Transcript Highlights:

• Nonpartisan staff perform audits, sunset reviews, and tax preferences as assigned by the legislature.
• Nonpartisan staff perform audits, sunset reviews, and tax preferences as assigned by the legislature.
• My name is Louisa Dugan, and I’m the policy director at Vote Mama Lobby.
• According to Vote Mama Foundation, from 2014 to 2024, over $41 million was spent on security expenses
• When I went to register to vote, I was forced to give my home address.

Bills: HB2176 , HB2244 , HB2120 , HB2333

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: drug therapy, public records, confidentiality, healthcare, collaborative practice, transparency, accountability, exemptions, government accountability, audit, legislative review, resource efficiency, committee work, political violence, elected officials, election officials, criminal justice, protection, safety, threats

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is a vote. Second. We'll now take a vote. Those in favor, please signify by saying aye.
• Let's take a vote. Those in favor, please vote aye. Second. Let me take a vote.
• most likely going to vote against if they hit the floor.
• Chairman, all I ask of my colleagues is: give us a vote.
• Let me take a vote. Now to the vote, does it say aye? Aye. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Cities 1

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Cities 1 met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present and Chair Erik Bottcher presiding. The committee considered a series of bills affecting New York City and related tax, housing, and municipal issues. Early measures included a neighborhood small business rent increase exemption (S.1451A), notice to community boards before locating transitional housing (S.3884), a solar and energy storage tax abatement credit (S.4272A), towing protection enforcement (S.4793), safety policies and training for correction and health workers (S.543?), and a proposal to create the city of Staten Island (S.8578). Most of these bills were advanced to other committees after brief discussion and voice votes. The most extensive debate centered on S.8578, which would incorporate Staten Island as a separate city. Senator Lanza argued that Staten Island has long been neglected by New York City, cited past referendums and historical grievances, and urged the committee to let the bill continue through the process. Chair Bottcher and other members responded that Staten Island is an important part of New York City and discussed housing, transit, environmental preservation, and the City of Yes zoning changes; several members said they did not support secession but were open to continued conversation about Staten Island’s needs. After debate, the bill was defeated in committee. The committee also considered an artist housing preferences bill (S.9652), a facade-work tax abatement bill (S.9559), a parkland discontinuance measure (S.9987), and a credit/debit card surcharge prohibition bill (S.1005). S.9652, S.9559, S.9987, and S.1005 were reported out after voice votes. One homeless shelter placement bill (S.5554) failed. The meeting concluded after the final votes and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We saw tax preferences, especially exemptions from taxes for SMR developers.
• FSEC supports the intent of this bill, which would allow, if that is the tribe's preference, the full
• Please vote no on 5821. Thank you.
• Please vote no on 5821. Thank you. Thank you. Okay.
• I strongly urge you to vote no on this bill. Do not let this industry buy our state. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5821, which would direct the Department of Commerce, if funded by gifts or grants, to develop a nuclear power strategic framework and integrate it into the state energy strategy. Supporters, including Sen. Braun, Energy Northwest, public power representatives, and several pro-nuclear advocates, said Washington needs to keep advanced nuclear on the table to address rising electricity demand, reliability concerns, and clean energy goals. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, Columbia Riverkeeper, tribal representatives, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill gives nuclear special treatment, lacks sufficient guardrails on waste, safety, cost, and public process, and was rushed without adequate tribal consultation. Several tribal testifiers said the bill should require early, meaningful government-to-government consultation and stronger protections for treaty rights and cultural resources. The committee then held a work session on a Washington State Institute for Public Policy report reviewing state policies supporting small modular reactors. Staff and researchers explained that the report surveyed 79 policies in 35 states and found most states are still in preliminary planning stages, with policies focused on feasibility studies, siting, workforce development, permitting, financial support, and market integration. Members asked about water use, waste, footprint, and whether the report covered fusion; the researchers said it was limited to fission and that water needs vary by reactor design. Some senators noted the need to consider lifecycle impacts and compare nuclear with other energy technologies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6010, which would change FSEC tribal consultation procedures by exempting most government-to-government consultations from the Open Public Meetings Act when there is no deliberation or commitments, requiring all FSEC members to participate in consultation, and giving tribes a chance to review and correct the consultation summary before it goes to the governor. Tribal witnesses and environmental groups supported the bill as a way to improve confidentiality and meaningful consultation, while the Association of Washington Business opposed it, saying it could add delays and suggesting timelines. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6004, which would update contracting statutes so public entities can contract for renewable or non-emitting generation capability under CETA definitions; utilities supported the update as a modernization, while consumer and environmental opponents warned it could shift financial risk to ratepayers, especially for nuclear projects. No votes were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• In one sense, district judges will. more power than any Supreme Court judge justice who must vote with
• Even Justice Gorsuch, the most visible critic of nationwide injunctions on the Supreme Court, has voted
• Chairman Grassley's bill alludes to class actions as a preferable vehicle.
• There are several legal provisions and practices that reflect this preference for percolation, but I'll
• They want to be ruled in a republic where they have a vote.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the five members on Water and Land, any no votes or votes of reservation?
• /c><01:54:06.960><c> ey</c><01:54:07.199><c> sen</c> votes ey Vice chair votes ey sen votes ey Vice chair
• I</c><01:57:16.800><c> Senator</c> votes I Vice chair votes I Senator votes I Vice chair votes I Senator
• any votes or present any no votes any votes or reservations<02:00:36.440><c> hearing</c><02:00:36.719
• Any no votes or votes or reservations? Any no votes, votes, or reservations?

