Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:03.960><c> in</c> significantly alongside increases in significantly alongside increases in
• ,</c> This is a bill about a tax on wages, This is a bill about a tax on wages, earned<00:22:24.920><
• </c><01:19:18.000><c> taxation</c> year about limiting increased taxation year about limiting increased
• ><c> property</c><02:44:42.440><c> taxpayers</c> increasing strain and property taxpayers increasing
• </c> to increase spending across the board. to increase spending across the board.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Direct care is just hard for us to recruit right now with what we offer for CNA wages and nursing wages
• </c> with with what we offer for CNA wages with with what we offer for CNA wages and<00:12:44.480><c>
• nursing</c><00:12:44.880><c> wages.
• </c> and nursing wages. and nursing wages.
• Um, that's not something that's generally allowable. to increase reim reimbursement rates for to increase

Bills: SF0010, SF0005

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, retirees' pension payments haven't increased since 2008.
• These retirees won't receive another pay increase in their lifetimes unless Sonoma County can grant an
• While the university fully supports the goals of increased transparency in this bill, we respectfully
• The bill would increase costs without increased funding at a time when districts are laying off staff
• We think a change of significant... ...on staffing challenges and the increased costs.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public employment. AB 1601, by Assemblymember Rogers, would give Sonoma County flexibility to work with its retirement board and actuaries on a possible retiree cost-of-living adjustment; supporters said Sonoma is the only 1937 Act county system without an automatic COLA and that retirees have gone since 2008 without an increase, while no opposition testified. The bill passed on a do-pass vote and was placed on the floor. AB 1729, by Assemblymember Lee, would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans, adding more structure before return-to-office decisions, and restoring public reporting on telework savings. Supporters, including SEIU Local 1000, the Association of California State Supervisors, and many state workers, argued telework improves productivity, reduces emissions and commute costs, and could save the state about $225 million annually; there was no opposition. The committee approved the bill 6-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations. AB 1630, by Assemblymember Colosa, would allow union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions, including remotely, to increase transparency and engagement. UC and CSU opposed the measure, saying observer rules should be negotiated at the table and warning the bill lacked clear limits on the number of observers and could create logistical and security problems. The bill passed 5-0 with one member not voting and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1750, also by Assemblymember Colosa, would require school employees who exhaust sick leave and are absent due to illness or injury to receive full salary for an additional five months. CTA supported the bill as a needed safety net for teachers and classified staff, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, staffing, and student stability concerns, saying it could encourage longer absences and strain already tight budgets. The committee passed the bill 5-0 and sent it to Higher Education. AB 1896, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public employment, with supporters framing it as a response to ICE and Border Patrol actions and opponents warning it was overbroad and could exclude otherwise qualified applicants from law enforcement jobs; the bill passed 5-1 and was referred to Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we believe it increases recidivism. we believe it increases recidivism.
• </c><00:57:05.359><c> the</c> Department of Defense to increase the Department of Defense to increase
• >> We can negotiate with the employer to increase higher wages, but it also will take agreement on their
• So, I wages for your members, right?
• </c><01:41:02.159><c> also</c><01:41:02.400><c> will</c> increase higher wages, but it also will increase

Bills: HB1769

Keywords: criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, private prisons, racial equity, Native Hawaiians, community well-being, mass incarceration, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1769, which would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally reduce the number of people incarcerated in private out-of-state correctional institutions. The DCR director opposed the bill, saying the department does not control overall prison population levels because courts determine admissions, and arguing that Hawaiʻi’s in-state facilities are already over capacity, especially Halawa, which he said is 165% over design capacity. He said only a small portion of the population is under departmental control through furlough programs and argued that bringing people home would require building a new medium-security prison. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Public Defender’s office, and several individuals, argued the bill creates a phased, accountable path to reduce reliance on mainland prisons and bring people home. Supporters emphasized the harms of separating incarcerated people from ʻohana and culture, the disproportionate impact on Native Hawaiians, and the need for diversion, treatment, re-entry support, and fair sentencing. Several testifiers also said the department has more control than it claimed, pointing to underused furlough options, reclassification, and empty beds at some in-state facilities, while others urged clearer statutory language and guardrails. Members questioned the director about whether people could be reclassified or moved to available beds at facilities such as Kulani and Waiawa, and about whether the department could do more through staffing and contract changes. The director said some proposals had been sent to the Department of Human Resource Development, but that major facility changes would be costly and that minimum-security facilities would need substantial upgrades to house medium-security inmates. After discussion, the chair said the committee would defer HB 1769 to Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. for decision-making and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're predominantly increased. Every year the contract pretty much increases 4%.
• This year we saw an 8% increase. Every year the contract pretty much increases 4%.
• For the software maintenance and licenses, for the increases related to those contracts.
• Program within our Department of Veterans Affairs that pays minimum wage.
• You know, the increase in food costs, We are juggling on a daily basis.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes of its April 2 meeting and then took up three budget transfers. The first, FAC 2026-6 for the Office of the State Treasurer, moved $75,000 from personal services to other expenses to pay for consultant help applying for federal energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act’s direct pay provisions. Treasurer’s office staff said the agency had one open position and several others pending posting, and members discussed how the transfer related to vacant positions and the committee’s budget display. The second item, FAC 2026-7 for the Office of the State Controller, transferred $700,000 from personal services to other expenses to cover higher Core-CT software maintenance and licensing costs. Comptroller staff said the office had 21 open positions, most in Core-CT, and explained that the system, implemented in 2003, receives regular quarterly and monthly updates from Oracle. Members also discussed how the system serves payroll, HR, purchasing, accounting, and related functions for many state agencies, including UConn and the Board of Regents. The final item, FAC 2026-8 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, transferred $700,000 from personal services, the veterans opportunity pilot, and headstones accounts to other expenses for year-end operational needs. Commissioner Ron Welch said most vacancies were in the skilled nursing facility, food service, and physical plant, with staffing challenges especially for nurses and aides. He also explained that the veterans opportunity pilot never fully launched, that the Institutional General Welfare Fund has been depleted and the agency now relies more on general fund support, and that the department faces rising food, utility, and pharmaceutical costs, including a federal VA reimbursement change that will leave the state responsible for medication costs by 2027. All three transfers were approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attempting them in a true emergent situation would increase her risk of serious injury or death.
• Attempting them in a true emergent situation would increase her risk of serious injury or death.
• Increased regulation of abortion providers does not enhance the health or safety of pregnant people,
• the minimum wage.
• While they watch the cost of rent, gas, and groceries skyrocket, their wages and benefits remain the

Summary: The House convened on Ash Wednesday with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the journal approved, and a series of guest introductions recognizing Dr. William Thompson, Disability Day at the Capitol participants, Arizona Cattle Growers, a GCU student guest, striking ASU Aramark workers and union supporters, Nurse-Family Partnership nurses, Navajo Nation visitors, and others. Members also made remarks honoring Lent, Ramadan, Black History Month, and various community figures. Attendance was recorded at 54 present, 3 absent, and 3 excused, and the House received committee substitutions and Senate messages without objection. The chamber adopted House Resolution 2006, a death resolution honoring Yvonne Glee Lyme Federson and her work with Childhelp to combat child abuse. The resolution was adopted unanimously, followed by a moment of respectful silence. The House then resolved into Committee of the Whole and later an additional Committee of the Whole to consider several bills. Measures receiving do pass recommendations included HB 2089, HB 2177 as amended, HB 2258, HB 2322 as amended, HB 2786, and HB 2825 as amended, with amendments adopted on HB 2177, HB 2322, and HB 2825. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and ordered those bills engrossed or regrossed as appropriate. In the additional Committee of the Whole, members debated HB 2074, HB 2104, and HB 2105, all property- or health-related measures. HB 2074 drew sharp debate over an amendment removing a life-of-the-mother exception in a partial-birth abortion provision; supporters said the change clarified that safer medical alternatives exist, while opponents argued it would criminalize care even to save a mother’s life. HB 2104 and HB 2105 were amended to add taxable improvements as a trigger for assessor review and to make a standardized report optional, with supporters saying the changes improved county property tax administration and opponents warning they could hinder assessors and create litigation. All three bills received do pass as amended recommendations and were ordered engrossed. The House then took up third-reading votes and passed HB 2173, HB 2203, HB 2223, and HB 2501 by 57-0 votes with three not voting. HB 2307, an emergency measure concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and out-of-state treatment options, passed 37-20 with three not voting, but failed to achieve the required two-thirds vote for the emergency clause. Members explained votes in support as a temporary response to a lack of in-state treatment beds, and in opposition as a bill that was too broad or not yet implementable. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposed rule would increase the amount of that threshold review up to $2 million, which is also
• Increase the amount of that threshold review up to $2 million, which is also consistent with that special
• Yes, these are the rules required for the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act rules to implement three separate
• Members, any questions for 17A minimum wage rules?
• It does not increase access. It does not protect anyone.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• income may be treated as wages for Social Security and Medicare or FICA purposes.
• income may be um uh that their wage income may be treated<00:55:10.160><c> as</c><00:55:10.400><c> wages
• for social security and treated as wages for social security and Medicare Medicare Medicare Medicare
• </c><00:59:52.880><c> enforcement</c><00:59:53.520><c> against</c> and increased enforcement against
• and increased enforcement against fraudulent fraudulent fraudulent fundraising.<00:59:56.880><c> As</

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is increasing is rising division.
• Um so we assets, and garnishing wages.
• > work,</c> Lost wages from missed work, Lost wages from missed work, transportation<02:04:33.920><c>
• And I'll I'll uh wages from then on.
• Uh different than wages and training.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that this bill increases funding by $17 million from the base funding, and that they had talked
• </c><00:07:52.479><c> a</c><00:07:52.800><c> funding</c><00:07:53.199><c> by</c> that this bill increases
• a funding by that this bill increases a funding by $17<00:07:54.360><c> million</c><00:07:55.319><c>
• Food shelf visits increased by an average of 18% across every single county in Minnesota, and some of
• I'm grateful for the increases that we are putting for, like, child care, food assistance.

