Transcript Highlights:

• Senator of the First District, Senator Gaetz moves House Bill 7031 be substituted for CS for Senate Bill
• Senator Calatayud moves CS for House Bill 1445 be substituted for CS for Senate Bill 1686.
• Senator Calatayud moves CS for House Bill 1445 be substituted for CS for Senate Bill 1686.
• Senator Burgess moves CS for House Bill 249 be substituted for Senate Bill 1656.
• Senator Gates moves CS for House Bill 477 be substituted for CS for Senate Bill 646.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading, file item, Secretary, please read: Senate Bill 887 with amendments, Senate Bill 907 with
• amendments, Senate Bill 1011 with amendments, Senate Bill 1021 with amendments, Senate Bill 1066 with
• Senate Bill 1349 by Senator Gonzales.
• We will now move to file item 152, SB 1445. Senator Bill. 152 SB 1445.
• Senator Bill Monning.

Summary: The Senate began with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board and reappointing Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. The Senate also heard a guest introduction welcoming Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Phobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 designating part of Highway 152 as the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women's Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. All of these resolutions passed, with members speaking in support of Arraes, women-owned businesses, and the public safety and community roles of fairgrounds. The Senate also passed a series of policy bills. These included SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college public works, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1106 shortening the data broker deletion timeline under the Delete Act, SB 1417 increasing transparency for mutual water companies, SB 1408 authorizing a future Contra Costa transportation sales tax measure, SB 1172 adding guardrails to local tax sharing agreements, SB 1383 protecting locally adopted labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1371 barring waste haulers from suspending service during lawful labor disputes, SB 908 streamlining residential window replacement permits, SB 1361 limiting actions taken solely to avoid transit-oriented housing standards, SB 1014 requiring early fee and improvement estimates for housing projects, SB 1272 giving homeowners more time to fix preexisting code violations, SB 1406 targeting the Montana tax loophole, SB 1238 increasing HOA transparency and oversight, and SB 868 creating a plug-in solar framework. Most passed on largely party-line votes, with some Republican members objecting to labor-related or regulatory measures. Later in the day, the Senate approved additional health, education, privacy, and AI measures, including SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s treatment coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment oversight, SB 1049 on correcting health plan claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach amid federal changes, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 998 on discrimination prevention coordinators, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. The final item shown, SB 1056 on protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims, was introduced with the author noting ongoing work on amendments, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hinskins? Here. Here. Senator Faisy? Here. Here. Senator Alley? Senator Alley? Here.
• Senator Fesi? Senator Allain? Senator Duplessis? Senator Jenkins? Senator Kleinpeter?
• Thank you, Senator Fesi, for handing him my bill, too.
• Thank you, Senators. And with that, do I have a motion by Senator Fesi to defer? We do.
• Thank you, Senators. And with that, do I have a motion by Senator Facey to defer? We do.

Bills: HCR54 , HCR79 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR104 , HB1209

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: migratory waterfowl, hunting regulations, flooded crops, wildlife management, environmental impact, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, deer hunting, dogs, conservation, hunting heritage, federal regulations, Senator Kennedy, wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, legislative support, environment, protective measures, boating safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here in support of of Senate Bill 30.
• As a conservative myself, I oppose Senate Bill 30.
• I'm here today to support Senate Bill 30.
• We support Senate Bill 30.
• I'm in opposition of Senate Bill 30.

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gambling, criminal offenses, penalties, defense, electronic devices, tobacco advertising, youth protection, public health, criminal offense, retailer regulation, e-cigarettes, nicotine products, health, public safety, regulation, advertising restrictions, health and safety, elections, election audit, county elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss several critical pieces of legislation including SB30 and SB38. Senator Betancourt introduced a committee substitute for SB38 which underwent a smooth adoption process, moving it favorably toward the Senate. The meeting featured a mix of invited testimonies where both proponents and opponents took the floor. One notable highlight included a testimony from Melissa Casey, who criticized the current legal state as prone to fraud and detrimental to both insurers and the public at large, contending that it inflated insurance costs across the board. The discussions delved deeply into the implications of the bills on judicial processes and potential insurance ramifications, with spirited debates surrounding issues of non-economic damages and jury rights. The atmosphere remained engaged as committee members heard varied perspectives on the bills, showcasing a robust democratic process. The meeting underscored the importance of public testimony in shaping legislation, ensuring that multiple voices were considered as the committee pressed on towards making decisions that affect the legal landscape of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard bills in the Senate Education Committee on mental health, on domestic violence.
• We've heard bills in the Senate Education Committee on mental health, on domestic violence.
• According to SB 1445, authored by Senator Cortese in 2024, if a student board member, also known as an
• According to SB 1445, authored by Senator Cortizie in 2024, if a student board member, also known as
• We hope the training framework is developed based on the previous pass bill AB2598, authored by Senator

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, to wit: Senate Bill 1326.
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1445 by State Affairs Committee.
• House Bill 964, 965, 966, Senate Bill 1446, 1447, 1445, Senate Bill 666, House Bill 666, and House Bill
• So if you pull up online, you'll see Senate Bill 1452, Senate Bill 1453, Senate Bill 1453, Senate Bill
• 1453, Senate Bill 1453, Senate Bill 1415. 1452, Senate Bill 1453, Senate Bill 1454, and House Bill 971

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1175 by Senator Rubio. Secretary, please read.
• Senate Bill 949 by Senator Becker, and equity into environmental protection.
• Senate Bill 949 by Senator Becker, an act relating to environmental protection.
• Senate Bill 949 by Senator Becker and equity into environmental protection.
• Senate Bill 965 by Senator Blakespear, an act relating to libraries.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill on the calendar for today is Senate File 1552. The clerk will report the bill.
• Members, this bill we've taken the Senate language here represents the result of a lot of compromise
• Those amendments were added to the Senate Bill and passed off the Senate floor, I think, a week and a
• The clerk will give the bill its third reading. Third reading, Senate File Number 1552.
• A few years ago, then-Senator Mary Kiffmeyer and I passed a bill to have the state go to permanent daylight

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 753 by Senator Cortese, an act relating to business.
• Senate Bill 838 by Senator Durazo and relating to land use.
• Senate Bill 645 by Senator Umberg and relating to juries.
• Senate Bill 37 by Senator Umberg, relating to attorneys.
• Senate Bill 151.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03:05.840><c> would</c> deadline uh none of these bills would deadline uh none of these bills would
• Representative Long: Well, we have seven bills and then the possibility of more bills being added to
• Representative Long: Well, so we have seven bills and then the possibility of more bills being added
• </c> anticipate do you know how many bills anticipate do you know how many bills are<00:09:19.399><c>
• </c> support for a bill and this bill already support for a bill and this bill already has<00:36:11.839

Bills: HF550

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• , Senate Bill 1445.
• , Senate Bill 1445.
• , Senate Bill 1445.
• , [Senate Bill 1445](link from function call).
• , [Senate Bill 1445](link from function call).

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Messages from the Senate, there are none.
• This bill also clarifies.
• Assembly Bill 40 by Assembly.
• The bill has an urgency clause. ensure that the provisions of this bill go into effect immediately upon
• Assembly Bill 484. Ayes 67, noes 0. Assembly Bill 859. Ayes 67, noes 0. Assembly Bill 1105.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Black. Senator Lousada. Yes. Yes. Yes. Senator Greco. Yes. Yes. Senator Hart-Lomond. Yes.
• Senator Rosenwald? Yes. Yes. Senator Travolsi? Yes. Representative Tuck? Yes. Senator Woodson?
• So I am hoping that we will take the Senate bill eventually, but I can't support this because I can't
• This bill is the public records bill that's linked to House Bill 13 that will create exemptions to comply
• That was my first bill. And Madam Chair, this is the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fesi moves to concur in Senate Bill 513. Senator Fesi moves to concur in Senate Bill 513.
• Senate Bill 312 by Senator Talbot.
• Senator Kathy now call Senate Bill 208 by Senator Kathy.
• Senate Bill 382 by Senator Sebaugh's Titles 23 and 36 relative to the Senate Bill 382 by Senator C.
• , Senate Bill 312, Senate Bill 387, and Senate Bill 389.

Bills: SCR12 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR58 , SB78 , SB25 , SB80 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB250 , SB414 , SB433 , SB479 , SB513 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB65 , SB215 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HB17 , HB41 , HB73 , HB223 , HB244 , HB759 , HB906 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1215 , HB1242 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB776 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB208 , SB312 , SB382 , SB389 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB368 , HB468 , HB552 , HB732 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB1117 , HB1236

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, Mississippi River bridge, Trump Expressway, transportation, federal funding, Louisiana highways, injection wells, public hearing, geologic sequestration, environmental impact, public comment, Ascension Parish, state capitol, economic development, community partnership, celebration day

Transcript Highlights:

• I am directed by the Senate to inform the House that the Senate has taken the following action. following
• Guerin moves to defer the reading and referral of bills.
• Also, as a reminder that the bill filing deadline for joint resolutions and bills that are not local
• The clerk will read the resolutions and bills.
• I'll refer to the Committee on Public Education HB 1445 by Hernandez.

