prompted by concerns about undiagnosed hypertension and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, and Coach Marcus Scott testified about his own kidney transplant after years of untreated high blood pressure. Members asked about who would perform the screenings and how follow-up would work; the American Heart Association said existing athletic physical processes and referral networks could handle it. An amendment was adopted, and the committee reported SB 206 favorably as amended. The committee then took up SB 305, which would require a publicly available statewide career-alignment dashboard showing how degree programs connect to workforce outcomes, including completion, employment, wages, and high-demand jobs. Chairman Edmonds and student task force member Cruz Cassard said the goal was to help students understand job opportunities in Louisiana and reduce the number leaving the state after graduation. Workforce and higher education stakeholders supported the measure as a transparency and workforce-planning tool. The committee reported SB 305 favorably. Next, the committee considered HB 624, a school safety cleanup bill updating references from crisis management plans to emergency operations plans and aligning school emergency language with national standards. Representative Johnson and the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools said the bill would not create new mandates or costs, but would clarify existing requirements. The committee reported HB 624 favorably. The committee then heard HB 1022, as substituted, concerning school-based health care services. Representative Jackson said the bill was intended to clarify that medical decisions in school-based health centers should be made by licensed health professionals, not school staff, while preserving parental consent. Testimony from school-based health center providers supported the bill, but several members raised concerns about consent, parental authority, and whether the language shifted too much responsibility away from schools; the Charter School Association suggested adding more collaborative language. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 1022 favorably by a 10-4 vote.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 14th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Oh, Ms. Davis has one. Mr.
  • Thank you, Ms. Davis. Members, are there questions of this witness? Ms.
  • Ms.
  • Ms. Thompson has a question for you, Ms. Brubaker.
  • Thank you, Ms. Givens. I have a question. Ms. Davis? Yeah, thank you.
Bills: HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042 , HB45
Committee: House State Affairs
Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee considers HF169 3/11/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Ms. Jenner. Ms.
  • Ms.
  • Ms. Jenner: Thank you.
  • Really quick, Ms.
  • Really quick, Ms.
Summary: The committee took up House File 169, which would change the tax structure for charitable gambling. Representative Robbins offered and the committee adopted the A1 author’s amendment, described as a technical correction to ensure sports-themed tip boards are not inadvertently taxed under the bill. Robbins then presented the bill as a way to replace the current tiered combined net receipts tax on charitable gambling with a flat 5% rate, arguing charities were being overtaxed and that prior promises of relief had not been fully delivered. Chair Stevenson pushed back on several of Robbins’ factual claims, correcting the record on the status of E-pull tabs, the share of charitable gambling revenue they represent, and the amount of tax relief already enacted in 2023 and 2024. He said E-tabs were not eliminated, that the revenue split between paper pull tabs and E-tabs is closer to 45/55, and that charities had already received a $15 million tax cut plus savings from reduced developer fees. Robbins responded that the changes still significantly reduced revenue and that the bill was intended as a middle-ground approach. Testimony largely came from charitable gambling and veterans groups in support of the bill. Rachel Jenner of Allied Charities of Minnesota said nearly 1,000 charities depend on charitable gambling, cited high taxes and fees, and said many organizations were seeing revenue declines after the new E-pull tab rules took effect. Dr. Christy Jano of the American Legion Department of Minnesota said charitable gambling funds support veterans, youth, and community programs, and that a flat 5% tax would help posts continue those efforts. Members asked about the size of the revenue drops and how much gambling proceeds go to overhead and operating costs; Jenner said the losses varied by organization and that it was too early to know the long-term effect, while Jano said some expenses are used for property taxes and building upkeep. The committee then moved on to additional testimony, including Tim Angstrom, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Natural Resources and Environment Apr 1st, 2026

Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, this bill's basically just what Ms. Stalder said.
  • So, Ms.
  • Ms. Stalder, if you would read in, House Bill 835, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms.
  • Ms. Stalder. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  • With Ms.
Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment
WV
WV

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 03:59 pm

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ms.
  • Ms.
  • Is Ms. Leslie Rubin in the room? Leslie Rubin? Leslie Rubin. Good evening, Ms. Rubin.
  • Chairman, Ms. Rubin. Thanks for being here.
  • Ms. Hoffman, did you say? Yes. Yes. Ms. Hoffman, if you'd like to come forward? Welcome.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up House Bill 4852, a strike-and-insert bill revising West Virginia’s food additive restrictions. Counsel explained that it moved the existing additive list into a new code section, kept the 2028 effective date, added exceptions for dietary supplements, alcoholic liquor, non-intoxicating beer, and small sellers under $5,000 per month, and created civil penalties for knowing violations. Testimony split between industry witnesses, who argued the bill and last year’s law would raise costs, burden interstate commerce, and conflict with federal regulation, and advocates who said the law is already prompting companies to reformulate and that the bill clarifies vague language tied to a federal injunction. Several amendments were offered to tie the law to FDA action or exempt soda, pepperoni rolls, frozen confections, and snack foods; some were adopted and others failed. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment as amended and reported HB 4852 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 5484, which creates felony offenses for interfering with a victim’s access to medical treatment or forensic care related to a sexual offense, or for forcing a victim of a sexual offense who becomes pregnant to have an illegal abortion, along with a conspiracy offense. Counsel said the strike-and-insert added clarifying language and definitions. Members raised concerns that the conspiracy language could be read to include the victim herself, and the bill sponsor said the intent was to target traffickers and abusers who keep victims from medical care and force abortions outside medical facilities. An amendment was adopted clarifying that nothing in the subsection imposes criminal liability on the victim of the sexual offense. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported HB 5484 to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, and adopted a title amendment. The final bill discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 4468, which narrows confidentiality protections for victims in criminal complaints by limiting redaction to names and addresses, while still allowing disclosure to other governmental entities and permitting victims to request redaction of addresses from appellate decisions after July 1, 2026. Counsel said the bill would replace broader existing confidentiality language and remove provisions allowing disclosure upon a showing of justice or by subpoena. Members questioned whether the change would weaken victim privacy protections, noting that identifying information can include much more than names and addresses. The committee then began hearing testimony from a county prosecutor on the bill, but the excerpt ends before any vote or final action on HB 4468.
AR
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Mar 5th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you, Ms. Walls. Thank you, Ms. Walls. Department, do y'all have anything to add?
  • Ms. Walls, I think you're going on, aren't you? It is adopted. Ms.
  • Ms.
  • I'm going to start, and Director Wright and Ms. Eubanks will add in. And we have... Ms.
  • So, you know, I believe Ms.
Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Mar 26th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And Ms.
  • Ms.
  • All right, Ms.
  • Ms. Bonta.
  • Ms. Bonta, is that all your questions? Perfect. Ms. Castile?
Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 13th, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Second, Ms. Pellerin. And any other questions, comments by committee members? Ms.
  • We have a motion by Ms. Macedo. A second by Mr. Schultz.
  • Ms. Pellerin, would you like to close? I would.
  • Hart, Ms. Pellar, would you like to close? I would.
  • Ms. Pellerin? Thank you.
Committee: House Natural Resources