Transcript Highlights:

• To constituents in my county.
• In Riverside County alone, the county I come from, it costs approximately $59,000 annually to house a
• county.
• County last year.
• County and some from San Bernardino County. Please accept them.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Eric Will, on behalf of Rural County Representatives of California and Urban Counties Caucus, in respectful
• That's all those counties listed there.
• Inyo, Los Angeles County, and even into Bakersfield.
• Air Pollution Control District, Mariposa County Resource Conservation District, Tehama County Air Pollution
• Thank you. ...Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District, Mariposa County Resource Conservation

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And since the California Constitution created 58 different counties, each county handles these things
• Constitution created 58 different counties. Each county handles these things sort of differently.
• The CHP participates in that plan.
• County in 2021.
• for us in Napa County.”

Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, traffic violence, speed management, and how criminal and administrative systems interact. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the hearing was intended to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on that day. They emphasized the scale of roadway deaths and serious injuries, the need for a holistic Safe System approach, and the importance of hearing from law enforcement, researchers, victims’ advocates, judges, and DMV officials. The first panel reviewed current DUI law and research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalties, including escalating misdemeanor and felony consequences, ignition interlock device requirements, license suspensions, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, speed, and vulnerable road users, and the state’s Safe System and safety corridor efforts. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley presented research supporting systemic interventions such as self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders; she also noted that many DUI fatalities involve first-time offenders and that punitive measures alone have limited effect on high-risk drivers. Members pressed witnesses on ignition interlocks, speed governors, DUI treatment, diversion, and whether current penalties are strong enough. Several senators, including Archuleta and Blakespear, argued for stronger immediate consequences and better use of in-car technology, while witnesses said chronic offenders often need treatment and that some existing programs may be underused or inconsistently effective. The discussion also touched on data gaps, the need to distinguish alcohol- from drug-involved crashes, and the possibility of allowing diversion for some first-time DUI cases while preserving consequences for repeat offenses. The second panel addressed DMV and court processes. DMV Director Steve Gordon said the department handles mandatory, court-ordered, and administrative actions, and that recent process changes have reduced DMV hearing delays from roughly 170 days to under 70 days in many cases. Judge Lisa Rodriguez explained that county-by-county court practices, case filing delays, sentencing timelines, and paper or mixed electronic systems can slow reporting to DMV, especially for misdemeanors and felonies. She said courts are reviewing reporting requirements, training, and case-management coding to improve transmission of DUI orders, while DMV said it is open to simplification and better coordination but is constrained by aging systems and the motor vehicle account’s financial limits. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eleven ports are in Grant County.
• may voluntarily choose to participate in the county or regional planning process and coordinate with
• Looking at planning transportation policies across the county, there are only 21 counties that have a
• policies across the county there are only 21 counties that have a reservation in them of the 39 so that's
• Many counties already have MOUs with tribes. Many counties do.

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds Harris Rosen Way in Orange County, the Heroes Memorial Overpass in Bradford County, Arie Frisch
• Street in Duval County, Senator James Asa Best Memorial Highway in Hillsborough and Pinellas County,
• County, Master Deputy Bradley Link Memorial Highway in Lake County, Specialist Daniel J.
• County.
• This bill was filed in anticipation of Miami-Dade County and Broward County finalizing an agreement to

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were to deny the right of corporations to participate in advocating in the political process through
• Steve Zaley had over 40 years of experience working in chief administrative-level positions in counties
• , and interim county executive in Sacramento County.
• He also served as CAO for Alameda County and interim county executive in Sacramento County, where he
• all of us who had the opportunity to serve with him in West Sac, Sacramento, Yolo, and Sacramento County

Transcript Highlights:

