Transcript Highlights:

• Will this stop us from dipping our dogs in cream? I'm just kidding. All right. All in favor say I.
• It's not really for domestic dogs and cats. It's an issue we've had in my area.
• It's not really for domestic<00:14:15.360><c> uh</c><00:14:15.519><c> dogs</c><00:14:15.839><c> and</
• </c><00:14:16.720><c> It's</c><00:14:17.199><c> uh</c><00:14:18.079><c> it's</c> domestic uh dogs and
• It's uh it's domestic uh dogs and cats.

Bills: SB85 , SB263 , HB277 , HB267 , SB288 , SB85 , SB263 , HB277 , HB267 , SB288

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Transcript Highlights:

• They train service dogs for veterans and children with autism.
• And we also have service dog Ford with them today.
• If you've never had an opportunity to see these dogs work, they're amazing.
• And we also have service dog Ford with them today.
• If you've never had an opportunity to see these dogs work, they're amazing.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by roll call vote, 114-1. Members spent a large portion of the morning introducing guests and recognizing visitors, including career and technical education students, FFA and FCCLA groups, school leaders, interns, a physician of the day, and a Black History Month personal privilege honoring inventor Alice H. Parker and her early central heating design. The chamber then took up several bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 1847, the Missouri Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact, was presented as a workforce and access-to-care measure; members cited dental shortages and broad professional support, and it was ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1866, dealing with peace officer licensure, was presented as allowing the Department of Public Safety to deny applicants whose licenses were revoked or suspended elsewhere and to require U.S. citizenship; an amendment to allow lawful permanent residents who honorably served in the military to qualify was debated at length but failed 95-52, and the bill was then ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1908, with a companion bill, was described by its sponsor as ending a Missouri rule that delays divorce when a spouse is pregnant; supporters framed it as a due process and safety issue, especially for abuse survivors, and it was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. House Bill 1961, creating temporary licensure and a compact for dietitians, and House Bill 2180, changing Department of Revenue notice delivery options for blind pension recipients and taxpayers to include first-class mail and electronic delivery, both drew support as workforce or accessibility measures and were ordered perfected and printed after amendments. House Bill 2591, which would let speech-language pathologists count clinical fellowship experience completed in any state toward Missouri licensure, also passed perfection and printing. The House then moved to announcements and recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that smells pretty bad over here in the dog pound.
• It's almost like something else that comes from a dog that you might smell.
• </c><00:17:51.520><c> It's</c><00:17:51.760><c> almost</c><00:17:52.080><c> like</c> the dog pound.
• It's almost like the dog pound.
• </c> something else that comes from a dog something else that comes from a dog that<00:17:54.480><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• President; Senate President Pro Tem Madeline Troll from the Sonoma delegation, serving as the Youth Assistant
• And he relished and adored his faithful companion, his beloved dog Harvey.

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call showing a quorum present, followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The floor then moved to privileges of the floor, where members welcomed Jesuit High School’s 2025 CIF Division 2 boys cross-country champions, highlighting the team’s 11th state title, strong academic records, and college commitments, and also recognized YMCA Youth and Government delegates visiting the Capitol, including several student leaders from across California. The chamber then took up the special consent calendar, which included Senate Resolution 73 and Assembly Concurrent Resolutions 71, 115, and 117. The consent calendar was approved by roll call, with 38 ayes and no noes on the file item and the remaining items approved as well. The remainder of the session consisted of adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas honored Superintendent Pastor Lawrence Champion Blake, Sr. of West Angeles Church of God in Christ; Senator Cortese remembered Joseph Anthony D. Maria, a longtime San Jose community leader and businessman; and Senator Blakespear honored Major Tyler R. Bracone, a U.S. Marine Corps aviator who died in a training crash at Camp Pendleton. The Senate then announced its next floor session and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , he has never missed a year serving as Doctor of the Day at the Capitol and remains available to assist
• They also are the proprietors of Santan hot dogs.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriation out with Republicans not voting SB 610 Perez tenant and mobile home park disaster assistance
• SB 312 Umberg, Dog Import Health Certification or Certificates.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And while this kind of dramatic affair of enumerators arriving on bush planes and dog sleds and...
• A dramatic affair of enumerators arriving on bush planes and dog sleds and snowmobiles provides, I think
• That technical assistance is a kind of powerful but, I think, underutilized way of subsidizing action
• And so during the past several decades, the Bureau has been investing in methods to try to assist with
• And so during the past several decades, the Bureau has been investing in methods to try to assist with

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The hearing focused on census data privacy, administrative data sharing, and the role of state and local governments in improving census accuracy, especially for the 2030 census. Dr. Philip Rocco testified first, arguing that the census is increasingly intergovernmental and that state and local investments in address list work, outreach, and complete count commissions can materially improve self-response and reduce undercounts. He emphasized that hard-to-count communities are most affected when states delay planning, politicize census work, or lack capacity, and he pointed to examples such as LUCA participation, outreach funding, and group quarters review as important tools. He also warned that recent federal actions and a broader climate of distrust could threaten 2030 operations, and urged Massachusetts to begin readiness planning now. Members then questioned Dr. Rocco about the use of administrative data such as DMV, TANF, SNAP, and WIC records, and about group quarters enumeration. He explained that those data-sharing efforts were voluntary agreements with the Census Bureau, unlike group quarters data, which are often provided by facility administrators and sometimes state agencies. He said the Trump-era effort to use DMV and other records was tied to Executive Order 13880 and was widely resisted because states had confidentiality and legal concerns, and because the stated purpose appeared to shift toward citizenship-related uses. On group quarters, he described e-response, paper response, in-person enumeration, and administrator-provided directory information, noting that privacy issues arise mainly from FERPA limits on university data and from missing demographic details in administrative records. A second panel, Beth Giroz and Amy O'Hara, then explained how administrative data are used by the Census Bureau and why data quality and privacy concerns matter. They described administrative data as records collected for operational purposes, useful for frame-building, nonresponse follow-up, enumeration, and post-enumeration evaluation, but often incomplete or mismatched on key census variables such as race, ethnicity, household relationships, and residence timing. They highlighted that some sources, like IRS, Medicare, USPS, SSA, and Bureau of Prisons records, are especially valuable, while others such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, and driver’s license data vary in completeness and sharing. They stressed that privacy means collecting only what is needed, and that the Bureau typically uses limited header or roster data rather than full records. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee recessed briefly before continuing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And committee assistant, please call the roll. Okay, SB 923.
• And committee assistant, please call the roll. Okay, SB 923.
• You know, all of my basic personal information, my shopping habits, the name of my first dog, all of
• Committee assistant, please call the roll. Motion is due pass as amended to Judiciary.
• Committee assistance, please call the roll. Motion is due pass to Judiciary. Senators Cabaldon.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee convened for its first hearing, took roll, and heard several privacy- and AI-related bills. SB 1106 by Senator Cabaldon would shorten the Delete Act data broker deletion deadline from 45 days to 30 days; it drew support from a technology and democracy group, no opposition testimony, and was moved out on a due pass to Appropriations vote. SB 923 by Senator Becker would expand the CCPA deletion right to cover all personal information held by a business and require online-only businesses to offer a web form or similar method for privacy requests; supporters included the California Privacy Protection Agency and privacy advocates, while business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance, and the email/web-form requirement. The bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations, with some members noting they were laying off or wanted further amendments. The committee also heard SB 1142, the Digital Dignity Act, which would regulate digital replicas and deepfakes on large online platforms, including takedown and revocation procedures and penalties. Supporters said it would protect Californians from fraud, harassment, and nonconsensual synthetic likeness use; opponents, including the Motion Picture Association, CCIA, TechNet, and others, raised First Amendment, due process, Section 230, and overbreadth concerns, especially around deceased persons and the 48-hour takedown process. Members said they supported the bill but wanted further work before Judiciary, and it passed 6-0 as amended to Judiciary. The committee also adopted its rules without objection. Later, SB 867 by Senator Padilla would impose a four-year moratorium on the sale and manufacture of AI chatbot-powered toys for children, citing research showing unsafe, sexually explicit, or privacy-invasive behavior; child advocacy and consumer groups supported it, while retailers and civil justice groups sought narrower definitions and liability protections. It passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1247 would give child influencers, once adults, a right to request deletion or modification of images and likenesses used in monetized social media content; it drew no support testimony but was opposed by a civil justice group over the creation of a new private right of action, and it passed 7-0 to Judiciary. SB 930, the consent-calendar item, was approved 7-0. The committee then heard SB 1114, which would restrict sharing of state-collected data related to LGBTQ Californians absent an enforceable order, with supporters arguing it would protect sensitive data from misuse by federal agencies and preserve trust in state programs. It passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 1159 would let local governments treat AI bots and agents differently from people for Brown Act, public records, and related civic participation laws, in response to AI-generated comment floods; supporters from environmental, local government, and nonprofit groups said it was needed to preserve human participation, while opponents argued the bill should focus on fraud rather than AI and warned about overreach. The bill passed 9-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1050 would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements; labor and consumer advocates supported it as a truth-in-advertising measure, while media and industry groups objected that it was overbroad and should be narrowed to misleading ads and aligned with existing law. Members signaled support for the bill’s goal but also raised concerns about scope and consistency with current false-advertising rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• happened over the last couple years, but even in January, I had a cemetery where the volunteers had dogs
• continued to be broken into, and the people who broke into it this time actually killed two of the dogs
• I want to thank the committee's chief consultant, Robert Sumner, for his assistance and hard work on
• pleased to present SB 758 I want to thank the committee's chief consultant Robert Sumner for his assistance
• We have trained and licensed physicians that have been assisting patients in their life-threatening diseases

