Transcript Highlights:

• treasury monies in physical gold and silver bullion in any commercial depository in the U.S. that meets
• It opens it up for any service that provider can say, okay, well do this lab, do this lab, do this lab
• It's an open contract. So if the insurance company...
• It's an open contract.
• And I only say that... ...process to get into and open it up to others.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, with members generally indicating the sponsors intended to concur on most measures. Topics included public health and medical regulation (HB 2086 on face coverings/vaccinations, HB 2140 on gold and silver bullion investments, HB 2195 on nursing facility complaint timelines, HB 2189 on licensed health aides, HB 2932 on Access reimbursement and prior authorization, HB 2557 on medical records timing, and HB 2641 on PFAS firefighting foam), criminal justice and courts (HB 2673 creating an inmate mental health study committee, HB 2028 on community restitution for indigent homeless defendants, HB 2662 on expert testimony in parenting-time cases, HB 2440 on prisoner transition services, and HB 2594 on address confidentiality in family court), and education-related bills (HB 2830 on prenatal development instruction, HB 2249 on parents’ rights and social transitioning, HB 2481 on school district financial record compliance, HB 2482 on school construction job-order caps, HB 2895 on Native American language proficiency, HB 2423 on automatic advanced math enrollment, HB 2621 on special education and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2592 on AI rules, HB 2379 on school board training, and HB 2380 on out-of-state travel and public meeting materials). Other bills addressed transportation, development, housing, and local government issues, including HB 2909 on distracted driving, HB 2369 on photo enforcement citations, HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 2946 on development fees, HB 2999 on infrastructure finance districts, HB 2244 on eviction record sealing, HB 2342 on HOA shade structures, and HB 2752 on Commerce Authority trade offices. Several members raised concerns or asked questions on bills such as HB 2932, HB 2249, HB 2830, and HB 2028, but no formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting ended with adjournment after brief discussion of the final bills on Caucus Calendar 19, including HB 2248 on medical intervention requirements for businesses and schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call this meeting to order.
• We'll go ahead and leave it open for additional votes. And some comments, Ms.
• We'll leave it open for additional votes. So, Wallace, no. Okay. Thank you.
• We'll leave it open for additional votes. Okay, thank you. Thank you.
• Meeting adjourned. Meeting adjourned. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact heard several bills focused on trade, affordability, and public finance. AB 2745 (Fong) would update California’s international trade and investment strategy, add a public advisory process, and allow regional trade hubs; supporters from the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and California Forward said it would help California compete globally and attract investment, while no opposition testified. AB 2366 (Avila Farías) would require state agencies to analyze cost-of-living impacts when adopting regulations and direct the LAO to develop guidance; supporters from the New California Coalition and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association argued it would improve transparency and help address affordability, while members noted concerns about implementation and unintended consequences. The committee also heard AB 2243 (Haney), which creates a commission to study whether California should establish a state public bank and how it might be structured. Supporters from the California Public Banking Alliance, climate groups, and other organizations said a public bank could reduce borrowing costs and finance housing, climate, and small business needs; the California Bankers Association and credit unions opposed the bill, arguing it could compete with private banks, duplicate prior studies, and raise unresolved regulatory and cost issues. Several committee members said they would support the study concept but wanted the bill amended so any final decision would return to the Legislature, and the author agreed to clarify that point and remove language related to extending local public bank licensing timelines. The committee also took up consent items AB 2048 (Calderon), AB 2583 (Hoover), and ACR 129 (Haney), which were approved without opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted AB 2366 out on a 7-0 basis to Judiciary, AB 2745 out on a 7-0 basis to Appropriations, and AB 2243 out on a 7-0 basis to Finance, with the consent calendar also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm proud, and I hope that we can open the floor for co-authors. Thank you.
• Lackey has asked for the first roll to be open for co-authors.
• All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll for co-authors.
• Assembly Member has asked for the first roll to be open for co-authors.
• Budget Subcommittee 1 meets at 2:30 p.m. in Capitol Room 447 today.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of the prior day’s journal, suspension of certain rules for guest introductions, and moving AB 568 to the inactive file. The chamber then recognized several visiting groups, including a fourth-grade class from Marigold Elementary School, representatives of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and its Royal Court, and students from the University of California Students Association on lobby day. The main floor actions centered on two resolutions. ACR 147 by Assembly Member Lackey designated March 9, 2026 as California Special Olympics Day. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, sharing personal connections to Special Olympics and praising its impact on athletes, families, and volunteers. The resolution received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. H.R. 89 by Assembly Member Patterson declared March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Speakers emphasized rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults, the importance of screening, and new testing options including blood tests. The resolution also received 70 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. After the resolutions, Assembly Member Rodriguez offered an adjournment in memory of Bob Yuloa of Chino, a Navy veteran and longtime community servant. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee and floor session dates and adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• O2-1 AI, Senate. 0-25 ITSD, open, 025 ITSD, open. 025 DESE, House.
• Page 20, 40 ERP, open. 045 DESE, House. Page 20, 040 ERP, open. 041 Movers, Senate.
• ERP, bottom of 20, open.
• And then part two, that's open for 52010... ...that's open for 520101 on the language.
• Open and honest, Senator, open and honest. We're just. Open and honest, Senator, open and honest.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• In opposition, this is endless litigation door being open. Thank you. litigation door open.
• We will leave it open for people to bat on. Go ahead. We will leave it open for people to vote on.
• DeMio: Okay, so I'm open to supporting this.
• , but we will open the roll for add-ons.
• We can keep it open. We'll hold it open for absent members.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other members wishing to make some opening remarks? Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes.
• Would be granted the additional right to motion during board meetings.
• If you guys are open to this idea as well. Solid. All right. Thank you.
• They're organizing the meetings. They're reserving the meeting venues.
• And with that, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you all very much.

