Transcript Highlights:

• departments and police departments across the state of Arizona.
• Department of Health and Human Services against your department. Yes, absolutely.
• Yet your department did it.
• And we're working closely with the Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
• We're working closely with the Department of Forestry and Fire Management to staff that committee.

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our bill includes moving oversight of most of the Department of Health from the Department of Health
• of Health and the Department of Commerce.
• And if you're not familiar, Minnesota has a standard fire policy, and that The standard fire policy sets
• Again, Peter Equity from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
• Again, Peter Equity from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Bills: HF4881 , HF4867 , HF4422 , HF4223

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This route is heavily utilized by five fire departments and fire districts, further emphasizing the urgent
• This project, and I can talk from a retired firefighter in Show Low, I spent 23 years on the fire department
• There's a few letters in there from our fire department, our county, and the hospital about how important
• But if we had a fire that started so much...
• This year, we get into fire season.

Bills: SB1272

Committees: House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Keywords: appropriation, Douglas port of entry, state funding, infrastructure, federal support

Transcript Highlights:

• We have concerns for fire mitigation.
• </c> we we have concerns for fire we we have concerns for fire mitigation<00:07:38.120><c> um</c><00:
• Our fire and police departments have completed after-action reports.
• </c><00:40:38.839><c> department</c><00:40:39.240><c> for</c><00:40:39.400><c> that</c> EMS and our fire
• department for that EMS and our fire department for that matter<00:40:39.839><c> when</c><00:40:40.400

Transcript Highlights:

• The penalties were not enough for them to, to charge for the second fire.
• So you end up with things like you're not going to have fire risk reduction.
• Our department works closely with the Department of Ecology on Safer Products for Washington and other
• I believe allowing the Department of Ecology and the Department of Health to work with the Safer Products
• I really do enjoy the Weights and Measures Department of the Washington State Department of Agriculture

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2020 fire season alone shattered previous records, with five of the state's six largest fires in
• But now any notion that there is not a fire season is gone; fire season is going to be year-round in
• There is no fire season in California. Fires are year-round.
• Way of these fires.
• AB 619 directs Cal Fire and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to assess the VTC to identify

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures receiving broad support and due-pass recommendations. AB 80 on carpet recycling would require CalRecycle to implement prior reforms, expand collection sites, and improve reporting and backstamping; it drew support from the author, carpet industry representatives, labor, environmental groups, and no opposition. AB 452 would create a voluntary process for local governments to designate state surf reserves as part of 30 by 30 conservation goals; supporters included Save the Waves Coalition, tourism and environmental groups, and several members praised the bill, while the League of California Cities sought clarifying amendments. AB 823 would ban sale of certain personal care and cleaning products containing intentionally added plastic microbeads, but it generated significant debate over scope and ambiguity, with environmental groups supporting stronger restrictions and industry groups warning the bill could unintentionally affect sunscreens, cosmetics, fragrance encapsulation, and other products; the committee ultimately passed it 13-2 to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials as amended. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which creates a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic waste requirements for crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills; agricultural groups and rural county representatives supported it, and it passed with no opposition. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” would require Cal Fire to maintain year-round staffing; the author and Cal Fire labor representatives argued wildfire conditions are now year-round and staffing gaps are unsafe, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 571 would provide a targeted CEQA exemption and urgency clause for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon; veterans, county officials, and supporters emphasized the long delay and need for a dignified burial site, and it passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize the Board of Forestry to adopt emergency regulations and streamline future rulemaking for ember-resistant standards after recent Los Angeles County fires; it passed without opposition. AB 687, which would allow public agencies to use forest practice rules and timber harvest plans for certain fuel reduction projects, drew concerns from environmental groups about CEQA confusion and agency review, and while the author said it was not a CEQA exemption, the bill moved forward with some opposition and ongoing discussion. AB 652 would allow alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to avoid quorum problems and passed with support from the City of San Diego. AB 317, the California First-Time Home Owner Dream Act, would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer property taxes to encourage affordable housing; it passed with support but also prompted concerns about guardrails against misuse in larger subdivisions. The committee also heard AB 900, which would require the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for current and future 30 by 30 lands; supporters from land trusts and conservation groups said stewardship funding and management are essential to make conservation durable, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 738 would let certain wildfire-disaster survivors rebuild under the solar standards in place when their homes were originally built, rather than newer requirements; the author and county representatives framed it as limited relief for underinsured homeowners, and the committee began discussion with questions about what other rebuilding requirements might be affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this particular case, I don't think that there's been a huge issue with the fire district.
• The fire district hasn't prepared for growth.
• I moved to Washington after a house fire in 2016 to be up here with my family.
• We're trying to figure out what adequate is, the presence and response time of professional fire departments
• Well, what's a professional fire department? Is that staffed or is that volunteer?

