Transcript Highlights:

• And at the heart of this recognition is American Beach, a place with a unique and important history.
• American Beach on Amelia Island, Florida, was founded during a dark time in history.
• ,</c><00:26:30.000><c> a</c> of this recognition is American Beach, a of this recognition is American
• </c><05:16:10.878><c> Act</c> Basin Program as well as the Beach Act Basin Program as well as the Beach
• Further, as the weather warms up, I know we are all looking forward to visiting our favorite beaches

Transcript Highlights:

• since I first came in the legislature almost a quarter century ago about the Port of L.A. and Long Beach
• is winds that move from west to east, and you have all of these ships coming into the Port of Long Beach
• California, one of the most exciting things about our state is we have ocean, so we can go to the beach
• You can lay out on the beach. You can go throw snowballs at your family. All of that is wonderful.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and a referral item. It first acted on appointments not required to appear, including Michael Gunning to the Teachers’ Retirement Board, Eric Hines to the Gambling Control Commission, several nominees to the Civil Rights Council, nominees to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and Omar Passens to the Contractors’ State License Board. The committee also took up a reference of bills to committees. Most of these items were initially left open for absent members, then later approved on add-on votes, with some passing unanimously and others on split votes. The committee then heard testimony from two nominees to the California State University Board of Trustees, Kelly Dermody and Andrea Evans. Both emphasized access, student basic needs, housing affordability, enrollment balance across campuses, and the need to use artificial intelligence responsibly while preserving critical thinking and data privacy. Senators asked about intersegmental cooperation, CSU bachelor’s degree authority, tuition increases, and how the trustees would evaluate affordability and student outcomes. No public opposition was heard, and both nominees were advanced to the full Senate after committee votes. Finally, the committee heard from Dr. Cedric Jamie Rutland, nominated to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Board. He described his background as a pulmonologist and said he would bring a public health and science-based perspective to air quality policy, especially regarding pollution’s effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health. Senators focused on goods movement, warehouse growth, AB 617 communities, environmental justice, refinery and trucking impacts, and balancing emissions reductions with economic realities. After public comment, the committee voted to advance his nomination to the Senate floor, and the meeting concluded after add-on votes and a brief recess/closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• says quote that assists with public education outreach and reef-safe sunscreen awareness at state beaches
• developing a program that does public education outreach and reef-safe sunscreen awareness at the beaches
• We are very much we we beaches or if we're getting the students beaches or if we're getting the students

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three tandem resolution packages. HCR 13 and HR 15 sought collaboration among the Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, and DLNR to develop a student coral stewardship program. DOE said it was willing to work with DLNR, and DLNR supported the measure but said it did not want to be the lead agency for reporting or curriculum development because of existing reporting burdens and because it was already active in school outreach. Testimony in support was received, and the committee later amended the measure to restore DLNR as the lead for the report while keeping DOE and the Charter School Commission as collaborators. The committee then voted to pass HCR 13 HD1 and HR 15 HD1 with amendments. HCR 91 and HR 83 proposed a long-term collaborative program between DLNR and DOE to expand and sustain tree canopy coverage at public schools statewide. DLNR strongly supported the measure, DOE offered comments, and the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute testified in support, citing research on heat reduction, student health, and academic impacts of shade trees. Additional supportive testimony came from the Kaululu Nani Urban and Community Forestry Program Advisory Council and others. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 and HR 83 unamended. HCR 183 and HR 183 addressed guidance and protections related to immigration enforcement in schools. DOE said it supported the resolution but noted it already had guidance in place; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute, Roots for Warren Maui, ACLU, 50501 Hawaii, General Strike Hawaii, and others testified in support, emphasizing student safety, attendance, and the effects of enforcement-related fear. A committee member asked about a reported Konawaena Elementary incident, and DOE clarified that the student was not deported and the event occurred off campus, with some newspaper details said to be inaccurate. After discussion, the committee deferred HCR 183 for further work with DOE and the Board of Education on definitions, enforcement, and guidance.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE 175 STATE PARKS AND 813,000 ACRES ON THE HUNDRED MILES OF PARKS ON OUR BEACHES.
• THEY WERE CREATED TO PROTECT OUR WETLANDS, FORESTS, BEACHES AND DIVERSE WILDLIFE THAT CALL THEM HOME
• JACKIE LARSON FLORIDA SHORE AND BEACH PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• LANCE, PALM BEACH COUNTY SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY WAIVES IN SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

Transcript Highlights:

• not sure if you've ever had the opportunity to attend the Eddie, but when you're standing on that beach
• ><00:13:52.600><c> standing</c><00:13:52.920><c> on</c><00:13:53.120><c> that</c><00:13:53.279><c> beach
• </c><00:13:53.519><c> in</c> when you're standing on that beach in when you're standing on that beach

Transcript Highlights:

• IT'S THE PARTICULAR STUDY THAT FOCUSES ON PALM BEACH, BROWARD AND DADE COUNTY.
• Pizzo: THE OTHER THING YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT WAS SORT OF A STANDALONE NUMBER, I REPRESENT SUNNY ISLES BEACH
• SITTING ON SEVENTEEN .2 ACRES RIGHT ON THE BEACH. SEVENTEEN .2 ACRES.
• IN JULY OF 2021, THE CRESTVIEW TOWERS IN NORTH MIAMI BEACH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BUILDING THE BUILDING

Transcript Highlights:

• With this closure of prosecuted.
• I also wanted to speak briefly to the issue of the prison and the prison closure.
• I think that the closure is right.
• Uh, I think that the closure is that.
• But it brings me to the closure we have.

Transcript Highlights:

• currently is in Palm Beach County, although it doesn't include Palm Beach County?
• It is as far south as Riviera Beach. Senator Gates. Thank you, Mr. President.
• What is it the data have to do with making a sea from Palm Beach County from the Atlantic Ocean to the
• What is it the data have to do with making a sea from Palm Beach County from the Atlantic Ocean to the
• from Palm Beach County from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. How does that happen?

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D / House Bill 1D, which would establish Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Sen. Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a redistricting plan two days earlier and argued that mid-decade redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based districting is unconstitutional. Much of the floor time was spent in extended questioning about the process, the lack of public hearings compared with prior redistricting cycles, the use of population estimates from the Census/EDR/ACS, compactness scores, and whether the Governor’s office used partisan data or outside consultants. Gates repeatedly said he was relaying the Governor’s proposal and legal theory rather than offering his own legal opinion, and he said any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. A major portion of the debate focused on the U.S. Supreme Court’s newly issued Calais decision and its implications for the Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators questioned whether the decision struck down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, whether it affected Florida’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering, and whether the Legislature should postpone action to review the ruling. A motion to temporarily postpone the bill failed by voice vote and then by recorded vote, 12 yeas to 23 nays. Senators also raised concerns that the proposed map cracked minority communities, including Latino and Black populations in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, and that it would produce a heavily Republican-leaning map despite the state’s voter registration mix. After debate on the Senate bill, the chamber substituted the identical House companion bill, read it a third time, and proceeded to final debate. Opponents argued the map was an illegal partisan gerrymander, was based on assumptions rather than verified data, and would likely lead to litigation. Supporters maintained that the Governor had authority to propose a congressional map, that the plan was race-neutral, and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The transcript ends during continued debate on House Bill 1D, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• long from its northern and southern border, stretching from Orlando as far south as where Riviera Beach
• currently is in Palm Beach County, although it doesn't include Palm Beach County.
• It is as far south as Riviera Beach. Senator Gaetz. Thank you, Mr. President.
• What is it the data have to do with making a sea from Palm Beach County from the Atlantic Ocean to the
• What is it the data have to do with making a sea from Palm Beach County from the Atlantic Ocean to the

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D, later substituting identical House Bill 1D, to establish Florida’s congressional districts. The opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were followed by procedural remarks, then extensive floor discussion focused almost entirely on the redistricting proposal, its timing, and its legal basis. Senator Gaetz, explaining the bill, said the Governor had transmitted the map two days earlier, argued that mid-decade congressional redistricting is not prohibited by law, and said the Governor’s stated reasons were to address population growth and to draw race-neutral districts. He also said the legislature could accept, reject, or amend the proposal. Much of the debate centered on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Louisiana decision and whether it affected Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators Smith, Rouson, Sharief, Polsky, Arrington, Bracey Davis, Bernard, Nathan, and others questioned the short notice, lack of public hearings, the use of partisan data, the absence of sworn testimony, and whether the map diluted minority voting strength or fragmented communities of interest. Gaetz repeatedly said he was not offering legal opinions, that the Governor’s counsel believed the Fair Districts race-based provisions were inconsistent with federal law, and that any legal challenge would be for the courts. He also said the Governor’s mapmaker reported using census and demographic data, along with political data as one of many inputs, and claimed the map’s compactness was comparable to the current map. A motion by Senator Smith to temporarily postpone consideration of the bill failed on a 12-23 vote. After the Senate returned from a 30-minute break to review the new Supreme Court decision, debate continued. The chamber then substituted HB 1D for SB 8D, read the House bill, and advanced it to third reading. The transcript ends during debate on final passage, with Senators Rouson and Bernard speaking in opposition and arguing the map was procedurally rushed, legally vulnerable, and politically motivated.

