Transcript Highlights:

• So let's begin with the public hearing.
• That concludes the public hearing on House Bill 2323.
• And we will open up the public hearing on House Bill 2096.
• And we will open up the public hearing on House Bill 2096, and we'll hear a briefing from Sandy Meyer
• Seeing none, with that, we'll close the public hearing on House Bill 2096 and open up the public hearing

Summary: The committee opened by noting it would hear three bills and adjourn before 5 p.m. House Bill 2323, the Blue Envelope Program bill, was briefed as a Department of Licensing program to help neurodivergent drivers communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops by providing a blue envelope with instructions and documents such as registration and insurance. Representative Carolyn Eslick described the bill as a voluntary, free tool modeled on programs in other states, and several supporters testified that it could reduce stress, improve communication, and prevent misunderstandings during stops. A committee member asked whether the program could be broadened to other people with disabilities, and Eslick said anyone could request a blue envelope. No vote was taken. House Bill 2096 would allow the Department of Licensing to issue confidential driver’s licenses and identicards to investigators in the Attorney General’s Office for undercover civil and criminal investigations. Staff said the bill would have no fiscal impact and that current practice already requires credentials to be returned when assignments end. Representative Julia Reed said the measure would protect investigators working on consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental enforcement, while the Attorney General’s Office testified that investigators sometimes need to use real IDs in covert work and could be exposed or doxed. The sheriffs and police chiefs association raised concerns that the AGO investigators are civilian staff, not commissioned officers, and questioned whether existing law enforcement agencies should handle such work instead. A tobacco-control advocate supported the bill as a tool to strengthen enforcement against illegal tobacco sales and youth access. No action was taken. House Bill 2134 would require certain regional transportation planning organizations to include greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction goals in regional transportation plans for specified counties. Staff said the Department of Transportation had no fiscal impact, while local governments reported an indeterminate impact. Representative Davina Duerr said the bill would align regional plans with existing local climate planning requirements and state emissions targets. Supporters from Futurewise, Transportation Choices Coalition, and Spokane Reimagined said the bill would improve consistency in planning, support transit and active transportation, and help address transportation-related climate pollution. An industry representative opposed the bill, warning it could bias funding away from road preservation at a time of underinvestment and weather-related stress on the system. The public hearing on HB 2134 then closed, and the meeting ended with a reminder about caucus timing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, you didn't hear me first? Okay. No, no. Got it. Thank you.
• Hearing and seeing none. I want to bring it back to the committee.
• Primary witness in opposition, hearing and seeing none. Then.
• Hearing and seeing none. Any primary witnesses in opposition to this bill? Seeing and hearing none.
• Hearing and seeing none on the committee? Mr.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard six bills and announced at the outset that, under its suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The chair also reminded witnesses to submit position letters in advance so their positions would appear in the analysis. A quorum was established and the committee proceeded through the agenda. AB 814 would exempt law enforcement pensions from state income tax to help recruit and retain peace officers in California. The author and supporters, including several police and sheriff associations, argued that many retired officers leave the state and that the tax exemption would encourage them to stay and continue contributing to their communities. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was referred to the suspense file. AB 918 proposed a targeted income tax exemption for pay earned by local first responders while deployed within California on mutual aid during declared emergencies. Supporters said mutual aid is increasingly strained by major disasters and that the bill would reward and retain responders who leave their home communities to assist elsewhere. AB 976 would create a nonrefundable tax credit for small retailers in disadvantaged communities to help pay for security equipment; supporters framed it as a response to retail theft and violence, while one member questioned whether the state should instead fully fund broader crime-enforcement efforts. AB 984 would allow tax deductions for contributions to CalABLE accounts, with testimony from a CalABLE account holder and a family member describing the importance of the accounts for people with disabilities and their long-term savings needs. AB 1282 would create a deduction for out-of-pocket medical expenses up to $5,000 through 2030, with the author citing high poverty and medical debt rates; members voiced support for helping low-income Californians with medical costs. AB 838 would raise California’s renter tax credit from $60/$120 to $2,000 for eligible renters, with support from the California Apartment Association and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, both arguing the current credit is outdated and should better reflect housing costs. All six bills were ultimately referred to the suspense file, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in a budget hearing, after all.
• We are in a budget hearing, after all.
• Thank you for this incredibly important hearing.
• Thank you for this incredibly important hearing.
• I could hear the residents screaming for help.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is truly an informational hearing. It's not a hearing on a particular bill.
• It's an informational hearing.
• And this truly is an informational hearing.
• Because from what I hear at Netflix, I hear from my members that they are being given unusable assets
• You started the hearing. I mean, you started the hearing by saying, look, why are we here?

