Transcript Highlights:

• This last year in 2025, DSGS was operated based on trying to avoid extreme emergency alerts.
• This last year in 2025, DSGS was operated based on trying to avoid extreme emergency alerts.
• This last year in 2025, DSGS is operated based on trying to avoid.
• DSGS is operated based on trying to avoid extreme emergency alerts.
• When we launched DIBA, we focused on the bulk grid projects first.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard presentations on six budget-related issues and took no votes; all items were held open for a future hearing. The first item concerned funding for the California Transmission Accelerator Revolving Fund under SB 254 and Proposition 4. GoBiz and IBank requested nearly $26 million over five years and 10 limited-term positions to evaluate and finance eligible transmission projects. The LAO said the proposal was broadly consistent with Prop. 4 but noted many implementation details remain unresolved. Senators questioned how the program would lower ratepayer costs, how funds would be protected, and whether the full requested amount was necessary; the administration said the financing strategy is still being developed and that consultants are needed. The committee then discussed trailer bill language to redirect $22 million in General Fund money from the DEPA program to DSGS for summer 2026, and to use roughly $70 million in CalSHAPE interest for ratepayer relief through ELRP or an equivalent program in 2027-28. CEC and CPUC staff said DSGS and ELRP are reliability tools, not PSPS programs, and explained that DSGS had enrolled over 1,000 MW and was expected to have about $52 million available for 2026. Senators and the LAO raised concerns about ending a successful DSGS program, the complexity of transitioning customers to ELRP, and whether CalSHAPE funds should instead continue school HVAC and plumbing projects. Public commenters largely supported extending CalSHAPE and continuing or expanding DSGS rather than shifting funds to ELRP. The subcommittee also heard on petroleum market oversight under SBX1-2 and ABX2-1. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested about $1.67 million and a small permanent staffing increase to implement new inventory, resupply, and market analysis duties. Senators pressed the agencies on gasoline price spikes, refinery maintenance, price gouging, and the status of the transportation fuels transition plan, which staff said would be released in draft form soon. Public testimony supported DPMO’s work and called for continued oversight of gasoline pricing. Finally, the CPUC presented three additional budget proposals: resources to implement AB 1207’s changes to the California climate credit, funding for a study of large electrical loads such as data centers under SB 57, and staffing for AB 825’s regional market participation requirements. The LAO said the AB 1207 request may go beyond the statute and urged the Legislature to decide whether it wants a simpler or more complex climate credit redesign. Senators questioned the cost of the work, the need for ongoing staffing, and how ratepayer interests would be protected. The CPUC said the work is needed to adapt to changing load patterns, electrification, data center growth, and potential regional market participation. Public commenters also supported DPMO funding, CalSHAPE, and DSGS, and some urged the Legislature to keep DSGS at the CEC rather than shift funds to ELRP.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> successfully operates the nation's successfully operates the nation's longestr<00:10:37.360><c>
• They launched four torpedoes.
• </c> Israel, either as a false flag operation Israel, either as a false flag operation or<00:41:12.240
• </c> who identifies wasteful operational who identifies wasteful operational expenses<03:37:12.319><c
• </c><04:39:07.840><c> Epic</c> In the 30 months prior to Operation Epic In the 30 months prior to Operation

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember, we're at 24/7 operation. Our operating costs are growing at the 10% annual growth rate.
• Remember, we're at 24/7 operation. Our operating costs are growing at the 10% annual growth rate.
• Remember, we're at 24/7 operation. Our operating costs are growing at the 10% annual growth rate.
• Remember, we're at 24/7 operation. Our operating costs are growing at the 10% annual growth rate.
• </c><00:20:17.120><c> from</c> based in or how are we operating from based in or how are we operating

