Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Tuesday, May 5th, and this is a hearing of the House Transportation Committee.
• Oh, I'll hear that.
• Because I'm really trying to hear comments on that side.
• And so, again, I just, I really want to hear. Process.
• Again, I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Several bills dealt with port and commission appointments or authority, including SB 420 adding Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission, SB 69 aligning appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission with redistricting, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, and SB 170 adding qualification and Senate confirmation requirements for Caddo-Bossier Port Commission members. The committee also approved SB 449 to give the New Orleans Public Belt more flexibility in procuring specialized materials, and SB 115 to allow DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA responsibilities to speed project delivery, with testimony emphasizing long permitting delays and the need for faster project completion. Members also advanced multiple safety and enforcement measures. SB 40 expanded move-over protections for emergency and disabled vehicles, SB 55 clarified proper seat belt use, SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement, SB 489 authorized third-party verification of insurance coverage through license plate inquiries, and SB 133 updated commercial vehicle parking and autonomous vehicle oversight provisions. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples tied to CODIS matches or qualifying arrests/convictions, and SB 48 would create Louisiana-Ireland driver’s license reciprocity. Most of these bills were reported favorably after brief testimony, with support from law enforcement, AAA, OMV, and other stakeholders. The committee also considered several local resolutions and infrastructure studies. Rep. Dickerson’s resolutions on widening Highway 16, studying turn lanes on Highway 1024, and constructing a roundabout on Highway 1019 were all reported favorably. HCR 53 created a study committee on oversized vehicle permits with DOTD participation, HCR 60 asked DOTD to study I-12 and I-55 corridor improvements, and HR/HCR 170 and 68 sought federal funding to remove four closed bridges on US 90 in St. Tammany Parish. HR 191, as amended, requested a DOTD study of mountable median curbs on Range Avenue in Denham Springs. HB 762, amended to make certain OMV debt referrals permissive rather than mandatory, was reported favorably over some concern about debt collection impacts. HB 714, which would have addressed abandoned railroad lines, drew extensive debate over federal preemption, blight definitions, and whether a new commission was needed; the author ultimately moved to defer it, and the committee agreed. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement markings was amended to grandfather existing compliant pavement markings and rejected an amendment that would have exempted several cities from the law. The committee adjourned after reporting the remaining measures favorably and recognizing a departing staff member.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's quickly suspend the hearing on House Bill 2514 and open the hearing on House Bill 2661, please
• So let's quickly suspend the hearing on House Bill 2514 and open the hearing on House Bill 2661, please
• Okay, we will now briefly suspend the hearing on 2661. We'll reopen the hearing on 2514.
• Okay, we will now briefly suspend the hearing on 2661. We'll reopen the hearing on 2514.
• Let's hear from Mr. Fancher. Thank you.

Bills: HB2514 , HB2661 , HB2637 , HB2632 , HB2499 , HB2198 , HB2520

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• If we have no questions, we will conclude the hearing on House Bill 2445, and we will open the hearing
• Thank you so much for hearing this bill. Thank you so much for hearing this bill today.
• We will hear from Daniel Fruchter.
• I believe Chris Teft is stuck in another hearing right now.
• Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Oh, there we go. Hi. Thank you, Madam Chair and members.

Bills: HB2453 , HB2590 , HB2445 , HB2386 , HB2585

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: psychiatric pharmacists, mental health, pharmacy regulations, healthcare, pharmacological treatments, limited equity cooperatives, common interest ownership, housing, exemption, community ownership, probate, estate administration, inheritance, heir finder, heir locator, beneficiary interest, transfer of inheritance rights, probate for profit, personal representative, executor

