Transcript Highlights:

• that in context, for every unit of electricity that we were consuming from the grid, we were able to pair
• that in context for every unit of electricity that we were consuming from the grid, we were able to pair
• To pair that up with the waste heat from the EcoGen plant and then deliver seven to eight units of useful

Bills: HB2330 , HB2338

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: energy systems, capital funding, state campus, school infrastructure, sustainability, weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to strategically pair those HAP funds with other local, state, and federal funds. such as Homekey
• grantees with corrective action plans to enforce compliance to ensure effective fund uses and it also pairs
• Which obviously because we're pairing it with funding there is a there is a Direct link there, and then

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:45.839><c> professionals</c> help them um help our pair professionals help them um help our
• pair professionals build<00:10:47.000><c> that</c><00:10:47.440><c> um</c><00:10:47.600><c> lure</c>
• Apprentices are thoughtfully paired with... world my students need adults in their world my students
• um becoming from a pair professional to a<00:30:13.519><c> licensed</c><00:30:14.000><c> teacher</c>
• </c><00:38:08.079><c> Professionals</c><00:38:08.599><c> for</c> training for our pair Professionals

Bills: HF6 , HF52 , HF53

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• This housing is typically paired with site-based supportive services, which can include mental health
• <00:32:01.080><c> with</c><00:32:01.279><c> site-based</c><00:32:01.760><c> Supportive</c> paired with
• It will also be paired with a brand-new home buyer education course developed in partnership with the
• </c><00:47:45.960><c> will</c><00:47:46.160><c> also</c><00:47:46.400><c> be</c><00:47:46.559><c> paired
• with a brand time it will also be paired with a brand new<00:47:47.720><c> home</c><00:47:47.920><c>

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• committee bill, redistricting map, they examine that map before release to see how many members are paired
• committee bill, redistricting map, they examine that map before release to see how many members are paired
• be a map that looks good across the state, but then an individual legislator says, you know, that pairs
• be a map that looks good across the state, but then an individual legislator says, you know, that pairs
• me with a colleague that's pairs me with a colleague that's uncomfortable<00:42:49.440><c> I'm</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• do want to thank, uh, Representative Burkel as well as Representative Smith and, uh, an unlikely pairing
• do want to thank, uh, Representative Burkel as well as Representative Smith and, uh, an unlikely pairing

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, he has intimate knowledge of the pair industry.
• We had a pair of employees in about 2013 who left McKinstree, took a bunch of confidential information

Summary: The Legislative Ethics Board met to reorganize its agenda, elect officers, approve prior minutes, review employment disclosure forms, consider rule changes, and discuss a draft annual report. Larry Hoff was nominated and elected chair/president, and Lori was nominated and elected vice chair. The board then approved the December 8 minutes and approved two employment disclosures involving Senate and House security employees whose spouses also work in legislative security roles. Jennifer presented proposed rule updates, described as mostly technical, clarifying procedures for continuances, answers to reasonable-cause determinations, hearings before either the board or an ALJ, and discovery in adjudicative proceedings. The board moved to approve the rule amendments, and the motion passed. The draft annual report was also discussed, with members suggesting edits to bios and noting the report’s reference to 478 ethics inquiries. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on a draft advisory opinion about whether attorney-legislators may represent clients in matters against state agencies. Members debated whether the opinion should emphasize the constitutional reality of a part-time legislature and the need to distinguish legislative duties from private legal work, or whether it would create unnecessary special treatment for attorneys. Several members raised concerns about conflicts of interest and using legislative status to gain advantage, while others argued the existing ethics rules already cover those situations. In the end, the board decided not to issue the proposed advisory opinion. Jennifer also mentioned Advisory Opinion 2019-5 regarding citizen members of the board and their restrictions, including limits on lobbying. No public testimony was offered, and the board adjourned to executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• pair professional who<00:43:30.000><c> did</c><00:43:30.480><c> the</c><00:43:30.720><c> physical</c
• But that's that pairing of both at one time is an important step when we're doing something new.
• But that pairing of both at one time is an important step when we're doing something new.
• But that pairing of both at one time is an important step when we're doing something new.
• But that pairing of both at one time is an important step when we're doing something new.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adequate service funding to be paired with capital funding for PSH units to help ensure full funding
• The report recommends that service funding be paired with capital funding for permanent supportive housing
• The report recommends that service funding be paired with capital funding for permanent supportive housing
• /c><00:15:37.480><c> be</c> recommends that service funding be recommends that service funding be paired
• with capital funding for paired with capital funding for permanent<00:15:39.600><c> support</c><00:15

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And we think that really helps elevate these projects and makes them more economically viable when paired
• AB 1813 would jumpstart the deployment of distribution-connected renewable energy projects paired with
• AB 1813 would also create a cost shift from one small subset of rate pairs to all other rate pairs, and

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills, with AB 1715 drawing the most discussion. That bill would require the CPUC to create a searchable database of utility advice letters, protests, responses, and resolutions going back to 2020, and to require utilities to report state, federal, and other public financing so ratepayer savings from loans, grants, and similar funding can be tracked and passed through. The author and TURN said the bill is aimed at transparency, affordability, and preventing double recovery; committee amendments removed some language, and labor said the amendments would remove its opposition. Senators pressed on how “financial benefits” would be defined and whether the bill would require refunds to ratepayers, and the author said the CPUC would determine the details. The bill was later moved out of committee on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 1301, a CPUC/Public Utilities Code cleanup bill, was presented as a housekeeping measure to remove obsolete references, align deadlines, eliminate duplicative requirements, and extend the Energy Conservation Assistance Act sunset. The Public Advocates Office and Golden State Power Cooperatives supported it, and the committee advanced it do-pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2463, which would require the CPUC to disclose the models and analysis used to set utility authorized return on equity, was described as a transparency measure for a process that is currently a “black box.” EDF and the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition supported the bill, while members noted the importance of understanding how utility profits are set; it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1813, on community solar and storage, generated substantial debate. The author said the bill is intended to fix a CPUC program that he argued is unworkable and inconsistent with the Legislature’s earlier direction, while supporters including San Diego Community Power, TURN, and many clean energy, labor, and local-government groups said it would make community solar viable for renters and others who cannot install rooftop solar. Opponents, including the Public Advocates Office, Southern California Edison, SDG&E, and PG&E, argued it would raise rates, create cost shifts to non-participating customers, and conflict with a recently adopted CPUC decision. The bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with some senators indicating support but also concern about affordability and pending amendments. AB 2111, which would require the CPUC to plan transmission using multiple demand and resource scenarios instead of a single forecast, was supported as a way to reduce bottlenecks, improve reliability, and avoid costly under-planning as electrification grows. Supporters said better scenario planning would help avoid transmission constraints that block new generation, while the committee raised questions about cost impacts and the role of current CPUC planning processes. The bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also took up AB 2266, which would consolidate related CPUC compliance reporting, require consistent reliability valuation across programs, and direct an evaluation if CAISO uses backstop procurement; supporters said it would reduce confusion and improve consistency, while opponents warned against forcing one valuation method across different resource types. AB 2266 was also moved to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2175 was taken up on consent and advanced without discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• But with how we've paired it back to this point, uh, I then go back to my question: why don't we just
• </c><00:03:24.920><c> how</c><00:03:25.080><c> we've</c><00:03:25.880><c> uh</c><00:03:26.080><c> paired
• </c><00:03:26.400><c> it</c><00:03:26.520><c> back</c> Um but with how we've uh paired it back Um but
• with how we've uh paired it back to<00:03:27.600><c> this</c><00:03:27.880><c> point,</c><00:03:28.920

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, SB 1246 pairs a three-strikes-you’re-out rule with very prescriptive mandates.
• Studies show that wildlife crossings paired with continuous fencing typically cut large mammal collisions
• Studies show that wildlife crossings paired with continuous fencing typically cut large mammal collisions
• Well-designed wildlife crossings paired with fencing should be treated as the highly effective safety

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a long agenda of transportation-related bills, with several district-specific measures and statewide policy proposals. Early in the hearing, SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize Contra Costa County to place a new countywide transportation sales tax measure on the ballot to continue funding highways, local roads, transit, biking and walking infrastructure, and paratransit. Supporters said it would preserve funding continuity for major projects; CalTax opposed it over affordability and sales tax burden concerns. Senators discussed that the bill would only place the measure before voters, not enact the tax itself, and a motion was made, but no vote could be taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee also heard SB 990, a rural signage bill for Ridgecrest along Highway 395, which would allow Caltrans business-logo signs to direct travelers to lodging, food, fuel, medical services, and other amenities. The author and local witnesses framed it as a safety and economic development measure for an isolated community; there was no opposition. SB 1167, authored by Senator Blakespear, would tighten consumer protections in the e-bike market by distinguishing legal e-bikes from higher-powered e-motos, requiring clearer labeling and disclosures, and improving incident reporting. It drew broad support from bicycle, medical, local government, auto club, and safety groups, with no opposition. SB 1034 by Senator McNerney would make it easier for disabled veterans rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA to obtain disabled parking placards, aligning state procedures with federal disability determinations; veterans groups strongly supported it and no opposition was heard. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would add Long Beach’s Pacific Coast Highway corridor to the city’s existing speed safety camera pilot. Supporters said PCH accounts for a disproportionate share of fatalities and crashes, especially involving pedestrians, while opponents from the highway patrol and business groups said the issue should be handled under existing or upcoming rules. The California Highway Patrol Association later moved to neutral after discussions about amendments. Finally, the chair presented SB 1177, to require the High-Speed Rail Project Update report to continue including additional information such as revenue options and comparative project history, and SB 1246, a bill to impose stronger remote-operations, response-time, training, reporting, and manual override requirements on autonomous vehicle operators. SB 1177 drew support from the U.S. High-Speed Rail Association and opposition from the City of Burbank, while SB 1246 drew strong support from firefighters, labor, and many drivers and cyclists, but opposition from the AV industry, Chamber of Commerce groups, and a retired CHP official who argued the bill was too prescriptive and conflicted with new DMV rules. Members debated safety, data reporting, first responder access, and whether the bill should wait for rulemaking; the hearing ended with motions and discussion, but the transcript does not show final votes being taken on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, SB 1246 pairs a three-strikes-you’re-out rule with very prescriptive mandates.
• Studies show that wildlife crossings paired with continuous fencing typically cut large mammal collisions
• Studies show that wildlife crossings paired with continuous fencing typically cut large mammal collisions
• Well-designed wildlife crossings paired with fencing should be treated as the highly effective safety

