Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974 concerns sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, volunteers
• This amendment provides an exception to the prohibition on law enforcement agency volunteers carrying
• for the purpose of limitations placed on the use of volunteers by law enforcement agencies.
• , provides that a specially commissioned Washington Peace Officer is not a volunteer for the purpose
• of limitations placed on the use of volunteers by law enforcement agencies.

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to find men and women who are willing to sacrifice to become a volunteer.
• EMS volunteers, from being punished at work when they respond to a...
• Volunteers make up around 80% of the fire service in the state of Texas.
• We need as many volunteers to serve as we can to get what we are calling for.
• I'm also a long-time volunteer, and I've been a volunteer for more than 20 years. ...long-time member

Bills: HB446 , HB1609 , HB4443 , HB4464 , HB4735 , HB5476

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster

Transcript Highlights:

• Less people can or want to volunteer.
• Less people can or want to volunteer.
• I got my training I was a volunteer and I got my training I was a volunteer and then<00:58:41.359><c>
• Volunteer programs, such as the high school programs, of course, train people to be volunteers.
• That is not a volunteer service.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Amy Soropean, volunteer with NorCal Gun Violence Prevention, in support.
• Amy Soropee, a volunteer with NorCal Gun Violence Prevention, in support.
• Linda Gale, volunteer with Moms Demand Action, in support. Thank you.
• Amy McRae, a volunteer with Students Demand Action, in support.
• Jara Gidal, volunteer with Moms Demand Action, in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, with the chair outlining hearing procedures and several bills on consent. The committee heard and advanced AB 1581, which would improve collection of tribal affiliation data for California students so Native students are more accurately counted and better served; supporters said current systems undercount Native students and erase their needs. AB 1586 also passed, requiring school resource officers who volunteer to carry naloxone to receive opioid overdose response training every two years; supporters emphasized student safety and the need for rapid response to overdoses on campus, while one school employees’ group raised concerns about retaliation protections for non-volunteers. Both bills were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations, with roll calls held open for absent votes. The committee then approved AB 1943, which updates school notices about secure firearm storage by making the information clearer, more visible, and more likely to reach families at key moments such as counseling or discipline interventions. Supporters from gun violence prevention groups, educators, and parents argued that many school shooters obtain guns from home and that plain-language, digital, and timely notices could help prevent child deaths and suicides; the author shared a personal story about a child accessing a gun at home. AB 1792 also advanced, directing the Instructional Quality Commission to consider updating health education to address digital safety issues such as deepfakes, extortion, grooming, and AI-generated exploitation; supporters said students need instruction that reflects modern online risks, while an opponent objected to language referencing LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse students. AB 1653 passed as well, adding heat-illness guidance to the health framework after a young Girl Scout described students suffering during extreme heat and not recognizing symptoms. Later, the committee approved AB 1861, which would require the California Department of Education to create a public database of special education investigation reports with personal information redacted; supporters said families need better access to complaint outcomes and accountability, while an opposition witness warned of unintended consequences, misuse of incomplete information, and added burdens on districts. AB 1721 also moved forward, creating a stakeholder work group to review and streamline school safety plan requirements so plans remain practical and focused on emergency preparedness. AB 1631, which would make kindergarten mandatory, received mixed testimony: supporters argued it would help close achievement gaps and improve readiness, while opponents framed it as an intrusion on parental choice; the bill was held on call after a split vote. Finally, AB 1809, extending job order contracting authority for school and community college districts, was also held on call after opposition from contractors who argued project labor agreement requirements raise costs and reduce competition. The committee then began hearing AB 1659, aimed at improving transitions for court school students back to their home districts, with testimony describing re-enrollment barriers and the need for a designated district contact.

