Transcript Highlights:

• To be clear, AB 470 is the legislation about voice telephone services, not broadband internet service
• clarification that this legislation does not seek and does not authorize a carrier obligation on broadband internet
• services or broadband internet service providers.

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements. Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers. Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• dollars in violation of Rule 4, Section 19A, which requires audio and video recordings to be posted on Internet
• 28 by Hall relating to a lottery game played or facilitated for play by telephone or through an internet
• or mobile internet application creating a criminal offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement that certain water districts make audio and video recordings to open meetings available on the Internet
• HB 657 by Busey relating to requirements for counties posting election information on the internet website
• HB 665 by Busey relating to the Secretary of State's posting the Secretary of State's internet website

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• says her bill is narrowly focused on fraud perpetrated against consumers, whether it comes over the internet
• That can come over the internet, it can come in the mail, it can come at your front door, as a matter
• Fraud that is perpetrated on consumers can come over the internet, in the mail, at your front door, or

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, first, the notice of any zoning change would be placed on the top three social media platforms both
• Those top three social media platforms are listed specifically as Facebook, Instagram, and X, which of
• Will it now be required that municipalities subscribe to these three social media platforms?
• </c> three social media platforms? three social media platforms?
• , we need to kind of come media platforms, we need to kind of come into<00:07:20.080><c> the</c><00:07

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are, in large part, deliberately designed to build emotional bonds, maximize time on platform,
• These are, in large part, deliberately designed to build emotional bonds, maximize time on platform,
• they have robust models in place to estimate the age of children or the age of people using this platform
• The other thing I wanted to touch on was how these platforms behave.
• found that 96% of adult respondents believe children need protection from these types of online platforms

Summary: The committee first heard Engrossed Senate Substitute Senate Bill 5984, which would regulate AI companion chatbots. Staff explained that the bill requires disclosures that the chatbot is AI and not human, adds stronger protections when the user is a minor or the chatbot is directed to minors, bars manipulative engagement techniques, requires periodic reminders, and creates protocols for detecting and responding to suicidal ideation or self-harm. Several speakers, including researchers, students, the PTA, the governor’s office, and the Attorney General’s Office, supported the bill and described harms from chatbot sycophancy, emotional dependence, and self-harm risks. Some testifiers urged expanding protections to all users rather than only minors, adding language on harm to others, and clarifying that chatbots should not present themselves as sentient or human; industry representatives said the bill was workable and noted support for removing the exemption for underlying general-purpose AI models, while also discussing concerns about the private right of action and age-verification/data-collection issues. The chair noted that an amendment for narrow educational tools would be worked on. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 6046, which would create a state Civil Air Patrol under the Washington Military Department. Staff said the bill would allow the governor to activate the state Civil Air Patrol for cadet training, communications, disaster relief, cybersecurity, search and rescue, and related missions, while preserving the federal Civil Air Patrol’s existing structure. Military Department and Civil Air Patrol leaders testified in support, saying the bill would streamline coordination, improve emergency response, and expand training opportunities without changing federal authorities or adding costs; one witness said the model was based on Kansas law. Members asked about the fiscal note, which was described as indeterminate by one agency despite testimony that the bill would not create new state costs, and about whether the bill would face concerns in Appropriations. The Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported passage, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• week to share the draft, and as well as our vendor, Real Time Solutions, who is creating an online platform
• Quite simply, it's the basic energy management platform.
• To provide an energy management platform and software services.
• from the field group to the maintenance operations group because we managed the energy management platform
• It talks about the platform and how districts can use it to measure real-time energy management across

Transcript Highlights:

