Transcript Highlights:

• I'm asking you to oppose HB 324, a book ban proposed in the name of protecting kids.
• Good morning, Senator Ward, members of the Senate Education Committee. My name is Deborah House.
• Good morning, Senator Ward, members Yes.
• Um, Madame Chair, Senator Ward, and other senators. Um, my name is Kevin Gagnon.
• So this proposed statute does not require any course. It doesn't even require an assessment.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:17.360><c> with</c> proposals with proposals with legislators.<00:14:19.040><c> I'd</c><00:14:
• </c><00:15:22.800><c> to</c> special education system and propose to special education system and propose
• </c><00:18:30.880><c> removing</c> working agreement um proposes removing working agreement um proposes
• grants</c><01:23:35.679><c> slightly</c> proposed narrowing these grants slightly proposed narrowing
• </c> working uh working group um proposal working uh working group um proposal before<02:03:55.520><c

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Scenic Historic Ward 3, Nashua.
• I'm from Scenic Historic Ward<00:35:59.760><c> 3</c><00:36:00.079><c> Nasha.
• And I'd like you guys to Ward 3 Nasha.
• I'm from Scenic Historic Ward 3, Nashua, and I'd like you guys to consider supporting this bill, even
• It's proposed to go to owner and lease.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward of Westport moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed St. Michael’s School from Fall River, including its eighth-grade graduating class, as guests. The session then moved through several routine matters from the Committee on Rules, including resolutions honoring the Egan Foundation’s IgA nephropathy awareness day, commemorating Danvers’ 1776 meeting anniversary, congratulating two Eagle Scouts, and recognizing the Swansea Fire Department’s 100th anniversary. All of those resolutions were adopted by voice vote, and the House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition on firefighting staffing to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The House next acted on matters reported by the Committee on Steering Policy and Scheduling, advancing a Senate bill authorizing print-free digital legal notices in Newton and a House bill naming a segment of Route 20 the Broder Curve. Both bills were ordered to a third reading. The House then passed to enact House No. 4842, clarifying the organization of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board. Later, the House passed to engrossment House No. 3645, designating a portion of Route 7A in Lenox as the Ross B. Dindio Memorial Highway. It also considered House No. 4604, which directs the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Louisa Fernandez; an amendment making the act effective upon passage was adopted, and the bill was then passed to engrossment as amended. The House adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward of Westport moves suspension of Rule 7A. All those in favor say aye; all those opposed, nay.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed St. Michael’s School from Fall River, including its eighth-grade graduating class. The chamber then took up several noncontroversial resolutions, including commendations for the Egan Foundation’s IgA nephropathy awareness day, a commemoration of Danvers’ 1776 meeting anniversary, congratulations to two Eagle Scouts, and recognition of the Swansea Fire Department’s 100th anniversary. The rules were suspended and the resolutions were adopted. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition by Carol A. Fiola concerning firefighting staffing to be sent to the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. The House then suspended Rule 7A and advanced two local bills to third reading: a Senate bill authorizing print-free digital legal notices in Newton and a House bill designating a segment of Route 20 as the Broder Curve. Both bills were ordered to a third reading. On final action, the House passed to be enacted a bill clarifying the organization of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board. It also engrossed a bill designating a portion of Route 7A in Lenox as the Ross B. Dindio Memorial Highway. Another bill directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Louisa Fernandez was amended to make it effective upon passage and then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House adopted an order to adjourn and recessed until the following Thursday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward of Westport moves suspension of Rule 7A. The ayes have it. Rule 7A is suspended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zuber, Mr. Speaker. Members, the quorum is present.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been moved by Representative Leon and seconded by Senator Ward.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (JLCAR) met briefly, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the prior meeting minutes and the consent calendar. Members were seated to fill attendance, including Representative Potenza for Senator Innis. The committee noted two items still pending on the regular calendar: manufactured housing installer standards, for which a response to a preliminary objection is still due next month, and the Dental Examiners Board matter, for which the committee agreed to waive the deadline and allow the board until April to return with a resolution on the sedation issue. No additional substantive business was taken up. Members discussed an informational training session on how JLCAR works, including what motions are allowed and the committee process, and agreed to proceed with that session after adjournment. To do so, the committee voted to cancel the contingent meeting for the month. The meeting then adjourned, with members noting that all items had been handled on consent and that the session was unusually short.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 27 responds to a proposed law. House Bill 28 responds to a proposed law. District...
• Effects proposed by the groundwater production in the district, particularly the effects of exporting
• Um, and so you talk about the—it's basically you're proposing, or the bill authors are proposing a scientific
• The chair calls up invited testimony from Kevin Ward and Terry Morrow.
• McCarthy, that those were just proposals and that's really not going to happen. Never do that.