• The ones that I do know for a fact are in common are Cass County and Ward County.
• When you say that Ward County and Cass County both use the same system, but they’re not interconnected
• John Doe is over in Ward County Jail; he can't be at court in Cass County today.
• So as long as you're participating, well, it doesn't say you have to be successfully participating.
• I mean, I represent Walsh County.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senator from Baltimore County. Senator from Baltimore County.
• House Bill 1176, Howard County Delegation, Howard County Board of Education budget percentage of county
• So it's not reducing participation participation participation &gt;&gt; an<01:14:38.800><c> additional
• Washington County. There were no Washington County.
• County Council.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Pinal County, we see it too.
• Well, I'm working with the county supervisors down in Cochise County, you know, Frank Antinori, some
• of our counties.
• Do you think that this provides sufficient guidance for your county recorders, and how do the county
• County election officials, including county recorders, may use SAVE when a voter's citizenship status

Summary: The committee first approved prior minutes and announced several bills were being held at sponsors’ request, including HB 4117 and several House concurrent resolutions. It then heard HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly hindering a lawful arrest by a third party and make it a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney’s office representative, argued it would close a loophole and protect officers during arrests; opponents from criminal defense and civil liberties groups said it duplicated existing resisting arrest and hindering prosecution laws and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police. After debate over prosecutorial discretion and constitutional concerns, the committee recommended HB 2811 do pass by a 3-2 vote with one member not voting. The committee next considered HB 2665, a “Cade’s Law” proposal to treat intentionally providing advice or encouragement through directed online communication to a minor to die by suicide as manslaughter. The sponsor and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to social media-driven encouragement of self-harm and urged stronger accountability. The bill drew no opposition testimony in the excerpt and passed with a 6-0 vote, with one member not voting. The committee then heard HB 2857, allowing ADCRR to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, which passed 5-1 after testimony from the department’s medical provider about space and efficiency. HB 2226 followed, requiring courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans with Arizona Department of Veterans Services and treatment or diversion options; an amendment shifted the notice duty from prosecutors to courts. The sponsor and veterans’ advocates said the bill would help identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and reduce recidivism, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill unanimously, 6-0. The committee then took up HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance abatement action in superior court. The sponsor argued the AG had overreached in cases involving a dairy, an aluminum plant, and a rail line, while opponents said the bill would weaken statewide enforcement and protect corporate polluters; the bill passed 3-2 with two not voting. Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters framed it as protecting children and ensuring offenders serve full probation terms, while survivors, defense attorneys, and the Sex Offender Management Board’s concerns were cited in opposition, with critics warning about loss of judicial discretion, constitutional issues, and reduced incentives for compliance. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The last item in the excerpt was HCR 2001, a voter referral measure to end early voting on the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and prohibit foreign contributions; an amendment removed the early-voting cutoff and some ID-related provisions while adding on-site tabulation language and other changes. The sponsor argued it would improve election security and speed results, while counties and other opponents raised cost, implementation, and access concerns, especially around on-site tabulation and mail voting. The testimony portion of HCR 2001 was underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:17.440><c> and</c> for the state as well as County and for the state as well as County and
• ><c> with</c> on a County on local levels with on a County on local levels with increase<00:14:31.720
• </c><00:14:42.519><c> and</c> diligence and ask doc the counties and diligence and ask doc the counties
• :51:24.240><c> of</c><00:51:24.400><c> law</c> county attorney and members of law county attorney and
• County.

Transcript Highlights:

• An analysis from Santa Fe County Jail indicates that 87 percent of individuals in the county jail had
• , and the New Mexico Counties organization notes that some county jails, particularly in rural parts
• It's really urban counties that are providing these services and not rural counties.
• county jails.
• We don't even fully fund our county jails anyways, and I've heard my county commissioners talk about

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney Ken Sorenson; and members of the law enforcement community, including county chiefs of police
• and prosecuting attorneys from the County of Maui.
• Chiefs of police and Prosecuting county Chiefs of police and Prosecuting attorneys<00:18:15.559><c>
• > Maui</c><00:18:16.880><c> mayor</c> attorneys from the county of Maui mayor attorneys from the county
• Mahalo to the staff and participants of Women’s Court for sharing that beautiful oli with us.

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• Two appointed by McKinney County and one member at large appointed by the City and the County.
• So as our county chair, the county manager said, 'We'd like to not have just a two-lane our county chair
• We've seen it in Taos County, where they limited it to 400 rentals across the county. other, or just
• We've seen it in Taos County, where they limited it to 400 rentals across the county.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• . counties. counties.
• </c> counties.
• The counties have been counties.
• > everybody</c> county employees, county, everybody county employees, county, everybody who's<00:08:37.039
• As the Stearns County and Benton County folks came to St.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, it's definitely a tried-and-true instrument for Orange County.
• And we'll start with the Napa County District Attorney's Office. Thank you.
• That's just one example I pulled from my own county.
• Independently, work, attend college, and participate in their communities.
• We are a family from Riverside County. Dr.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hugo for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of Honolulu.
• </c><00:02:40.640><c> Prosecutors</c> main Justice and the County Prosecutors main Justice and the County
• </c><00:09:40.000><c> we</c> oversight of the different counties we oversight of the different counties
• Could I have the county back up? I'm sorry, Mr. Youo?
• participant staff and law enforcement officers.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB 284, which would remove the requirement that wiretapping applications to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill as drafted and instead proposed a new emergency-wiretap procedure allowing county prosecutors to seek immediate judicial authorization in exigent circumstances, followed by AG review and a follow-up application within 48 hours. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported creating an emergency exception, citing a kidnapping case involving a missing material witness and the need to obtain live phone location data quickly, but asked that the AG be required to respond clearly within the follow-up period. The AG said the current wiretap process often arrives incomplete and noted a prior Honolulu application that was returned for more information and then abandoned. The committee also heard public testimony, including one speaker in support and another in opposition, and discussed whether the proposed emergency process should include imminent danger findings and what happens if the follow-up application is not approved. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up SB 295, which increases penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and makes related changes. The Deputy Public Defender opposed the bill’s higher penalties, arguing that not all restraining-order cases involve domestic violence and that the measure could affect family disputes, property conflicts, custody battles, and other non-domestic situations. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney supported the bill, saying it would create a more uniform and efficient charging framework and that violations of court orders can be serious even when the conduct appears minor in isolation. Domestic violence advocates also supported the measure, emphasizing the need for meaningful enforcement and deterrence; one witness cited statewide data showing thousands of TRO petitions but relatively few convictions and fines. A representative from the Domestic Violence Action Center supported the bill but requested amendments to reduce unintended consequences for survivors. During discussion, the committee focused on the proposed minimum sentence, with the Domestic Violence Action Center recommending reducing it from 15 days to 5 days. The witness explained that longer minimums can create hardships such as job loss, housing instability, and child care problems, while still allowing time for survivors to access shelter and services. The committee chair indicated support for amending the bill to reflect that recommendation. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney also clarified that the bill is intended to address violations of already-issued protective orders after judicial review, not the initial issuance of restraining orders, and said the office supports eliminating the distinction between domestic and non-domestic protective-order violations because charging decisions are often made under time pressure. Multiple individuals and organizations signed up in support, and one witness testified in opposition. No vote or final committee action was announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to the counties also helping them to facilitate some of their proofreading efforts before
• In addition to the counties also helping them to facilitate some of their proofreading efforts before
• We had estimated, I think, previously around maybe a 5% increase in participation.
• We may be seeing around a 6% to 7% increase in participation right now.
• You basically have to have a CA.gov email address in order to be able to participate. Okay.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's good for our schools, our counties, our hospitals.
• Talk to the counties, the administrators about what this will do to them.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Olsen.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Olsen.
• A priority for our county, for every county sheriff across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• These calculations are only for 37 counties. We have... ...are only for 37 counties.
• total valuation in these counties for 37 counties?
• So the county impact is anywhere from $4,000 in Renville County to a half a million dollars in Cass County
• County City County Library we have, it's a joint effort between the county and the city.
• He said he believed Cass County, his county, made an allowance for that and asked whether other counties

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Catron County and Hidalgo County, what non-profits are functioning at the level of providing that
• However, participants...
• Out of all the counties here, are these 33 counties?
• Center in Bernalillo County.
• It said that you worked with shelters in these various counties, but in my county, Sandoval, we have

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee