Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that they would need this power that they would need this power have<00:17:00.519><c> I</c><00:17
• </c> tend to agree about the inherent powers tend to agree about the inherent powers but<01:52:21.119
• The Community Power Coalition is a joint powers agency established pursuant to RSA 53-A and 53-E.
• power aggregations.
• , including those served by the Community Power Coalition and other community power aggregations.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy costs are on the rise because Republicans canceled clean power projects.
• 03:26.000><c> clean</c> rise because Republicans canled clean rise because Republicans canled clean power
• </c> power projects. power projects.
• It was, as the governor said, a bipartisan effort, and it was just a complete distortion of the truth
• It was, as the governor said, a bipartisan effort, and it was just a complete distortion of the truth

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome the governor and first lady, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, tribal
• Beginning with Representative Long. lieutenant governor, secretary of state, lieutenant governor, secretary
• Governor<00:29:42.480><c> Walls,</c> Governor Walls, Governor Walls, Leader<00:29:45.600><c> Murphy,<
• </c> deeply and she left behind a powerful deeply and she left behind a powerful example<00:34:04.080
• We'll start with the governor and first lady, followed by the lieutenant governor and the constitutional

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress will be a powerful one.
• This is an abuse of power.
• This is an abuse of power.
• IT'S ABOUT POWER. IT'S IN THE ABOUT TURNING GOVERNMENT ON.
• Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The power is to be able to do performance audits. Have existed for a long time.
• </c> actually is is nothing new uh the power actually is is nothing new uh the power is<00:37:56.960>
• </c><00:38:26.160><c> but</c> emphasize this is not a new power but emphasize this is not a new power
• So this is a power that already exists. It's not new. It already exists right now in this office.
• So this is a power that already exists. It's not new. It already exists right now in this office.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:44 Attendance Roll Call: 00:55 SB 193 (Sen. Girdler): 01:53 SB 9 (Sen. Higdon): 03:22 SB 257 (Sen. Tichenor): 34:14 Adjournment: 50:57, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government first took up Senate Bill 193, a simple measure described as restoring wallet cards for jailers to carry when they are outside the jail. The sponsor noted the fiscal impact was essentially zero, there were no questions, and the committee approved the bill 9-0 for passage to the Senate floor. The committee then heard Senate Bill 9, sponsored by Senator Higdon, which would change how the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) treats sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave in retirement calculations. The sponsor argued the bill is intended to address TRS’s financial challenges by standardizing leave rules statewide, limiting TRS retirement credit to 10 sick days and 2 personal days per year, preventing annual leave from being rolled into sick leave, requiring districts to pay the actuarial cost for any leave beyond the cap, and adding reporting and oversight requirements for participating agencies. He also said the bill would add 30 days of maternity leave, allow voluntary district contributions for tier four teachers, and direct the state auditor to audit TRS and report on agencies. Committee members asked about how overages would be audited and billed, the cost of a sick day, and how the bill would interact with local leave policies, including paid parental leave in some districts. The sponsor clarified that existing accumulated leave would not be affected, that the bill applies going forward, and that districts could still offer more leave but would bear the added cost. Members also discussed whether the maternity leave language set a cap or a minimum, and one senator noted the bill was intended to preserve personal days while stopping annual leave from being converted into pension credit. No vote on Senate Bill 9 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the governor even had said something about hurdles.
• Was essentially gutted by then Governor Rick Scott.
• When they don't have spending power, more businesses go under.
• That's the governor. That's what he said: unnecessary roadblocks.
• That's the governor. That's what he said. Unnecessary roadblocks.

Bills: S0216, S0246, S0356, S0388, S0470, S0488, S0490, S0528, S0584, S0594

Keywords: reemployment assistance, fraud prevention, eligibility verification, Department of Commerce, benefit disqualification, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration, license plate fees, annual use fees, Florida DHSMV, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, deauthorization, financial reporting, nonprofit organizations, college license plates, university license plates, veterans plates, law enforcement plates, Fraternal Order of Police

Summary: The committee met to hear a series of transportation, housing, licensing, unemployment, and manufacturing bills. SB 594, by Senator Burton, would expand SHIP/local housing assistance eligibility to certain manufactured-home residents who own their home but rent the lot, allowing them to access rental assistance or repair/rehabilitation funds for a limited period. Supporters from AARP and the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners said the bill would help seniors and fixed-income residents remain in their homes. The bill was reported favorably. Members then heard SB 488 and SB 490, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package and its related public-records exemption, both by Senator Massullo. SB 488 updates IFTA-related motor fuel provisions, allows private license plate agencies to act as IFTA agents, permits online filing of decals and returns, raises the crash-damage reporting threshold from $500 to $2,000, expands email communications with customers, and updates tank vehicle compliance. SB 490 exempts certain email addresses collected for renewal notices from public records. Both bills were reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 246, creating a specialty license plate for the UFC Foundation. Supporters said proceeds would fund charitable work, while opponents questioned whether a Nevada-based, for-profit sports organization should receive a Florida plate and raised concerns about political favoritism. Despite opposition, the bill was reported favorably. SB 216, by Senator McLean, would tighten reemployment assistance eligibility by requiring more frequent verification, additional job-search and recall requirements, and reporting on fraudulent claims; labor groups, advocates, and several senators argued it would add barriers for unemployed workers and rural residents and would not meaningfully address bot fraud. The bill was reported favorably. SB 356, by Senator Wright, would allow local governments to opt in to street use of utility terrain vehicles on certain roads, with equipment and insurance requirements. Law enforcement and some local officials supported it as a way to regulate vehicles already on roads, while insurers, the Florida Justice Association, and some senators warned the vehicles are not crash-tested and could create safety and liability problems. After extensive debate, the bill was temporarily postponed. The committee also heard SB 528 on manufacturing, which would strengthen state manufacturing policy, codify the chief manufacturing officer role, support workforce grants, and require reporting; it drew support from business groups and was moved forward without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray for our governor, our lieutenant governor, our state legislators, our legislative staff, and
• He asked for a visit with the governor, got to visit, and went in and told the governor of his plight
• Kyle reaches in his pocket and served the governor at 15 years old. Governor Carney went, whoa.
• Marr, Governor.
• John Kane, Office of the Governor. John Kane, Office of the Governor: Good evening, Mr. Kane.

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Genesis Gonzalez, Legislative Director for California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.
• This bill is deeply personal to the Lieutenant Governor.
• that no one, no matter how powerful, stands above the Constitution.
• Ruth Sosa, on behalf of Power CA Action, in strong support. Thank you.
• Members of the committee, Ruth Sosa, on behalf of Power CA Action, in strong support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why the soccer coaches, the teachers, assembly members, if the Governor, the Attorney General,
• In recent months, Pennsylvania's Jewish governor had his home set on fire during Passover.
• We will not stand by and allow this abuse of power to take place, nor condone the unlawful, illegal,
• It is so powerful to hear from such leaders.
• But, you know, in the end, these shared experiences are just so much more powerful.”

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• . power. power.
• </c> veto messages from the prior governor veto messages from the prior governor and<05:54:18.958><c>
• the</c><05:54:19.200><c> current</c><05:54:19.440><c> governor</c> and the current governor and the
• :40:04.878><c> for</c> Representative Powers is recognized for Representative Powers is recognized for
• </c><07:52:07.760><c> I</c> respects the separation of powers. I respects the separation of powers.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• are generating more clean power than California, which should not be the case.
• They are being trained on the power to arrest and appropriate use of force.
• They are being trained on the power to arrest and appropriate use of force.
• they use green hydrogen to power turbines.
• to power turbines.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the future governor absolutely supports.
• , and the future governor absolutely supports.
• and the the future go the the governor and the the future go the existing<00:15:38.320><c> governor<
• </c> existing governor absolutely supports. existing governor absolutely supports.
• If we cannot power our citizens here, we can't power the bases either.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals. DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions. A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs. The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this also violates the spirit of the Equal Pay Act signed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2016
• Chairman, this bill will establish a board appointed by the governor.
• by the governor it's a six-person board this bill will establish a board appointed by the governor it's
• An inspector general with real investigative power—real investigative power, say that again—could ensure
• Current law gives these boards of trustees broad powers to set policies for their campuses.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• State of Florida, Executive Office of the Governor, Tallahassee.
• Now, therefore, I, Ron DeSantis, Governor of the State of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority
• State of Florida, Executive Office of the Governor Tallahassee, to the Honorable Members of the Florida
• Now therefore, I, Ron DeSantis, governor of the state of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority
• Ron DeSantis, Governor. Attest: Cord Byrd, Secretary of State. The reading of the proclamation, Mr.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will continue to do everything within our power to ensure that all members of the public can freely
• Second, Governor Newsom, as he concludes his second term as governor of our great state at the end of
• I want to acknowledge the governor for his collaboration on our three-branch solutions to improve access
• Second Governor Newsom, as he concludes his second term as governor of our great state at the end of
• We thank the Governor for his efforts in strengthening our judiciary.

Summary: The Legislature convened in joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorting Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the Associate Justices to the rostrum and recognizing statewide constitutional officers in attendance. Legislative leaders welcomed the court and framed the address around the importance of judicial independence, equal justice, and the judiciary’s role in California’s democracy. Chief Justice Guerrero reported on several major judicial branch priorities. She emphasized rising threats to judges and court security, the need to extend authority for remote proceedings beyond its current sunset, and the ongoing implementation of the CARE Act in all 58 counties, including data on petitions, agreements, and plans. She also discussed trial court funding and persistent judgeship shortages, especially in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where congested calendars have led to case dismissals and heavy use of temporary assigned judges. The Chief Justice also addressed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence issues, as well as concerns about federal immigration enforcement at courthouses and its effect on access to justice. She reviewed corrective actions after the February 2025 bar exam problems, including scoring adjustments, a return to in-person testing, and rule changes for attorney admissions. She closed by noting judicial salary concerns, the 100th anniversary of the Judicial Council, and the need for continued collaboration with the Governor and Legislature. No votes were taken. The joint convention ordered the State of the Judiciary address printed in the Journal as a separate appendix and then adjourned, with an invitation extended to a reception with the Chief Justice later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will continue to do everything within our power to ensure that all members of the public can freely
• , with oral argument being held in different parts of the state throughout the year, as well as my Power
• Second, Governor Newsom, as he concludes his second term as governor of our great state at the end of
• Second Governor Newsom, as he concludes his second term as governor of our great state at the end of
• We thank the Governor for his efforts in strengthening our judiciary.

Summary: The Legislature recessed into a joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorted the California Supreme Court justices to the rostrum, and heard remarks from legislative leaders and Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The speakers emphasized judicial independence, the rule of law, and the importance of the courts as a co-equal branch of government. The Chief Justice framed her address as a calm report on the judiciary’s work and major challenges, while thanking legislative and executive partners for collaboration. Chief Justice Guerrero highlighted several policy and operational issues facing the courts. She urged continued support for remote proceedings, noting more than 6 million remote hearings since 2022 and strong user satisfaction, and discussed the CARE Act’s statewide implementation, including petition and agreement numbers and the recent expansion to cover certain bipolar disorders. She also raised concerns about judicial security and privacy, threats and negative rhetoric toward judges, courthouse access issues tied to federal immigration enforcement, and the need for more judgeships and funding in high-need counties such as Riverside and San Bernardino. She also discussed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence admissibility, and reported corrective actions after the troubled February 2025 bar exam, including scoring adjustments, expanded provisional licensing, and a return to in-person testing. Additional points included proposed ongoing funding for trial courts, long-standing judicial salary disparities, and the Judicial Council’s 100th anniversary. No votes were taken; the joint convention concluded with the address ordered printed in the Journal and an invitation to a reception for members and guests.

Transcript Highlights:

• We offer our gratitude and blessings to our state representatives, the senators, and Governor, for taking
• Sincerely, Ron DeSantis, Governor. Reading of the communication, Mr. Speaker.
• And this body, along with the Senate and the governor, gave them more than thoughts and prayers.
• The Senate and the governor gave them more than thoughts and prayers.
• I leave you with the powerful African proverb: The child who is not embraced by the village will burn

