Transcript Highlights:

• but if it's on the Internet, is that a federal crime at that point?
• Also, it bars the acceptance of federal money to implement enforce or administer federal red flag statutes
• Senator, on page two of the bill, it talks about certain federal laws unenforceable.
• I don't know this. status of federal red flag laws at this juncture.
• Make it a crime for someone to follow a federal law that seeks to protect us from harm.

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, birth certificate, biological sex, gender identity, health and safety, sex assignment, SB 875, Texas, independent school district, ISD, school board trustee, superintendent, campus administrator, electioneering, political signs, early voting

Transcript Highlights:

• and mental disabilities, with addictions, homelessness, for those in prison, and those living in poverty
• The YMCA and the American Academy of Pediatrics national guidelines recommend swimming lessons for children
• The YMCA's and the American Academy of Pediatrics National Guidelines recommend swimming lessons for

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence honoring former Senator Charlie Dean. Senators also introduced guests, including family members, church leaders, and visiting students. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate passed a series of bills focused on consumer protection, transportation safety, health, and financial regulation. CS/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks passed 37-0 after being substituted for SB 198 and amended to adopt Senate language aimed at limiting fraud and setting transaction controls. SB 382 on electric bicycles passed 37-0 after amendment to broaden the task force to micro-mobility devices. SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education passed 37-0, requiring certain health professionals to complete training on care management. SB 1014 on municipal utility service outside city limits passed 37-0, and SB 428 on the swimming lesson voucher program passed 36-0 after amendments expanding the program to ages 1 through 7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents. The Senate also passed CS/CS/CS/SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which creates cybersecurity program requirements for certain licensees, expands oversight of some investment advisers, and updates credit union and anti-money-laundering provisions; it passed 36-0. CS/CS/SB 1440 on public records passed 35-1 after technical amendments tied to related cybersecurity exemptions and reporting requirements. SB 1594 on veteran benefit payments to minor clients passed 36-0, directing certain benefits for foster youth toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to certify all passed bills to the House and retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Denying it leads to more poverty, more abuse, and more harm.
• I believe the responsibility of every form of government is to protect, whether on a federal, state,
• I am also the federal advocacy chair of the American Society of Acupuncture.
• There are no good guidelines. There is no good guidelines. problem.
• There are no good guidelines.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures and time limits, then heard testimony on House 2499, a bill to create a public awareness campaign on menopause and related midlife health issues. Supporters, including a nurse, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and other advocates, said menopause is widely misunderstood by patients and providers, leading to delayed care, unnecessary suffering, workplace impacts, and inequities in women’s health. Several speakers shared personal experiences with symptoms being dismissed or misdiagnosed and urged the committee to advance the bill. The committee then took testimony on a package of endometriosis bills, including House 2527 and Senate 1564, calling for a task force and broader awareness efforts. Patients, a physician, and advocates described long diagnostic delays, severe pain, infertility, medical gaslighting, and limited access to specialists and effective treatment. They argued for more research, provider education, and a coordinated state strategy, and several asked for favorable reports. The chair also noted the hearing was running behind and extended time to allow more testimony. Later, the committee heard Senate 1579, which would eliminate parental consent and judicial bypass requirements for abortion access for minors under 16. Planned Parenthood representatives, physicians, legal advocates, and students argued the current law creates unnecessary delays and harms vulnerable youth, especially those in unsafe homes or foster care, while supporters said minors can already consent to other reproductive health care. A pro-life witness opposed the bill and emphasized parental involvement and support services. The committee also heard House 2403 and Senate 1560, which would create a Human Service Transportation Consumer Advisory Board; disability advocates and riders described past safety problems and current service gaps, and supported the board as a low-cost way to improve accountability, rider input, and reliability. No votes or final actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1306 aligns California law with existing federal exemptions for certain chemical mixtures containing
• It does not alter federal immigration enforcement priorities, detention decisions, or custody authority
• And it's about making sure that the cost of an arrest doesn't become a life sentence of poverty.
• Proposition 103 sets guidelines for the Department of Insurance to approve surety premium rates, but
• Prop 103 sets guidelines for the Department of Insurance to prove surety premium rates, but requiring

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on criminal justice, public safety, and detention-related issues. SB 498 by Senator Becker would make electronic messaging free for incarcerated people in CDCR facilities and end 15-minute limits on voice calls; the author and supporters argued it would strengthen family ties and rehabilitation, while no opposition testified. SB 953 by Senator Niello would require two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even when diversion is granted; victims’ family members and law enforcement groups supported it as an accountability measure, while the ACLU and Debt-Free Justice California opposed it, arguing diversion should remain an incentive for rehabilitation and safer roads. The committee also heard SB 1306 by Senator Cortese, which would align state law with federal exemptions for certain GBL-containing chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing; the author and SEMI said it would reduce unnecessary regulation and protect California’s semiconductor industry, and there was no opposition testimony. Members also considered SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost. The author and supporters described high prices for basic necessities and poor conditions in private detention centers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 691 by Senator Wahab would require law enforcement body-camera policies to include a process for EMS personnel to request redaction of recordings before public release when patients are receiving medical treatment; supporters said it would protect patient privacy, while the Sheriff’s Association opposed it as duplicative and potentially confusing. SB 562 by Senator Ashby would allow partial refunds of bail bond premiums when charges are not filed or are dropped early; supporters framed it as a fairness measure for low-income families, while bail industry representatives and victims’ advocates warned it could discourage bail agents from posting bonds and could affect domestic violence cases. The committee also took up several additional measures on consent or with no opposition testimony, including AB 2796, SB 891, SB 1012, and SB 1143. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 953, SB 1306, and SB 941, and to move SB 498, SB 691, and SB 562 forward as well, with some votes initially held open for absent members. Several bills were pulled by their authors and not heard, including SB 1004, SB 1208, SB 1338, and SB 1401. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning until the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Federal...
• But I thought it was interesting to say that the Federal...
• The appropriation of federal funds obviously represents the three primary recipients of the federal dollars
• That was $3 billion of federal funds that went to the... ...federal funds that went to the LEAs for them
• The LEAs started a program with federal money.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Southern Poverty Law Center. We do urge you to vote no on the bill.
• In federal law Chapter 683, not all minority recognition months and days are necessarily included.
• We have federal government, we've got state government, Sadie Smith: we've got local government.
• And so I think this does tighten restrictions and guidelines for legislative and executive leadership
• I think it provides very clear instruction in very clear guidelines for what folks are supposed to do

