Transcript Highlights:

• Ward filed. Item number two, AB, 21. Thank you very much, Mr. Ward. Do you have witnesses, Mr.
• Ward? Great. You may proceed when ready. Thank you, Mr. Chair and members.
• We are proud to join Assembly Member Ward in sponsoring AB 2222.
• Ward.
• Ward.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• O'Connell, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippee, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward Engelking, Wintrow, Woller
• Ward Engel King? Aye. Winchrow? Woller? Woodward? Cedo? No. Sidervelt? Samaroff? Thank you.
• Ward-Engelking, aye. Wintrow, aye. Boller, aye. Woodward, aye. Zito, aye. Zuiderveld, aye.
• There are 11 new substance proposals added.
• Ward Engel King? Woller? Woodward? Cedo? Aye. Ziderveld? Ricks.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward. Wicks here. Wilson. Okay, not quite there.
• Ward? Aye. Ward. Wicks. Wilson. Sir, you may continue. Aye, Hart. Aye. Irwin? Aye. McKinner. Aye.
• Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Ward? Aye. Ward. Wicks. Wilson. Sir, you may continue.
• Ward, seconded by Mr. Hart. Madam Secretary, please call the roll.
• Ward. Aye. Aye. Pellerin. Petrie-Norris. Aye. Petrie-Norris. Aye. Ward. Aye. Wilson.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on consumer transparency, environmental protection, education accountability, and privacy protections. AB 2143 by Assemblymember Irwin would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California; supporters said the bill would close an e-commerce loophole that helps spread invasive species, while TechNet opposed it unless clearer standards and safeguards were added. AB 1744 by Assemblymember Addis, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, would bar sunscreen products containing chemical UV filters from being marketed as “reef safe” or similar claims; supporters, including a Sacramento high school eco club and Surfrider Foundation, said the bill would prevent misleading greenwashing, while the Personal Care Products Council expressed concern about implications for the safety of those ingredients. The committee also heard AB 1861 by Assemblymember Lackey, which would require the California Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable database of special education complaint decisions with personal information redacted. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help identify patterns of noncompliance affecting students with disabilities, while county education officials argued state resources should instead go toward filling special education vacancies. AB 2624 by Assemblymember Bonta would expand the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers and restrict online posting of their personal information when intended to threaten or intimidate; supporters described rising harassment, doxing, and threats against immigrant-serving organizations, while Assemblymember DeMaio raised First Amendment and public transparency concerns and Assemblymember Patterson questioned the bill’s limits on protest and publication. Because the committee initially lacked a quorum, several bills were heard and later voted on once quorum was established. Members generally praised the bills and, in some cases, requested to be added as coauthors. When votes were taken, AB 1861, AB 1744, AB 2143, and AB 2624 all passed out of committee, with AB 2624 receiving 11 aye votes and 2 no votes; the others were reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Harris, Green, Senator Grow, Woodward, Cook, Bjerke, Hart, Raybould, Zuiderveld, Galloway, Ward-Engelking
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Representative...
• Galloway, Ward Engel King, Wintrow, Representative Tanner. Aye.
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Representative Tanner. Aye. Furness. Petsky. Manwaring.
• Zidervel, Galloway, Ward Engel King, Wintrow, Representative Tanner. Nay.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. The quorum being present, the committee is ready for business.
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Aye. Representative Tanner. Aye. Miller. Furness. Petske. Manwaring.
• Ward Engel King. Winthrop. Representative Tanner. Aye. Miller. Furness. Petsky. Manwaring.
• Ward Engle King. Galloway. Aye. Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Aye. Representative Tanner. Furness.
• Cindy Carlson, Galloway, Ward-Engelking, Wintrow, Representative Tanner, aye.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senator Sullivan, would you Senator Ward Senator Sullivan, would you Senator Ward would 68 We still
• Thank you, Chair Ward.
• Thank you, Chair Ward. Senator Brent. Thank you, Chair Ward.
• <c> SAU</c><01:08:07.319><c> consolidation</c> this says propose an SAU consolidation this says propose
• </c> a lot of problems with the proposal. a lot of problems with the proposal.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson. Petrie-Norris. Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• , aye, Ward, aye, Wicks, Wilson, aye.
• Ward: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. Mr.
• Patterson no Pelleron Petri Norris I Petri Norris aye Ward ward I wicks I wicks I wicks I Wilson Wilson

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Warding Hooking? Wintrow? Woodward? Cedar? Aye. Ciderveld? Aye.
• What this proposed legislation does is What this proposed legislation does is allow a brewery to expand
• Here's what I propose.
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Woodward. Cito. Ziderfeld. Anthon. Anthen. Hart.
• Bill proposes.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward? Here. Thank you. We do have a quorum.
• Ward, aye. That has 11 votes. We'll hold the roll open for members to be able to add on.
• Ward. Aye. That has 11 votes, and we'll hold the roll open for members to be able to add on.
• Ward? Aye. All right, we have tended to it, and it’s out, and we’ll leave that open.
• Ward. Aye. Okay. We have 10 aye votes and we'll leave that roll open.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep Perez, Rep Ward-Johnson, Rep Davis, Rep Schaffner. All right, a quorum is present.
• Ward-Johnson. Aye. Rep. Davis. Aye. And Rep. Schaffner. Aye.
• Rep Perez, rep Ward-Johnson, rep Davis, and rep Schaffner.
• HB 2081 proposes a strategic investment to address this gap.
• Yes, Representative Ward-Johnson, please.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward present. Lackey. Elhawari. Gonzalez present. McKinner. Ortega here. Quirk Silva here.
• We're not talking about the proposed changes in this bill. But these do save lives.
• Ward: Aye. Bord: Aye. Lackey: Aye. Al-Hawari: Aye. Gonzalez: Aye. McKinner: Aye. Ortega: Aye.
• Ward: Aye. Lackey: Aye. El-Hawari: Aye. Gonzalez: Aye. McKinner: Aye. Ortega: Aye.
• Ward, aye. Lackey. Aye. Lackie. Aye. El Huari. Aye. Gonzalez. Aye. Gonzalez. I. McKinner. I.

