Transcript Highlights:

• I totally respect your professional judgment on that, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything
• I totally respect your professional judgment on that, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything
• I totally respect your professional judgment on that, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything
• I totally respect your professional judgment on that, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything
• I totally respect your professional judgment on that, but I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can I defer that to Mr. Ripple?
• So I will<00:51:04.240> defer<00:51:04.640> this will defer this will defer this uh<00:
• So let's let's defer further discussion. So let's let's defer further discussion.
• deferred one of them to Friday. Right. deferred one of them to Friday. Right.
• is to defer or um we take other action. is to defer or um we take other action.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in Division 3 work session on HB 2 and began by noting a delayed start to allow the Legislative Budget Assistant to finish a large packet of updated amendments and revisions. The chair said the goal for the day was to move as many items as possible, with any cleanup deferred to a Friday follow-up. Members also discussed the process for handling public and department testimony on selected items before votes. Several early amendments were taken up and voted on. The committee unanimously recommended items dealing with repealing the liquor transfer to the alcohol fund and redirecting liquor-related revenue to the general fund, and it also approved an amendment revising Granite Advantage funding so there would be no automatic transfer from the liquor fund, instead using a general fund appropriation. Members then approved repealing the foster grandparent program by a 5-4 vote, and later approved an amendment requiring DHS contractors to comply with the patients’ bill of rights by a 9-0 vote. The committee also approved incorporating House Bill 94 on Medicaid coverage of circumcision by a 5-4 vote, while deferring the Wick Farmers Market Nutrition Program repeal for more discussion. The committee spent substantial time on the youth risk behavior survey amendment. Supporters said the change was intended to clarify opt-out procedures and ensure parents, guardians, and students are clearly notified that they may opt out without negative consequences. Some members raised privacy concerns and said the language could add administrative burden, but the amendment was ultimately recommended to Finance by a recorded vote of 8-1. Another amendment on civil rights and contractor standards for DHHS was discussed but not voted on after concerns were raised about vague enforcement language and possible penalties. The committee also struck amendment 1026 as redundant, with members noting related work in existing law and Senate Bill 134, and then moved on to other items, including a revised equity/access-related amendment that was postponed for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need California judges to have the ability to exercise their wisdom and their good judgment in fashioning
• enforcement that someone has a unique condition that should be taken into account and allows good judgment
• enforcement that someone has a unique condition that should be taken into account and to allow good judgment
• So thank you very much. and to allow good judgment to be exercised. So thank you very much.
• We know that that gives the authority to officers to make decisions based on their own judgment in various

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only. The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously. The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, working with every tribe is a really important issue for us and our members and we really defer
• <02:11:12.200> and<02:11:12.560> we<02:11:12.720> really<02:11:12.960> defer
• <02:11:13.360> to members and I and we really defer to members and I and we really defer to
• we can start uh assisting the and see if we can start uh assisting the foreign<03:17:25.920> judgment
• foreign judgment foreign judgment on<03:17:27.440> the<03:17:27.520> non-Indians<03

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I may defer to him because it's more his language than mine, but the point was I'm trying to make
• And I may defer to him because it's more his language than mine, but the point was I'm trying to make
• So I'm going to have to ask you—I believe I've given deference. Can I have one more sentence?
• I'm not making judgment, and demand a ballot or not.
• whatever reason I'm not making judgment whatever reason I'm not making judgment and<03:46:28.239

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our report would be relatively minor compared to whatever source would be involved, and I'd defer to
• ><03:45:55.040> I'd whatever source would being and I'd whatever source would being and I'd defer
• <03:45:56.319> a<03:45:56.560> lot<03:45:56.640> of<03:45:56.800> what defer
• Representative Swanson said he had reconsidered and was going to defer on this particular bill.
• Representative Swanson said he had reconsidered and was going to defer on this particular bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would defer to your wisdom on that. I would defer to your wisdom on that. All right.
• I would defer to your wisdom on that. I would defer to your wisdom on that.
• He said he is completely sympathetic to the budget challenges and would defer to the committee's judgment
• <00:27:09.279> to<00:27:09.440> your<00:27:09.679> judgment<00:27:10.080>
• on I'm, I would defer to your judgment on I'm, I would defer to your judgment on on<00:27:10.720