Summary: The committee heard first from Ferndale city officials and a representative of FutureWise on annexation planning. Ferndale described its “annexation blueprint” or phased annexation plan as a way to tie urban growth area planning, capital facilities, and eventual annexation together earlier in the process. Speakers argued that counties often allow incremental development in urban growth areas without city-level standards, impact fees, or coordinated infrastructure planning, which can leave cities and taxpayers with higher future costs and make annexation less likely. Members raised questions about fire districts, county revenue loss, and whether annexation incentives or interlocal revenue-sharing agreements could help. FutureWise supported requiring annexation phasing in countywide planning policies, using pre-annexation agreements, and applying city standards in urban growth areas to make annexation more predictable and less contentious. The committee then received a primer and update from the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Staff explained the council’s composition, standing committees, technical advisory groups, and rulemaking process, including normal, expedited, and emergency rulemaking. They described the ongoing 2024 code cycle and the separate work underway on Senate Bill 5491 and related legislation concerning single-stair residential buildings and multiplex housing. Members discussed how the legislature can better direct the SBCC, the difference between prescriptive and performance-based code approaches, and the importance of involving technical experts early. The SBCC also addressed concerns about the wildfire urban interface code, noting that problems arose when code language and maps were developed on different timelines and applied to urban areas in ways that were not anticipated. Several members asked about regional differences, especially energy code impacts in eastern Washington and the role of natural gas. SBCC representatives said the council can use climate zones and appendices for some regional variation, but statewide statutory targets still constrain the energy code. They emphasized that the council is largely reactive to legislative direction and public proposals, and that clearer legislative intent would help avoid ambiguity in future code development. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think about stores where, like, the fragrance department has a counter, but the other departments don't
• And she's fired. How does it? How does that happen? Right. Why would the employer fire her?
• So the employee was fired by...
• They can't be fired.
• And they're fired for being trans... ...they're fired for being trans, but this bill doesn't even address

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee met on April 9 and first took up Senate Bill 162, which would change the workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule appeal process. The bill, presented as a collaboration between the Attorney General’s office and trial lawyers, would require additional medical evidence submitted on appeal to be sent back to the medical director for review before court review continues. Members discussed the 30-day turnaround for the medical director and whether the process would delay injured workers’ cases. After testimony from injured workers’ representatives and support cards from several business and labor groups, the committee adopted the technical amendments and reported SB 162 favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 353, which would establish a state minimum wage beginning at $12 per hour in 2027, rising to $15 in 2029 and then indexed to inflation. Supporters, including the sponsor, Invest in Louisiana, the Workplace Justice Project, 10,000 Women Louisiana, the AFL-CIO, and a young witness from People’s Promise, argued that Louisiana’s wages have lagged behind costs of living, that many workers remain in poverty, and that the bill would help families, reduce reliance on public benefits, and improve economic stability. Opponents, including NFIB and small-business advocates, argued that the market should set wages, that the bill would raise labor costs, compress pay scales, reduce hours or hiring, and potentially increase prices. After extended debate, the committee voted and HB 353 failed. The committee next considered Senate Bill 383 on the incumbent worker training program. Senator Bass and Louisiana Works officials said the bill would expand and make the existing program more flexible, increase available funding, shorten the business eligibility period from three years to two, and allow unused funds to roll over. Members focused on how the program would reach workers, how businesses and employees would learn about training opportunities, and how it would support workforce development in growing regions. Support came from business and economic development groups, and the committee reported SB 383 favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 382, which would repeal the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, described as the Senate version of a bill the committee had already considered. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the prior vote on the similar House version, and no final action on SB 382 is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Steve Kyle, fire chief for Paducah Fire Department.
• for Paduka Fire &gt;&gt; Steve Kyle, fire chief for Paduka Fire Department.
• fire marshal, a fire chief, a fire marshal employed by a local government or a local appeals board.
• , a fire marshal employed by a fire chief, a fire marshal employed by a local<00:02:05.920><c> government
• </c> fire protection. fire protection.

