Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Chavez, here. Representative Hall, here. Representative Hochman Vigil, here.
• Representative Abeyta, Representative Chavez, yes. Representative Hall Yes.
• Representative Chavez, yes. Representative Hall, yes. Representative Hochman Vigil, yes.

Bills: SB3, HB70, HB49, HB60, HB151, HB164, SB17, SB35, SB164

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have Representative Chavez, who would like to give a few remarks.
• I do have Representative Chavez, who would like to give a few remarks.
• Chavez, thank you so much for bringing this forward.
• Chairman, Senator Hadimir, Representative Chavez. Thank you, Mr.
• Chairman, Senator Hadevio, Representative Chavez.

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Commander, American GI Forum, Cesar E. Chavez Chapter in Sacramento.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Madam Chair, thank you very much for that information, but I do have to correct John Chavez.
• Well, Madam Chair, thank you very much for that information, but I do have to correct John Chavez.
• One has already passed the Chavez County Commission. I opposed it vehemently.
• and they bought up, I can't remember how many sections of a ranch out in the middle of nowhere in Chavez
• No, Madam Chair, I was simply referring to this proposed facility in Chavez County, which Senator is

Bills: SB78, SB235, SB22, SB310

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• Evan Chavez, Alonzo Baca, our office administrator, Arlo is here back there, our research assistant,
• Two things I'm glad to see you mentioned 100% Chavez County.
• superintendent for assessment instruction, and this is This is kind of her deal as far as the, the 100% Chavez
• And lots of the, the discussion has been around the kinds of things that 100% Chavez County would be
• And so, and I know Chavez County, or 100% Chavez County has been one of the very active ones within the

Transcript Highlights:

• Justin Chavez, Director of the Department of Audit.
• So, uh, Director Chavez just stole my thunder. We agree with everything he just said.
• Director Chavez, my question is: is this the same auditor that has continually taken on Johnson County
• Um, Director Chavez, correct me if I'm wrong, but did you... >> Uh, Mr.
• Chavez, did you tell the committee that you had spoken with...

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anderson, age 45; Carlos Fernandez, 52; Luine Fedon, 47; Kimberly Assa, three years old; Trinidad Trina Chavez
• Trinidad<00:17:08.400> Trina<00:17:08.880> Chavez,<00:17:09.839> 37.
• Trinidad Trina Chavez, 37. Trinidad Trina Chavez, 37.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 00:55 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 11:09 Motion to Act on HR 21 15:13 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 23:52 ConC and Rules Report 29:29 Adjournment 31:04, 958, all

Summary: The House opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 96 members present. Routine business followed: absent members were excused, the rules were suspended to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications, and the journal from January 12, 2026 was approved. No bills were taken up on second reading, and there were no committee reports or orders of the day at that point. During announcements, members recognized the Frederick Douglass High School cheerleading squad for winning a state title, and several members noted visits or upcoming events involving Kentucky firefighters and fire chiefs. Multiple committee meeting notices were also shared, and House Bill 244 was withdrawn by its primary sponsor. The clerk then read a long list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics including pharmacist reimbursements, immigration enforcement, housing, identity documents, sex-based classifications, school choking prevention, local minimum wages, rental property, labor standards, wages, veterans issues, homelessness prevention, real property appraisers, jury duty, paramedic education, adult performances, sanctuary policies, charitable gaming, court costs, National Guard benefits, child care coverage, and several resolutions. The chamber then considered House Resolution 21, honoring the victims of the UPS Airlines Flight 2976 crash in Louisville and commending first responders. The sponsor described the crash, named the victims, and detailed the extensive multi-agency response. The House opened the board for additional co-sponsors, observed a moment of silence, and adopted the resolution without objection. Afterward, the House recessed briefly for Committee on Committees and Rules Committee meetings, then received committee referrals for numerous bills to standing committees. No floor amendments were introduced, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Deputy Chief Randy Chavez from Contact Council Legal Services.
• We also have Deputy Chief Randy Chavez from Contact Council Legal Services.
• Chavez or sometimes myself, and so we feel like we have.
• Primarily that's Chavez County.
• We are already living under CMO in Chavez County without the Supreme Court order.

