Transcript Highlights:

• to go ahead and get started, as you can see on the chart on the left hand side, you all, as the legislature
• The legislature has already shown strong commitment to the early childhood workforce.
• For the legislature to invest in.
• It is still a priority for the legislature. Excellent. Thank you very much, Kelly.
• It's top of mind for the governor, for the legislature, and for us.

Bills: SB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I'd like to commend the legislature for finding the money and directing that money to fully
• Beginning at about that time, the governor and the legislature agreed that they wanted to fully fund
• They used lottery monies and other funds that became available to the legislature.
• The legislature, to their credit, has put some effort into pumping more money into this plan.
• And the legislature has taken steps, I think, since I started employment in 2003.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• acted years ago. ...don't want to overturn those ordinances when the legislature acted years ago.
• Senator Smith: Recommendations they have for us as a legislature to act on.
• The legislature is considering relaxing the requirements for the use of the state EOCs and teachers'
• For those of you who have been in the legislature for a while, you're familiar.
• following measures. ...the Legislature shall consider only the following measures: 1.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders. The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals. Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's something that I think for the legislature to consider.
• Annual state-of-the-system report that we provide to the legislature and to the public.
• Contemplate in the report that they provide to the legislature.
• I mean, I think that is something for the legislature to consider.
• We want to make sure that the legislature protects those funds in the state budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• The citizen legislature is a model for the nation, and I want to thank each and every one of you for
• is a model for the citizen legislature is a model for the nation<00:57:16.280><c> and</c><00:57:16.440
• to the executive counsel to legislature to the executive counsel to the<01:05:23.960><c> private</c>
• </c><01:10:57.960><c> has</c> I applaud the work the legislature has I applaud the work the legislature
• did more firmly believe the legislature did more harm<01:22:35.840><c> than</c><01:22:36.080><c> good

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature created this board in 2018 as part of the Criminal Justice Reform Act.
• In fall 2001, thanks to funding support from the legislature, My colleagues here come into play.
• How can we, as a legislature, help?
• That is what the legislature chose, but are there ways we can tweak it?
• That's what the legislature chose, great, but are there ways we can tweak it?

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion. Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system. The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the Legislature provides funding in the future, we recommend funds be restricted for specific goals
• We do think that the ELOP funding in and of itself is enough to offer the program that the Legislature
• ELOP funding in and of itself is enough to offer the program that the Legislature expects.
• It was in 2023 where the Legislature passed reporting on the CalPADS for the 2025-26 school year.
• We also recommend the Legislature consider funding technical assistance over a longer period of time.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools. On universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued funding for the Universal School Meals Program and a fourth round of Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants, citing meal-count growth, improved meal service, and the need to offset federal uncertainty, inflation, and reduced direct certification tied to immigration-related policy changes. The LAO recommended rejecting another kitchen grant round, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and the state has not clearly defined unmet need. Members also raised concerns about the state’s ability to backfill federal meal funding and about how federal requirements affect programs like Summer EBT/SUN Bucks. Public commenters largely supported school meals and kitchen investments, with some urging support for plant-based milk options and continued infrastructure funding. For ELOP, the Department of Finance proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding, including $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended going further and fully fixing the Tier 2 rate, saying rate uncertainty complicates district planning. CDE supported the proposal and said the program has improved attendance and academic outcomes, while noting new CalPADS reporting will provide more data soon. Senators discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, and whether the state should require stronger outcome reporting. Public testimony generally backed stabilizing Tier 2 funding, but some speakers urged more support for older youth and more timely, user-friendly reporting. On community schools, the administration proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing grantees, along with stronger technical assistance, statewide alignment, and an accreditation/self-certification framework. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger cohort. CDE supported the ongoing investment but asked for additional county office and technical assistance funding. Senators and public commenters were broadly supportive of community schools, emphasizing improved attendance, graduation, and student engagement, while also debating accountability, accreditation, and whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be eligible. Public testimony strongly favored ongoing funding and highlighted community schools’ role in mental health, family engagement, and wraparound supports.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I want us, the House, the legislature, to hold ourselves to those same standards.
• They could not conduct their business that had nothing to do with the legislature using state assets.
• Uh, the same would be true here in the legislature.
• Uh, the same would be true here in the legislature.
• Uh, the same would be true here in the legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that's a discussion the Legislature has been looking at in terms of 60 units for an associate
• We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Legislature on solutions that strengthen
• We look forward to working with the Legislature to strengthen the tools needed to protect the public
• We look forward to working with the legislature to strengthen the tools needed to protect the public
• The Legislature has already established a clear framework through the Medical Practice Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that's a discussion the Legislature has been looking at in terms of 60 units for an associate
• We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the legislature on solutions that strengthen
• We look forward to working with the legislature to strengthen the tools needed to protect the public
• As you're aware, in 2001, the legislature enacted the Alternative and Complementary Health Care Act,
• The Legislature has already established a clear framework through the Medical Practice Act.

