Transcript Highlights:

• It is Senate Bill 172, which prescribes certain rights for agricultural workers.
• Every session we try to get together with all the stakeholders in order to advance an omnibus workers
• ' compensation bill that has the issues of claimants and injured workers taken care of and looked at,
• Section 28 and 29 deal with the alteration of discovery rules in the workers' compensation system.
• We love the collaboration of everybody to make it better for our workers. Thank you.

Bills: AB52 , AB76 , AB163 , AB388 , AB483

Committee: Assembly Commerce and Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• It's $2 million less for counselors, social workers, and police officers in schools.
• appropriation from the school safety program it's two million dollars less for counselors social workers
• and police officers in schools Thank you. dollars less for counselors social workers and police officers
• I think everybody is asking and crying for qualified workers, and now you've got people coming out, and
• And they cut taxes again based on the temporary money that was coming in from the federal government.

Bills: HB4154 , HB4155 , HB4156 , HB4157 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB4160 , HB4161 , HB4162 , HB4163 , HB4164 , HB4165 , HB4166 , HB4167 , HB4168 , HB4169 , SB1847 , SB1848 , SB1849 , SB1850 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1859 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: HB4155, amusements, amusement industry, entertainment, recreation, state appropriations, biennium, 2026-2027, fees, licensing, regulation, tourism, parks, fairgrounds, carnivals, arcades, HB4156, capital outlay, appropriations, capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Marshall Nakatani on behalf of United Auto Workers Local 4811.
• Good afternoon, Marshall Nakatani on behalf of United Auto Workers Local 4811.
• We represent around 10,000 academic student workers... ...of UAW 4123.
• We represent around 10,000 academic student workers across the CSU system.
• I am a 28-year temporary lecturer full-time at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishment, retail food establishment, temporary retail food establishment, or retail food store
• I see a state that has disempowered workers with right-to-work laws.
• Everyone surrounding her—the judge, a GAL, CASA, attorneys, case workers, and therapists—all of them.
• As social workers, we adhere to our code of ethics and moral values to uphold support and protect the
• A question for our social workers on the panel. I've worked a lot in homelessness.

Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment protects small businesses and workers who rely on timely payments to keep their doors open
• SB 936 on temporary door locking devices. Senator McClain, you are recognized to explain the bill.
• It would allow for temporary door locking devices to be installed at any height above the finished floor
• The bill defines temporary door locking devices and the criteria it must meet.
• The bill defines temporary door locking devices and the criteria it must meet when installed, and directs

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This also applied to working folks, construction workers, plumbers, folks who just got off of work and
• And Section 8 authorizes the court, by temporary order, to enjoin the adverse party from taking possession
• So I'm going to move to Section 1.6, which ...which in the reprint creates this new temporary restraining
• And in the criminal setting, we don't really use temporary restraining orders.
• So we're getting rid of the words 'temporary restraining' and just calling it an order.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Started as a volunteer in Los Angeles, various programs, Catholic Worker, and shelters, and then ended
• Is it the number of people we've gotten off the street into temporary housing?
• Is it the number of people we've gotten off the street into temporary housing?
• The number of people we've gotten off the street into temporary housing?
• Is it the number of people that we've transitioned from temporary to permanent?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on California’s homelessness funding, focusing on the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAP) Grant and the Encampment Resolution Grant Program. HCD described new accountability requirements, including regional action plans, stronger reporting and expenditure conditions, housing-element compliance, encampment response plans, and public dashboards that track fiscal spending, service outcomes, and encampment resolution status. Officials said the goal is to use the data to identify underperforming grantees, provide technical assistance, and, if needed, withhold or reallocate funds. Local officials from San Diego, Fresno, and Santa Cruz said the programs have helped expand shelter, outreach, and permanent housing, and that state dollars have leveraged local and federal resources. Mayor Todd Gloria said San Diego has used HAP to expand shelter and safe sleeping options, reduce downtown encampments, and increase housing production, but argued the state’s new accountability website is too high-level and does not fully reflect countywide conditions, behavioral health outcomes, or the role of continuum-of-care partners. Fresno officials said HAP and other state funds helped the city add shelter beds and reduce homelessness, while Santa Cruz emphasized that state funding helped build local coordination and draw in federal vouchers. Members pressed the panel on whether HAP is actually reducing homelessness, what the best success metrics should be, and whether the state is getting full, usable data from grantees and subcontractors. Several members asked for more granular jurisdiction-level reporting, better tracking of nonprofit spending, and clearer measures beyond point-in-time counts and “people served.” HCD said it is still improving HMIS participation and data quality, but can already show outcomes such as exits to permanent housing and returns to homelessness. The hearing ended with broad agreement that transparency is important, but disagreement remained over the best measures of success and how much emphasis should be placed on housing, prevention, shelter, and treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Putting a 90-day limit on a temporary no trespassing order makes a lot of sense because it shouldn't
• Putting a 90-day limit on a temporary no trespassing order makes a lot of sense because it shouldn't
• The right tool for a lot of what you have heard today is a temporary restraining order or a permanent
• On a temporary no trespassing order makes a lot of sense because it shouldn't be forever.
• It interferes with the quality workers.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 06.799><c> there's</c><00:22:07.520><c> health</c> And I said, do you think there are health care workers
• Um, then, uh, in addition, there's also what they call locum tenens, or temporary fills, where let's
• They bring in a temporary locum tenens physician to cover that, uh, and that person gets licensed.
• Um, then, uh, in addition, there's also what they call locum tenens, or temporary fills, where let's
• They bring in a temporary locum tenens physician to cover that, uh, and that person gets licensed.

