Transcript Highlights:

• Our fire department, they have expert training.
• Please support us. It will go a long way towards securing the future of our little department.
• have they have Our fire department, they have they have expert<00:57:13.160><c> training.
• great</c> our fire department has a great our fire department has a great relationship<00:57:26.640>
• more capital improvement project and support this important fire station.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And how does the New Orleans Fire Department respond if there's an issue at your department, at your
• That airport is staffed by the Shreveport Fire Department, and they're already receiving the supplemental
• protection district, or other political subdivision maintaining a fire department, first-year salary
• Our fire department was recategorized several years ago.
• For a New Orleans fire department to have to be escorted onto your fire department to be able to respond

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• a fire department or volunteer come from a fire department or volunteer department<00:51:05.160><c>
• Fire Department um it's of the National Fire Department um it's important<01:12:40.080><c> to</c><01
• cancer within the fire department.
• cancer within the fire department.
• cancer within the fire department.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• was set to attract the fire department.
• and the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department were killed by the man who set the fire, and Engineer David Teasdale
• And those homes are protected by the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Department.
• The Department of Lands puts out their fires on average. Insurance.
• The Department of Lands puts out their fires on average of 10 acres.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, our state is on fire right now.
• department.
• department.
• I would definitely be supporting it, just like I support firefighters in my word indeed. Thank you.
• department and police department that I actually get to know.

Transcript Highlights:

• departments across Idaho.
• battery fires between 2023 and 2024.
• One recent example is a Coeur d'Alene Police Department fire, which started from an electric bike battery
• property loss from fire.
• Now, what that does is at least for the fire department, the fire gets detected early, the fire department

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Department of Insurance regulates us.
• From the Eaton and Palisades fires, we did end up with right around 5,500 claims from the fires.
• From the Eaton and Palisades fires, we did, we ended up with right around 5,500 claims from the fires
• We restructure our claims department yet again.
• They have support staff right in their own organization.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• David Evans, Department of Finance.
• Why all of it on demand-side grid support program? David Evans, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. David Evans, Department of Finance. No additional comments. LAO.
• ago, there was a fire.
• But let's hear from the... ...Department of Finance. Right, David Evans, Department of Finance.

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says operating expenditures, Department of Commerce, and then Department of Ecology.
• It says operating expenditures, Department of Commerce, and then Department of Ecology.
• , public works department, the fire marshal.
• support of this bill.
• So I appreciate the support on this one.

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee waived the five-day notice rule and then took up two House bills. HB 2418 would tighten and expand permit-review timelines for residential projects, including requiring “procedural completeness” determinations, adding excluded time periods, extending timeline and refund requirements to certain fee-charging state and local entities, creating review deadlines for special purpose districts and public utility districts, and requiring local governments to designate a permit responsible official and a single point of contact. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve predictability and reduce delays in permitting; builders and housing advocates strongly supported it, while sewer and water districts and county representatives raised concerns about incomplete referrals, staffing shortages, business-day versus calendar-day deadlines, and the cost of implementing the new contact requirements. The committee heard testimony but took no final vote on the bill in the transcript. HB 2451 would revise Washington’s local tax increment financing program. Staff explained that the bill adds guardrails and transparency, changes notice and hearing requirements, adjusts the assessed-value cap for increment areas, adds public safety facilities to eligible improvements, requires more detailed project analyses and annual reporting, and creates a negotiation/mediation/arbitration process for impacts to taxing districts. The sponsor said the measure was a carefully negotiated compromise intended to address junior taxing district concerns without creating an opt-out. Supporters from the Port of Tacoma, fire chiefs, cities, and counties said the bill improves the earlier TIF framework by strengthening the but-for test, notice, and participation rules, while counties still expressed concern about cumulative impacts and asked for future opt-out discussions. No final committee action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of times it's three or four volunteer fire departments at one fire, and that might only happen
• fire departments at one four volunteer fire departments at one fire<01:10:38.800><c> um</c><01:10:39.560
• My dad was volunteer fire department, and they had the pump truck, so they went to every fire that was
• My dad was volunteer fire department, and they had the pump truck, so they went to every fire that was
• My dad was volunteer fire department, and they had the pump truck, so they went to every fire that was

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone else in the room wish to express support? Any opposition?
• CHC is in strong support of AB 306.
• Federation of California, in support.
• The devastating fires in Eaton, Palisades, and the Hughes fire, which was in my district, really demand
• Do we have additional folks in the room wish to express support?