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee and Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing at Stanford on the intersection of artificial intelligence, copyright, transparency, and California’s creative economy. Chairs and members emphasized that the hearing was not on a specific bill and would not include a vote, but was intended to gather information ahead of the next legislative session. Opening remarks stressed the tension between protecting artists’ intellectual property and allowing AI innovation to continue in California, with several members noting the state’s outsized role in both the tech and entertainment sectors. The first panel featured Professor Pamela Samuelson and Stanford researcher Rishi Bommasani. Samuelson reviewed the current copyright litigation landscape, including dozens of lawsuits against generative AI companies, and explained that fair use will likely be central, especially the market-effects factor. She said state action is constrained by federal copyright preemption, but transparency, privacy, and deepfake-related regulation may still be possible. Bommasani described widespread opacity around training data among major California AI companies, discussed AB 2013 and the EU AI Act as transparency models, and warned that disclosure rules face enforcement and design challenges. Members asked about market dilution theories, open-source models, user data, machine unlearning, and what California can do without conflicting with federal law. The second panel included SAG-AFTRA board member Jason George, Animation Guild president Danny Lynn, and OpenAI copyright counsel Mark Gray. George and Lynn argued that AI training on performers’ and artists’ work without consent or compensation is already harming careers, devaluing creative labor, and enabling digital replicas and style imitation; both supported stronger transparency so rights holders can identify when their work is used and negotiate licenses. Gray said AI is increasingly being used as a productivity tool and pointed to growing partnerships between AI companies and publishers, studios, and record labels, while acknowledging concerns about deepfakes and specific harmful uses. Committee members pressed him on labeling AI-generated content, training-data disclosure, and how to protect creators while still encouraging innovation. No formal action or vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, hearing none, so ordered. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Chair, hearing none, so ordered.
• Chair, hearing none. Clerk, read the bills first time.
• Chair, hearing none. Clerk, read the bill first time.
• Chair, hearing none, so ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can barely hear you up here. I can hear myself really good in my hearing aids. I don't know why.
• That is why it's set up for the second public hearing.
• I was curious to hear. Thank you for coming.
• So that's what I kept hearing.
• Chairman and committee, for hearing this morning.

Committees: House Local Government , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will close the public hearing on House Bill 2483 and open the public hearing on House Bill
• With that, we will close the public hearing on House Bill 2400 and open the public hearing on House Bill
• We look forward to hearing back from you when you have time.
• Am I hearing that correctly?
• Is that, did I hear your statement? Did I hear your statement correctly?

Bills: HB2439 , HB2483 , HB2400

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, data broker, registry, consumer protection, privacy, data regulation, social media, content creation, online platforms, digital marketing, user-generated content

Transcript Highlights:

• right now with the budget going on on Beacon Hill, so some of the members are at a Ways and Means hearing
• , and they'll be popping in virtually to hear some of the testimony.
• But today's hearing is just a great opportunity to learn directly.
• This afternoon, this hearing is an important event for the members of the Joint Committee to hear.
• This hearing is an important event for the members of the Joint Committee to hear directly from our administrators

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE). Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for statewide CTE legislation, including efforts to expand awareness and access, improve middle school exposure, invest in equipment and facilities, and strengthen ties to workforce boards and labor pathways. Quincy officials described their CTE system as integrated with academics and highlighted support from district, city, and state partners. School leaders outlined Quincy’s CTE offerings, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, with about 1,360 students enrolled. Presenters emphasized curriculum aligned to DESE frameworks, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, safety training, business electives, dual enrollment and articulation with Quincy College, and grant funding such as Skills Capital and Perkins. They also discussed support liaisons for nontraditional careers and military pathways, advisory committees, and plans to seek Chapter 74 approval for an engineering program at North Quincy, along with new computer science and business offerings. Testimony from MassHire South Shore described workforce partnerships, YouthWorks, job fairs, resume workshops, and the Credit for Life Fair, while the assistant superintendent explained Quincy’s MyCAP planning grant and efforts to build a student-driven college and career readiness system. Three students testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or co-op experiences, and future plans for college and careers. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for combining CTE with general education, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none. Mr. Chair. Go ahead. Oh, question, thank you.
• Hearing none, that has been pulled from the agenda for today. Any objections? Hearing none.
• Hearing none, the language is accepted and so ordered. Next we will hear from Mr. McGurkin.
• Hearing none, Ms. Figaro, let's go ahead and call the roll, please.
• Yes, our hope is we're going to hear that this afternoon.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first considered a trailer appropriation for House Bill 730, which changes how SNAP eligibility is determined. The committee heard that the bill would require $351,000 one-time from the General Fund for system changes in the Division of Welfare. One member argued the change was unnecessary because Idaho already has a low SNAP error rate and uses existing verification systems, but the motion passed in both chambers and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up trailer actions for House Bill 898, moving the State Historic Preservation Office from the Idaho State Historical Society to the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination. Members discussed whether the move was requested by the governor and whether it would improve coordination and permitting efficiency; supporters said it would streamline federal review and the historical society director supported the move. The committee approved reducing the Historical Society budget by 12 FTP and $1,699,700, then approved adding the same staffing and funding to SMEC, and also adopted language exempting SMEC from certain transfer restrictions. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 128, creating the Idaho High Need Students Fund for extraordinary special education costs. The analyst explained that the recommended one-time $5 million dedicated fund appropriation would also require a $5 million cash transfer, and that increasing special education spending could raise the state’s federal maintenance-of-effort obligation. The committee approved the $5 million appropriation and two transfers: $1 million from the Idaho Career Ready Students Program Fund and $4 million from the driver training account, all with do-pass recommendations. Finally, the committee revisited the Department of Fish and Game budget. After discussion of habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, fisheries inflation, wolf depredation, communications, OITS replacements, and replacement items, a substitute motion that would have funded a larger package failed in the House, and the original motion passed instead. The committee approved a reduced Fish and Game budget package and adopted language directing the $200,000 wolf depredation enhancement specifically to wolf trapping. The meeting ended with brief discussion of the next day’s agenda and timing, including pending items such as rural health transformation and state police-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Calling the Ways and Means Committee to order on Monday, March 9th, 2026, our last scheduled public hearing
• We have three bills on public hearing this morning, starting with House Bill 2487.
• Room Specialist; and John Winn, Hearing Room Specialist.
• Room Specialist, and John Winn, Hearing Room Specialist.
• Dean Cripps, Hearing Room Specialist, and John Winn, Hearing Room Specialist.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its last scheduled public hearing of the year on March 9, 2026, taking testimony on House Bill 2487, Substitute House Bill 2689, and Engrossed House Bill 2681. For HB 2487, staff and the Department of Revenue explained that the bill would narrow a B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, make several related changes including annuity and assigned risk plan exemptions, adjust the advanced computing surcharge threshold for certain affiliated groups, and allow a penalties-and-interest waiver with a repayment plan. DOR supported the bill as clarifying the original intent and preventing double taxation, while insurers and health plan groups opposed it, arguing it would create higher costs, retroactive tax liability, and uncertainty; consumer and policy groups testified in support, saying it closes a loophole and restores the intended tax structure. Committee members questioned the retroactivity, the number of affected businesses, and the fiscal estimates, and the chair reminded members that amendment requests were due by noon for the next day’s executive session. For Substitute HB 2689, staff described changes to the Working Connections Child Care program that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, reduce future rate-setting from the 85th to the 75th percentile, block enhanced rates for certain cross-region providers, cancel the planned move to enrollment-based prospective payments, revise attendance-based reimbursement to a full month for absences of 10 days or fewer and half-month for longer absences, and require a 65% market survey response rate for validity. The fiscal note projected substantial savings, offset by implementation and staffing costs. SEIU 925 and Head Start representatives supported the simpler House approach to attendance billing but raised concerns about the new survey threshold and the risk of increased audits and provider burden; they also noted an amendment under discussion to address the 2026 survey issue. Committee questions focused on how a full month is defined under the attendance rules. For HB 2681, staff said the bill would raise annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retail licenses by $400, generating about $866,000 per year for the dedicated cannabis account with minimal administrative cost. No one signed up to testify, and the chair closed the hearing without a vote on any of the bills. The chair also thanked committee staff for their work and reiterated that amendments for the heard bills were due by noon that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered that the Secretary may read.
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, so ordered.
• Hearing none, Senator Burnt, you're recognized to stand and close the debate. Thank you, Mr.
• Hearing none, Senator Shippey, you're recognized to open the debate. Is there an objection?

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered. Mr.
• Hearing none, Senator Bierke, you're recognized to close the debate.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered. Mr. President. Senator Harris. Mr.
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• Hearing no objection is so ordered.
• All I hear is uncertainty.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered. Hearing none, it is so ordered. The Secretary will read the report.
• Hearing none, it is so ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• I see the good man from 28 having trouble hearing me. Are you having trouble over there hearing me?
• Is that what we're hearing here? Because we don't want...
• The mayor from Sandpoint was involved in the hearing.
• They had hearings.
• Hearing none, so ordered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not hearing any. Thank you. Mr.
• Chair, hears none. I'm sorry, I didn't see you over there, Ms. Orr.
• Not hearing any, we will give you the right to close.
• Chair hears none, so ordered. One moment, here it is.
• Not hearing any, we'll start the public testimony now.

Bills: HB368 , HB3311 , HB1734 , HB2495 , HB2716 , HB793 , HB3376 , HB2524 , HB3421 , HB3446 , HB3181

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair hears none. The rules are suspended.
• The chair hears none.
• The chair hears none.
• The chair hears none.
• Chair hears none.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear you. I get that.
• We're going to hear from the Inspector General. We will then hear from Assembly Members.
• Can you hear me okay? Yes.
• Can you hear me? All right.
• So let's hear the LAO proposal.

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why this portion of the hearing is so important.
• I hear it time and time again.
• Really helpful to hear your testimony today. As Mr.
• I'm hearing it. I see it.
• I am happy to hear that you guys. going to the legislation, I am happy to hear that you guys are going

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• We don't disagree with an administrative hearing as opposed to a court hearing.
• We're hearing a lot of things.
• Substitute for Senate Bill 2460, hearing none. So ordered.
• Hearing none, so ordered. The Chair recognizes Senator Johnson.

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing me out, because people deserve better.
• So you're going to hear about RCOC and how we use the CEDAR.
• So you're going to hear about RCOC and how we use the cedar.
• Amy, the beauty of having such a large community present in this hearing is to hear in real time their
• No parents should have to hear those words from their child.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on several Department of Developmental Services proposals, with no votes taken. The first item focused on equitable access to intake and services for regional center clients, including standardizing eligibility assessments and modernizing the strengths-and-needs evaluation used to inform individual program plans. DDS said the changes would create a more consistent, equitable, and evidence-based process statewide, while the LAO explained the proposals as a response to disparities and inconsistent regional center practices. Advocates and regional center representatives were divided: Disability Rights California, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and some providers supported modernization but urged clearer safeguards, more community co-design, and stronger legislative review; others, including some regional center leaders and family advocates, warned against replacing the CEDER too quickly and stressed the need to preserve the person-centered IPP process. Committee members emphasized fair process, fidelity, and the need for a validated tool, while also noting that the proposals would not change eligibility definitions or replace IPPs. The second major item addressed state-operated transitional and rehabilitative services, including proposed time limits for stays at Porterville Developmental Center and Canyon Springs, plus the merger of the Community Placement Program and Community Resource Development Program. DDS argued that people should not remain in locked facilities for years and that the proposal would create urgency, clearer transition planning, a right of return, and a more efficient single program for community resource development. Supporters, including Disability Rights California, the State Council, the Public Defenders Association, and some service providers, said the proposals align with Olmstead and the Lanterman Act, reduce overreliance on institutions, and should be paired with stronger mental health supports, oversight, and notice to counsel. Opponents, including a district attorney representative, argued that a blanket 24-month limit could endanger public safety and that some individuals require longer, case-by-case commitments. Committee members said they wanted a more comprehensive plan showing that community placements and supports will be ready before people are moved, and they questioned whether an arbitrary timeline could work for such a complex population. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that any implementation must be fair, transparent, and backed by valid tools, adequate community capacity, and public input. DDS said both sets of proposals would require legislative approval and that the department is still open to changes in trailer bill language and further stakeholder consultation. The hearing ended with the committee indicating it would continue reviewing the proposals and hear public comment, but no formal action was taken.