Transcript Highlights:

• Second, they would cause more extreme funding disparities across the state.
• Second, they would cause more extreme funding disparities across the state.
• We are concerned that AB 1204 would make that disparity even greater.
• , but growing disparities—disparities that now, by virtue of several sources, including the LAO's office
• , but growing disparities, disparities that now, by virtue of several sources, including the LAO's office

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• the students who need aid the most, the students who need aid the most, worsen<00:22:06.799><c> disparities
• ,</c><00:22:07.360><c> and</c><00:22:07.520><c> undermine</c> worsen disparities, and undermine worsen
• disparities, and undermine Minnesota's<00:22:08.640><c> economic</c><00:22:09.039><c> future.
• It's still a black screen. Senator, put on that St. John's education to work.
• the disparity in financial aid<01:33:19.040><c> for</c><01:33:19.280><c> students</c><01:33:20.159><

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:25:06.159><c> grant</c> there is a health disparity grant there is a health disparity grant reduction
• Because you asked, let me explain what the health disparity grant is.
• Those are the health disparity grant is.
• </c> Recipients of the health disparity Recipients of the health disparity grants<04:28:07.840><c> include
• </c><04:33:14.719><c> grant</c> well as this health disparity grant well as this health disparity grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Health care disparities would only worsen in the state of Minnesota, and those who we love would die.
• Health care disparities would neighbors.
• Health care disparities would only<00:10:34.399><c> worsen</c><00:10:34.800><c> in</c><00:10:34.959><
• We can talk about the disparities of health, of who it impacts and who are the most people showing up
• of who about the disparities of health of who it<00:20:21.280><c> impacts</c><00:20:21.600><c> and</

Summary: Lawmakers and advocates from the POCI Caucus held a news conference focused on protecting recent DFL-enacted policies in a newly divided Legislature. They highlighted accomplishments from the last biennium, including earned sick and safe time, ethnic studies, unemployment insurance changes, environmental protections, and MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrants, and argued these measures should not be rolled back in budget negotiations. Speakers said Republicans were pushing cuts or carveouts that would disproportionately harm Black, brown, immigrant, women, and low-income communities, and they urged the House and Governor Walz to reject those changes. A major theme was opposition to proposed carveouts to earned sick and safe time. Amanda Otero of TakeAction Minnesota said the proposed changes would remove benefits from more than 100,000 workers based on employer size, and lawmakers said sick leave should be universal. Another major topic was MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants. Representative María Isa Pérez Vega, Council Member Jason Chavez, and others argued the program is affordable, reduces uncompensated emergency care, and improves public health by expanding preventive care. Chavez and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos shared personal stories about family members who benefited from health coverage and said cutting access would worsen disparities and hurt families and communities. The event also included remarks on ethnic studies and historical memory. Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura connected the Ethnic Studies for All Act to her family’s experience with Japanese American incarceration during World War II, and Sally Sudo described her family’s removal and imprisonment under Executive Order 9066. Speakers framed these stories as warnings against scapegoating and exclusion. In the question-and-answer portion, lawmakers said they were still in negotiations but emphasized that certain protections were non-negotiable and that any compromises should be distributed equitably rather than targeting specific groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there was a question about disparity, right?
• So there was a question about<01:04:17.280><c> disparity,</c><01:04:18.559><c> right?
• </c><01:04:19.200><c> The</c><01:04:19.520><c> technology</c> about disparity, right?
• The technology about disparity, right?
• to increase more, but it could disparity to increase more, but it could also<01:04:25.359><c> improve

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the tip disparity. 19 to 21. And that's the tip disparity.
• . disparity. disparity.
• And so that does create a disparity.
• And so that does create a disparity.
• And so that does create a disparity.

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s about deeply understanding the role federal policy plays in creating these disparities and what
• And that failing to close the broader racial disparities has cost the national economy over $16 trillion
• While participation rates are similar across groups, disparities persist.
• These disparities are driven in part by occupation.
• These disparities are driven in part by occupational segregation and underemployment, with many workers

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Maternal health disparities faced by black women are a devastating reality.
• By understanding and addressing the magnitude of fraternal and postpartum disparities, we can take a
• Disparity cannot be explained by income or education.
• And disparities are deepening. These trends are unacceptable and we simply must do more.
• And the disparities faced by black women and other women of color are concerns that require attention

Transcript Highlights:

• Like he's trying to memorize the Gettysburg Address, just so he can switch back to the first screen to
• Meanwhile, the button to autofill the code is sitting right there on the same screen, quietly judging
• This distinction creates a disparity between two groups with similar levels of permanent neurological
• It also dealt with background screenings, which are currently not required in surrogacy arrangements
• When you adopt a child, they do a background screen.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee considered a large agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and a trust for Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, and CS/CS/SB 1266, which creates a cybersecurity experiential learning and clearance-readiness program through the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida. The committee also approved SB 532 on clerks of court funding, allowing clerks to retain all excess Article V revenue rather than returning half to the state and clarifying foreclosure sale procedures. In addition, the committee passed CS/CS/SB 1602 and CS/CS/SB 1604 to create and fund a pilot housing program for veterans through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and CS/SB 1110 to expand Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including testimony from affected families and advocates. The committee also adopted an amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/SB 1012 on inmate services, removing the bill’s medical-services compensation provisions while retaining changes to the inmate welfare trust fund and related facility uses. It also adopted a delete-all amendment and then favorably reported CS/CS/CS/SB 1614, which was narrowed to remove a provision allowing local governments to use excess fees to construct new buildings. The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 17, a Medicaid oversight and transparency bill. The sponsor said the measure would create a joint legislative Medicaid oversight committee, authorize the Legislature to retain its own actuary, modernize Medicaid statutes, strengthen managed-care performance standards, and increase accountability for pharmacy benefit managers and related entities. After amendment, the committee adopted changes removing several PBM-related provisions while retaining the broader oversight framework. Testimony from supporters emphasized transparency, fraud prevention, and cost control, while a PBM trade association asked to continue working on affiliate-manufacturer, network, and payment issues. The bill was reported favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on CS/SB 1758, which proposes major changes to Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described five reforms: stronger fraud and overpayment recovery authority, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral-health services through Medicaid waivers, pharmacy-program changes to obtain rebates and reduce institutional costs, and SNAP/EBT reforms including photo IDs and work requirements. The committee adopted two amendments: one adding a transitional “glide path” for people who gain employment but risk losing Medicaid, and another exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud, improve accountability, and encourage work, while opponents warned it would increase administrative burdens, push eligible people off coverage, and conflict with federal law or guidance. The bill remained under debate with extensive public testimony from advocates, providers, and affected families, and the transcript ends before final disposition on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• have been granted but have now been taken off calendar and are going through a much more arduous screening
• have been granted but have now been taken off calendar and are going through a much more arduous screening
• and decades more of discrimination for most of the 20th century, resulting in today's huge racial disparities
• You know, this bill is extremely important because it acknowledges that many of the economic disparities
• SB 623 also expands background checks and requires annual re-screening for drivers.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• My Jewish community could be affected by loss of funds for our health department for TASAC screenings
• My Jewish community could be affected by loss of funds for our health department for TASAC screenings
• know that many local governments, I think about school boards and other institutions, have done disparity
• specifically it mentions that this office, which is within DOH, will gather and analyze data regarding disparities
• They mentioned they were from Sarasota with regard to sickle cell, TASAC screenings, those things.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• sure that their kids would not be pushed out of classrooms because they identified those racial disparities
• and those disparities for children with disabilities.
• sure that their kids would not be pushed out of classrooms because they identified those racial disparities
• and those disparities for children with disabilities.
• and those disparities for children with disabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• That inequity worsens health disparities, especially in communities of color.
• That inequity worsens health disparities, especially in communities of color, and among lower-income
• When families lose access to preventative care like routine checkups, cancer screenings, blood tests,
• outlined the highest cost drivers of unaffordable health care in the state and highlighted important disparities
• The report highlighted important disparities with low-income, uninsured communities and communities of

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1377, a bill on medical exemptions for school immunizations. The author and supporters said the measure was a narrow reform to restore physician discretion and reduce what they described as chilling effects from audits and license discipline; opponents from pediatric, medical, public health, and school groups argued the current system already works, protects against fraudulent exemptions, and should not be weakened. Committee members debated the data, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the effect of the proposed amendments. The bill was amended in committee, but because there was no quorum it was not formally voted on at that time. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and compliance framework for large private detention facilities. The author and supporters described severe conditions in immigration detention, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and lack of oversight, and the bill was presented as a response to those abuses. The California Hospital Association raised concerns about duplicative regulation and overlapping standards, but said it was continuing to work on a solution. The committee discussed constitutional and jurisdictional issues, and the bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Judiciary with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Next, SB 1089 was heard, proposing expanded access through CalPERS and CalRX to GLP-1 medications for chronic weight disease and diabetes prevention. The author and supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups argued the drugs are effective tools to prevent type 2 diabetes, reduce long-term costs, and improve health equity, while the author also shared personal experience with weight loss and medication access barriers. There was no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a do-pass motion to the Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement with a 5-0 vote placed on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1221, dealing with Murphy conservatorships for people found not guilty by reason of insanity or otherwise under criminal-mental health conservatorship. Supporters, including prosecutors and psychiatrists, said the bill addresses a gap created by a court decision and would improve public safety and placement decisions for a small population of high-risk individuals. Opponents from county behavioral health and disability rights groups warned it would turn a civil process into a quasi-criminal one, expand district attorney involvement, and disrupt bed prioritization and least-restrictive-placement principles. The discussion centered on the scope of the bill and its amendments, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a lot of disparity.
• They also provide our new nursing hires with a market disparity stipend.
• line of questioning on that front with When it comes to graduation rates, and you see that sort of disparity
• Are we seeing that the disparity of graduates is?
• How can I advance my screen? It's on the right side there. Go down. You see those little triangles?

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, we've continued to monitor and attempt to address the discipline disparities identified in the
• We need to maintain the practices already put in place in my office to address the observed disparities
• causes, and then take action to address them, with the goal of further reducing any identified disparities
• One of the issues that I wanted to ask about is disparities in attorney discipline.
• But now the same update showed that there was a slight increase in Latino lawyer disparities.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules established a quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Trinidad Solis, M.D., and Gerald Talbert, M.D., to the Medical Board of California. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to State Bar appointments requiring testimony. The committee heard from George Cardona, reappointed as Chief Trial Counsel of the State Bar, who described reforms made after the Girardi matter, efforts to reduce discipline disparities, backlog reduction measures, and staffing shortages tied to a vacancy rate and increased incoming complaints. Senators questioned him about safeguards against misconduct, the John Eastman disbarment case, discipline disparities affecting Black and Latino attorneys, unauthorized practice of law by notarios, and the use of AI in complaints and pleadings. Public witnesses from the State Bar, SEIU Local 1000, and others supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 3-0 to advance him to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Laura Enderton Speed, nominated as Executive Director of the State Bar. She emphasized restoring public trust, improving operations, addressing the February 2025 bar exam problems, and strengthening discipline and admissions processes. Senators asked about the State Bar’s structural budget deficit, the ongoing audit and investigations related to the bar exam, conflict-of-interest safeguards after Girardi, and plans for the future of the bar exam. Public testimony was uniformly supportive, and the committee voted 5-0 to advance her nomination to the Senate floor. The meeting concluded with final votes on the earlier items, thanks to Senator Jones for his service on the committee, and adjournment to executive session after a cake presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am wondering what are the provisions to address disparities, especially between the service availability
• Chair, I think addressing the disparities is significant when it comes to Greater Minnesota.
• </c><00:15:37.959><c> especially</c><00:15:38.680><c> between</c> address disparities especially between
• address disparities especially between um<00:15:40.040><c> the</c><00:15:40.600><c> service</c><00:15
• is significant when it comes disparities is significant when it comes to<00:15:50.639><c> Greater</c

Transcript Highlights:

• For over 40 years, California's public school finance system has allowed per-pupil funding disparities
• Even as the state has adopted reforms intended to make school funding more equitable, The disparities
• SCA 5 creates the Equalization Reserve Account to address that disparity in a fiscally responsible, stable
• The cumulative dollars that we are now looking at in terms of the disparity...
• ACA 18 not only increases the number of students, it also solves a disparity.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• With the regulated, when J-1 visa counselors are no longer imported without proper screening and training
• They have a screened-in cabin with fans. Screened-in with fans, right? Not air conditioners.
• I think that may be a big part of that disparity in the 1,100 versus the 375. OK.

Bills: HB265 , HB25

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it's a little distant up on those screens.
• the Torrance refinery fire in the first big gross gasoline industry margins at the far left of the screen
• At the far left of the screen, the allegation there by the Attorney General's Office was that there was
• You calculate important impacts to health and the decreased costs in health disparities that exist in

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held its annual oversight hearing on the transportation fuels sector, focused on California’s fuel transition, the announced refinery closures by Phillips 66 and Valero, and the potential effects on supply, prices, and the broader fuel system. Committee leadership said the state needs a system-wide transition plan rather than a piecemeal approach, and state witnesses from CARB, the CEC, and DPMO described the fuel market as a complex, interconnected ecosystem involving crude production, refining, storage, imports, and delivery. They emphasized that declining gasoline demand from EV adoption is occurring alongside shrinking in-state refining capacity, which could increase volatility and price spikes if not managed carefully. CARB Chair Liane Randolph reviewed the state’s climate and air-quality programs, including AB 32, SB 32, the 2022 scoping plan, the low-carbon fuel standard, and vehicle emissions rules. She said these policies have reduced emissions substantially but that California still faces major ozone and PM2.5 problems, especially in disadvantaged communities. Randolph also said federal actions challenging California waivers could complicate the state’s clean-air efforts, and she noted that while liquid fuels will still be needed in some sectors, the state must continue reducing fossil fuel dependence while protecting public health. CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda and DPMO Director Ty Milder presented data on gasoline demand, refinery throughput, crude imports, and price differentials. Gunda said the Legislature’s special-session laws gave the agencies transparency and planning tools, and that the CEC is developing a fuels transition plan while evaluating whether any regulatory tools should be used. Milder previewed DPMO findings that Californians have paid a long-running “mystery gasoline surcharge” averaging 41 cents per gallon since 2015, with higher margins concentrated in branded gasoline and among vertically integrated firms. He said the data show a concentrated market with some refiners doing well and others struggling, and that DPMO will continue investigating price behavior, competition, and supply risks. Members pressed the witnesses on whether state regulations contributed to refinery exits or higher prices, and on whether the agencies had adequately analyzed consumer costs. Witnesses said they had not yet implemented the new permissive tools from SB X1-2 and AB X2-1 because they were still assessing risks and benefits, and they stressed that refinery closures and capital decisions are driven by broader market conditions as well as regulation. No vote was taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee seeking updates and urging the agencies to develop a practical transition strategy that balances affordability, reliability, climate goals, and worker/community protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2483 by Alvarado et al., relating to coverage for paternal depression screenings under Medicaid
• Senate Bill 2585 by Gutierrez, relating to disparate premiums for personal automobile insurance policies
• Senate Bill 2735 by Cook, relating to the screening of services for and educational programs for children
• Senate Bill 2744 by Paxton, relating to modernization of cardiovascular screening, to Health and Human

Bills: SJR12 , SCR39 , SB27 , SB29 , SB241 , SB406 , SB414 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB609 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB785 , SB857 , SB879 , SB921 , SB922 , SB955 , SB985 , SB993 , SB996 , SB1008 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1098 , SB1120 , SB1122 , SB1147 , SB1188 , SB1197 , SB1209 , SB1227 , SB1245 , SB1267 , SB1307 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1386 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1537 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1664 , SB1741 , SB1814 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1948 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SB2406 , SB2407

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.