Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency physicians are already highly trained to assess behavioral health crises and recognize when
• So, AB 446, which is the Surveillance Pricing Act, will prohibit the practice of surveillance pricing
• We also put additional language in there codifying best practices regarding noticing. Thank you.
• The predatory practices that are happening on our business communities are out of control.
• Are you saying if you voluntarily go and you get this assessment, anything that's found in that assessment

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what happens sort of in practice is you can't draw down those additional dollars.
• And that is current practice. Yeah, that's current practice.
• And that is current practice. Yeah, that's current practice. Things change a bit in the future.
• And that is current practice. Yeah, that's current practice. It may change a bit in the future.
• Specifically, to sort of how they assessed that appropriateness. Okay. Okay.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview of the expected California budget and program impacts from H.R. 1, including changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, redeterminations, work requirements, immigration-related coverage rules, retroactive coverage limits, and reductions in federal matching for certain services and provider financing mechanisms. DHCS and CDSS described implementation plans focused on automation, data matching, clearer communications, county training, and outreach, while noting that many federal details are still pending. The Legislative Analyst’s Office also reviewed how H.R. 1 could increase pressure on county indigent care systems, explaining the history of county responsibility under Section 17000, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, and warning that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents seeking care without corresponding funding flexibility. An independent policy expert urged consideration of a more standardized statewide approach to indigent care and raised questions about governance, benefits, and financing. Department witnesses estimated substantial coverage losses and fiscal effects: DHCS projected major Medi-Cal disenrollment tied to work requirements, six-month renewals, narrowed immigrant eligibility, and reduced retroactive coverage, while CDSS estimated large CalFresh benefit losses and a significant increase in administrative workload and payment accuracy pressure. Members questioned how exemptions would work for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, undocumented residents, and cash workers, and asked about the effect on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot and on county administrative funding. Officials said they would use available data and self-attestation where possible, but acknowledged that many cases would require manual screening and that the county workload estimates remain in dispute. They also said the state is still evaluating the impact of H.R. 1 on provider taxes and state-directed payments, which could create additional budget pressure. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described major local consequences if H.R. 1 is implemented as written. They warned of higher uninsured rates, more strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals, increased homelessness and food insecurity, and a likely need to rebuild or expand county indigent care programs that were largely scaled back after the ACA. Counties said they are already freezing hiring, cutting positions, reducing overtime, deferring spending, and launching outreach and coordination efforts with managed care plans and community partners, but argued that these steps are not enough without additional state support. Several counties backed the California County Welfare Directors Association’s request for $373 million in General Fund support for eligibility work and asked for a CalFresh match waiver to soften the new county share of administrative costs; Los Angeles and Santa Clara also emphasized that their local revenue measures would not close the projected gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We review our short- and medium-term goals and assess them.
• We're just adding one medication to a scope of practice, for example. That may be a quick one.
• We're just adding one medication to a scope of practice, for example. That may be a quick one.
• It's making advisement on policies and practices. So it's...
• That's the idea of coming from community and these advisories into practice.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• information security provisions in the bill with existing standards and account for ongoing data sharing practices
• However, in practice, it is not.
• There's also a penalty assessed.
• AB 2647 directs the California Energy Commission to prepare a comprehensive assessment of...
• So the CEC should be able to use those to achieve rigorous assessments in 2027.