Transcript Highlights:

• Volunteer. See how our elections are done in the state of Florida.
• Okay, so I'm hearing state law right now does not allow volunteers at this point in that process, and
• But it also really opens the avenue for these students to be able to participate on a volunteer basis
• Okay, so I'm hearing state law right now does not allow volunteers at this point in that process and
• But it also really opens the avenue for these students to be able to participate on a volunteer basis

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's totally volunteer.
• You know, they have a very aging population of people willing to volunteer on there.
• </c><00:14:25.199><c> first</c> segments are are volunteer first segments are are volunteer first responders
• We need bodies in volunteer on on there.
• Um yeah, and you mentioned the volunteer first responders.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second pillar of support is our volunteers.
• And once we have more room for medical volunteers, we'll have more room for traditional volunteers because
• And once we have more room for medical volunteers, we'll have more room for traditional volunteers because
• </c> help grow our medical volunteer base. help grow our medical volunteer base.
• , we'll have more room for volunteers, we'll have more room for traditional<00:24:27.840><c> volunteers

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children opened its first meeting with roll call and a reminder about the number of children in out-of-home care with active placements, which the chair said was 8,641 as of June 1, 2025. The committee then heard a presentation from the Center for Courageous Kids, a donor-funded camp in Scottville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medically safe and inclusive model, and examples of campers gaining confidence and independence. They said the camp has served more than 43,000 campers from Kentucky, other states, and other countries, and that it is seeking legislative support for two capital projects: a new art barn and a medical lodge, with a combined request of $3.2 million. Members praised the program and asked about awareness, staffing, volunteer recruitment, accreditation, and how the projects would expand capacity; the camp said the medical lodge would help increase volunteer housing and allow future growth beyond its current summer cap of 128 campers per session. The committee then moved to adult protective services and state guardianship programs. Jessica Wayne, director of the Division of Guardianship, and Cliff Bryant of DCBS explained the legal framework for guardianship and conservatorship, including state guardianship as a last-resort option when no family member or private entity is available or appropriate. They outlined the court petition process, emergency appointments, and the distinction between full and limited guardianship or conservatorship. They emphasized that guardianship is based on legal incapacity to make decisions, not simply on a medical disability diagnosis, and noted that state guardianship can be arranged for some 17-year-olds aging out of youth services. The presenters said the state currently serves 4,645 individuals under guardianship, with most cases involving developmental intellectual disabilities, supported community living waiver participants, and people in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. They also described the division’s three branches: field services, which handles visits and day-to-day decisions in all 120 counties; a benefits branch that applies for public benefits; and a fiduciary branch that manages funds and pays bills. They reported 89 field workers statewide, an average caseload of 52, and said the agency is hiring to reduce that load. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was brought to me by volunteer firefighters as a possible recruitment initiative.
• Dollar tax credit per year for volunteer EMTs and volunteer firefighters for going out on 52 calls or
• firefighters and volunteer emergency medical services.
• retire as quickly from the volunteer ranks.
• In the rural areas... the volunteer firefighters and the volunteer EMTs are the only ones that can respond

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Two volunteers. Three volunteers. Four volunteers. All right. I'll come watch you guys.
• Two volunteers. Three volunteers. Four volunteers. All right. I'll come watch you guys.
• “Why did we leave out the volunteer firefighters?” Mr.
• And I'm not saying maybe these volunteers need to do so much service work, And maybe these volunteers
• an incredible part of our public servants and volunteers in the state.

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

Summary: The House opened with a series of ceremonial recognitions, including Bernalillo County Day, Pecos Elementary, Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University, the New Mexico International School, and the Sun Country golf organizations. Members and guests offered brief remarks praising county staff, educators, university programs, and local public service, and several caucus and committee announcements were made. The House also received a gubernatorial message authorizing consideration of House Bill 303, which was then removed from Rules, ordered printed, and referred to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. The chamber then adopted a long slate of committee reports, moving multiple bills and memorials forward, including House Bills 294, 298, 38, 127, 151, 165, 47, 63, 64, 184, 200, 309, 311, 329, 310, and memorials 20 and 51. Most reports were adopted without objection, and several measures were advanced with committee substitutes or amended versions. The House then proceeded to third reading on selected bills. On final passage, House Bill 128 passed 61-1. The bill updates presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for full-time firefighters with occupational cancers and other illnesses, and debate focused on the exclusion of volunteer firefighters, the evidentiary burden for exposure claims, and whether the bill should be expanded later. House Bill 109, dealing with the Water Project Fund and allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to award funds without legislative authorization through December 2029, passed 61-0. House Bill 158, requiring accountability and evaluation plans for agencies receiving growth funds, passed 63-0. House Bill 49, increasing the penalty for serious violent felons who possess firearms or destructive devices to a second-degree felony, was debated extensively over sentencing discretion and the distinction between serious violent and nonviolent felons; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> income tax subtraction for volunteer income tax subtraction for volunteer drivers.<01:10:55.360>
• This is about volunteer drivers.
• </c> deductions more beneficial for volunteer deductions more beneficial for volunteer drivers.<01:11
• volunteer volunteer driver.<01:11:43.520><c> And</c><01:11:44.080><c> the</c><01:11:44.400><c> individual
• </c><01:15:11.280><c> drivers</c> setting that up that volunteer drivers setting that up that volunteer