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, so ordered. Mr.
• Hearing none, so ordered. Mr.
• Hearing none, &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection? Hearing none, so<00:08:09.840><c> ordered.
• Hearing none. &gt;&gt; All right. Any objection? Hearing none. So<00:08:20.560><c> order.
• Hearing none so ordered. co-sponsors. Hearing none so ordered.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, established a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received several House Joint Resolutions: HJR 2 and HJR 3 to notify the governor that the legislature is in session and to escort the governor to the joint session, HJR 4 mourning the death of Howard Sanderford, and HJR 5 mourning the death of Samuel Allen Harper. Each was taken up by suspension of the rules and adopted without objection. Committee reports followed, with multiple Senate bills receiving favorable reports and being advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day. Reported bills included SB 20, 30, 31, and 41 from Judiciary; SB 19 from Banking and Insurance; SB 12, 28, 35, 42, 93, and 134 from County and Municipal Government; a large group of fiscal and economic development bills including SB 54, 77, 78, 89, 100-103, 113, 122, 126, 127, 128, and 136; and SB 32, 33, 55, 70, 108, 114, and 118 from Veterans and Military Affairs. Several of these reports included amendments, and all were placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted SJR 6 honoring former Representative Brian Melton Jr., SJR 7 supporting federal voting rights legislation including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, SJR 8 naming the Lamar Harrison Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 98 in Wilmer, and SJR 9 honoring Samuel Allen Harper. The chamber then adopted SJR 10, a lengthy resolution celebrating the life of Claudette Colvin, with remarks from Senators Figures and Coleman emphasizing her civil rights legacy and the impact of her refusal to give up her bus seat at age 15. The session concluded with a motion to adjourn until 8:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• their bills toward, or in my case, probably at the end of the hearing.
• Next, we'll hear from any other members of the public in opposition.
• They hear testimony from the prosecutor and the law enforcement agency, and they hear statements from
• Next we'll hear from other members of the public. Mr.
• As a reminder, our next hearing is a week from today at 8:30 a.m.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any support here in the hearing room?
• I mean, how do you go about doing that with one hearing?
• I mean, this could, ...happen before the public hearing.
• You got a motion and a second, but we'd like to hear more.
• Any persons in the hearing room in opposition to this measure?

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of natural resources and climate-related bills. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to generate pipeline biomethane; supporters said it would help divert organic waste from landfills, reduce methane, and support energy reliability. AB 30 would authorize E15 fuel sales in California, with supporters arguing it could lower consumer fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups raised concerns about engine damage and the need for clear labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high fire-risk areas; supporters emphasized wildfire evacuation safety, while some members worried the bill lacked sufficient guardrails and environmental review. AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider blue carbon sequestration in coastal permitting and authorize blue carbon demonstration projects; environmental groups supported it, while business groups objected to new costs and regulatory uncertainty. AB 491 would codify California’s nature-based solutions climate targets for lands and wetlands, with supporters citing climate and adaptation benefits and the Farm Bureau opposing statutory targets. AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct, and AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers if federal protections are weakened. The committee also considered AB 436 to streamline siting and permitting of composting facilities and AB 539 to streamline certain Coastal Act procedures and reporting. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and were reported out on roll calls, with several bills also moving on consent; AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our hearing notice of Environment.
• Thank you so much. uh time on our hearing, normally uh uh time on our hearing, normally uh Water<00:51
• Hearing none, to speak to HB 778?
• </c><01:11:08.160><c> Hearing</c> amendments. Any discussions? Hearing amendments. Any discussions?
• > land</c> Hearing none water and land Hearing none water and land vice<01:12:29.560><c> chair</c><01

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this hearing could not be more timely and more profound.
• You will hear more from the Department of Aging in this hearing on the MPA and on these survey results
• And finally, you will hear from the Department of...
• It's a successful hearing, and the committee stands adjourned.
• It's a successful hearing and the committee stands adjourned.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to our annual joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly Education Committees to hear from the
• And I'm excited to hear.
• Members, we were hearing that.
• board member as they went into that hearing or prior to going into that hearing, which I think was an
• This is a special hearing.

Summary: The annual joint Senate and Assembly Education Committee hearing featured student proposals from the California Association of Student Councils and SABLE, with opening remarks from legislators emphasizing student voice and the value of hearing youth ideas. Committee members noted the hearing was being streamed and that they would review the testimony even though some members could not attend because of fog-related travel issues. The first panel proposed an annual civic engagement day for grades 7-12, with flexible school-led activities such as discussions, mock elections, and voter registration-related events. Members generally praised the idea but raised concerns about costs, instructional time tradeoffs, how to evaluate effectiveness, and whether the proposal should better connect to existing civics standards and local curriculum. The second panel proposed amending Education Code Section 35012 to require at least one student board member in every unified and high school district, with added training and the right to make motions. Legislators supported student representation in principle but questioned whether the proposal should require one or two student members to avoid board tie issues, why some districts do not already have student trustees, and how the mandate would be funded if it became a state requirement. They also raised technical concerns about the scope of motioning power and the fiscal impact of converting a voluntary local practice into a statewide mandate. Later panels proposed adding middle school financial literacy instruction, expanding restorative justice practices, and creating more structured mental health education time. On financial literacy, students suggested integrating finance into existing middle school classes and teacher training over time; members worried about curriculum overload and suggested aligning the idea with the already-approved high school finance course. On restorative justice, students proposed a CDE task force and training for PPS-certified staff; legislators discussed prior related bills, confidentiality concerns in discipline hearings, and the likely cost of a state task force. On mental health, students proposed short, twice-semester classroom sessions focused on coping skills and awareness of resources, but members questioned whether such brief lessons could be effective and suggested that wellness centers, student-led awareness, and outside referrals might be more practical. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with encouragement for students to refine their proposals and follow up with legislators.

Transcript Highlights:

• a HED. that assembly.ca.g.O.V.4 slash hearings.
• Thank you again for your time and for calling this important hearing.
• I see this as an opportunity for CFA to be a convener of faculty to hear all voices, to hear all areas
• I see this as an opportunity for CFA to be a convener of faculty to hear all voices, to hear all areas
• I just wanted to say that because I was upset to hear that.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Higher Education and the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an oversight hearing on the California State University’s AI-empowered initiative, including the systemwide rollout of ChatGPT EDU and broader AI integration across CSU campuses. Opening remarks emphasized both the promise of AI for student success, workforce preparation, and access, and the need to address risks such as bias, privacy, misinformation, environmental impacts, and mental health harms. CSU representatives said the initiative grew out of Academic Senate recommendations and a systemwide generative AI committee, and that the goal was to provide equitable access, training, governance, and workforce alignment across the 23-campus system. CSU officials described systemwide contracts for AI tools, the AI Commons training hub, and faculty grant programs supporting AI-related curriculum innovation. They said more than 93,000 ChatGPT EDU accounts had been activated, over 4,300 faculty had taken voluntary training, and $3 million had been awarded to 63 faculty-led projects from more than 400 submissions. San Jose State University highlighted its own AI-focused programs, courses, orientation training, faculty fellows, student ambassadors, and interdisciplinary efforts to build AI literacy and responsible use into instruction and co-curricular programs. CSU also said it was tracking metrics on adoption, academic outcomes, workforce outcomes, and environmental impacts. Faculty, staff, and student representatives welcomed the educational potential of AI but raised concerns about the rollout, saying it had moved quickly and without enough consultation or consistent systemwide policy. They urged stronger protections for academic freedom, intellectual property, privacy, equity, and worker input, and warned about bias, surveillance, job displacement, and the environmental cost of AI. Legislators pressed CSU and OpenAI representatives on training requirements, data privacy, bias reporting, discipline for misuse, liability, sycophancy, and safeguards against harmful uses such as non-consensual imagery or self-harm-related interactions. CSU said interactions in the licensed tool are private, data are not used to train models, and campuses retain their own conduct processes; members also asked CSU to follow up on systemwide training, policy consistency, and additional safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to say welcome to the final hearing.
• Hearing none. I want to bring it back to the dais. Any questions? Hearing and seeing none.
• Hearing and seeing none. SB 1435, would you please come to the microphone? Hearing and seeing none.
• Hearing none. Senator, thank you very much.
• Hearing and seeing none. Members, this will be a vote item.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none. I want to bring it back to the dais. Any questions? Hearing and seeing none.
• Hearing none. Senator, thank you very much.
• Hearing and seeing none. Members, this will be a vote item.
• Hearing and seeing none, bringing it back to the committee.
• Hearing and seeing none. Anyone in the room?

