Transcript Highlights:

• first determine that a UTV may safely travel on or cross the public roads or streets, considering factors
• minimum, mandating a life sentence, means a judge cannot take any circumstance or any mitigating factor
• His entire community has been through. factor whatsoever into account or consideration during sentencing
• member of law enforcement with no ability for any judge to take any circumstance or any mitigating factor
• member of law enforcement with no ability for any judge to take any circumstance or any mitigating factor

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with most receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early measures included SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to designate certain roads for UTV use under safety restrictions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education would create a workforce credential and badge program for students with autism spectrum disorder or modified curricula, and passed 36-0 after discussion of workforce access and district costs. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow alternative service of process through the same app used by scammers, and passed 37-0. SB 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration would extend filing deadlines and remove restrictive bars to compensation, and passed 38-0. SB 158 would eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan, and passed 38-0 after testimony about early detection and access to follow-up care. The most extensive debate came on SB 234, which would revise laws on resisting law enforcement and add a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Supporters argued it was needed after the killing of Officer Jason Raynor and to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified; opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment issues, racial profiling, and the severity of the mandatory sentence. An amendment to restore “in good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill. The Senate then passed SB 262 on technical trust-code changes by a 36-0 vote, and later recognized Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Additional bills passed with broad support. SB 274 designated portions of Orlando roadways as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way, honoring philanthropist Harris Rosen and the late Senator Geraldine Thompson; it passed 38-0 and drew a motion for co-sponsorship. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide mandate for later middle and high school start times and shifted the issue to local districts after reporting requirements, passing 38-0. SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida and passed after remarks about the Holocaust memorial and the need to confront antisemitism. Throughout the session, senators frequently framed their votes in terms of public safety, education, access to care, civil justice, and commemorating community leaders and historical events.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're happy to explore other options and give you a sense of what other COLA factors could be the case
• We're happy to explore other options and give you a sense of what other COLA factors could be the case
• That's one of the factors that's causing that, is that districts feel like there's a decline in enrollment
• that was noted when we're looking at the test scores over time, because those are some important factors
• So those are allocated specifically on—really, the main factor is how many low-income students and English

