By Katie Paul and Echo Wang

CS/HB 641, presented as protecting conscience and free speech by prohibiting public employers from requiring pronouns that conflict with beliefs, passed the subcommittee after hours of questioning and a large public-comment record. Supporters say it protects conscience; opponents say it permits harassment. The committee reported favorably as amended.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights voted to issue subpoenas to the Departments of Justice, Education and Health and Human Services after members said those agencies failed to comply with discovery requests tied to the commission's antisemitism investigation; the meeting lost quorum and was adjourned to reconvene for a public hearing at noon.

Council emphasizes need for improved crowd management policies and regulation of police use of force.

California education officials report federal funding cuts and staff reductions impacting state communication.

At a House Judiciary Committee briefing, Julio Thompson of the attorney general's civil rights unit said a recent Ninth Circuit ruling raises federalism and preemption questions that make defending S.208 — which limits masking and sets officer identification requirements — legally risky; members discussed pursuing a model policy through the Criminal Justice Council instead.

Washington County nears full funding while facing allocation issues and ongoing legal matters.

The House Health and Human Services Committee voted 10‑3 to recommend HB 174, which would make the 2023 moratorium on most transgender medical treatments for minors permanent and set a deadline for ongoing treatments; testimony divided sharply between detransitioners and clinicians who said care is life‑saving.