Transcript Highlights:

• Then maybe you'll get the fire department if the pagers worked, if the towers are up.
• </c><00:33:48.159><c> department</c><00:33:48.640><c> if</c> maybe you'll get the fire department if
• maybe you'll get the fire department if the<00:33:49.600><c> pagers</c><00:33:50.240><c> worked,</c><
• That covers about four law enforcement agencies, nine volunteer fire departments, four EMS services,
• </c> agencies, nine volunteer fire agencies, nine volunteer fire departments,<00:36:48.800><c> four</

Bills: SF0032 , SF0010 , SF0001 , HB0001

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And I say that as someone who was, a decade ago, at the Department of Insurance.
• I remained trapped under the vehicle for approximately 25 minutes before the fire department arrived
• Without community mitigation, fire can more easily spread from structure to structure.
• Frankel here on behalf of the California Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire District Association of
• California Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire District Association of California we like to start by

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limits for rideshare companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with the stated goal of lowering fares and improving driver economics. Uber, Lyft, and business groups supported the bill, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and other opponents argued it would cut passenger and driver protections and should include stronger guarantees that savings reach riders and workers. Members raised questions about data, fee breakdowns, and whether the bill should include a look-back or other accountability measures; the bill was passed on a do-pass vote as proposed to be amended in another committee. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how third-party recoveries are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured in the line of duty, ensuring injured public safety workers receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including injured officers and public safety organizations, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing local governments argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee discussed the interaction with existing workers’ compensation and retirement benefits, and the bill was moved on a do-pass vote to Appropriations. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation standards and post-catastrophe reports aimed at improving insurability and affordability. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer advocates, and fire-related groups supported the measure, while water agencies opposed provisions they said could improperly involve the commission in water infrastructure recommendations and create litigation and ratepayer concerns. The bill was approved on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting. The committee also considered SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which extends wildfire-related insurance moratorium protections to commercial property policies for one year after a state emergency in affected areas. The Department of Insurance and a broad coalition of local government, consumer, and business groups supported it, and the major insurance trade groups withdrew opposition after amendments. The bill was passed as amended to Appropriations. Separately, SB 770 by Senator Allen would remove an insurance requirement that an HOA be named as an additional insured for residents installing EV chargers in common-interest developments; supporters said the rule is a barrier to home charging, while community association representatives warned it could raise premiums for all members. The discussion focused on balancing EV access with HOA insurance costs, and the bill was supported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that the department recently did something similar with municipal fire departments, which wanted
• </c> do that um recently with municipal fire do that um recently with municipal fire departments.<00:
• </c><01:15:13.320><c> department,</c><01:15:14.320><c> that</c> opices of the fire department, that opices
• of the fire department, that vehicle<01:15:15.199><c> can</c><01:15:15.440><c> never</c><01:15:15.679
• </c><01:47:05.600><c> apparatus</c><01:47:06.320><c> fire</c> to adding retired fire apparatus fire to

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• And while call volume has surged, fire department infrastructure hasn't exactly kept up.
• In 1960, Los Angeles Fire Department had 112 stations serving 2.5 million residents.
• Audra Hartman, on behalf of the California Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire Districts Association
• , we have... ...on behalf of the California Fire Chiefs Association and the Fire Districts Association
• and chair to fire authority.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it's it is run by the you know many fire it's it is run by the you know many fire departments<03
• it is very similar to your departments it is very similar to your fire<03:30:40.160><c> department</
• I truly believe ambulance service is like your fire department or your police department, and that is
• <c> do</c> uh in the fire departments now who do uh in the fire departments now who do balance balance
• It's a nonprofit; it's not a fire department thing.