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 733, a third-party litigation financing reporting bill. Representative Cole explained that the bill shifts reporting from the Secretary of State to the courts, which he said removes the fiscal note and helps insurers obtain information for underwriting and premium-setting. The committee accepted the explanation and voted ought to pass; the roll call was 8-0 in favor, with one member taking a pause. The committee then heard House Bill 219, dealing with the renewable portfolio standard and the renewable energy fund. Representative Bose argued the bill would reduce electricity costs by lowering the REC purchase obligation from 220,000 to 170,000, which he said would reduce payments into the renewable energy fund by roughly $1 million to $2 million and save consumers only pennies a month. After questions about timing and whether to wait for a DOE report, the committee voted to retain the bill for further discussion rather than advance it; the motion to retain passed 5-4. House Bill 365 was then discussed as an election-related bill intended to help verify citizenship for voter registration and create a voucher process for people who cannot afford a birth certificate. The sponsor said the Secretary of State may be able to use federal and state databases to verify citizenship, and if not, indigent applicants could receive a voucher reimbursed by the state, with a $25,000 appropriation included. Members raised concerns about the Secretary of State’s access to databases and the bill’s timing and cost, and the committee decided to hold the bill until Secretary Scanlan could come testify. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 552, which updates retiree health coverage rules so dependent children can remain on the plan until age 26, consistent with the Affordable Care Act. DAS officials said retirees pay the full cost for dependents, about $1,000 per month, while the state covers only the retiree and spouse. The committee voted ought to pass unanimously, 9-0. The committee then began discussion of House Bill 572, a housing bill aimed at missing-middle housing, describing a voluntary program to identify developable public land, support construction, and streamline review, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the bill, after all such claims are resolved by final judgment... ...of the court, SB 1208 provides
• I defer to the chair and folks that are much more experienced than me, but I'm not sure if we want to
• I defer to the chair and folks that are much more experienced than me, but I'm not sure if we want to
• And I see your witness kind of shaking her head, so I'll defer to the author.
• But I appreciate you hearing me on that, and I'll defer back to the chair. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually have three, but I will defer to the chair for each one.
• I actually have three, but I will<00:18:23.440> defer<00:18:23.760> to<00:18:23.840>
• will defer to the chair for each one. will defer to the chair for each one.
• So you are<00:34:24.159> exercising<00:34:24.800> judgment<00:34:25.200> there.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We oppose this bill because no one should have to depend on the goodwill or subjective judgment of a
• Wilson, yeah, so what I understand you say is, OK, defamation, you can take a court and get you a judgment
• I see where there's opportunity for defamation to go and get a judgment.
• Ken was getting at is that ultimately, you know, government can't regulate our perceptions and our judgments
• We're going to have to learn how to exercise some judgment in this area.

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• We oppose this bill because no one should have to depend on the goodwill or subjective judgment of a
• Okay, defamation, you can take it to court and get you a judgment and remedy.
• There's opportunity for defamation to go and get a judgment.
• Ken was getting at is that ultimately, you know, government can't regulate our perceptions and our judgment
• We're gonna have to learn how to exercise some judgment in this area.

Bills: HB304, HB401, HB556, HB1475, HB1489, HB2259, HB2424, HB2773, HB2811, HB3323, HB304

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not making a judgment.
• <01:05:55.280> I'm<01:05:55.520> just I'm not making a judgment.
• I'm just I'm not making a judgment.
• They've learned how to make judgments about what should or shouldn't be done. the greatest displays of
• They've learned how to make judgments They've learned how to make judgments about<01:08:57.279><

