Transcript Highlights:

• </c> help with certifications, teacher help with certifications, teacher certifications<00:37:11.520>
• ,</c><03:01:19.040><c> and</c> helping administration, teachers, and helping administration, teachers
• </c> basically it's for teachers and staff. basically it's for teachers and staff.
• </c><03:09:46.960><c> and</c> it may have saved some teachers and it may have saved some teachers and
• Question for ask a lot of our teachers. Uh we provide ask a lot of our teachers.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the students, along with their teachers and chaperones seated in the gallery, please rise? Mr.

Bills: HB20 , HB463 , HB469 , HB649 , HB963 , HB1163 , HB1334 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB1516 , HB1518 , HB1519 , HB1523 , HB1524 , HB1546 , HB1548 , HB1550 , HB1553 , HB1573 , HB1574 , HB1576 , HB1588 , HB1591 , HB1618 , HB1619 , HB1628 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1664 , HB1667 , HB1679 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1696 , HB1700 , HB1705 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1716 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1749 , HB1752 , HB1753 , HB1768 , HB1782 , HB1800 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1823 , HB1839 , HB1842 , HB1854 , HB1858 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1875 , HB1881 , HB1886 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1894 , HB1897 , HB1898 , HB1920 , HB1929 , HB1946 , HB1959 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2001 , HB2005 , HB2020 , HB2021 , HB2022 , HB2023 , HB2062 , HB2078 , HB2093 , HB2095 , HB2096 , HB2097 , HB2101 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2207 , HCR137 , HCR181

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, eviction, housing access, tenant rights, judicial reporting, disassociation, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, small boat harbors, moorage, harbor permits, commercial use permit, commercial fishing

Bills: HB20 , HB463 , HB469 , HB649 , HB963 , HB1163 , HB1334 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB1516 , HB1518 , HB1519 , HB1523 , HB1524 , HB1546 , HB1548 , HB1550 , HB1553 , HB1573 , HB1574 , HB1576 , HB1588 , HB1591 , HB1618 , HB1619 , HB1628 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1664 , HB1667 , HB1679 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1696 , HB1700 , HB1705 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1716 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1749 , HB1752 , HB1753 , HB1768 , HB1782 , HB1800 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1823 , HB1839 , HB1842 , HB1854 , HB1858 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1875 , HB1881 , HB1886 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1894 , HB1897 , HB1898 , HB1920 , HB1929 , HB1946 , HB1959 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2001 , HB2005 , HB2020 , HB2021 , HB2022 , HB2023 , HB2062 , HB2078 , HB2093 , HB2095 , HB2096 , HB2097 , HB2101 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2207 , HCR137 , HCR181

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, eviction, housing access, tenant rights, judicial reporting, disassociation, disability, parking, travel placard, accessibility, mobility, small boat harbors, moorage, harbor permits, commercial use permit, commercial fishing

Transcript Highlights:

• Health Services to provide a grant to a qualified organization to implement a dementia care tele-mentoring
• bill outlines qualifications for an organization that may be provided a grant and requires tele-mentoring
• The tele-mentoring program must prioritize improving health care education within rural and underserved
• The tele-mentoring program must prioritize improving health care education within rural and underserved
• So my question is: where else has this tele-mentoring program been implemented, how successful has it