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill we will hear is House Bill 889, an act relating to operations within the Department of
• Most people don't enjoy appearing before this committee, so that's good to hear that you do.
• No, I just wanted to hear a little bit more.
• Um, &gt;&gt; well,<00:09:30.720><c> good</c><00:09:30.800><c> to</c><00:09:30.959><c> hear.
• </c> &gt;&gt; well, good to hear. &gt;&gt; well, good to hear.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin with the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Can everyone with the Legislative Ethics Board hear me okay? Yes. Okay. Welcome, everyone.
• Can you hear me okay, Mr. McKinley? I can hear you just fine, Your Honor. All right. Well, welcome.
• Nevertheless, we're happy to have a hearing on that if that's what we want to do.
• We're happy to have a hearing on that with respect to the donation. Ms.

Summary: The Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings held oral argument before the Legislative Ethics Board in the matter of Representative Tara Simmons, docketed as Legislative Ethics Board case 2025-5. The hearing concerned Simmons’ motion for summary judgment in an ethics complaint alleging violations of RCW 42.52.020 (conflicts of interest) and RCW 42.52.070 (special privileges), based on her work involving an EEC proviso, her employment relationship with EEC, a campaign surplus donation connected to AEJG and Jerry Stone, her involvement in an AEJG-EEC subcontract dispute, and related text messages with Anthony Powers. No evidence was taken; the session focused on legal argument over whether the alleged facts, if accepted as true, were sufficient to establish violations as a matter of law. Simmons’ counsel argued the complaint was legally insufficient because the alleged actions benefited her employer or others, not Simmons herself, and that existing board opinions allow legislators to support employers absent a direct personal benefit. He also argued the board was effectively trying to adopt a new bright-line rule prohibiting legislators from funding employers, which he said would be an improper retroactive change. Board staff, through Assistant Attorney General Julia Eisentrout, opposed summary judgment and argued the facts were enough to show Simmons had an indirect financial or other interest in EEC’s funding, that her job duties and legislative actions created conflicts, and that her actions around the donation, subcontract dispute, and text messages could be viewed as using her position to secure special privileges. A board member asked whether the allegations themselves were sufficient and whether the standard required assuming the facts as alleged; staff responded that the motion failed because the record contained sufficient facts to proceed, and that any factual disputes should be resolved at hearing. After rebuttal, the ALJ closed the oral argument and turned the matter over to the Legislative Ethics Board for deliberation. No ruling was issued during the hearing, and the board was to decide whether to grant the summary judgment motion or set the case for an evidentiary hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, Ms. Figuero, would you please call the roll? Rennog?
• , but hear it.
• Hearing none, any substitute language motions? Hearing none, let's go ahead and proceed.
• Hearing none, let's go ahead.
• Hearing none, that language has been withdrawn. Ms. Poloni, Mr.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up several Department of Health and Welfare and related budget items. On the Commission on Aging, a motion to restore $129,900 in ongoing general funds for senior nutrition failed, but a revised motion to restore the same amount as one-time general funds passed. The committee then approved the Division of Welfare budget items tied to federal and state changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and House Bill 345, including SNAP administrative cost adjustments, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes. For Indirect Support Services, the committee approved a budget that included a fund-source change for the background check unit, replacement items, IT modernization and consolidation, and the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 1314. It also approved a separate motion to exempt several Health and Welfare divisions from transfer limitations, but only for Youth Safety and Permanency and Licensing and Certification after a substitute motion narrowed the original request. The committee then approved a $60,000 general fund restoration for the Domestic Violence Council within Independent Councils, with a senator disclosing a potential conflict of interest for the record. The committee next adopted revised language for the Idaho Child Care Program Capacity Grant in the Early Learning and Development budget after extensive discussion about clarifying eligibility, investigations, and provider definitions; the motion passed despite concerns from the department and some members that the language remained unclear and policy-heavy. Finally, the committee approved consolidation of the Office of Species, Minerals and Energy Coordination, combining the former species conservation and energy/mineral offices and funding personnel, fisheries projects, and one-time energy resiliency grants. The meeting ended with adjournment to the call of the chair, and no further meeting was scheduled for the next morning except one House Appropriations item at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, that. You have unanimous consent request. Any objections?
• Hearing no questions. Questions for our analyst? Hearing no questions. Any motions? Mr.
• Hearing no further comments, any other language instead of this language?
• Hearing none, let's go ahead and vote on this motion. Thank you.
• Hearing none, let's go ahead and vote on this motion.

