Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair, Cesar Quorum, and Health and Human Services, will come to order. Members, thank you.

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Deputy Chief Randy Chavez from Contact Council Legal Services.
• We also have Deputy Chief Randy Chavez from Contact Council Legal Services.
• Chavez or sometimes myself, and so we feel like we have.
• Primarily that's Chavez County.
• We are already living under CMO in Chavez County without the Supreme Court order.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they looked at Chavez, Lee, Rio Arriba, San Juan, and Eddy.
• Chavez County had the highest, and yet am I correct that among these counties, and I'm just going off
• Chavez County is not as high-producing as Lee or Eddy. Is that correct? Mr.
• Chair, Representative, certainly, and Chavez County is also a very heavy dairy county.
• Evans, how many dairies are located within a mile of schools in Chavez County? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gristolde Chavez with the Mesa Verde Group on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California in support
• Kristall de Chavez, with the Mesa Verde Group, on behalf of the Consumers Federation of California, in
• Crystal de Chavez, with the Mesa Verde Group, on behalf of the Consumers Federation of California, in
• Krista Chavez, with the Mesa Verde Group, on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California, in support
• Krista Chavez with the Mesa Verde Group on behalf of the Consumer Federation, California, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker rights, workplace technology, pay equity, and retail/self-checkout standards. SB 703 would require ports to collect and report information on trucking companies to help identify worker misclassification in the port trucking industry; supporters, including Teamsters and the California Labor Federation, said better data is needed for enforcement, while trucking and retail groups said they were working with the author and expected to remove opposition after amendments. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar of other measures. SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for annual employer notices about workers’ labor and civil rights, including emergency contact notification if a worker is detained or arrested. Supporters said the bill would help workers understand their rights amid federal rollbacks and weak enforcement; the California Restaurant Association opposed it. SB 7 would require notice and human review before employers use automated decision-making systems for discipline or termination, and would bar predictive use of such systems for employment actions. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while HR, chamber, retail, and local government groups raised concerns about breadth, notice burdens, and small-business impacts. Both bills passed 5-0 to their next committees. The committee also advanced SB 238, which would require disclosure about workplace surveillance and AI monitoring tools, and SB 442, which sets staffing and operational standards for self-checkout, including at least one staffed lane, one employee dedicated to monitoring self-checkout, item restrictions, and a 15-item limit sign. Supporters argued both bills improve transparency, safety, and worker protections; opponents warned SB 238 could expose security practices and SB 442 could raise costs and create preemption issues. SB 464 would expand state pay-data reporting to better capture public-sector workforce demographics in line with reparations and pay-equity goals, and SB 642 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by extending recovery periods, clarifying wage definitions, and updating pay-scale language. SB 464 and SB 642 also passed, with some opposition from county and business groups over scope and retroactivity. All measures taken up in the hearing were approved by committee, generally on 5-0 votes, and re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentlemen from Chavez, Eddy, and Otero, Representative Henry [ID: member_12668], with the Pledge of Allegiance
• It mostly affects Eddie and Lee counties, although there are parts of Chavez and Roosevelt. Mr.
• Will the gentleman from Chavez County please yield? I gladly yield to my friend, Representative.
• Does the gentleman from Chavez County yield? I certainly yield to my friend from San Juan. So, Mr.
• Will the gentleman from Chavez please yield? Yield to my friend from Cathryn Grant and Hidalgo.

Transcript Highlights:

• Letter No. 5 dated March 28, 2025, in which the governor makes the following reappointment: Viedra Chavez
• President, I ask that the credentials of Vedra Chavez be presented to the full Senate for consideration
• as a member... ...of Vedra Chavez be presented to the full Senate for consideration as a member of the
• By a vote of 33 in the affirmative, zero in the negative, the appointment of Adra Chavez as a member
• The appointment of Adra Chavez as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Hispanic Cultural

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Christina Chavez, our Director of Business Services.
• So, for example, where you see Dominic Chavez, he is the general manager under cash management, who's
• My name is Felix Chavez, and I am the LFC analyst for the Attorney General.
• Chavez said, the $850,000 difference in this P-Code is for salary, GSD, liability rate increases, and
• They were going into Chavez County, which is where my family is from, and they were going to hotels.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today to testify in support is retired United States Air Force Captain Ramona Chavez.
• Retired United States Air Force Captain Ramona Chavez.
• I am Captain Ramona Chavez. I served in this. Thank you very much. Good afternoon.
• I am Captain Ramona Chavez. I served in the U.S.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Chavez. Thank you, Madam Chair, and yes, thank you for the presentation.
• Madam Chair, Representative Chavez, the map indicates the locations of opioid treatment programs, also
• Madam Chair, Representative Chavez, absolutely, and that's a good question.
• Madam Chair and Representative Chavez, this would be...
• Representative Chavez, thank you for those.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, behind me I have Representative Nicole Chavez. Please, I'll recognize her for seven minutes.
• But for now, Representative Nicole Chavez, we recognize you for seven minutes. Yes, start over.
• Chairman, members of the committee, and Representative Chavez, I've been in the job eight days, but we
• I have Representative Eleanor Chavez and then Representative Romero for seven minutes.
• Representative Chavez, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joseph Stallone, Brandon Reese, and Gina Chavez.
• All right, seeing none, the Chair recognizes Gina Chavez.
• My name is Gina Chavez, and I really appreciate y'all being here and hearing this bill.