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Gary Bennett, Assistant Director of Louisiana Sheriff's Association.
• And I do want to thank former Chairman Marino for assisting me.
• So what I’d like to do is turn it over to our assistant attorney general, Andrea Quick, who prosecutes
• I'll walk the dog when I go back if that'll help. I don't trust you. With the dog.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 24, 2026, and heard a series of bills, with members generally expressing support for measures aimed at public safety, corrections, and criminal procedure. The committee first amended and reported HB 957, which removes the 72-hour advance notice requirement for sheriffs transferring prisoners, while adding notice to the prosecuting authority as well as the court. Testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association said the change would help with overcrowding and security-related inmate moves, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then heard HB 106, which prohibits giving children non-prescription melatonin without parental consent. After debate over whether consent should be written, the committee rejected an amendment requiring prior written consent, but adopted a broader amendment making the bill apply to any person rather than only child care centers. Testimony from Gretna Police Chief Brett Lawson described a case involving a nanny and a one-year-old child, and child care representatives said licensed centers already require parental consent forms. HB 106 was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 111, which adds associate’s degrees to the existing sentence-reduction credits for incarcerated people who complete higher education programs; DOC said the programs are accredited and monitored, and supporters framed the bill as part of workforce reentry. Several other bills were advanced. HB 64 clarifies that judges may recall arrest warrants and requires notice to law enforcement when a warrant is recalled; former Rep. Joe Marino testified in support, describing problems with old or mistaken warrants remaining active. HB 53 adds certain gambling offenses as predicate acts under Louisiana’s racketeering law, with the Attorney General’s office citing illegal gambling operations and prison-based gambling rings. HB 152 updates the state controlled dangerous substances schedules to match federal changes, adding 13 opioids. HB 102 creates second-degree cruelty to elderly persons and persons with infirmities, with amendments adding the offense as a predicate felony and refining the penalty and affirmative-defense language; the bill drew emotional testimony from advocates and family members describing abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and it was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 137, which strengthens penalties for threats against schools and adds a civil cost component for false threats; the Speaker Pro Tem said the bill is meant to deter school threats and reduce disruption and emergency response costs. HB 57 was reported favorably to clarify that courts may consider criminal histories in ex parte temporary restraining order proceedings. HB 337 increases from two to four the number of special charitable bingo events allowed each year for licensed nonprofits. Finally, HB 100 was substantially amended so that driving 100 mph or more is treated as reckless operation rather than a new felony speeding offense, and HB 155 expands the prohibition on unlawful drone use to additional Capitol grounds locations; both were reported favorably as amended. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, with several bills supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups and a few receiving limited opposition or informational cards.

