Transcript Highlights:

• And then the last one on here is just a measure of how much equity is being...
• Now, the current level of equity holdings is now at 200% of disposable income.
• Longer term, our staff did do some quantitative... ...account.
• All of them today, but just to give a preview for your staff to be prepared in subcommittee hearings
• Sure, and we can work through staff to get that information to you all. Thank you very much.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget and presentations from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Chair Laird described the proposal as roughly balanced with $23 billion in reserves, while Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue estimates were overly optimistic and warned of a structural deficit, calling for a deeper review of programs and concern over the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. Finance said the budget is balanced in the budget year but still leaves a roughly $2.9 billion deficit, with out-year gaps above $20 billion, and characterized the plan as largely a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. The LAO said its office sees substantial downside risk to the revenue forecast, emphasized the volatility of stock-market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until May. Members focused on the implications of federal policy changes, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the MCO tax, as well as the state’s reserve strategy. Senators Menjivar and Richardson raised concerns about health coverage reductions, county costs, hospital finances, and the lack of a broader revenue solution, while Finance said the state cannot fully backfill federal cuts and is still assessing the impacts. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal to suspend the rainy day fund deposit and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up rather than using it for spending. Finance defended both proposals as necessary to balance the budget year and said it plans to begin discussions with legislative leaders before the May Revision. The committee also discussed climate and transportation funding, including cap-and-trade/GGRF allocations for Cal Fire, interest earnings from the fund, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and AB 617 air quality investments. Senator Reyes questioned the focus on light-duty ZEV incentives instead of heavy-duty vehicles, and Finance said the proposal is intended to partially replace the federal consumer tax credit and that some heavy-duty funding remains from prior years. Senator Richardson also raised concerns about Olympics-related infrastructure, courthouse repairs, and displaced workers, while other members stressed homelessness funding and the need for more immediate action on out-year budget problems. No formal votes or actions were taken during the portion provided; the hearing was informational and moved into member questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity markets provide both upside and downside risks to the forecast.
• If equity markets continue their current upward trend, we will see greater levels of consumer spending
• Equity markets present both upside and downside risks, as I've already mentioned.
• and compensation and benefits for staff and serve<00:21:00.200><c> a</c><00:21:00.280><c> growing</c
• who reviews it and determines DHS staff who reviews it and determines whether<00:26:50.280><c> to</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm sorry, Senator Stewart: It's not county staff, for example, it would be no.
• Representative Chavez: Gabriela Ibanez Guzman, the staff attorney at Somos.
• I think our staff could probably clean that up in the committee report.
• Masters, who is here, they are part of the staff that is hired by the Interstate Commissioners.
• In other words, how do I get, Apollo Global Management Private Equity to come to New Mexico and defend

Transcript Highlights:

• And the A2, uh, makes a one-time appropriation of $500,000 for the Center of Nursing Equity and Excellence
• And the A2, uh, makes a one-time appropriation of $500,000 for the Center of Nursing Equity and Excellence
• This is a $500,000 allocation for the 2027 workforce for the Center of Nursing Equity and Excellence.
• in partnership with the University of Minnesota, we co-founded and co-lead the Center for Nursing Equity
• and Excellence, also Nursing Equity and Excellence, also known<00:03:36.000><c> as</c><00:03:36.240>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the committee chair and his staff for taking the time to work with me in my office
• Chair, as well as your committee staff, and the coalition of people who came to speak with me on this
• They treat committee staff and myself as a resource and someone willing to help you brainstorm and get
• Staff for Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, if they're listening in, he will be reporting right after the
• They said they would not be opposed, while being respectful of the work that staff and the chair had

Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the time that you and your staff had and did for me.
• Certainly nothing wrong with the staff, and I just want everyone to know that we're very happy with,
• First of all, I'd like to thank the director and her staff for coming and sitting through a grueling
• It depends on how determined the director of the passport and all agencies are to direct their staff.
• Any questions for staff? Seeing none. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Madam Chair, I'll be quick.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2150, which continues the State Land Department until July 1, 2030. Members questioned the commissioner extensively about agency procedures, backlog, appraisals, auction practices, privilege claims in the Fontamonte audit, and the Coyotes land transaction. The committee also discussed the Griffin amendment, which required quarterly updates, a public hearing on the department’s strategic plan, changes to conceptual land use plans and five-year disposition plans, and legislative findings. After debate over oversight and accountability, the amendment was adopted and HB 2150 was returned with a do pass recommendation by a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2975, which would suspend the State Land Department’s solar scoring map and require new mining and housing resource maps, with the amendment changing the mapping deadline and requiring the maps to be posted online. Supporters said the bill would improve fairness and maximize trust revenue for schools by avoiding favoritism toward solar; opponents argued the solar map is only a guidance tool and that removing it could reduce transparency and revenue. The department said it was neutral but asked for additional staff or consultant support if the bill passed. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2975 as amended on a 6-4 vote. House Bill 2781 followed, addressing solar plant decommissioning, restoration, financial assurance, insurance, and a remediation fund. The amendment narrowed the bill to decommissioning standards and limited its reach to projects receiving permits after the effective date. Testimony focused on the need to ensure solar sites are restored and that taxpayers are not left with cleanup costs; several speakers cited abandoned or aging energy infrastructure as a cautionary example. The committee adopted the amendment and passed HB 2781 as amended by a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2267, which would classify certain utility-scale wind or solar projects within four miles of residential property as a public nuisance, with exceptions and grandfathering for existing projects. The sponsor argued the bill responds to concerns about large renewable projects near homes and property value impacts, while the amendment narrowed the scope to utility-scale wind and solar and excluded rooftop solar and existing projects. The transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 2267.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now the companion piece to that is establishing a fund into which those fees go, so that the staff
• The staff that manages the Water Well Board, their licensing program, construction standards of wells
• The staff that manages the Water Well Board, their licensing program, construction standards of wells
• </c> have to divert other staff um for it. have to divert other staff um for it.
• </c><00:24:19.360><c> to</c> because we don't have the staff to because we don't have the staff to collect

