Transcript Highlights:

• Whether someone is navigating the sudden death of loved ones or the passing of aging parents, they deserve
• family is often referred to the Peace Institute in that first 24 to 72 hours, where we help them navigate
• They both felt that there was a need here, and so I pulled together a meeting at my facility.
• They had about 25 different contractors, a couple of insurance Facility.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on a large group of bills carried over from the previous session, with Chair Jake Oliveira and House Co-Chair Paul McMurtry outlining the process and limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee heard testimony on several labor and workplace proposals, including bills to harmonize employee definitions to address misclassification (SB 1338/HB 2141), expand bereavement leave (including H. 2189/S. 1354 and related bills), protect collective bargaining rights for certain administrative employees (HB 268/SB 1306), expand commuter transit benefits (HB 2153/SB 1345), regulate employer use of credit reports (S. 1286), and require apprenticeship participation or OSHA-related workplace safety measures on public projects. At the end of the hearing, the chairs read into the record additional bills that did not receive testimony that day. Supporters of the misclassification bill, including Greater Boston Legal Services and the AFL-CIO, said aligning the employee-status tests across wage, unemployment, and PFML laws would reduce confusion, improve enforcement, and help workers wrongly treated as independent contractors or managers recover benefits and bargaining rights. NAGE and its representative argued that public-sector employees have been improperly reclassified into management titles to weaken unions, and that the bill would force the Division of Labor Relations to review those titles. On bereavement leave, advocates including the Louis E. Brown Peace Institute, a state representative, the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, and individual survivors described the impact of sudden loss and homicide on families, saying guaranteed leave would help workers grieve, make arrangements, and avoid losing jobs or custody-related stability. The committee also heard support for commuter benefits as a low-cost way to reduce emissions and increase transit use, and for restricting employer credit checks because of inaccuracies and discriminatory effects. There was opposition to some construction-related bills. The Associated Builders and Contractors and the Building Trades Employers Association supported apprenticeship training in principle but said current apprentice-to-journeyworker ratios are outdated or misunderstood, and that the bills should be amended or clarified before advancing. The Massachusetts landscape and snow-removal industry strongly supported a snow-liability limitation bill, arguing that hold-harmless clauses and broad indemnification requirements force contractors to assume liability for conditions they cannot control, drive up insurance costs, and threaten business viability. The committee did not take any votes during the hearing, and the session ended with the chairs thanking members, staff, and the public before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• whatever regulatory agencies are out there know what their responsibilities are to be able to help us navigate
• ADU West Coast works directly with California homeowners and families navigating the accessory dwelling
• square feet get a benefit because they don't have to be assessed on the parcel, only on the actual facility
• benefit because the, they don't have to, they're not assessed on the fore parcel, only on the actual facility

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills, with most of the discussion focused on streamlining housing production, preserving affordable housing, and reducing barriers to ADUs and EV charging in HOAs. SB 457 would direct HCD to develop statistical formulas based on historical development data to help cities complete housing element site inventories; supporters said it would replace costly parcel-by-parcel analysis with a more realistic, data-driven approach, while the California Building Industry Association raised concerns. SB 1091 would create a Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program to help acquire and preserve unsubsidized affordable rental housing; it drew broad support from housing nonprofits, local governments, and committee members who emphasized prevention and preservation, and it was advanced with a motion and second. SB 1117 would clarify that ADU impact fees above 750 square feet are charged only on the portion above that threshold; supporters said current practice creates a fee cliff that discourages ADUs, while cities, counties, special districts, and fire groups opposed it over infrastructure and service funding concerns. The committee members were split, but the bill ultimately advanced on a 10-0 vote with two not voting. The committee also considered SB 904, which would codify and expand reporting and coordination practices used after wildfire disasters to speed rebuilding and identify permitting or code barriers. The author and supporters argued that future wildfire recoveries should not depend on ad hoc executive orders, while some members questioned whether the bill was duplicative of existing streamlining laws; it passed on a roll call after discussion. SB 1267 would require EV charger installers in HOAs to indemnify associations during installation and make homeowners liable for costs arising from use of a privately owned charger; HOA representatives and EV advocates supported it, the California Association of Realtors said it would remove opposition once amendments were in print, and the bill advanced unanimously. SB 1361 would prevent local governments from taking actions to avoid SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements at existing or planned transit stops; L.A. Metro, labor groups, and housing advocates supported it as protecting transit investments and jobs, while the City of Burbank opposed it, and it was approved on a 9-0 vote. The committee also took up consent items SB 722 and SB 1426, which were approved without controversy.