Transcript Highlights:

• do if you're in a situation where, as was explained here, you know, a child walks across a road, or dogs
• do if you're in a situation where, as was explained here, you know, a child walks across a road, or dogs
• of the committee substitute FIR to be handed to Rebecca, who will then give it to the committee assistant
• The industry is in support of revenue that is going to assist with the trip report, which this committee
• We get a call from the folks who were working with us, the technical assistant people that were helping

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 251, which would amend the Horse Racing Act to address “program owners” and “program trainers” used as fronts by suspended or unlicensed people in the racing industry. The sponsor and Racing Commission director said the bill is meant to protect the betting public, deter fraud, and give the commission stronger enforcement tools, including suspension, revocation, and fines. After brief questions about how penalties are applied and whether the standards are already reflected in statute and racing rules, the committee voted 9-0 to give the bill a due pass. Senate Bill 73 followed, requiring driver education schools to teach at least three hours on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists, beginning in 2027. Supporters, including local officials and advocacy groups, said the bill would improve public safety and help new drivers understand the rights and responsibilities of people outside vehicles. Committee members discussed existing driver-ed content, the definition of vulnerable road users, and whether the bill would replace any current instruction; sponsors said it would set a statewide minimum without crowding out existing curriculum. The committee approved the bill on a 9-1 due pass vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 111, an agency bill to expand confidential personal information under the Motor Vehicle Code to include sex, gender, national origin, and immigration status. The sponsor and Tax and Revenue officials said the change would protect sensitive records in MVD files from disclosure except in limited circumstances. With no public opposition, the committee passed the bill 6-4. Senate Bill 150, creating refundable tax credits to support local newspaper printing operations, drew broad support from newspaper and business representatives who said the credits would help preserve local news and printing capacity amid plant closures and rising costs. Some members raised technical and oversight questions, but the committee voted 9-1 to advance it. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 172, a committee substitute extending a gross receipts tax credit tied to national lab technology transfer and commercialization. Supporters from the labs, economic development groups, and chambers of commerce said it helps move research into New Mexico businesses and supports job creation; the committee adopted the committee substitute and advanced it. Senate Bill 76, which would raise the gasoline and special fuel taxes to fund road maintenance, generated extensive debate over infrastructure needs, affordability, and whether a broader transportation funding plan should be developed first. Supporters argued the state’s road backlog and maintenance needs justify the increase, while opponents cited consumer costs and the need for more study; the bill passed 6-4. The final bill, Senate Bill 235, would regulate large microgrids and data centers by requiring renewable energy use, PRC oversight, annual reporting, and limits on rate shifting. Supporters said it would protect air quality, water, and utility customers, while opponents warned it would add burdens and discourage investment; the committee heard extensive testimony but the transcript ends before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have exemptions for when people with disabilities need assistance from a caregiver.
• We have an exemption for when someone needs medical assistance, for when law enforcement is needed.
• Kukla was a little dog. I'm the Reverend Dr.
• Kukla was a little dog. I'm the Reverend Dr.
• Many of us in this room no longer need assistance to use the restroom ourselves, but one day when you

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the dog catcher can carry a gun in some jurisdictions.
• Not only would it be potentially a dog catcher, but game and fish officers.
• It allows the Board of Nursing to assist in recruitment and retention of nurses.
• Same thing: it makes minimal changes to the fund, the Land Grant Merced Assistance Fund. And Mr.
• substitute for House Bill 20 as amended, Technology and Innovation Division, the Housing Credit Worth Assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• But thanks to the assist there. You're welcome.
• Right now we have a lot of medical assistance, doctors and providers that are leaving the state and we're
• This legislation is broad and it uses dog whistles like me, pronouns microaggressions gender theory to
• She now has a master's degree in rehab, a mental health counseling and also assist students and adults
• Unfortunately, Doge is a dog and mean it should not be a thing that impacts our state government and

