Transcript Highlights:

• Weible leads the Center for Literacy and Learning. He's the CEO of that organization.
• Weibel leads the Center for Literacy and Learning. He's the CEO of that organization.
• Senate Bill 387 by Center Bass, insurance with amendments.
• First, in this order, House Bill 225, Vice Center by Representative Baham, Joint Resolution to amend
• So if I own family land, 100 acres, and my house is right in the center of it, could I...

Bills: HR223 , HR224 , HR225 , HR226 , HR227 , HR228 , HR229 , HR230 , HR231 , HR232 , HR233 , HR234 , HR235 , HR236 , HR237 , HR238 , HR239 , HR240 , HR241 , HR242 , HR243 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR96 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR99 , HCR100 , HR218 , HR219 , HR220 , HR221 , HR222 , HCR91 , HCR92 , HCR93 , SCR41 , SCR42 , SCR43 , SCR44 , SCR45 , SCR46 , SCR47 , SCR48 , SCR49 , SCR50 , SCR51 , SCR52 , SB259 , SB347 , SB398 , SB469 , SB483 , SB518 , HR37 , HCR64 , SCR11 , SCR22 , HB89 , HB341 , HB451 , HB456 , HB541 , HB579 , HB595 , HB621 , HB818 , HB841 , HB1064 , HB1101 , HB1165 , HB1191 , SB1 , SB23 , SB32 , SB42 , SB43 , SB46 , SB51 , SB110 , SB113 , SB150 , SB154 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB221 , SB253 , SB289 , SB310 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB502 , SB123 , SB125 , SB387 , SB401 , HB730 , HCR41 , HCR76 , HCR77 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HCR86 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB175 , HB198 , HB437 , HB457 , HB488 , HB646 , HB763 , HB909 , HB971 , HB981 , HB1066 , HB1089 , HB1125 , HB1154 , HB1231 , HB1246 , HB1248 , HB1249 , HB276 , HB508 , HB512 , HB599 , HB632 , HB656 , HB998 , HB1052 , HB1084 , HB1171 , HB1193 , HB1194 , HB1204 , HB1209 , HB1250 , SB47 , SB82 , SB106 , SB206 , SB210 , SB248 , SB305 , SB376 , SB397 , SB441 , SB2 , SB19 , SB24 , SB50 , SB70 , SB96 , SB101 , SB103 , SB104 , SB114 , SB122 , SB159 , SB160 , SB173 , SB180 , SB182 , SB260 , SB412 , SB418 , SB424 , SB442 , SB460 , SB476 , HCR32 , HB911 , HB1223 , HB798 , HB824 , HB989 , HB1140 , HB1166 , HB1244 , HB459 , HB617 , HB804 , HB926 , HB225 , HB955 , HB901 , HB79 , HR20 , HR74 , HB59 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1180 , HB1203 , HB1234 , HB1240 , SB89

Keywords: Southern Soul, Shreveport, tourism, economic development, cultural preservation, music history, Paul Hollis, United States Mint, Louisiana House of Representatives, commendation, honorary resolution, ceremonial resolution, public service, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, BESE, former legislator, Louisiana politics, recognition, tribute, House Resolution 224

Transcript Highlights:

• country would succeed, it was Benjamin Franklin that reminded his countrymen at the Constitutional Convention
• reminded his countrymen at the that reminded his countrymen at the Constitutional<00:06:09.360><c> Convention
• </c><00:06:10.360><c> if</c><00:06:10.479><c> a</c><00:06:10.639><c> sparrow</c> Constitutional Convention
• if a sparrow Constitutional Convention if a sparrow cannot<00:06:11.440><c> fall</c><00:06:11.680><c
• </c> care from three VA medical centers care from three VA medical centers Lebanon<02:27:48.160><c> in

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't need to be a mega center. It can be a medium center.
• Center.
• center in the state of Texas that's a part of the National Center.
• Center.
• center in the state of Texas that's a part of the National Center.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um there in those dispatch centers.
• </c><01:53:53.119><c> or</c> in the center appropriations or in the center appropriations or transfers
• </c> uh detainment centers for those monies. uh detainment centers for those monies. um<02:12:44.480>
• </c> and uh you know we have uh data centers and uh you know we have uh data centers and<02:50:03.600
• Senate Joint Resolution 5, Convention of States, yeas 19, nays 12. 189. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that because of that investment, there are now centers at UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and UCLA.
• He said the UC Davis Integrative Center for Alternative Meat and Protein, or I-CAMP, is continuing to
• This one is plant-forward; animal proteins are a condiment, not the center of the plate.
• Move legumes and nuts to the center of the plate is a key one.
• First, to set the stage, California sits at the center of the alternative protein industry.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focused on how California can expand alternative proteins through institutional food programs, market support, and research. Chair Ash Kalra said the committee’s purpose was to inform future legislation and budget actions, noting prior state investments in UC research centers and the committee’s interest in consumer education, sustainability, and student workforce development. The first panel highlighted efforts to increase plant-based options in schools, UCLA dining, and Los Angeles County food services, with witnesses describing menu changes, technical assistance, and procurement policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving access to healthier meals. Megan Jones of Friends of the Earth described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts add plant-based meals, reduce water use and food costs, and increase student participation. Pete Angelese of UCLA Dining said the university serves more than 30,000 meals a day and has built a plant-forward dining model using alternative proteins, marketing nudges, and waste-tracking tools; he said sustainability goals raise costs but can be managed through scale and efficiency. Dr. Michelle Wood of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health outlined county board motions in 2024 and 2025 to expand plant-based food options in county venues and food assistance programs and to join the Cool Food Pledge, with early adoption in the sheriff’s jail food service. The second panel addressed barriers to scaling the industry. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner said alternative proteins face a financing gap because companies need expensive facilities before demand is proven, and they urged grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and shared pilot infrastructure. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat said the category has faced a market downturn driven by overhyped expectations, negative messaging from the meat industry, and consumer confusion, and argued for reframing the category around “plant protein” and using public procurement to build demand. Members asked about subsidies for animal agriculture, supply-chain challenges, and the state’s loan guarantee cap, with witnesses saying current support structures favor conventional meat and that California could do more to keep manufacturing in-state. The final panel focused on research and workforce development at UCLA. Dr. Amy Rohat described a state-funded Future Food Fellows program and broader UC collaboration that now includes more than 50 faculty and trainees across multiple departments, with work spanning cell biology, engineering, food safety, and consumer communication. Corinne Smith, a UCLA PhD student, discussed her cultivated meat research and student outreach through the Alternative Proteins Project. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and language strongly affect acceptance, and said terms like “plant protein” and “cultivated meat” tested better than “fake meat.” Chair Kalra closed by emphasizing that language, policy, and public education will all be important to advancing alternative protein innovation in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're at the Golden One Center for our FAA. If you've never been to one of those, it is amazing.
• Throughout the convention center.
• Included and incorporated within the student-centered funding formula.
• Then there are other regional technical assistance centers that are being set up and coordinated.
• , Supply Distribution Centers, and Food Banks.

Transcript Highlights:

• data center owners and operators and companies that lease large amounts of data center capacity.
• I think data centers are not going anywhere.
• Senator Rubio: “Data centers are not going anywhere.
• We talked at length on your last bill on data centers, and, again, for the record, data centers, in my
• Thank you, Allison Hillier with The Climate Center.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• As the CEO of Charles Drew Health Center, Kenny oversees the health center's business, community, and
• The center has a $24 million operating budget, over 200 employees, 13,000 patients, and nearly 40,000
• </c> the CEO of Charles Drew Health Center the CEO of Charles Drew Health Center Kenny<00:35:14.200><
• Charles Drew Health Center has expanded its service locations from 4 to 16, including primary medical
• </c> University Nebraska Med medical center University Nebraska Med medical center Nebraska<00:37:54.319

Transcript Highlights:

• They debate resolutions on the county level, debate them at our state convention, and then ultimately
• They debate resolutions on the county level, debate them at our state convention, and then ultimately
• They debate resolutions on the county level, debate them at our state convention, and then ultimately
• data centers and expansions for<00:46:28.160><c> large</c><00:46:28.480><c> dairies.
• And there was, I think it's $12 billion maybe, set aside for conventional crops.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look and as we establish the Center for Neurodiversity at the University of Florida this year to
• When we started, I did legislation to get a seventh CARD center at FAU.
• with the L Center for Autism down in Jupiter, and they have an amazing program to help students when
• But I feel like centering and making Abraham and George Washington the center of attention...”
• You cannot answer those questions without centering enslaved Africans in their descendants.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The Manchester VA Medical Center is almost 75 years old.
• Twice in the past eight years, pipes have burst in the medical center, causing significant damage and
• They feel comfortable going to those centers and we'd like to see that continued expansion.
• Not at a regional office, not at a medical center, where the veterans live.
• They don't live at the medical center. or they don't live at the regional office.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have converted these stores from the conventional format to cost plus.
• That's coming from a distribution center that services 250, 260 stores or so.
• I'm the director of policy at the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.
• Yeah, if Molly Gordon would come to the table with the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.
• I'm the legal director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting. The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state's Emergency Operations Center state's Emergency Operations Center whenever<00:17:17.160><c
• Lastly, we have a transportation systems management and operation center.
• of Safety, State Police dispatch, and a traffic management center.
• A lot of that has been absorbed by... and operation center it's located and operation center it's located
• </c><01:38:25.239><c> Traffic</c> traff traffic Management Center Traffic traff traffic Management Center

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• employment, poverty, mental health, housing, disabilities, gun safety, education, and veterans the center
• patient and provider back at the same, For Massachusetts to put the patient and provider back at the center
• Order that a convention of the two houses be held at quarter before 12 o'clock noon on Thursday, January