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward: Aye. Tangipa: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0.
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Tangipa: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number five.
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number eight, SB 1014?
• Ward: Aye. Ta: Aye. Wicks: Aye. Wilson: Aye. 9-0. Item number ten, SB 1092.
• Ward? Aye. Ward? Aye. Ta? Aye. Ta? Aye. Ta? Wix? Aye. Wix? I, Wilson? Aye. Wilson? I. 920.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> no representative Ward no representative Ward no<00:36:48.760><c> representative</c><00:36:49.359
• My name is Jerry Ward, and I represent Rockingham 27, which is Ward 4 in Portsmouth.
• </c> you deputy secretary representative Ward you deputy secretary representative Ward you<01:00:20.119
• </c> town with two Villages and a City ward town with two Villages and a City ward so<01:25:37.679><c
• </c><04:10:49.720><c> nine</c><04:10:50.000><c> we're</c> ward that at least in ward nine we're ward

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes that ratepayers are on the hook for $1 billion.
• </c> mean you know the day that the proposal mean you know the day that the proposal came<01:55:26.920
• Representative Quinlan, hi, noting the absence of Representative Ward.
• </c><02:05:54.199><c> uh</c> the absence of Representative Ward uh the absence of Representative Ward
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye, Representative Ward is absent.

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Ward.
• Thank you, Senator Ward.
• So thank you Senator Ward. we all this? So thank you Senator Ward.
• Senator Ward, the proposal is to take lines 16 through 27 out of the bill that was presented to us, the
• Senator Ward, the<01:42:11.520><c> proposal</c><01:42:12.159><c> is</c><01:42:12.480><c> to</c><01:42

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward-Engelking. I'm going to be a no on this motion.
• Seconded it by Senator Ward Engel King to send.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Ward Engelkin? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Ward Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Woodward. Zito.
• Senator Ward Engel King.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Ward-Engelking? Cook? Taves? Van Orden? Aye. Ward-Engelking? Wintrow? Woodward? Aye. Zuiderveld?
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jerry Ward from Portsmith.
• </c> District 2 Milton and Rochester Ward District 2 Milton and Rochester Ward five<00:06:58.599><c>
• What would you propose for that gap?
• </c><01:40:52.679><c> two</c> Ward one's ballots and not ward two Ward one's ballots and not ward two
• </c> Lane yes representative Ward Lane yes representative Ward no<02:48:35.319><c> representative</c>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, when our wards do have populations where 40% is obtainable.
• </c> the way or in this proposed bill. the way or in this proposed bill.
• Uh, Senator Boner, I have proposed amendments right here.
• So what we're proposing requirements.
• </c><01:34:17.920><c> over</c> as we look at these uh at proposals over as we look at these uh at proposals

Bills: HB0002 , HB0022

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward here. Thank you. We do have a quorum.
• Ward, aye. We have 10 votes, and we'll hold the roll open for other members to add on.
• Ransom, Rogers, Sharp Collins, Sharp Collins, aye, Ward. Ward, aye. That has 11 votes.
• Ward? Aye. All right, we have tended to it and it's out, and we'll leave that open.
• Ward? Aye. Okay. We have 10 aye votes and we'll leave that roll open.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard six bills. AB 1837 (Gonzalez) would remove the sunset on transit agencies’ authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking violations in bus lanes and at bus stops. The author and supporters from transit agencies, Streets for All, and the California Police Chiefs Association said the program improves bus reliability, safety, and access for riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Some members raised concerns about automated enforcement error rates and due process, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1944 (Lee), presented by Assemblymember Arreguín, would delay implementation of declining axle-weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the existing final cap in place. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit agencies, said heavier batteries are needed for longer-range zero-emission buses and the delay would help agencies comply with clean transit goals. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1599 (Arreguín) would require Caltrans to create a centralized statewide transit stop registry with standardized stop information. Move LA, AARP, Streets for All, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve trip planning, data consistency, and accessibility for riders; the bill also passed to Appropriations. AB 1608 (Wilson) would expand the California High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General’s authority, including hiring and contracting flexibility and a requirement to publish reports with limited confidentiality protections. The author, the Inspector General, and the First Amendment Coalition said the bill would improve oversight and transparency while protecting sensitive information; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1613 (Wilson) would create a mandatory off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course for access to off-highway lands starting in 2029. Supporters from the off-road community said the bill was developed through stakeholder safety summits and would reduce accidents and protect public lands; it passed to Water, Parks, and Wildlife. AB 1662 (Wilson) would require DMV points for certain offenses that are dismissed through diversion programs, which supporters framed as a needed accountability measure for dangerous driving and opponents from ACLU Cal Action criticized as undermining diversion and harming low-income drivers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Final roll calls showed each bill advancing, with AB 1662 receiving the strongest support and the other measures also moving forward despite some no votes on AB 1837, AB 1944, AB 1608, and AB 1613.