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aguiar-Curry, you can actually proceed with the first bill, which is related to farm, AB 52, Farm Equity
• That's why I authored the Farmer Equity Act in 2017, and I can't believe it was 2017, to ensure that
• However, while these advisory committees are necessary for implementing the Farmer Equity Act, they are
• Codifying these advisory committees is essential to honoring the intent of the Farmer Equity Act and
• to build an agricultural system... ...to honoring the intent of the Farmer Equity Act and to build an

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met with two bills on the agenda. The chair opened the hearing with procedural reminders and a brief welcome back for the new year, then moved to AB 52 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which would codify the California BIPOC Producer Advisory Committee and the California Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee in statute. The author and a supporting witness said the committees are important to implementing the Farmer Equity Act and ensuring farmers and ranchers of color and small-scale producers have a meaningful role in CDFA policymaking; several organizations testified in support, and no opposition was heard. The committee then heard AB 230 by Assemblywoman Ransom, which extends the sunset of the Pierce’s disease control program and the Pierce’s disease glassy-wing sharpshooter board to 2037. The author and a representative of the wine grape industry described the program as essential to controlling a disease that threatens grapevines and to supporting research and field efforts funded by federal, industry, and grower assessments. Testimony from the Wine Institute, Family Winemakers of California, California Fresh Fruit Association, and the California Farm Bureau was in support, with no opposition. Both bills were moved on due pass motions to the Appropriations Committee and approved by the committee. AB 230 received eight aye votes and AB 52 later received seven aye votes after the roll was held open for absent members. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Aguiar-Curry, you can actually proceed with the first bill, which is related to farm, AB 52, Farm Equity
• That's why I authored the Farmer Equity Act in 2017, and I can't believe it was 2017, to ensure that
• However, while these advisory committees are necessary for implementing the Farmer Equity Act, they are
• Codifying these advisory committees is essential to honoring the intent of the Farmer Equity Act and
• to build an agricultural system... ...to honoring the intent of the Farmer Equity Act and to build an

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, because of this equity training by an out-of-state organization, as I said, I now know that
• As you see, based on this example, equity training can actually save money in health care by making us
• As you see, based on this example, equity training can actually save money in health care by making us
• Yes, what I'm thinking specifically is the funding of the equity training.
• The bill's prohibitions on benchmarks and equity goals, which have been referred to by Senator Lenney

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from February 25 and February 26, 2026, then took up House Bill 928, the Merit-Based Health Care Act. The bill’s sponsors said it would prohibit DEI-related considerations in Medicaid-funded hiring, contracting, and training decisions while preserving compliance with federal law and allowing certain clinical data collection and patient-specific discussions. Committee members questioned how the bill would affect hiring, patient preferences, and medical training, and the sponsors emphasized that it was intended to ensure decisions are based on merit and to add a warning period before penalties are imposed. The committee heard extensive testimony on HB 928. Physicians and physician organizations largely opposed the bill, arguing it would chill evidence-based training, impair use of social determinants of health and implicit bias education, create legal uncertainty, worsen rural workforce shortages, and reduce patient care quality. Supporters argued DEI initiatives undermine merit and that the bill would prevent taxpayer dollars from funding discriminatory practices. After debate, the committee voted to send HB 928 to the 14th order for possible amendment, with Senators Harris and Wintrow recorded as opposed. The committee then heard House Bill 916, which would create a legislative rural transformation oversight committee for federal rural health transformation funds. The sponsor said the committee would provide legislative oversight and stewardship of the funds without appropriating money. Testimony supported the bill as a way to oversee federal dollars, while some senators raised concerns that the committee should require rural representation. A motion to hold HB 916 in committee passed, and the meeting was adjourned with notice of a two-hour meeting scheduled for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• My request then would be that, since it crosses over jurisdictions, we ask nonpartisan staff to do an
• He thanked the chair and explained that he wanted nonpartisan staff to prepare an integrated analysis
• </c><00:37:29.280><c> and</c> affordability access and equity and affordability access and equity and
• Newfriend's comment that all of their members want equity, access, and affordability for people.
• Newfriend's comment that all of their members want equity, access, and affordability for people.