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its licensing, enforcement, modernization, and consumer-protection work since the last review, and committee members focused heavily on workforce access, public safety, transparency, and fee authority. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree for licensure, fee structure changes, and ongoing work on LVNs performing respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree proposal was intended to strengthen competency and could be phased in without harming access, but several public commenters—especially respiratory therapists and families of medically fragile children—argued it would worsen shortages, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Other stakeholders supported clarifying LVN authority in congregate living health facilities, while the California Medical Association flagged the proposed Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist classification as having limited current workforce impact. The interior design segment drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders defended the current voluntary certification/title-act model, saying it establishes competency, has produced minimal complaints, and that licensure would unnecessarily disrupt the workforce and create barriers without demonstrated public harm. Committee members questioned the lack of state-style enforcement authority, transparency, and Bagley-Keene compliance, and some public commenters criticized the private structure and inconsistent plan acceptance in local jurisdictions. Supporters of the current system said the certification and commercial designation help educate building officials and allow qualified designers to work safely, while opponents argued licensure would provide clearer accountability and reduce confusion. The speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster turnaround times, and new continuing education audits and advertising rules. The board supported creating a licensed audiology assistant category to improve access to care, and public commenters generally backed the board while urging continued modernization. The occupational therapy board described steady growth, improved enforcement and licensing performance, and requested additional fee authority to address rising costs; the main public comment supported the sunset extension and a reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The naturopathic medicine board emphasized consumer protection, enforcement against unlicensed practice, and the need to clarify statutes; it said most licensed naturopathic doctors practice in underserved areas and welcomed legislative collaboration on scope and enforcement issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then lastly, it is just that the legislature does not provide consistent updates to funding when
• So we just really want to protect that investment that the legislature makes to ensure that is there.
• So we just really want to protect that investment that the legislature makes to ensure that is there.
• Believing that these matters should no longer be discussed in classrooms, the legislature passed House
• Believing that these matters should no longer be discussed in classrooms, the legislature passed House

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Madden mentioned, you know, there's been a lot of stuff that the legislature has done to the program
• And for some reason, you know, folks in the legislature have not prioritized the needs of renters.
• Um, and you know, I'd venture it's because most of the people in the legislature have been homeowners
• first put income limits on legislature first put income limits on the<00:15:19.120><c> property</c><
• </c><00:15:30.079><c> has</c> a lot of stuff that the legislature has a lot of stuff that the legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• So the legislature did the next bianium.
• </c><00:17:15.039><c> And</c><00:17:15.199><c> now</c> the legislature to consider.
• And now the legislature to consider.
• Just head to our Minnesota State Legislature website. That's leg.mn.gov.
• Just head to our Minnesota State Legislature<00:18:10.640><c> website.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><00:02:26.080><c> house</c> You will see that on line 1.17 there is funding for the legislature
• Um, general contingent accounts are on line 10.19. legislature.
• On line 2.21 there is the legislature.
• </c><00:16:23.839><c> for</c> already granted to the legislature for already granted to the legislature
• , particularly the House, the legislature, particularly the House, finds<00:19:15.600><c> itself</c><

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• but within the legislature.
• And by this point, everyone in this room at this committee and the legislature should understand what
• but within the legislature.
• They don't know how to come to the legislature. They don't know how to submit testimony.
• </c> to present it at the next legislature. to present it at the next legislature.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard three resolutions focused on condominium management, insurance, and landlord-tenant issues. For HCR 24/HR 23, which sought a follow-up Sunrise review of condominium association managers, Hawaii Realtors and the Real Estate Commission supported the measure, while several condo owners and advocates described alleged embezzlement, misconduct, and lack of accountability in association management. The Real Estate Commission suggested using a more current bill, HB 1312, as the basis for the review. In decision-making, the committee adopted an HD1 to direct the auditor to conduct a Sunrise analysis on HB 1312 instead of the older cited bills, and the measure passed with amendments by unanimous votes, with one member excused. For HCR 85/HR 79, which asked the Insurance Commissioner to study alternative insurance models for condominium associations and unit owners, the acting insurance commissioner said the division supported the concept but warned the study could be costly and time-sensitive, estimating roughly $1.5 million based on the breadth of the requested work. A committee member and the commissioner discussed whether the scope could be narrowed, and the commissioner said a narrower study could reduce costs. The committee ultimately deferred the measure for possible revision and future discussion. For HCR 158/HR 153, which proposed an Attorney General-led working group to improve landlord-tenant code provisions, the Attorney General’s office said another agency with housing expertise would be better suited to convene the group and suggested LRB for legal research support. Hawaii Realtors supported the idea but said the chairing agency could be changed, while Maui Tenants and Workers Association urged stronger tenant representation and warned against framing the effort in a way that favors investors over tenants. A mediator also noted procedural gaps in court filing requirements for tenants and landlords. In decision-making, the committee adopted an HD1 to shift the convening role from the Attorney General to the judiciary, narrow the scope, and make technical changes; the amended resolution passed unanimously, with one member excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of Gadsden, I am qualified to serve in the legislature because I'm a mother.
• In the legislature, I was on House Judiciary for 10 years. I loved it. It was fantastic.
• with trying to infer what the intent of the legislature might have been.
• I don't know if the legislature realizes.
• We did a couple of reports on fines and fees, which was a big issue for the legislature.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• You have led the legislature in trying to ensure that we as a state are doing everything we can to ensure
• Moreover, I firmly believe that we as a legislature need to be in a much better relationship with our
• I believe that we as a legislature I believe that we, as a legislature, are not adequately, I say as
• But I think for the legislature, we have to be proactive in bringing people in and asking those very
• That Chair Irwin described with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, it would have to go to the legislature.
• Once again, it would have to go to the legislature.
• The National Conference of State Legislatures has quite a bit of guidance.
• We, as the legislature, what do we do with that information?
• Since there is such limited time, we have a citizen legislature.

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, it would have to go to the legislature.
• So what the NCSL Legislature Security Fund is, it’s a newly created fund, and it’s to help state legislatures
• The National Conference of State Legislatures has quite a bit of guidance.
• We, as the legislature, what do we do with that information?
• Since there is such limited time, we have a citizen legislature.

