Transcript Highlights:

• </c> governing um body and elected officials. governing um body and elected officials.
• Have you known cases where the governing Have you known cases where the governing body<00:17:39.440><
• government.
• I don't government is not doing that.
• and openness in public transparency and openness in public government.<00:28:29.360><c> um</c><00:28

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And transparency in the election process is really important and being able to have watchers available
• Second, House Bill 2301 strengthens transparency by addressing indirect political spending.
• Transparent elections, I believe, build trust, especially with the public.
• This provides transparency. As the bill sponsor stated, I like clarity.
• For monetary reasons, they're free to use because they are government buildings. Thank you.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1433 is the Guidance Transparency Act.
• This isn't the role of government.
• Do we worry, when I read this, is there a worry that in our efforts to increase government transparency
• In our efforts to increase government transparency, we want to increase communications to constituents
• I think transparency with government bodies is incredibly important.

Bills: SB1627 , SB227 , SB366 , SB1193 , SB1433 , SB1450 , SB1481 , SB1749 , SB1810 , SB1812 , SB1921 , SB1948 , SB2044 , SB2178 , SB169 , SB1877 , HB1409 , SB1266 , SB1432

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized several guests, doctors, nurses, pages, student shadows, and visitors in the gallery. Members also adopted a motion to request the House’s consent for the Senate to adjourn for more than three days, with Senator Hicks opposing the motion because of the number of bills still available for consideration. The motion passed. The chamber then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1627, a cleanup measure to eliminate duplicate criminal code sections and clarify the law for legal research, passed 45-0 and was advanced as an emergency. Senate Bill 227, dealing with gross production tax and ad valorem taxation on oil and gas means of production, drew extensive questioning and debate over possible revenue impacts, county assessors, schools, and economically at-risk wells; it passed 37-9. Senate Bill 366, which gives charter schools a first right of refusal to buy or lease public school buildings sold or leased by districts, also generated debate over local control and lack of resale guardrails, and passed 40-6 as an emergency. Later, Senate Bill 1193 to remove general fund carryover caps for school districts passed 46-0 as an emergency after supporters argued it would reduce “use it or lose it” spending and allow more local flexibility, while opponents questioned fiscal effects and accountability. Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act requiring agencies to publicly disclose guidance documents in a searchable database, passed 37-7 after concerns about attorney-client privilege, administrative burden, and whether guidance could function like law. Senate Bill 1450, expanding relief from fines, fees, and court costs for certain people in the criminal justice system, was advanced and passed unanimously; Senate Bill 1481, increasing minimum recess time for K-5 students from 20 to 40 minutes, was advanced as an emergency measure; Senate Bill 1810, allowing expert testimony in human trafficking cases, passed 45-0; Senate Bill 1812, requiring school districts to make benchmark testing information available to parents, passed 46-0 as an emergency; Senate Bill 1921, increasing OSBI background-check fees, passed 39-7; and Senate Bill 1948, updating fireworks laws and limiting county restrictions on private outdoor consumer fireworks displays, was taken up with significant safety and local-control questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transparency and accountability and use of public funds require a clear understanding of how such funds
• Good government, I would think, would be, hey, let's see where these funds are Going.
• And so the ability for us to look at this and spend some time robustly saying this is what transparency
• So if we don't know where these funds are going, we don't have transparency or insight or visibility,
• Chair, part of the presentation and work that CSG, Council of State Governments, was doing with us as

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• First and foremost, we are here to be strong and transparent fiscal stewards for California's taxpayers
• That are coming up here, or the government bureaucrats saying to save their budgets.
• And so that's why I asked the question about the government. Not—we're making cuts.
• HCAI would be responsible for data reporting and cost transparency requirements.
• We may see a number of our hospitals close if the federal government follows through with its goal to

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:41.280><c> annual</c> utilities to provide transparent annual utilities to provide transparent
• . transparency. transparency.
• </c><00:14:05.680><c> Transparency.</c> &gt;&gt; That is the absolute goal. Transparency.
• </c> responsibility with federal government. responsibility with federal government.
• </c> government is going to take care of us. government is going to take care of us.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there's a concern about the transparency.
• And I'm a strong believer in transparency.
• level with lack of trust in government.
• But it dealt with the Government Information Act, the information of the Government Data Act.
• information of the Government Data Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the threat of the federal government. the threat of the federal government.
• ><c> in</c><00:16:40.880><c> conquered</c> While the government here in conquered While the government
• </c> forward for legalization, the government forward for legalization, the government has<00:17:49.760
• </c> responsibility and limited government. responsibility and limited government.
• </c> about accountability and transparency. about accountability and transparency.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just in the hands of government bureaucrats.
• A system that governs through lawsuits and mandates is not limited government.
• A system that governs through lawsuits and mandates is not limited government.
• It's the government itself being the actor here.
• input and transparency.