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that Jude and his company is going to provide is going to help assist. Oh, I'm sorry.
• </c> provide is going to help assist. provide is going to help assist.
• One is the foundation skill-building that includes libraries, rec centers, local nonprofits assisting
• You know, the big dog don't usually come and research for diversity.
• You know, the big dog mend that gap.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The New Hampshire residents have access to needed social services and assistance programs.
• I found it to be the tail wagging the dog for us, and really decided to stick to our mission and our
• I found it to be the tail wagging the dog for us, and really decided to stick to our mission and our
• I found it to be the tail wagging the dog for us, and really decided to stick to our mission and our
• I'm the assistant commissioner at the Department of Environmental Services.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to offer my deepest gratitude to my friend from Arlington for being dogged and persistent and
• I want to offer my deepest gratitude to my friend from Arlington for being dogged and persistent and
• Bertinazi served as assistant minority whip and then Majority Whip before rising ultimately to become
• Bertinazi served as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services in Governor Bill Weld's administration

Summary: The Senate first adopted three congratulatory resolutions recognizing the retirements of Dolores Hayes, Lisa Audet, and Kate Fitzpatrick. It then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to the Committee on Public Service and referring House petitions to their respective committees. The chamber also adopted a conference report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 session after remarks from Senators Creem, Tarr, Lovely, and Fattman emphasizing transparency, public access, recorded votes, longer notice for hearings and conference reports, remote participation, and periodic review of the rules. The report was accepted by a 40-0 roll call. The Senate then took up the bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2538, commonly described as Shield Act 2.0. Senator Friedman and others argued the bill was needed to protect reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state and federal interference, to limit disclosure of sensitive information, to create a state-level EMTALA-style protection for emergency care and active labor, and to strengthen privacy and licensing protections for providers and institutions. Senators Cyr, Lovely, and Fattman also spoke in support, framing the bill as a response to recent federal and state threats and as an extension of Massachusetts’ prior shield-law work. The chamber considered numerous amendments. Several were rejected, including amendments by Senators Finegold and Keenan and multiple Tarr amendments on topics such as medical records, consistency with existing law, and public health data collection. Some amendments were adopted, including a Montigny amendment on health-connected data disclosure, a Brownsberger amendment further protecting privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care, a Rauch amendment clarifying protections for patients in active labor, a Tarr amendment removing an exemption for data from personal tracking devices, and a Rodrigues corrective amendment. After the amendments, the Ways and Means substitute was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and it then passed to be engrossed by a 37-3 roll call. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a memorial adjournment in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Louis P. Bertinazi. The Governor also filed a message submitting a bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities, authorizing future capital spending for energy and environmental affairs, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 1 p.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mary Ann Bernard, I am a member of FASMI, Families Who Assist the Severely Mentally Ill here in Sacramento
• And another one talked a lot about his dog. And so the... Written for us.
• And another one talked a lot about his dog.
• stories of how, you know, stores like Walmart teach people how to sign up for Medi-Cal and public assistance

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mary Ann Bernard, I am a member of FASMI, Families Who Assist the Severely Mentally Ill here in Sacramento
• And another one talked a lot about his dog.
• Another one talked a lot about his dog.
• stories of how, you know, stores like Walmart teach people how to sign up for Medi-Cal and public assistance

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a sick leave bank for Carla Johnson, an employee of the Department of Unemployment Assistance
• establishing a sick leave bank for Carla Johnson, an employee of the Department of Unemployment Assistance
• Two years ago, in Barnstable, law enforcement used a Boston Dynamics robot, a dog named Brasco...
• Law enforcement used a Boston Dynamics robot, a dog named Roscoe, during a hostage crisis.