Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans will go to their normal spots and the Democrats will do the same. Thank you."
• of staff all right thank you all right we will go at ease for the purpose of caucus until 1110 Republicans

Bills: HB2640 , HB2161 , HB2304 , HB2445 , HB2590 , HB2412

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: Uniform Commercial Code, business filings, legal filings, commercial transactions, UCC compliance, attorney general, legal authority, state powers, judiciary, civil rights, condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator

Transcript Highlights:

• The Republicans will also caucus immediately after adjournment.
• The Republicans will also caucus immediately after adjournment.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, the flags were escorted in, and the chamber observed the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance by Pastor Pamela Bowman, and a prayer by Pastor Joseph Bowman. The session was centered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with remarks emphasizing Dr. King’s legacy of justice, nonviolence, equality, and service, along with musical performances including “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Grateful.” House Resolution 4672, honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was read in full and moved for adoption by Representative Penner. Several members offered extended remarks supporting the resolution and reflecting on King’s impact, the continuing struggle for civil rights, and the need for moral courage, nonviolence, and community service. The House then voted and adopted House Resolution 4672 by voice vote, with the Speaker noting that applause was appropriate. After the resolution, the House handled routine procedural business. Bills and resolutions on the introduction sheet were advanced to first reading and referred to committee, committee report items were referred as designated, and the Rules Committee was relieved of House Bill 1160 on local government design review and House Bill 1798 on firefighters pension boards, placing them on the second reading calendar. The Rules Committee was also relieved of Substitute House Bill 1066 on regulated substance use data and Engrossed House Bill 1574 on substance use care services, placing them on the third reading calendar. Both caucuses announced meetings after adjournment, and the House adjourned until 9:55 a.m. Tuesday, January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1985, and none of us were here, but there were 25 Democrats and six Republicans in the Texas Senate
• There were 95 Democrats and 55 Republicans and a Democrat governor, Mark White.

Bills: SB 10 , SB 8 , SB 15 , SB 12 , SB 6 , SB 13 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB10 , SB8 , SB15 , SB12 , SB6 , SB13 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• So Kate Sanchez is a Republican, so it's bipartisan. I know, I saw her looking at you. Okay.
• So Kate Sanchez is a Republican, so it's bipartisan. I know, I saw her looking at you. Okay.

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased. Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate that, but you're a Republican and I'm a Democrat, and you got to vote with your party, and
• He served as Speaker pro tem under a Republican Speaker. He served on appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Republican. Our platform is totally 100% against it. That's not why I'm voting against it.
• I'm a Republican. Our platform is totally 100% against it. That's not why I'm voting against it.
• I have problems making talking about Republicans and Democrats as if we're different species.
• I have problems making talking about Republicans and Democrats as if we're different species.
• </c><00:59:11.079><c> and</c> making um talking about Republicans and making um talking about Republicans

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, which would allow classification by biological sex in limited circumstances such as multi-use bathrooms, certain athletic events, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters argued the bill was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for women and girls, and said it was consistent with recent federal actions and prior legislation. Opponents said the bill lacked a clear definition of biological sex, could create confusion and discrimination, and was unnecessary because existing law and sports rules already address the issues raised. After debate, the committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass on HB 148. The chair asked for a majority report and noted that a minority report would likely be filed. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill related to end-of-life medical decision-making. Supporters framed it as a matter of liberty and relief from suffering for terminally ill patients, while opponents raised moral objections, concerns about suicide being normalized, and worries about deceptive wording and death-certificate reporting. HB 254 was approved on an 11-7 vote for ought to pass, with the chair indicating he would write the majority report and Representative Perez the minority report. The committee then moved to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment restoring prior law on recoupment of appointed-counsel costs from indigent criminal defendants and juveniles. The chair explained the amendment as reversing 2020 changes that had limited cost recovery, and the discussion focused on financial affidavits and the Office of Cost Containment’s ability to review indigency claims. The transcript cuts off before the committee vote on HB 611.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Republican. Our platform is totally 100% against it. That's not why I'm voting against it.
• I'm a Republican. Our platform is totally 100% against it. That's not why I'm voting against it.
• If I remember correctly, the governor of the state of New Hampshire at that point was in fact a Republican
• If I remember correctly, the governor of the state of New Hampshire at that point was in fact a Republican
• I know I have problems making, um, talking about Republicans and Democrats as if we're different species