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And since launching Community state.
• </c> housing authority is still operating housing authority is still operating this<02:38:52.640><c>
• </c> this property the way it was operated this property the way it was operated before.<02:38:54.399
• They operate the entire portfolio.
• They operate the entire portfolio.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Casey Family Programs is the nation's largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need
• So we're really trying to think about how to design the strength-building program, and about to launch
• I'll start with the implementation update on DSS-operated BH Connect activities.
• These expenditures do not account for the tribal spending or state operations associated with program
• to help support To operate in a new location, or accept additional children to help support families

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And actually, Visit California operates with a mission.
• Visit California operates with a mission to develop global programs that inspire travel to and within
• Okay, and number three, finally in this triad, our road trips focus campaign just launched in March with
• So when we talk about visitation and spending and operational expenses, these are really smaller operations
• You know, I was actually out at the pier just last week, and one of the pier operators was telling me

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you think about a lot of our plates, the operations are much bigger.
• And we have the 101st Air Operations Group... ...with an alert detachment down at Homestead.
• So our operational tempo is high.
• We already have recurring for our operations that covers our admin and things like that.
• Boards that are locally appointed and locally operated.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee took up SB 116 by Senator Burgess, a veterans bill aimed at several FDVA-related changes. The bill would reduce annual nominations to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame from 20 to 5, expand FDVA’s survey work to assess veterans’ awareness of available programs and their health literacy, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot, strengthen coordination and reporting between Veterans Florida and FDVA, direct FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities statewide, and allow the Florida Veterans Foundation to use a portion of Gadsden flag plate proceeds for administrative costs. Senator Burgess said the measure builds on prior “Forward March” efforts and helps close service gaps for aging veterans and others who may not know about available benefits. Testimony on SB 116 was uniformly supportive. FDVA leadership said adult day health care could be added at existing facilities such as Port St. Lucie and Lake City, and that the state would need authority and funding to move forward. A veterans legal collaborative, AARP Florida, and Endeavors all voiced support, with speakers emphasizing the importance of better outreach, mental health awareness, and care options that allow veterans to remain at home. The committee then voted favorably on SB 116. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to agency and stakeholder presentations. Florida National Guard officials described a high operational tempo, deployments at home and abroad, hurricane response efforts, and the need to grow the force and infrastructure. FDVA’s adjutant general reported Florida now has the nation’s second-largest veteran population, rising in-migration of younger veterans, a large and aging Vietnam-era population, strong claims and outreach activity, declining veteran homelessness, and improved suicide prevention outcomes. The Florida Veterans Foundation outlined its emergency relief, dental, transportation, and license-plate-funded programs, while Veterans Florida and CareerSource Florida detailed workforce, apprenticeship, SkillBridge, entrepreneurship, and job-fair programs for veterans and spouses, along with efforts to expand recurring funding and better protect customer information.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm part of a family farming operation, and I also have significant experience in operating non-typical
• fertilizer operations.
• in operating have significant experience in operating non-typical<00:19:03.960><c> fertilizer</c><00
• :19:05.440><c> operations</c><00:19:06.440><c> I'm</c> non-typical fertilizer operations I'm non-typical
• </c><00:48:03.559><c> representative</c> livestock operations representative livestock operations representative

Bills: HF1621 , HF1701 , HF1796 , HF1676 , HF40 , HF1428 , HF1540

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• 1837 on behalf of Assembly Member Mark González, which extends the authorization for public transit operators
• The tribe operates, as most of us know, Yaamava', the resort and casino, which has grown into a major
• AB 2075 clarifies fire safety standards during open space operations and ensures companies performing
• In 2017, the California Workforce Development Board launched the High Road Training Partnership Initiative
• These partnerships operate on three core principles: job quality, equity, and climate resilience.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what has, how this has operated in reality over the last several decades, the CPUC, their statute
• In December of 2024, Lancaster launched the first public hydrogen authority, otherwise known as FPH2,
• The operator shall demonstrate hourly matching of hydrogen production with renewable energy production
• Even generators that do not operate in parallel with our grid, a backup generator that is never intended
• to island or never intended to operate when the grid is up, still have the potential to fail, and we