Transcript Highlights:

• long from its northern and southern border, stretching from Orlando as far south as where Riviera Beach
• currently is in Palm Beach County, although it doesn't include Palm Beach County?
• It is as far south as Riviera Beach. Senator Gaetz. Thank you, Mr. President.
• What is it the data have to do with making a sea from Palm Beach County from the Atlantic Ocean to the
• So the census that was initiated by Trump in 2020, and we're going to be accounted for, from Palm Beach

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me see what those concerns are with my district in Miami Beach, and then I will circle back with
• And so I share Miami Beach with Senator Jones, Senator McLean, and you and I had spoken briefly with
• This is basically making Miami Beach absolutely insane.
• It looks like John November from Jacksonville Beach waves in support.
• Lauren Jackson, Palm Beach County, waves in support.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• So on behalf of the Waipahu and Ewa Beach delegation, welcome.
• W</c><00:15:38.320><c> Pahu</c><00:15:38.800><c> and</c><00:15:39.120><c> Eva</c><00:15:39.519><c> Beach
• </c><00:15:40.079><c> So</c> campuses from W Pahu and Eva Beach.
• So campuses from W Pahu and Eva Beach.
• </c> on behalf of the uh W Pahu and Eva Beach on behalf of the uh W Pahu and Eva Beach delegation,<00

Bills: HB2198 , HB2021 , HB1881 , HB1964 , HB1990 , HB2151 , HB2599 , HB2414

Transcript Highlights:

• So I I guess if they wash up on Biloxi Beach, then they can be charged separately.”
• ,</c><00:26:12.720><c> then</c> &gt;&gt; if they wash up on Beluxy Beach, then &gt;&gt; if they wash
• up on Beluxy Beach, then they<00:26:13.200><c> can</c><00:26:13.360><c> be</c><00:26:13.520><c> charged
• </c><00:28:56.559><c> or</c><00:28:56.799><c> were</c> Mexico and landed on our beach or were Mexico
• and landed on our beach or were intercepted<00:28:57.600><c> by</c><00:28:57.840><c> Coast</c><00:28:

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Transcript Highlights:

• With the closure of Fred Meyer in Tacoma, it created a devastating hole, a food desert in that area.
• Are you asking related to that closure of Fred Meyer, like where those participants are going instead
• also a transportation gap, et cetera, we trust you to help us understand the problem that those closures
• So thinking about how we address the impacts of store closures and how it creates food deserts and how
• do we... the impacts of store closures and how it creates food deserts and how do we potentially shore

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• This project will serve with the closure of the Bridge of the Americas to commercial traffic.
• The Bridge of the Americas closure, how long is it anticipated that that will be closed?
• Commercial traffic will have temporary lane closures impacting passenger and pedestrian traffic, but
• It will affect the closure of what we know as BOTA.
• As the closure of the future of commercial trafficking in the border makes us design something that..

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment vulnerability index, which will help us identify which hospitals are most at risk for closure
• This targets the response for rural health closures, providing stability where it is needed the most
• It also helps us avoid closures, frankly. We have had two closures in the last five years.
• Two closures in five years, and we had had 16 in the prior five.
• We now lead the nation in rural hospital closures.

Bills: HB18 , HB37 , HB 116 , HB388 , HB879 , HB913 , HB 1151 , HB2216 , HB2358 , HB2809 , SB577 , SB1590 , SB1782 , SB1887 , SB2744 , HB18 , HB37 , HB116

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• personnel in the city of Quincy, House No. 4890; and the House bill creating parity among Massachusetts beaches
• An act creating parity among Massachusetts beaches, House No. 5140.