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the federal government announced that it will outsource the work of investigating some
• public access to governing board members.
• Current law does not require governing board members to publicly post their contact information.
• with other California governing bodies.
• This simply improves access to our governing board members.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• It supports transparency and responsibility.
• Yeah, this would deal with local governments.
• This information was derived from various sources, including government databases.
• I do believe in representative government and local control.
• Someone testified earlier and said there's no transparency in ranked-choice voting.

Bills: HB376 , HB817 , HB 1297 , HB1478 , HB1661 , HB1783

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Title 74 is the newest title in our code, which is about transparency in government.
• It seems very fitting that we would have our campaign finance laws be in the transparency and government
• At the end of the day, our constituents in the state of Idaho want transparency.
• Four is to cooperate with the federal government, local governments, and private parties to consider
• So there's already transparency. Idaho already sets a standard for who does business with.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There were no consistent standards, no transparency, and more uncertainty.
• There were no consistent standards, no transparency, and more uncertainty.
• There are even special rules governing how it is handled.
• I believe it's the primary role of government to protect our freedoms.
• It does not eliminate or weaken the governance of broader clemency powers.

Summary: The committee met first as a subcommittee because a quorum was not initially present, and it heard several bill presentations. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require courts to issue protective orders for sexually explicit material involving adult victims in criminal cases, limiting copying and dissemination while preserving discovery and trial rights. Supporters, including Aaron and Denise Heskins-Quinn and the California District Attorneys Association, said the bill would prevent retraumatization and close a privacy gap; opponents, including public defenders and criminal defense groups, argued it was overbroad, vague, and could interfere with defense preparation. The committee adopted amendments narrowing the bill’s scope and sent it to Appropriations on a due pass as amended vote, with the bill held on call. SB 937 by Senator Gonzalez would restrict law enforcement use of flashbang devices for crowd control and ban their use in immigration enforcement. Supporters described injuries and fear caused by flashbangs and explosive breaching charges, including incidents involving protests and a home entry in Huntington Park; opponents from sheriffs’ and police groups argued the bill’s definitions were vague, could limit tactical discretion, and might conflict with existing law and task force operations. Members expressed both support and concern about definitions and exigent circumstances, and the bill was moved due pass to Appropriations on a vote, with the final roll held on call. SB 1070 by Senator Grove would make intentional disruptions of worship services a wobbler offense, allowing felony charges in more serious cases. Faith leaders and supporters said the bill was needed to deter coordinated disruptions and protect religious exercise, while opponents including the Friends Committee on Legislation, ACLU California Action, and public defenders argued it would criminalize speech, rely on a content-based statute, and impose disproportionate felony penalties. Several committee members raised constitutional and restorative-justice concerns, and the bill failed on the roll call, though reconsideration was granted. SB 1130 by Senator Reyes would update privacy law for wearable recording devices such as smart glasses, limiting surreptitious recording in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy and restricting technologies that disable recording indicators. Supporters said the bill responds to emerging surveillance risks; opponents from TechNet and industry groups warned it could create liability for manufacturers and businesses beyond the actual wrongdoers. The committee accepted amendments reducing penalties, removing manufacturer provisions from the bill’s core criminal section, and creating civil penalties in the Business and Professions Code; the bill was moved due pass as amended to Rules, with the vote held on call. The committee also heard SCA 2 by Senator Troy, which would bar governors from pardoning themselves or immediate family members; there was no public opposition, but some members questioned the need for a constitutional amendment given the lack of evidence of abuse, and discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• that it's not the state government that it's not the state government<00:10:32.000><c> is</c><00:10:
• 33.120><c> u</c> government is u government is u um<00:10:36.560><c> not</c><00:10:36.880><c> involved
• </c><00:16:22.959><c> and</c> funded by the federal government and funded by the federal government and
• </c> it operates with limited transparency it operates with limited transparency and<00:28:43.600><c>
• Transparency, what's wrong good idea. Transparency, what's wrong with<02:51:54.319><c> that?

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state of Hawaii to be transparent state of Hawaii to be transparent there's<01:37:02.679><c> about
• Specifically, government plans are mandated and governed by the federal government, and those plans are
• </c><02:24:41.439><c> about</c> understanding some transparency about understanding some transparency
• So I think it's important for transparency if they talk about transparency of standards and guidelines
• </c> think it's an important for transparency think it's an important for transparency if<02:30:56.200

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1494 on hearing aids. Testimony was generally supportive of expanding hearing-aid coverage, with the Insurance Division raising concern about possible federal defrayment issues, SHPDA supporting the goal of hearing augmentation, DCAB strongly supporting the bill as an important access issue, and health plans and insurers asking for amendments. Kaiser Permanente and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans requested changes to add a medical-necessity standard and clarify annual notice language, while HMSA suggested the proposal should be studied by the auditor. The chair noted concerns about federal preemption and the lack of an audit, and deferred the bill in favor of a related resolution calling for a study. The committee then heard SB 1448, an emergency appropriation for the Hawaii State Hospital. DAGS and the Department of Health supported the measure, with the hospital administrator saying the funding would improve the environment of care, support cleaning, and allow a third-party review of the building. Committee members questioned the size of the request and the status of litigation against the design-builder. Administration witnesses said they were pursuing a comprehensive study involving destructive testing, had made a demand on the design-builder to fund the study, and were using different processes than before. They also said the roof work would be handled through a separate CIP request. No final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 1432, relating to the future responsibilities of the Department of Health and land issues at Kalaupapa after the last patient dies. DOH supported the bill in part but said its long-term role would be limited mainly to environmental cleanup, with operations expected to continue under the National Park Service and land-use decisions left to DHHL and beneficiary consultation. DHHL asked that the measure reflect that any land-use or zoning changes on homeland lands require commission approval and beneficiary consultation. Testifiers from Kalaupapa and Maui County, including Degra Vanderbilt-Papa and Council Member Keani Rollins-Fernandez, supported deferring the bill, saying there had been no meaningful community discussion about provisions affecting Kalaupapa’s future management and possible transfer of responsibilities to Maui County. The committee also read into the record written testimony from Gloria Marks emphasizing that Kalaupapa stakeholders must be included in future discussions. Finally, the committee heard SB 955 on fitness-to-proceed examinations. The Judiciary and the Public Defender’s Office both supported raising pay and standardizing expectations for private examiners, but opposed reducing felony fitness evaluations from three examiners to one and opposed expanding use of expedited reports. They argued that a single examiner would reduce reliability, create a more adversarial process, and likely increase costs and contested hearings, while expedited reports do not contain enough information for a proper fitness determination. The Department of Health also supported the bill’s intent but asked to preserve a three-examiner framework and said the goal was to reduce the number of people sent to the State Hospital, where admissions have reportedly risen about 20% year over year since Act 26. The bill remained under discussion in the excerpt, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI is also a tool that can help government agencies work more efficiently and creatively.
• So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
• So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
• So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
• So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what

Transcript Highlights:

• at the bargaining table, the tribal government and the state government.
• Thank you. table, the tribal government and the state government, they reach a deal, and as part of the
• practices that promote greater transparency in fee adoption and expenditure.
• SB 920 advances good governance practices that promote greater transparency in fee adoption and protects
• SB 920 advances good governance practices that promote greater transparency and free adaption and protects