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills. AB 710 would require investor-owned utilities to share critical circuit and grid information with local and tribal governments and community choice aggregators to help plan microgrids for resilience during PSPS events and wildfires. Supporters from counties and cities said better data sharing is needed to develop microgrids for critical facilities; PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, citing privacy and grid-security concerns, though SDG&E said amendments may address some issues. Members generally supported the bill’s goal, and the author accepted committee amendments. AB 2182 would restructure the CPUC’s industrial energy efficiency program so industrial customers’ funds are used for industrial projects, with less review and more focus on projects that reduce transmission and distribution needs. Support came from large energy users, with members praising the bill’s ratepayer protections and asking about caps, agriculture, and carbon capture; the author said agriculture could participate and carbon capture was removed from the bill. AB 2589 would require utility federal tax savings to be returned to ratepayers, building on prior legislation; it drew little debate and no opposition on the record. The committee also heard AB 2163, which would create strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, especially to support geothermal and lithium development in places like Imperial County and the Salton Sea. Supporters emphasized jobs, domestic supply chains, and state competitiveness, while some members raised questions about whether other zero-carbon resources should be included; the author said the bill could be receptive to those ideas. AB 2505 would allow hydrogen refueling stations to use dedicated utility meters and service lines, with supporters from the hydrogen industry and labor. AB 1577 would require data centers to report energy and water-use information to the Energy Commission and local planners; supporters said it would protect ratepayers and communities, while industry groups opposed the bill as too broad and duplicative, though they welcomed amendments narrowing the scope and adding trade-secret protections. AB 2065 would impose penalties on utilities that seek to recover prohibited or double-counted costs from ratepayers, and AB 2516 would create a California Grid Manufacturing Initiative to reduce equipment costs and expand in-state manufacturing; both drew strong support and some concerns about overreach and implementation. Finally, AB 2647 would direct the Energy Commission to study advanced nuclear’s role in meeting California’s electricity needs, with testimony in support from nuclear advocates and academics; the hearing ended before any final votes were taken, with several motions pending quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• The paint program is funded by a uniform assessment levied on the sale of architectural paint based on
• The paint program is funded by a uniform assessment levied on the sale of architectural paint based on
• So, for example, in Washington currently a one-gallon container is subject to an assessment of $1.45
• So for example, in Washington, currently a one gallon container is subject to an assessment of $1.45
• Our assessed value in Quincy has gone from $937 million to $9.4 billion.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking at it closely, we were able to hire a structural engineer to come in and assess the building
• But they can use some of their programmatic money to help with assessments if needed.
• They've conducted about 114 assessments on those.
• The practices through EWP have what's considered a practice life, so it's a requirement for them to leave
• De La Torre, to see if she'll volunteer time to come and assess the cattle. ...have been affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a massage practice there in Clovis.
• You've chosen to practice out of your home.
• And this lottery is not been able to follow best practices.
• So it's assessing the risk that we would fall behind.
• So it's assessing the risk that we would fall behind, so that we assess it and try to avoid the risk

Bills: SB246, SB146, SB300, SB301, SB309, SM17

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services

Transcript Highlights:

• We have now moved to this space program and utilize what is called an inspection priority assessment
• tool which is just a fancy term for a risk assessment tool.
• That was the priority assessment. I know I'm a spreadsheet guy.
• a county is resorted based upon the risk assessment.
• Some of that is based upon changing in pre-trial release practices and bonding practices that we are

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• landscape analysis, the literature... the landscape analysis, the literature review, and the best practices
• So we felt like it was really important to address traumatic brain injury to make sure we're assessing
• So being able to screen and assess on the front end whether or not... assess on the front end whether
• The last recommendation is around best practices. We did just... around best practices.

Bills: SB241, HB304, HB295, HB361

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, crime management, Alabama law, impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, HB295, Alabama National Guard, military punishment, non-judicial punishment, Article 15, court-martial, special court-martial, disciplinary measures, commanding officer, Adjutant General, Governor

Transcript Highlights:

• Taking shortcuts when it comes to assessing risks.
• This includes many institutions whose overdraft practices ought to raise serious concerns.
• So that's another pernicious practice that we see.
• So I've seen some deeply problematic practices. Thank you so much. Thank you, ma'am.
• So I don't see how it has any place in assessing the capabilities of an institution.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> most of her time doing threat assessment most of her time doing threat assessment um<00:09:05.279
• As you know all too well assessments.
• ,</c><00:14:37.519><c> threat</c> assist with threat assessments, threat assist with threat assessments
• How many attorneys assessment, which I believe um, is the assessment, which I believe um, is the specific
• So legislators aren't subject to the data practices act.

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The assessment action program is essentially run by one person.
• And I think what we're saying is, in practical terms, we can help communities thrive.
• So, we must assess our full mills. There are a handful of communities in the state that...
• So, um, I appreciate the ideology, but however, the practicality says this is a great uh...
• Is that common practice?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It strengthens consumer protections by putting patients first in billing practices.
• Lethality assessments are used to determine a victim's risk of serious bodily injury or death at the
• Lethality assessment forms contain domestic violence victim information and responses, and the release
• of such information could subject victims of domestic violence to an... ...Lethality assessments are
• This bill allows physicians to utilize advanced practice registered nurses to certify death and file