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 148, a bill allowing classification by biological sex in limited settings such as multiple-use bathrooms, certain sports, and involuntary commitment facilities. Supporters said it was needed to protect privacy and safety, especially for minors, and argued it was consistent with recent federal and state developments. Opponents said the bill was poorly defined, unnecessary, and could create discrimination or confusion, especially because it did not define “biological sex” in the text. The committee voted 10-8 ought to pass, and the chair said a minority report would be written. The committee then considered HB 254, a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The chair moved ought to pass and described the bill as a matter of liberty for terminally ill patients within six months of death, arguing it should not be treated as suicide. Opponents raised religious, ethical, and policy concerns, including worries about a slippery slope, misuse by vulnerable people, and the effect on death records and public health data. The committee voted 11-7 ought to pass, and the chair said a majority report would be written with a minority report by Representative Perez. Finally, the committee turned to HB 611 with Amendment 2025-0638, a replace-all amendment dealing with recoupment of costs for appointed counsel. The chair explained the amendment would restore the law to its pre-2020 form, allowing the Office of Cost Containment to seek repayment from some recipients of appointed counsel services, including those found not guilty, if they had the ability to pay. Supporters said the prior change had sharply reduced collections and that the state should not treat indigent defendants differently from people who hire private counsel. Opponents argued the policy unfairly bills innocent people and children who were entitled to counsel. The transcript cuts off during debate on the amendment, before a vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• and I'm currently on and one Republican and I'm currently on the<00:23:00.240><c> JCC</c><00:23:01.200
• member didn’t get reelected, so we were going to have to appoint somebody, some Republican from this
• It's possible for someone to ask for a caucus so that the Democrats and the Republicans can caucus before
• are on one planning all the Republicans are on one side<00:35:17.839><c> and</c><00:35:18.000><c> the
• <00:35:47.280><c> all</c><00:35:47.480><c> said</c><00:35:47.839><c> well</c> Republicans all said well

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a candidate who has run for races throughout the state, changing from NPA to Republican, Republican
• to Democrat, back again to NPA and then to Republican.
• There is a candidate who has run for races throughout the state, changing from NPA to Republican, Republican
• to Democrat, backed again to MPA and then to Republican.
• The Democrats are oppressed and the Republicans are privileged. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reagan's her middle name, for my Republican friends.
• There is a candidate who has run for races throughout the state, changing from NPA to Republican, Republican
• to Democrat, back again to NPA and then to Republican.
• There is a candidate who has run for races throughout the state, changing from NPA to Republican, Republican
• to Democrat, backed again to MPA and then to Republican.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As my colleague from Colorado Springs had mentioned, our mayor, who is not a Republican, gathered the
• large; Deborah Fitch of Partell, Colorado, resident of the second congressional district and a Republican
• second congressional district<02:54:25.279><c> and</c><02:54:25.439><c> a</c><02:54:25.600><c> Republican
• to serve as a district and a Republican to serve as a member<02:54:26.560><c> at</c><02:54:26.720><c
• reappointed Christina Sue of Republican reappointed Christina Sue of Aurora,<02:54:41.920><c> Colorado

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we have been trying to work together with Republican colleagues in getting to a yes on this bill,
• /c><00:08:50.399><c> Republic</c> work uh together with Republic work uh together with Republic Republican
• Um, in the months since August, we've sat down with many of you, Republicans and Democrats, rural and
• </c> sat down with many of you, Republicans sat down with many of you, Republicans and<00:10:32.560><
• Republicans, but anybody who actually Republicans, but anybody who actually values<00:50:18.800><c> their

Bills: HF3433 , HF3402 , HF3412 , HF3405 , HF3404

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: assault weapons, semi-automatic rifle, military-style firearm, gun ban, firearms regulation, gun control, public safety, BCA, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, background check, transferee permit, private gun sale, waiting period, felony possession, gross misdemeanor, AR-15, AK-47, Uzi, TEC-9, high-capacity magazine

Transcript Highlights:

• We went from a $52 billion budget to a $72 billion budget in the state when Republicans had some control
• We went from a $52 billion budget to a $72 billion budget in the state when Republicans had some control
• We went from a $52 billion budget to a $72 billion budget in the state when Republicans had some control
• We went from a $52 billion budget to a $72 billion budget in the state when Republicans had some control
• Be wasteful spending in agriculture and what Republicans talk about as wasteful spending.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Republicans and Democrats alike, they don't file their donation like they do their expenses.
• Republicans will go to 300. If the—I didn't count it up, but I've got enough.
• bad explain why um and the Republicans bad explain why um and the doj's<02:38:42.720><c> response</c
• Town committee can still hold republican Town committee can still hold their<02:44:09.520><c> meeting
• I may decide to support the Republican candidate instead. it'll have it very clearly it says first it'll

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2021, 26 states governed by both Republicans and Democrats have cut individual income tax rates
• </c><00:34:29.600><c> and</c> governed by both Republicans and governed by both Republicans and Democrats
• This bill we just heard and was voted down by every single Republican colleague that was in the room,
• I listened to Phil Gramm one time at a Republican convention, and he got up there and says, 'You know
• ><c> he</c><01:06:49.000><c> got</c><01:06:49.200><c> up</c> Republican convention, and he got up Republican

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also want to put on record that we were here, the Republicans were here to do the work, and we
• were here to do the work the Republicans were here to do the work and<00:18:22.240><c> we</c><00:18:
• It is not a problem of having those three weeks when Republicans pretended to be running the legislature
• It is not a problem of having those three weeks when Republicans pretended to be running the legislature
• </c> those three weeks when Republicans those three weeks when Republicans pretended<00:21:18.000><c>