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• So they looked at Chavez, Lee, Rio Arriba, San Juan, and Eddy.
• Chavez County had the highest, and yet am I correct that among these counties, and I'm just going off
• Chavez County is not as high-producing as Lee or Eddy. Is that correct? Mr.
• Chair, Representative, certainly, and Chavez County is also a very heavy dairy county.
• Evans, how many dairies are located within a mile of schools in Chavez County? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gristolde Chavez with the Mesa Verde Group on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California in support
• Kristall de Chavez, with the Mesa Verde Group, on behalf of the Consumers Federation of California, in
• Crystal de Chavez, with the Mesa Verde Group, on behalf of the Consumers Federation of California, in
• Krista Chavez, with the Mesa Verde Group, on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California, in support
• Krista Chavez with the Mesa Verde Group on behalf of the Consumer Federation, California, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker rights, workplace technology, pay equity, and retail/self-checkout standards. SB 703 would require ports to collect and report information on trucking companies to help identify worker misclassification in the port trucking industry; supporters, including Teamsters and the California Labor Federation, said better data is needed for enforcement, while trucking and retail groups said they were working with the author and expected to remove opposition after amendments. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar of other measures. SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for annual employer notices about workers’ labor and civil rights, including emergency contact notification if a worker is detained or arrested. Supporters said the bill would help workers understand their rights amid federal rollbacks and weak enforcement; the California Restaurant Association opposed it. SB 7 would require notice and human review before employers use automated decision-making systems for discipline or termination, and would bar predictive use of such systems for employment actions. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while HR, chamber, retail, and local government groups raised concerns about breadth, notice burdens, and small-business impacts. Both bills passed 5-0 to their next committees. The committee also advanced SB 238, which would require disclosure about workplace surveillance and AI monitoring tools, and SB 442, which sets staffing and operational standards for self-checkout, including at least one staffed lane, one employee dedicated to monitoring self-checkout, item restrictions, and a 15-item limit sign. Supporters argued both bills improve transparency, safety, and worker protections; opponents warned SB 238 could expose security practices and SB 442 could raise costs and create preemption issues. SB 464 would expand state pay-data reporting to better capture public-sector workforce demographics in line with reparations and pay-equity goals, and SB 642 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by extending recovery periods, clarifying wage definitions, and updating pay-scale language. SB 464 and SB 642 also passed, with some opposition from county and business groups over scope and retroactivity. All measures taken up in the hearing were approved by committee, generally on 5-0 votes, and re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentlemen from Chavez, Eddy, and Otero, Representative Henry [ID: member_12668], with the Pledge of Allegiance
• It mostly affects Eddie and Lee counties, although there are parts of Chavez and Roosevelt. Mr.
• Will the gentleman from Chavez County please yield? I gladly yield to my friend, Representative.
• Does the gentleman from Chavez County yield? I certainly yield to my friend from San Juan. So, Mr.
• Will the gentleman from Chavez please yield? Yield to my friend from Cathryn Grant and Hidalgo.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Cesar Gonzalez with the California Rural Indian Health Board, and we're in support of the bill

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Cesar Corsum, the first item is consideration for review and approval of the actions by the State

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. Grant Wallace presented March and April formulary changes, including moving to lower-cost generic and preferred drugs, leaving several new-to-market drugs not covered, and adjusting migraine and diabetes medications; the committee approved those recommendations. The subcommittee also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that excludes automatic coverage for those therapies so they can undergo prior authorization and review, with members emphasizing that the policy was intended to create review, not an absolute denial, and that expedited appeals would remain available. Members spent significant time discussing the UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant amendment. Wallace explained that the contract included both basic services and optional services related to coupon and rebate management and prior authorization support, but the written materials created confusion over the dollar amount. After questions about whether the committee was approving a higher amount than the base contract and whether the optional services duplicated work already being done by Navitus, the committee agreed to review the item with a contingency that any use of the optional services would return to the committee for approval. The committee also reviewed and approved the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administrator contract, the CompSack employee assistance program contract, and the proposed 2027 employee and public employee rates, which call for a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules for the property insurance program, a contingency-fee subrogation contract with Denenberg-Tuffley, and renewals for Sedgwick claims management, Actuarial Advantage, and Stevens Capital Management. Wallace said Sedgwick had faced delays after a major winter storm and other weather events, but performance guarantees and communication expectations were being added; members discussed whether a shorter renewal term would be preferable, but the item was reviewed. The committee also approved the 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which Wallace said would lower the overall rate by 10% while keeping minimum deductibles unchanged. He noted the program had stabilized after a difficult first year and that the rate structure was now based on a more transparent actuarial foundation. The meeting ended with an update that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was nearing completion and would return in August, and the committee adjourned after approving the remaining items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Cesar Corsum, the first item is consideration for review and approval of the actions by the State