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Summary: The committee met to organize upcoming legislative session arrangements and staffing, and to review several rule and security-related items. It first approved a Joint Rule 211 change, recommended by the Employee Benefits Committee, that clarifies the deadline and statutory references for introducing health insurance mandate bills so required cost-benefit materials can be completed in time. Members noted the change would streamline the process, though it would not solve all timing and mandate-determination issues. The committee then discussed a draft bill on confidentiality protections for certain public officials and candidates, but members raised concerns about the statute’s complexity, the practical difficulty of administering it, and whether it would meaningfully improve safety; no action was taken and the topic was set aside for further discussion. The committee received an update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is in process to apply for grant funding that could reimburse up to about $200 per legislator for personal security-related expenses such as home cameras, locks, lighting, or monitoring services, with reimbursement handled through Legislative Council and subject to Emergency Commission approval. Members asked about eligible expenses, timing, and whether new legislators would be included, and staff said the program would likely cover current legislators only for this round. The committee also approved the 2027 joint session schedule for the State of the State, tribal-state message, and State of the Judiciary on January 5, with the tribal and judiciary addresses in the morning and the governor’s address later in the day. The committee next approved the statutory reporting schedule for the Commerce Commissioner and agricultural commodity groups, setting the Commerce report for January 13, 2027, and the agriculture reports and pesticide container disposal update for January 14, 2027. Members questioned the usefulness of some of these recurring reports, but agreed to follow the existing statutory requirements. The largest discussion centered on Legislative Council staffing for the 2027 session: the committee approved reducing session staff to 36 Senate and 41 House employees, eliminating procedural clerk positions in standing committees in favor of permanent policy analysts, while retaining quality assurance clerks and adding a House parking lot attendant. It also approved a 3% salary increase for those staff positions, matching the increase given to state employees. Finally, the committee reviewed a revised organizational session and new legislator training agenda. Staff proposed moving some orientation content into a separate pre-session training day for new legislators on November 30, including laptop setup, mock committee and floor sessions, parliamentary procedure, and HR/benefits training, while adding more security and budgeting instruction. Members strongly supported earlier and more practical training, including follow-up reinforcement during the first week of session, and suggested using experienced or term-limited former legislators as mentors. Staff also described efforts to expand training materials into podcasts, flowcharts, and other formats, and Legislative Council leadership outlined the office’s remaining vacancies and a proposed expansion of policy analysts, program evaluators, legal staff, and training support to better serve the legislature and improve oversight of state programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, it would have... ...to go to the legislature.
• So what the NCSL Legislature Security Fund is, it's a newly created fund, and it's to help state legislatures
• The National Conference of State Legislatures has quite a bit of guidance.
• We, as the legislature, what do we do with that information?
• Since there is such limited time, we have a citizen legislature.

Summary: The Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The committee first considered and adopted a Joint Rule 211 change clarifying the deadline and statutory references for bill drafts involving health insurance mandates, after discussion that the process is still somewhat cumbersome but improved by the clarification. The committee then reviewed a revised draft addressing confidentiality protections for certain legislators and candidates, but members expressed concerns about the breadth, enforceability, and transparency implications of the proposal, and the committee chose not to advance it at this time. The committee received an informational update on the new NCSL Legislator Security Fund. Staff explained that North Dakota is applying for the grant, which could provide about $200 per legislator for home security or related safety expenses, subject to Emergency Commission approval and reimbursement procedures. Members asked about eligible expenses, administrative burden, and whether new legislators would be covered; staff said guidance would be provided if funding is approved. The committee also approved the 2027 timing for the State of the Judiciary, tribal-state relationship message, and State of the State address on January 5, and set the Commerce Department and agricultural commodity reports for January 13 and 14, respectively, as required by statute. A major portion of the meeting focused on legislative staffing and organizational planning. The committee approved a recommendation for 36 Senate staff positions and 41 House staff positions, along with a 3% compensation increase for session staff. Discussion centered on replacing some procedural clerk duties with permanent policy analyst staff, retaining quality assurance roles for now, and adding or repurposing positions in IT, program evaluation, legal, and administration. Members also discussed expanding program evaluation capacity and the need for clearer oversight of new programs, with staff noting upcoming training and model-sharing with other states. Finally, the committee reviewed a proposed new legislator orientation day on November 30 and broader organizational session training changes, including mock committee and floor sessions, security training, and more robust budget/appropriations instruction, but took no final action on the agenda items and adjourned after completing the budget-related recommendations.