Bills: HF2435

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• have heard the way to fraud and abuse, especially with regard to the now emerging position of the Republicans
• have heard the way to fraud and abuse, especially with regard to the now emerging position of the Republicans
• have heard the way to fraud and abuse, especially with regard to the now emerging position of the Republicans
• have heard the way to fraud and abuse, especially with regard to the now emerging position of the Republicans
• "To uh the now emerging position of the Republicans out in Washington, D.C., and it's—you know what they're

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means an overwhelming amount of Democrats, independents, and Republicans said that they want to
• This isn't Republican versus Democrat.
• The Board of Supervisors in Riverside County is comprised of four Democrats and one Republican.
• This isn't Republican versus Democrat.
• Board of Supervisors in Riverside County is comprised of four Democrats and one Republican.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills, with members repeatedly noting that votes would be taken later once a quorum was established. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 1446 on parole en banc review and SB 1278 on elderly parole eligibility for certain sex offenses. SB 1446’s author said the bill would give commissioners more discretion in en banc review, make votes public, and allow referral for sexually violent predator evaluation in certain cases; supporters included the California District Attorneys Association, while opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, create constitutional and litigation concerns, and duplicate existing safeguards. SB 1278 would exclude certain rape, child sexual abuse, and habitual/serial sex offense convictions from elderly parole eligibility; district attorneys and police chiefs supported it as a victim-safety measure, while civil rights and defense organizations opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and inconsistent with evidence on aging and recidivism. Both bills were discussed but not voted on due to the lack of quorum. The committee then heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement personnel from entering California to perform such functions without the Governor’s permission. The author and supporters framed it as protecting state sovereignty and limiting unauthorized armed incursions; the committee accepted an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. No opposition testimony was offered, and members expressed support, but no vote was taken because quorum was still lacking. The committee also heard SB 926, a bill to fund implementation of Proposition 36. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, probation officials, and the League of California Cities, said local agencies need funding for treatment, supervision, and administration; opponents argued the proposal was fiscally reckless, lacked accountability, and overemphasized incarceration. Amendments removed a specific appropriation and shifted funding decisions to the budget process, but the bill was also held pending quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 874, which would require background checks for unlicensed providers of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, create a stakeholder workgroup, and direct DHCS to issue guidance and report on program integrity. Support came from local health plans and behavior analysis providers, who said the bill would improve safety and consistency; there was no opposition testimony. The committee then heard SB 1210, which would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to local gang databases as well as shared ones. Supporters described privacy abuses, racial disparities, and personal harm from inaccurate gang labels; law enforcement opposition argued the bill would impose CalGang standards on informal investigative files and would significantly change the gang definition. The author said the bill closes a loophole and preserves prior reforms, but no vote was taken. The committee also began hearing SB 1019 on creating a California Cargo Thief Task Force, with strong support from BNSF, trucking, shipping, port, and supply-chain representatives who described organized, multi-jurisdictional cargo theft and rail sabotage; no opposition was heard, and members indicated support, but action was deferred pending quorum. The meeting then moved to SB 1217 on a non-consensual intimate image clearinghouse, with the chair and author describing privacy-related amendments and the bill’s focus on helping survivors remove exploitative images; the transcript cuts off as that presentation began.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to tell you also, Joel Davis, who is the Osceola County Republican Executive Committee chairman
• I think you're all seeing what it's like to be a Republican in Broward County.
• Shane is one of the first people Eileen and I met as Broward Young Republicans.
• The best political consultant that a Republican from Broward County could have, Blake McDermott.
• The best political consultant that a Republican from Broward County could have, Blake McDermott.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests including law enforcement officers and several student visitors. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the special order calendar, with members also approving the journal and establishing a quorum. Later in the day, the House paused for several introductions and farewell remarks, including extended closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities. The House passed several bills, often after brief explanations and amendments. CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for failures to report child abuse was clarified to apply prospectively and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to include House language and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) passed 112-0 after an amendment merging House and Senate provisions, and CS/SB 1246 on the linking industry to nursing education fund passed 112-0 after amendments expanding eligible contributions and program support. Additional bills approved included CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care standards, CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts for aviation safety, CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, and CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, which would allow school coaches to use limited personal funds to support student-athletes with items such as food, transportation, and rehabilitation services, with parental consent added by amendment. Most of these measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously, with SB 422 passing 108-2. The House also heard debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, a bill restricting counties and municipalities from taking official actions related to DEI and limiting the use of public funds for DEI-related activities and contracts. Members questioned how the bill would affect local government practices, observances, and staff functions, and the sponsor explained several exceptions and enforcement provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:15:33.679><c> Um</c> For 40 years, that occurred in a county that is 60-40 Republican and Democrat
• This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It goes both directions.
• </c><01:17:10.800><c> It's</c> not a Democrat or Republican issue.
• It's not a Democrat or Republican issue.
• </c> um new commissioner in a Republican um new commissioner in a Republican district.<01:17:26.719><

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all