Summary: The joint committees first heard SB 1146, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to develop an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan for debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai Watershed. Testimony was largely supportive from DLNR, a UH student, and a special improvement district representative, while one speaker suggested the work should be coordinated with existing efforts to avoid duplication. Committee discussion focused on the multi-jurisdictional nature of the watershed, existing debris-trap work that captures only about 20 to 30 percent of debris, the role of the university in capstone projects and recommendations, and the relationship to the existing Geni project and other community efforts. Members also asked about costs, tracking progress, and the difference between water-quality improvements and the larger debris problem. The committees then voted to pass SB 1146 with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation and deferring the effective date to July 31, 2050. The motion passed in both committees, with votes recorded in support and no opposition noted during the decision-making. The committees also heard SB 321, which would deem certain fee simple privately owned lands transferred to adjacent property owners or community associations if specified conditions are met. Testimony was in support from several individuals, but members raised concerns about the lack of input from counties and the state, and about how the bill might affect roads already used by the public or maintained by local governments. After discussion, the committees voted to advance SB 321 unamended to the next committees, with the measure adopted in both committees despite one recorded no vote in the Water and Land committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Ihara votes aye. Senator Kio Kole votes aye.
• </c><00:31:14.480><c> Senator</c> votes I. Vice chair votes I. Senator votes I. Vice chair votes I.
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair also votes aye. Senator Ihara votes aye. Senator Kole votes aye.
• Hearing none, Vice Chair for the vote. >> Okay. Voting members voting on SB 1112.
• Vice Chair for the vote. vote. vote.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Triple C committee heard SB 2799, relating to the Kalopa settlement. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals and homestead organizations urging passage and asking that Hawaiian Homes Commission, HHCA beneficiaries, and community representatives be included in transition planning. The Department of Health opposed the added reporting requirement as unnecessary and argued its role is limited to patient care, while committee members pushed back and emphasized the need for broader community input and landowner participation, especially from DHHL and DLNR. The chair recommended passage of SB 2799 unamended, with a committee report noting that the required May report should include the interagency transition working group timeline, proposed budget, and proposed procedures. The recommendation was adopted unanimously by the committees present. The joint agenda also took up SB 2887, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include Hawaiian homelands used for subsistence or agricultural/pastoral purposes and broaden eligible costs to include orchard or fruit-bearing crops and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the concept but requested amendments; the Department of Taxation and Department of Agriculture provided comments and information on administration and existing claims. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but argued the bill should create a new tax credit in Chapter 235 rather than fold DHHL lands into the existing IAL credit. After discussion, the chair recommended passage with the Hawaii Farm Bureau’s amendments and technical changes, and both committees adopted that recommendation. The Hawaiian Affairs committee then acted on several bills. SB 1406, SB 521, and SB 1654 were deferred indefinitely because the chair said related work was already underway and the committee wanted to avoid duplicative paperwork. SB 3247, relating to Mona Ala/Royal Mausoleum, was amended to convert the proposal into a Royal Mausoleum Working Group with periodic reporting and stakeholder input, and it passed with amendments. SB 112, SB 131, and SB 2443 were advanced with amendments that primarily deferred effective dates to keep the measures moving while discussions continue. The committee also noted that some measures were being deferred or reshaped to align with ongoing administrative or companion-bill processes, and the amended recommendations were adopted by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh vote your conscience. uh vote your conscience.
• c> I</c> If you voted I last night, please vote I If you voted I last night, please vote I on<00:53:57.839
• </c> vote your conscience. vote your conscience.
• </c> Closing vote. Vote closed. 33 I. 26. No. Closing vote. Vote closed. 33 I. 26. No.
• Provenza, I vote no. Further changes. Closing vote. Vote closed. 57 ayes, three noes, two excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• For these reasons, we respectfully urge a no vote. Thank you.
• And with that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• We respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you so much.
• So with that, I ask for an aye vote. about people.
• So I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills on June 9. SB 1023 by Senator Laird would require insurers that cover injectable HIV PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit, with supporters saying the change would reduce reimbursement delays and expand access, while health plans opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that interferes with benefit design. SB 964 by Senator Smallwood-Quivas would limit prior authorization for certain dose or frequency adjustments to covered medications, especially for chronic complex conditions; medical supporters said it would prevent harmful delays in care, while insurers argued it weakens safety and utilization controls. SB 1323 by Senator Rubio, as amended, would strengthen protections for people in immigration custody receiving medical care by requiring hospitals and facilities to inform staff how to respond to requests and allowing patients to notify family members of their location; it passed with one no vote. SB 1099 by Senator Reyes would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state and local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA rules, with supporters saying it would reduce legal uncertainty for safety-net services; it passed, though one member later changed a vote to no on the add-on roll call. The committee also took up SB 895 by Senator Wiener, a proposed $12 billion science research bond for the November ballot that would create a California scientific research funding institute. Supporters from UC, UAW, hospitals, and advocacy groups said the measure would help offset federal cuts, protect research jobs, and sustain California’s leadership in biomedical and other research; there was no opposition, and the bill passed on a party-line style vote with two no votes. SB 944, also by Senator Wiener, would stabilize Medi-Cal coverage for acupuncture, which supporters described as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological treatment for pain and other conditions that has repeatedly been threatened in the budget process; it passed unanimously. The committee also approved consent items SB 918 and SB 1202, and later cleared the remaining measures on call after roll votes and add-on votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> effect during the absentee voting effect during the absentee voting period<00:08:08.879><c> section
• </c> won't share information about voting won't share information about voting that<00:10:24.120><c>
• or</c><00:10:31.040><c> aiding</c> voting registering to vote or aiding voting registering to vote or
• </c> the time where we know um that uh voting the time where we know um that uh voting in<00:18:31.240
• location versus um early voting location versus um early voting voting voting location<01:04:43.880>