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Supports me in everything.
• Move that piece along to support the work that everyone else in the department is doing.
• sure that we're not posing a fire risk.
• And there's fire hydrant cleaning, and nobody understands why fire hydrants are shooting water in the
• We support her 100%. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments and routine agenda items. It first approved, on call, appointments not required to appear for Olivia May Assuncion to the Commission on Disability Access, William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors, and two California Law Revision Commission nominees, with one of the law revision appointments drawing a split vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments required to appear. Brian Bishop, nominated to lead the Division of Adult Parole Operations at CDCR, testified that he would emphasize public safety, accountability, rehabilitation, and staff well-being. In questioning, senators focused on risk assessment for higher-risk parolees, GPS monitoring, coordination with local law enforcement, victim protections, supervision of unhoused parolees, and oversight of private reentry/housing contractors. Bishop said DAPO uses data-driven supervision, risk tools, compliance sweeps with law enforcement, exclusion zones and administrative transfers to protect victims, and contract monitoring through invoices, site visits, and utilization reports. Public commenters from reentry and justice organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the nomination to the full Senate. Sarah Larson, nominated to direct CDCR’s Facilities Management and Construction, described her CDCR background and said she wanted to help modernize the department’s aging infrastructure to support staff and incarcerated people. Senators asked about aligning facilities with a declining prison population, cooling and heat mitigation, safety during construction, prison closures such as Norco, disaster planning, and how closed facilities are maintained or could be reopened. Larson said CDCR has reduced its footprint, is piloting cooling upgrades at several sites, maintains closed facilities in cold shutdown with minimal upkeep, and uses emergency planning and mutual aid for disasters. She also said the department is exploring infrastructure master planning and more substantial, targeted improvements, and the committee again heard supportive public testimony before voting 5-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have testimony and support from the Department of Accounting and General Services, and we have testimony
• The department supports... in a public hearing that if you initiate in a public hearing that if you initiate
• </c><01:39:23.360><c> Department</c><01:39:23.840><c> supports</c> The department supports...
• and the State Fire Council over to the Department of Defense, with the State Fire Marshal having more
• </c><03:08:25.120><c> Council</c> Fire Marshall and the State Fire Council Fire Marshall and the State

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:42.240><c> that</c> fire department or the agency that fire department or the agency that
• , you know, for the fire department.
• </c> fire, you know, for the fire department. fire, you know, for the fire department.
• So our staffing levels are down, like in my department. I work for the Upping Fire Department.
• So our staffing levels are down, like in my department. I work for the Upping Fire Department.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I fully support that. I don’t think we need $35 million to do it, but I fully support that.
• The Department of State will be responsible for providing staff support to this new task force, and this
• The Department of State will be responsible for providing staff support to this new task force, and this
• Department, Milton Fire Department, Smyrna Clayton Boys and Girls Club, South Bowers Fire Company, Town
• Little Creek, Town of Smyrna, Townsend Fire Company, and the Wilmington Manor Fire Company.

Committee: Joint Capital Improvement

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the success of this program in helping departments of all sizes, our budget supports another
• Fire Department, and Assistant Chief J.B.
• Duke from a neighboring volunteer fire department answered the call during multiple disasters on March
• Louis City Fire Department and the St.
• Louis City Fire Department and the St.

Transcript Highlights:

• On May 25th, a fire broke out.
• Having those available and ready, fire crews were able to contain that fire and keep it from spreading
• What that has done is resulted in Lincoln County receiving more support from the state fire marshal,
• We had a big fire, as you know.
• I'm a supporter of everything you all are up to.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In the case of fire, as I mentioned, there is language that says the marshal, the head of the fire department
• , or any person As I mentioned, there is language that says the marshal, the head of the fire department
• , or any person to whom the marshal or the head of the fire department may delegate the authority may
• And the fire department, the Department of Fire Services, recognizes that.
• At least in the fire marshal one, it's the fire marshal or the fire marshal's designee, as in writing