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. Grant Wallace presented March and April formulary changes, explaining that the updates favored lower-cost generics, re-tiered some drugs, left several new-to-market drugs uncovered pending more evidence, and added quantity limits in some cases. The committee approved those formulary recommendations. The subcommittee also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would exclude automatic coverage of those therapies and route them through prior authorization and review, with members noting the process should not delay urgent cases and that appeals remain available. Members then discussed a UAMS professional consultant services contract amendment for pharmacy benefit consulting. The discussion focused on confusion over the dollar amount and scope, with Wallace clarifying that the committee was being asked to approve up to $2.596 million, including optional services related to coupon and rebate management that could be used later without returning for another approval. Several members raised concerns about matching the written contract to the approval amount and about the relationship to the current pharmacy benefit manager, but the committee ultimately approved the item with the understanding that any use of the optional services would return to the committee. The committee also reviewed, without objection, a Blue Cross/Blue Advantage third-party administrator contract, a CompSack employee assistance program contract, and approved proposed 2027 employee and public school health plan rates of 9.8% and 4.9% increases, respectively. Wallace also said the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in final negotiation and would return in August. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules for the property insurance program, a contingency-fee subrogation contract with Denenberg-Tuffly, and extensions for Sedgwick Claims Management, Actuarial Advantage, and Stevens Capital Management. Members asked about claim-adjustment delays after a major winter storm, and Wallace said performance guarantees and communication requirements had been added, with claims still expected to vary by case. The committee also approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, lower rates for K-12 and higher education, a higher rate for state agencies, and an overall 10% reduction. Wallace said the reductions reflected improved actuarial foundations, better claims management, and the program’s first-year performance. The meeting adjourned after approving the rate item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Letter No. 5 dated March 28, 2025, in which the governor makes the following reappointment: Viedra Chavez
• President, I ask that the credentials of Vedra Chavez be presented to the full Senate for consideration
• as a member... ...of Vedra Chavez be presented to the full Senate for consideration as a member of the
• By a vote of 33 in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the appointment of Adra Chavez as a member
• The appointment of Adra Chavez as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Hispanic Cultural

Keywords: 996, all

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• Christina Chavez, our Director of Business Services.
• So, for example, where you see Dominic Chavez, he is the general manager under cash management, who's
• My name is Felix Chavez, and I am the LFC analyst for the Attorney General.
• Chavez said, the $850,000 difference in this P-Code is for salary, GSD, liability rate increases, and
• They were going into Chavez County, which is where my family is from, and they were going to hotels.

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• With me today to testify in support is retired United States Air Force Captain Ramona Chavez.
• Retired United States Air Force Captain Ramona Chavez.
• I am Captain Ramona Chavez. I served in this. Thank you very much. Good afternoon.
• I am Captain Ramona Chavez. I served in the U.S.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Chavez. Thank you, Madam Chair, and yes, thank you for the presentation.
• Madam Chair, Representative Chavez, the map indicates the locations of opioid treatment programs, also
• Madam Chair, Representative Chavez, absolutely, and that's a good question.
• Madam Chair and Representative Chavez, this would be...
• Representative Chavez, thank you for those.

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• So, behind me I have Representative Nicole Chavez. Please, I'll recognize her for seven minutes.
• But for now, Representative Nicole Chavez, we recognize you for seven minutes. Yes, start over.
• Chairman, members of the committee, and Representative Chavez, I've been in the job eight days, but we
• I have Representative Eleanor Chavez and then Representative Romero for seven minutes.
• Representative Chavez, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joseph Stallone, Brandon Reese, and Gina Chavez.
• All right, seeing none, the Chair recognizes Gina Chavez.
• My name is Gina Chavez, and I really appreciate y'all being here and hearing this bill.

Bills: SB1960, SB1730, SB766, SB2342, SB2501, SB2903

Keywords: digital rights, replication, Voice likeness, visual likeness, private causes of action, fee structure, online service providers, postmortem rights, self-defense, stand your ground, castle doctrine, use of force, deadly force, civil immunity, civil liability, tort claims, attorney fees, court costs, lost income, Chapter 9 Penal Code