• The leader used Instagram and other social media platforms to advertise and distribute counterfeit pills
• These are not fringe platforms.
• This bill will help us hold them accountable and deter others from exploiting these platforms.
• They just communicate through Snapchat or DMs through social media platforms.
• They would use Instagram or other platforms to advertise those drug sales.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So about 15% of the population in Coös, Sullivan, and Grafton don't have an internet subscription.
• So about 15% of the population in Coös, Sullivan, and Grafton don't have an internet subscription.
• So about 15% of the population in Coös, Sullivan, and Grafton don't have an internet subscription.
• So about 15% of the population in Coös, Sullivan, and Grafton don't have an internet subscription.
• It relates to internet access.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the draft minutes of its May 16, 2025 meeting, with one correction removing Representative Dry from the attendance list because she was present as a guest rather than an appointed member. The committee then received a Department of Health and Human Services update from Commissioner Lori Weaver, who focused on the rural health transformation grant process. She said the department has been gathering stakeholder input since July, issued a request for information on September 22, and is working toward an end-of-October draft and a November 3 deadline, with a grant writer request expected to go before Governor and Council at no cost to the state. The bulk of the meeting centered on federal changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid. Karen Heert explained that the federal law changes commonly referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill” or HR1 will affect SNAP eligibility and state costs, including a shift in administrative cost sharing from 50/50 to 75/25 beginning in October 2026 and a possible state share of benefits if New Hampshire’s error rate is too high. She said the program affects about 43,000 households, that New Hampshire’s federal fiscal year 2024 error rate was 7.57% versus a national rate of 10.93%, and that the state must get below 6% to avoid liability. She also said DHS is preparing remediation steps, auditing cases, and seeking technology and staffing support, including a grant for automation and training. Henry Litman then described Medicaid changes under HB2 and the new federal law. He said New Hampshire returned to pre-pandemic eligibility verification rules on July 1, including a 10% income compatibility standard and reduced ex parte renewals, which has increased manual work and contributed to a drop in enrollment from about 185,000 in late June to about 178,000 in early September. He also reviewed new child premiums, pharmacy copays, Granite Advantage premiums, and possible Medicaid work requirements, noting that DHS is working with CMS on implementation details and may use a state plan option rather than an 1115 waiver because it would be less expensive and faster. Members asked several questions about the SNAP error-rate rules, the distinction between administrative and client errors, the effect of unpaid copays, and the timing and legal risk of the Medicaid work requirement; no votes were taken on those policy issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:29:49.640><c> then</c><04:29:50.080><c> that</c> being sold over the internet then that being
• or over the Internet or by mail<04:34:20.199><c> order</c><04:34:20.760><c> or</c><04:34:20.920><c>
• A lot of people have internet access, like 93% of New Hampshire residents.
• Most of us have internet on our phone.
• </c> Distributors um and via the Internet Distributors um and via the Internet this<04:49:41.080><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original. The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements. The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, would it be better if I turned off my camera for the sake of the internet and for the rest
• Madam Chair, would it be better if I turned off my camera for the sake of the internet and for the rest
• Madam Chair, would it be better if I turned off my camera for the sake of the internet and for the rest
• Madam Chair, would it be better if I turned off my camera for the sake of the internet and for the rest
• </c> camera for the sake of uh the internet camera for the sake of uh the internet and<00:21:00.880><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, I warned you about the Trevor Space, an online platform for youth ages 13 to 24.
• easily accessed unmonitored chat rooms, posing as a minor and observing interactions, moving to platforms
• discussions of performing polyamorous group relationships, and users inviting others into more private platforms
• on a daily basis that need access to employment opportunities, telehealth services, educational platforms
• Tools like digital platforms allow for mobile access in critical times.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of a ticket to own or have a contractual right to sell the ticket before listing it on a resale platform
• of a ticket to own or have a contractual right to sell the ticket before listing it on a resale platform
• It prioritizes transparency by requiring both resellers and secondary resale platforms to disclose seat
• Additionally, secondary platforms need to maintain records of ticket sales, deposits, and refunds for
• AB 1349 also bans websites that mimic official event platforms or use terms like “sold out” when there

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met on April 8, 2025, and heard three bills. AB 666 would designate Bigfoot as California’s official state cryptid, with the author arguing it would recognize North Coast history and support local tourism; there was no support testimony, one opposition witness said the bill was a distraction from more serious issues, and the chair ultimately held the bill for lack of a motion. AB 1349 addressed speculative ticketing in the live entertainment market by requiring sellers to own or have a contractual right to tickets before listing them, along with disclosure, recordkeeping, anti-spoofing, and refund provisions. The author and supporters from music venues, artist groups, and sports organizations said the bill would protect fans and artists from deceptive resale practices and price gouging. Opponents from consumer and resale groups argued the measure was overbroad, could restrict legitimate resale and concierge services, and might favor primary ticketing monopolies. The committee members who spoke generally supported the consumer-protection goals, and the bill passed out of committee on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting. AB 932 would require local education agencies that rent facilities to third-party youth sports clubs to provide gender-equitable access, closing what the author described as a loophole affecting girls’ club sports. Supporters, including the California Department of Education and youth sports advocates, said the bill would improve access for girls and address examples of unequal field and gym use. Opponents argued it could conflict with Title IX and raised broader objections to gender identity language in sports policy. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 vote, with three members not voting, and sent it to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• definition in front of me, but it is, I Marcus Adams: believe, an entity that operates an electronic platform
• through which customers can exchange virtual currencies, and that platform Marcus Adams: provides custody
• the digital assets you have in your account on that exchange to engage in transactions on their platform
• in terms of, in Texas Finance Code, the definition of a digital asset provider is an electronic platform
• So think of it almost effectively as a way to exchange various kinds of cryptocurrencies on the platform

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, the marketing campaign is specifically to the online platform.
• That is this platform for Liberty.
• </c><00:25:52.920><c> I</c><00:25:52.960><c> think</c> You had a new iLottery platform.
• I think You had a new iLottery platform.
• When our platform first launched in 2016, we were fairly small in total sales volume.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 13 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, with members repeatedly voting to review items without objection. The chair noted the agenda included 227 contracts totaling about $89.5 million, all with vendors registered with the Secretary of State. Most items were approved after brief discussion and roll-call votes. Several contracts drew questions. Kentucky State University explained two four-month contracts tied to its online academic program: one for continued implementation support and one for marketing. University officials said the program is in a transition year under a management improvement plan, that the university owns the intellectual property, and that the marketing effort is aimed at growing enrollment in targeted programs such as business and social work. They reported online enrollment had grown from 74 students to 612, with an overall university enrollment of 2,872, and said the goal is to reach about 1,000 online students by fall. The committee approved both items, though Senator Douglas said he would keep watching university spending. The Department of Education presented a contract cancellation for administrative reviews of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Officials said USDA changed the review requirement from every three years to every five years, making the outside contract unnecessary because internal staff can now handle the work. The committee approved the cancellation. The Transportation Cabinet also explained an increase to a professional services contract for engineering work on a section of KY 54 in Owensboro, describing it as preliminary design and commissioning work for a multi-section roadway project; the committee approved that item as well. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation sought approval for an amendment tied to its iLottery platform. Officials said the increase reflected higher sales volume, since the contract structure causes prize and platform-related expenses to rise as sales grow. The committee approved the amendment. The Department of Public Health also discussed a perinatal psychiatry consultation program funded by a five-year federal HRSA grant; members raised concerns about what would happen if federal support changes, but no action beyond discussion was noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Don't use the platform."
• They have no intention... ...moment they go on sale and immediately list them on secondary platforms.
• Yet we continue to have a standing invitation for any of these platforms, associations, or opposition
• Tickets still available direct from Harlow's using the E-Tix platform are $27.19, including fees.
• Your constituents can't afford to continue to have these massive tech platforms and their industrial

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• retail uh electrical heat pumps internet retail uh electrical heat pumps for<01:14:37.679><c> heating
• We can either cling to a ban written when dial-up internet was cutting-edge technology, or we can open
• We can either cling to a ban written when dial-up internet was cutting-edge technology, or we can open
• We can either cling to a ban written when dial-up internet was cutting-edge technology, or we can open
• We can either cling to a ban written when dial-up internet was cutting-edge technology, or we can open

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “I think that’s—so for this contract, this is the web-based platform where the tools are housed, where
• our staff are using the tools, and we have to have the platform to be able to use them.
• We use that platform daily, so it really isn’t going to be an off-ramp if they have a proprietary contract
• review, so I would think that there's no one else that would be able to manage their particular platform

Summary: The committee reviewed three DHS out-of-state service contracts: a $690,000-plus sole-source contract for DCFS with Evident Change for maintenance and operation of the Child Welfare Structured Decision-Making practice hub; a $1.2 million sole-source contract for County Operations with Sifter Solutions to support a SNAP waiver compliance solution; and a $156,000 contract for Developmental Disabilities with Samaritan Integrative Services for psychiatric services at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. The chair and staff explained the contracts and noted that the Evident Change and Sifter contracts were sole-source due to the proprietary nature of the systems or services involved. Most of the discussion focused on the Evident Change contract. Members questioned DCFS about long-term dependence on the vendor, the lack of a competitive bid, the absence of a clear off-ramp, and whether the state was paying more overall as the work was split into multiple contracts. DCFS said the contract before the committee was only for maintenance and operations of a web-based platform used daily for safety assessments and case planning, while a separate Evident Change contract covers case reviews, CQI work, and data management. The vendor said it was continuing to reduce its role and had begun off-ramp discussions, but members remained concerned that the state was too reliant on the vendor. Staff said the contract had to be approved by May 31 or the system could be turned off. The committee also discussed the Sifter Solutions contract, which supports Arkansas’s SNAP waiver pilot by providing a dynamic list of excluded products and a consumer app that scans barcodes and provides nutrition information. DHS said the waiver is intended to improve the nutritional value of SNAP benefits, that the contract is funded with remaining federal SNAP Nutrition Education dollars that would otherwise be returned, and that the University of Pennsylvania will conduct the evaluation at no cost. Members asked about the benefit to Arkansas, whether the app would include nutrition and budgeting information, and whether the state would own the application or need future renewals. DHS said the two-year term was intentionally aligned with the waiver period and that future procurement options could change. After discussion, the committee noted the items as reviewed and adjourned without objections or votes recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can be due to issues receiving mail, lack of internet access, language barriers, or, in many cases
• place, or is information intended to be distributed among multiple, reliable community partners and platforms
• massive destruction pointing at caregivers like me while billions flow into private insurance, tech platforms

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impact of H.R. 1 on older Californians and related county administration issues. Chair Jackson and Chair Addis opened by emphasizing California’s rapidly aging population and the need to protect seniors’ access to food, health care, housing, and in-home support services. Testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Health Care Services, and Department of Aging described how H.R. 1 would expand work and reporting requirements in CalFresh and Medi-Cal, increase redeterminations, and create new eligibility barriers. Witnesses and advocates warned that these changes could lead to large coverage losses, especially for adults ages 55 to 64, people experiencing homelessness, caregivers, and some immigrant groups, while also increasing administrative burden on counties. The LAO noted that many provisions do not directly apply to Californians 65 and older, but highlighted indirect effects and some direct impacts, including a new home equity limit for certain long-term care recipients and narrower immigration eligibility rules. Committee members pressed the administration and counties on how exemptions would be identified and implemented, whether data systems could automatically protect eligible people, and how outreach would reach older adults, women, LGBTQ seniors, and people with limited digital access. DHCS and CDSS said they are working to use existing data, cross-program information sharing, and human-centered communications to maximize exemptions and reduce churn, including text outreach, print and radio campaigns, and navigator support. Members also raised concerns about the need for legal aid and county eligibility workers to help people navigate complex rules, and requested updated analyses on the number of people likely to lose both Medi-Cal and CalFresh and the broader human and system impacts. No votes were taken. The second major topic was the administration’s proposal to shift some future IHSS costs to counties by establishing a statewide baseline for average authorized hours per case. CDSS said the proposal is intended to improve consistency in assessments and not reduce services, while counties and labor groups strongly opposed it, arguing that rising hours reflect real increases in need, an aging and higher-acuity caseload, and state-mandated assessment tools rather than county error. County representatives said the proposal would strain already limited local revenues, worsen the effects of H.R. 1, and could force cuts to other safety-net services. Committee members questioned the proposal’s timing and impact, but the hearing ended without action, with the chairs asking for continued updates, additional analysis, and more information before May Revision.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clinically integrated networks are a wonderful platform to help with back-end support and to help with
• But I think more importantly than that, CMS views them as a wonderful platform for hospitals to use as
• To let them be a platform. Yeah, our extensions are. To be able to leverage them. Yes, ma'am.
• To let them be a platform.
• Do you want to really talk about EMS very quickly, because that's a very important platform?

Summary: The committee heard extensive public testimony from youth advocates and public health speakers urging action on vaping. Witnesses said flavored products and social media are driving youth use in Arkansas, described nicotine addiction and health harms, and asked lawmakers to prohibit vaping in public indoor spaces, align vape rules with smoke-free laws, and expand prevention efforts. Committee members thanked the speakers and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was an overview of Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded through CMS. State officials said Arkansas received about $209 million for the first year and may receive roughly $1 billion over five years if performance is strong. They emphasized that the program is intended for targeted, locally driven transformation rather than general operating support, debt relief, or new construction, and outlined four initiatives: Heart, PACT, Rise, and Thrive, focused on prevention, access and coordination, workforce development, and technology. Officials said applications would open in the spring, with a reimbursement-based process and a goal of launching all four initiatives by June. Members asked detailed questions about eligibility, rural definitions, school gardens, faith-based and nonprofit partnerships, mobile clinics, EMS, behavioral health, residency slots, and whether urban providers serving rural patients could apply. Officials said the program would favor regional collaboration, could support targeted renovations and expansion of existing programs, and would allow residency growth and some equipment or infrastructure purchases, but not food purchases or permanent new construction. They also said a committee of state health and finance officials would review applications, with heavy technical assistance and an expectation of quick turnaround. The committee also reviewed two DHS/Health Department rules. One implemented Medicaid and CHIP coverage and care coordination for eligible incarcerated youth before and after release, including targeted case management and screening services, with no public comments received. The other updated audiology licensing rules to reflect recent acts expanding scope of practice and changing the renewal deadline. Both rules were reviewed without objection, and the committee adjourned.