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved minutes from February 18, February 19, and March 4, then took up several health-related bills. HB 2050, which updates radiologic technologist and radiologic assistant standards, school accreditation, clinical hours, supervision rules, fees, and telehealth definitions, received support from a radiologic technologist and a nurse practitioner and passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2082, creating a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expanding the research fund, was amended to require at least $5 million in funding before commission allocations and to shift grant-awarding authority to the DHS director; it passed 7-0 as amended, though members raised concerns about oversight. HB 2176, which changes DHS licensing denial criteria and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions, also passed 7-0 after testimony from hospital and public health representatives supporting clearer timelines and transparency, with one member noting concerns about possible subjectivity in ownership-related denials. HB 2195, addressing DHS oversight of nursing care institutions, including personnel record access, deficiency timelines, and complaint-investigation deadlines, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2027 and allow off-site preliminary reviews; it passed 7-0 as amended, though one member said DHS should have been present to answer questions. HB 2202, appropriating $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program, drew support from the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s; it passed 6-1, with one no vote arguing medical schools should teach the material instead of the state funding it. HB 2307, an emergency measure to address placement of dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants, was heavily debated and amended to use up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus temporarily, create a study committee, and sunset after five years; counties and DHS disagreed over whether counties should bear any costs, and the bill passed 4-3 as amended. Finally, HB 2584, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment or services tied to foreign adversaries, passed 4-3 after a sponsor and a national security witness argued it would protect genomic data from hostile foreign control. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Young with the California Teachers Association, in support. Thank you.
• Michael Young with the California Teachers Association, also in support. Thank you.
• Michael Young with the California Teachers Association, also in support. Thank you.
• I am the Executive Director for the West Valley Mission Federation of Teachers, AFT 6554.
• Testimony in support: On behalf of the California Teachers Association, in support, thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kent was most widely known at UCLA's Labor Studies Department, where he taught and mentored thousands
• attorney for Los Angeles SEIU public sector, and vice president of the California Federation of Teachers
• Yes, Kent, the teacher, learned from the leader of Black America's civil rights movement, and in his

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on recognitions and resolutions honoring community groups and observances. Members welcomed the Far West region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Los Angeles South Bay alumni chapter, and later recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees after adopting SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing Mexican history, Latino resilience, and shared struggles for justice. The Latino Spirit honorees included leaders in higher education, philanthropy, labor, health, advocacy, business, environmental justice, journalism, culinary arts, and music, along with a legacy award for Los Tigres del Norte. The Senate also adopted SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 honoring California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 recognizing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 designating Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and floor remarks focused on health disparities, mental health, veteran suicide, and the sacrifices of peace officers, with several caucuses speaking in support of the health equity resolution. Each of these resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber then took up several appointments from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, confirming Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson, despite some protest votes from Senator Grove over the lack of action on another appointment. In third reading, the Senate passed SB 1159 on AI and public participation, SB 1416 on faster refunds for duplicate medical payments, SB 1273 on winery video advertising at instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 990 on a highway information sign near Ridgecrest, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, and SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader Kent Wong and Navy veteran-artist Vittaliano Victor Villar, and the Senate adjourned until May 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• During an independent study session, these individuals were alerted to a serious fall involving a teacher
• Maya Angelou became a professor, a mentor, and the global voice.
• We should be actually focused on the real issues facing our schools, like teacher shortages, a lack of

Summary: The Missouri House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by a 113-0 roll call vote. Members then offered several points of personal privilege recognizing military history, student heroes who responded to a medical emergency at South Tech High School, Black History Month remarks on Maya Angelou, student athletic achievements, and a moment of silence for former Fire Chief Henry Williams. The House also welcomed special guests, including a student shadowing a member and former Rep. Ben Baker in his role with USDA Rural Development. The chamber then took up several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026, was debated at length over constitutional concerns about MODOT funding and the need for disaster relief, Medicaid, and mental health appropriations; it passed 130-11. House Bill 2189, allowing five-year vehicle registrations and removing the even-odd model-year restriction, passed 143-0 after members discussed county clerks, tax payment verification, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, which changes ballot language requirements including Hancock Amendment-related wording and levy examples, passed 114-24. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178, dealing with property tax assessment limits and appeal procedures, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would cap annual increases and help taxpayers, while opponents argued a floor amendment was not vetted, could shift burdens to schools and fire districts, and might harm local revenues; it passed 86-53. House Bill 1844, the athletic trainer compact, passed 117-27 with support framed around workforce mobility and rural health access. The House also perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1663, which removes the sunset from Missouri’s Save Women’s Sports Act; debate centered on fairness in women’s athletics versus concerns about discrimination, local control, and the lack of a broader policy review, and the chamber adopted the substitute and ordered it perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements, including a blue alert and the death of a Christian County deputy, committee meeting notices, and adjournment until February 24, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm grateful to be a part of this program and even more grateful for the mentors and research experiences
• I want to separate teacher every academic year.
• expand registered apprenticeship, replenish it programs including 5 million for the gray, your own teacher