Transcript Highlights:

• But since the proposal is 60% cap on awards, it's not a big deal.
• recommend rejecting the proposal.
• Okay, and this is our trailer bill proposal.
• This is why we have proposed the plan.
• Yes, but based on the proposal, based on the recommendation of the fee study that with that new proposed

Transcript Highlights:

• We proposed no significant audit adjustments.
• I'm presenting a proposal of a pilot... Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
• I'm presenting a proposal of a pilot study to determine what return North Dakota taxpayers receive on
• I respectfully request the committee's support for this proposal, and I'm happy to answer questions.
• My understanding, Ward County is not exceeding their levy limits.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have an informational hearing on proposals from our transportation agencies.
• We have four presentations planned today and 17 other proposals.
• Currently, the budget proposes the one-time $166 million transfer and ongoing reduction.
• We recommend that the Legislature reject this proposal.
• We just know we feel strongly about the value of this proposal.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on transportation agency budget proposals and did not take any votes. The first major discussion focused on the Motor Vehicle Account shortfall and a proposed one-time $166 million transfer from the Air Pollution Control Fund and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to offset California Air Resources Board mobile source costs. Department of Finance and the LAO described the account’s long-running structural deficit, driven largely by employee compensation growth and REAL ID-related workload, while members criticized the use of Proposition 4, GGRF, and other one-time or redirected funds as backfills and urged a longer-term solution that addresses both revenues and expenditures. The committee then heard Caltrans’ request for $25 million in General Fund support to create a Clean California Community Cleanup and Employment Pathway Grant Program. Caltrans said the program would build on the prior Clean California effort by funding local litter and graffiti cleanup, community engagement, and workforce pathways for vulnerable populations. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that local litter abatement is not a core state responsibility and that one-time funding is unlikely to solve persistent local cleanup needs. Several members echoed those concerns, while public commenters split between support for the cleanup/employment model and calls to instead restore funding to the Active Transportation Program and transit operations. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requested that California administratively recognize Tahoe’s federally designated population figure for state formula-based transportation funding, which would raise the population count used in formulas from 40,000 to 145,000. The agency said the change would not request new money but would better align state formulas with federal law and support a shared regional funding framework; members appeared generally supportive, though they noted the need to phase in the change to reduce impacts on other regions. The final presentation was on High-Speed Rail. The LAO reviewed the authority’s project update report, noting that it did not fully meet statutory requirements and that key details are still pending in a supplemental report expected later in the summer. The LAO said the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment still shows an estimated roughly $7 billion funding gap, with no specific plan to close it, and highlighted risks from federal review, inflation, and uncertain GGRF revenues. High-Speed Rail Authority staff said they are conducting a bottom-up review of scope, schedule, ridership, and costs, expect to provide updated information by late summer, and are exploring public-private partnerships and other financing strategies. Members stressed that no further funding commitments should be made until the updated analysis is available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a proposed schedule for completion of the project? Is that a yes or a no?
• Well, that's one of the other issues that's raised in the bill is the proposal.
• The proposed method of financing. How is that difficult?
• Ridership projections, proposed route, again, I mean.
• You're probably going to want to talk about the proposed method of financing.