Transcript Highlights:

• clarifies that it is not a violation of the law for a school official to authorize the use of public facilities
• And so this is for use in any facilities, school property, and of course, for the measures for supporting
• The statutes present a very navigational challenge for parents who may be unaware of their rights.
• Yet, too often, parents are kept in the dark, dismissed by bureaucracies, or forced to navigate opaqueness

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the grid modernization fund is already there, Public Schools Facility Authority already there, the
• The EV infrastructure and school buses are in the Public Schools Facility Authority.
• investing $10 million to build capacity at the local level, SB 83 would support tribal governments to navigate
• resources have been very helpful for individuals and families that I have had the privilege to help navigate

Transcript Highlights:

• When my mom was detained at the California City Detention Facility, a CoreCivic-run facility, she was
• , distinct from the other facilities.
• or you're just targeting this kind of facility or that kind of facility.
• or you're just targeting this kind of facility or that kind of facility.
• All right, then, okay, so her mother was not in a county facility, a non-governmental facility?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was also a facility security officer at the uranium enrichment facility.
• So the, the NRC trusts me with the uranium enrichment facility, but Texas will not give me my rights
• have had conversations with an author about the concerns, we do that as the substitute is being navigated
• And as far as those prohibited places go, this includes hospitals, civil commitment facilities, mental
• Sometimes hospitals and mental health facilities are places of healing.

Bills: HB259

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation

Transcript Highlights:

• they not allowed to have their own sets of diversity, equity, and inclusion training at their own facilities
• they not allowed to have their own sets of diversity, equity, and inclusion training at their own facilities
• Equity and inclusion training at their own facilities, a private employer. You're recognized.
• And what if they have DEI training at their own facility? You're recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• Private Southeastern University in Florida, as well as former patient navigator, and we strongly oppose

Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service, with the motion adopted and the confirmation recommended favorably. Members then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded actuarial liability, and allows certain elected officers to elect a DROP accumulation; a technical title amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The committee then heard extensive debate and public testimony on SB 1710, which would restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion-related policies, trainings, and activities in state agencies, state-funded contractors and grantees, and medical institutions of higher education. Sponsor Senator DiCeglie said the bill is intended to prevent state agencies and contractors from using state funds for DEI programs and to limit state agencies from adopting DEI-related official positions; he also said the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s breadth and how it would affect health-related grants, public universities, historically Black institutions, recruitment, and contractor training. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and inclusion; a few supporters said DEI is ideological, can undermine merit, and should not be used by state agencies or publicly funded institutions. After debate, Senator Polsky argued the bill was confusing, overbroad, and harmful to serving diverse communities, while Senator Arrington said it was an overreach into private business and could have significant fiscal impacts. Chair Fine closed by saying DEI is political ideology and that the bill is meant to ensure government focuses on talent rather than identity. SB 1710 was then reported favorably on a roll call vote, with Senator Arrington voting no and the remaining members voting yes. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, and heard the sponsor’s explanation of a delete-all amendment that would expand and clarify state restrictions on dealings with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, including certain nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, and grants; the amendment was adopted, and the sponsor and a witness began answering questions when the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• , as well as the receipts from construction equipment and materials used in those facilities.
• This is a surcharge on skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities based on their number
• Nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities are paying the surcharge, and the revenues are appropriated
• fund and the disability health care facility fund.
• It says, second line, certain public health care facilities, the constructions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes support, for example, we're adding some support for CARA Navigators.
• We operate two secure facilities, two reintegration facilities.
• Cost for detention of a youth in our juvenile facilities.
• And that includes even the Native children that we have in our secure facilities.
• How we address it, Senator Tullio has talked a lot about making more facilities for kids.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the locker room facilities for our police were deficient.
• <00:47:20.200> for while also expanding facilities for while also expanding facilities for
• <01:05:38.400> to<01:05:38.520> the facility this facility is home to the facility
• improvements to make our facilities improvements to make our facilities inclusive<01:14:31.480><
• Development programs and our facility Development programs and our facility improvements<01:47:54.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I mean, the way a provider or facility is defined is in the bill.
• To provide money for struggling healthcare facilities or hospitals.
• They are rural facilities, and some of them are Owned by private equity parent corporate.
• I think you were asking me, were there facilities in Las Cruces, for example? I misspoke.
• The answer is that there are facilities in Doña Ana.

Transcript Highlights:

• and community members have started to build a campaign to shut down five prisons, repurpose those facilities
• who shares a lived experience, shares a culture, shares a language, shares an ability to help them navigate
• Up to help them navigate that a teacher or a counselor most likely won't be able to do.
• Up to help them navigate that a teacher or a counselor most likely won't be able to do.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on the cradle-to-college-and-career pipeline, with an emphasis on education, school discipline, community schools, and higher education pathways. Chair Isaac Bryan opened by noting that two bills from the first hearing had been introduced and were advancing through the Legislature. Members Mike Fong, Senator Gonzalez, and Corey Jackson offered remarks supporting bipartisan, cross-sector work to address inequities affecting boys and young men of color. The first panel discussed school discipline and safety. Dr. David Turner cited major declines in suspensions since state reforms such as SB 274, SB 419, and AB 420, but said disparities remain for Black and Native boys and that school policing and “ghost suspensions” still push students out of class. Brandy Bowen-Bremont and LaQuan Muhammad described hidden disciplinary practices, police referrals, and the need for restorative, culturally rooted, and care-first supports. Members asked about the causes of the suspension decline, statewide versus local data, and whether MTSS and restorative practices are being implemented with fidelity. The second panel focused on community schools. Witnesses from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, M.I.L.P.A., and the Center at Sierra Health Foundation urged a $1 billion ongoing state investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They argued community schools improve attendance, school climate, academic outcomes, and family engagement while reducing suspensions and chronic absenteeism. The third panel addressed college and career pathways, with speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A.M.E.N., and Improve Your Tomorrow calling for more financial aid, dual enrollment, mentorship, and student support. They also criticized state spending priorities, compared prison and higher education budgets, and urged investment in programs that keep young men of color connected to school and work. Public commenters largely echoed support for community schools, youth justice, and broader investment in boys and men of color, including rural and urban perspectives. Chair Bryan closed by highlighting the importance of representation and the role of mentorship and second chances in his own life, then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• and community members have started to build a campaign to shut down five prisons, repurpose those facilities
• who shares a lived experience, shares a culture, shares a language, shares an ability to help them navigate
• Shares of a culture, rather shares a language, shares an ability to help them to navigate that a teacher
• or a counselor most likely won't be able to do. ...help them navigate that a teacher or a counselor

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on cradle-to-college-and-career pipelines and education. Members opened with remarks emphasizing bipartisan support, the need to address opportunity gaps, and the committee’s prior hearing in Los Angeles, which helped generate legislation. The chair framed the day around school safety and discipline, community schools, and college/career pathways, and noted that public comment would be included at the end. In the first panel, witnesses described persistent disparities in school discipline and policing, even as suspension rates have declined statewide. Dr. David Turner cited reductions in suspensions tied to reforms such as bans on willful defiance suspensions, but warned that Black and Native boys remain disproportionately suspended and that “ghost suspensions” and police referrals still push students out of class. Other advocates called for stronger accountability, more restorative and culturally rooted practices, and greater investment in community-based supports. Members asked about the role of state and local policy, rural versus urban differences, and how to measure which interventions work best. The second panel centered on community schools. Advocates from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, MILE, and the Sierra Health Foundation argued for the governor’s proposed $1 billion ongoing investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They said community schools improve attendance, reduce suspensions, strengthen belonging, and create shared decision-making with families and students. Panelists described the role of community school coordinators, the importance of authentic partnerships, and the need to track informal discipline practices. Committee members pressed for a plain explanation of community schools and heard that the model is intended to be a high-return equity strategy that can save the state money over time. The final panel addressed college and career pathways. Speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A Men, and Improve Your Tomorrow highlighted barriers facing Black, Latino, Native, and other boys and men of color in higher education, including financial aid gaps, weak transfer pathways, underinvestment in student support, and low campus belonging. They urged continued funding for community schools, expanded dual enrollment and ELOP access, and support for mentorship and culturally responsive programs. Public commenters echoed support for community schools and youth investment, including calls to redirect prison spending toward education and prevention. The chair closed by thanking the panelists, reflecting on his own school struggles and the role of mentorship, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• before I spoke, but we provide a lot to San Pat County, supplying water to their major industrial facilities
• so different than East Texas, right, and it's going to be a really different struggle to how we navigate
• A lot of care on the state diets, and I think we have navigated the conversations really well.
• related to water from cities. to river authorities, to regional districts, to flood irrigation navigation

Bills: HB24, HB27, HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > opened facilities.
• All three facilities opened facilities.
• claim and navigate through the system. claim and navigate through the system.
• :27:58.400> co-pilots Some became backseat navigator co-pilots Some became backseat navigator
• be able to navigate their way home. be able to navigate their way home.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The next project honor of road and facility enhancements is at Goethe State Forest.
• So part of that is you have to have restroom facilities and bathhouse facilities and things like that
• Some of them have existing facilities in place.
• Some of those facilities are very old.
• So, yeah, we're really proud of that project and that facility down there.

Transcript Highlights:

• These facilities.
• Whether it's nursing homes, residential care facilities, hospitals, juvenile facilities, or schools,
• There are no psychiatric facilities nor juvenile detention facilities within Calaveras County.
• If these closed, then these facilities don't are, if these facilities closed, then these children don't
• have anywhere else to go. and these facilities don't, are of these facilities closed, and these children

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no long-term care facility.
• There is no long-term care facility.
• There is no long-term care facility.
• There is no long-term care facility.
• There is no long-term care facility.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a line of credit for two facilities to help in the construction of their wastewater facilities
• So we might have to pay rent at the new facility, but still be in the old facility until the move is
• Again, OMB is looking at the facility conditions.
• completely different facilities.
• facilities team, because we do have our own partners that do The project yet, our local facilities team

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 10 minutes and then received a DEQ base budget summary and agency overview. DEQ staff explained that the agency is largely federally and special funded, with major ongoing costs in salaries, operating expenses, grants, and continuing appropriations. Director Dave Glatt and accounting director Beth Jacobson highlighted core programs, the move to a new chemistry laboratory, the new state fuel inspection program, wastewater-related funding from HB 1577, and implementation of SB 2267 for on-site wastewater rules. They also noted the agency’s spending patterns, possible federal EPA cuts, and the likelihood of some fee adjustments or program changes if federal support declines. Members asked about DEQ’s travel, field offices, future staffing, and how the agency would respond to reduced federal regulation. DEQ said most staff are based in Bismarck, with field offices in Fargo, Sawyer, and Gwinner, and that travel is driven by inspections and spill response. Glatt said the agency would continue to rely on science and law, and that any future federal retrenchment could mean more state responsibility but likely not a wholesale increase in FTEs. The committee also discussed a feedlot enforcement case in the Minot area, with DEQ explaining its role in ensuring compliance, permitting, and animal-waste management standards. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented on FTE block grant reporting, TANF balances, child care transfers, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Donna Ockland explained that no line-item transfers had occurred yet for the new rural health work, but about 33 positions were planned and some current staff time could be reimbursed through approved cost allocation. HHS also reviewed TANF’s frozen eligibility and block grant structure, the transfer of up to 30% of TANF funds to child care, and recent program changes that increased benefits and raised the income limit. Staff said the department is using TANF more strategically to support child care and other allowable uses, while still carrying over unused funds as many states do. Finally, Pat and HHS staff gave an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying the first funding opportunity was being posted and that the state is on track to obligate the federal funds within the required timeline. They described priorities such as workforce retention, preceptor development, technical assistance for critical access hospitals, community wellness projects, and ambulance upgrades. Members asked about rural versus urban eligibility, immigrant recruitment, evaluation of year-two funding, and how the program would address varied local workforce needs. The meeting then shifted to an Office of Management and Budget update on the new State Hospital project, where Lindsay Ashley reported continued construction progress, updated cost information, and selected alternates, with photos and details showing work underway in multiple building sections.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we can't, so in these facilities So when we can't, so in these facilities like<01:56:13.840
• training for our facilities folks. training for our facilities folks.
• facilities. Thank you. facilities. Thank you.
• the facility as somebody from outside of the area.
• So, I'm against the amendment. disagree that this facility needs two disagree that this facility needs

Keywords: 916, all