Transcript Highlights:

• New Hampshire never had an issue retaining police officers.
• </c> Hampshire never had an issue retaining Hampshire never had an issue retaining police<00:28:13.799
• </c> been beneficial to recruit and retain been beneficial to recruit and retain nurses<01:14:42.320>
• </c> outside the confines of his four walls outside the confines of his four walls of<01:28:03.719><c
• ><c> retain</c><03:57:51.479><c> rather</c><03:57:52.239><c> um</c> to recruit and retain rather um to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is to kind of keep Wall Street out of the lien world.
• We are going to pass retain on file items 56 and 57.
• We will pass and retain file items 59 and 60, and that brings us to file item 61.
• All remaining items will be passed and retained. All motions shall be continued.
• All remaining items will be passed and retained. All motions shall be continued.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Could be solar panels on a roof, could be batteries on a wall, could be leased, could be owned.
• Could be solar panels on a roof, could be batteries on a wall, could be leased, could be owned.
• Retaining the ability to provide these resources, and co-ops are owned by the ratepayers, right?
• retaining the ability to provide these resources and co-ops are owned by the ratepayers, right?
• It serves to retain public school employees and allows them to communicate their needs and the needs

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, as substituted, on distributed energy resources (DERs). Johnson said the bill was intended to create a regulatory framework for DERs and virtual power plants, address interconnection and registration issues, and prevent regulatory capture as the industry grows. Testimony was split: Texas Electric Cooperatives asked for clarification so co-ops would not be unintentionally excluded from owning or operating DERs; AECT supported the bill as providing needed rules and customer protections; TABA, Texas Solar and Storage Association, Sierra Club, Texas Solar Energy Society, and several others opposed it or raised concerns that it was too utility-centric, imposed red tape, and could burden homeowners and small businesses with registration and interconnection requirements. Johnson repeatedly said the bill was not meant to stop rooftop solar or backup systems and that he was open to specific redlines and further changes. SB 2021 was left pending after testimony. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, which would end government payroll deduction for dues to certain public employee organizations, while exempting first responders under Chapters 143 and 147 and making other conforming changes in a committee substitute. Parker argued the bill was about government neutrality, transparency, and employee freedom from coercion, and said organizations can collect dues directly using modern payment methods. Supporters from Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation, ABC Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said taxpayer-funded payroll systems should not be used to collect dues for private organizations, especially ones involved in political activity. Opponents, including ATPE, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Public Employees Association, and correctional employees, said payroll deduction is a convenient, secure service that helps professional associations and employee groups, and argued the bill would burden teachers and other public employees. Several witnesses and senators focused on the bill’s exemptions and whether it treated teachers differently from first responders. Senator Menendez questioned why some public employees were excluded while others were not, and a Houston police union representative said he moved from opposing to supporting the bill after being told the substitute would preserve meet-and-confer deductions under Chapters 143 and 147. Senator Parker closed by saying the bill was not meant to eliminate associations or payroll deduction entirely, only to remove the state as a middleman. SB 2330 was left pending, and the committee then recessed subject to call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Divisions and currently serves on the California Veterans Board and the San Diego LGBT Center's Veterans Wall
• We're going to pass or retain on file items 26, 27.
• We're going to pass or retain on file item 32.
• We're going to pass and retain. That brings us to the consent calendar.
• All other remaining items will be passed and retained. All motions will be continued.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:41:16.719><c> in</c> the Bowman County Veterans Wall in the Bowman County Veterans Wall in Bowman
• 15.280><c> and</c> helps banks attract, retain, and helps banks attract, retain, and diversify<04:55:
• </c> 16th anniversary of the DoddFrank Wall 16th anniversary of the DoddFrank Wall Street<04:58:19.760
• </c> Wall Street wins, Main Street loses act. Wall Street wins, Main Street loses act.
• ><c> record</c><05:35:59.200><c> profits</c> Wall Street is making record profits Wall Street is making

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We retained a licensed home inspector to conduct a structural and mechanical inspection of the dwelling
• We retained a licensed home inspector to conduct a structural and mechanical inspection of the dwelling
• walls themselves, the foundation walls, and then typically the floor for the basement or the garage.
• Again, concrete is going to be used in footings, in some instances foundations and concrete walls.
• So we even had experts come in that patched walls and things like that, and they were like, 'Ah, no,

Bills: S3091, H5477

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why we've retained some of this old English tradition.
• With that in mind, I now shift to HB 301, which retains the sovereign immunity of our government entities
• Before that date, we're going to retain the current caps that are in place: $200,000 and $300,000.
• in the gym playing basketball, ran down the court, threw the basketball over his head and hit the wall
• , and sued us because there was a wall there.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0. The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people. Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a big wall that I haven't used, Mr. Chair. We can make another big diagram on the end.
• I've got big wall that I haven't used me. that for me and that'd work all right.
• I've got a big wall that I haven't used, Mr. Chair. We can make another big diagram on the end.
• It's really important for our staff and for our agency and our ability to recruit and retain staff.
• It's really important for our staff and for our agency and our ability to recruit and retain staff.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if you think of a vessel, the walls are dead vertical, right?
• So you've got a round bottom, round top, right, with vertical walls.
• , so the walls are dead vertical,<01:33:15.280><c> right?
• So, it's going to vertical walls.
• So you behind those behind those walls.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill held an informational briefing at the State Capitol focused on updates from the Navy Closure Task Force Red Hill and NAVFAC Hawaii. Members and Navy officials opened by noting the meeting format, providing public links to tank closure supplement 4 and environmental remediation resources, and thanking Admiral Barnett for attending before his transition. The Navy emphasized that the Red Hill closure effort and the PFAS/PAS environmental remediation effort are separate but coordinated, and that both are long-term undertakings. For the closure effort, Navy officials reported progress on tank cleaning, ventilation, sludge removal, groundwater monitoring, and preparation for pipeline removal. They said supplement 4 to the tank closure plan was submitted in May and outlines the overall closure strategy, post-closure monitoring, and the decision to proceed with closure rather than wait for beneficial reuse decisions. They described completed ventilation of tanks 3 through 8, the start of tank 2 ventilation, removal of 283 gallons of sludge from the first six tanks, and plans to begin pipeline pigging and removal later this year. Officials also said all sludge samples tested so far were non-hazardous and that air monitoring has not shown elevated volatile organic readings during operations. NAVFAC Hawaii then outlined the PFAS/PAS remedial investigation under CERCLA, explaining the cleanup process, the nature of PFAS, and the role of aqueous film-forming foam as a source. The presentation said the Navy began investigating PFAS releases in 2014-2015, that the 2021 Red Hill fuel release led directly into remedial investigation work, and that current activities include quarterly groundwater sampling at 42 monitoring wells, installation of new shallow and deep wells, soil sampling where exceedances were found, fate-and-transport modeling, and human health risk assessments. Officials said data are publicly available on the Red Hill environmental website and that the next restoration advisory board meeting is scheduled for August 27. The Navy also gave a water resiliency update, saying it is upgrading the joint base drinking water system with pump, tank, and cybersecurity improvements and is installing treatment systems for the inactive Navy Aiea and Red Hill shafts ahead of EPA drinking water standards taking effect in 2029. No votes or formal committee actions were taken, as the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will make a motion to retain Senate Bill 63."
• It's a straightforward<00:03:47.920><c> retain.
• 06:27.919><c> Bill</c> passes to retain Senate Bill passes to retain Senate Bill 63.<00:06:29.919><c>
• :54.320><c> retain.
• So has no retain. So there's no retain. So has no retain.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee first took up Senate Bill 63, which Representative Maguire described as a straightforward bill setting funding for the Division of Travel and Tourism. He said it was not controversial. The committee voted to retain the bill by roll call, with one no vote and one member absent, and the motion passed 23-1-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 74, dealing with annual reporting requirements for state departments that issue permits. Representative Maguire explained Amendment 2282 would shorten the reporting burden by requiring summary data on delayed permits rather than listing every permit, and would delay the first report until 2027 so agencies would not have to reconstruct old data. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was then approved as amended by a 24-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 241 on construction of a public pier at Hampton Beach. Representative Sweeney moved inexpedient to legislate, saying the project was ambitious and lacked public support. The motion passed unanimously 25-0, sending the bill to consent. Division Two then took up Senate Bill 145, a replace-all amendment to the education freedom account bill. Supporters said the amendment clarified the bill, kept the policy intact, removed a reimbursement program and an open-ended appropriation, and established a cap of 10,000 students with priority for current students and certain other groups. Opponents argued the measure was still a major expansion, would increase spending after crossover, and that the cap was not meaningful. After discussion, Amendment 2301H was adopted and the bill was approved as amended by a 25-0 vote, with members noting it could go on consent because no money remained in it.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> housing is essential for retaining housing is essential for retaining service<00:28:10.200><c> link
• There are detached ADUs, which very simply do not share a wall with the main home.
• Who will move that we retain... Motion: Who will move that we retain House Bill 65?
• </c><01:18:31.679><c> this</c> that would make sense to retain this that would make sense to retain this
• </c> Street and Vanguard where these Wall Street and Vanguard where these Wall Street<04:55:27.360><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:43.280><c> um</c><00:17:44.120><c> vice</c><00:17:44.480><c> president</c><00:17:45.240><c> walls
• </c><00:17:46.240><c> candid</c><00:17:46.679><c> as</c> uh two um vice president walls candid as uh
• two um vice president walls candid as a<00:17:47.000><c> candidate</c><00:17:47.600><c> visited</c><00
• </c><00:46:53.119><c> that</c> and this bill sort of retains that and this bill sort of retains that
• to the house I think um I think the wall to the house I think um I think the<01:00:25.000><c> law</c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> order to be sure that we are retaining order to be sure that we are retaining um um um skilled<00
• This is important as it relates to tribes and what's known as the Medicaid four walls policy.
• </c> outside of the four walls of a clinic. outside of the four walls of a clinic.
• Um, and this final the four wall clinic.
• This language retains the requirements for our SUD providers to certify their ASAM levels of care in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• keep handing things to the AG and really diffusing, well, adding lots of different things, there are walls
• keep handing things to the AG and really diffusing, well, adding lots of different things, there are walls
• There are walls within the AG's office, you know, between consumer and criminal.
• Is that why they have requested to be included to retain outside legal counsel?

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 419, as amended to update the effective date to 2026. The bill would allow the State Treasurer and the Department of Wildlife Conservation/Wildlife Conservation Commission to employ or appoint attorneys, joining other entities already authorized to do so. Supporters argued the treasurer’s office handles highly specialized financial matters and large state assets, and that in-house counsel could provide faster, more specialized advice. Members questioned possible conflicts with the Attorney General’s role, the fiscal impact, and why Wildlife was included; the sponsor said Wildlife’s inclusion was tied to similar specialized needs and indicated willingness to remove it if needed. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 835, also amended to update the effective date to 2026. This measure would require qualifying licensing boards and commissions to submit proposed non-rulemaking actions with anti-competitive implications for review, shifting oversight from the Attorney General to the Secretary of State. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address antitrust concerns raised by the North Carolina dental board case and to provide earlier executive-branch review of potentially anti-competitive board actions. Members raised concerns about whether the Secretary of State should be the arbiter of anti-competitive conduct and whether existing court remedies or current executive-order processes were sufficient. The bill passed on an 8-2 due pass vote. Senate Bill 1618 would require courts to conduct pretrial risk assessments early in criminal cases. The sponsor said the assessments would be one tool judges could use in setting bond and determining release conditions, and that the bill was intended to make the practice available statewide rather than only in some counties. Questions focused on who would validate the assessments, whether counties already could do this, whether it would delay release in smaller counties, and whether it would add costs; the sponsor said counties could tailor the process, that it was already being done in some places, and that the fiscal impact would be minimal. The committee voted 6-4 to report the bill due pass. Finally, the chair presented Senate Bill 262, which had been amended and had its title and enacting clause struck as part of ongoing work. The bill was described as an effort to reduce county jail overcrowding by allowing certain inmates awaiting transfer to the Department of Corrections to be handled differently, with further amendments expected. Members discussed concerns about fairness and the use of factors such as community ties in release decisions, and the sponsor said the measure was still being refined and was intended to solve a practical jail-capacity problem. The committee voted 8-1 to pass the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND STAYED I LOVE THE AGENCY THROUGH THE CRISIS AND THEN I HAD TO REMOVE THE SHERIFF AND STAYED ON WALL
• RECOMMENDED THAT WE INSTALL ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNITS AND ESTABLISHED PRISONS THAT ARE ABLE TO HIRE AND RETAIN
• WE WILL HAVE TILT WALLS TO BUILD THESE DORMITORIES AND THIS WILL BEGIN IN FEBRUARY OF 2026.
• THEY ARE ALSO SHARED WITH THE CLERK OF COURTS AND RETAIN SOME FILING FEE AND THEN SOME GO INTO OTHER

Transcript Highlights:

• To funnel that money from one bucket into the next bucket to retain and recruit our people.
• Or do you set up a wall that says the large department...
• Or do you set up a wall that says the large department?
• I think you'd have to set that wall.
• But I think you'd probably have to set a wall somewhere.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, we would retain the existing ownership caps.
• While improving safety, importantly, we would retain the existing ownership caps, and the crews have
• And I didn't know them from a hole in the wall. I trust their data. Thank you.
• I didn't know them from a hole in the wall. I trust their data a hundred times over.
• I said to Audra, scrape the walls on the floor and the ceiling to try to find anyone. ...scrape the walls

