Transcript Highlights:

• In the real world, clinical judgment relies on more than data inputs.
• can generate false alarms, miss serious conditions, and reflect the same biases that exist in the data
• can generate false alarms, miss serious conditions, and reflect the same biases that exist in the data
• Innovation and regulation can and have coexisted for years.
• Pop-ups on the street corners and parking lots, and they don't have to follow any regulations.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• the committee chairs on a lot of the input.
• We give them data. We give them all of this every time that we go out there.
• Like I said, the legislature has been reluctant to place regulations.
• We also created in the legislature an AI data center committee.
• We also created in the legislature a AI data center committee.

Committee: Joint Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ENCRYPTION IS VITAL TO THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE INFORMATION AND SECURE DATA.
• PROTECTING THAT DATA IF A CRIME WAS COMMITTED?
• WE ARE BASICALLY REGULATE THIS. THIS IS A VERY UNREGULATED FIELD.
• ON CHEMICALS, THIS DEALS WITH A STATEWIDE REGULATION ON AUXILIARY CONTAINERS. >> Sen.
• AND YET ON THE PLASTICS ISSUE IT YOU MAY REGULATE, YOU'RE NOT OFFERING ANY REGULATION AND TO SENATOR

Transcript Highlights:

• Data is very high dimensional.
• of the intensities of each of a patient's data, we're going to use AI in order to analyze that data
• I found a data set from UCSD. They have online, digital-formatted metabolomics data.
• And so, yeah, I just got the data from there. Wow.
• And so, yeah, so I just got the data from there. Wow.

Committees: House Science & Technology , House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Our data analysis found that of third-party-managed sites, 212 were ranked by Ecology as high-risk or
• Did the data need to clean up first? You know, it looked pretty good to us.
• That was really the thing with the data that we saw. But for the most part, it looked decent.
• I mean, we do have the information available in the data about whether the cleanup has started.
• I mean, we do have the information available in the data about whether the cleanup has started.

Committee: Joint JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits

Summary: The I-900 Subcommittee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s performance audit, Community Engagement During Contaminated Site Cleanups. Auditors said Ecology directly conducts or supervises cleanup at only about 8% of active contaminated sites, while most sites are handled by third parties or have no cleanup plan yet. The audit found that Ecology generally met legal requirements at the sites it oversees, but community engagement varied, was not consistently tailored to local needs, and lacked a systematic “lessons learned” process. Auditors also found inconsistent coordination between Ecology and the Department of Health, and limited guidance for staff on when to collaborate. Tribal feedback was mixed: some tribes said engagement met their needs, while others wanted earlier and more tailored outreach. Committee members pressed the auditors on why many third-party-managed sites appeared to have little or no public involvement, and whether Ecology has broader authority to require public engagement and oversight. The auditors responded that their review focused on community engagement requirements, not the full cleanup permitting process, and said the gap they identified was the lack of required oversight for third-party engagement. Members also asked about tribal engagement, exposure scenarios, and the meaning of “active” and “planless” sites. Ecology officials said they agreed with many of the findings, were already taking steps to improve community research, lessons-learned reviews, tribal guidance, and coordination with Health, and had recently launched a public email notification system for site status changes. They also said some recommendations would require additional funding or staff resources. Public testimony supported stronger community engagement and more resources for Ecology. Washington Conservation Action said contaminated sites disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities, praised the audit for highlighting the need for better site-specific engagement, and urged full funding for MTCA-related work. The hearing ended with the chair inviting written comments and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• HCAI would be responsible for data reporting and cost transparency requirements.
• HCAI would be responsible for data reporting and cost-transparency requirements.
• The H-PD is currently collecting prescription drug data.
• claims, and will begin collecting non-claims payment data.
• Those resources will be used to make adjustments to data reporting as required.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's likely given the fact that the federal government hasn't put out the final regulations
• Thank you. ...and nuances between federal and state early education regulations. Thank you.
• For that reason, state regulations should reflect that reality.
• I don't have expenditure data before.
• But as of last year, that data is now being shared, as Francis mentioned.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I think that's why collecting this data I think that's why collecting this data is<00:08:13.800>
• I think it's going to be great to get that first set of data, but I think that post-July 15 data is going
• , but I think that post July set of data, but I think that post July 15th<00:18:58.920><c> data</c><00
• </c> ability to collect the data. ability to collect the data.
• We're solely responsible for those<01:13:18.360><c> inputs</c><01:13:18.800><c> and</c> those inputs

Committee: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cradle to Career Data System is powered by linking longitudinal data that C2C receives from our data
• latest regular data import, we received data from 16 data providers.
• The latest regular data import received data from 16 data providers across TK through 12 and higher education
• With data connecting that to the TK-12 data, the job training, earnings data, and social services take-up
• , we expect that the data dashboards, data reports, and data files we release to be useful across the

Summary: The committee heard an update on the administration’s Career Education Master Plan and the new California Education Interagency Council. Administration and agency staff described efforts to better connect K-12, higher education, workforce, and data systems, including the California Cradle to Career Data System, e-Transcript California, and a proposed career passport. They emphasized regional coordination with workforce boards and community colleges, and said the new council’s immediate tasks are to hold its first meeting by the end of June, enter into a data-sharing MOU, and complete a strategic plan by the end of November. Members asked about the council’s authority, reporting requirements, and how it would relate to the broader Master Plan for Higher Education; staff said the council will make recommendations but does not have implementation authority. The committee then took up the Governor’s proposed $100 million one-time expansion of dual enrollment grants and related changes to instructional minute requirements. Finance and the Department of Education said the proposal would support middle college, early college, and CCAP programs, add technical assistance, prioritize high-need LEAs, and reduce the minimum instructional day for certain dual enrollment students from 240 to 180 minutes to ease scheduling barriers. The Chancellor’s Office strongly supported the investment, citing access, acceleration, and equity benefits, while the LAO recommended rejecting the funding, arguing the state already provides ongoing support and that the proposal does not address major barriers. Members raised questions about adult learners, A-G alignment, reporting on outcomes and expenditures, rural access, transportation, staffing, and whether the funding would create lasting program capacity. The item was left open after discussion. The committee also considered trailer bill language to align the definition of long-term English learners across data systems. Finance and CDE said the change would simplify identification by defining LTELs as students who have not attained English proficiency within seven years and RTELs as students not proficient within six years, matching the dashboard and research-based timelines. CDE said the current mismatch between dashboard and assessment definitions creates confusion and delays, while some members and advocates worried the change could reduce earlier intervention or should be handled through policy committees rather than the budget process. The committee voted to reject the proposal and refer it to policy, though the administration said it still supports the budget language. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to extend the Supporting Inclusive Practices project by one year, through June 30, 2027. CDE said the project is promising but raised concerns about the contract structure and fiscal management, while Marysville Joint Unified School District testified that SIP had helped expand inclusive preschool and district-wide practices and reduce reliance on more restrictive placements. Members questioned why funds had not been fully encumbered and whether the remaining money should be redirected to areas with greater implementation need. The item was discussed but no final action was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’d look to see that the data identified in the performance statement is data that is expected to be
• available when we do the review, whether that data will be a reliable data source or whether a data
• performance data such as the installs or the removals—the data that we used in this particular study
• In terms of the race and ethnicity data, we got data from the Administrative Office of the Courts and
• That data is collected for studies on racial profiling and policing, and so the data is based on the