Transcript Highlights:

• about the Senate bill and the House bill.
• all of the best revisions about the Senate bill and the House bill.
• Senator of the 23rd. Senator Burgess, you are recognized to explain the bill.
• Senators, we have a good bill in front of us. We have a clean bill.
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill Show that bill temporarily postponed.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of member introductions recognizing interns, pages, and a retiring Senate employee. Leadership also announced that budget talks with the House were continuing and that senators should not plan to be in next week, with hopes of sharing more budget news soon. The chamber then moved to third reading and took up a major bill on citizen initiatives and constitutional amendments, with sponsors saying it was needed to address documented petition fraud and to protect the integrity of the process. That bill drew extensive debate. Supporters argued that recent investigations showed widespread fraud in petition gathering, that the measure would add reasonable guardrails, and that it would prevent taxpayer-funded government messaging from being used to influence ballot measures. Opponents said the bill would make it much harder for ordinary Floridians to place amendments on the ballot by adding costs, deadlines, registration requirements, fines, and felony exposure, and they warned it would chill grassroots participation and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed campaigns. After debate, the Senate passed the bill 28-10. The Senate then adopted several House amendments and concurred on a series of education and public-safety measures, including bills on stem cell therapy, student-athlete electrocardiograms, cardiac emergency planning in schools, school safety, Bright Futures and other education policy items, and educator preparation. Most of those measures passed unanimously or with overwhelming support, and the chamber also recognized additional interns and a long-serving education advocate before recessing and returning to continue with House messages.

Transcript Highlights:

• about the Senate bill and the House bill.
• Senate Bill 1080 could force them to start over.
• Senators, we have a good bill in front of us. We have a clean bill.
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill... ...Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1602, a bill to be entitled
• Senator 38? Senator Collateaute says that bill temporarily postponed. Please read the next bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing interns, pages, and retiring Senate staff, including Pastor Gary Austin. Leaders also noted ongoing budget talks with the House and said senators would not need to plan on being in Tallahassee the following week. The chamber then moved to third reading and returned messages from the House later in the day. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for House Bill 12.5, the citizen initiative/constitutional amendment bill. Sponsors said the measure was intended to address fraud in the petition process, citing investigations, arrests, pleas, and open cases involving paid circulators and invalid petitions. Opponents argued the bill would make citizen-led amendments far more difficult, expensive, and risky, warning it would chill grassroots participation, burden supervisors of elections, and effectively favor wealthy or corporate-backed efforts. Supporters responded that the bill preserved grassroots petitioning, placed reasonable guardrails on paid circulators and sponsors, and included a provision barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot initiatives. The bill passed 28-10. The Senate also passed several education measures unanimously, including bills tied to Bright Futures, dual enrollment, educator preparation, and broader education policy. Later, the chamber concurred in House amendments on several bills: stem cell therapy legislation clarifying permitted therapies and penalties for improper use of fetal or embryonic tissue; an EKG requirement bill for student athletes with exemptions and partnership options for districts; and a cardiac emergency response bill that renamed the school emergency plan and removed a bill title honoring Rafe McCrone. These measures passed by wide margins, generally 37-0 or 38-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bills and other business from the Senate.
• Bills and other business from the Senate.
• Bills and other business from the Senate.
• Senate Bill 1278.
• Speaker, I move that the House accede to the Senate request to return Senate Bill 1278, solar radiation

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one bill on our consent calendar, file item number 10, SB 1445, which is a committee bill.
• All right, Senator Archuleta moved that bill.
• Okay, Senator Strickland moves the bill.
• Who moves the bill? Senator Grayson, right? Grayson? Okay. Okay. All right.
• Senator Choi, thank you, Chair. I have a big concern about this bill.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one bill on our consent calendar, file item number 10, SB 1445, which is a committee bill.
• Senator Strickland moves the bill.
• On that first bill. All right, Senator Arreguín moved that bill.
• Okay, Senator Strickland moves the bill.
• Who moves the bill? Senator Grayson, right? Grayson? Okay. Okay. All right.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development met as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later established quorum and took up a series of bills, mostly sunset extensions for licensing boards. SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1304, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all dealt with extending board operations to January 1, 2031 and making related technical or policy changes. SB 1303 for the Board of Naturopathic Medicine added a fictitious name permit program and other administrative changes, while SB 1304 for the Respiratory Care Board drew significant testimony over whether licensed vocational nurses should be allowed to perform basic respiratory tasks in skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. SB 1363 updated barbering and cosmetology apprenticeship and licensing rules, and SB 1368 added a retired license category and strengthened continuing education oversight for speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program to support large independent multi-day music festivals. Supporters, including Visit Sacramento and festival promoters, said the bill would protect jobs, tourism, hotel nights, and local tax revenue; opponents raised concerns about using state funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable events should receive subsidies. The committee also heard SB 1297, which would create regional public-private partnerships and financing tools for wildfire mitigation projects; the author and supporters said it would help address the state’s large wildfire prevention funding gap by leveraging local and private investment, while members asked how the bonds would be repaid and whether the state would bear costs. SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals working in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process. Supporters described safety threats, stalking, and staffing concerns, and the bill passed unanimously. SB 1304 also passed after committee discussion, with members and the author noting ongoing negotiations over LVN scope and training in higher-acuity settings. SB 865 passed on a 9-1 vote, SB 1297 passed 10-0, and the sunset bills SB 1302, SB 1303, SB 1363, and SB 1368 all advanced unanimously to the Senate Appropriations Committee. SB 1333 was not heard, and SB 1445 was on the consent calendar.