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974 concerns sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, volunteers, youth cadets
• As with House Bill 1399, limits are placed on law enforcement agency's use of volunteers.
• These sections refer to volunteers and youth cadets rather than volunteers and specially commissioned
• As with House Bill 1399, limits are placed on law enforcement agency's use of volunteers.
• These sections refer to volunteers and youth cadets rather than volunteers and specially commissioned

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a volunteer board. We're not police.
• That's why we are volunteer board members.
• So our program, the 2604 targets the volunteer fire department.
• We have about 85,000 volunteers who contribute, uh, over 3 million.
• who volunteer in those positions.

Bills: HB294 , HB405 , HB519 , HB294

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: food production, property owners' association, home gardening, cottage food, urban agriculture, livestock, community standards, renewable energy, ethanol, biodiesel, incentives, agriculture, grants, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties

Transcript Highlights:

• over 45% of the people that we serve through Meals on Wheels indicate that their Meals on Wheels volunteer
• </c><00:03:24.239><c> um</c><00:03:24.360><c> serving</c> program we have volunteers um serving program
• we have volunteers um serving meals<00:03:25.080><c> to</c><00:03:25.280><c> their</c><00:03:25.480>
• is the only person that wheels volunteer is the only person that they<00:05:06.840><c> see</c><00:05
• Please help make sure that they get at least one complete meal and a visit from a friendly volunteer

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Without them, volunteers can't be assigned to cases and children can't be served.
• , fewer children served, and more children without a CASA volunteer.
• We have one staff member who supports 30 volunteers and approximately...
• , fewer children served, and more children without a CASA volunteer.
• We have one staff member who supports 30 volunteers and approximately.

Committee: House Children and Families

Summary: The Committee on Children and Families met with a quorum and first took up several bills in executive session. It voted House Bill 1792, the Murphy Media Literacy Program, and House Bill 1770, dealing with time limits on abuse cases, both do pass by unanimous roll call votes. The committee then considered House Bill 2426, Representative Keebley’s parental rights bill. An amendment was adopted to align the bill with a Senate floor substitute, clarify judicial review and compelling government interest standards, update parent/child definitions, add transparency provisions, and revise medical consent language. After extensive discussion about parental consent, minors’ access to STI and substance use treatment, foster parent authority, and potential impacts on abuse situations, the committee voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by a vote of 11 yes, 3 no, and 1 present. The committee then heard House Bill 2418, which would create the Missouri Crime Victims Fund within the Department of Social Services as a framework for future appropriations if federal VOCA funding continues to decline. The sponsor and numerous witnesses from domestic violence shelters, child advocacy centers, CASA programs, and prosecutors described major reductions in VOCA support, staffing losses, service cuts, and the risk of leaving victims without shelter, advocacy, counseling, and court support. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing concluded without a vote. Finally, Representative Schmidt presented House Bill 3077, which would require social media and internet safety curriculum for grades 6 through 12 and provide parent resources. Supporters said the bill would help students recognize grooming, sextortion, misinformation, and other online risks, while some committee members and witnesses raised concerns about adding burdens on schools and suggested the material should be embedded into existing instruction and possibly start earlier. The committee also heard House Bill 1819, “Conrad’s Law,” which would require safe-sleep training and rules for licensed child care facilities for children age one and older, set limits on weighted blankets, and require documented care plans and training for children with special needs. The sponsor and family members said the bill responds to a child’s death and is intended to improve child care safety without adding extra training hours. Both bills were heard in public testimony, and the committee adjourned after the House Bill 1819 hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, this bill will also dictate not to allow law enforcement leaders to have volunteers not
• It seeks to restrict how police departments can use their volunteers.
• , not aware of any significant misuse of police volunteers in police departments.
• I'm referring to the part where it says volunteers cannot use surveillance technologies.
• I'm referring to the part where it says volunteers cannot use surveillance technologies.

