Transcript Highlights:

• Um in grading timber in New Hampshire.
• /c> in Amherst and Dair. and I'm here in in Amherst and Dair. and I'm here in support<00:48:59.520><c
• </c> cannot participate in the in the system. cannot participate in the in the system.
• Put it in our New Hampshire law so it's easy to understand and fair for all the citizens of the state
• the in the state. happening in the in the state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that fair? So again, Chairman Gates, in the world that I manage, that is outside of it.
• That is tied up in regulatory approval and some litigation, but that was one fair way that...
• The best communities in Texas incorporate roads, utilities, drainage, detention, flood mitigation, and
• your state that, in our view, MUDs are fair, they're fiscally responsible, they're transparent, and
• Some in city limits, some in the ETJ, some in the unincorporated areas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans will caucus in the briefing room. Democrats will caucus in House Hearing Room C.
• In this case, in federal grants.
• our state hospitals to see if in fact there are some that In our state hospitals, to see if, in fact
• education, in workforce development, in higher education, in natural resources, in child care. ...higher
• education, in natural resources, in child care, in health care.

Bills: HB2289

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• You have the blue packet in front of you and you have the screen behind you or in front of you in terms
• That resulted in a 3.6% growth rate in the current year, the same rate in '27, and somewhat higher in
• We appropriated $30 million in '27, $25 million in '26, and another $76 million in '28.
• Is it in there, in their wheelhouse?
• in safety?

Summary: The committee first received a lengthy presentation from JLBC staff comparing the JLBC baseline budget with the executive proposal. Staff said the baseline shows about $577 million in available cash above statutory formulas, but that major items not included—especially tax conformity, ongoing health and school repair costs, and new federal Medicaid/SNAP administrative requirements—would significantly change the picture. The executive budget was described as about $1.1 billion larger than the JLBC baseline, driven by revenue and spending proposals including border security funding, tax conformity, higher sports betting taxes, elimination of a data center equipment exemption, short-term rental and water surcharges, SNAP administrative and error-rate costs, and several one-time items that staff argued appear ongoing. Members also discussed rising caseloads and supplementals in developmental disabilities, Medicaid/Access, and education, including concerns about declining enrollment, possible fraud in Access, and the SNAP error rate. The committee then heard and passed SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund in FY 2027 to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Testimony from the sponsor and advocates emphasized the need for independent oversight of the Department of Corrections, transparency, whistleblower reporting, and avoiding federal receivership. The bill was given a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote. Next, the committee considered several transportation appropriations. SB 1064, as amended, would appropriate $3 million to ADOT for improvements along West Route 66 in Flagstaff; the mayor and local planning officials testified that the corridor is congested and dangerous, with significant growth and crash history. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1059 would appropriate $9.2 million for an additional right-turn lane at SR 87 and SR 260 in Payson; supporters cited severe backups and safety concerns, and it passed 7-3. SB 1062 would appropriate $1 million for an additional left-turn lane at US 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon; supporters said the intersection is a major bottleneck and safety issue, and it passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing SCR 1004, which would place on the ballot a prohibition on photo enforcement systems used by local authorities or state agencies for speeding and red-light violations. The sponsor and public testimony argued that automated enforcement is unpopular, unconstitutional, and prone to abuse, citing allegations of campaign money tied to ticket revenue and forged judicial signatures on citations. The transcript cuts off during public testimony, before any committee vote on SCR 1004 or the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the state of Texas, I mean, the state of Florida, they had like $62 million in, in, in profits
• Um, Well, in, in fairness, um, why don't you tell us what, what you do that way we can.
• And again, I want to be really fair to your agency because in Texas, and this is a good thing, it's not
• We are pleased and proud to employ our regulatory, uh, responsibilities in a fair and measured way.
• action to enforce the board's statutes and rules in a fair and consistent manner.

Transcript Highlights:

• in opportunity.
• He has shown initiative in serving the community in other ways as well.
• Okay, there are a few in L.A., and I'll give you a few in L.A.
• in our workforce.
• It is about a vision rooted in dignity and equality here in the United States, here in California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in America.
• Hirono died in 1996 at almost 102. In 1996, at almost 102.
• In San Francisco, in the early...
• They are deeply connected when leadership is grounded in fairness and in opportunity. Thank you.
• Connected when leadership is grounded in fairness and in opportunity.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, you know, yes, it is fair to say we are in the implementation phase, but I don’t think we want
• The hold harmless, coupled with the two-year phase-in, mitigates impacts.
• At a time when the administration has made commitments around mitigating harm in the face of federal
• We're concerned about the lack of investment in mitigating the impacts of HR1 on counties.
• We're concerned about the lack of investment in mitigating the impacts of HR1 on counties, the CalFresh

