Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns state and federal systems.
• SB 1201 helps protect veterans from these cuts by directing the state to request federal waivers to exclude
• Recent federal changes to SNAP, known as CalFresh here in California, Recent federal changes to SNAP,
• It directs the state to seek federal waivers. SB 1201 provides a thoughtful and targeted solution.
• It directs the state to seek federal waivers to protect these vulnerable veterans, ensure that job search

Summary: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard several veterans-related bills, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services officers, and local government representatives; there was no opposition. The bill was moved to Appropriations and later recorded as passing 4-0. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for maintenance endowments for veterans’ cemeteries, with the state matching private or local contributions up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. Supporters emphasized the need for sustainable perpetual care funding for state and county cemeteries, and there was no opposition. SB 1407, the chair’s bill, would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax; supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the economy, while members noted similar bills had previously stalled in Appropriations. SB 1034 would streamline disabled veteran parking placard eligibility for certain 100% permanent and total veterans, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and related changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and connect applicants to county veterans service officers. All of these bills received support from veterans groups and related organizations, with no opposition heard. SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, with supporters framing it as a safeguard for state authority and civil liberties. The committee asked about legal testing of the proposal, and the author said it had not yet been tested in court. After roll calls and a brief recess to regain members, the committee recorded 4-0 votes to pass the bills and consent calendar items, and the meeting adjourned after thanking veterans for their service.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government requires... Perpetual maintenance.
• SB 1201 helps protect veterans from these cuts by directing the state to request federal waivers to exclude
• Recent federal changes to SNAP, known as CalFresh here in California, Recent federal changes to SNAP,
• It directs the state to seek federal waivers. SB 1201 provides a thoughtful and targeted solution.
• It directs the state to seek federal waivers to protect these vulnerable veterans, ensure that job search

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the most direct impacts that federal cuts on SNAP funding will have will be seen in our county's
• the most direct impacts that federal<01:04:36.640><c> cuts</c><01:04:36.960><c> on</c><01:04:37.200>
• the federal the state or is that the federal government?
• </c> federal cuts and the program changes. federal cuts and the program changes.
• The cuts in federal programs like SNAP, Produce Market Bucks, FMNP, and LFPA all have direct negative

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand and share concerns related to federal changes.
• federal funding and penalties.
• However, the system investment will ensure federal funding that is claimed meets federal auditing standards
• Meets federal auditing standards and thus it will result in cost avoidance due to avoiding federal disallowances
• Thank you, Melissa Cortez, on behalf of Homestyle Direct.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that the amendment is a step in the right direction.
• I think that the amendment is a step in the right direction.
• Personal Insurance Federation of Florida. Yes, hi. Thank you, Chair.
• Secondly, we have federal deadlines we have to meet.
• Secondly, we have federal deadlines. We have to meet.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as creating a framework for vertiports and eVTOL operations, including DOT oversight, vertiport licensing, preemption of local design and operational regulation, and limited liability protections. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity language so it would apply only to vertiports co-located at airports, aligning the bill more closely with the House companion. Supporters from eVTOL companies praised Florida’s leadership and the regulatory clarity, while the Florida Justice Association urged caution about extending immunity to unproven entities. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee next considered SB 260 on storage and cleanup of electric vehicles after crashes. An amendment narrowed the bill to EVs with visible battery or battery-compartment damage or saltwater submersion, clarified that the fee applies to storage rather than towing, and tied the proposal to existing fire marshal rules requiring damaged EVs to be stored away from structures. Insurance and rental-car industry representatives supported the narrowed approach but asked for more data reporting, clearer limits on cleanup language, and safeguards against overcharging or cost shifting. The bill was debated as a response to the space and safety burdens placed on tow operators, and it was reported favorably after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizure/confiscation processing, allows disabled veterans to retain their DV plate alphanumeric designation, authorizes immediate issuance of DV plates by tax collectors, bans license plate covers/overlays that obscure plates, and routes online driver license/ID renewals to the customer’s county tax collector with service fees remitted accordingly. SB 1370 was reported favorably as well; it closes a loophole so drivers who never had a license can still be treated similarly to suspended-license offenders for habitual traffic offender purposes after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee considered SB 1220, FDOT’s transportation package, which included updates to trail prioritization, SunTrail materials and sponsorships, seaport and airport resilience planning, drone delivery and personnel delivery device provisions, LiDAR coordination, turnpike toll programming changes, and felony penalties for damaging autonomous vehicles. An amendment removed some provisions, including digital driver license authorization and the rapid rail transit compact, and added advanced air mobility corridor language and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel revenue impacts; after support from several stakeholders, the committee reported the bill favorably and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Equally concerning is the bill would put Minnesota in direct conflict with federal law.
• Equally concerning is the bill would put Minnesota in direct conflict with federal law.
• Equally concerning is the bill would put Minnesota in direct conflict with federal law.
• Equally concerning is the bill would put Minnesota in direct conflict with federal law.
• Equally concerning is the bill would put Minnesota in direct conflict with federal law.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the actual federal act that created the federal rural emergency hospital designation, effective
• What's not on this slide is a piece that was also directed by the legislation: to seek federal approval
• This slide is a piece that was also directed by the legislation: to seek federal approval to maximize
• It's up to 200% of the federal poverty level.
• And also maybe to the federal government.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap. Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're asking for what federal law already guarantees.
• And so I would say that federal laws come up already.
• We hear a lot about the federal government requiring us.
• The federal government has. The federal government has hog tied us, so to speak, in many ways.
• We are moving in the right direction with strategic plan.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the federal government, the Office of Management and Budget maintains a do-not-pay list, and what
• One of them was ending directed appropriations to nonprofits in legislation.
• One of them was ending directed appropriations to nonprofits in legislation.
• One of them was ending directed appropriations to nonprofits in legislation.
• One of them was ending directed appropriations to nonprofits in legislation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two decades ago, the mother and husband of federal judge Joan Lefkoe, a federal judge from my home state
• He was the... federal director of the federal police, who was recently convicted in, I think it was,
• And we need to build this multi-coalition of federal, state, and local government.
• Serrato, apprehending fugitives and executing federal court orders.
• Federal US federal law enforcement before and has been cooperative. Okay. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: fentanyl crisis, DEA, drug trafficking, public safety, Judea Serrata, Terrence Cole, judicial security, social media, drug prevention

Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some use... all of them receive formula federal funding.
• and other agencies of the federal government.
• So we pay our staff out of the federal funds that we receive.
• The federal funds were reduced since... Most of our staff is federally funded.
• Federal stripper well definition. But those are.

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2148 provides the legislature with the authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies
• So if there’s any questions about that, I would direct you to the rules attorneys.
• There is a bill in Congress to support that and make it federal law.
• It directs, since the FBI has a finding, it directs the Secretary of State, the Department of Treasury
• It directs, since the FBI has a finding, it directs the Secretary of State and the Department of Treasury

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 29 and federal funds.
• And then the green bar is federal funds, and that's the net of all federal.
• One is federal funds are...
• Under federal funds, certain things, and match the federal standards.
• And those are federal funds, right? Those are all federal funds, yes. Okay. Now, are you aware...

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant.
• And back then, the program at the federal level, the federal regulations have always governed what that
• on federal poverty level, right?
• Fast forward to 2014 when the federal regulations were reauthorized, they made a change at the federal
• is based on federal minimum wage, $7.25 an hour.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing. Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I believe that that is a federal issue that needs to be addressed.
• California's record sealing laws do not apply to federal jurisdictions or other states.
• of their skin is a direct attack on California's collective identity and values.
• But again, clearly moving in the right direction.
• officers when they're engaged in the enforcement of federal criminal laws and exercising their federal

Summary: The committee first heard SB 907, which would strengthen California DUI laws in several ways, including mandatory Watson advisements when DUI charges are reduced, judicial discretion for consecutive sentences in cases with multiple victims, enhancements for repeat felony DUI offenders and certain hit-and-run cases, and adding vehicular manslaughter offenses to the violent felony list. The author and supporters, including prosecutors, law enforcement, and victims’ family members, described the bill as a response to repeated, preventable tragedies and argued it would close loopholes and increase accountability. Opponents, including criminal defense and civil liberties groups, raised concerns about duplicative penalties, legal overreach, and the violent-felony and sentencing provisions. Committee members were divided but generally supportive of stronger DUI enforcement; the bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with the three-strikes provision removed and the bill kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1015, aimed at online child exploitation and extortion networks. The bill would create a new offense for adults who recruit, direct, coerce, or use minors to harm or exploit other children, and it would also allow limited misdemeanor or felony charges for minors engaged in extreme coercive conduct, with diversion available for juveniles. Supporters, including sheriffs, district attorneys, and child-safety advocates, said the bill addresses a fast-growing cybercrime problem involving grooming, blackmail, self-harm, and organized online groups using minors as intermediaries. Opponents argued existing laws already cover much of the conduct and warned against criminalizing adolescent behavior, urging the Legislature instead to focus on platform accountability. The committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations, with members emphasizing the need to address evolving online harms. The committee also heard SB 1285, which would clarify that juvenile court dismissals under Welfare and Institutions Code section 782 remain a broad “general dismissal” remedy, separate from record sealing, so that eligible youth can more fully avoid future collateral consequences. Supporters said the bill would restore the intended effect of prior juvenile justice reforms and help young people access employment, education, military service, and licensure without lingering barriers. There was no opposition after one group withdrew its objection, and the bill was moved to the floor on a do-pass motion. SB 1342 followed, a technical cleanup measure for automatic record clearance laws that would prevent outdated pending charges from blocking relief, require local court records to match DOJ updates, and create a way for people to obtain written proof of clearance; it also advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1330 was heard to extend existing assault-and-battery protections for certain workers to utility workers; supporters described rising assaults and even shootings against crews, while one utility worker opposed the bill as only increasing penalties after the fact rather than preventing attacks. The bill was moved out on a do-pass motion and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, um, I I direct and and help.
• </c> likely to be facing another federal likely to be facing another federal shutdown<00:15:05.600><c
• ><c> the</c><00:15:17.519><c> majority</c> federal funding, which is the majority federal funding, which
• </c> of state law, not just the federal of state law, not just the federal guidelines<00:21:52.640><c
• </c> the right direction with all that. the right direction with all that.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Facilities Department directs the maintenance and operations of the buildings owned by OMEMIAS, as
• Lastly, if an agency implements federally mandated programs that can be reimbursed with federal funds
• It does not reach the full scope of what it's directed to do in statute.
• It's also higher than the federal government's range.
• federally owned office space. 96% of the federal agencies reviewed were found to be used at less than

Committee: Senate Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT)

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the federal level, your Social Security income, retirement income, is taxed in your federal income
• HB 2040 Information Government; Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections.
• HB 2218 Election Work Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections.
• HB 2219 Ballot Receptacle Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections.
• Federalism, Military Affairs and Elections. HB 2246, Telephone Solicitation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Presently there are 29 federally recognized tribes within Washington State.
• Please remember, of the 29 federally recognized tribes, there are 20 treaty tribes.
• Supreme Court held the tribes reserved in the treaties as a matter of federal law.
• This legislation is an important step in the right direction.
• It directs the WSDA to develop this comprehensive strategy.

Bills: HB2104 , HB2554 , HB2619

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the $1.39 billion fair share supplemental budget signed into law earlier this month, we have directed
• funding for unrestricted general government aid, so-called UGGA, increasing the primary source of direct
• I am also deeply concerned about a reduction in a program of federal financial participation.
• He said he is deeply concerned about a reduction in a program of federal financial participation such
• The clerk will be directed to dispense with the printing of a calendar.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first took up and passed several House bills establishing sick leave banks, including House 4182 for a Massachusetts Department of Transportation employee and House 1590 for Eric J. Awaniak. It also advanced and then enacted House 4237, a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill providing interim funding before final action on the general appropriations act. During the session, Senator Collins also recognized Chaplain Clementina Cherry of the Lewis D. Brown Peace Institute as a distinguished guest, with remarks entered into the record. The main business was the conference committee report on the fiscal year 2026 state budget, House 4001/House 4240. Senate Ways and Means leadership described the budget as balanced, on time, and fiscally responsible, with $61.01 billion in spending, no new taxes or fees, and a $33 million deposit to the stabilization fund. They highlighted major investments in Chapter 70 school aid, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, unrestricted local aid, MassEducate, universal free school meals, MBTA and regional transit funding, MassHealth, food security, and mental health services. The report also included policy items such as broker fee responsibility, fare-free regional transit, housing studies, a gold star family annuity provision, and a crumbling concrete commission. Minority leader Senator Tarr and others questioned the spending reductions, use of one-time funds, and the treatment of excess capital gains, arguing for greater fiscal caution and concern about future federal actions and long-term spending growth. Supporters responded that the reductions reflected revenue uncertainty, federal policy risks, and the need to preserve budget stability, while using some one-time sources to balance the plan. The conference report was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-2, the emergency preamble for House 4240 was approved by standing vote, and the FY26 general appropriations bill was then enacted and sent to the Governor. The Senate also adopted an order to dispense with printing a calendar for the next session and adjourned until Thursday at 11 a.m.