Bills: SB1960, SB1730, SB766, SB2342, SB2501, SB2903

Keywords: digital rights, replication, Voice likeness, visual likeness, private causes of action, fee structure, online service providers, postmortem rights, self-defense, stand your ground, castle doctrine, use of force, deadly force, civil immunity, civil liability, tort claims, attorney fees, court costs, lost income, Chapter 9 Penal Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my name is Eleanor Chavez.
• Madam Chair, and Representative Chavez, uh, definitely I can do that.
• Thank you Representative Chavez, Representative Barrego. Thank you Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Senator, uh, Representative Chavez.
• I had the opportunity with Rep Chavez a couple few years back.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is further debate generated from Chavez, Representative Mejia. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I yield to the gentle lady from Chavez. Thank you.
• Gentle lady from Bernalillo, Representative Nicole Chavez. Representative Chavez: Thank you, Mr.
• Representative Chavez: Thank you Mr. Speaker, gentle lady.
• Representative Chavez: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, gentle lady.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m Angelita Mejia from Chavez County. Good morning, Madam Chair.
• I’m Angelita Mejia from Chavez County, and this is my first time being here.

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman from Chavez, Representative Murphy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• First, I have Bruin Chavez, and Bruin is very excited to be with us to learn how laws are made.
• Introduced by Representatives Nicole Chavez, Reeb, Alan Martinez, Dow, and Mirabal Moya, a memorial recognizing
• House Memorial 28, introduced by Representatives Dow, Armstrong, Nicole Chavez, Jones, and Alan Martinez

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Chair calls Joseph Stallone, Brandon Reese, and Gina Chavez.
• All right, sitting down the chair, uh, Gina Chavez, I have you here on behalf of, um, Uh, the Recording
• Uh, my name is, um, Gina Chavez and really appreciate y'all being here and hearing this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sergio Chavez. I oppose AB 928. Good day. My name is Ricardo Almedo. I oppose AB 928.
• Nicolas Chavez, I'm opposed. Ivan Chavez, from Monterey County, and I oppose.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 30, 2025, for a regular order hearing on a large slate of bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar in two motions: one for bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another for unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. The committee also deemed the suspense calendar approved without further discussion. Several housing and shelter-related bills were presented. AB 1061 by Quirk-Silva would allow SB 9 duplex and lot-split provisions to apply in historic districts, with limits to protect individually listed historic sites and maintain street-facing appearances; California YIMBY supported the measure. AB 750 by Quirk-Silva would strengthen oversight of homeless shelters by requiring posted resident-rights information, standardized reporting, and penalties for noncompliance, including possible withholding of state funding. AB 712 by another member would increase penalties for public agencies that violate state housing law and bar indemnification demands against applicants when agencies break those laws; it was described as part of a fast-track housing package. The committee then took public comment, dominated by extensive opposition to AB 928. Dozens of individuals, many identifying with poultry, feed, gamefowl, agricultural, or related organizations, testified against the bill, saying it would harm their livelihoods, culture, religious practices, or constitutional rights and could kill birds. A few speakers also testified on other bills, including support for AB 1337 and AB 804 and opposition to AB 1337. After public comment concluded, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Cesar Corsum, the first item is consideration for review and approval of the actions by the State

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met on June 17 and reviewed a series of Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk items. The committee approved formulary changes for March and April that favored lower-cost generics, removed some new-to-market drugs from coverage pending more evidence, and made maintenance changes to migraine and diabetes medications. Members also approved a cell and gene therapy policy that would route those therapies through prior authorization rather than automatic coverage; officials said the process should not delay urgent cases and that no current members would be affected. The committee then reviewed a UAMS pharmacy benefit consultant contract amendment, but after extended discussion about the written scope and dollar amounts, the motion was approved with the understanding that any use of optional services would return to the committee for further review. The committee also reviewed the U.S. Able Mutual/Blue Advantage third-party administration contract and the CompSack employee assistance program contract, which officials said would reduce per-member costs and add services. The subcommittee approved proposed 2027 rates for state employees and public employees, with a 9.8% increase for state employees and a 4.9% increase for public school employees. Officials also reported that the UnitedHealthcare rebid was in its final negotiation stage and would return in August, with medical and pharmacy coverage split as previously recommended. In response to questions, the director said the division was considering broader preventive-care offerings, including weight-loss drug coverage, but would proceed cautiously and with strong utilization controls and holistic support if such a program were adopted. On the property risk side, the committee reviewed permanent rules making prior temporary rules permanent, a contingency-fee subrogation contract, and renewals for claims management, actuarial services, and investment management. Members raised concerns about Sedgwick’s claim-adjustment timeliness and communication with school districts after severe weather events; officials said performance guarantees and communication expectations had been strengthened, but the renewal was kept at three years for continuity. Finally, the committee approved 2026-27 captive insurance program rates, which included no change to minimum deductibles, a 10% overall rate reduction, and bucketed rate changes by entity type. Officials said the captive program was working as intended, with improved actuarial support and claims experience, and the meeting adjourned after the approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, hi, my name is Cesar Cisneros, and I know David since high school, since we were 18 right there.

Bills: SB1010, SB1035, SB1058, SB1077, SB1093

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, appropriation, state budget

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to introduce staff and pages, then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway and require signage; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it could affect existing freeway names, including the Ed Pastor Freeway. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for using an interactive computer service to facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and to require age verification for harmful sexual material; it passed 5-2 after a brief clarification about the law-enforcement defense. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include acts or threats causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; one public commenter opposed it as overbroad and anti-protest, but the bill still passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1058, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which would bar government firearm registries and restrict merchant category codes tied to firearm purchases. A firearms industry representative said the bill protects financial privacy, and it passed 4-3. SB 1035 would appropriate funds for a 5% salary increase for correctional officers and department civilians; the sponsor and correctional employee representatives said raises are needed for retention, while others argued the increase should also cover private prison employees to preserve parity. The committee adopted a Payne amendment extending the raise to private prison workers under contract with the department, and the amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My Uncle Frank and my Uncle Cesar are still construction workers to this day.

Bills: HB446, HB1609, HB4443, HB4464, HB4735, HB5476

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster