Transcript Highlights:

• Council of Chapters, and Josh Baker, president of the California Enlisted Association of the National Guard
• Air Force, the California Air National Guard, and the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
• We have active duty, National Guard, and reservists leave the military after serving 20 years and, like
• My name is Josh Baker, and I represent the California Enlisted Association of the National Guard.
• So I represent your state's National Guard, your home team when it comes to your military folks.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll tell you that when I saw the coast of San Diego and California, and the sun was coming up, it
• :42:55.440> the And I'll tell you that when I saw the And I'll tell you that when I saw the coast
• 56.319> Diego<00:42:56.800> and<00:42:56.960> and<00:42:57.440> California, coast
• of San Diego and and California, coast of San Diego and and California, and<00:42:58.240> the
• The fox guarding the hen house, and everyone in this room knows it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 58.160> 8<00:02:58.560> million So, all my bill does, Madam Chair, is to uh put a few guard
• is to uh<00:04:04.560> put<00:04:04.799> a<00:04:04.959> few<00:04:05.120> guard
• rails around what the uh put a few guard rails around what the bill<00:04:06.640> can<00:04:06.799
• Um, there are really no<00:13:36.560> guard<00:13:36.880> rails<00:13:37.279> as
• rails as to when it could be, no guard rails as to when it could be, I'll<00:13:39.279> use<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THE BILL ALLGNS SCHOOL SECURITY GUARD TRAINING WITH REQUIREMENTS ENSURING ALL PERSONNEL RESPONSIBLE FOR
• THIS BILL IS LINKED TO 1470 WHICH REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO NOTIFY SCHOOL SAFETY GUARDS
• AND EXTENDS PROTECTIONS TO SCHOOL GUARDIANS TO COVER SCHOOL SECURITY GUARDS.
• MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE RECORDS FOR THESE SECURITY GUARDS ARE HELD BY FDL BE BECAUSE THEY ARE PARTICIPATING
• COULD HAVE GONE TO HIS HOUSE OF WHAT WE ARE WANTING TO AVOID IS A SITUATION WHERE A SCHOOL SECURITY GUARD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for the State Active Guard and the National Guard.
• Most of the members. that use state tuition assistance are a part of the National Guard, and then there's
• a small percentage of the State Guard that access the program.
• While they're also serving in the National Guard, this will reimburse them for that tuition.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply sets guard anyone to pay.
• Um, this bill at least puts up guard rails. It ensures that there are avenues on it.
• Um, this bill at least puts up guard rails. It ensures that there are avenues on it.
• <00:30:57.120> It<00:30:57.360> ensures least puts up guard rails.
• It ensures least puts up guard rails.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and opened with the pledge and prayer before taking up House Joint Resolution 44 and House Bill 508, both related to veterans’ benefits assistance and accreditation. Rep. Cook said the resolution urges Congress, specifically Rep. Jack Bergman, to create an accreditation program for private companies that help veterans with claims. The resolution was framed as a response to concerns about bad actors while preserving veterans’ choice in who helps them. It passed the committee with favorable expression after a roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 508, which would regulate third-party, for-profit veterans’ claims assistance by requiring disclosures, limiting fees, barring certain practices like international call centers and direct access to personal information, and requiring reporting to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Rep. Cook emphasized that the bill would not affect accredited VSOs or attorneys and said it was meant to provide guardrails without eliminating free services. Supportive testimony came from representatives of private veterans-benefits organizations, who argued that veterans need more options and that the bill protects choice while targeting bad actors. Opposition testimony came from Daryl Casey of JACVO, who said the bill should instead require VA accreditation for any for-profit company assisting veterans and argued the fee structure could take veterans’ benefits. Committee members questioned both sides about whether third-party vendors are operating now and whether accreditation is feasible. Several members said the bill was a step in the right direction, and Rep. Moore and others noted they might support an amendment tied to future federal accreditation. House Bill 508 passed the committee with favorable expression. After Rep. McCool stepped out, the committee began House Bill 335, a separate measure allowing schools and other government facilities to have anti-choking devices and limiting liability to align with Good Samaritan protections. Sponsor Rep. Massaroni described it as a simple bill, and Lauren McCubbins testified emotionally in support, recounting the death of her 8-year-old son Landon after he choked at school and saying the bill could help prevent similar tragedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• resolutions ought to be adopted: resolutions filed by Representatives Gonzalez of Springfield and the coast

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and local matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of resolutions commending the Sleep Apnea Awareness Initiative for recognizing March 2026 as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month and celebrating the commissioning of the USS Massachusetts; the House suspended the rules and adopted both resolutions. The House also concurred with a Senate petition to establish a sick leave bank for a Worcester County Sheriff’s Department employee, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to send a petition on condominium conversions of co-owned two-unit buildings to the Committee on Housing. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a series of local bills for consideration, including measures for Somerville’s affordable housing trust, property tax exemptions in Swampscott and Arlington, the Lexington Housing Assistance Board, a Lexington parkland exchange, and a charter for the town of Orange. The House ordered these bills to a third reading. It also passed to be enacted two engrossed bills: one waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and another authorizing DCAMM to convey parcels of land in Brockton. Later, the House took up additional third-reading bills and passed them to be engrossed, including another Boston police age-waiver bill and a bill allowing Sean Duffy to take the firefighter civil service exam despite the maximum age requirement. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn to Wednesday at 11 a.m. in formal session, and notice of a Democratic caucus at noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• before, and successfully completed nearly a 10-day lunar mission before splashing down safely off the coast
• Glover Jr., a distinguished before splashing down safely off the coast of my hometown in San Diego.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We operate three state veteran cemeteries in the north near Redding, in the central coast near Monterey
• There's one at the Yonville Veterans Home, and there's one, we call it the Central Coast State Veterans

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, the Greenways and Trails Council approved 14 regional trails and confirmed the Coast-to-Coast

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first received an update from FDOT on the Sun Trail shared-use nonmotorized trail program. FDOT said the program, created in 2015 and expanded by 2023 legislation, now includes connections to the Florida Wildlife Corridor and received a one-time $200 million appropriation plus increased annual funding. The department reported programming about $180 million of that funding, completing 42 construction projects totaling nearly 95 miles in 21 counties, and installing trail counters and QR-code surveys to measure usage and economic impact. Members expressed support for the program and asked no substantive questions. The committee then heard a presentation on FDOT’s locally administered state transportation funding programs, including SCOP, SCOPM, SCRAP, SIGP, and TRIP. FDOT explained these programs support local roadway resurfacing, bridge repair, drainage, paving unpaved roads, and safety or capacity improvements, with varying state match levels depending on the program and eligibility. FDOT said its adopted five-year work program includes more than $1.4 billion for local transportation improvement projects. A member asked whether toll revenues from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties fund these programs; FDOT said it would research the funding source and follow up. The committee’s main discussion was a panel on advanced air mobility (AAM), including FDOT and industry representatives from Supernal, Joby, Atlantic Aviation, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, and Eve Air Mobility. FDOT described its AAM planning work, advisory committee, local government guidebook, and upcoming training, while panelists emphasized Florida’s leadership, the likely use of existing airport and heliport infrastructure first, and the expectation that private investment will fund much of the early vertiport buildout. Members raised concerns about community acceptance, privacy, zoning, airspace congestion, security, and lessons from scooters and drones. Panelists repeatedly stressed a “crawl, walk, run” rollout, local government coordination, multimodal connectivity, and public outreach. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the panel.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 106, which is Florida's Gold Coast.
• I have America's Riviera, all of Miami-Dade County east of Biscayne Gold Coast.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mallalerie, the deputy agent general for the state of Hawaii Department of Defense; he's with the Air Guard
• he's<00:05:28.080> with<00:05:28.320> the<00:05:28.560> Air<00:05:28.880> Guard
• <00:05:30.080> And<00:05:30.400> I Defense, he's with the Air Guard.
• And I Defense, he's with the Air Guard.
• Victor is a colonel in the Air Guard.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to the Hawaii National Guard.
• and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard
• Hawaii enlisted personnel of the Hawaii enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National<00:03:04.080> Guard
• to<00:03:04.879> active<00:03:05.200> duty<00:03:05.440> for National Guard
• order to active duty for National Guard order to active duty for more<00:03:05.840> than<00:03

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for, um, The state active guard and the National Guard, most of the members that use state tuition
• assistance are a part of the National Guard.
• Then there's a small percentage of the state guard that the tuition is their training tuition?
• Like they can be getting an education while they're also serving in the National Guard, and this will

Transcript Highlights:

• Their assertions included, but were by no means limited to, sexual harassment by prisoners and guards
• Their assertions included, but were by no means limited to, sexual harassment by prisoners and guards
• Their assertions included, but were by no means limited to, sexual harassment by prisoners and guards
• one in the greater nsha<04:27:08.680> Manchester<04:27:09.680> Sea<04:27:10.080> Coast
• <04:27:10.560> we<04:27:10.720> have<04:27:10.840> an nsha Manchester Sea Coast

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, with the chair limiting testimony to two minutes and asking for no outbursts so the committee could get through eight bills that day. Representative Kofalt, the prime sponsor, said HB 148 was the same as last year’s HB 396, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor. He explained the bill would allow, but not require, separation by biological sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions, leaving local school boards and administrators discretion to set policies. He argued the bill was meant to address safety and privacy concerns and cited a Milford incident and concerns in several school districts as examples of why local flexibility was needed. Committee members questioned the lack of a definition of “biological sex” and how the bill would be applied. Kofalt said he did not think a definition was necessary because males and females are generally understood, and he said the bill would give local policymakers latitude to make practical rules. He also said the bill was intended to address situations where people might misuse transgender claims to access spaces inappropriately. In response to questions, he said he was aware of issues in Kearsarge, Milford, and Mascoma school districts and had heard of discomfort in the State House, though he did not know all the details. Several opponents testified that the bill would discriminate against transgender and non-binary people and create enforcement problems. Executive Councilor Karen Hill said the bill would roll back New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination protections and conflict with the state’s Live Free or Die values. Alice Wade, a trans woman, said she had used women’s restrooms without incident and argued the bill would invite invasive enforcement and harassment. Representative La Selig said the bill was discriminatory and that bathroom concerns were being confused with unrelated harassment by cisgender males. Betsy Harrington supported the bill, citing a girls’ soccer game at Kearsarge that she said was disrupted by a boy playing on a girls’ team. Rosie Emer and her child testified against the bill, saying bathroom restrictions would increase anxiety and risk for trans and non-binary children. Stephen Scaer and Wendy Stallings supported the bill, arguing sex is biologically fixed and that excluding males from female spaces should not require genital inspections. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• York Times exposing grave miscommunications. between the Department of Defense and the DC National Guard
• But as you know, the law requires a request before the deployment of that guard.
• On that day, specifically, responding to, preparing to mobilize and deploy the National Guard once we
• They're guarding us. Take a look at them right now. Turn around. I'm looking at you.
• They're right there, they're guarding you today. Tell them how proud you are.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you say 500 FTEs, what was the maximum number of state guards, or National Guardsmen, that you
• And the State Guard's been provided, our State Guard, National Guard has been doing a heck of a good
• What was the maximum number of state guards, or National Guardsman that you had?
• And the State Guard's been provided, our State Guard, National Guard has been doing a heck of a good
• We were able to pick up some of the housing left behind by when the National Guard departed.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3:00 o'clock presentation, which I hope you all will find interesting on the role of the National Guard
• We have the Adjunct General who's going to give us a little history of the Guard.
• Some interest in when the governor gets to control the Guard, when the president gets to control the
• Guard, and how all of that works.
• Of course, when it comes down to what we're seeing in the Guard going into cities around the country

Transcript Highlights:

• they're<00:09:41.920> common<00:09:42.240> along<00:09:42.640> the<00:09:42.880> coast
• <00:09:43.519> coastal they're common along the coast coastal they're common along the coast
• and have over this time grown to be statewide in presence from Huntsville and Florence down to the coast
• and have over this time grown to be statewide in presence from Huntsville and Florence down to the coast

Bills: SB170, SB177, SB207, SB208, SB215, HB27, SB219, SB247, SB232, SB81

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The whole East Coast is a lot different than the Midwest, and I think sometimes we fail to recognize
• The whole East Coast is a lot different than the Midwest, and I think sometimes we fail to recognize
• The whole East Coast is a lot different than the Midwest, and I think sometimes we fail to recognize
• The whole East Coast is a lot different than the Midwest, and I think sometimes we fail to recognize
• The whole East Coast is a lot different than the Midwest, and I think sometimes we fail to recognize

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.