Bills: HB341 , HB791 , HB1564 , HB1695 , HB1722 , HB1729 , HB1772 , HB2003 , HB2954 , HB2989 , HB3084 , HB3134 , HB3135 , HB3309 , HB3611 , HB3679 , HB3727 , HB3832

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, good morning, Chair Ward and members of the Assembly.
• So good morning, Chair Ward and members of the Assembly Select Committee.
• Good morning, Chair Ward and esteemed committee members. My name is Ida Garakhani Good.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology held a hearing on California’s medical technology landscape, with opening remarks emphasizing the sector’s size, economic impact, and role in jobs and innovation. The first panel contrasted MedTech with biopharma, describing MedTech as hardware- and manufacturing-oriented, more incremental in development, and more dependent on supply chains, land use, and mid-skilled workforce pipelines. Witnesses argued California is the epicenter for MedTech because of its mix of engineering, software, hospitals, and manufacturing ecosystems, and cited clusters in places like Irvine, Fremont, Carlsbad, and the Bay Area. They also highlighted examples such as Penumbra and Vyaire Medical Systems to show how local manufacturing, community college training, and reshoring can support growth. The panel discussed cybersecurity, trade relations, supply chain disruptions, and the need for better coordination with hospitals and regulators, while AdvaMed stressed that medical devices are already heavily regulated by the FDA and should generally be exempt from broader state laws that could create a patchwork of requirements. Members also discussed AI in MedTech, workforce training, and the possible effects of federal NIH funding cuts, with witnesses saying MedTech is less dependent on NIH than biopharma but still benefits from a strong innovation ecosystem. Committee members then asked about AI, affordability, patient satisfaction, women’s health, and the R&D tax credit. Witnesses said AI is helping reduce errors, redundant testing, and imaging time, while keeping clinicians in the loop, and that digital pathology and robotic surgery are improving diagnosis and treatment. They also noted that packaging, plastics, and recycling can affect FDA approvals, and that FemTech is an active and growing area for investment and acquisition. Several members raised concerns about California’s regulatory and incentive environment, including the loss of the R&D tax credit, and witnesses said the absence of tax incentives has made it harder to keep companies and jobs in the state. The second panel featured company representatives from Lyca Biosystems, Intuitive, Saravia Neurosciences, and Newman. Dr. Monroe described digital pathology as a way to digitize tissue slides, improve access to subspecialty review, and enable AI-assisted diagnosis, especially for cancer care and rural areas. Intuitive highlighted robotic-assisted surgery, including the da Vinci system and the Ion bronchoscopy platform, and said its technologies improve precision, reduce complications, and support clinician-led care. Saravia Neurosciences presented an early-stage neurotechnology for dementia that uses MRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation and AI-driven personalization, and argued California needs a state translational fund to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Newman, a startup working on home diagnostics, said California’s permitting, zoning, and manufacturing rules make it difficult to scale advanced manufacturing locally and urged streamlining, reduced red tape, and incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in-state. Committee members again focused on tax credits and asked how the state could better support manufacturing, translational funding, and the retention of high-paying MedTech jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• For 18 years, he served as Ward 7 City Councilor, known for his tireless advocacy, warm demeanor, and

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine matters from the Committee on Rules. Members adopted resolutions reaffirming Massachusetts’ friendship with Taiwan and supporting stronger U.S.-Taiwan trade and Taiwan’s international participation, as well as a congratulatory resolution for Owen Michael Addessa on earning Eagle Scout. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to proceed: one establishing a sick leave bank for a Middlesex Sheriff’s Office employee and another concerning taxes in the City of Boston. The chamber recognized visiting guests, including a Burlington Girl Scouts Brownie troop and the 2024 Lawn Meadow girls tennis team, which was honored for winning the Division II state championship with a 23-0 record. The House then considered House Bill 62, which extends certain COVID-19 measures adopted during the state of emergency. The House concurred with a Senate amendment, adopted the emergency preamble by a 3-0 vote, and passed the bill to be enacted. Members also observed a moment of silent tribute for former Marlborough City Councilor Donald Landers, Sr., and later adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative John H. Stasick of Framingham. The House adopted an order to reconvene Monday at 11 a.m., then adjourned to meet again in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• regarding and requiring criminal history record information in connection with the guardianship of a ward

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Carlson, Zuiderveld, Galloway, Ward Engelking, Wintrow, Representative Tanner, Miller, Furness, Petzke
• We wouldn't propose that.
• We wouldn't propose that.
• We looked at ones where there is some redundancy, either with Montana, propose that.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations. The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Wallace, Ward
• The budget that I will propose tomorrow includes an additional $1 billion to expand thousands of additional
• So the budget I'll be submitting tomorrow proposes that we unify the policymaking by the State Board
• So the budget I'll be sitting, submitting tomorrow, proposes that we unify the policymaking by the State

Summary: The Assembly met, initially lacking a quorum, and the Clerk called the roll until a quorum was established. The chamber then proceeded through routine opening business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, recognition of Native lands, approval of procedural motions, and several unanimous-consent actions to re-refer bills and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The Assembly also recessed regular session to convene a joint convention for the Governor’s State of the State address. In the joint convention, Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State speech, focusing on California’s economic performance, education investments, housing reforms, public safety, homelessness, climate policy, insurance issues, and the state’s response to federal actions. He highlighted budget plans, including a proposed $248.3 billion general fund, increased reserves, major education funding, child care and after-school investments, housing and affordability measures, mental health and homelessness funding, infrastructure projects, clean energy goals, and wildfire recovery efforts. He also praised legislative collaboration on AI regulation, tax credits, and other policy areas while criticizing federal policies and calling for continued state action. After the address, the Governor’s speech was ordered printed in the journal, the joint convention adjourned sine die, and the Assembly returned to regular session. The Speaker announced the desk would remain open for introduction of the budget bill, noted the next floor session would be Monday, January 12 at 1 p.m., and the House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Sabur, Mr. Speaker. Members, the quorum is present.
• And I also commend this body last year for standing up against a proposal.
• Proposed $300 million budget cut to preschool programs for kids with developmental disabilities.
• It was this legislature that stopped that proposal by the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, the pledge will be led by Will Ward.
• Will attends Lee- be led by Will Ward.
• </c> Representative Jackson, a proposed Representative Jackson, a proposed constitutional<00:27:15.600
• </c><00:41:14.760><c> constitutional</c> others, a proposed constitutional others, a proposed constitutional
• ><c> executive</c> Adoption of the proposed executive Adoption of the proposed executive amendment<00

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened, heard a prayer and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the prior journal. The chamber received House messages, including referral of Senate Confirmation 89 for Rex Jones to the Underground and Aboveground Storage Tank Trust Funds Management Board, and concurred in Senate Bill 231 after a 30-0 vote. Several local House bills were referred to the Committee on Local Legislation. During personal remarks, Senator Coleman-Madison recognized Women’s History Month and highlighted Alabama native Mary Ellen Jolly and her book, "Accidental Activist," praising women who support the legislature. The Senate then processed committee reports, including favorable reports on multiple Finance and Taxation General Fund bills (SB 143, 144, 145 with substitute, 152, 153, 154, 162, 226 with substitute, and 146 with substitute and one abstention), as well as confirmations for Nancy Sandford, Marty Abrams, and Jim Page to the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, all of which were confirmed. Committee reports also advanced several county and municipal and local legislation measures, including SB 292, HB 351, HB 141, HB 273, HB 504, HB 488, SB 343, and SB 346. On the floor, SB 333 on class two municipalities passed after adoption of its BIR and committee amendment, and HB 308, a proposed constitutional amendment for Mobile County, passed after the Senate tabled the committee amendment, adopted a substitute amendment by Senator Figures, and approved the certification resolution. SB 334 for Shelby County, SB 339 for Crenshaw County, and HB 507 for Covington County also passed, with certification resolutions adopted where required. The governor returned SB 228 with an executive amendment, and the Senate concurred 33-0. The Rules Committee report set the special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing bills including SB 91, SB 280, SB 181, SB 237, SB 326, SB 255, HB 77, HB 104, HB 110, HB 271, HB 362, HB 332, HB 429, SB 211, HB 125, HB 122, HB 124, SB 140, SB 199, and SB 332. Senator Singleton spoke at length criticizing the handling of minority-sponsored bills and questioning several measures, and after debate the Senate adopted the special order calendar 34-0. SB 91 was then carried over at the call of the chair.