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the Yurok Tribe’s 2006 tribal-state gaming compact. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the compact’s expiration to December 31 of this year to preserve the status quo while the parties negotiate a long-term replacement. Members asked about the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ role, and staff explained that because the change is only a deadline extension and not a substantive compact change, it does not require BIA approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. The authors and supporters said the bill is intended to honor the farm worker movement and shift the holiday away from any one individual in light of recent allegations, while recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections on family histories in farm labor and on the need to center victims and farm workers’ dignity. The bill was moved to the floor, with the roll held open for absent members. Next, the committee heard SB 1044, which would raise the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation. The author and supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce argued the current cap is outdated and limits opportunities for small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises. Some support was qualified, with one coalition noting concerns about access to capital for microbusinesses but still leaning in favor. The bill passed to Appropriations, with the roll held open. The committee also heard SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related data with federal agencies except where legally required. The author and Equality California said the bill is meant to protect sensitive data from misuse and preserve trust in voluntary state data collection. Support came from Planned Parenthood affiliates and Health Access California, with no opposition. The bill passed to the Privacy Committee, with the roll held open. Finally, the committee heard SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, SB 1273 on short-form video advertising for winery instructional events, and SB 917 on allowing more small wineries to sell at farmers’ markets. SB 1248 drew the most debate: the author said it would create baseline guardrails for automated systems, require human review for adverse decisions, and help state agencies use automation responsibly, while labor groups opposed it as authorizing use before meaningful stakeholder engagement and collective bargaining input. Several members supported moving it forward but stressed the need for labor participation in future negotiations; it passed to the Privacy Committee with the roll held open. SB 1273 and SB 917 were both presented as modest measures to help the wine industry adapt to current marketing and sales conditions, and both passed to Appropriations with roll calls held open. The hearing then moved on to SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement and grant processes; the author described nonprofits’ economic importance and the need for a liaison, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That, you know, people moving right on from working for government straight into what they regulate is
• Cost responsibility: in certain cases, the government will be responsible for relocation.
• It seeks to provide greater transparency and protection for tenants and property buyers, ensuring they're
• It seeks to provide greater transparency and protection for tenants and property buyers, ensuring they're
• while providing more flexibility to fund reserves and maintain transparency for owners and buyers.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with CS for SB 592, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. The bill was explained as revising condominium eligibility and grant rules, lowering the approval threshold to 75%, changing roof project rules, capping reimbursement at $175,000 per association, and excluding detached units. Two amendments were adopted, including one clarifying the three-story threshold and another adding wind-driven rain mitigation devices for sliding glass doors as an eligible improvement. A late-filed amendment to appropriate $500 million for the program was adopted on a roll call vote, but the bill itself was then reported favorably. Testimony generally supported the program, with members noting strong demand and the need for more funding, though one amendment drew concern from a window manufacturer and some members about product approval and fairness. The committee then approved CS for SB 622 on pari-mutuel permit holders, which would allow certain facilities to be leased to Hialeah permit holders and other same-class permit holders, with an amendment making the lessee eligible to apply for, rather than automatically receive, a license for inter-track wagering or Hialeah games. CS for SB 1404 on illegal gambling was also reported favorably after amendments added a declaratory judgment process for veterans organizations, strengthened ethics/revolving-door restrictions for Gaming Commission personnel, and then withdrew a late amendment concerning a Miami casino property. Prosecutors and the Gaming Control Commission supported the bill as a tool to target criminal gambling operations, while amusement machine operators and veterans groups raised concerns about overbreadth and uncertainty for lawful operators. SB 604 on residential swimming pool requirements was temporarily postponed after questions about how the new sale/transfer disclosure and safety-feature requirement would work in practice, especially for cash transactions and whether home inspectors would be involved. SB 1682, adding 911 dispatchers to the definition of first responder, was reported favorably with support from dispatchers and members who emphasized the trauma and public safety role of telecommunicators. SB 818 on utility relocation and SB 1228 on spring restoration were both reported favorably, with counties opposing the utility bill as a cost shift to taxpayers and the spring bill drawing support from JEA. The committee also approved CS for SB 948 on flood disclosures for tenants and condo buyers, and CS for SB 1742, a major condominium and cooperative association reform bill that would adjust reserve funding rules, allow temporary reserve pauses after milestone inspections, require substitute budgets over a certain threshold, permit lines of credit in lieu of reserves through 2028, expand disclosure and data reporting, and add conflict-of-interest and governance changes. The condo bill drew extensive discussion and testimony, with supporters praising the flexibility and transparency provisions and some owners urging additional relief for inland, lower-rise buildings; it was ultimately reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I stepped into this role last summer a few days earlier than expected when the federal government suspended
• The federal government continues to reduce its support of higher education and research.
• There was a recent lawsuit two weeks ago against UCLA seeking penalties similar to what the government
• As you know, we are also dealing with many of the demands from the federal government.
• At that time, the federal government was making rapid changes to international student visas and even

Summary: The subcommittee heard opening remarks and updates from UC President James Milliken and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia on the state of higher education, including federal funding losses, civil rights/Title IX compliance, enrollment, housing, and budget needs. Both leaders emphasized the value of UC and CSU to California’s workforce, research, and economic mobility, while warning that federal grant cancellations, investigations, and changes to student aid are creating major financial and operational strain. UC reported losing or having at risk more than 1,600 grants and over $1 billion in research activity, while CSU said it had lost more than 200 grants totaling about $161 million, including minority-serving institution grants that affected student support programs. Both systems said they are investing in civil rights services and trying to limit the release of personally identifiable information in response to federal requests. The committee then reviewed the higher education student housing grant program. Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office staff said the governor’s budget does not include major new changes but continues support for the program. CSU reported 12 approved projects that will add about 5,047 beds, with roughly 75% below market rate, and said it has about 68,000 beds systemwide, a 92% occupancy rate, and ongoing housing insecurity among students. UC said its housing projects have added more than 7,000 beds when reduced-rent and regular-rent units are combined, but nearly 10,000 students were on housing wait lists at the start of fall 2025. Both systems described rapid rehousing efforts, emergency beds, and partnerships with community colleges, and UC noted several joint housing projects, including at Riverside, Merced, and Santa Cruz. Members discussed whether future housing bonds and use of surplus school sites could help expand capacity. In the enrollment section, the LAO recommended maintaining UC’s 2026-27 resident undergraduate target, funding enrollment growth separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident reduction plan at the three highest-demand UC campuses, and holding UC enrollment flat in 2027-28. For CSU, the LAO recommended revising the 2026-27 enrollment expectation downward to reflect updated projections, while also funding enrollment growth separately and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. CSU said it has rebounded from pandemic-era declines, is above its funded target by about 3,000 FTE, and is shifting about $89 million and 10,000 FTE from lower-demand campuses to higher-demand ones while developing turnaround plans for seven campuses with sustained enrollment declines, including Sonoma State. UC said it has already exceeded its compact enrollment goals and is planning continued growth, but that sustaining it depends on ongoing state support. Members raised concerns about campus-specific enrollment declines, nonresident caps at UC San Diego, and the need for stronger turnaround plans and teacher preparation pathways. The final section covered core operations and deferred payments: Finance said the governor proposes another one-year deferral of about $129.7 million for UC and $143.8 million for CSU, and the LAO recommended retiring the deferrals when one-time funds are available. CSU described rising compensation, financial aid, utilities, insurance, and deferred maintenance costs, and said it is pursuing cost-saving measures such as procurement alignment, campus integration, and shared administrative services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Government Operations Subcommittee will now come to order.
• Members, today the subcommittee will hear five proposed committee bills that are a result of the Open Government
• Members, today the subcommittee will hear five proposed committee bills that are a result of the Open Government
• this was passed five years ago, there were some concerns about how the exemption might hurt the transparency
• Years ago there were some concerns about how the exemption might hurt the transparency of information

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to consider five proposed committee bills under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which requires certain public record and public meeting exemptions to be reenacted before automatic repeal. Each bill was briefly explained by its sponsor or a member presenting on behalf of the sponsor, with no amendments or public testimony offered on any of the measures. The subcommittee favorably reported PCB GOS 26-01, preserving the Florida Gaming Control Commission exemption; PCB GOS 26-03, preserving the public emergency shelter address and phone number exemption; PCB GOS 26-04, preserving exemptions for financial information used in small business loan administration; PCB GOS 26-02, preserving the conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information exemption; and PCB GOS 26-05, preserving a Public Service Commission meeting exemption for portions involving proprietary confidential information. During discussion on the Public Service Commission bill, members asked about transparency and utility rate increases, and the sponsor responded that the exemption is narrow, has never been used, does not affect public discussion of rate increases, and does not limit lawsuits or discovery. All five PCBs were reported favorably by roll call vote. The chair then thanked members for their participation, noted that more bills were being referred to the committee, and adjourned the meeting without objection.