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• increase from one year to two years.
• The fiscal impact on this bill assumes the result of the increased benefit will increase claim duration
• price of their products, reducing or eliminating planned employee wage increases, and making plans to
• The increased expenditures for the included regulated professions and facilities are anticipated to increase
• up to 40% or more without increasing quality.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• For our low-income residents, these increases aren't just numbers.
• And increase them by reinvesting back into these programs, but it will be a revenue creator.
• It's waging psychological warfare against all immigrants in the United States.
• It's waging psychological warfare against all immigrants in the United States.
• awareness and help increase life-saving donors.

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing the data is clear about is the link between math ability and wages.
• increases their earning potential at age 12. 30, their actual wages.
• Seriously, and I'm sure. that's true, that increases retention.
• Do you see an increase in that participation?
• This amount goes down each year as statewide charter enrollment increases.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to them when they're already low uh wage to them when they're already low uh wage um<00:09:27.440
• </c><00:18:04.640><c> for</c> have been lost in terms of wages for have been lost in terms of wages for
• </c> only 14% have said they were increased. only 14% have said they were increased.
• Um and the recent increase in here.
• </c> January, but we do believe this increase January, but we do believe this increase can<00:41:12.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> lost wages, lost wages, uh<01:51:45.200><c> close</c><01:51:45.520><c> to</c><01:51:45.640><c>
• They have reported just since January a 60% increase in calls for housing assistance.
• in state spending in our increase in state spending in our history. history. history.
• </c> statewide, $106 million in lost wages. statewide, $106 million in lost wages.
• Consider at low wages, a roofer makes $20 an hour.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Have opportunities for education to increase pay, to have a livable wage within those centers.
• So that's not minimum wage; 82% pay above the median income nationally.
• in jobs in the trucking industry, as well as an increase in GDP.
• That's something that we are eager to see increase here in future years.
• Chairman, it said reduce congestion and increase fuel efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increased reciprocity with the National Court Reporters Association will increase the pool of qualified
• Increased reciprocity with the National Court Reporters Association exams will increase the pool of qualified
• Changes to licensure have exponentially increased the number of California's licensed court reporters
• , and remote reporting... ...exponentially increase the number of California's licensed court reporters
• , benefits, and work. court interpreters as employees and allow them to collectively bargain over wages

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:

• In the 18 years since the last pension COLA was granted, San Francisco Bay Area inflation increased by
• Meanwhile, retirees' pension payments haven't increased since 2008.
• These retirees won't receive another pay increase in their lifetimes unless Sonoma County can grant an
• The bill would increase costs without increased funding at a time when districts are laying off staff
• We think a change of significant... ...on staffing challenges and the increased costs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• diversified economy, create high-wage job opportunities, and position Hawaii as a leader in innovation
• </c><00:18:58.880><c> its</c><00:18:59.120><c> focus</c> This requests HTDC to increase its focus This
• requests HTDC to increase its focus on<00:18:59.520><c> advanced</c><00:18:59.919><c> manufacturing<
• </c><00:19:04.559><c> job</c> economy, create high wage job economy, create high wage job opportunities
• </c> increase the cost of production. Okay. increase the cost of production. Okay.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on economic development, tourism, technology, and related policy issues. Testimony generally came from state agencies and industry groups, with DBED, HTDC, and others mostly supporting measures that would create working groups, promote advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity, encourage a Michelin Guide for Hawaii restaurants, support Taiwan’s international participation, and explore import substitution. One measure on a tourism and gaming working group drew strong opposition from the prosecutor’s office, which argued it would signal support for gambling and could worsen social harms, while other witnesses supported it as a way to gather data before any policy decisions. The committee also heard support for relocating the Pearl City Post Office to improve traffic and safety, and for a resolution to focus HTDC on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. Several items were amended before action. The committee agreed to amend the tourism and gaming working group resolution to narrow and clarify its purpose, and to amend the Taiwan resolution to add the president of the Republic of China as a recipient. The import-substitution resolution was also amended to add a definition, include language about avoiding new import dependencies such as LNG, and direct state and utility purchasing power toward substituting imports. A resolution on HCR 211/HR 203 was rewritten to address lowering fire insurance rates and mitigating fire risk in Puna lava zones, but decision-making on that item was deferred to a later hearing so the new language could be posted publicly. The committee voted to adopt several measures, including HCR 57/HCR 152, HCR 156/HR 151, HCR 19/HR 115, and HCR 33/HR 32, with some passed as amended and others passed as is. HCR 192 was adopted with amendments despite reservations from some members, and HCR 209/HR 2011 was adopted with amendments. The committee also recessed for decision-making during the hearing and later adjourned after completing action on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It did increase prices.
• prices um I disruption it did increased prices um I mean<00:04:09.000><c> on</c><00:04:09.239><c> wood
• interest rates to fight to increase interest rates to fight inflation<00:04:26.360><c> but</c><00:04
• But as the cost of building has increased, the number of cranes on the horizon has dwindled.
• </c><00:18:44.120><c> the</c> the cost of building has increased the the cost of building has increased

Keywords: 1187, senate, all