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Massachusetts sea scallop fishery, especially the economic importance of the industry, federal scallop management, and two policy questions: reopening the Northern Edge area on Georges Bank and allowing permit stacking/permit consolidation. Chairing senators emphasized their interest in hearing both sides, their frustration with federal bureaucracy, and their view that the issue should be guided by science while protecting the long-term resource and local communities. Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council and Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the Magnuson-Stevens framework, annual catch limits, rotational area management, and the role of industry-funded surveys and the research set-aside program. They said scallops remain the most lucrative council-managed commercial fishery on the East Coast, but recent changes include more small scallops, lower biomass in some areas, higher natural mortality, and shifting abundance toward Georges Bank. On the Northern Edge, they explained that the council previously considered opening the area through a framework/joint action with habitat management, but discontinued the action in 2024 because of conflicting objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and other species. They said the issue could be revisited through future council priority-setting. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund argued that the fishery needs modernization to remain economically viable. They supported reopening the Northern Edge and strongly backed permit stacking, saying it would allow two permits on one vessel while keeping ownership caps in place, reducing costs, improving safety, and helping family-owned fleets avoid financial distress and outside investment. Port of New Bedford representative John Regan stressed the port’s central role in the state economy, the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure, and the importance of any permit changes preserving local ownership and participation. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members asked that the witnesses keep the committee informed as the council and federal agencies consider next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that means they're diagnosed with something, um, that puts up a big wall because that follows them
• that puts up diagnosed with something um that puts up a<00:19:07.159><c> big</c><00:19:07.360><c> wall
• ><c> that</c><00:19:08.280><c> follows</c><00:19:08.880><c> them</c><00:19:09.760><c> um</c> a big wall
• because that follows them um a big wall because that follows them um into<00:19:10.280><c> their</c>
• And then we've also retained a new accounting firm that specializes in nonprofit accounting so that we

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• financing sources, from employers to federal, state, county governments, but even after going up to Wall
• But even after going up to Wall Street, I ran up many times with a tin cup banging around the streets
• of quality, attainable housing is a significant asset for major employers looking to recruit and retain
• their ...be crafted to help them attract and retain the educators we so desperately need for Florida's
• Wall Street, Fannie, Freddie, are looking at it and saying, what's Florida doing on bringing other sources

Summary: The committee met to hear a panel on workforce and attainable housing, with presentations from Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Wendover Housing Partners, the City of Tallahassee, and Escambia County. Speakers described how state and local tools such as SHIP, the Live Local Act, land trusts, accessory dwelling units, infill development, and public-private partnerships are being used to expand housing supply and preserve long-term affordability. Several panelists emphasized that housing demand is rising across income levels, that workforce households often need subsidy to buy or rent, and that housing location, transportation access, and proximity to jobs and services are critical. They also highlighted challenges including rising construction costs, limited land, insurance, NIMBY opposition, and the need for more flexible financing tools and employer participation. Members asked about area median income thresholds, whether current programs are reaching the households most in need, and what additional tools might help. Florida Housing said its traditional rental programs generally serve households at or below 60% AMI, while need is increasingly reaching up to 80% AMI statewide and higher in some regions; staff also provided examples of AMI levels by county. Other discussion focused on the impact of local government opt-outs, tax abatements, corporate ownership of single-family homes, insurance costs, Fortified construction standards, and whether bonuses or other income calculations can unintentionally disqualify applicants. Panelists urged more political will, more local flexibility, and additional incentives for employers and landowners to support housing near jobs. The committee also used an anonymous interactive polling exercise, and members identified partnerships, SHIP funding, local government action, cost, and insurance as key issues. In closing, the chair said the committee would continue a member-driven process and likely hold a workshop on housing-related topics. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the meeting, and the session adjourned after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Concurrent file items one and two will be passed and retained.
• They worked hard, and my mother always—well, that's how I read the Wall Street Journal every day.
• I grew up reading the Wall Street Journal to see what the stock market is doing.
• We're going to pass and retain on file item number nine.
• We will pass and retain on the Third Reading File for all Senate bills.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then dispensed with the previous day’s journal and several procedural matters, including leave requests and re-referrals to the Budget Committee. The chamber then observed Black History Month, taking up Assembly Concurrent Resolution 134, which recognized the centennial anniversary of Black History Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in strong support, emphasizing Black history as central to American history, the legacy of slavery and segregation, ongoing inequities in education, housing, health, and incarceration, and the importance of allyship and continued action. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added. The Assembly next held a formal Black History Month observance and honored 2026 Unsung Heroes, introducing community leaders, advocates, medical professionals, public servants, and a volunteer firefighter. Members also welcomed several guests and student groups to the chamber. After returning to the daily file, the Assembly considered Assembly Concurrent Resolution 132, designating February 28 as Rare Disease Day. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support, with members sharing personal stories about ALS and other rare diseases, insurance denials, delayed diagnoses, research funding, and the need for better treatment access and scientific investment. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 71 coauthors were added. The chamber also received guest introductions recognizing students, parents, family members, and representatives of the Seismic Safety Commission, which is marking 50 years of work. The session concluded with adjournments in memory for Peyton Trilling, a 17-year-old student and public service intern remembered for her advocacy and courage during a long battle with rare cancer, and John Jackson, a Boyle Heights community organizer remembered for his lifelong commitment to justice, dignity, and service. The Assembly then adjourned until Thursday, February 26 at 9 a.m.