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on January 7, 2026, approved the December minutes, and adopted an amended work plan. Staff proposed moving the drug take-back program sunset review up to 2026 and delaying the thermal energy network pilot review to 2028, which would free capacity for new studies. Members also discussed active bills that would eliminate two recurring JLARC reports, including one on lodging tax revenue data collection, and the committee adopted the work plan without objection. JLARC staff then outlined new performance measures for the committee itself, covering effectiveness, efficiency, and quality. The measures include member and legislative satisfaction surveys, presentations to other committees, recommendation follow-up, staff retention, on-time report delivery, peer review results, and national recognition. Members praised the effort and did not take formal action, treating the measures as an ongoing process. The committee also heard a proposal to improve JLARC’s review of tax preference performance statements by adding a standard rubric in fiscal notes to assess whether a metric matches the policy objective, is measurable, uses reliable data, and allows enough time for evaluation. Members supported the pilot approach. Staff also described planned changes to public records reporting guidance, including opt-outs for low-volume metrics, better validation, targeted outreach to nonreporting agencies, and a survey of records officers. Two preliminary reports were presented. On ignition interlock devices, JLARC found that only 41% of drivers with a requirement had installed a device, with installation rates rising sharply with income; financial assistance reaches only about 11% of users, and JLARC recommended clearer program goals and stronger coordination between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. On the drug take-back program, JLARC found that the fee structure tied to operator expenditures limits the Department of Health’s ability to recover oversight costs and recommended public reporting of oversight spending and a statutory change to better align fees with actual costs. Agency representatives generally agreed with the findings, described current coordination and administrative changes, and said they would consider the recommendations. No formal votes were taken on the reports, which will return in final form later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• It simply ensures that economic analysis keeps pace with the regulation as it evolves.
• It's just time that we truly understand what regulations actually cost real-world people.
• for the public review is actually the analysis that applies to the final regulation.
• This is not excessive regulation.
• This is not excessive regulation.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on environmental quality, climate planning, transparency, water affordability, plastics, recycling, and refinery transition planning. SB 1087, by Senator Cabaldon, would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by extending planning cycles, clarifying target-setting and review processes, and reducing time and cost burdens; metropolitan planning organizations strongly supported it, while environmental groups and industry raised concerns about VMT, GHG metrics, CEQA, and implementation details. Committee members generally agreed the process is too costly and complex, but urged the author to keep the bill focused on simpler, less expensive planning and better progress reporting. The bill was moved as amended to Senate Transportation and kept on call. SB 1239, by Senator Jones, would require CARB to update its standardized regulatory impact assessment when a major regulation is materially changed; supporters framed it as a transparency and affordability measure, while the chair argued it could slow rulemaking and discourage agencies from incorporating public feedback. The bill failed on the committee vote and was kept on call. SB 1125, by Senator Menjivar, would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program, contingent on funding, to help households facing rising water bills; public water agencies, environmental justice groups, local governments, and community members from rural areas testified in support, emphasizing affordability and the lack of statewide assistance. The chair and members expressed support for the need for such a program, and the bill passed 3-1 and was kept on call. SB 1180, by Senator Allen, would establish implementation rules for the plastic pollution mitigation fund created by SB 54, including eligibility, reporting, transparency, and technical assistance for smaller organizations and tribes; environmental justice, conservation, and local government groups supported it, while producer and industry groups opposed unless amended, seeking tighter links to measurable mitigation outcomes and the covered products under SB 54. The bill passed 3-0 and was kept on call. SB 1161, by Senator Valadares, would require CARB to provide clearer, plain-language economic analysis of regulations and their impacts on households; supporters described it as a transparency and affordability measure, while some environmental groups offered respectful or qualified opposition. The chair said she could support it as amended, and the bill passed 4-0 and was kept on call. The committee also heard SB 955, by Senator Blakespear, to update California’s beverage container recycling program so major sellers participate and consumers have convenient return options; supporters said it would improve redemption access and program effectiveness, and the bill passed 5-0 and was kept on call. Finally, SB 1259, also by Senator Blakespear, would require refineries to provide earlier disclosure of cleanup liabilities and closure planning information so the state and communities can plan for refinery site remediation and reuse; the author framed it as a transparency and transition-planning measure, and testimony began in support as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• But just as a quick reminder, the Senate version regulated and provided regulations for the industry.
• They self-regulated on their own, putting 21 plus on their product.
• It's a disclosure bill, which will be regulated by the Department of Agriculture.
• It's hard for them to keep up and to be able to give good, solid research and data.
• It allows everybody to have input in the selection of those delegates.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, data from the U.S.
• </c> currently not regulated by federal laws. currently not regulated by federal laws.
• The state cannot regulate that.
• The state cannot regulate that.
• </c> some data to be held by the AI company. some data to be held by the AI company.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicles and car... ...regulations and funding programs that encourage the transition to zero-mission
• It simply ensures that economic analysis keeps pace with the regulation as it evolves.
• It's just time that we truly understand what regulations actually cost real-world people.
• for the public review is actually the analysis that applies to the final regulation.
• This is not excessive regulation.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that input. With that, some of the members of Burr.
• Do you have any evidence or data to support that?” “I have anecdotal data from our...”
• “I don’t have statistical data.
• Over the years, we have witnessed misalignment in the execution of regulations and guidance, data sharing
• Over the years, we have witnessed misalignment in the execution of regulations and guidance, data sharing

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Make sure that they're being completed pursuant to regulations.
• data.
• Is it inputted as part of the EO, the source of funding that's going after?
• And I just want to give you two data points on that.
• So we're okay for now, but I really appreciate the members' input. Members' input.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:28.000><c> That</c> about their input on the bill. That about their input on the bill.
• Uh but regulation<00:31:52.880><c> must</c><00:31:53.120><c> be</c><00:31:53.279><c> data-driven,</c>
• regulation must be data-driven, regulation must be data-driven, proportionate,<00:31:54.880><c> and<
• Uh, what we did, uh, see quite a bit of data. Um, what data uh, is the senator interested in?
• So um happy to to uh share that data.

Transcript Highlights:

• District and campus leadership, the right data, the right attendance data, student support, and family
• to consider the data.
• Thank you for your input.
• But I think while we're talking about inputs, inputs matter.
• But so far, what I have seen, at least the data, if I am to believe it—and I never believe every data—but

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• regulations that affect emissions and also this program.
• But we don't have that data readily available, unfortunately.
• And how much we've collected to date of data is around a little over 11, 12 billion.
• , being told the data is useless, feels a little sad to me.
• If not, I think that we do need a bit more comprehensive data.

Transcript Highlights:

• , legislators having pretty much no input, but filed on the 19th and today is the 23rd.
• , legislators having pretty much no input, but filed on the 19th and today is the 23rd.
• , legislators having pretty much no input, but filed on the 19th and today is the 23rd.
• , legislators having pretty much no input, but filed on the 19th and today is the 23rd.
• , legislators having pretty much no input, but filed on the 19th and today is the 23rd.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications. The Senate reported passage of Senate Bills 52 and 124, and several House committees reported favorable action on bills including HB 1, HB 2, HB 94, HB 246, HB 282, HB 299, HB 307, HB 519, HB 613, and HB 648. Most of those measures were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar; HB 1 and HB 307 were sent to the Rules Committee after having had two previous readings. The House then recessed briefly before returning to the orders of the day. The chamber took up HB 568, relating to public adjusters. The sponsor explained that the bill would prohibit new public adjuster licenses, allow current licensees to renew, impose conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, set a 5% fee cap, and bar public adjusters from negotiating claims, citing consumer protection concerns and legal opinions about the practice of law. After debate and a brief explanation of vote from a member citing local storm-related abuses, the House voted on roll call and passed HB 568 with one nay vote. The House then considered HB 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program. Supporters said it would allow private donations to scholarship-granting organizations to benefit Kentucky students without using state general funds, and argued it could help public, private, and homeschool families with education-related expenses. Opponents criticized the speed of the process, warned it could open the door to vouchers and charters, and argued it would mainly benefit wealthier donors while public schools remain underfunded. Members also questioned the bill’s waiver of 11th Amendment immunity and received explanations that the waiver was limited to federal-court jurisdiction over the federal program and would not create individual liability for state actors. A motion to table the bill failed with 19 votes in favor, and debate continued.