Transcript Highlights:

• Before the director comes up, I want to read my opening statement because I think it's appropriate before
• I think it's appropriate before she comes up and the meeting behind this.
• They will be handled through the established processes, and if they warrant referral to the appropriate
• That doesn't seem like an appropriate procedure for a government agency entity.
• Separation of powers—legislative, judiciary, and executive—and we will take testimonies on those bills

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• . appropriation. appropriation.
• </c> This<01:04:04.400><c> appropriation,</c> This appropriation, This appropriation, this<01:04:06.880
• </c> In<01:58:12.080><c> appropriations</c> In appropriations In appropriations this<01:58:15.040><c>
• Judiciary.
• &gt;&gt; Judiciary. &gt;&gt; Judiciary. &gt;&gt; Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Judiciary Committee will come to order. I'll ask the clerk to take the roll.
• The House Judiciary Committee will come to order. I'll ask the clerk to take the roll.
• Well, this is a major event for me, because I was over in the Senate Judiciary last week and I was testifying
• Well, this is a major event for me, because I was over in the Senate Judiciary last week and I was testifying

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 2224, which had been reviewed by a subcommittee. Representative McLeod reported that the subcommittee unanimously recommended amendment version 0107, incorporating several changes: a word change adding “paper,” inclusion of executive hearings, revision of subsection 3 to remove administrative procedure and use district court instead, and a 30-day appeal period to district court with a citation to section 28-32-49. Legislative Council staff was present to answer questions about the code language. The committee first voted on the amendments, with Representative McLeod moving adoption of version 0107 and Representative Schneider seconding. The motion to amend passed 13-0, with one member absent and not voting. The committee then considered the bill as amended, and Representative Wolff moved a do pass recommendation, seconded by Representative Schneider. On the final vote, the committee approved Senate Bill 2224 as amended by a 13-0 roll call vote, again with one member absent and not voting. Representative McLeod was designated to carry the bill. The meeting then adjourned after some brief informal comments about keeping nameplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, a bill that came from judiciary that involves the Department of Human Services.
• That's the appropriation of 300,000.
• We were handed it with an appropriation look-back without the policy being part of it.
• With an appropriation look-back without, you know, the policy being part of it.
• Well, the appropriation, Mr.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• to appropriate it, or if the appropriators don't appropriate it, to just take it from somewhere else
• don't or if the appropriators don't appropriate<01:45:46.320><c> it,</c> appropriate it, appropriate
• </c> going to say what's appropriate? going to say what's appropriate?
• . appropriates. appropriates.
• The<03:19:42.600><c> judiciary</c> The judiciary The judiciary interprets<03:19:45.240><c> and</c><03

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to consent calendar on judiciary. Chair voting aye. Senator Hurtado, Reyes. Aye.
• Is that due pass to Judiciary? Yeah. You can just reread the action. Senate Bill 972.
• Motion is due pass to Senate Judiciary Committee. Thank you. And that is...
• Senate Judiciary Committee. Thank you, and that is six votes and that bill is out of committee.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met on SB 972 and a consent calendar item, initially without a quorum. SB 972 was presented by Senator Grayson as a bill to modernize the California Financing Law for non-bank lenders by creating a streamlined umbrella licensing process for SEC-registered investment advisers and their advised lending vehicles. The sponsor, LSTA, testified in support, saying the current process creates duplicative licensing, long delays, and reduced access to capital for California companies, while the bill would preserve DFPI oversight and increase fee revenue. No one testified in opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted 4-0 to move SB 972 forward, with the motion later recorded as a due pass to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee also took up the consent calendar, which was adopted after additional members arrived, with a final recorded vote of 6-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to consent calendar on Judiciary. Chair voting aye. Senator Hurtado, Reyes. Aye.
• Is that due pass to Judiciary? Yeah. You can just reread the action. Senate Bill 972.
• Motion is due pass to Senate Judiciary Committee. Thank you. And that is.
• Senate Judiciary Committee. Thank you, and that is six votes and that bill is out of committee.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the hearing of the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday, February 13th
• Uh, if power goes off in the room and we have to delay the hearing, we will post appropriate notice so
• That may or may not be appropriate, but I'll leave that to your brilliant minds.
• </c><00:04:28.440><c> notice</c> hearing we will post appropriate notice hearing we will post appropriate
• </c><02:05:49.639><c> we're</c> chair balot so for us in judiciary we're chair balot so for us in judiciary

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> minors their right to appropriate minors their right to appropriate medical medical medical treatment
• The Judiciary Committee believes in privacy above all else.
• That is one of our key tenets in the Judiciary Committee.
• </c> our key tenants in the Judiciary our key tenants in the Judiciary Committee<06:28:28.400><c> when
• </c> consistent with what the Judiciary consistent with what the Judiciary Committee<06:28:45.600><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is to pass to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary.
• Item number 8, AB 413, due pass to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
• Yes, so the startup money would either have been an appropriation.
• Motion to pass to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Haney? Aye. Hennie? Aye. Harrison? Aye.
• Yeah, it goes to Judiciary. You can ask for reconsideration, though, still. It is.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower California’s annual rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the sunset on existing tenant protections. The author and supporters argued that renters are facing severe affordability pressures, especially in single-family rentals, and that stronger statewide rent stabilization is needed to prevent displacement and homelessness. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property-owner groups, said the bill would discourage housing production, harm small landlords, and override a deal they said was intended to be temporary while the state focused on building more housing. Public testimony on AB 1157 was extensive, with many renters, tenant advocates, labor groups, and community organizations speaking in support, while many landlords, business groups, and property-owner representatives spoke in opposition. Committee members were split: some praised the bill as a necessary response to the rent crisis, while others warned it could reduce investment and worsen the housing shortage. The committee ultimately voted 7-5 to pass AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then approved the consent calendar, including AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275, on a 9-0 vote. It also heard ACA 3, which would require the University of California to make available a limited number of down payment loans for eligible long-term support staff who are first-time homebuyers. Supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers afford homeownership and improve retention, while UC and other opponents argued the proposal was duplicative of existing state programs, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to UC finances. The discussion focused on financing mechanics and the relationship to CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is through the House Judiciary Rules Administration Committee, and I would ask that you introduce
• Chairman, thank you, and Representative Church, this just states that under the IDLA appropriation of
• Chairman, thank you, and Representative Church, this just states that under the IDLA appropriation of