Transcript Highlights:

• A student that has two parents that are teachers. would probably be around $120,000 to $140,000 a year
• I think it's wrong to take, for instance, uh, these, if, if a child has two, teacher parents, it's wrong
• I'm a US Army veteran of the first Gulf War, and I've spent the last 10 years serving as a mentor and

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• A student that has two parents that are teachers. would probably be around $120,000 to $140,000 a year
• I think it's wrong to take for instance these if a child has two teacher parents.
• Army veteran of the first Gulf War, and I've spent the last 10 years serving as a mentor and educator

Bills: HB3032 , HB3434 , HB3574 , HB5339 , HB5646

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• And in the process of being afraid of sharing that as a pastor and as a public school mentor or football
• Um, as you all know, a reporter could be a mandatory reporter who's a teacher or a doctor or some other
• If the same allegation is made against a childcare worker or a, a neighbor or a teacher, both of whom

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a teacher at one of the early childhood centers there in Milan.
• And so I miss Representative Alcon, my good friend, my good neighbor, my good mentor.
• disparage the individuals working in those industries because I think we have really incredible teachers

Transcript Highlights:

• And to quote a mentor I had here who was a senior when I came in, or I guess, was a junior, When I came
• I thank my political mentors, the late Congressman Harold Volkmer and the late Levi R.
• Mike dedicates his time to community service as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, a torchlighter
• Louis Retirement Teachers section. That also deals with the Board of Trustees.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 118-1. The bulk of the meeting consisted of lengthy points of personal privilege, including farewell remarks from several outgoing members who thanked family, staff, colleagues, and constituents, reflected on their service, and spoke about issues such as law enforcement, veterans, rural schools, unborn life, kindness, and the influence of money and lobbyists in the legislative process. The chamber also recognized several special guests, including schoolchildren, interns, a law school graduate, family members, and a former representative. The House then took up committee reports and several bills. It granted further conference on Senate Bill 1020. Senate Bill 1019, dealing with hospital finance and related health-care provisions, was amended and passed 110-31 after debate over an amendment on prior authorization reform, physician licensure, telehealth, workplace violence language, and Lyme disease fixes. Senate Bill 1572, a pensions measure affecting MOSERS, EMPERS, the St. Louis police retirement system, and Kansas City police retirement timing, was amended on several technical and policy points and passed 129-14 after discussion of overpayment recoupment rules and retirement system compliance concerns. The House also passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1196, which removed the sunset from the workforce diploma program, expanded Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grants, added workforce Pell Grant language, and established a future higher-education funding model subject to later legislative approval. It passed 115-20-4, but the emergency clause failed 2-132-2 after the sponsor said it was included only to speed Pell Grant implementation and was being handled “tongue in cheek.” Finally, the House began consideration of House Bill 2508 with Senate amendments, an LLC-related bill addressing certificates of good standing, court dissolution of LLCs in limited cases, and a St. Louis County property-management affidavit requirement for unresolved ordinance violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I was a teacher, looking out for the well-being of my students and their future opportunities
• I also hear from other adults and kids, because I'm a mentor and I mentor a lot of women.
• determined, I stay prayed up, and every time I see another young girl that... ...I get a chance to mentor

Bills: SB30 , SB517 , SB1313 , SB1314 , SB1316 , SB1541 , SB1698 , SB1845 , SB1860 , SB2420 , SB2429 , SB 30

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

Transcript Highlights:

• the road of how on page 9 can we say there will be no fiscal to this program when we're asking for teachers
• , two of them, two ESE teachers, to be trained to validate this programming.
• whether it will happen during the school year, then that's a fiscal because now we need substitute teachers
• We need money to be able to train these teachers to validate these badges.
• The fraternity continues to uplift communities, mentor young men, and advocate for social justice.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.