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, I want to thank the Department of Finance and our State Departments for using their
• Department of Finance.
• Okay okay we're ready when you are David Evans Department of Fire The May revision includes trailer bill
• from Department of Finance couldn't answer the question about Cal Fire sure okay all right So, yeah,
• for Cal Fire yes good afternoon Mike McGinnis with the Department of Finance the reason that this proposal

Transcript Highlights:

• department will have the ability to inspect the site and the fire chief will get to determine whether
• This is more for the display, and it gives the fire department the option of when to arrive.
• This is more for the display, and it gives the fire department the option of when to arrive and it...
• </c><00:09:24.760><c> department</c> display and it gives the fire department display and it gives the
• > show</c> whether the fire department has to show whether the fire department has to show up<00:10:41.720

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• department.
• So in my fire service, I remember years and years ago, we were moving as a fire service across the nation
• , moving to the International Fire Code to determine what fire regulations we have and what we follow
• I'm Tim Bean, and I am your state fire marshal that oversees the division of fire safety, and we're here
• to be in, or is it the fire field?

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Camp Fire, the Camp Fire Collaborative was formed in affiliation with the North Valley Community
• I'm the director of the Camp Fire Collaborative, which is the Long-Term Recovery Group after that fire
• The Camp Fire Collaborative was born after the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire
• We see ourselves as a wagon wheel at the Camp Fire Collaborative.
• The Caldor Fire. It was a massive disaster, destroyed a whole town. The Caldor Fire.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you to the staff of the Department of Finance and all the other departments that have come before
• Justin Hurst, Department of Finance.
• Elena Powell, Department of Finance.
• departments across the state.
• Department of Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving down to fire marshal.
• Moving down to fire marshal.
• Moving down to fire marshal.
• Moving down to fire marshal.
• state fire code repealed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an analyst with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
• Department.
• The department receives about $438 million of federal funding, and The department receives about $438
• Or any of those property losses caused by the fires?
• Senator Gonzalez, were any of those property losses caused by the fires, forest fires? Mr.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to this role, I worked at the Department of the Interior for about eight years.
• It's really hard to manage and control a department if you can't hire and fire the boss.
• And in the last year, 18 months, two years, the department has run the HAC committee.
• or hires them. ...of a governor who is the person who fires or hires them.
• Governor Batt wanted to fire her, but only the Park and Recreation Board can fire a director.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We have fires on a regular basis. And between 2017 and 2025, we've had over 130 fires.
• Fires are a huge risk.
• A year ago, the U.K. banned disposables to stop battery fires, yet fires hit a record high after the
• A year ago, the U.K. banned disposables to stop battery fires, yet fires hit a record high after the
• We know fires are a huge threat across California.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, our state is on fire right now.
• Members, our state is on fire right now.
• Members, our state is on fire right now.
• department.
• department and police department that I actually get to know.

Summary: The House took up the special order calendar for a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes, CS/HJR 1F, which would create a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property, and restrict how counties and municipalities may use ad valorem tax revenue. The sponsor, Rep. Overdorf, said the measure would give homeowners tax relief and argued local governments could adjust spending or use other revenue sources. Opponents repeatedly questioned the ballot language, the lack of a fiscal estimate or backfill, and the potential impact on local services, public safety, and debt obligations. The House adopted the special order report and then debated the resolution and a series of amendments. Several amendments were offered to carve out or protect specific services from the tax changes. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to protect Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was supported by members who said those entities fund early learning, mental health, aftercare, and other services for children and working families, but it failed 25-74. Rep. Cross offered an amendment to include water management districts in allowable ad valorem uses, warning of impacts on flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, and water supply; that amendment also failed. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment requiring the Legislature to backfill public safety funding if local revenues fall, arguing police and fire services, staffing, and response times would be at risk; it failed 25-71. The chamber then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other local senior programs, and opponents saying the proposal was outside the bill’s scope. Finally, Rep. Gant offered an amendment to protect veteran services, saying local governments fund housing, mental health, transition, and family support programs for veterans; debate emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and avoiding cuts to those services. The transcript cuts off during debate on that amendment, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• summary from the California Department of the State of California Natural Resources Agency, Department
• It does remain a high priority for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the department is taking
• We've had the 2018 Woolsey Fire and, more recently, the 2025 Palisades Fire.
• Both of these fires were among the top 10 most destructive fires in California.
• And just to frame that, in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, we had one claim as a result of that fire, and we settled

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water