Transcript Highlights:

• Congress has not done its job.
• So do your job as a good steward in our community. Your technologies are powerful.
• Getting the job training.
• I've never had a job where everybody spoon-feeds me.
• And this job forces me to do that. I wouldn't do that on my own.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code that deal with the placement of students with disabilities in residential treatment centers, and
• The father lost his job, the saddest story I've ever seen.
• You did such a good job. I appreciate you. Sorry for the time crunch.
• You did such a good job. I appreciate you. Sorry for the time crunch.
• Good job on my name today. I know we're Holly Texas is. That's true.

Bills: HB136 , HB451 , SB425 , SB466 , SB905 , SB1986 , SB2311 , SB2450 , SB2805 , SB2826 , SB2919 , SB3001

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and announced it would vote on pending bills at 10:30, with public testimony limited to two minutes. It first took up Senate Bill 905, a TDLR cleanup bill on licensing regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Senator Zafferini said the committee substitute would streamline advisory board consultation, remove obsolete provisional licenses, and allow any licensed physician to authorize hearing instruments for minors; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 451, which would require universal screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk for children in DFPS conservatorship and youth under TJJD jurisdiction. The author and witnesses from Children at Risk, the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective, and Texas CASA supported the bill as a prevention tool with existing infrastructure and training; the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. The committee next considered Senate Bill 466, which would clarify that families may request a fetal death certificate at any gestational age, while keeping existing filing requirements for physicians. A constituent father testified about losing his 11-week-old daughter and being told he could not obtain a certificate, which he said prevented funeral arrangements; the substitute was adopted and the bill left pending. Senate Bill 2311 followed, requiring residential treatment centers to have a written agreement with the school that will educate resident children before becoming operational. The author cited a local dispute where an RTC and school district lacked communication, and witnesses from Texas CASA and Disability Rights Texas supported clearer educational planning while suggesting the Education Code may need conforming changes; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2826, known as Alyssa’s Law, which would create a statewide education program on medical child abuse for medical students, health care professionals, and CPS caseworkers. The author and Sheriff Bill Weyburn described Alyssa’s case as involving repeated unnecessary surgeries and argued the bill would improve awareness and early identification, while several witnesses and members raised concerns about false accusations, impacts on medically fragile children, and the need for scientific, peer-reviewed training and safeguards. After extensive discussion, the chair left the bill pending. The committee also heard House Bill 136, which would add certified lactation consultants as Medicaid providers to expand breastfeeding support; witnesses from lactation and nutrition fields said the bill would improve access, maternal and infant health, and long-term savings, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2805, a surprise-billing/arbitration measure that would clarify provider identifiers and shift arbitration costs to the losing party. The author said the substitute was a legislative counsel draft with no substantive difference, and witnesses from the Texas Medical Association, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and U.S. Anesthesia Partners supported the bill as a modest improvement that would reduce administrative confusion and make arbitration fairer without weakening patient protections. Members discussed how arbitration costs affect settlement behavior and how to define the “winner” in close cases. The bill was heard but not voted out during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we did a good job, and we're doing a much better job under the management and leadership
• We're doing a good job.
• fairs and other job fairs.
• We also have the Jobs for Veterans State Grant.
• Of those individuals, 477 have exited the program, 376 of whom have job placements, and 320 have received

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits. Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, a lot of sober living homes have house managers that have jobs off-site.
• Investigate ongoing social media and online recruitment tied to Medicaid-funded placements.
• They really encourage them to get part-time jobs or even full-time jobs to start learning those independent
• So very affordable when you're on a part-time job.
• Again, put the guy out of his torture or let him do his job. Oh, then it goes on.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee continued its fourth hearing on fraud, waste, and abuse involving Arizona’s Medicaid and behavioral health systems, with a major focus on Access/ALTCS eligibility, behavioral health licensing, and payment delays. Senator Shamp presented findings alleging large gaps in ABD Medicaid asset verification, including that only a portion of enrollees were checked and that many with substantial liquid assets remained on the program. She argued the state’s waiver and lack of asset limits created a compliance and fiscal risk, and urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification, and broader reforms. Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, testified that ADHS and Access have become overly punitive toward licensed providers, often sending technical paperwork violations straight to enforcement instead of allowing correction plans, and that zoning and licensing delays are harming legitimate businesses. Reva Stewart testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people into behavioral health and sober living settings remain ongoing, especially through social media, and called for stronger accountability and enforcement against bad actors. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has received more than a thousand complaints about unlicensed sober living operations, which has diverted staff from routine oversight of licensed facilities. She said ADHS has expanded enforcement tools for sober living homes, is using a new licensing system to flag repeat bad actors, and is trying to make the application process easier, while acknowledging that inspections can tip off unlicensed operators. Access Director Virginia Roundtree described steps the agency has taken since the prior hearing, including daily staff huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an external claims vendor, and an independent review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management. She said Access is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers, and committed to follow up on a specific provider payment dispute by early the next week. Committee members repeatedly pressed Access and ADHS on delayed claims processing, prepayment review, and whether the current system is driving providers out of business. Roundtable testimony from Access staff described the new Provider Resolution Roundtables, which are intended to work with a small number of providers facing the most claims and authorization problems. Members questioned why claims are being denied or held for long periods, why some providers are still waiting on payments from 2023 and 2024, and whether the agency’s actions are sustainable. Access also explained the Targeted Investment Program, saying it is a federally approved Medicaid initiative with large dollar amounts still being paid out on a delayed schedule, and agreed to provide more information on provider participation and payment timing. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated the committee would continue reviewing the issue and requested additional reports and follow-up information from Access and ADHS.

Transcript Highlights:

• . placement. placement.
• It's a job I love; it's a job I'm good at.
• It's a job I love, it's a job I'm years. It's a job I love, it's a job I'm good<00:34:50.679><c> at.
• Imagine never leaving your job.
• </c> deal with my job. deal with my job.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not an alternative long-term placement for people with severe mental illness; that would be a
• This is not an alternative long-term placement for people with severe mental illness; that would be a
• This is not an alternative long-term placement for people with severe mental illness; that would be a
• This is not an alternative long-term placement for people with severe mental illness; that would be a
• This is not an alternative long-term placement for people with severe mental illness; that would be a

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• committee is probably aware, and as other witnesses have said. ...stated Medicaid does a really good job
• I kept doing my job as an engineer during the day, and I went for three hours each evening from, I think
• The food that we're eating and the access; we're not working manual labor jobs here as much.
• You did a great job, Representative Bucy. No, that was... thank you. I'm sorry.
• I also want to emphasize that 40 percent of the kids without placement who are in the foster care system

Bills: HB231 , HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 996 helps ensure that these opportunities are not dependent on placement or circumstances, but are
• I entered care at the age of 12, and I've been in six placements.
• I've only received an allowance in one placement, my current one.
• I currently receive $15 biweekly due to youth in my placement advocating for a $2 increase.
• Although I am fortunate to get an allowance at this placement, the amounts are not consistent around

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Other Affairs considered four bills. SB 1690 on early childhood education was amended with a delete-all amendment that would require DCF and local licensing agencies to publicly post inspection reports and annual data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse in child care facilities, revise notice requirements for certain child care homes, add website disclosure requirements for exempt facilities, address insurance coverage for family and large family child care homes, and create the Florida Endowment for Early Learning. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably, with support noted from United Way of Florida. The committee then heard SB 1022 on children’s initiatives, which would create two new children’s initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County. The sponsor said the bill would expand local service networks for children in disadvantaged communities with no state fiscal impact. The bill was reported favorably after support was noted from representatives of Florida Children’s Initiative and others. SB 996 on dependent children drew extensive testimony from Florida Youth SHINE members and other foster youth advocates, who supported the bill’s focus on lived experience, regular consultation with youth-serving organizations, public reporting on implementation, and normalcy in foster care, including allowance to help youth learn budgeting. The bill sponsor said it would help make the system more responsive to youth needs. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 1642 on temporary cash assistance eligibility, narrowing a SNAP-related eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the change would remove barriers for trafficking survivors while keeping existing program requirements in place. Both SB 996 and the amended SB 1642 were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I'm bragging on our CIS division, but they do a really good job.
• I think it's a great opportunity and there's a lot of jobs out there.
• One question: Does Job Corps connect with you all?
• Job Corps is—I think we've had a couple of youth we've placed in Job Corps, but not routinely.
• thank you chair one question do job core connect with you all job core is I think we've had a couple