Summary: The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously. The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates. A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• May you rest in power.
• It is a Board of Governors regulation.
• We are the only state in the nation giving this unprecedented power.
• We are the only state in the nation giving this unprecedented power.
• Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum verification. Members then adopted the special order report and a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also recognized Deputy First Class Stefano Gargano as law enforcement officer of the day and several visiting groups in the gallery. On the floor, HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously, 109-0. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about surplus conservation lands and oversight by the Acquisition and Restoration Council; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign-country-of-concern restrictions, critical infrastructure, gifts, contracts, sister city agreements, and related ethics and criminal provisions, passed 80-20 after debate and a germane amendment was adopted over objections. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197 on information technology procurement and contracting, aimed at modernizing oversight of major IT projects, by 109-0. CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations passed 71-38 after extensive debate over development fees, manufactured homes, and reducing local supermajority requirements for comprehensive plan changes; an amendment to preserve Orange County’s rural boundary vote failed, and a strike-all amendment was ruled out of order. Members then adopted a technical amendment clarifying manufactured homes language. Several local bills also advanced: HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed 109-0; HB 4051 and HB 4053 on Santa Rosa County fire protection district assessments passed 84-25 and 83-27, respectively, after compromise amendments; HB 4081 on the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 110-0; and HB 4093 on the Felsmere Water Control District passed 109-0. The transcript ended as the House moved on to HB 4095, with no final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the kind of growing government through power and policy that I think none of us want to see.
• is the kind of growing government This is the kind of growing government through<00:12:51.360><c> power
• <c> policy</c><00:12:52.880><c> that</c><00:12:53.200><c> I</c><00:12:53.440><c> think</c> through power
• and policy that I think through power and policy that I think none<00:12:54.000><c> of</c><00:12:54.079
• And with all the governor to do so.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 1910s, Governor Hiram Johnson and reformers decided that special interests had too much power
• It has ushered in profound reform movements, including Proposition 13, to limit the power of taxation
• It has ushered in profound reform movements, including Proposition 13, to limit the power of taxation
• Opposition letters from very powerful, very well-funded special interest groups, the labor unions, and
• The governor was right then, and it is still true today. I ask that you vote no on AB 699.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on April 30, 2025, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. The committee first approved six bills on consent, including AB 950, AB 953, AB 1214, and three committee bills. It then heard several measures dealing with election administration, ballot transparency, and campaign finance, with most authors accepting committee amendments and several bills being held on call for absent members. AB 930 by Assembly Member Ward would extend the deadline for counting timely postmarked vote-by-mail ballots from three to seven days after Election Day and update recount procedures, including online posting of recount results and clearer rules for recount requests. The bill was supported by county election officials and passed out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, though it was initially held on call. AB 459 by Assembly Member DeMaio proposed allowing electronic signatures for initiatives, referenda, and recalls; the Secretary of State and labor groups opposed it over security, implementation, and cost concerns, and the committee ultimately rejected the bill after reconsideration. AB 699 by Assembly Member Stephanie would change how local tiered tax and bond measures are described on ballots by allowing more detail to be placed in the voter guide; housing, school, and local government groups supported it, while taxpayer and realtor groups opposed it as reducing ballot transparency. AB 1188, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega, would list the top three funders supporting and opposing statewide initiatives and referenda directly on the ballot; transparency advocates and labor supported it, while county election officials and business groups raised concerns about ballot length and processing costs. Both AB 699 and AB 1188 passed out of committee with amendments and were held on call. The committee also heard AB 827 by Assembly Member Berman, which would standardize and extend the deadline for curing vote-by-mail signature problems, add a link to cure forms in ballot-tracking notifications, and make other changes to improve ballot curing. It drew no opposition in the hearing and passed with a due-pass recommendation. AB 351 by Assembly Member McKenna would raise the Levine Act contribution threshold for local officials to $1,500 and add CPI adjustments; supporters said it would reduce administrative burdens and reflect modern campaign finance realities, while good-government groups and the League of Women Voters opposed it as weakening anti-corruption protections. The committee initially failed AB 351, then granted reconsideration, but the transcript ends before a final disposition is clearly completed. Finally, AB 1079 by Assembly Member Farías would eliminate the automatic appellate stay in California Voting Rights Act and Fair Maps Act cases; it was supported as a way to prevent delayed remedies in voting rights cases, opposed by the City of Santa Monica over impacts on ongoing litigation, and passed with amendments. After taking up the held items, the committee recorded final votes on the bills, including passage of AB 930, AB 699, AB 1188, AB 827, and AB 1079, and rejection of AB 459.