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5855 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I am one of those volunteers.
• Generally, when I get back volunteers.
• c> time</c><00:19:30.320><c> pay</c><00:19:30.640><c> has</c> the volunteers call time pay has the volunteers
• These professionals, and me as a volunteer, us volunteers and professionals, we provide the best EMS
• c> and</c> me as a volunteer, us volunteers and and me as a volunteer, us volunteers and and professionals

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs. Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits. Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not volunteer always.
• And it's not volunteer always.
• When we deploy, they volunteer always.
• </c> volunteer than there is paid, for sure. volunteer than there is paid, for sure.
• ,</c><00:37:23.800><c> uh</c> damage assessments, uh volunteers, uh damage assessments, uh volunteers

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee received a budget and program update from Kentucky Emergency Management on the state’s urban search and rescue buildout. Eric Gibson and Doug Hargrave said the legislature’s funding was used to create FEMA-type urban search and rescue capacity, including Kentucky Task Force 1 and 2, the incident support team, and the helicopter aquatic rescue/hoist team. They emphasized that the effort is not just equipment purchases but also training, credentialing, warehouse and training-facility development, canine program expansion, and coordination with local search and rescue agencies across the Commonwealth. Gibson reported that the agency executed 99.4% of the $16.175 million appropriation by the end of the fiscal year and said the team met its readiness target ahead of schedule, with equipment already being deployed in recent flood response operations. He also said $500,000 per year was set aside for local search and rescue grants, with about $482,000 awarded to 29 teams in one year and $490,000 to 36 teams in the next, averaging about $20,000 per grant. Several members urged the committee to consider increasing support for local responders in future budgets, noting rising equipment costs and the importance of local teams as first on scene. Members asked about staffing, coverage, and benefits. Gibson explained that the task force is a mixed workforce of full-time fire personnel loaned from local departments, professional service staff such as doctors and engineers, and temporary deployment staff, with workers’ compensation coverage provided through KYEM and/or home agencies depending on the arrangement. He also said local search and rescue members are not currently included in line-of-duty death benefits. In response to questions about coverage and deployment, he described the two task force locations as designed to keep resources within roughly 100 miles of every Kentuckian. The discussion also turned to recent flood response and disaster recovery. Gibson said the state had mobilized up to 24 teams over the weekend, documented roughly 60 to 80 water rescues or assisted evacuations, and was seeing significant damage in counties such as Cumberland, Clinton, and Metcalfe, including agricultural losses. He said several counties were meeting FEMA public assistance thresholds and that the state was preparing a broader relief request that could include FEMA, SBA, and USDA assistance. He also updated members on efforts to claw back and reallocate unused “strained fiscal liquidity” funds by the statutory deadline, saying notices were sent and funds were redirected where possible to unmet local needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a volunteer named Sue who orders all of the food for our food shelf.
• I certainly am in Ramsey County, that we make sure that the hard work of the volunteers and the money
• at the food shelf shared with volunteers at the food shelf shared with us<00:22:51.320><c> that</c><
• token we got Volunteers in R County<00:23:12.159><c> and</c><00:23:12.279><c> I'm</c><00:23:12.360><
• work of the volunteers and the money<00:23:54.480><c> and</c><00:23:54.600><c> the</c><00:23:54.679>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Has any funds been appropriated to any volunteer up to this date?
• </c> has worked for a volunteer fire program. has worked for a volunteer fire program.
• Has any funds been appropriated to any volunteer up to this date?
• Has any funds been appropriated to any volunteer up to this date?
• It's just for the volunteer fire service. Yes, sir. Okay.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because, you know, I buy these kind of things and nobody volunteered to wear it.
• They got a bunch of volunteer kids that came in, learned it for the summer presentation.
• I want to thank all of our volunteers who spent countless hours planning today's event.
• It was huge, but also the volunteer state employees. We had tons and tons of volunteers.
• And what made me think of it is that we do have extra volunteer shirts.

Keywords: 989, all