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• intelligence is allowing these criminal elements to operate at scale, where they can quickly reproduce
• The Department of Justice did launch a national scam center strike force, so we've been appreciative
• Consumers should be cautious of untraceable and online operators."
• “It impacts how we operate and live.
• I am the chief operations officer for Farmers Bank and Trust, headquartered out of the beautiful city

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the way the product operates, it is not an APR product.
• It’s simply about being able to operate without predatory litigation.
• I'm a local hotel operator in Vancouver, Washington.
• On top of hotels operating on very thin margins and demand being more unpredictable than ever, one of
• We appreciate being able to send out these emails as local hotels and operators without fear of being

Bills: SB5976 , SB6111 , SB6250 , SB6257 , SB6289 , SGA9060 , SGA9169 , SGA9265 , SGA9266

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: commercial email, spam regulations, online marketing, privacy, consumer protection, SB 6111, Washington Protecting Children Online Act, online child safety, minor privacy, age verification, parental consent, social media regulation, digital platforms, user-generated content, content moderation, online harms, youth protection, data privacy, geolocation, targeted advertising

Transcript Highlights:

• Our association has operated a health care trust since 1994, giving us decades of experience helping
• Two, the median launch price of drugs has increased 20% year over year since 2008, and drug therapies
• Our operating margin was about 1% last year, and we hope to achieve break-even in 2025.
• I have the chief of operations for AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
• We share the concerns expressed that the federal 340B program, how it operates in Washington...

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2437, which would put the Department of Health’s authority to accredit opioid treatment programs into statute and allow the department to set a fee to cover the cost of those services. The prime sponsor and DOH said the bill would preserve a service that is especially important to tribal and rural providers and would be self-sustaining rather than supported by the general fund. Members asked about the relationship between DOH and HCA and whether the bill would duplicate existing authority; staff and the department said DOH already performs the accrediting role and the bill mainly formalizes that authority and fee-setting power. Public testimony on the bill was then closed. The committee then held an extensive work session on the federal 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from requiring claims or utilization data as a condition of access. Committee staff and NCSL gave background on how 340B works, recent growth in the program, contract pharmacy issues, and state efforts in other jurisdictions. Testimony on HB 2145 was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, contract pharmacies, and labor groups said the bill would protect safety-net providers, rural access, HIV and behavioral health services, and tribal programs from manufacturer restrictions; business groups, pharmaceutical companies, and employer coalitions argued the program has expanded beyond its original intent, lacks transparency, shifts costs to employers and taxpayers, and should be addressed through federal reform instead. No vote was taken in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as RN, APRN, or LPN or otherwise implying they are licensed nurses. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients from being misled by AI systems and to preserve transparency and public safety as health care technology expands. The Washington State Nurses Association testified in support, saying AI can be useful but should not replace nurses or be presented as a licensed professional. A member asked about enforcement and liability, and staff said they would follow up on those details.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our general appropriation to that we're operating on right now is $175 million.
• Training for industry is a specific program with commerce that we operate.
• Training for industry is a specific program with commerce that we operate and we make sure that businesses
• She's pretty much the backbone of our operation, Chief of Staff.
• That Was the goal when we launched that pilot.

Transcript Highlights:

• Which, of course, has got incredible levels with how that operates to take money out of unemployment
• Furthermore, OGM is currently working with MMB to launch a three-course training series that will be
• Check-in for the purpose of verifying that the operations are proceeding as they should be.
• in Representative Davis's House File 2 should also be considered, such as for grantees that do not operate
• But in addition, the person who he had running his billing operation was also barred because of previous

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Your advice would cover visa operations and border security. hiring and firing decisions for personnel
• discrimination in the workplace, the security of sensitive data, the payment of foreign assistance and operating
• The terrorist group Hamas launched an attack October 7th of 2023 against innocent civilians, including
• During the Obama administration, the State Department was running money to fund an anti-government operation
• everyone in all the region has everything to gain and nothing to lose by working cooperatively. operatively

