Transcript Highlights:

• It deals with employer contributions to the workers' compensation fund.
• New Mexico is quite large; one in eight workers, as I stated previously.
• Madam Speaker, The oil and gas industry relies on these workers, and these workers pay an estimated $771.1
• And I could also go on about our farm workers and the folks who work in those fields.
• We have many emergency industries, and those industries demand new workers.

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• The two chambers do not come together. and have hearings, and we do not do them remotely, but the magnitude
• The rain fell in remote areas with limited gauge data.
• ability and technology and cell phone availability, especially in the Upper Guadalupe. and other remote
• I work in that industry, so I know the challenges of remote area reliability.
• So these are remote, these tell.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to get to work and back because I live in a very remote place.
• With respect, you need to stop speaking for workers. You do not speak for workers.
• I speak for the workers in the workforce. Can we just—no, no.
• I'll say I represent three workers.
• Other than Huron is a community of hardworking farm workers.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• ballot while they're home at the town clerk's office so that they don't have to mail a form from a remote
• ballot while they're home at the town clerk's office so that they don't have to mail a form from a remote
• ballot while they're home at the town clerk's office so that they don't have to mail a form from a remote
• ballot while they're home at the town clerk's office so that they don't have to mail a form from a remote
• Government record certified before, you know, a government worker.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Her own mom was a social worker, as is she. And her dad was a veteran.
• Her own mom was a social worker, as is she, and her dad was a veteran.
• Being a social worker has given her the tools and skills to lead with compassion.
• Being a social worker has given her the tools and skills to lead with compassion.
• We hold hybrid public hearings so people can come to testify in person or remotely.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators. The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session. In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement. The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, now we're going to go to the Workers' Compensation Administration.
• The Workers' Compensation Administration gets its revenue from a payroll tax.
• The Workers' Compensation Administration, over the last, I would say, at least three fiscal years, has
• The worker contribution is $2.25, and the employer contribution is $2.55.
• Well, most places really often require helicopters in my remote area.

Transcript Highlights:

• out with... ...but now we've seen a preview of how this is playing out with frontline public health workers
• for their time, representing the bulk of staff impacted, like RNs, nurse aides, community health workers
• In the last year, we've expanded service sites and locations, and have loved being able to serve remotely
• We are saying to those workers that have been there for decades, now might be the time to consider whether
• For example, working with community health workers, promotoras, and other local leaders to provide key

Summary: The subcommittee held an oversight hearing on federal actions affecting California’s public health and family planning systems, focusing first on the freeze to Title X family planning funds and then on broader CDC/public health grant terminations. Chair and members described the cuts as abrupt, harmful, and likely to create major gaps in disease surveillance, vaccination, contraception, STI testing, and other preventive services, while also criticizing the federal administration’s explanation that the actions were tied to DEI or civil-rights compliance. The chair thanked Attorney General Bonta for legal action and said the hearing was intended to document the real-world impacts and inform state budget responses. Witnesses from Essential Access Health, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a Central Coast clinic, and other providers said California’s Title X network serves more than half a million low-income patients annually and relies on the funds for staffing, outreach, training, mobile and school-based clinics, and confidential care. They warned that the freeze has already forced reserve spending, delayed services, and could lead to layoffs, reduced hours, longer waits, and fewer appointments, especially for sexual and reproductive health care. Public comment included support for a proposed state backfill of Title X losses, with advocates emphasizing impacts on low-income, LGBTQ+, and communities of color. On the public health side, CDPH, county health officials, and local health officers testified that the CDC’s rescission of $11.4 billion in grants would affect California by an estimated $840 million and threaten lab capacity, immunization programs, health disparities work, and data systems such as CalConnect and vaccine registries. Sacramento County and others described how the grants supported outbreak response, sequencing, community vaccination clinics, and equity-focused partnerships, and said terminations had already led to canceled appointments, stopped contracts, and layoffs. Several speakers urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state “future of public health” funding and to backfill federal losses, while public commenters from HIV, immunization, labor, and county organizations echoed concerns about workforce losses and worsening health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before in the bill, it was 150% of the workers' comp rate. Medicine.
• It was 150 percent of the workers' comp rate.
• I've treated workers' comp patients in the past, and they're more difficult patients.
• a daily routine would be considered for a man versus a woman, a professional versus a vocational worker
• Well, it just brought back memories of the workers' compensation legislation. Yes.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a couple of them sitting next to me with a journey worker, and you'll hear from them in just
• I've got a couple of them sitting next to me with a journey worker, and you'll hear from them in just
• I've got a couple of them sitting next to me with a journey worker, and you'll hear from them in just
• Scholastica, but it was a hybrid model where there was a remote location in St.
• hybrid model where there was a remote hybrid model where there was a remote location<01:21:45.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the policies that we're agreeing to, we'll make sure that their uh cameras are on so they can vote remotely
• This is House-only language, defining terms and adding protections for state workers who report fraud
• This is House-only language, defining terms and adding protections for state workers who report fraud
• This is House-only language, defining terms and adding protections for state workers who report fraud
• Uh, this allows limited duration covenants not to compete for workers over certain income thresholds

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not just for efficiency but for worker safety.
• Economic impact, tourism, residential communities, small businesses, and worker safety, including oil
• Groups, astro-tourism, and remote observatories. So we have this special resource.
• safety, and I think worker safety has to be paramount to the enjoyment of stars, and I love them as
• And so those are, I think, worker safety in those areas is very important.

Transcript Highlights:

• He then noted that, at the bottom of the page, 21 days is the current administrative rule for a workers
• claim and having to either appeal it or hope that the workers’ comp insurer continues to look at the
• state under the compact privilege shall function within the scope of practice authorized by the remote
• Dentistry or dental hygiene in a remote Dentistry or dental hygiene in a remote State<01:47:46.800
• <01:59:12.599> State persons practicing from a remote State persons practicing from a remote

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It applies to restaurant workers who need treatment for pathogens and hospital workers with scabies.
• It undermines employers... ...and hospital workers with scabies.
• Committee on Education, having under consideration HB 2313 relating to teacher strikes prohibition and remote

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It applies to restaurant workers who need treatment for pathogens and hospital workers with scabies.
• It undermines employers... ...and hospital workers with scabies.
• Committee on Education, having under consideration HB 2313, relating to teacher strikes prohibition and remote

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• um out of wahiwa with our social workers um out of wahiwa instead<01:06:17.880> of<01:06:17.960
• <01:06:21.480> and work with their uh social workers and work with their uh social workers
• The next one is social workers. We’re seeking funding only.
• of our social worker and probation unit out at Wahiawā to seven. we'll be offering many more services
• painters Building Maintenance workers painters Building Maintenance workers our<05:11:22.360>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Law Enforcement on its priorities following the January 1 transfer of law enforcement assets into the department, including the sheriff’s division, narcotics enforcement, criminal investigations, homeland security, and the inspector general’s office. DLE said its goals are to improve public safety, accountability, communications, training, and standards. The department outlined planned initiatives such as stronger federal partnerships, narcotics and gun-violence enforcement, an agricultural crime unit, traffic and commercial vehicle enforcement, an explosive/fireworks enforcement section, gun buybacks, new police facilities in the airport area, Aahu, and the leeward side, a state training center, upgraded law-enforcement IT, and efforts to narrow salary gaps with county departments to improve recruitment. A major portion of the discussion focused on illegal fireworks enforcement after the recent explosion tragedy. DLE said its current task force is small and relies on ad hoc support from HPD, the Attorney General’s office, criminal investigations, and sheriffs, which is not sustainable. The department requested eight FTEs for the effort—one administrator, two clerical staff, and six investigators—plus funding for a laboratory, equipment, storage, disposal, vehicles, safety gear, and a criminalist. DLE said the explosive enforcement section would use an existing facility and that the initial lab startup cost is about $2 million. Members asked for follow-up materials, and DLE said it would send the explosive enforcement forms and additional details to the Finance and Judiciary chairs. Members also questioned staffing vacancies, interagency coordination, and whether new specialized units could be filled. DLE said it has about 119 vacancies and that recruitment is hindered by a roughly $28,000 starting pay gap with county police departments; academy classes are down to about 12 to 14 recruits. The department said it is streamlining hiring, using QR-code recruitment, and hopes specialized units will attract applicants. On coordination, DLE said it works closely with HPD and other agencies on operations such as fireworks enforcement and public events, and that DOCARE remains a case-by-case partner but is not currently moving into DLE. The committee also received updates on the Silver Alert program, which is nearing rollout with county MOUs and a coordinator expected later in the month, the special duty officer program, which is being moved to a web-based vendor-managed system at no cost to the department, and the SaferWatch school safety system, which is being deployed statewide with annual software costs of $3,500 per school in the first year and $2,500 thereafter. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• In particular, rural areas may lack a sufficient worker pool to hire from.
• There may be a lack of workers who speak the family's language and understand their culture.
• Respite agencies who hire family-identified workers expand the range of options for families to be able
• We just got rid of the below-minimum-wage category of workers out there.
• As somebody who began this journey in this career as a respite worker, I really want to thank you, Mr

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on developmental services, rehabilitation, and related supports, with no votes taken. The first major topic was the Master Plan for Developmental Services. Administration officials described a year-long, community-driven process that included a steering committee, work groups, and statewide engagement sessions, and said the final draft would be released that Friday with about 170 recommendations. The Department of Developmental Services said the plan would inform future work, but did not offer a detailed implementation roadmap. The LAO said the plan contains significant policy and budget implications, may require statutory changes, and needs further analysis to turn recommendations into actionable proposals. Advocates and regional center representatives urged the Legislature and administration to avoid letting the plan sit on a shelf, called for prioritization and ongoing stakeholder oversight, and emphasized the need to address equity, workforce, service coordination, and cross-system collaboration. The chair said he wanted to work with the LAO on trailer bill language and future reporting to create a clearer path forward. The second topic was the Office of Employment First and competitive integrated employment. Administration witnesses said California has ended subminimum wage under SB 639, but that moving people into competitive integrated employment remains a major priority. They described existing efforts such as DDS’s coordinated career pathways pilot, paid internships, job development services, benefits counseling, and DOR’s career counseling and referral services, along with pilot projects in San Diego and Orange County. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities and advocates argued that employment outcomes have remained stuck at roughly 15% and that a dedicated Employment First Office is needed to coordinate across agencies, align goals, and improve outcomes. The LAO recommended regular legislative oversight on people transitioning out of subminimum wage and asked for technical assistance on coordinated career pathways. The chair criticized the administration’s decision to effectively eliminate funding for the office, requested a detailed implementation timeline and quarterly transition reports, and said the committee would continue pressing for the office to be implemented. The final issue was respite services, utilization trends, and access. DDS reported that in-home respite use and spending have risen sharply over several years, with about 150,000 people using respite in 2023-24 and expenditures reaching about $1 billion. Officials said access depends on families knowing the service exists, service coordinators identifying need, and having enough providers, especially in rural and linguistically diverse communities. The San Diego Regional Center said utilization generally mirrors statewide trends, but access is stronger in some areas, such as Imperial County, where families often prefer family-directed or agency-supported models that allow them to hire trusted workers. Committee members emphasized the importance of respite for family health and caregiver well-being, asked whether service coordinators are asking practical questions about sleep and stress, and discussed the need for better identification of complex behavioral and medical needs. DDS said a standardized family support tool and updated IPP process are intended to improve consistency, transparency, and person-centered assessment for respite and related services.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education, reckless withholding of federal education funding, firing of our federal education workers
• Urban libraries are adding social workers to staff using their state aid funds.
• Our public libraries in Cambridge and Boston have social workers on hand to help individuals in need,
• And seeing we had a remote classroom at the early ed provider that I worked with at the time, we Thank
• Seeing we had a remote classroom at the early ed provider that I worked with at the time, we hosted a

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• The two chambers do not come together and have hearings, and we do not do them remotely.
• The rain fell in remote areas with limited gauge data.
• And we need reliable cell coverage in remote areas to make them work.
• I work in that industry, so I know the challenges of remote area reliability. not work and the storm
• We have licensed professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers that are available.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you have a few remote testifiers.
• We'll start off first with Aubrey Durkinson, who will be joining us remotely.
• I think you have a few remote testifiers.
• We'll start off first with Aubrey Durkinson, who will be joining us remotely.
• Aubrey Durkinson, who will be joining us remotely.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It demonstrated that catastrophic wildfires were no longer limited to remote forests.
• We also want to hear from our presentation. limited to remote forests.
• breath of fresh air and say that I’ve met and worked with a bunch of young people and really motivated workers
• breath of fresh air and say that I've met and worked with a bunch of young people and really motivated workers

Keywords: 988, house, all