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s education budget proposals for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Learning Recovery Block Grant, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), followed by testimony from State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. On LCFF, Finance outlined the proposed 2.43% COLA, repayment of prior deferrals, and a trailer bill penalty for LEAs that fail to adopt Local Control Accountability Plans on time. The LAO said its COLA estimate was slightly lower and raised concerns that the Governor’s proposed TK staffing ratio increase may be more costly than estimated. Members also discussed whether the current COLA formula should better reflect California-specific or district staffing costs, and whether TK should be more clearly separated from the K-3 grade span adjustment to avoid larger K-3 class sizes. The chair asked staff to work with the LAO on both the TK/K-3 issue and alternative COLA calculations. For the Learning Recovery Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring the first of three delayed payments, $378.6 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund, while the LAO recommended adopting the proposal but extending the expenditure deadline by at least a year. The LAO reported that districts had spent $1.6 billion of the $6.8 billion received through 2023-24 and said most districts were only now shifting from federal COVID relief to block grant spending. Members questioned whether the large state and federal investments were improving outcomes, citing declining reading and math trends, while Finance and the State Board president pointed to some signs of improvement, especially in math, attendance, and gains for some student groups. Darling-Hammond emphasized that student needs have grown, that recovery spending has gone to devices, ventilation, staffing, tutoring, summer school, and community schools, and that targeted interventions appear to be helping some districts recover faster than others. On ELOP, Finance proposed adding $435 million to expand universal access by lowering the Tier 1 threshold from 75% to 55% unduplicated pupils, bringing ongoing funding to $4.4 billion. The LAO said the estimate was reasonable but recommended delaying implementation for a year, aligning ELOP with ASES to reduce overlap, moving toward funding based on participation rather than enrollment, and considering a fixed Tier 2 rate. Members and witnesses discussed staffing challenges, the use of funds for students with disabilities, and uncertainty in Tier 2 funding caused by unspent dollars and opt-outs. Darling-Hammond supported ELOP as part of California’s broader after-school and summer learning strategy, said most districts are now offering full-day TK and expanded learning, and urged the state to reduce fragmentation across categorical programs and build more unified systems for funding, reporting, and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see the leverage factor with federal funding and total projects now; federal funds have not all
• 40.000><c> leverage</c> committed and you can see the leverage committed and you can see the leverage factor
• ><c> Federal</c><00:12:41.360><c> funding</c><00:12:41.639><c> and</c><00:12:41.800><c> total</c> factor
• with Federal funding and total factor with Federal funding and total projects<00:12:42.519><c> now</
• Understand that process is really the critical factor here.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:34 Economic Development Cabinet 27:51 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met without a quorum, so the minutes from the last two meetings were not approved. Secretary Noel of the Cabinet for Economic Development then gave a broad overview of the cabinet’s work and an update on the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPD), with Deputy Secretary Katie Smith and General Counsel Matt also present. He said the cabinet’s strategy is to focus on high-wage job creation, especially in automotive transformation, business and financial professional services, tourism, logistics, agri-tech, aerospace, and other high-tech sectors, while also supporting small and medium-sized businesses and existing employers. Noel highlighted several program results and examples, including average incentivized wages approaching $27 per hour, 877 jobs and $346 million in investment through hub operations, $90 million through Commonwealth Ventures, help for hundreds of companies through the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance, work with 220 companies through the Kentucky Science and Technology Council, nearly 3,000 students in Advanced Kentucky, and more than 1,100 participants in Kentucky Valor. He also cited 35,000 workers trained through Bluegrass State Skills, 177 businesses helped by the small business tax credit, and 77 entertainment incentive transactions totaling about $200 million and 7,400 jobs. On the grant side, he said the cabinet had approved 155 projects under a federal grant program, committing $99 million, with outreach aimed at smaller communities and all 120 counties. The main focus of the second half was KPD. Noel described it as a program that requires more than basic due diligence, emphasizing community readiness, local vision, title and mineral-rights review, sewer validation, and consultant review. He said 109 projects had been awarded in the earlier rounds, and in 2024 there were 45 requests for information seeking $81 million against $35 million in available funding, showing strong demand. He also said the cabinet has worked with local economic developers through five regions aligned with area development districts, and that the secretary, deputy secretary, or commissioner of business development must attend the regional meetings, with 100% attendance reported for the key three last year. In response to questions, he said Jefferson County’s lack of KPD projects so far likely reflects where local land and development strategies are in the process rather than a lack of interest, and he said the cabinet has not heard that Kentucky’s occupational safety and health rules are clearly helping or hurting competitiveness, though he offered to look into it further.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contributing factors are current inflation and increased interest rates.
• > the current marketing conditions the current marketing conditions contributing<00:24:54.760><c> factors
• </c><00:24:55.039><c> are</c><00:24:55.200><c> current</c> contributing factors are current contributing
• factors are current inflation<00:24:56.520><c> and</c><00:24:57.080><c> and</c><00:24:57.360><c> increased
• That is a limiting factor.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met in organizational session and first elected Representative John Cluder as clerk. A nomination of Senator Mark Makoni as vice chair was made but not voted on because he was absent; it was carried over to the next meeting. The committee also reviewed its guidelines and procedures, including how it handles property-disposal requests, late items, and informational materials, and then approved the November 12, 2024 minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. The committee then considered several state property and lease requests. It approved a 50-year, $1-per-year ground lease for about 5.66 acres at Berlin Regional Airport in Milan for a New Hampshire Army National Guard hangar/support facility, after hearing that the project is federally funded, intended for training and search-and-rescue support, and would have no permanent full-time staffing. The committee also approved a 30-year lease for the Department of Justice to move the chief medical examiner’s offices, morgue, and autopsy suite to 279 Pleasant Street in Concord, with testimony that the current Concord Hospital space is inadequate and that the new site would double body-storage capacity. Several Department of Safety and Department of Transportation property items were approved as well. Safety received approval for a 10-year lease, with renewal options, for the State Police aircraft hangar at 91 Airport Road in Concord. Transportation was authorized to continue disposal efforts for remnant parcels in Concord, Conway, Lisbon, Effingham, and Mount Vernon, with testimony explaining market conditions, appraisals, access limits, and easements; members asked questions about access and buildability, but each item was approved. During the Berlin lease item, the committee was told the FAA objects to any lease longer than 50 years at that airport, so the request was revised from 55 years to 50 years on the record before approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 63 that includes those at-risk changes but also Includes an increase to the secondary factor
• So this policy proposal would include 6th through 12th grade and increase the factor in funding for those
• uses a formula to distribute that money to school districts based on miles and riders and some other factors
• And so we have some concerns about increasing the factors to this level.
• The SCG revision and that increase to the secondary factor, even though not explicitly targeted CTE,

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• for that, for us having complex medical, occasional emotional or behavioral problems and other risk factors
• So there are a number of different elements that are considered to be environmental factors that are
• That's not going to be a substantial enough contributing factor.
• What's the best science and information we have on the environmental factors or the or the hereditary
• factors.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a story about the effectiveness of specific interventions, but we're also talking about the other factors
• That I think you described a lot of cost factors with that.
• And not just statistical, but also pragmatic and other factors that go into the effort to create sound
• This is another big driver, another big factor, and another big issue you've heard a lot about today.
• We also want to highlight the age factor.