Summary: The Senate convened for the opening day of the 194th General Court, with ceremonial remarks, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the formal canvass of election returns. A special committee reported that all senators had been duly elected, and a committee was then appointed to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor’s Council that a quorum of senators-elect was assembled and ready to be sworn in. Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll addressed the chamber, praised public service, and administered the oaths of office to the senators. The main business of the day was the election of the Senate President. Senator Karen Spilka was nominated by Senator DiDomenico and seconded by Senator Edwards, while Senator Bruce Tarr was nominated by Senator Durant and seconded by Senator Dooner. After nominations were closed, the roll call resulted in 34 votes for Spilka and 5 for Tarr, and the Senate declared Spilka elected president. Senator Tarr then moved that the vote be considered unanimous, and the Senate agreed. President Spilka delivered an inaugural address focused on the chamber’s recent legislative record and priorities for the new session. In her remarks, Spilka highlighted prior accomplishments including education funding, free community college, early education reforms, mental health care reform, prescription drug cost reductions, tax relief, housing, transportation, climate, and veterans’ legislation. She also outlined priorities for the new session, including a statewide listening tour, more transparency in committee and joint committee proceedings, housing and transportation affordability, health care reform, career and technical education, early education, and juvenile justice reform. She emphasized continued bipartisan work and public engagement. The Senate also adopted temporary joint rules and temporary Senate rules, authorized printing of the daily journal, and scheduled the next meeting for the following day at 11:30 a.m. Michael D. Hurley was elected clerk of the Senate and sworn in, and James DiTulio was sworn in as Senate counsel. The chamber also adopted a memorial adjournment in memory of Mary J. Hurley of South Boston before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• product, maybe a perfect product at a level that the human eye cannot see, at a level that even conventional
• We have data centers coming in that are extremely steel intensive, as well as just higher education airports
• Do any of you either implement six hour workdays or partner with early learning centers?

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment plant, which everyone is using at their homes where there isn't suitable soil for a conventional
• AgriLife built a training center and a research center out there at Rellis, Camden, and we've done over

Bills: HB456 , HB482 , HB1463 , HB1682 , HB1949 , HB5549 , SB763

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: translation, environmental quality, complaints, accessibility, multilingual, TCEQ, environmental justice, environmental complaints, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, language access, public information, Texas Commission, multilingual access, administrative actions, environmental regulations, state representatives, state senators, penalty notice, Water Code, legislative notification

Transcript Highlights:

• University Law Center. I knew Mrs. Williams.
• The founders went at the Philadelphia Convention, considered turning the judiciary into what was called
• judges blocked the administration's funding freeze that jeopardized everything from community health centers

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's previously worked for eight years for the Georgetown Climate Center at Georgetown University School
• to reduce emissions substantially, estimated by the Environment Department's own Eastern Research Center
• So it is, there is a convention that states use In assessing the greenhouse gas, the greenhouse direct

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• popularly referred to as the Madden formula, and it's kind of where the entire formula gets its naming convention
• formula is is given that that the entire formula is is given that that naming<00:41:36.800><c> convention
• <c> that</c><00:41:37.760><c> comes</c><00:41:37.920><c> from</c><00:41:38.079><c> a</c> naming convention
• that comes from a naming convention that comes from a former<00:41:38.560><c> chairman</c><00:41:38.880

Bills: HB0105 , HB0107 , SF0002

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• As we look and as we establish the Center for Neurodiversity at the University of Florida this year to
• I did legislation to get a seventh CARD center at FAU.
• I've seen what has happened at the University of Florida with the Lassinger Center, with the whole ESE
• But I feel like centering and making Abraham and George Washington the center of attention...
• You cannot answer those questions without centering enslaved Africans in their descendants.

Bills: S0124 , S0206 , S0420

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The committee first heard SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School’s statute to remove outdated language and clarify its service, funding, governance, reporting, and district coordination provisions without changing day-to-day operations. Florida Virtual School testified in support, members praised the bill, and it passed unanimously on a roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for SB 206 on students with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Harrell explained that the bill would require autism and neurodevelopmental training in educator preparation programs, require ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, create an Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, provide salary supplements for teachers with the autism endorsement, and require district professional development to include autism-specific training with local CARD centers. A large number of speakers—teachers, parents, students, and advocacy groups—supported the bill while urging that implementation be fully funded, high quality, and not become an unfunded mandate. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing the growing number of students with autism and the need to recruit and retain special education teachers. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 420 on patriotic displays in classrooms. Chair Burgess explained the bill as a way to place portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in schools to encourage civic and patriotic reflection, and he offered an amendment narrowing the requirement from every classroom to one prominent display in each school and adding language making it subject to state appropriation. The amendment was adopted. Testimony on the bill was mixed: some speakers supported the idea as a spark for civic discussion, while many others opposed it as symbolic, unnecessary, or better addressed through curriculum and teacher training rather than mandated displays. In debate, some senators argued the portraits could prompt broader historical conversations, while others raised concerns about representation, classroom autonomy, and funding. The transcript ends during debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.