Bills: HB1952, HB1951, HB1929, HB2497, HB2208, HB2572, HB1953, HB2551, HB2549, HB1737, HB1628, HB1769, HB2493, HB2264, HB1997, HB2168, HB2427, HB1805, HB2180, HB2184, HB2219, HB2469, HB2233, HB2519, HB2141, HB1904, HB2201, HB2410, HB2007, HB2385, HB2444, HB2349, HB2235, HB1872, HB2416, HB2291, HB2292, HB2263, HB2359, HB2455, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB1648, HB2164, HB2323, HB1825, HB2172, HB1888, HB2005, HB2387, HB2358, HB2119, HB2276, HB2472, HB1714, HB2325, HB1541, HB1960, HB2140, HB2315, HB2367, HB2388, HB1696, HB2333, HB2138, HB2332, HB2283, HB2059, HB2057, HB2589, HB2417, HB2337, HB1588, HB2217, HB2020, HB1915, HB1742, HB2026, HB1965, HB1546, HB2360, HB1563, HB1749, HB2614, HB1511, HB1753, HB1849, HB1641, HB2161, HB2194, HB1721, HB2284, HB2188, HB1897, HB1880, HB1573, HB1876, HB20, HB2137

Keywords: HB1952, Hawaii agriculture, University of Hawaii, CTAHR, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Kauai, agricultural research station, extension station, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, appropriation, ADA compliance, Americans with Disabilities Act, certified kitchen, greenhouse, laboratory, field research, cesspool decommissioning, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• There are now judgment lawsuits against her.
• She has debt of about $100,000 and now she's got multiple $25,000 judgment lawsuits against her.
• There are now judgment lawsuits cards. There are now judgment lawsuits against<00:41:14.560> her.
• and now she's got<00:41:25.040> multiple got multiple got multiple $25,000<00:41:26.960> judgment
• $25,000 judgment lawsuits against her. $25,000 judgment lawsuits against her.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• add also, partly in relation to the last conversation there, that this is where we get into the judgment
• <00:59:08.319> calls<00:59:09.039> of<00:59:09.520> Grants get into the Judgment
• calls of Grants get into the Judgment calls of Grants management<00:59:11.119> because<00:59:
• So again, that's kind of where the judgment call comes into place.
• call uh comes into of where the Judgment call uh comes into place<01:12:38.600> and<01:12:38.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, Minnesota statute already offers tenant protections that only an eviction judgment can be
• > eviction tenant protections that only an eviction tenant protections that only an eviction judgment
• 18.080> used<01:34:18.440> against<01:34:19.560> uh<01:34:20.600> uh judgment
• :34:46.120> circumstances<01:34:46.920> of<01:34:47.000> a<01:34:47.080> judgment
• only in the circumstances of a judgment only in the circumstances of a judgment uh<01:34:48.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to defer, I think, to our financial aid staff who make those decisions. Mr.
• terms of kind of a mid-year repackaging of awards for students, or would you, you know, kind of rather defer
• 00:50:50.800> rather would you, you know, kind of rather would you, you know, kind of rather defer
• that now, keep things stable, defer that now, keep things stable, predictable,<00:50:54.640> uh,<
• Chair, I'd have to defer to the fiscal staff. Oh, thank you, Senator Clark. Thank you, Chair Fateh.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I might defer to some of the other experts and the attorneys in the districts in the room to elaborate
• They're yeah, I might defer to Adam to speak to the specifics, but I think it's variable across districts
• But there's variable versions of how that fee is structured and I might defer to Adam now How often is
• There are a lot of different factors that go into that decision, then to start to apply some judgment
• I'll defer to my colleague.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the ability of a judge to impose a lesser prison sentence or suspend the sentence using their best judgment
• H.H. 22, 42, 44, eviction, satisfaction to judgments. Public safety. Property tax.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and guest introductions for Pastor Caden Metcalf and later Doctor of the Day Jane Peterson. Members then approved the journal and took up a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 1827, which passed by division vote 13-12, bringing the bill back for further action. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted committee amendments and recommended do pass on SB 1041 (Arizona Trail Fund appropriation), SB 1131 (education-related appropriation and cardiac emergency response plan funding, with a floor amendment adding a placeholder amount), SB 1140 (misdemeanor record expungement/civil rights restoration), SB 1249 (Alzheimer’s disease/state brain appropriation and DHS reporting), SB 1275 (sentencing and imprisonment, with a floor amendment that drew criticism from Sen. Ortiz for limiting judicial discretion and expanding prosecutor control), SB 1517 (Barbering and Cosmetology Board appropriation), and SB 1673 (Crime Victim Notification Fund appropriation). Most committee and floor amendments were adopted on voice vote; SB 1275’s floor amendment was adopted by division, 15-13. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and moved to third-reading votes on a series of bills. SB 1161, SB 1209, SB 1598, SB 1118, SB 1399, SB 1563, SB 1564, SB 1629, SB 1754, SB 1041, SB 1131, SB 1140, SB 1249, SB 1517, and SB 1673 all passed, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided; several members explained votes, especially on SB 1598 (community gardens in schools) and SB 1754 (special education parent support and FERPA concerns). The Senate then recessed, accepted a large batch of House bills for first reading and committee reference, heard committee meeting announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that, you know, you're going to have to use best judgment when it comes to that, because,
• is, you know, the folks that have those provisions to get around are acting in and having better judgment

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement, a comprehensive bill addressing red light, school zone speed, and school bus camera programs. The sponsor said the measure was intended to improve consistency, transparency, privacy protections, and due process, including virtual hearings, record-retention rules, limits on remote surveillance and data use, school zone flashing-light requirements, clerk fee retention, and school board approval and reporting for school bus camera systems. An amendment clarifying reporting periods and liability-transfer affidavits was adopted without objection, and after questions about information sharing, facial recognition, school zone warnings, and school bus stop safety, the committee reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 1080 on transportation, which required FDOT rules on direct payments to first-tier subcontractors and certain takeover agreement terms involving sureties and replacement contractors. With no opposition, the amended bill was reported favorably. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a slate of appointments in tabs 1 through 6 after taking a single roll call vote. Next, the committee considered SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. A strike-all amendment shifted the bill away from immediate enforcement changes toward data collection and study, while retaining rules requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, provide an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, and creating a task force to study e-bike safety and recommend future policy. Members raised concerns about enforceability, shared-use paths, access barriers for users who rely on e-bikes, and whether data would be shared with local governments; supporters from law enforcement and advocacy groups appeared in support. The amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee reported favorably on SB 684, which allows electronic signatures in connection with total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 880, which creates a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate. The meeting ended after all items were approved and the committee rose without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We make those judgment calls every session.
• We make those judgment calls every session.

Summary: The Statute Law Committee met on December 10, 2025, approved the June 10, 2025 minutes, and received a publications update noting that the 2025 RCW volumes and session laws are available, with sales continuing a gradual decline but generally tracking prior years. The committee also heard that the office remains fully staffed and financially stable, with projected year-end funds remaining and a healthy publications fund balance. A major discussion centered on a proposal from retired Judge Ann Levinson to make the code more reader-friendly when chapters are repealed and recodified, especially after the civil protection orders reform in E2 SHB 1320, which consolidated multiple protection order laws into new chapter 7.105 RCW. Levinson argued that current disposition-table language such as “repealed by” can be confusing to the public and may appear to signal legislative disapproval, and suggested adding a simple pointer to the new chapter. Code revisers explained their current practice, the limits of their editorial discretion, and the technical and policy concerns involved, while expressing support for some form of “see also” guidance and noting that hyperlinking session-law citations in disposition tables may also help readers find the new law. The committee also discussed office operations, including a planned move from the modular offices back into the rebuilt Pritchard building, expected in late 2026, with improved space, storage, and enclosed offices. Staff proposed changing regular Monday-through-Thursday office hours from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–7 p.m., with exceptions for active work, client requests, and floor action; the proposal was supported by a chart showing that many evenings have no work after 7 p.m., though late nights would still occur during busy periods. The meeting ended with acknowledgments of retiring staff, including editor Barb Sage after 37 years of service, and a farewell to Vice Chair Sam Thompson, whose successor had just been selected.