Transcript Highlights:

• I cannot use federal funds or staff paid with federal funds to administer this state-level program.
• paid with federal federal funds or staff paid with federal funds<00:36:50.880><c> to</c><00:36:51.119
• law, it's a federal program.
• &gt;&gt; because it's a federal law it's a &gt;&gt; because it's a federal law it's a federal<00:45:35.359
• </c> based on their poverty. based on their poverty.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State and federal grants.
• It was only recently eligible under federal funding.
• So it's 18 local, state, and federal grant programs.
• To make any changes to these effluent guidelines, so risk avoided.
• We have wraparound services that alleviate the causes of poverty.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal Credit Union.
• The federal government, on the other hand, has three million federal employees.
• Texas households fell below the federal poverty level in 2021.
• So we're trying to go... from the 100% of the poverty level to the 138% of poverty level.
• monitor the federal... the Federal Air Quality Act, the Clean Air Act.

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• This is exactly why California's prison health care system remains under federal receivership.
• Leah Griffin with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, proud co-sponsor.
• Too often, poverty is criminalized and individuals... Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• We can't arrest our way out of poverty, mental health challenges, or addiction.
• People repeatedly arrested due to chronic mental illness, substance use disorder, or poverty.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first year that we diverted, we spent about two months consulting with state and federal agencies
• Benjamin Henderson with the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• Sarah Brennan with the Whiteman Group, on behalf of Supply Chain Federation, in opposition.
• Gresia Roscoe on behalf of the Center on Race, Poverty, and the Environment in support.
• We're already under a lot of pressure, given the federal rollbacks. Districts are underfunded.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or the federal courts of this nation. or the federal courts of this nation.
• Meanwhile, the federal to be resolved.
• It's too Federal Voting Rights Act.
• </c> what's happening at the federal what's happening at the federal government<02:20:49.600><c> with
• </c> and saying that despite the federal and saying that despite the federal government's<02:21:31.520

Keywords: House streaming session for Saturday, April 11, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:52.519><c> funds</c> providing an overview of federal funds providing an overview of federal
• </c><00:04:54.120><c> Awards</c> 13 billion of our 2025 Federal Awards 13 billion of our 2025 Federal
• The program covers roughly 100,000 Minnesotans between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
• The program covers roughly 100,000 Minnesotans between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
• </c><00:43:20.240><c> in</c><00:43:20.359><c> federal</c> 12% reduction in the Federal in federal 12%

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:51.280><c> government</c> situation where the federal government situation where the federal
• That's federal or three days paid off. That's federal standard.
• That's federal or three days paid off. That's federal<00:23:27.840><c> standard.
• And then the idea of federal standard.
• ><c> that</c> guidelines, the original guidelines that guidelines, the original guidelines that govern

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are tracked, remediated, and reported at a federal level.
• For example, Texas's error rate was 6 percent, well below the federal average of 11.
• No other state currently mandates a photo on the EBT card as it runs afoul of federal statute. which
• This bill is a lifeline for students who are silently suffering under school poverty.
• Please know that SB 240 In SB 240, you have the full support of the federal government.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Disbursements are required by federal law at that point, and they still can't reach the member or members
• Any federally recognized tribe, nation, or Pueblo in New Mexico would also be eligible to operate a tribal
• It's meant to raise the employment levels throughout the state and lift New Mexicans out of poverty.
• , the network shall consist of no more than eight regional hubs and a tribal hub for each of the federally
• Chairman and Senator, where are the Performance measures that are going to be the guidelines.

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than rely on federal acts. been a leader on women's issues.
• Christopher Sanchez, on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California, as a proud sponsor.
• Omar Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
• Federal guidelines and processes are currently inconsistent for event organizers and rarely apply to
• We believe in a layered approach that includes federal and state guidelines and will continue to work

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum. The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition. Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• If that's the case, that's a violation of federal law.
• In 1972, the California Legislature ratified the federal Equal Rights Amendment, declaring...
• Omar Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
• Federal guidelines and processes are currently inconsistent for event organizers and rarely apply to
• We believe in a layered approach that includes federal and state guidelines and will continue to work

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal administration has a position on this.
• They do not enforce federal immigration law.
• You have federal representatives there.
• Households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines qualify for civil legal aid
• poverty guidelines.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal administration has a position on this.
• They do not enforce federal immigration law.
• You have federal representatives there supporting.
• Households with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines qualify for civil legal aid
• poverty guidelines.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.