Summary: The committee first took up Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved increases for the Transportation Services Division, including deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, aeronautics facilities maintenance, replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs. It also adopted reappropriation language for capital facilities and aeronautics programs. The Division of Motor Vehicles budget was then approved for replacement items and IT hardware, followed by Highway Operations funding for roadside safety, tree removal, new and replacement equipment, IT hardware, and a small personnel transfer. The committee also approved Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition funding, including a large general fund transfer and language allowing accounting corrections and reappropriation authority. All of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was next. The committee approved two FY 2026 supplementals: one for quagga mussel treatment costs from the Invasive Species Fund and another for pest monitoring and control from the General Fund to the Pest Control Deficiency Fund. It then approved FY 2027 enhancements for replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget was also approved, including ongoing inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security hardware. However, a proposed reporting requirement on energy and utility rebates for the Liquor Division failed after the Senate did not support it, so that language was not adopted. The Secretary of State budget drew the most discussion. The committee approved a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal transfer for overtime, but rejected a substitute motion that would have imposed an additional base reduction. The Secretary of State testified that the office was already dealing with major filing backlogs and an earlier rescission, and that further cuts would slow business filings and election-related work. The committee then approved the original motion. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was approved for six new trial attorney positions, data migration and storage costs, IT replacement items, and health benefit funding. The meeting ended with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing room is open for attendance of this hearing, and it can also be watched live stream on the
• The hearing room is open for attendance of this hearing, and it can also be watched live stream on the
• I look forward to hearing more through our informational hearings, as well as possibly the San Diego
• hearing that you... support.
• I look forward to hearing more through our informational hearings as well as possibly the San Diego hearing

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll go to other members after we hear the presentations.
• It's important, given some of the early questions in this hearing.
• It's been one long, I said what I said, hearing.
• I heard the comment, but we've had hearings about HR 1.
• I want to thank everybody for their help in this hearing.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This hearing is the first of several hearings for 2026 measures.
• Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there neutrals in the hearing room?
• Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweens in the hearing room?
• Are there witnesses in opposition in the hearing room? Are there tweens in the hearing room?
• Our next hearing is going to be on Tuesday, April 7th at 1:30 p.m. in State Capitol hearing room 126.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a policy hearing on several higher education bills. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a California approval process for short-term workforce Pell Grant programs; supporters said it would expand access to job training with consumer protections, while a neutral witness urged more work on implementation. Members raised concerns about the bill’s $4,000 tuition cap, but the measure passed 5-1 with an urgency clause and was sent to Labor and Employment. AB 1831 (Irwin) would cap compensation for certain CSU administrators, bar raises in years when tuition rises, and repeal a 2025 executive pay resolution; the author said she would amend the bill to remove retroactive repeal, narrow the scope, and clarify that it applies to base salary and non-represented managers. CFA, students, and labor groups supported the bill as an accountability measure, while CSU opposed it, arguing the cap would hurt recruitment and retention. The committee approved the bill 4-1-3 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also advanced AB 1555 (Hadwick), which would allow up to 200 students to qualify for in-state tuition at College of the Siskiyous under a cross-border regional arrangement; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 1552 (Jackson), requiring the community colleges and CSU and requesting UC to report recommendations on civic engagement and democracy education, also passed to Appropriations after some members objected that such programs could be used for partisan activity. AB 1829, which expands CalWORKs student-parent support by allowing more direct aid and waiving a 25% work-study employer match at the colleges’ discretion, passed 8-1 and was re-referred to Human Services. The committee later added on consent items and adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, our first hearing of 2026 and some familiar faces.
• Today's hearing is an informational hearing. We will not be taking any votes.
• Public comment will be taken at the end of the hearing.
• Please join us, our good friend from the LAO. end of the hearing.
• That is the reality that we're hearing from our constituents.

Keywords: 988, house, all