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes to those affected by the Florida State University shooting and recognition of Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, student advocacy groups, conservation organizations, and visiting school groups. Members also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. The chamber then moved into special order business and considered a series of bills, many of them with House companions substituted in and passed by wide margins or unanimously. Among the measures passed were bills updating child care and early learning provider regulation, imposing costs on false swatting reports, extending protections against extraordinary hospital collection actions, expanding hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, creating young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, clarifying school choice disclosure requirements under the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, adjusting interest rules for trust accounts supporting legal aid, revising transportation and traffic enforcement provisions, expanding public records exemptions for certain judicial and health care investigators and appellate clerks, changing municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, strengthening motor vehicle offenses involving impersonation and obscured plates, increasing trespass penalties at certain law-enforcement-controlled sites and large ticketed events, requiring refunds of patient overpayments, authorizing certain stem cell therapies, allowing relatives and direct support professionals to administer insulin in group homes, addressing rideshare impersonation and transit funding rules, and updating the Uniform Commercial Code for digital assets and emerging technologies. Several bills drew notable debate. The trust fund interest bill prompted extended discussion over legal aid funding, bank participation, and whether the measure would reduce support for legal services; it ultimately passed 28-10. The transportation bill was heavily amended, including removal of speed-limit increases and changes to school bus camera enforcement and micromobility rules, and passed 37-0. The Miami-Dade water and sewer rate bill sparked debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records bills protecting agency investigators and JQC employees also drew questions about accountability and transparency before passing. Most other measures passed with little or no opposition, and a few bills were temporarily postponed or set aside.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't work. doesn't pay the best for the best practices that we know about.
• Assess this for the most complex behavioral medical needs.
• a new behavioral issue there are Formal assessments and providers that can be used to assess for that
• To formal assessments that can be provided by clinicians.
• Make sure that we can get access to service right away if there is an assessment.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But they weren't following the fidelity of the practice.
• Okay, I wrote a letter, so I went through a restorative practice, and so a lot of times...
• But they weren't following the fidelity of the practice.
• and restorative practices.
• Today, I'll share an overview of the role, key successes, and best practices.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, please. ...practice. We'll send that to you in an email.
• use of an identical or similar election policy or practice in other jurisdictions.
• This bill would just provide a clear standard to assess when those obligations have been violated.
• This bill provides a thoughtful and practical solution. It does not create new mandates.
• In practice, the requirement increases paperwork and costs without improving transparency.

Bills: HB1759, HB2632, HB2574, HB2235, SGA9267

Keywords: designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, election, ballot, candidates, deceased, voting law, public records, concealed pistol licenses, firearm purchases, transfers, exemptions

Transcript Highlights:

• Our assessment is more on what we've been hearing from districts and about their local plans.
• The needs assessment in particular does require LEAs to do that targeted assessment looking at their
• an extended day that blends into after-school programming in practice.
• We actually had improvements again. for LAUSD on the urban district assessment nationally.
• I mentioned that they have continued to do well in the national assessments as well as in the state assessments

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can tell you that the friendships are amazing, the hard days and long hours of practice that you
• An act relating to the authority of Court of Appeals bailiffs to assess threats to the Court of Appeals
• And so it is critical that their bailiffs be now authorized to conduct these threat assessments.
• And so it is critical that their bailiffs be now authorized to conduct these threat assessments so that
• that ...covenants and our constitutional restrictions, there were practices like redlining that took

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, the pledge, prayer, and recognition of guests from the Sikh Coalition and Kalsa Gramath Center. Members then approved the journal and moved through committee reports and resolutions, including Senate Resolution 8678 honoring the Chimicum High School Marching Band for being selected to represent Washington in the 2026 National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The resolution was adopted unanimously, and the band and its supporters were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments to major health agencies. Ryan Moran was confirmed as Director of the Health Care Authority by a 49-0 vote, with supporters citing his Medicaid and health system experience and ability to provide stable leadership. Dennis Worsham was also confirmed as Secretary of Health by a 49-0 vote, with senators highlighting his long public health career, statewide outreach, and work on HIV/AIDS and community health. On legislation, the Senate passed Senate Bill 6011, expanding Court of Appeals bailiff authority to conduct threat assessments, and Senate Bill 5831, creating the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act. Senate Bill 6188, which expands Labor and Industries’ authority to update asbestos training and certification rules, passed 38-19 after an amendment to limit the bill to federal standards was rejected. Substitute Senate Bill 5917, concerning access to abortion medications through the Department of Corrections pharmacy, passed 32-17 after several Republican amendments were defeated. The Senate also passed In Gross Senate Bill 6024 on developmental disability services confidentiality and Substitute Senate Bill 6091 on prohibiting real estate brokers from marketing residential properties in exclusive private listings. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5840, adjusting campaign finance expenditure reporting deadlines, passed 46-3. After completing the day’s business, the Senate recessed for caucus and lunch until 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it also includes the assessment budget for education. Just real quickly.
• We have to have the right assessments, those those require dollars.
• And sometimes it's more than one assessment to have to be.
• It is not a short assessment to do.
• And they require assessment.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increment area does not have an assessed value of $200 million or more than 20% of the sponsoring
• jurisdiction's total assessed value.
• The bill amends provisions related to the assessment of impacts in the project analysis.
• The assessment must be done in consultation with any impacted taxing district.
• HB 2418 is a practical step in that direction, and HTC urges your support. Thank you.

Keywords: 904, all