Transcript Highlights:

• They look like a teacher. They look like a teacher I once had. Now...
• For me, the teachers, my teachers, made me who I am. My teachers always encouraged me.
• But there is greatness in our teachers' past. our teachers present and our teachers in the future.
• or something will come up about teachers or you will be talking to teachers.
• So my wife is a retired teacher. My mother-in-law, before she passed was a retired teacher.

Bills: SJR57 , SCR8 , SB8 , SB14 , SB24 , SB108 , SB112 , SB125 , SB213 , SB251 , SB315 , SB318 , SB371 , SB378 , SB379 , SB472 , SB487 , SB502 , SB513 , SB565 , SB621 , SB650 , SB689 , SB707 , SB710 , SB761 , SB763 , SB815 , SB854 , SB875 , SB896 , SB916 , SB925 , SB958 , SB961 , SB965 , SB973 , SB987 , SB990 , SB995 , SB1006 , SB1018 , SB1019 , SB1024 , SB1026 , SB1146 , SB1194 , SB1198 , SB1253 , SB1330 , SB1343 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1497 , SB1498 , SB1527 , SB1532 , SB1547 , SB1596 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR57 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR8 , SB565 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB925 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB815 , SB1379 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB241 , SB304 , SB621 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB609 , SB670 , SB502 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB985 , SB965 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB24 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB761 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB1527 , SB125 , SB599 , SB1330 , SB53 , SB916 , SB896 , SB1352 , SB973 , SB785 , SB710 , SB472 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB1547 , SB961 , SB1038 , SB513 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB108 , SB8 , SB318 , SB507 , SB533 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB1198 , SB1146 , SB763 , SB667 , SB1059 , SB617 , SB1567 , SB503 , SJR37 , SB16 , SB310 , SB311 , SB396 , SB505 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1470 , SB264 , SB924 , SB1029 , SB1185 , SB1202 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1569 , SB1697 , SB1376 , SB1228 , SB519 , SB878 , SB1350 , SB462 , SB1535 , SB827 , SB1585 , SB207 , SB1207 , SB1619 , SB1396 , SB920 , SB1484 , SB1273 , SB1741

Keywords: central bank digital currency, CBDC, Federal Reserve, digital dollar, digital currency, cashless payments, financial privacy, cybersecurity, government surveillance, financial surveillance, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit finance, banking policy, monetary policy, payments system, commercial banks, Texas Legislature, concurrent resolution, federal reserve digital currency

Transcript Highlights:

• from 2012 to 2024, I was very active in disability policy in Massachusetts, and Charlie was a major mentor
• from 2012 to 2024, I was very active in disability policy in Massachusetts, and Charlie was a major mentor
• as executive director, having taken over for John Winsky, who of course many of you knew, another mentor
• as executive director, having taken over for John Winsky, who of course many of you knew, another mentor
• And I had been involved pre-COVID and indeed... ...another mentor of mine, and I had been involved pre-COVID

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met and heard a presentation from Colin Killick of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network on disability discrimination in crisis standards of care during COVID-19. He described how Massachusetts and other states initially used rationing criteria that prioritized short-term or long-term survival in ways that disadvantaged disabled people, older adults, and people with certain chronic conditions, and he discussed related issues such as QALYs, DNR pressure, and inequities in vaccine prioritization. He also noted that disability rights advocates, legal groups, and allies used litigation, media outreach, and public pressure to force revisions to the standards, and that Massachusetts ultimately adopted more protective third-round standards that limited the use of life-expectancy judgments and banned QALYs in those decisions. Members asked why the disability health care discrimination bill has not passed despite being reintroduced over multiple sessions. Killick said the main obstacle now appears to be lack of legislative prioritization rather than active opposition, after earlier concerns about QALYs were resolved through compromise. He identified the bill as S. 869, an act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care, and said it had been favorably reported out of the Health Care Financing Committee. Members thanked him for the presentation and for his work during the pandemic. The meeting then moved to roll call, approved the minutes by motion and second, and adjourned after noting the next meeting date as August 31st.