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: Israel, Hamas, Panama Canal, U.S. foreign policy, terrorism, diplomacy, Chinese influence

Summary: The committee meeting was focused on various key issues, including the implications of recent violence in the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy in relation to Israel and Panama. Members discussed the need for diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Israeli officials following the recent attack by Hamas. Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and reiterated the need for accountability for terrorist organizations involved in violent acts against civilians. Senators shared their concerns regarding the ramifications of U.S. actions in Panama and the presence of Chinese influence, highlighting the significance of the Panama Canal in terms of trade and security.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as far as employment changes, the main things we're doing, It's to our way of operation here just
• The items that are have an asterisk by them are extra Steps that we take in the program of the operating
• But I wanted to give you some data from the operating support program, the one program that we've had
• But I wanted to give you some data from the operating support program, the one program that we've had
• We did just launch our cultural and ethnic studies grant line on February 20.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• functions like hiring an executive director and other staff, and that's why the office has not yet launched
• functions like hiring an executive director and other staff, and that's why the office has not yet launched
• our continued growth so that we can fully meet the needs statewide and support the board's core operations
• c> As</c><00:53:49.280><c> indicated</c><00:53:49.839><c> earlier,</c><00:53:50.319><c> the</c> operations
• As indicated earlier, the operations.

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Nevertheless, companies that operate do this, do precisely this.
• But current federal law, they are operating illegally.
• There are only four states that we do not operate in right now.
• They're operating under all these different organizations.
• They're operating under all these different organizations.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 29, which would extend a sunset on California’s survival-action pain and suffering remedy and require additional reporting on settlements and cases. Senator Laird and supporters, including a family member describing a medical malpractice death and labor/building trades representatives, argued the bill protects victims whose claims would otherwise die with them and that there has been no demonstrated increase in malpractice rates. Opponents from the health care, hospital, and business sectors said the measure would increase costs, create a third category of damages, and could harm access to care, especially for clinics and rural providers. After extensive discussion about the sunset and data collection, the committee passed SB 29 to Appropriations on a divided vote. The committee then approved SB 294, which requires employers to notify workers about rights if they are arrested or detained and directs the Labor Commissioner to create an annual notice template. Supporters said the bill is needed because workers often do not know their rights amid weakened federal enforcement and workplace intimidation; there was no opposition on file after amendments removed prior concerns. SB 697, which updates stream adjudication procedures to allow the State Water Board to use modern technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations, also passed without opposition after stakeholders worked out concerns. Later, the committee took up SB 37 on attorney advertising, which would strengthen rules against misleading ads and allow consumer lawsuits. Consumer attorneys and supporters said the State Bar’s current enforcement is too weak, while joint-advertising businesses said they support the goal but want amendments to protect their model. The bill passed to Appropriations as negotiations continue. SB 645, dealing with peremptory challenges in civil cases and extending anti-bias procedures to certain discrimination-related matters, also advanced after supporters described it as a compromise and opponents said they were still working toward agreement. SB 303, narrowing protections for bias-mitigation trainings so good-faith admissions in those trainings are not treated as FEHA discrimination, passed after several groups moved to neutral. SB 464, requiring specified state workers to be included in annual pay-data reporting to better track racial pay gaps and promotion disparities, was presented as a reparations-related transparency measure and was heard with support from civil rights advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:52.000><c> fully</c><00:12:52.399><c> by</c> system that is ran and operated fully by system
• that is ran and operated fully by the<00:12:52.800><c> students.
• </c><00:13:48.000><c> more</c> regulations that make operations more regulations that make operations
• </c><00:20:10.400><c> of</c><00:20:10.559><c> the</c> policies for the operation of the policies for
• And their career was launched because of Cardinal Kroger.

Committee: House Primary and Secondary Education