Video & Transcript : 'accountants' :
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 1111 creates a framework to hold AI users accountable, creating clear legal standing for victims and
- SB 1111 creates a framework to hold AI users accountable, creating clear legal standing for victims and
- This bill creates a framework to hold AI users accountable by creating clear legal standing for victims
- that post about or criticize ICE. who operate accounts that post about or criticize ICE.
- users who did nothing more than exercise their First Amendment rights... data about account users who
Committee:
House Privacy and Consumer Protection
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's something in which they have the ability and they were looking for accountability and information
- It's something in which they have the ability and they were looking for accountability and information
- Following massive losses from the 2008 global financial crisis, an accounting mechanism in SARA's COLA
- That accounting mechanism was recently removed from that policy.
- Somehow, and you're going to hear from my colleague here, union signatory contractors account for wage
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- It's something in which they have the ability, and they were looking for accountability and information
- Following massive losses from the 2008 global financial crisis, an accounting mechanism in S.C.E.R.A.
- That accounting mechanism was recently removed from that policy.
- Anti-Jewish hate crimes account for 80% of all reported religious hate crimes, 19% of all crimes committed
- Somehow, and you're going to hear from my colleague here, union-signatory contractors account for wage
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement Apr 28th, 2026
Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- We can't be held accountable for what happened 20 years ago.
- And I don't know how you hold anybody accountable for 20.
- There was no intent to hold the current board accountable or anyone.
- And we have to take historic actions into account. And in this particular case, I looked it up.
- And so just looking for guidance from you, and there may be accountability. I don't know.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement held an informational hearing on the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) to review its long-term financial condition, funding status, investment performance, experience study results, and possible legislation. MOSERS staff explained that the plan is a statutorily created defined benefit system covering state employees, several colleges and quasi-governmental entities, with an 11-member board and outside actuarial and investment consultants. They reported the June 30, 2025 valuation showed a funded ratio of 55.4%, assets of about $9.6 billion, liabilities of about $17.4 billion, and a FY27 actuarial employer rate of 27.44%, which the board raised to a 32% minimum contribution rate under a policy adopted in 2023.
MOSERS attributed the funding decline over time to several factors: reductions in the assumed investment return from 8.5% to 6.95%, mortality assumption updates, a move from open to closed amortization, and especially weak payroll growth and a shrinking active workforce. Staff said the minimum contribution policy is intended to accelerate UAL paydown and could bring the plan to 80% funded by 2037 rather than 2041, assuming all assumptions are met. The committee also discussed the recent experience study, which kept the investment return assumption at 6.95% and made only modest assumption changes, and a proposed 2026 bill package (SB 1557 and SB 1054) that would automatically refund small balances under $1,000 to terminated non-vested members and add auto-escalation to the deferred compensation plan.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on investment strategy and why MOSERS has lagged some peers. The investment consultant said historical underperformance was driven mainly by asset allocation choices that emphasized a more risk-balanced, diversified portfolio with less public equity exposure than peers during a period when equities performed very strongly. He said the board adopted a more equity-oriented allocation in 2024 and is phasing it in over eight quarters, with recent short-term results improving and the portfolio outperforming its policy benchmark. Members also asked about the effect of inactive members, the rationale for the higher employer contribution, and whether the current board should be held responsible for past decisions; MOSERS officials emphasized that the current board is trying to correct course and that pension funding changes take time. The hearing also touched on ongoing litigation against a former private equity manager, Catalyst Capital, with MOSERS saying it has spent about $20 million in legal fees so far and that the case remains on appeal. The committee took no formal vote and adjourned after the informational presentation and questions.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 43 Apr 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We had also heard accounts of a broader response.
- Should these individuals and companies not be held accountable if there is evidence of harm?
- This is a bill about accountability.
- Once we set the precedent that some industries are above accountability.
- Again, it's about being pro-accountability because accountability is what drives innovation.
Keywords:
Oklahoma City, terrorism, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, memorial, remembrance, first responders, community support, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, fossil fuels, liability protection, climate change, energy independence, oil and gas
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Mar 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And a huge part of what it means to be restorative is accountability.
- You cannot have restorative justice without accountability.
- There's nothing that says you have to remain accountable in our current system.
- We have to have, as my colleague noted, accountability so that you can change your behavior and then
- We have to ensure that accountability is on our roads.
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.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Jan 30th, 2026 at 10:30 am
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- information that would assist the Legislature in understanding the program's risk profile and accountability
- It's important for you to know that the state administrative accounting manual, as prescribed by OFM,
- Reports play in our work, ensure transparency, accountability, and often provide valuable information
- This bill helps modernize that process while preserving accountability.
- , and money from the account may only be spent after appropriation for the aforementioned purposes.
Keywords:
fraud prevention, identity theft, consumer protection, security measures, legislation, government efficiency, state agencies, reporting, bureaucracy, transparency, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, student privacy, employee confidentiality, public disclosure, data protection
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This slide illustrates the breakdown of suicide deaths by profession, EMS personnel account for the highest
- of children that are 2, that accounts for the numbers of children that are winding up in very high and
- Then they would take into account a certain percentage of the state overall average.
- I mean, how do you look at that and approached that as an agency and how is that accounted for in an
- If you think that it needs to be there needs to be other mechanisms to account for for situations like
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Judiciary Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- And I said, hey, Kyle, take some accountability. And he placed his head down.
- The Commonwealth has held us accountable, sent us to prison for decades, accountable. Countable.
- The Commonwealth has held us accountable, sent us to prison for decades, accountable.
- What we ask from the Commonwealth is accountability.
- The system needs transparency, accountability, and reform.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on several Judiciary bills, with the largest portion focused on S. 1178/H. 2052 to reduce mass incarceration and end life without parole. People incarcerated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, and NCCI Gardner described personal growth, rehabilitation, restorative justice work, family separation, and the belief that parole eligibility after long sentences would better reflect public safety and human development. Speakers emphasized that life without parole removes hope and can undermine rehabilitation, while supporters argued that many lifers are older, less likely to reoffend, and could contribute positively if given a chance at parole review. Committee members did not take votes during the hearing.
The committee also heard testimony on S. 1139 to restore the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving tobacco use, with Sen. Keenan explaining that a recent SJC decision had cut off claims where the injured person did not sue within three years before death. He said the bill would restore families’ ability to seek redress in cases involving long-latency tobacco harms like COPD. Another major topic was S. 1205, which would add abusive litigation to the definition of coercive control in domestic violence law; Sen. Michael Moore said the bill would stop abusers from using repeated court filings to harass and financially burden survivors.
The committee also took up S. 1114 on automatic record sealing, with Sen. Friedman and others arguing that the current petition-based process is slow, burdensome, and disproportionately harms people with criminal records, especially Black and Latino residents. Testimony also supported H. 1965/S. 1132 on compensation for wrongful conviction, with advocates and sponsors describing a faster administrative claims process, transitional support, and higher compensation without the current cap. Sen. Payano testified for S. 1241 to expand educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults, saying education reduces recidivism and improves reentry outcomes.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on S. 2522, an update to Massachusetts’ shield law for reproductive and gender-affirming care. Sen. Friedman, the Attorney General’s office, and DPH Commissioner Robbie Goldstein said the bill is needed to strengthen protections against out-of-state legal attacks, protect patient and provider data, clarify enforcement authority, and add a state-level EMTALA-style emergency care requirement. Committee members asked detailed questions about prescription labeling, the prescription monitoring program, attorney discipline, custody and full faith and credit issues, and whether the bill’s enforcement language could create unintended limits or conflicts. The Attorney General’s office said it would provide follow-up written testimony on several technical questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 1709 would prohibit addictive social media accounts for users under 16.
- Would their account have to be? Would they be banned only in California?
- This is about accountability. This is about dignity.
- This is about accountability. This is about dignity.
- While also ensuring accountability through reporting and transparency requirements.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on public safety, consumer protection, and youth harms. AB 1557 by Assemblymember Papin would clarify e-bike motor power limits and set lower speed-related standards for Class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Supporters, including the California Police Chiefs Association, cities, the California Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, argued the bill would reduce severe injuries and deaths among young riders. Opponents from People for Bikes warned it could conflict with federal law, create legal uncertainty, and disrupt the bicycle market. The author and committee members acknowledged industry concerns and urged continued work on the bill.
AB 1770 by Assemblymember Garcia would place large health care service plan arbitration under California Department of Justice oversight and require compliance with the California Arbitration Act. Supporters described cases where patients were forced into private arbitration with little transparency or accountability, arguing the bill would make the process fairer and more neutral. Kaiser Permanente and the Civil Justice Association of California said they were still reviewing amendments and had not settled on a final position. Committee members expressed sympathy for the personal stories shared and encouraged continued negotiations.
The committee also heard AB 2075, which would require fire suppression equipment to be kept closer at hand during brush work, and AB 1864, which would require screening of gene synthesis orders to prevent misuse for bioterrorism. AB 2075 was presented as a response to a Ventura County wildfire, with support from the Ventura County District Attorney’s office and no opposition heard. AB 1864 was backed by the author, Stanford biosecurity expert Dr. Milana Trout, and Encode AI, while Biocom opposed unless amended and California Life Sciences remained neutral. Members discussed implementation details and the role of the Department of Public Health.