Summary: The Senate considered a broad environmental bond bill with amendments touching climate resilience, coastal infrastructure, housing, plastics, wildlife protection, and public health. Early in the debate, Senator Keenan withdrew an amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program, explaining that the program had been enacted without funding and that he hoped to secure money through the budget process instead. The Senate then adopted his amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packaging. The chamber also debated and rejected a Republican amendment to remove the paper bag fee; supporters argued the 10-cent charge would burden working families, while opponents said it was a necessary environmental measure. The amendment failed on a standing vote, 5-10. Several environmental and coastal amendments were adopted, including measures on ocean acidification and nutrient pollution, a statewide carbon sequestration goal that includes salt marshes and seagrasses, a study of banning polystyrene, restrictions on rodenticides with local control and emergency-use exceptions, and indoor air quality improvements. Senators also approved amendments to create a Massachusetts Climate Bank, establish a trust fund and on-site housing for the Manuel F. Corrella State Forest on Martha’s Vineyard, increase the Douglas State Forest entry fee from $1 to $2, and clarify procedures and oversight for housing priority projects. Some proposals were withdrawn, including a special commission on resilient urban coasts and a conservation commission proposal, while others were rejected, including a local-priority housing confirmation amendment and a warrantless-entry amendment that raised Fourth Amendment concerns. The Senate also adopted a series of coastal resilience and permitting amendments, including streamlined permitting for urban coastal projects, a pilot for nature-based solutions, dredging and sand placement in general permits, and a Salisbury Beach trust fund clarification. A New Bedford state pier redevelopment amendment and a harbor protection amendment were adopted, as were amendments related to public and private water utility reporting and equitable representation. The session concluded with notice that only two amendments remained before a roll call, followed by an adjournment in memory of James A. Jim Sheets, former Quincy mayor and educator.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> warrant article, say for a new fire warrant article, say for a new fire station<00:16:48.160><c>
• </c> why do you need a new fire station?" why do you need a new fire station?"
• chief on a bond issue for a it's a fire chief on a bond issue for a fire<00:17:13.439><c> truck</c><
• </c> old fire truck or something like that? old fire truck or something like that?
• Is that appointed like a fire chief.

Summary: The committee of conference first met on Senate Bill 221, which concerned annual voter roll verification and the lookback period for checking voter registration lists. The Senate favored looking back to presidential elections to reduce the number of voters removed, while the House argued for annual verification with a one-year lookback because the voter roll database now makes the process easier and because of population mobility and student turnover. Members discussed possible refinements to the 30-day letter process and agreed to recess and return Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. to continue negotiations. The committee then took up Senate Bill 213 and Senate Bill 218, both involving absentee voting and public employee electioneering restrictions. On SB 213, the discussion focused on clarifying identification/documentation requirements for absentee ballot-related applications and on a House amendment to preserve the ability of certain public employees to provide factual information to the public about official matters without violating the bill. On SB 218, the Senate wanted to remove outer envelopes from absentee voting materials, while the House supported keeping the bill but clarifying that only applicable documentation is required. Members raised concerns about voter access, clerks’ procedures, and whether the electioneering language was too broad; both bills were held over and recessed for further work. The committee also considered Senate Bill 287, which dealt with public employee electioneering and a related carve-out for factual responses by appointed public employees. The House and Senate discussed combining amendments, but the House member said the underlying bill was needed to curb partisan electioneering while still allowing factual public information. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 118, which would adjust a personal needs allowance for nursing home residents, address Hampstead Hospital employee bonuses, and create a maintenance fund for the hospital. The Senate objected to a House-added cannabis cultivation provision, saying it was unrelated to the bill and could jeopardize the measure because of the Senate’s and governor’s opposition to cannabis language; the committee recessed to revisit the issue later, with the House noting the base bill’s importance to nursing home residents and Hampstead Hospital.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Kohl, member of ACE, here in support. Angie Cruz, UC Davis, in support.
• Second of strong support. Angie Cruz UC Davis alumni in support.
• Annie Colichita, on behalf of GSMOL, in support. Fire hydrants that don't work kill people.
• fires, Paradise Fire, Somar Fire, and more recently the Los Angeles Altadena fires.
• , in support.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on AB 518, which would create an opt-in state framework for low-impact camping areas on rural private property. The author and supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative state permitting, expand outdoor access, and help rural landowners and local recreation economies. Opponents, including county and campground representatives, argued it could weaken existing protections, create enforcement problems for counties, and allow online marketing of sites in jurisdictions that have not opted in. Members raised questions about fire safety, sewage, local control, and whether the bill should require clearer posting and permit verification. The committee ultimately passed AB 518 as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General each year. Supporters said the bill would strengthen enforcement for vulnerable mobile home residents facing eviction, unauthorized charges, and other abuses, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, has a large surplus, and should be allowed to sunset rather than expanded. After discussion about the program’s effectiveness and the size of the fee reserve, the bill passed 9-1 with a recommendation to the Judiciary Committee. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and extends affordability eligibility to students, faculty, and staff, also advanced. Supporters emphasized student homelessness and housing insecurity, while the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing local control and height-limit concerns. Several members spoke in favor, and the bill passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, drew support from resident advocates and legal aid groups who cited wildfire risks and the need for working hydrants, accessible exits, and utility shutoffs, but opponents said the bill added unnecessary requirements and an unfunded fee increase. It was moved to Appropriations on a 6-1 vote and left on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar and heard the opening presentation of AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee remedies for public agencies that violate state housing laws; testimony on that bill began with strong support from housing advocates and industry groups, followed by initial opposition from special districts.