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Chair Thomas voted yes. Representative N. voted yes. Representative Harrington voted yes.
• Vice Chair Thomas voted yes. Representative N. voted yes. Representative Harrington voted yes.
• Representative La Rochelle voted yes. Representative Swanson voted yes. Chair Vose voted yes.
• Chair votes. >> Chair votes. >> Chair votes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
• Chair votes yes. Chair votes yes.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all members voted? The clerk Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• the members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted. Have all members voted. Have all members voted?
• Members will proceed to vote. Have all members voted? Have all members voted?

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted? The clerk will lock the machine. All members voted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted?
• Have all members voted? The clerk will lock the machine. All members voted.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then adopted the special order report setting the day’s floor calendar. The chamber also approved the journal and moved into special-order bills. Early action included unanimous passage of CS/HB 967, which creates an electronic payment option for constituents dealing with local governments, and HB 127, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5; supporters framed both bills as modernizing basic public services and preserving literacy and heritage. HB 453 also passed unanimously, creating pathways for students in Special Olympics and marching band to satisfy physical education and arts graduation requirements. The House then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to protect religious expression in public schools. The resolution drew extensive debate over whether it merely codified existing law or could create ambiguity about prayer, religious speech, and discrimination issues in schools and at school events. Supporters argued it would strengthen protections for faith expression and let voters decide; opponents raised First Amendment, church-state separation, and implementation concerns, including questions about what counts as religious expression and how schools would handle potentially offensive remarks. The resolution passed 93-17. Several health-related measures followed. CS/HB 237, requiring APRNs who use the title “doctor” to clarify they are APRNs when communicating with patients, passed 111-0. CS/HB 363, creating a dental therapy license and a new mid-level dental provider to address access shortages, prompted sharp debate over training, anesthesia risk, and whether the bill would create a lower tier of care; it passed 80-29. HB 375, removing a mandatory supervision requirement for autonomous CRNAs, passed 78-28, and HB 301, authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services within existing licensure, passed 88-18. The House also passed HB 863, giving Citizens Property Insurance policyholders the choice between arbitration and court for disputes, by 105-3, and HB 1399, increasing oversight of property insurers’ affiliate transactions, by 160-3. The chamber then began consideration of a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief related to an incident involving the City of St. Petersburg.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Ranking Member Senator Kelly Dooner, who actually left for a vote. Thank you, Senator.
• And unlike gluten preferences, this is not optional.
• you for your time and your attention to this important topic, and I respectfully ask for a favorable vote
• For children with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is not a preference.
• For kids like me, this isn't about preference. It's about our health.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held a hearing on two late-filed bills, S. 2927 and H. 5012, titled An Act Relative to Students Accessing Food and Nutritional Information, filed by Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Michelle Badger. The bills would require schools to make clear, centralized online information available about gluten-free and allergen-free meals, including menus, food safety procedures, and contact information, so students with celiac disease and other medically necessary dietary restrictions can safely participate in universal school meal programs. Committee members and the bill sponsors emphasized that the measure is intended to improve transparency, equity, and access within the Commonwealth’s universal free breakfast and lunch program. Testimony came from students, parents, physicians, and advocates, many of whom described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune condition requiring a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Witnesses said families often struggle to find reliable school meal information, and that lack of communication between school administrators, nurses, and food service staff can lead families to opt out of school meals even when safe options exist. Medical witnesses from Boston Children’s, Mass General, and Beth Israel said the bill addresses a real barrier identified in research and could help prevent health problems, missed school, and long-term complications from gluten exposure. Several witnesses also noted that the bill’s approach could benefit students with food allergies more broadly. Committee members praised the testimony, especially from young student witnesses, and discussed practical issues such as cross-contamination, 504 plans, and whether schools already have the underlying information needed to comply. One member suggested the Department of Public Health might be able to address some of the issue through regulations, similar to a prior restaurant allergy-protocol change. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee closed after hearing from all panels and the bill sponsors, who asked for favorable consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I bet you're going to urge us to vote aye. This is definitely an aye vote. All right. Thank you.