Summary: The House opened with ceremonial recognitions, including the United States of Wales girls swim team for its third consecutive state championship, the Weston High School girls indoor track team for its state title, and students visiting from the Squantum Schools. The chamber then adopted a resolution honoring Carl F. Kowalski of Whitman for more than 40 years of public service after suspending the rules. The House also took up a Senate amendment to the fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, House No. 528. After suspending the rules, the House voted not to concur with the Senate amendment and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then recommended several bills for immediate consideration, including measures on Milton school land timing, tolling reform, LIHEAP automatic re-enrollment, Massachusetts identification cards, Quincy public safety records, and parity among Massachusetts beaches; the House suspended Rule 7A, ordered them to third reading, and advanced them. On third reading, the House concurred in the Senate amendment to House No. 4259, designating the Weeder Park tennis courts as the Kim O'Connell tennis courts. It then passed to be engrossed bills on Haverhill election procedures (House Nos. 4203 and 4204), extending Dalton Fire District interim fire chief employment (House No. 4321), and regulating elections in Conway (House No. 4498). Finally, the House took up the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill, House No. 5500, but postponed further consideration until April 27, adopted an order to meet the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• but I will say from personal experience, myself coming from local government and in a city, Newport Beach
• , Government and in a city, Newport Beach, that has more short-term rental permits than any other city
• Because when I started in 2014 on the city council, there were, and Newport Beach welcomed short-term

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a largely procedural floor session. Members also heard guest introductions recognizing the 20th anniversary of UC Merced and visiting interns and local officials. The Speaker reminded members about floor managers for Senate bills and noted several items were passed and retained on file or deferred during the day’s business. On the Daily File, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 385 on park property and AB 1119 on teacher credentialing, both by unanimous 57-0 votes. The house also passed SB 351, a health practices measure presented as strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules and protecting the doctor-patient relationship, by a 61-0 vote. SB 697, relating to water rights adjudication and allowing the State Water Board to use technology such as drones for investigations, passed 55-0. The Assembly then took up SB 346 on local government and short-term rentals. Supporters said it would help cities collect transient occupancy taxes, enforce local ordinances, and identify unpermitted rentals; Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Papin, and Dixon spoke in favor, with Dixon describing local regulatory challenges from her time in Newport Beach. The bill passed 50-0. The second-day consent calendar was then approved. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment in memory remarks honoring Miguel Antonio Cano, Officer of the California Highway Patrol; Vincent Dino, a longtime Palmdale water district and civic leader; Andrew Meredith, a labor and building trades leader and former Galt mayor; and Erica Hoffman, a California School Boards Association advocate for public education. The Assembly then adjourned until Tuesday, September 2 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Riverside POA, and other police officers from Culver City, Claremont, Pomona, Palos Verdes, East Newport Beach
• Riverside, POA, and the other police officers from Culver City, Claremont, Pomona, Palsford, East, Newport Beach
• Claremont, Pomona, Palfordes, Newport Beach, Marietta, Corona, Fullerton, Nevada, Burbank, Brea, Arcadia

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met and announced that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense because each had a fiscal impact. The chair also reminded attendees to submit position letters in advance for inclusion in the bill analysis. A quorum was established and the committee then heard six bills, all of which drew support testimony and no opposition testimony in the room. AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to encourage retired peace officers to remain in California and support recruitment and retention. AB 918 would create a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders deployed under mutual aid during declared emergencies, with supporters saying it would help sustain disaster response and reward extraordinary service. Both bills were backed by police and public safety organizations and were referred to suspense. AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment in response to retail theft and violence; members discussed whether the bill should be broader and how it related to Proposition 36 and crime policy. AB 984 would allow state tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from CalABLE representatives and families describing the program as an essential savings tool for people with disabilities. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, and AB 838 would raise California’s renter’s tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible filers. Each of these bills was also referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE WORK WITH THE PALM BEACH SHERIFF'S OFFICE, INDIAN RIVER SHERIFFS, PASCO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND
• PALM BEACH THINKS THEY HAVE OVER 200 ILLEGAL CASINOS IN THEIR COUNTY ALONE.
• WHATEVER AND THEY WILL SAY LOOK THIS IS LEGAL AND YOU ARE TRYING TO TAKE THIS AND SAY OUT HERE IN PALM BEACH