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth met to approve prior minutes, confirm Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee, and receive several presentations. The Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review team reported on unexpected child deaths in Arkansas, saying its 2023 review covered 148 of 170 non-natural deaths, with the remainder unavailable due to criminal investigations or missing records. Of the reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined, and members discussed how the report’s recommendations could be used by agencies and nonprofits for prevention work and grant applications. Committee members also asked about age breakdowns and how the data could be shared without identifying individual cases. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was intended to confront data on juvenile incarceration and system outcomes. Senator Missy Irvin, judges Troy Braswell and Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described the state’s long-running reform efforts, including the SAVRY risk assessment, diversion programs, and efforts to keep more youth in their communities. They said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, but also emphasized ongoing gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and school-based supports. Members raised concerns about school data sharing, behavioral health access, and how to better identify youth with disabilities or trauma earlier. Judge Braswell and others stressed that many youth in the system have significant trauma, family instability, or unmet treatment needs, and that judges need individualized information to make decisions. Several members discussed the role of schools, the school safety dashboard, and the need for stronger community providers, especially in rural areas. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided data on commitments, facility use, demographics, offense levels, length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, and costs. He said commitments rose after the pandemic and then began to decline, while secure and detention costs increased with the need for more beds; he also noted that most youth in custody have behavioral health needs and that DYS works closely with DCFS, courts, and providers. No final action was taken on HCR 1010 during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• When FASD goes unrecognized, problems show up everywhere: school failure, disruptive placement, mental
• ><c> crisis,</c><00:27:36.520><c> justice</c> placement, mental health crisis, justice placement, mental
• Great job. Thank you. Mhm. consistency, and style. consistency, and style.
• </c><00:49:21.200><c> Great</c><00:49:21.359><c> job.
• Great job. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Great job. Thank you.

Bills: HCR18 , HCR32 , HCR35 , HCR105 , HCR173

Committee: House Health

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bar also offers free job advertising for positions in rural areas.
• Madam Chair, to receive public interest jobs, almost all of them in Washington.
• or accepted jobs of graduates.
• It's a very difficult job with very limited compensation.
• He couldn't get a job. Our social worker helped him.

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, community placement options or wraparound services in the home allow discharge within
• Community placement options or we're<00:25:54.000><c> able</c><00:25:54.240><c> to</c><00:25:54.360>
• These caps threaten not just the jobs, but the essential life-saving care they provide to Minnesotans
• These caps threaten not just the jobs, but the essential life-saving care they provide to Minnesotans
• Our nursing facilities face significant job vacancies for critical caregiving and nursing roles.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Iron workers cannot run machines because that is the operator's job.
• </c> machines because that is operator's job machines because that is operator's job so<00:22:09.559>
• </c> certified people can do the job certified people can do the job basically<00:26:12.520><c> as</c
• those parameters in there when they get the job.
• I mean, that's sort of parameters in the job classification.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Labor and Technology, Transportation, and Culture and the Arts heard testimony on Senate Bill 396 and Senate Bill 47, then later the Labor and Technology committee took up Senate Bill 136 and Senate Bill 1523. SB 396 drew support from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and others, with a question raised about implementation costs; the director said costs would depend on the scope of the benefit package and the transportation mode involved. The committees recommended passing SB 396 with technical amendments and added appropriation language with a blank amount, and the motion was adopted by recorded votes in both committees. SB 47, which would designate the Lunar New Year as a state holiday, received support from the Office of Collective Bargaining and several individuals, including Charlene Chun, who spoke about family traditions and cultural recognition. Members asked about the cost and whether the day would be a paid day off for state employees; the response was that observance would be subject to collective bargaining. The committees moved SB 47 forward with amendments, noting the collective bargaining and cost issues, and adopted the recommendation by vote. In the Labor and Technology committee, SB 136 on the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund drew strong support from iron workers and related supporters, who argued the bill was about safety, training, and keeping dismantling work within the ironworkers’ trade. Several other unions, including operating engineers, carpenters, laborers, and plumbers and fitters, opposed the bill as too broad and potentially infringing on their jurisdiction. The measure was not decided in the portion provided, but members discussed possible amendments and jurisdictional concerns. SB 1523, which would expand private-sector collective bargaining rights under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and others under NLRB jurisdiction, received broad labor support, including from IATSE, AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Unite Here Local 5, and many individual testifiers. Supporters framed it as protecting workers’ rights and strengthening labor protections, while the Hawaii Labor Relations Board warned it could significantly increase workload and require more staffing, space, and operating resources; the board estimated the bill could expand its caseload substantially and suggested an appropriation would likely be needed. The committee then moved on to the next measure, SB 1440, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• -514.07, 8-829, 8-801, 8-824, and 8-842, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to child welfare and placement
• 8-501, 8-1403, 8-1407, 8-598, 8-801, 8-204, and 8-421, as amended, relating to child welfare and placement
• Not relations, but people who have a relationship with a child, for kinship care placement.
• And so they are good placements for taking care, kinship care, of children that need placement.
• There still needs to be care in placing children in kinship placement. Therefore, I vote no.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the journal. The body then extended the session under Rule 27 and agreed to request House consent to adjourn until April 27, 2026. It moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2170 (procurement code-related), HB 2415 (kratom regulation), HB 2700 (housing technology study committee), and HB 2950 (special districts/tourism improvement areas). Amendments were adopted on HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2950, and the committee reported HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2700 do pass; HB 2950 was later defeated on third read. The Senate also heard a brief welcome for visiting students and a personal privilege statement on Earth Day and environmental issues. The Senate then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for HB 2035 (child welfare and placement), HB 2249 (parental bill of rights), and HB 2573 (DUI/local referendum-related language). HB 2035 received a Warner amendment expanding the definition of extended family to include adoptive family members; HB 2249 received a Mesnard amendment adding liability and technical changes; and HB 2573 received a Rogers technical amendment. All three were reported out do pass as amended. On third read, HB 2573 passed 20-9, with several senators explaining opposition based on referendum and emergency-clause concerns tied to a Marana data center dispute; HB 2170 passed 17-12; HB 2415 passed 22-7; HB 2035 passed 26-3; and HB 2249 passed 17-12. HB 2950 failed 10-19. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 2043, substituting it for the Senate version and sending it to third read. The resolution, which calls for a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms, passed 16-13 after several senators warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and the lack of limits on its scope. The House’s message on adjournment was read, committee meetings for April 27 were announced, and members made personal privilege remarks, including birthday wishes and an announcement about the annual legislative charity softball game. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• WITH REGARD TO INCREASED ACUITY AND PLACEMENT ARRAY IN RECENT YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A DECREASE IN THE
• UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PLACEMENTS.
• BILL REQUIRES DCF TO CREATE A TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PILOT PROGRAM THAT WILL INCREASE FAMILY LIKE PLACEMENT
• STATE AND ALL OF THIS COUNTRY EVERY YEAR DCF IS REQUIRED TO REPORT DATA ABOUT WHAT SERVICES AND PLACEMENTS
• GUIDANCE GIVEN ON THIS ONLINE 67 FOR THE TWO CIRCUIT SAYS THE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE RELEVANT REMOVAL AND PLACEMENT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, member, Senate Bill 1821, VCS training child placement management, passed out of committee
• Madam Chair, Member, Senate Bill 1821, VCS training, child placement management, passed out of committee
• Great job, Yomini. Thank you, Madam Chair. You're welcome. All right, let's move to SB 1004, Yomni.
• Great job. Yay. We should make a video out of that. She should make a video out of that.
• Great job. Yay. We should make a video out of that. She should make a video out of that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus review of a large calendar of Senate bills, with members mainly hearing short titles, committee vote counts, and whether bills were on consent or pulled for further discussion. Many measures were reported out on party-line or split votes and several were flagged to be removed from consent, especially bills involving artificial intelligence content verification, public benefits eligibility, gender transition procedures liability, health insurance reimbursement for vaccines, light rail feasibility review, public employees merit hiring, public records fees, virtual currency payments, tax conformity, undocumented immigrants and financial services, central bank digital currency, and public monies investment in trust currency. The caucus also discussed a number of education, public safety, child welfare, health, and regulatory bills. These included measures on school communications, bullying liability, AED training, classroom management, school safety reporting, DCS procedures, fingerprinting at behavioral health facilities, probation conditions, missing children reporting, sex offender monitoring, crimes against children probation monitoring, and domestic violence release conditions. Several members raised objections or concerns about specific bills, including mandatory sentencing, religious sectarian law language, concealed weapons notice repeal, and a bill on death sentence by firing squad, with some members asking to pull those bills from consent. A final topic was a blue-sheet Senate amendment to HB 2874 on campaign committee termination statements and penalties. Rhonda explained the Senate changes would void penalties for committees with no contributions or expenditures, retroactive to December 2021, but noted the Senate did not secure enough votes for the emergency clause. Members asked about the rationale, the Secretary of State’s position, and the amount of outstanding penalties. The chair later announced that the Senate amendment was being refused, so the bill would not receive final passage that day and would instead be sent back for further action or conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Traffickers prey on vulnerability using violence, fraudulent job offers, and false promises.
• They prey on vulnerability, using violence, fraudulent job offers, and false promises of education or
• saying is those are kids who have been in foster homes, those are kids who have been in out-of-home placements
• Those are kids who have been in out-of-home placements.

Summary: The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call and proceeded with routine business, including approval of the previous day’s journal, procedural suspensions, and several file items. Most second-reading, concurrence, veto, and reconsideration items were passed, retained, or continued without debate. The main floor action was on House Resolution 75, authored by Assembly Member Pellerin, designating January 26 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Pellerin and several members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing survivor-led advocacy, the prevalence of trafficking in California, risks tied to major events and vulnerable populations, and the need for better prevention, data collection, and victim services. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 64 co-authors were added. Assembly Member Avila Farias’s AB 768, relating to mobile home park rent control and affordable housing, also passed with a 60-1 vote. The Assembly then held multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes for Joy Atkinson, a longtime Los Angeles civic leader and mentor to Black women in public service, with members recounting her work in government, political organizing, and the La P.I.E. leadership institute. Later, Assembly Member Haney offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, highlighting his musical legacy and philanthropy. The House adjourned until Thursday, January 22, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Traffickers prey on vulnerability using violence, fraudulent job offers, and false promises.
• Vulnerability, using violence, fraudulent job offers, and false promises of education or employment to
• saying is those are kids who have been in foster homes, those are kids who have been in out-of-home placements
• Those are kids who have been in out-of-home placements.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• current practice so that our courts can operate with the surety that they need in order to do their jobs
• The loss of just a few programs will significantly impact your already severe placement shortages that
• And long story short, last summer, David was able to get a summer job and continue to develop his interest
• Since 2019, with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I have conducted... ...with the enactment
• of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children. The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Melissa did a great job of explaining it.
• straightforward program that requires Commerce to be involved and just make sure that we're doing the job
• It's about making sure that we're doing a good job with these funds and sharing that with the public
• really sad that Commerce failed many of its audits last year, even though they're doing such a great job
• , making sure that economically disadvantaged folks get the money they such a great job, making sure

Bills: SB6069 , SB6167 , SB6201 , SB6205 , SB6001 , SB6026 , SB6054 , SGA9278 , SGA9279

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption, urban growth area, UGA, planning, development regulations, permitting