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> space</c> going on uh in in that particular space going on uh in in that particular space but<00:10
• </c><00:43:21.480><c> uh</c><00:43:21.720><c> I</c> in in a different direction uh I in in a different
• in in in our critical important role in in in our health<00:43:50.760><c> care</c><00:43:51.400><c>
• It explains it's to mitigate the waiting list in the region, but there's no explanation given for contract
• in in that space if if you could data in in in that space if if you could that<01:10:46.159><c> that

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it. The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward. The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection. Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• in your job, it's probably better to use that money in a different way.
• In my experience, we've.
• In order to provide some predictability and fairness to the process, we passed the law.
• Mitigate the risk.
• That not only in housing, but businesses in general.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Afghanistan in 2001, Iraq in 2003, Syria today, even on the Horn of Africa, these are not declared
• They're currently in the location where they are; they're in attic space, they're in basement space.
• the *War Horse* in 2022 in their multipart series.
• in foreign conflicts that they did not expect to serve in.
• In this problem.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was there in 2019, left in 2020.
• Now, thankfully, in practice, what we tend to see more often than not is this actually mitigates...
• Now, thankfully, in practice, what we tend to see more often than not is this actually mitigates situations
• Is that a fair statement in your estimation?
• In addition to this, we’re also integrating in advance.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I get $900 a month in cash aid and an additional $30 in diapers, and I participate in the home visiting
• It doesn't matter what part of the state you're in, what district you're in, whether you are in Assemblymember
• We're always in audit. Right. Our auditors are in audits. We're always in audits. It's true.
• In L.A.
• In the 2024-25 fiscal year, we've paid over $154 million in subsidy assistance here in Sacramento County

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the bill that this bill was patterned after, which was passed into law in California.
• And then after that, Sumayo in person, both in person. So would you please both come on up?
• , and fairness in order to thrive through AI-driven business transformations.
• It's not fair when you're all used to three minutes and we just cut it in 50%.
• in Washington State.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three AI-related bills. HB 1170 would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and include latent and manifest disclosures in AI-generated or altered content; supporters said it is needed to combat deepfakes and disinformation, while opponents raised First Amendment, technical feasibility, and compliance concerns, and the Attorney General’s Office said the bill needs clearer provider definitions and enforcement language. HB 2157 would regulate high-risk AI systems used in consequential decisions such as employment, housing, health care, and parole by requiring risk management, impact assessments, disclosures, and a private right of action; the sponsor said it is needed to address algorithmic discrimination and consumer protection, while industry and civil liberties groups warned it is overbroad, burdensome, and constitutionally problematic, and the AG’s Office supported the concept but asked for changes to enforcement and the right-to-cure provisions. HB 2225 would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on manipulative engagement, and safeguards for minors and self-harm; the sponsor, governor’s office, AG’s Office, researchers, and several families testified in support, citing harms to youth and real-world suicides, while industry groups supported narrower protections but objected to the private right of action and scope. No votes were taken during the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, they're either in neighborhoods or in the amount where the people that are living there
• in practice.
• One example we saw in an article is in Yorba Linda.
• , which is why the legislature has come in and tried to kind of mitigate that by allowing, you know,
• So the state is coming in and trying to mitigate that, but it doesn't take away the fact that these local

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Evan Ernst, waving in support. Vance Ahern is waving in support.
• Like what happened, honestly, in my home community, in my neighborhood, 50 of 270 homes in my neighborhood
• I don't believe FDOT is caught in that, in that definitional scope.
• I am not probably the best to talk about cost, and also, to be fair, not every community in the state
• it's in the Big Bend, whether it's in the panhandle.