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I'll ask for our team, our staff, backside, and some of our sergeant at arms so that we can acknowledge
• Thank you, Senator, and now we'll go to our staff, our team, whichever.
• And it is a health care equity strategy. ...a rural stability strategy, and it is a health care equity
• , is that by focusing on medically underserved rural areas, the bill seeks to provide health care equity
• thank Senator Charley and Senator Nava and all the sponsors for this bill that will help address an equity

Bills: SB5, SB6, SB8

Keywords: physician residency, healthcare, rural communities, medical education, appropriation, education, medical school, New Mexico, construction, behavioral health, funding, mental health services, general fund transfer, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity.
• You end up with a really uneven tax code across industries, which maybe goes against equity.
• Equity, page 26, slide 26, in terms of guiding principles.
• You talk about equity and comprehensiveness, and I only have one more question.
• What's going to happen is Christina and staff are taking notes on all of those different questions so

Transcript Highlights:

• was ever too small for Gavin, whether it was policy research, attending briefings, or supporting our staff
• Whether it was policy research, attending briefings, or supporting our staff with warmth and humor, he
• He was an incredible champion for equity and lifting up folks and making UC live out its promise of being
• higher education, President Michael Drake, for his unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity, equity
• only have you led with vision and integrity, you've also shown a deep and personal commitment to equity

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file with numerous guest introductions and recognitions, including tributes to outgoing University of California President Michael Drake, student and community advocates, and visitors connected to foster care, military appreciation, and college savings. The chamber also took up several procedural items, including concurrence in Senate amendments to ACR 75 on California Farm Week, which passed 59-0. Members then adopted AJR 7 on protecting federal special education funding and services for students with disabilities, with broad bipartisan support and a 65-0 vote after 63 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 82 recognizing Foster Care Month and ACR 85 recognizing 529 College Savings Day by voice vote after adding co-authors, and ACR 89 recognizing Military Appreciation Month, also adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. These resolutions featured testimony and remarks emphasizing support for vulnerable children, foster youth, military families, and access to higher education. On policy bills, the Assembly passed AB 929 on groundwater and managed wetlands (41-14), AB 1026 on utility connection timelines for housing projects (52-0), AB 1332 on direct shipment of medicinal cannabis under specified conditions (55-0), AB 1356 on follow-up reporting in DHCS death investigations at treatment facilities (54-0), and AB 671 on streamlining restaurant openings through self-certification of certain plans (62-0). The chamber also approved AB 715 on anti-Semitism and school climate after extensive debate and cross-caucus support, 64-0, and AB 33 on autonomous vehicle deliveries requiring a human safety operator, 52-6. Later, AB 5 on election ballot-counting timelines passed 66-0, AB 27 and AB 28 addressing the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster passed 61-0 and 44-6 respectively, and the Assembly began consideration of AB 43 to extend state authority over wild and scenic rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please provide 13 copies to our staff up front here.
• In traditional schools, it is about ensuring choice and equity in public education.
• And it's especially with diversity, equity. inclusion you name all the little buzzwords that you could
• I also served as a youth and children's minister in three church Before that, I was the staff assistant
• seek to ban, state-sponsored religion, steals from children, and... education, teaching diversity, equity

Bills: SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to introduce our staff.
• We're having difficulty hiring and retaining staff.
• Um, we, without additional staff but just by holding on better to the staff that we have because our
• It's for staff, all of those things contribute.
• We currently have 32 staff. On slide 3, our chair is.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but we provide a little bit of the support from staff, but then the vast majority of that money goes
• , but then the vast majority from staff, but then the vast majority of<00:53:09.280><c> that</c><00:53
• Chair, the staff here helped look up the language that passed two years ago establishing this, and it
• </c><01:35:47.040><c> equities.
• </c><01:35:47.440><c> I'm</c> uh equities something equities. I'm uh equities something equities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those folks are now also defined as eligible to be social equity applicants.
• So those folks are now also defined as eligible to be social equity applicants.
• We do have a slight change as well to that lab in question. social equity applicants.
• Um we have u a social equity applicants.
• </c><01:43:28.560><c> Jack</c> House Council, House Staff Jack House Council, House Staff Jack Dockandorf

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Seamus, and members of the House committee team, Staff Director Corinne Corriott.
• My name is Jojo Emerson, and I'm a staff member at Green Roots, an environmental justice organization
• I'm an agriculturist and part of the staff of Green Roots, where I'm doing as a general of the space
• Good morning, Chair Blay, Chair Fernandes, members of the committee, committee staff.
• It's about dignity, equity, and community.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to always thank our amazing staff, rules committees, sergeants, and Capital Support Office for
• In putting this hearing together, my staff has worked closely with the staff of our very own LGBTQ-plus
• as well for working with me, our committee staff, our caucus staff, as well as the LGBTQ caucus members
• I want to thank Chair Bauer-Kahan and committee staff as well for providing this platform to be able
• LGBT Tech is a national nonprofit working at the intersection of technology, digital equity, privacy,

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.