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We find that some of these are actually causing fires in our landfills, fires actually in some of the
• And those are very toxic fumes that come from battery fires.
• So what happens if my truck catches fire? I've got to go find a safe place.
• Dump that load, call the fire department. They put it out.
• Not only is there a fire hazard in our big piles, but these batteries The bill.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources considered several environmental and infrastructure bills, most of them sponsored or presented by Senator McLean, along with measures on stormwater, wastewater, brownfields, marine facilities, and a confirmation package. SB 492 on mitigation banking would allow mitigation credits to be purchased outside an impact area when local credits are unavailable, with distance-based multipliers and a statutory credit release schedule; Senator Smith raised concerns about how far credits could be moved from the impacted ecosystem, while supporters said the bill would preserve net environmental benefit and provide predictability. The bill was reported favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. SB 800 would update Florida’s battery recycling program and require manufacturers to support more robust recycling and disposal information, prompted by testimony from waste, recycling, and industry groups describing truck, landfill, and facility fires caused by batteries. SB 1228 would advance a spring restoration project for Kentucky Springs and the Santa Fe spring flows by allowing JEA to amend a compliance plan to deliver more than 35 million gallons per day of reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it was reported favorably without debate. SB 796 would create a general permit for distributed wastewater treatment systems to help local governments address failing septic tanks, and SB 736 would update the Brownfields program with technical changes, revised definitions, and a change allowing smaller ownership interests to participate in cleanup efforts; both were reported favorably after supportive testimony. SB 810 on stormwater management required annual inspections of local government waterways and drainage works before hurricane season, motivated by flooding after recent storms. Senators Harrell and Smith questioned who would be responsible for inspections and repairs, the scope of structures covered, and the fiscal impact, and the sponsor said the bill would be refined to better define responsibilities and possibly narrow the scope to higher-risk infrastructure. The bill drew opposition from the Florida League of Cities and the Florida Stormwater Association, but also strong support from senators who emphasized the need for better preparedness; it was reported favorably. SB 1162 on water access facilities would add a clean marine manufacturer designation, provide a lease fee discount, and include parking for boat-hauling vehicles and trailers in the grant program; it was reported favorably. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of five Florida Inland Navigation District appointees, and Senator DeSantis? no, Senator DeCeglie recorded affirmative votes on SB 492, SB 800, and SB 1228 before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh within the Forest Service and our Taos Fire Department they were able to put it out within probably
• But we have also, um, allowed to, to use, uh, Department of Interior Vehicles for for fire suppression
• US Department of Energy.
• Yeah, um, so, the, the data from page one came from the Department of Energy.
• I'm from a coal-fired power plant family.

Transcript Highlights:

• Departments are doing a responders.
• Fires—we just had tremendous fires up north.
• Fires—we just had tremendous fires up north.
• Fires—we just had tremendous fires up north.
• Fires—we just had tremendous fires up north.

Transcript Highlights:

• um, Department of, well, DNR, Department of Agriculture, has some facilities that are of concern, right
• um, Department of, well, DNR, Department of Agriculture, has some facilities that are of concern, right
• um, Department of, well, DNR, Department of Agriculture, has some facilities that are of concern, right
• , but just mostly state departments.
• Okay, so, um, basically what happened, right, with the fires on August 8th, 2023, uh, the Department

Transcript Highlights:

• After law enforcement and fire prepared, planned, funded, and did a ton of hard work, Initiative 790
• At the time, Steve was working as legal counsel and government affairs liaison for the Department of
• For cops and fire, he became that dependable go-to guy at DRS.
• For cops and fire, he became that dependable go-teensual. and all things pension.
• For cops and fire, he became that dependable go-to guy at DRS.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill requiring the state fire marshal to develop fire prevention response and recovery measures for
• We know that we cannot put out these fires with water.
• The 2021 Dixie fire It covered five counties and was the second largest fire in state history, burning
• fires moving into one.
• Many fires have been exempted in the past the gaps in these fires that have not happened to almost all

Transcript Highlights:

• January fire.
• But prior to the Eaton Fire occurring, Altadena was not in the high-fire severity zone.
• As you know, the Eaton Fire devastated our community.
• For example, before the fire, I co-founded a...
• And that's why immediately after the fires, sponsored, Immediately after the fires, sponsored a motion

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• fire districts.
• This allows them to say for a new fire district, that's what we did last year, new fire district.
• Then, how then are the fire districts... how then are the fire districts... how then are the fire district
• then are the fire districts, how then are the fire district?
• Are the—let's just keep it to the fire districts—how then are the fire districts to help pay for the

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• that we are going to make sure that a fire in the Palisades or in Eden Canyon and a fire up in Riverside
• If another fire happens five years later, we'll do it again.
• So that one wouldn't be carried on to what the Camp Fire is.
• So there's a lot to be learned by each of these fires.
• area in which the fire is occurring.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1091, which would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation Program within HCD to help nonprofit developers, community organizations, and local governments acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. The author and supporters from Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups argued that acquisition-preservation is a proven, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. There was no opposition testimony. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the bill is intended to be supported through the housing bond or other appropriations. The committee voted the bill do pass to Judiciary, with broad support and no recorded opposition. The committee then took up SB 904, which would codify and expand the wildfire rebuilding coordination and permitting streamlining used after the Los Angeles-area fires, including HCD-led review of permitting and code barriers and reporting on recovery lessons. The author said the bill is meant to speed rebuilding after future wildfire disasters and avoid repeated delays seen in places like the Camp Fire. Members raised concerns about the cost and repetition of requiring multiple agencies to produce reports after each disaster, and about e-permitting mandates for smaller jurisdictions. The author responded that the bill is meant to capture lessons from different fire contexts and that some concerns could be addressed with amendments. The bill was moved do pass to Emergency Management and was reported out with sufficient votes, though kept on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1007, which would change HOA assessment rules by tying annual increases to inflation rather than allowing up to 20% increases, and would require clearer annual budget disclosures and evidence for fines. The author and supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while opponents from community manager and HOA industry groups warned it could underfund reserves, force larger special assessments, and add duplicative paperwork. Several senators expressed support for the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the inflation cap, the need for flexibility for insurance and maintenance costs, and the visual-aid disclosure requirement. The author said amendments are forthcoming and that the bill will look different in the next committee; no final vote is reflected in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• we are going to make sure that a fire in the Palisades or in Eden Canyon and a fire up in Riverside
• If another fire happens five years later, we'll do it again.
• So that one wouldn't be carried on to what the Camp Fire is.
• So there's a lot to be learned by each of these fires.
• area in which the fire is occurring.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several bills. SB 1091, by Senator Kavayetal, would create the Community Anti-Displacement and Preservation (CAP) program within HCD to provide financing and technical support for nonprofit and local efforts to acquire unsubsidized rental housing and preserve it as affordable housing or homeownership opportunities. Supporters, including Enterprise Community Partners, the Unity Council, and several housing and tenant groups, said preservation is a fast, cost-effective way to prevent displacement and homelessness. Members discussed funding, with the author and chair noting the program is intended to be funded through housing bond legislation and would be implemented upon appropriation. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Judiciary and passed out of committee. SB 904, by Senator Seyarto, would codify and expand the state’s coordinated wildfire recovery response by requiring HCD and other agencies to identify permitting and code barriers after future state-of-emergency wildfires and report on ways to speed rebuilding. The author cited the faster permitting response after the Los Angeles fires compared with the Camp Fire. Some members supported the goal but raised concerns about repeated reports and the burden on smaller jurisdictions; the author said the bill is meant to avoid reinventing the wheel and to streamline recovery. The committee noted the bill is fiscal and would go to Appropriations, and it was reported out with sufficient votes. SB 1007, by Senator Menjivar, would increase transparency and limit assessment growth in homeowners associations by requiring clearer disclosure of HOA finances and violation evidence, and by replacing the current 20% annual assessment increase ceiling with a cap tied to inflation, with possible amendments still under discussion. Supporters, including consumer and homeowner advocates, said the bill would help protect homeowners from steep fee hikes and opaque budgeting. Opponents from HOA management and industry groups argued the bill could undermine reserve funding, delay maintenance, and create more special assessments, while also adding duplicative disclosure requirements. Members debated whether the bill would protect homeowners without harming HOA finances; the author said he would continue negotiations and that the bill would look different in the next committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our department works closely with Department of Ecology on safer products for Washington, and other times
• Our department works closely with the Department of Ecology on Safer Products for Washington and other
• I believe allowing the Department of Ecology and the Department of Health to work with the Safer Products
• I really do enjoy the Weights and Measures Department of the Washington State Department of Agriculture
• , and we're... ...enjoy the Weights and Measures Department of the Washington State Department of Agriculture

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I have relatives who live in fire zones.
• That is on the shoulders of the fire districts.
• That is on the shoulders of the fire districts.
• I've had two fires in about 15, 16 years within my fire district that have unfortunately burned homes
• We are also seeing a growing trend of denials tied to the presence of volunteer fire departments.