Transcript Highlights:

• For me, he was a brother, a trusted friend, and a mentor, who was not only ready to help people, but
• Love to somebody who had become a mentor. In my life. I really struggled, like.
• that I did and learn from him, and he will truly be missed, not just as a statesman, not just as a mentor
• Sylvester Turner was a true mentor. He was the epitome of a statesman.
• He, I considered him a great mentor. We were fraternity brothers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to acknowledge my family, friends, colleagues, and many of my mentors who are either here
• I want to thank the many mentors and leaders who have guided me throughout my career, as well as the
• But as we encourage and mentor these individuals to take advantage of the opportunities that we offer
• You look at my resume: EEO coordinator over a significant period of time, peer support, mentor.
• Their physical fitness journeys, with the goal that they become mentors to other staff there.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first established quorum and took up several routine items, including two governor’s appointments to the Court Reporters Board, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Heather Lynn Gonzalez’s appointment was approved 3-1, Allison Salton-Sall’s appointment was approved 4-0, and the other routine items were approved 4-0. The committee then heard testimony on two Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation appointments, Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both associate directors in the Division of Adult Institutions. Senators focused heavily on the California model, staff safety, prison violence, sexual abuse prevention, retaliation concerns, and visitation. Ratliff and Tuggle said the California model is meant to balance rehabilitation with safety, that CDCR has improved communication and training, and that incidents such as the pepper-spray event at Central California Women’s Facility led to discipline, investigations, retraining, and policy review. They also described PREA reporting systems, anti-retaliation protections, statewide visiting meetings, and efforts to make visiting more family-centered and consistent. Public commenters largely supported both nominees, citing their work on rehabilitation, reentry, and sexual abuse response. The committee unanimously voted 4-0 to send both Ratliff and Tuggle to the Senate floor for confirmation. It then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as CDCR Undersecretary of Operations. Senators questioned him about parole supervision, public safety, contraband, prison rape prevention, workplace culture, whistleblower retaliation, and repeated allegations in late-filed opposition letters. Johnson said parole risk is assessed through established scoring and supervision levels, that sex offenders are subject to GPS monitoring and treatment, and that operations use investigations, training, and collaboration with law enforcement to address contraband and misconduct. He emphasized rehabilitation, culture change, accountability, and his commitment to staff and public safety, while acknowledging criticism and the difficulty of leading a large institution. No vote on Johnson was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to acknowledge my family, friends, colleagues, and many of my mentors who are either here
• I want to thank the many mentors and leaders who have guided me throughout my career, as well as the
• But as we encourage and mentor these individuals to take advantage of the opportunities that we offer
• You look at my resume: EEO coordinator over a significant period of time, peer support, mentor.
• Their physical fitness journeys, with the goal that they become mentors to other staff there.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine items, including governor’s appointments not required to appear, references to bills, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved the appointments of Heather Lynn Gonzalez and Allison Salton-Sall to the Court Reporters Board, and then moved on to appointments required to appear from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both proposed associate directors in CDCR’s Division of Adult Institutions, testified about their backgrounds and emphasized staff safety, rehabilitation, trauma-informed practices, and the California model. Senators focused heavily on the rollout of the California model, the August 2024 use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, sexual abuse prevention, retaliation concerns, and prison visitation. Both nominees said the department had improved communication and training, had disciplined or removed staff in response to misconduct, and was working to strengthen PREA reporting, investigations, and family visiting consistency. Public testimony was strongly supportive, and the committee voted 4-0 to send both nominations to the Senate floor. The committee then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as CDCR Undersecretary of Operations. Johnson framed his work around rehabilitation, public safety, and culture change, and addressed concerns raised in late opposition letters and a lawsuit alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, discrimination, and whistleblower issues. He said he could not discuss pending litigation in detail, but described his leadership as focused on accountability, professional standards, and improving relationships with staff and community partners. Senators questioned him about parole supervision, risk assessment, contraband interdiction, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act response; Johnson said adult parole uses risk-based supervision and GPS for registered sex offenders, operations is working with correctional safety and law enforcement on contraband and drone interdiction, and CDCR continues to expand reporting channels and training. The committee also discussed the importance of rehabilitation and reentry programs, with Johnson saying most people return to the community and that CDCR must prepare them for successful reintegration.