Summary: The committee first heard CS for CS for SB 344, which would modernize the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 based on Public Service Commission recommendations. The bill drew no opposition and was reported favorably. Members then took up several Senator Burton measures: CS for SB 714 on non-opioid advanced directives, which was amended to create a Department of Health website access point for a voluntary form allowing patients to notify providers they do not want opioid medications; CS for SB 738 on child care and early learning providers, which streamlines and updates child care regulation and was supported by industry and business groups; CS for SB 756 on health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities, which removes the age-8 diagnosis limit and age cap for mandated autism-related coverage; and CS for CS for SB 1356, creating a Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn genetic testing pilot, later amended to add FIU and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital to the board and remove specific appropriations. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 1624 on higher education, a broad bill affecting tuition policies, workforce programs, institutional governance, and naming changes. The bill generated extended discussion over replacing references to “minority” with “underrepresented,” with the sponsor explaining the intent was to focus on low-income access and student support, while members raised concerns about impacts on majority-minority institutions and preeminence pathways. An amendment added guardrails for private religious postsecondary institutions by requiring public review of affidavits of compliance and giving the Commission for Independent Education enforcement authority. After debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then passed CS for SB 1626 on child welfare, which addresses military-family investigations, emergency shelter certification, children’s services council appointments, criminal-background exemptions, group-home rates, licensing extensions, small residential group homes, missing-children procedures, and psychotropic medication refills; it was amended to adjust council board composition and then reported favorably. Additional bills approved included SB 178, directing Florida A&M University to conduct an agronomic study on emerging crops for land taken out of production; SB 1162, expanding boating improvement funding for trailer parking and offering lease incentives for clean marine manufacturers; CS for CS for SB 958, creating a type 1 diabetes early detection information program for parents and schools; CS for CS for CS for SB 1070, requiring ECGs for student athletes with phased implementation and exemptions, after extensive testimony from parents and advocates about sudden cardiac arrest; CS for SB 774, requiring electronic transmission of certain court orders to sheriffs within six hours; SB 1516, creating an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida; SB 994, revising driver education requirements and prompting a commitment to add distracted-driving instruction; and CS for CS for SB 1402, expanding eligibility for dropout retrieval programs. The committee also took up SB 810 on stormwater management systems, amending it to focus annual inspections on vulnerable MS4 infrastructure. That bill drew significant opposition from the Florida League of Cities, counties, and stormwater groups, who argued the mandate would duplicate existing permit requirements and impose major costs, but supporters said it was a basic flood-prevention measure. The transcript ends during debate on SB 810, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Silver loading is complicated, but it is mitigating the impact by maintaining affordability in Texas.
• And that dynamic just means that silver loading is bigger in Texas, and the mitigating impact on tax
• And that dynamic just means that silver loading is bigger in Texas, and the mitigating impact on tax
• , but also fair to the consumers and the patients and the physicians that are engaged in those.
• , but also fair to the consumers and the patients and the physicians that are engaged in those.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oahu is represented in pink, Hawaii in orange, Maui in green, and Kauai in blue.
• , and account fairness, efficiency, and account ownability<01:23:53.920><c> in</c><01:23:54.000><c> the
• In those cases where an individualized assessment shows that no combination of conditions can mitigate
• </c><01:36:28.960><c> in</c> Um, so there are some counties in in Um, so there are some counties in in
• </c> in order to partake in that program. in order to partake in that program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in interest rates.
• in the in-state investment program, the philosophy that this body recommended to be put in place, and
• were fortunate that the limits that you had put in place in terms of size and in the service of diversification
• I did study them in economics in graduate school.
• It’s companies in Stanley, companies in Williston, companies in Grand Forks.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 22 minutes, and received an update on the planned Legacy Fund transparency website. Jody Smith said the site is in contract negotiations after six bidders responded, with a target go-live around November 1 after added security review. The website is intended to provide downloadable, more detailed public information on the Legacy Fund, including historical changes, legislative allocations, and investment breakdowns. Members asked about comparables and data detail, and Smith said North Dakota would likely be the first state to offer this level of sovereign wealth fund transparency. Scott Anderson of the Retirement Investment Office then reviewed Legacy Fund performance through January 31, 2026, describing strong returns, low fees, and the benefits of diversification. He noted that real estate had been a drag on returns, but it is a small portion of the portfolio, and he discussed market effects from geopolitical events, inflation, credit spreads, and private credit. Members also questioned the in-state investment program and the BND CD-Match program. Representative Bosch moved to pause new transfers to the CD-Match program until the bank reports back, and the motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also agreed to request a cost-benefit analysis from RVK on that change. After lunch, the committee heard from RVK consultant Jim Voidko on the investment policy statement, focused on the in-state investment provisions. He reported that, after interviews with implementers and stakeholders, RVK found no major policy impediments in the current IPS and no strong calls to change the size limits or core guardrails. He emphasized the importance of risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, exit strategies, and governance, and warned that foregone returns or higher spending obligations can pressure the fund’s long-term mission. He also recommended clearer terminology around “infrastructure,” distinguishing public infrastructure from commercial infrastructure, and noted unresolved policy questions about nexus and economic diversification. The committee then began reviewing proposed IPS updates with Rio staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in California, they passed a bill in 2023.
• In the past 12 months, I... ...you've reached out to in the state of Texas in the past 12 months?
• We're in Puerto Rico and we're in 10 countries. Reduced your footprint by 80% in California? Yes.
• We need to set reasonable expectations for offshore facilities to mitigate potential hazards in the environment
• Over $130 billion in capital is invested in wind, solar, and energy storage in Texas, and redirecting

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.