Bills: HB0143 , HB0129

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• our county clerks to the folks who are actually there at the polls helping you vote and all of the workers
• our county clerks to the folks who are actually there at the polls helping you vote and all of the workers
• A court could grant a temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunction.
• It impacts New Mexican companies that hire New Mexican workers that support New Mexico families.
• You think about health care workers. In particular, larceny itself, right? Larceny of livestock.

Bills: HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion. The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• When temporary funding expires, counties would be left with the responsibility of removing and storing
• authors on amendments that support voters while remaining feasible, sustainable, and safe for election workers
• Proposition 22 in 2020 exempted Uber, Lyft, and the like, using non-employee workers from AB 5, which
• requires them to make their driver’s payroll workers.
• The measure required the companies to provide contract workers with some employee-like benefits.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• compact which would allow social workers to practice in member states of the state of Florida would
• A social worker could sign up for the compact and then also social worker could sign up for the compact
• This is a common sense Bill and disclosure is most of you know, I am a social worker and for example,
• reported favorably and last up we have HB 15 public records and meetings of exemption for social worker
• This is the bill dealing with the public records exemption that's required by the social worker.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have been focusing more on how our social workers are supporting our students.
• </c><00:25:46.559><c> or</c> sensory rooms or social workers or sensory rooms or social workers or mental
• We start at a 0.2 of a social worker.
• Um, but the social workers, we have over 150. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
• </c> social workers, we have over 150. social workers, we have over 150.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if that's the case, then that means that other providers, which be social workers, which would be
• And if that's the case, then that means that other providers, which be social workers, which would be
• And if that's the case, then that means that other providers, which be social workers, which would be
• And if that's the case, then that means that other providers, which be social workers, which would be
• So, currently, a temporary permit holder can practice up to 90 days in the state.

Bills: HB1853 , HB1591 , HB1961 , HB1854 , HB1965 , HB1962 , HB1959 , HB2505 , HB2576 , HB1801 , HB1804 , HB1864 , HB2319 , HB2314 , HB2115

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Canopy growth and those who are insured for workers' compensation or with a workers' compensation policy
• I don't have an issue with workers' comp.
• Will inform your viewpoints on the importance of worker safety? Is worker safety important?
• Is proper compensation to workers important? Is keeping workers from being injured important?
• Because we’re talking about the very organization that protects injured workers or workers so that they