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• poverty</c><00:16:29.160><c> issue</c><00:16:30.000><c> and</c> So any there is really this need for a pairing
• So any there is really this need<00:16:51.120><c> for</c><00:16:51.280><c> a</c><00:16:51.360><c> pairing
• > of</c><00:16:52.400><c> a</c><00:16:52.440><c> continuum</c><00:16:53.160><c> of</c> need for a pairing
• of a continuum of need for a pairing of a continuum of care<00:16:54.079><c> and</c><00:16:54.320><c

Bills: SB2479 , SB2557 , SB2861 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB3325

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to criminal procedure, homelessness, family resilience, Medicaid-funded services, and school Medicaid reimbursement. On SB 2479 SD2, the Judiciary testified in neutral opposition with concerns that the bill could require imprisonment even for probation-eligible defendants, expand sentence reconsideration in ways that could undermine finality for victims, conflict with existing sentencing statutes, and require additional judicial resources. The Office of the Public Defender supported the bill’s intent but asked for language changes so people serving sentences could raise the new evidence in Rule 40 petitions and so probation would remain available in appropriate felony cases. Written testimony also included opposition from several county prosecutors and police, and support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chair later deferred SB 2479 SD2, citing unintended consequences and problems with the bill. For SB 2557 SD1, which would require annual reporting by the State Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the office said it supported the intent but noted it already produces annual and quarterly reports, that some requested data is already available, and that staffing and cost constraints could make the new reporting burdensome. The State Council on Mental Health supported the measure and suggested narrowing the reporting language to data on individuals with serious mental illness or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, to the extent practicable and in collaboration with relevant agencies. A committee member asked about the availability of point-in-time count data, and the office explained that some figures may not be available every year and may need to be generated through HMIS. Dr. Jack Lewin testified in support, saying the data would be useful for understanding health care costs. The committee passed SB 2557 SD1 with amendments, including a deferral of the effective date. The committee also heard SB 2861 SD2 and SB 3204 SD1, both family resilience pilot program measures. For SB 2861 SD2, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the office’s role is planning and advisory, that DHS is a key partner, and that federal compliance safeguards are included. The chair raised concerns about overlap with DHS’s existing Ka Ohana program and asked for language to avoid redundancy while allowing the bill to cover other at-risk children; decision-making was deferred to the next hearing. For SB 3204 SD1, which would create a peer-navigator-based family resilience pilot, the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS supported the measure, with the office requesting a two-year pilot period, and both agencies and several advocacy groups submitted support. The committee discussed funding, the proposed five peer navigators, and whether the pilot should be limited to one or two geographic areas; no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard and supported SB 3324 SD1 on Medicaid home and community-based services, with the Department of Health emphasizing caregiver shortages and the cost-effectiveness of community care, and SB 3325 SD1 HD1 on public school Medicaid reimbursement, where DOE and the Attorney General requested clarifying amendments to reporting language and position titles.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 300 replaces a reasonableness-based standard with an absolute duty to prevent and pairs it with an
• By pairing these assessments with clear public-facing safety policies, SB 1119 creates unprecedented
• Meta alone sold 7 million pairs last year and is projected to sell at least twice that this year.
• Meta alone sold 7 million pairs last year and is projected to sell at least twice that this year.
• Today, it can look like an ordinary pair of eyeglasses.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Or a second option could be to potentially pair a presentation on updated valuation results in a future
• Or a second option could be to potentially pair a presentation on updated valuation results in a future

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Executive Committee of the State Committee on Pension Policy approved the June minutes and received updates from staff and counsel. The attorney reported on two class action matters: the Fowler/Probst Fowler teacher interest case, where a court ordered the state to pay $118 million and the state has appealed and sought a stay, and the Dawson case challenging last year’s HB 2034 related to the LEOFF 1 plan, where the complaint was amended and the state plans to move to dismiss. The actuary also provided a brief update on asset smoothing and offered to provide additional education on the topic. The committee then focused on interim work planning and the September agenda. Members discussed an ad hoc COLA for PERS and TRS Plan 1 retirees, with staff explaining options for making a COLA part of the base budget or otherwise structuring it. The committee agreed to move forward with a bill for a Plan 1 ad hoc COLA and to have it considered in October, with a request for fiscal analysis. The committee also heard from a Washington State Patrol Troopers Association representative about survivor medical benefits, and staff said a cost estimate could be prepared for October if the proposal included retroactive coverage. For September, the committee set the agenda to include PERS eligibility for animal control officers, a LEOFF 1 medical study update with possible action, and the Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item. Staff said the work plan would also add the ongoing Plan 1 COLA and survivor medical topics to October, along with preliminary 2027 meeting dates. The meeting ended with informal approval of the September agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• By allowing a single entrance and exit stairway in buildings up to four stories, when paired with safety
• By allowing single entrance and exit stairway in buildings up to four stories, when paired with safety

Committee: Senate Housing and Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services met with a quorum, adopted the June 16, 2026 minutes, and then unanimously adopted S-1 substitutes for House Bills 5570 and 5571. The chair said the committee would take testimony and likely not move to final passage that day, in order to allow more discussion and questions. The bills, as substituted, would allow local governments to permit certain multifamily buildings up to four stories to be built or converted with a single staircase, subject to conditions such as limits on units per floor, floor size, and existing fire safety requirements. A sunset provision was described as ending the statute once LARA adopts corresponding building code rules. Representatives Fairbairn and Wooden testified in support, saying the bills are intended to address Michigan’s housing shortage by making smaller infill and “missing middle” projects more feasible and less costly. They argued the current two-stair requirement drives up costs, makes land assembly harder, and limits development on narrow or irregular lots. Senators asked about stair width, emergency safety, the choice of four stories instead of six, and why the American Institute of Architects opposed the approach; the sponsors said the 48-inch stair width was intended to allow two-way movement, four stories was a compromise aligned with expected code changes, and the architects preferred rulemaking over statutory change. Supportive testimony came from Pew Charitable Trusts, which said research from New York City, Seattle, and other places found fire death rates in modern single-stair buildings to be indistinguishable from other multifamily buildings, and that modern safety features such as sprinklers, alarms, and fire-rated construction make these buildings safe. A developer from Ann Arbor and the Michigan Home Builders Association said the reform would improve floor-plan efficiency, reduce wasted circulation space, lower construction costs, and help smaller projects pencil out. Abundant Housing Michigan also supported the bills, estimating they could reduce apartment construction costs by nearly 13%. The clerk read in numerous written cards in support from business, housing, municipal, and advocacy groups, while the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs and the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union were listed as neutral. The committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• think what I had hoped to see is for entities that have already done really good work with the rate pairs
• to protect, allow these large energy use facilities in their areas, but protect their rate pairs and

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Second Substitute House Bill 1906 concerning water systems, focusing on a striking amendment that would require more notice to customers and relevant entities before ownership changes, require certain planning documents to be submitted, and direct the UTC to consider cost of capital, external funding, rate smoothing, notice, and planning compliance when setting rates for private water companies. Testifiers from the Washington PUD Association, Northwest Natural, Thurston PUD, and Washington Water Service generally supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency for customers, help avoid failed systems ending up in receivership, and better inform customers about future costs; one senator asked about PFAS contamination, receivership, and the removal of a right of first refusal, and staff explained the bill’s intent was to improve front-end notice rather than change the back-end takeover process. The committee then moved into executive session and received briefings on several bills and proposed striking amendments, including measures on distributed energy resources (HB 2296), emerging large energy use facilities (HB 2115), AI disclosures (HB 1170), waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (HB 2416), low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), environmentally sustainable urban design (HB 1742), and the Spark Act AI grant program (HB 1833). Members discussed issues such as utility worker installation authority, data center load and ratepayer protections, AI provenance and disclosure requirements, waste-to-energy allowance timing, reimbursement mechanics for energy assistance, and safeguards for an AI regulatory sandbox. The committee adopted striking amendments and passed HB 2296, HB 2115, HB 1170, HB 2416, HB 1906, HB 1903, and HB 1833 out of committee, generally with due-pass recommendations and referral to Ways and Means where applicable. The committee did not take action on HB 1742. The meeting concluded with members and staff offering personal thanks and farewell remarks to the chair, who was noted to be leaving the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will lock the machine and report the pairs.
• And report the pairs: Cornelis votes aye, Crane 12 votes aye, Egbert votes nay. 41 ayes, 28 nays, one

Transcript Highlights:

• There is also a paired vote. Thank you. There is also a paired vote. Senator Burnt votes aye.