Bills: SB5928

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Uh Representative Campbell, uh fire Uh Representative Campbell, uh fire protection<00:04:01.440>
• </c><00:04:18.760><c> fire</c> Natrona County um protection fire fire Natrona County um protection fire
• </c><00:04:23.000><c> protection</c> comes from all of our fire protection comes from all of our fire
• How how our fire protection districts.
• </c> are we have a great finance department are we have a great finance department trying<00:23:35.720

Summary: The chairman opened by explaining that the committee would hear proposed interim topics and then rank them by written submissions rather than debating them one by one. The Public Service Commission presented two topics: an educational session on small water utilities, citing maintenance needs, water-quality compliance, and difficulty accessing capital, and a review of civil penalties for pipeline safety violations because Wyoming’s statutory penalties are far below federal levels and could affect compliance and funding. Members and outside presenters then outlined a range of additional topics. Representative Campbell proposed work on fire protection districts and EMS districts, focusing on financial stability, mill levies, and possible county authority to combine districts and levies. He also raised public records at meetings, corporate filing fees, and fraudulent corporate filings. The Community College Commission proposed updating annexation statutes so communities can join community college districts more easily, especially where current mill-levy rules create funding issues. Senator Crago supported the fraudulent corporate filings topic and noted related technology-based solutions and overlap with blockchain issues. Other proposals included CPA “Pathways” licensing changes to address a shortage of accountants, a review of public meetings and public records laws, continuation of the electricity study with emphasis on grid reliability and large-load capacity constraints, and a broader review of the public meetings and records act. Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities supported extending municipal audit deadlines and described a statewide shortage of auditors and CPAs. Healthy Wyoming proposed studying health coverage options for low-income working adults, including state-sponsored or cooperative models. Representative Chestek proposed making most nonpartisan county offices elected on a nonpartisan basis. No votes or final selections were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and discussed whether topics should be assigned to this committee or another one.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we have maintenance pool uh department we have maintenance pool uh department for<00:05:06.080><
• ><c> of</c> I'm with Kentucky Department of I'm with Kentucky Department of Education.<00:17:15.439><
• will stop the fire from spreading.
• </c><00:48:35.440><c> um</c> Forestry respond to those fires. um Forestry respond to those fires. um
• </c> the fire from spreading. the fire from spreading.

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have fires on a regular basis. And between 2017 and 2025, we've had over 130 fires.
• Fires are a huge risk.
• A year ago, the U.K. banned disposables to stop battery fires, yet fires hit a record high after the
• ban because manufacturers simply shipped Battery fires, yet fires hit a record high after the ban because
• We know fires are a huge threat across California.

Summary: The committee heard AB 839, which would allow up to three sustainable aviation fuel projects to qualify for expedited CEQA judicial review. The author and airline and airport supporters argued SAF is a key emissions-reduction strategy for aviation and that California needs to signal investment certainty after prior project litigation. Environmental Justice and Earthjustice opposed, saying the bill weakens the public’s ability to challenge polluting projects and that SAF facilities can harm already overburdened communities. The committee later took a roll call on the bill and it was held on call after a 3-0 vote, with the motion being due pass to Judiciary. Members then took up AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes in California. The author and a broad coalition of waste, public health, local government, and environmental groups said the devices create fire hazards, add lithium batteries to the waste stream, and burden local recycling and hazardous waste systems. Opponents, including retailers and business groups, argued the bill would mainly affect a small legal market while the illicit market would continue to supply most disposable vapes, and warned of unintended consequences. After discussion about illicit sales, EPR ideas, and reuse alternatives, the committee voted 2-2 on the motion to pass as amended to Revenue and Taxation, so the bill was kept on call. The committee also heard AB 907, which would compensate the six local air district representatives who serve on the California Air Resources Board the same as other board members. The author and supporters said the change would improve equity and help ensure local representation on CARB, and no opposition was presented. The chair expressed support, noting similar legislation had passed the committee previously, and the bill was held for a later vote once quorum issues were resolved.