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointments and routine agenda items by 4-0 votes, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. The committee also approved bill referrals, a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 to be heard after the policy deadline, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard the appointment of Clint Kellam as Director of the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis regulation, especially illicit market activity, consumer education, labeling, and youth protection. Kellam said the department’s goal is to shift consumption from illicit to legal sources, not increase use, and described efforts such as the Real California Cannabis website, the required educational pamphlet for new users, inspections, and package review. Senators raised concerns about attractive-to-children packaging, high-dose beverages, and the need for tighter labeling rules; Kellam said the department is open to legislative changes, is working on an AI tool to help licensees review packaging, and uses recalls, citations, and administrative actions when products violate rules. He also described enforcement efforts against illegal cultivation and retail, including the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies. The committee voted 4-0 to advance the appointment. The committee next heard Jennifer Osborne’s appointment as Director of the Department of Industrial Relations. Osborne described her background in state administration and said she aims to remove barriers, improve systems, and support workplace safety, wage enforcement, workers’ compensation, and apprenticeship programs. Senators asked about PAGA enforcement, Cal/OSHA audit findings, backlogs, staffing shortages, and complaint handling. Osborne said DIR’s role in PAGA is limited, but the department is working on Cal/OSHA policy revisions, training, additional investigation staff, centralized intake, IT modernization, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also said the department is addressing vacancy and backlog issues through classification changes and new hiring strategies. Public commenters from employer groups and labor organizations spoke in support, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• ' companies. canopy growth and those who are insured for workers' compensation or with a workers' compensation
• I’ve also been a workers’ comp attorney.
• Will inform your viewpoints on the importance of worker safety? Is worker safety important?
• Is proper compensation to workers important? Is keeping workers from being injured important?
• Because we’re talking about the very organization that protects the injured workers or workers so that

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Um we've appreciated our it's temporary.
• We hope that it's temporary, not long-term.
• We hope that it's temporary, not long-term.
• We hope that it's temporary, not long-term.
• </c><05:41:09.840><c> So</c> temporary position to be filled. So temporary position to be filled.

Transcript Highlights:

• county clerks, to the folks who are actually there at the polls helping you vote, and all of the workers
• A court could grant a temporary, preliminary, or permanent injunction.
• Clerks or election workers to be able to call law enforcement in to help them when they need it.
• Keep in mind this date belongs to the workers.
• You think about law enforcement, household members, and health care workers.

Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• When people fall behind, it's due to temporary hardship, medical issue, job loss, or any other catastrophe
• And so a group of county folks who wanted to make sure the road workers, who are members of our plan,
• And so a group of county folks who wanted to make sure the road workers, who are members of our plan,

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, SB 774, which most of you have seen, extends enhanced workers' compensation benefits to 9-1-
• The bill extends enhanced workers' compensation benefits to 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators for
• So we can either postpone until next week, or we can take a temporary break here.

Bills: S0086 , S0554 , S0760 , S0774 , S0778 , S0844 , S1022 , S1230 , S1246 , S1594 , S1630

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first reported favorably SB 774, which extends enhanced workers’ compensation benefits to 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries, after adopting a late-filed amendment declaring an important state interest. The committee also heard supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County dispatcher. SB 770, which updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents in secure forensic settings, was reported favorably as well. Members then approved CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized operation of a commercial vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and imposes driver, carrier, and enforcement consequences, despite questions about vehicle impoundment and cargo handling and one appearance in opposition. SB 1594, which protects veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth from being used as reimbursement and instead sets them aside for education and transition services, was reported favorably after supportive testimony. The committee also approved CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in certain violent crime cases, though the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about expanded warrantless arrest authority in one section. The committee next reported favorably CS/SB 554, a complete rewrite of Chapter 617 governing nonprofit corporations, after a technical delete-all amendment. It also approved CS/SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care for certain health care professionals; the bill drew extensive supportive testimony from advocates and patients describing pain management gaps and health disparities. SB 1022, expanding Florida Children’s Initiatives by adding programs in Bay County and Broward County, and CS/SB 1246, broadening the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science workforce programs and related uses, were both reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230, which restricts the use, sale, and distribution of aqueous film-forming foam containing intentionally added PFAS and requires inventory and disposal reporting, after adopting amendments that removed airports from one provision. It also approved CS/CS/SB 128, directing DEP to erect markers for the Andrew Red Harris Spoil Island water body designation. Several senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.