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation
• As of now, there is no ongoing funding at the levels that were appropriated previously for CWDB.
• If additional grant funds are appropriated for the purpose of those programs.
• If additional grant funds are appropriated for the purpose of those programs.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget and trailer bill presentations focused on labor and public employment programs. The first item covered EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on customer service improvements, fraud prevention, language access, and the Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged stronger legislative oversight as the project enters its most difficult phase, and members questioned the revised schedule, total cost, change orders, stress testing, SB 1090 implementation, and how race and ethnicity data will be protected. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that the work is being phased with disability insurance and paid family leave first, and that fraud has been greatly reduced since pandemic-era programs ended. Members also asked for follow-up information on SB 590 outreach and equity impacts. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. The board and Department of Finance said the staffing reductions reflect the end of surge funding and that the proposal would consolidate roughly 10 to 12 reports into one annual report, with additional reporting only if new funds are appropriated for certain programs. Senator Durazo questioned the policy direction of reducing workforce staffing, while the administration said the positions were tied to temporary grant programs and that current staffing is sufficient for ongoing duties. Members also asked about the board’s role in AI-related workforce planning and the rationale for using state funds for the High Road Construction Careers Program. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund reforms and related staffing request at DIR. The administration and LAO described rapid growth in applications, backlog, and liabilities, saying the program’s eligibility has expanded beyond its original intent and that liabilities could reach about $30 billion by 2030 without reform. The trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply the changes to open cases, and use the QME process and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, evaluator capacity, and the relationship to other SIBTF legislation, while the LAO said the proposal largely aligns with its prior recommendations. DIR also presented a request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, which drew criticism from members who argued the cuts could weaken enforcement and backlog reduction efforts; the committee asked DIR to return with more detail on impacts and on its use of temporary-help authority. The final items addressed a request for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff and a trailer bill to make permanent the revised Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition timeline. DIR said the BOI staffing would help investigate fatalities and serious injuries more quickly, while members emphasized the importance of family contact and timely investigations. For the WCAB item, the chair explained that the 2024 change to Labor Code section 5909, which starts the 60-day decision clock when a case is transmitted rather than when a petition is filed, has reduced pending cases and should be made permanent; the remaining backlog was reported at 460 cases, down from 637 before the change.

Transcript Highlights:

• these proceedings efficiently while ensuring everyone the opportunity to observe and participate appropriately
• and</c><00:01:57.720><c> participate</c> to observe and participate to observe and participate appropriately
• </c> appropriately, and to maintain decorum. appropriately, and to maintain decorum.
• </c> appropriate level. appropriate level.
• Judiciary heard the bill after this committee did, and there were two provisions that were added in Judiciary

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, your Committee on Judiciary has for consideration SB 1099 and respectfully recommends the bill
• Chair, your Committee on Judiciary has under consideration Senate Bill 1148 and respectfully recommends
• And we very much do not believe that that is appropriate for the public education system to do in this

Transcript Highlights:

• This will go to the House Judiciary, Rules, and I have permission from the chairman to send it to that
• Well, that's... do you have permission from the chairman to hear it in Judiciary and Rules is the question
• The Attorney General can go after bad actors and get a punishment on them that is appropriate, and it

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We will come to order with the Judiciary Committee at 9:30 a.m. Julia, please call our roll.
• Through research with incredible staff and judiciary, healthcare and education, Rep.
• Daley: attorney, like yourself, would raise with the prosecutor at the appropriate time.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll go ahead and call our Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee to order.
• And the first item on the agenda, it looks like Kavanaugh Day in the Judiciary and Rules Committee today
• work and the programs that are happening, because, again, I just came from the Joint Finance and Appropriations

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• SB 53, Wiener, from Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is due pass to consent calendar on judiciary. Chair voting aye. Senator Hurtado, Reyes. Aye.
• Due pass to judiciary. Yeah. You can just reread the action. Senate Bill 972.
• Motion is due pass to Senate Judiciary Committee. Thank you. And that is.
• Senate Judiciary Committee. Thank you, and that is six votes, and that bill is out of committee.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met with an initial lack of quorum, so the hearing began as a subcommittee. The main item heard was SB 972, authored by Senator Grayson, which would modernize California’s licensing rules for non-bank commercial lenders by creating a streamlined umbrella license for SEC-registered investment advisers and their advised lending vehicles. The author and sponsor, LSTA, said the current California Financing Law can cause duplicative licensing, long delays, and reduced access to capital for middle-market and large California businesses, while the bill would preserve DFPI oversight and increase fee revenue. No one testified in opposition, and no registered opposition appeared. After quorum was established, the committee took up the bill and advanced it on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also later took up the consent calendar, which was adopted on a 6-0 vote after the meeting reconvened. When the committee reconvened with a quorum, it formally adopted the consent calendar and then approved SB 972 on a 6-0 vote with a do pass recommendation to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation
• the system and not being able to use outlets that were previously available to them and that are appropriate
• These public resources, authorized and appropriated by the other branches of government, make it possible
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections and Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation
• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections and Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation