Transcript Highlights:

• For more than a decade, our UCLA Labor Center and Dream Resource Center has supported immigrant youth
• So AB 713, Opportunity for All, is a significant step forward at a time when immigrants, immigrant youth
• Krista Ramos with the California Immigrant Policy Center in strong support.
• And our last president, when he ran, he ran on the issue of immigration.
• My immigrant story is not different from anybody else.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• punitive changes in immigration criteria.
• legal immigrants who previously qualified<00:32:08.559><c> for</c><00:32:08.799><c> Medicaid</c><00:
• </c> punitive changes in imig immigration punitive changes in imig immigration criteria.<00:32:15.679
• </c><00:32:49.760><c> visas,</c> Iraqi or Afghan special immigrant visas, Iraqi or Afghan special immigrant
• </c> and disrupted not only for immigrants and disrupted not only for immigrants but<00:33:51.200><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• three select committees... ...assignments, I will be creating three select committees on illegal immigration
• The Select Committee on Illegal Immigration A will be chaired by Representative Robinson and will meet
• The Select Committee on Illegal Immigration B will be chaired by Representative Tomko and will meet at
• The Select Committee on Immigration C will be chaired by Representative Duggan and will meet at 5 p.m

Summary: The Florida House convened in Special Session 2025B after recording a quorum and reading the joint proclamation calling the session from January 27 to January 29, 2025. Speaker Perez outlined the special-session process, including canceling regular committee meetings, distributing notebooks with the call, the bill to be filed by Representative McClure, and the bill analysis, and creating three select committees on illegal immigration to hear HB 1B later that day. He also announced a new process for reviewing vetoed appropriations through combined workgroups, beginning with legislative budget vetoes. The House then took up the governor’s veto of portions of HB 5001, the 2024 appropriations act. After reading the governor’s communication, Representative Kennedy moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2802 and its related proviso on page 412, describing it as legislative services support funding needed for IT, forecasting, auditing, and accountability functions. The motion passed 111-0. Kennedy then moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2803 and its related proviso, described as the second line item for legislative support services, and that motion also passed 111-0. No Senate messages, committee reports, reconsiderations, or bills on the calendar were reported. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., or upon the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee assignments, I will be creating three select committees... ...select committees on illegal immigration
• The Select Committee on Illegal Immigration A will be chaired by Representative Robinson and will meet
• The Select Committee on Illegal Immigration B will be chaired by Representative Tomko and will meet at
• The Select Committee on Immigration C will be chaired by Representative Duggan and will meet at 5 p.m

Summary: The Florida House convened in Special Session 2025B after a quorum was established and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The Speaker announced that regular committee meetings were canceled for the week so the chamber could focus on special session work, including three select committees on illegal immigration that would hear HB 1B, along with a Rules and Ethics Committee meeting later that evening. Members were also told the bill filing deadline had been extended to Wednesday at 5 p.m. The main floor business involved the House’s effort to reinstate vetoed legislative operating funds from HB 5001, the 2024 appropriations act. After the clerk read the governor’s veto message, Representative Kennedy moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2802 and its related proviso on page 412, described as legislative services support funding. Supporters said the veto had cut essential legislative functions such as IT, economic forecasting, auditing, and accountability work, and argued the reduction was likely an oversight or improper interference with legislative independence. The motion passed 111-0. Kennedy then moved to reinstate specific appropriation 2803 and its related proviso, the second legislative support services line item. The House again approved the motion unanimously, 111-0. With no other messages, reports, or bills on the desk, the House adopted a motion to adjourn and reconvene on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. or upon the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a first-generation immigrant. I grew up during the Cultural Revolution.
• I'm the organizing director with the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
• Immigrant communities have helped shape and sustain Massachusetts' economy.
• To make matters worse, immigration enforcement is tearing families apart.
• There is a coming wave also of immigrant churches that aren't on any of these lists.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a long public hearing focused mainly on two sets of issues: proposals to amend or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, and bills to allow local rent stabilization. Committee chairs opened by explaining the hearing would be tightly managed because of the very large number of speakers, with testimony limited to two minutes per person and written testimony still accepted by email. Members and witnesses were called in a mix of in-person and virtual order throughout the hearing. On the MBTA Communities Act, several legislators and local officials argued the law is too rigid and should be revised to account for local conditions. Speakers from small, rural, or infrastructure-limited communities such as Hanson, Halifax, Marshfield, Winthrop, Dracut, Carver, Rehoboth, and others said the law’s one-size-fits-all approach does not fit towns with limited water, sewer, transit access, or buildable land. Some filed bills would repeal the law, exempt certain communities, or create appeals processes based on infrastructure, environmental, or historical constraints. Supporters of the law’s changes emphasized local control and the need to avoid forcing development where communities believe it is impractical or inconsistent with town character. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to rent stabilization legislation, especially S. 1447 and related House bills. Supporters included legislators, city councilors, tenant advocates, labor leaders, housing nonprofits, public health organizations, and residents who described sharp rent increases, displacement, homelessness risk, and the strain on working families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. They argued local-option rent stabilization would let municipalities cap excessive increases and prevent no-fault evictions while preserving flexibility for local conditions. Opponents, including small landlords and property owners, said rent control would discourage investment, worsen housing quality, burden responsible owners, and drive small landlords out of the market. Some witnesses also supported a Cape Cod/Island transfer fee bill and a suburban infrastructure fund, arguing those would provide local revenue for housing or roads. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are blind to immigration status.
• Third, we must address gaps for disabled immigrants, particularly Latina immigrant families who are already
• And similarly, I think I already answered about the unsatisfactory immigration status.
• For example, an individual with unsatisfactory immigration status who is served by a regional center
• I immigrated to this country, and I don't have nobody except my caretakers to count on.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are blind to immigration status.
• Third, we must address gaps for disabled immigrants, particularly Latina immigrant families who are already
• And similarly, I think I already answered about the unsatisfactory immigration status.
• For example, an individual with unsatisfactory immigration status who is served by a regional center
• I immigrated to this country, and I don't have nobody except my caretakers to count on.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard testimony on Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and related budget and trailer bill proposals, with a major focus on the impacts of H.R. 1 on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). DDS and the Department of Social Services (DSS) said H.R. 1 could affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh access, but that people with disabilities and caregivers are exempt from the work requirements; the administration is working on data matching and automation through the statewide eligibility system to identify exemptions, with June 1, 2026 as the implementation date for CalFresh changes. Witnesses and advocates warned that any loss of Medi-Cal could create fiscal pressure on regional centers and households, while public commenters described the real-life consequences of losing services. Committee members repeatedly expressed concern about cost shifts to counties and asked for harm-mitigation strategies before the May Revision. The committee also reviewed the governor’s IHSS-related proposals. DSS said the budget would set a baseline for authorized hours, align IHSS disenrollment/reinstatement with Medi-Cal eligibility processes, and eliminate the IHSS backup provider system, while emphasizing that individual service hours would still be based on assessed need. DDS said if a person loses IHSS or Medi-Cal, regional centers may have to step in as payer of last resort for some services, potentially at higher state cost. Members and the Legislative Analyst’s Office questioned whether counties could absorb the proposed shifts without reducing services, and asked for more detail on implementation, data quality controls, and how regional centers could help families navigate disruptions. A separate trailer bill on DDS rate reform and the Quality Incentive Program drew mixed reactions. DDS proposed extending a contract exemption and delaying final rate reform regulations to 2030, saying the changes are budget-neutral and needed for implementation. DDS reported that about 81% of providers had completed the current Quality Incentive Program requirements, but providers and advocates argued the 90-10 structure can function like a penalty and may destabilize services if providers lose 10% of funding. Committee members asked for clearer assistance to providers, possible flexibility for good-faith efforts, and a redlined version of the language before the May Revision. The committee also heard DDS’s proposed trailer bill on regional center governance and provider capacity. DDS said the language would consolidate regional center contracts and performance measures, strengthen board training and oversight, require consumer advisory committees, expand independent legal support, raise the threshold for board approval of contracts, and remove barriers such as physical-office requirements and duplicate vendorization. DDS said the goal is to improve accountability and efficiency while preserving person-centered services, and members indicated they wanted further refinement and stakeholder input before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• This investment is important now more than ever as immigrant families struggle to navigate major Medi-Cal
• and immigration... ...invested to strengthen connections between CHWPR organizations and immigration
• But it's also really focused on connecting immigrant legal services with the CHWPR CBOs, and so we need
• This investment supports promotoras to do outreach and referrals for immigrant legal services and health
• Thank you so much. referrals from immigrant legal services and health care access. Thank you.

Summary: The hearing began with a stakeholder presentation from Let California Kids Hear urging coverage of pediatric hearing aids for children in the large group market. Advocates described the issue as a long-running developmental emergency, argued that existing state efforts have been inefficient, and said the new proposal would cover about 70% to 80% of affected children without new spending by redirecting existing dollars. Public commenters, including parents, audiologists, and children’s advocates, strongly supported the proposal and emphasized the need for timely access to sound. The chair thanked the group and noted hope for a future fix, including continued work on the exchange market. The Department of Finance then gave a broad budget warning about the state’s more than $20 billion structural deficit and said new investments must be weighed against out-year shortfalls. HCAI followed with an overview of its programs, including CalRx insulin and naloxone, reproductive health grants, the Office of Health Care Affordability, seismic hospital compliance, workforce programs, and the Data Exchange Framework. Members asked about geographic targeting of workforce funds, behavioral health pipeline programs, the status of the 21st Century Nursing Initiative, and future CalRx products such as EpiPens and GLP-1s. HCAI also described its enforcement approach for health care spending targets, saying the board would not change the targets in response to H.R. 1, and outlined the diaper access initiative, which will distribute diapers through hospitals in higher-need areas. Several HCAI budget items were discussed and held open, including additional expenditure authority, the transfer of the Data Exchange Framework and Office of the Patient Advocate, long-term care payment transparency staffing, and reporting on health care worker waiting periods. The department also presented its Behavioral Health Services Act workforce initiative and a proposed $100 million General Fund offset, which both the LAO and the chair questioned as unclear and potentially one-time in nature. HCAI said the final workforce plan would be adjusted after stakeholder consultation if the offset proceeds. The department also described the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying California received $233.6 million in federal funds, had to revise its proposal to satisfy CMS, and must obligate the money by October 30; the program will fund rural care models, workforce development, and technology, with grants rolled out on a phased basis. The Department of Managed Health Care then presented its budget and three legislative implementation requests: SB 41 on PBM reform, SB 306 on prior authorization transparency, and AB 1041 on provider credentialing timelines. Finally, the administration outlined a menopause care proposal requiring coverage and education for menopause-related services, provider training, and an outreach campaign, with DMHC requesting staffing and funding to implement and enforce the new requirements. Throughout the hearing, most items were held open for later action, and no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a time when many of our immigrant and underinsured neighbors are having...
• In a time when many of our immigrant and underinsured neighbors are having, Public health clinics.
• Before you, Second Substitute House Bill 2105 concerns immigrant workers.
• Second Substitute House Bill 2105 concerns immigrant workers.
• Second Substitute House Bill 2105 concerns immigrant workers.

Bills: HB1069, HB2091, SB6355, HB2104, SB6003, HB2441, HB2124, HB2610, HB2338

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:23:24.480><c> President</c><01:23:24.800><c> and</c> immigrants. And so, Mr.
• President and immigrants. And so, Mr.
• to these priorities within immigrants to these priorities within the<01:34:06.880><c> bill.
• to illegal immigrants for health with<02:21:59.760><c> their</c><02:22:00.120><c> healthcare.
• immigrants immigrants healthcare.<02:23:11.439><c> That</c><02:23:11.760><c> is</c><02:23:12.000><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pew Research Center works on putting together estimates of how many undocumented immigrants there
• in Arizona and nationally, of the labor force, both in Arizona and nationally, are unauthorized immigrants
• And then on the immigration side, it's something that we're watching closely, because not only do we
• have a sharp drop in illegal immigration, but legal immigration is also down.
• Not only do we have a sharp drop in illegal immigration, but legal immigration is also down.

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee received an update on the state revenue forecast and broader economic conditions. Staff said the April forecast was more cautious than January’s, citing greater uncertainty from the Iran conflict and other macroeconomic risks. Available general fund resources for the four-year period were revised down from $577 million in January to $378 million in April, with no change to expenditure estimates. George Hammond of the University of Arizona then presented on the national, state, and local economy, emphasizing risks from geopolitical conflict, tariffs, federal policy uncertainty, labor supply constraints, and elevated housing costs. He said Arizona job growth had been weak and driven mainly by health care, while inflation in Phoenix remained moderate but shelter and consumer commodity prices were still elevated. He also noted that population growth is increasingly dependent on net migration as natural increase slows. Panelists generally echoed the cautious outlook. Liz St. Clair said Arizona’s near-term revenue outlook still had some support from tourism and a strong spring season, but rising fuel costs and the duration of the Middle East conflict could pressure discretionary spending and revenues. Jim Rounds argued the economy was likely headed for a soft landing, though he warned that federal borrowing, inflation, workforce shortages, and energy reliability remain concerns; he also criticized leaving the Rainy Day Fund unused. Danny Court said the housing market remains under pressure on the ownership side, while rental supply and industrial demand have been relatively strong, and he noted sticky inflation and immigration declines as additional risks. Doug Walls explained that large employment benchmark revisions were affecting Arizona’s job numbers, and said the latest report showed slower but more balanced growth, though labor force declines and a higher unemployment rate were concerning. Lorenzo Romero added that business activity appears resilient in the low-hire, low-fire environment, but warned about debt burdens, uneven wage growth, and ongoing uncertainty. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We agree with the speaker that immigrants are important in our caucus.
• We have multiple members who are immigrants to this country.
• We have members who are children of immigrants, and we have members such as myself who are married to
• an immigrant.
• We can value immigrants, honor our law... spots. spots.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 55 members present and 10 excused, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Monday, January 26, 2026, as corrected. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 5, designating Colorado 4-H Day. Representatives Johnson and McCormick spoke in support, noting the visit from 4-H members and reciting the 4-H pledge. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 59-0, with six excused. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of announcements and recognitions. Members highlighted upcoming legislative receptions for the Colorado Airport Operators Association and livestock groups, committee meetings including SMART Act hearings, Judiciary Committee items, Transportation/Housing/Local Government business, and a House Finance Committee meeting. Several members also recognized visiting groups and constituents, including behavioral health providers, Aurora Mental Health and Recovery, Heritage Heights Academy students, and House District 6 community leaders. A significant portion of the floor time was devoted to a personal privilege statement by Minority Leader Caldwell, who responded to concerns about immigration enforcement, emphasized the rule of law and due process, and criticized rhetoric he said endangered law enforcement and others. The House then moved into recess later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• President and his administration, and in the policies they propose, including the treatment of our immigrant
• King helped pave the road forward, immigrants from every corner of the world, people of different colors
• As of the new year, immigration enforcement agencies reported that more than 328,000 arrests nationwide
• He was with a stranger, with the immigrant.
• Well, as he worked together with everyone regardless of their immigration status.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine announcements and motions. Senator González obtained unanimous consent to print a letter in the journal. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with extensive floor remarks from many senators reflecting on King’s legacy, civil rights, nonviolence, economic justice, solidarity across communities, and current concerns about discrimination, immigration enforcement, and threats to democracy. Speakers from multiple caucuses and affiliations supported the resolution, including Senators Richardson, Archuleta, Choi, Smallwood-Cuevas, Blakespear, Pérez, Weber, McNerney, Wiener, Reyes, Cabaldon, Rubio, and Alvarado-Gil. Their comments emphasized King’s leadership, the Letter from Birmingham Jail, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the need to continue his work through policy and civic action. Senator Richardson closed on the measure, and the Senate adopted SCR 107 by roll call vote. After the resolution, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory. Senator Pérez honored Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders, who died in a vehicle pursuit accident while on duty. Senator McGuire remembered Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, with additional remarks from Senators Becker and Laird about his cultural impact and philanthropy. Senator McNerney and Senator Alvarado-Gil then honored the victims of a Stockton mass shooting, including children Journey Rose Guerrero, Maya Lupian, and Amari Peterson, and a 21-year-old, Susanna Archeletta, describing their lives and the community’s loss. The session ended with the Pro Tem noting the day’s reflection and announcing the Senate would reconvene on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• executive director of Central Legal De La Rasa, which provides legal services to 10,000 Bay Area immigrants
• Anheleca Salas is the executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
• For over two decades, Anheleca has transformed CHIRLA into a mass-membership immigrant-led organization
• that empowers immigrants and their families to win local, state, and national policies that advance
• their human, civil, and labor rights. organization that empowers immigrants and their families to win

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then dispensed with the reading of the prior journal and handled routine motions, including re-referring AB 432 and AB 564 to committees. The main item of business was House Resolution 14, proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry opened on the resolution, and members from the LGBTQ, Native American, Asian American Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, Jewish, and other caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing women’s historical contributions, ongoing inequities, and the importance of representation and parity in public life. Assemblymember DeMaio also supported the resolution while urging attention to girls’ sports. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 78 coauthors were added. The chamber then held its annual California Women of the Year ceremony, with Aguiar-Curry and other members recognizing honorees from across Assembly districts for leadership in education, health care, public service, advocacy, business, and community work. The lengthy roll call highlighted a broad range of women’s accomplishments and community impact. Guest introductions followed, including Sacramento District Attorney Tien Ho, VSP Vision Care executives celebrating the company’s 70th anniversary, and EMTs and ambulance support staff being honored by the California Ambulance Association. The Assembly also took up the second-day consent calendar, which was adopted 71-0. Assemblymember Schultz then delivered an adjournment in memory of Barbara Beckley, founding member and artistic director emerita of the Colony Theatre Company, praising her contributions to Los Angeles theater and the arts. The House then adjourned until Thursday, March 13 at 9 a.m., with a Revenue and Taxation Committee hearing scheduled upon adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know what this is about: the federal immigration piece to it, and I don't agree with that.
• status or threatening to notify law enforcement that the person is in violation of federal immigration
• The federal United States United States Citizenship and Immigration Services allows applicants for visas
• My name is Malou Chavez, executive director at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
• Volunteers will not be allowed to assist in law enforcement of civil immigration laws, and they will

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on February 23, 2026, with a compressed schedule and limited testimony time. Members first heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which would set eligibility standards for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, require background checks for sheriff candidates through the Washington State Patrol, regulate volunteers and youth cadets, and create a vacancy in office if an elected law enforcement official is finally decertified or fails statutory eligibility requirements. Supporters, including Senator Lovick and several advocacy groups, said the bill promotes accountability and professionalism. Opponents, including the sheriffs of Walla Walla and Spokane counties, argued it imposes unfunded mandates, conflicts with voter sovereignty and recall procedures, and could create problems for rural counties and volunteer use. The committee later took executive action and reported the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation, 6-2 with one excused. In executive session, the committee also acted on Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, which expands law enforcement hiring eligibility to people legally authorized to work in the United States. A striking amendment clarified that agencies are not liable for employment discrimination claims if hiring is impracticable, allowed applicants who cannot yet possess weapons to apply if they can possess them when hired, and made technical changes. Representative Burnett raised concerns about background investigations, foreign-country vetting, oath of office, and firearm issues, but the committee adopted the striker and then reported the bill out as amended on a 6-2 vote with one excused. The committee also considered Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public except in specified circumstances and creates a civil cause of action. Amendments added an intent section, expanded exceptions for health and safety equipment under OSHA/WISHA, and proposed stronger prosecutorial language, though two amendments were rejected. The bill was then reported out as amended on a 6-2 vote with one excused. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5890 would expand reckless driving to include driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and 20 miles per hour over in active construction zones when workers are present; law enforcement, prosecutors, traffic safety officials, and construction industry representatives testified in support. Substitute Senate Bill 5936, a Uniform Law Commission proposal on human trafficking, would allow prosecution of businesses that knowingly engage in or profit from trafficking, strengthen victim confidentiality, and improve U and T visa certification procedures; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with one witness urging caution about unintended consequences for businesses that report trafficking. Finally, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6070 would expand missing-person response tools by allowing certain surveillance devices to be used for community caretaking to locate missing endangered persons, create Ebony and Purple Alerts, transfer the missing persons website to the State Patrol, and add a public records exemption. Testimony strongly supported the alert provisions, especially for people with disabilities, while one privacy advocate objected to the surveillance provisions as an overreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we wanted to also just highlight an example quickly on the Immigration Sub-Cabinet.
• Because we know immigration touches everyone. It touches all of us. It touches all our communities.
• And we wanted to make sure that if you are a person who is an immigrant and refugee...
• On the topic of the immigration sub-cabinet, you did touch briefly on it, but the camera surveillance
• I know especially on the Immigration Sub-Cabinet, there's a lot of interest not only among us here in

Summary: The committee heard a work session on voting access on tribal lands, beginning with a presentation from Dr. Chelsea Jones of the Brennan Center. She described barriers affecting Native voters and voters on tribal lands, including long travel distances to polling places and drop boxes, nontraditional addresses, unreliable postal service, language access, and limited broadband. Citing research, she said turnout on tribal lands trails turnout off tribal lands by about 10 percentage points nationally and about 10% in Washington, with larger gaps in some convenience voting measures. Members asked about the meaning of “lost votes,” the role of tribal leadership and community trust, and whether outreach by election officials and candidates could help; Dr. Jones emphasized that the study measured missed voting opportunities, not missing ballots, and that partnerships with trusted community leaders are important. The University of Washington Elections Database then presented data on voter registration, turnout, signature challenges, curing, and ballot rejection for voters whose addresses fall within tribal reservation boundaries. The presenters said registration on reservations increased from about 107,000 in 2010 to 137,000 in 2024, turnout on reservations remained about 8 to 9 percentage points lower than outside reservations in recent general elections, and signature-challenge and rejection rates were generally low but somewhat higher in off-year elections. They reported that about 60% to two-thirds of signature-challenged ballots are cured, with cure rates similar inside and outside reservations, and that late return is the most common reason for primary ballot rejection while signature mismatch is the leading cause in general elections. A question was raised about USPS postmarking issues and how those might affect future data; the presenters said they plan to track return method and cure timing more closely. The committee also received an overview of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs. Staff reviewed the office’s history, the Centennial Accord, the Millennium Agreement, and related state-tribal frameworks, and GOIA Director Tim Rainan described the office’s role as a bridge between the state and tribal governments, including consultation, policy coordination, training, and convening work groups. He said GOIA now has six positions, is part of the governor’s executive cabinet, and is working on a statewide tribal relations training module and consultation handbook. In response to a question, he said tribal voting is not a major topic at the Centennial Accord but is discussed more extensively through ATNI. The committee then shifted to contracting equity, hearing from WSDOT, DES, OMWBE, and the Office of Equity. WSDOT described its race-neutral small business and veteran goals, mentorship and support programs, and its response to the federal suspension of the DBE program; DES discussed statewide contracting spend, the EDGE pilot for small construction firms, and efforts to improve procurement access; OMWBE reported growth in certified firms and about $371 million in state spend with certified firms in the most recent year, while noting ongoing impacts from federal DBE changes; and the Office of Equity outlined its broader work on agency consultation, dashboards, and systems change. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> person for civil civil immigration person for civil civil immigration violation<03:32:20.399><c>
• immigrants do not get health care, so immigrants do not get health care, so that<03:39:53.200><c> wouldn't
• And we've talked enforce immigration.
• </c><03:45:58.239><c> community</c> people in the immigrant community people in the immigrant community
• </c> heard regarding immigration. heard regarding immigration.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on House Bill 1087 and House Bill 123, both related to firearms. HB 1087 was introduced as a Second Amendment measure, but after questions from the chair and discussion with law enforcement, the sponsor agreed it should be set aside and referred to a study committee for further review, rather than advanced as written. The New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association testified in opposition to the bill as written, while also indicating support for the sponsor’s proposed amendment or a study approach. The bulk of the discussion centered on HB 123, which would require the return of firearms after a not guilty verdict or dismissal. The sponsor and several members described the bill’s purpose as speeding up the return of property, but law enforcement and judicial branch witnesses raised concerns about federal law, the need to ensure a person is still legally eligible to possess firearms, and the bill’s 24-hour return requirement. Witnesses from the State Police and judicial branch explained the current process, including background checks through the state police gun line, and said the existing procedure already aims to return firearms promptly while allowing time to verify disqualifying information. Members and witnesses discussed possible amendments, including removing language that would bar background checks and instead tying return of firearms to completion of the check within a set time frame. Judicial branch and State Police witnesses said a process that requires a background check and return within a reasonable period, with notice if there is a delay or denial, would better address safety and legal concerns. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee closed the public hearing and indicated it would continue working on the language before executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:32.320><c> enforcement</c><00:36:32.880><c> pay</c> engage in immigration enforcement pay
• engage in immigration enforcement pay Minnesota<00:36:33.520><c> income</c><00:36:33.920><c> taxes</c
• enforcement efforts required immigration enforcement efforts required an<00:36:41.440><c> inordinate
• She said nobody is out there in negative-degree weather for fun, and that the bill is for immigration
• efforts pay their fair share immigration efforts pay their fair share of<00:42:12.720><c> income</c>

Bills: HF3611, HF3659, HF3909

Keywords: taxation, income tax, damage awards, sexual harassment, abuse claims, immigration enforcement, taxpayers, file income tax return, Minnesota-source income, tax regulations, detention facilities, gross revenues, private prisons, Minnesota law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We uh periodically look at the economic contributions of immigrants to our economy and those types of
• In terms of our broader position on um immigration, you've mentioned it's a federal issue.
• </c><00:37:16.960><c> can</c><00:37:17.119><c> be</c> mentioning on um immigration can be mentioning
• ,</c> broader position on um immigration, broader position on um immigration, you've<00:37:33.040><c>
• And it is to improve immigration reform.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're one of seven states that provides Medicaid to undocumented or illegal immigrants.
• So whatever you want to say about your personal views about immigration, immigrants are in every county
• So whatever you want to say about your personal views about immigration, immigrants are in every county
• </c> immigration immigrants are in every immigration immigrants are in every County<00:54:01.240><c>
• We have looked at numbers between the dollars which are going to illegal immigrants, which is illegal

Keywords: 1183, house