A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts on platforms with harmful features and create an e-safety advisory commission. Supporters, including youth advocates, parents, medical groups, and Common Sense Media, said addictive design features are harming children’s mental health and safety. Opponents, including EFF, the ACLU, TechNet, and other civil liberties and industry groups, argued the bill is overbroad, raises First Amendment and privacy concerns, and could limit access to important online communities. Despite those objections, the bill was moved forward after committee discussion, with members emphasizing the need to protect children while continuing to work on carveouts and implementation details.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- That is what safety looks like: accountability without incarceration.
- Accountability without incarceration. Traditional carceral system.
- Accountability is too often out of sight and out of mind.
- Assembly Bill 2499 is about accountability.
- Accountability ends early and risk is pushed back into the community unmanaged.
Committee:
House Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, just say the state park account.
- For example, just say the state park account.
- For example, just say the state park account.
- For example, just say the state park account.
- For example, just say the state park account.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Statute Law Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Statute Law Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So, as we just said, our publications account is... ...just said our publications account is doing very
- So this is actually our—I'm going to skip ahead and go to the publications account.
- So we have a balance right now of $870,000 in our account.
- As I said, when we do ship books, shipping would come out of this account.
- And then going back to our main account, this is basically our general fund, so to speak.
Committee:
Joint Statute Law Committee
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- to the same level I would personally go the other way and hold government accountable to the same level
- that private contractors are held accountable in the private sector.
- But ultimately, we've got to have accountability.
- I think we as a state need to take a long, hard look at that and hold ourselves more accountable for
- I think we as a state need to take a long, hard look at that and hold ourselves more accountable for
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Summary:
The Transportation Committee took up several measures and adopted amendments on multiple bills. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of provisions from the original bill and added items including local authority to lower residential street speed limits, clarification on obscured license plates, FDOT funding for certain rural airport aviation projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes tied to red-light cameras, changes to private use of license plate readers, and other transportation-related revisions. After brief questions and supportive testimony, the committee reported the bill favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1310, which was converted into a study bill directing FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report findings and policy options to the governor and legislature. Railroad industry testimony supported the study but raised concerns about interoperability with train safety systems and suggested the study consider additional safety tools such as red-light cameras and wayside horns. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 828, as amended, would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services on behalf of governments, with supporters saying it would reduce costs and provide certainty for transit providers, while opponents warned it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under federal law. The committee reported that bill favorably as well.
The committee then passed SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying when vehicles may be treated as abandoned, adding penalties for unlawfully attached plates or stickers, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used to flee law enforcement even without an immediate arrest. It also approved SB 1562, which aims to prevent manufacturers from concentrating sales of certain vehicle brands through a single dealer group and instead promote competition among independent dealers. In addition, the committee unanimously confirmed a slate of appointees, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several bills before adjourning.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/17/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2265 restores that boundary while preserving accountability.
- Thank you. ...that boundary while preserving accountability. Twenty seconds.
- Each operator must offer tools for managing a minor account holder's privacy and account settings to
- the minor account holder and their parent or guardian as prescribed.
- Who's going to hold them accountable? That's our job. Then I'm... Senator Kuby, no.
Bills:
HB2056 , HB2057 , HB2224 , HB2257 , HB2265 , HB2311 , HB2352 , HB2367 , HB2369 , HB2446 , HB2532 , HB2592 , HB2752 , HB2809 , HB2957
Keywords:
brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding, Arizona, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But as simple as yes or no, are you accounting for those emissions? Is there accounting of them?
- Are we accounting for imported emissions?
- to California, those carbon emissions are all accounted for.
- set by the scientific body of the IPCC to do this greenhouse gas accounting.
- Did you take into account the history?
Summary:
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and policy considerations surrounding refinery closures. Chair Blakespear framed the hearing as part of California’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for proactive planning so communities, workers, and local governments are not caught off guard. Vice Chair Gunda argued that the state has long signaled a future away from oil, while also warning that closures can create supply instability, higher prices, and infrastructure stress if not managed carefully. Senators also raised concerns about consumer costs, supply reliability, the role of imports, and whether California’s climate policies are contributing to refinery disinvestment.
The first panel included the California Energy Commission, CARB, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Gunda described California as being in a “mid-transition,” with gasoline demand gradually declining, zero-emission vehicle adoption rising, and refinery capacity shrinking through both conversions to renewable fuels and outright closures. He said the state needs a coordinated strategy that balances near-term supply stability with long-term decarbonization, and noted that refinery closures can shift liabilities onto pipelines, terminals, and potentially the state. CARB’s Matthew Boutill said the agency’s focus is reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, and that state policies are already driving billions in annual investment in alternative fuels, EV infrastructure, and refinery conversions. Water Board representative Annalisa Kihara explained the cleanup authorities used at refinery sites, including investigation, remediation, and enforcement tools, and said decommissioning often reveals previously inaccessible contamination and may require new monitoring wells and additional site assessment.
Committee members pressed the panel on whether the state has enough information to plan for land reuse and cleanup costs, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more legislative direction is needed. Gunda said there are still gaps in information and transparency, especially around liability and long-term community planning. Kihara said the Water Boards can require more data, cleanup, and timelines, but that refinery remediation is highly site-specific and can take tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Senators Menjivar, Stern, and Hurtado questioned demand trends, the pace of refinery closures versus demand decline, the role of imports and the Jones Act, and whether California should consider options such as state ownership or broader ecosystem planning. The panel generally agreed that closures are likely to continue and that the state should plan proactively rather than reactively.
A second panel presented recent research on refinery closures. Emily Grubert said closure costs and remediation obligations are often underestimated and that California should better define end-of-life obligations and financial assurance requirements. Tham Herschbach outlined five drivers of refinery closures: declining California crude production, falling in-state gasoline demand, the shift toward renewable diesel and other alternative fuels, global refinery consolidation, and the growing availability of imported gasoline. Anne Alexander focused on community impacts, using the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure as a case study, and said refinery sites are often heavily contaminated, cleanup can take a decade or more, and communities are often left without clear information because refineries have little end-of-life planning or financial assurance requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational hearing.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- First-time offenders account for a significant share of impaired driving crashes.
- And the person's not here anymore to be held accountable. So who's held accountable?
- And the person's not here anymore to be held accountable. So who's held accountable?
- anymore to be held accountable? So who's held accountable? Is the state of Missouri?
- Again, this doesn't remove any accountability for the sheriff.
Committee:
House Crime and Public Safety
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- focuses on lowering costs by increasing price transparency and holding big insurance companies accountable
- focuses on lowering costs by increasing price transparency and holding big insurance companies accountable
- Congress must act to ensure accountability and to prevent millions of Americans from being left behind
- This bipartisan piece Of legislation would give Congress greater accountability and oversight of the
- And demand accountability, the Congressional Black Caucus will not be silent while families are pushed
Keywords:
AI for Main Street Act, artificial intelligence, small business, small business development centers, SBDC, Small Business Act, business technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, business training, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, AI literacy, outreach, main street businesses, Main Street Parity Act, Small Business Investment Act of 1958
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 16th, 2026 at 09:09 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- So people will adjust their spending to account for inflation.
- This year in January, we have a 25 Match for anyone who opens up an account.
- All of our foster kids who have a disability will Now be having a stable account.
- parents and being able to get the Interest earned off of their accounts.
- We have 1,040 bank accounts.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs Aug 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been working very closely, Chairman, with Seul Jimenez Sandeval, and we will be held accountable
- You know, we need to teach the little ones accountability, responsibility, discipline, you know, and
- And I heard accountability.
- They're the ones that should have the accountability of assigning these people these jobs.
- Also, accountability for our school districts, ensuring that they are following Title VI.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. Members and tribal leaders opened with a tribal welcome and prayer, then heard testimony from a first panel on Native students in the education system and a second panel on solutions and actions for Native students. The discussion centered on discrimination against Native students, the need for culturally grounded education, and the importance of tribal voices in state policymaking.
Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over being allowed to wear tribal regalia at graduation, saying she faced racism, isolation, and repeated denials before ultimately graduating in full regalia with support from family, tribal leaders, advocates, and state officials. Morningstar Ghali spoke about her own experiences with school exclusion and her son’s mistreatment, arguing that Native students are pushed out by systems rooted in assimilation and calling for restorative justice, Native educators, culturally responsive curriculum, and stronger support services. Janet K. Bill described how tribal Head Start and later education helped her reach Stanford, law school, tribal council, and the Attorney General’s office, and emphasized that education, justice, and sovereignty are connected.
Committee members asked about practical solutions, including how to build Native representation in schools and higher education, strengthen Title VI outreach, expand Native studies and restorative justice, and improve data collection. Tribal leaders urged more accountability for school districts, including consequences for educators who violate Native students’ rights, and called for stronger partnerships with tribes, better implementation of existing laws, and more Native people in decision-making roles. Several members highlighted the need to fill existing state positions, such as the Native seat on the San Joaquin River Conservancy board, and to create pipelines into teaching, leadership, and public service. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with continued calls for collaboration, enforcement of existing protections, and future legislative action.