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The act provides clear, evidence-based guidance on the warning signs and risk factors for a potential
• and risk factors for a potential<01:37:54.480><c> abduction.
• The<01:38:05.840><c> more</c><01:38:06.000><c> risk</c><01:38:06.320><c> factors</c><01:38:06.800><c>
• present,</c><01:38:07.440><c> the</c> The more risk factors present, the The more risk factors present
• Yes, ma'am. identifying risk factors that are based identifying risk factors that are based upon<01:43

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There could be </font> <font color="aaaaaa">certainly several factors that </font> <font color="aaaaaa
• There could be </font> <font color="aaaaaa">certainly several factors that </font> <font color="aaaaaa
• And so as as we </font> <font color="aaaaaa">certainly several factors that </font> <font color="aaaaaa
• I </font> <font color="aaaaaa">mean, I want to factor in </font> <font color="aaaaaa">price forecast,
• economic </font> <font color="aaaaaa">But I also want to factor in, </font> <font color="aaaaaa">you

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, they put that data into an algorithm, and that data in the algorithm are the deciding factor in
• , so long as such factors are disclosed to the employer, employee, or the applicant request.
• </c><02:41:49.760><c> are</c> factors, so long as such factors are factors, so long as such factors are
• related to the bonafide business factors related to the transaction.<02:50:19.840><c> So,</c><02:50:
• Surveillance data, price and wage-setting algorithm, substantial factor, individualized.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, what I'm trying to do is include the word special levied or pending taxes, as additional factors
• that would influence the cost factor.
• </c><02:55:29.359><c> that</c><02:55:29.600><c> may</c> that may affect or the factors that may that
• ><c> factor.
• </c> influence the cost factor. influence the cost factor.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And certainly, um, social life is a very big driving factor for relocation for young people.
• And so when you look at how young people are making decisions today, they are factoring in what they're
• And so when you look at how young people are making decisions today, they are factoring in what they're
• The largest risk factor for us and a critical piece of our workforce.
• When you look at how young people are making decisions today, they are factoring in what they're able

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• argue that there's growth that needs to happen, but education is complex, and there's a number of factors
• In my 37 years in education, I found that reading and reading comprehension were the two biggest factors
• </c><00:47:29.400><c> in</c><00:47:29.560><c> student</c> were the two biggest factors in student were
• the two biggest factors in student success. success. success.
• and other factors play a role<00:47:34.680><c> as</c><00:47:34.960><c> well,</c><00:47:35.840><c> but

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should also be clear that Medi-Cal rising costs are not just the result of any single factor or population
• The average capitation rate paid does not appear to be the biggest factor in increased spending.
• the everyday person who's trying to make sense of that, my understanding is that there are three factors
• The bankruptcy has contributed to the decrease, but it wouldn't be the main contributing factor from
• We share the same goals as DHCS for ECM, but we see three factors contributing to the low utilization

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation barriers are a real factor, particularly for our moderate- and low-income pet owners.
• </c><00:19:00.559><c> for</c><00:19:00.960><c> particularly</c><00:19:01.600><c> our</c> real factor
• for particularly our real factor for particularly our moderate<00:19:02.200><c> and</c><00:19:02.320>
• ><00:32:04.760><c> that</c><00:32:04.960><c> go</c><00:32:05.159><c> into</c> there are countless factors
• that go into there are countless factors that go into the<00:32:05.639><c> consideration</c><00:32:06.279

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of transportation-related bills. SB 21 on water carriers would create an inflationary cost index mechanism; DOT, Agriculture, DCCA, the PUC, and several harbor and logistics interests supported it, while Pacific Transfer opposed. SB 1478 would require vessel masters to follow harbor master evacuation orders during emergencies; DOT clarified it applies only to commercial ports, with support from Hima and the Harbor Users Group and opposition from the Hailongm Association. SB 108 would authorize DOT to regulate vessel noise near commercial harbors; the White Harbor Users Group opposed, while DOT said it supported the intent but warned the bill may be preempted by federal law. SB 1475 would raise the bond ceiling for harbor improvement projects from $100 million to $600 million, and SB 1473 would cap central services assessments on DOT funds at $5 million and tie them to CPI; DOT supported both, and Budget and Finance explained the central services fee is generally a 5% deduction from special funds with some statutory exceptions. The committee also heard SB 1402 on securing mooring lines in state commercial harbors, which drew support from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the Hawaii Longline Association. SB 1522 on vehicle title transfers was supported by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Customer Services. SB 599 would require DOT or counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips before disposal; DOT said it would provide scanners, the Hawaiian Humane Society and a private witness strongly supported the bill, and the committee discussed that the measure would not charge pet owners and that Oʻahu microchip rates are about 80% for dogs and 70% for cats. SB 1025 would allow service and non-service animals on mass transit under certain conditions; DHS offered comments, Maui and Honolulu opposed, while the Hawaiian Humane Society, the Environmental Caucus, and others supported it, and an opponent raised concerns about large pets, service animals, and the need for size and off-peak restrictions. Later, the committee heard SB 1096 on license plate-flipping devices, with DOT and Honolulu police supporting it. SB 384 would expand victim restitution in DUI-related negligent homicide cases to include child support for surviving minor children; DOT, MADD, and the Kiki Injury Prevention Coalition supported it, while the Public Defender opposed, arguing the restitution amounts would be unverified and better handled through civil remedies. SB 597 would extend the deadline for the administrative driver license revocation office to issue decisions, and the Attorney General, police, and Maui prosecutors supported it because of drug-testing delays, especially on neighbor islands. Finally, SB 1285 would create a lower-level impaired driving offense and authorize administrative action; the Attorney General and Public Defender both raised concerns about charging discretion and resource impacts, while county, public health, alcohol policy, and victim advocates strongly supported the bill as a life-saving measure. The transcript ends partway through testimony on SB 1285, with no final committee votes or actions recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 2 in that very voluminous report is called risk factors.
• ,</c> in the risk section 1A, risk factors, in the risk section 1A, risk factors, our<01:22:25.280><c
• And I do believe there's a fear factor, which is unwarranted.
• And I do believe there's a fear factor<02:20:21.840><c> which</c><02:20:22.240><c> unwarranted.
• Uh, and I'm factor which unwarranted.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor's budget recognized several risk factors that could negatively affect the economy and state
• These factors include stock market and asset price volatility and declines, particularly those affecting

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met for its first hearing under the new chair and heard opening remarks emphasizing California’s ongoing fiscal challenges, budget uncertainty, and the need to balance policy goals with stewardship of public funds. The Department of Finance said it had no specific positions on the agenda bills, but noted broader risks to state revenues, including stock market volatility, high-income earnings declines, geopolitical instability, and projected out-year shortfalls where spending growth exceeds revenue growth. The committee then took up 26 suspense-file candidates, with authors waiving presentation on each measure and public testimony limited to fiscal issues. Most bills received no support or opposition testimony and no questions from members. A few witnesses testified in support of SB 1240, SB 943, SB 1056, and others; one witness on SB 948 raised concerns that the bill could increase court costs and pressure the General Fund because out-of-state firearm owners might unknowingly miss a new certification requirement. With no objections on any item, each bill was moved to the suspense file, including SB 881, SB 1240, SB 886, SB 1006, SB 891, SB 920, SB 937, SB 943, SB 1009, SB 944, SB 946, SB 948, SB 959, SB 1056, SB 964, SB 1132, SB 1241, SB 987, SB 1049, SB 1044, SB 1047, SB 1053, SB 1054, SB 1108, SB 1140, and SB 1198. The committee recessed briefly to establish attendance and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the comment and I'll respond briefly, and that is just to say, and it may or may not factor
• And then the use tax actually factors out the profit and anything for installation.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• simplifying local testing calendars, specifying that the value-added evaluation model cannot be the sole factor
• simplifying local testing calendars, specifying that the value-added evaluation model cannot be the sole factor

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions recognizing Dr. Thomas Clem as Doctor of the Day and a YMCA delegation, including Youth and Government students, in the gallery. Senators also noted the YMCA’s 175th anniversary and its community service, and later offered birthday wishes to the President. The chamber then took up several special-order bills. SB 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 session’s enacted statute materials; SB 102 removed provisions that had been repealed or expired; and SB 104 served as the general reviser’s bill, deleting obsolete language, updating cross-references, and correcting drafting errors. All three passed 36-0. The Senate also passed SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools, which reduces district-level requirements, expands teacher apprenticeship and certification flexibility, streamlines assessments and budgeting, and adjusts VPK and facility-planning rules; Senator Simon said the goal was to reduce burdens while maintaining accountability. The Senate further passed SB 7010, allowing state and local deferred compensation plans to offer Roth post-tax contributions in addition to pre-tax options. Senator Mayfield explained the bill would give DFS and local governments authority to add that option. The chamber also withdrew SB 1720, relating to public school personnel compensation, from further consideration. At the end of the session, the Senate waived rules so all bills passed that day could be immediately certified to the House, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I think one of the most important ones: what factors have contributed to the growth of the
• I want to know what are the factors that are driving up the cost and driving up the usage?
• President, I think one of the most important ones: what factors have contributed to the growth of the
• I want to know what are the factors that are driving up the cost and driving up the usage?
• I want to know what are the factors that are driving up the cost and driving up the usage?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all