• And I'll bet you're going to tell us to vote no. I'm going to ask you to vote no, Mr.
• I bet you're going to tell us to vote no. I'm going to ask you to vote no, Mr.
• File item number five, SB 1090, chair voting aye. What is the vote again? Sorry, 10 to 2.
• File item number two, SB 1242, chair voting aye. File item number two, SB 1242, chair voting aye.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health court participation, homeowners association governance, groundwater enforcement, pet-policy disclosure in rentals, and post-disaster property speculation. SB 1088 would update California’s POLST and DNR laws by renaming POLST to Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, and making clear that these forms are voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court for care coordination and information-sharing, while preserving judicial discretion to exclude them if harmful; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a removal of patient consent. The committee advanced SB 1242 on a 7-0 vote, with the bill placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA budget transparency, disclosure of evidence for violations, and a lower cap on regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would improve accountability and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap and the need for flexibility for large expenses; the bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would prevent a person convicted of sexual assault from obtaining custody or visitation of a child conceived from that assault, while preserving the possibility of voluntary co-parenting and aiming to qualify California for federal grant funding; it passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Later, SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and its groundwater sustainability plan, addressing an enforcement gap for a GSA created by special legislation rather than a joint powers agreement. It drew support from agricultural and county groups and passed 9-0, placed on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow refund of an application fee if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted application costs and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups said the ad disclosure requirements were impractical. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. The final bill, SB 1090, was introduced to prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire-disaster areas, responding to investor activity after the Eaton and Palisades fires; the author and a SAGE witness described it as a protection against disaster capitalism and predatory low offers to displaced residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• AS I SAID I DID VOTE UP ON THIS BILL IN THE LAST COMMITTEE BUT TODAY I AM GOING TO VOTE DOWN BECAUSE
• HAD TO VOTE NO ON IT LAST TIME AND IT WILL BE A DELIGHT TO VOTE YES ON IT TODAY.
• I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THE BILL BUT THE REASON I WILL VOTE AGAINST THE BILL IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE
• YOUR VOTES FOR CS FOR CS FOR YOUR VOTES FOR CS FOR CS FOR SB 1270 IS CONSIDERED FAVORABLE.
• , 15, 16, 17, 18 AND VOTING NO ON TAB 20 AND VOTING YES ON TABS 23 AND 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, we will vote on the nomination of Dr.
• On this vote, the ayes are 14 and the nays are 6. However, we do not have six votes.
• and so we'll move now to the vote on the amendments.
• Our first vote will be on the substitute amendment.
• Do you want to speak to the bill before we vote on that?

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Whatever you prefer. I was just incorporating it so we wouldn't have that one.
• <00:01:58.159><c> Whatever</c><00:01:58.479><c> you</c><00:01:58.640><c> prefer.
• Whatever you prefer. I was just Chair? Whatever you prefer.
• </c> Committee with a 9-to2 bipartisan vote. Committee with a 9-to2 bipartisan vote.
• Having said vote for any amendments.

Bills: HF2438

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• That's out with Republicans not voting.
• That's out with Republicans not voting.
• That's out with Republicans not voting.
• It's out with Republicans not voting.
• It's out with Republicans not voting.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• I bet you're going to urge us to vote aye. This is definitely an aye vote. All right. Thank you.
• And I'll bet you're going to tell us to vote no. I'm going to ask you to vote no, Mr.
• I bet you're going to tell us to vote no. I'm going to ask you to vote no, Mr.
• File item number five, SB 1090, Chair voting aye. Wahab. Okay. What is the vote again?
• File item number two, SB 1242, Chair voting aye. File item number two, SB 1242, Chair voting aye.

Committee: Senate Judiciary