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:

• Open records are off the table.
• meeting act.
• Can local governments establish a local rule that subverts the Open Meetings Act.
• Are we subject to the Open Meetings Act? No, but we're subject to public information.
• Open meetings act. Right here, we're on camera. In committee, we're on camera.

Bills: SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB9 , SB42 , SB15 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SCR1

Transcript Highlights:

• We are operating as lean as we possibly can while meeting our educational mission.
• Than thousands of positions that remain open year after year.
• When were those meetings? Okay.
• So, one meeting to meet with the community about the impact of what programs they need, hearing sessions
• We just heard about extensions being open more widely.

Transcript Highlights:

• I realized I'm the only subcommittee meeting before a break.
• Angeles stakeholder meeting, our Medi-Cal Dental Advisory Committee, and various meetings with the California
• We're going to leave that item open. Move on to issue number six.
• We're going to hold the item open. Moving on to issue number eight.
• I'll hold it open just in case. And thank you for that. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they had two major meetings, and out of that came two things.
• And you know, Went to an opening for it.
• </c><01:33:01.280><c> those</c> developed per district to meet those developed per district to meet those
• as required or again... goal to meet at the end of the year.
• So goal to meet at the end of the year.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Will you open the queue for a vote? Yes. I'm sorry. There's votes aye. West votes aye.
• Open the queue for vote. Open the queue for vote. McCane votes.
• Please open the vote. Please open the vote. Norwood votes aye. Staires votes aye.
• Please open the queue for vote. Norwood votes aye. Kendrick votes aye. McCane votes aye.
• Please open the queue for vote. Waldron votes aye. Timmons votes aye. McCane votes aye.

Bills: HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , HB4319 , HB3000 , HB3001 , HB3002 , HB3003 , HB3004 , HB3005 , HB3006 , HB3007 , HB3008 , HB4319

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: cosmetology, barbering, massage therapy, State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, Service Oklahoma, license renewal, license reinstatement, licensing fees, sunset extension, board membership, human trafficking, victim services, beauty school, barber school, esthetics, manicurist, eyelash extension, blow-dry styling, makeup artist, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• When our wisdom eyes truly open, we cannot help but see that we are all When our wisdom eyes truly open
• Do you wish for the first roll to be open for co-authors? Yes.
• Having ceased, the clerk will open the roll. Members, this is for co-authors.
• The clerk will open the roll. All members vote who desire to vote.
• Moving on to announcements, the following committee meetings and hearings are scheduled to meet today

Transcript Highlights:

• So Senator Cabaldon, you may open and each of your witnesses and Matt will have two minutes.
• We're definitely open to continue talking about it.
• And we're open for additional ideas on how to make things more concrete.
• And our door is open to continue those discussions.
• We'll leave the roll open for additional add-ons.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Menjivar, did you want to make any opening comments? Okay. Great.
• to meet previously established state requirements and goals.
• to meet previously established state requirements and goals.
• So I believe last year alone, China opened 52 new coal plants.
• Are we on track to meet that?

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and planning considerations associated with refinery closures. In opening remarks, the chair framed refinery shutdowns as a complex part of California’s decarbonization transition and said the committee would focus on environmental and land-use issues, while Vice Chair Gunda argued closures reflect years of policy-driven disinvestment and warned that supply disruptions and higher prices could harm working families. State agency witnesses from the Energy Commission, CARB, and the Water Boards described the state as being in a “mid-transition,” with declining gasoline demand, growing zero-emission vehicle adoption, and increasing conversion of some refinery assets to renewable fuels, but also with abrupt capacity losses that can force greater reliance on imports and storage. They emphasized the need for proactive planning, transparency, and coordination across agencies, and noted that refinery closures can stress pipelines, terminals, and other linked infrastructure, with potential liabilities falling to the state if those assets are not financially supported. The Water Boards explained their cleanup authorities and tools for refinery decommissioning, including investigation, monitoring, remediation, and enforcement under the Water Code, and said site-specific cleanup plans depend on contamination, groundwater conditions, and future land use. They noted that decommissioning can reveal previously inaccessible areas and require additional sampling or wells, and that cleanup costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Committee members pressed the witnesses on whether the state has enough information to plan for land transitions, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more standardized procedures or financial assurances are needed. The witnesses generally said existing tools are useful but that more transparency and better data sharing would help communities and policymakers understand liabilities and long-term redevelopment opportunities. Members also questioned the relationship between California policy, refinery closures, imports, and global emissions. CARB said its programs apply to transportation fuel suppliers whether fuel is refined in-state or imported, and that its climate and air-quality rules are designed to reduce emissions and avoid leakage. Some senators argued that California’s policies have accelerated closures and that demand has not fallen fast enough to offset lost refining capacity, while agency witnesses responded that closures are also driven by global market forces, aging infrastructure, crude quality, and changing fuel demand. The committee then heard from outside experts, including a Notre Dame professor who said closure costs are often underestimated and that stronger financial assurance requirements can shift company behavior, a Stanford/SLAC researcher who outlined five drivers of refinery closures, and an environmental attorney who discussed community impacts and lessons from the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call machines are now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• Roll call machine is now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• The roll call machine is now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• The roll call machines are now open and will remain open for five minutes.
• The roll call machine is now open and will remain open for three minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• Signed in open session.
• System is now open.

Summary: The Senate met in multiple Committee of the Whole sessions and later took third-reading votes on several measures, with the day dominated by election administration bills, immigration-related bills, public safety measures, and a series of bills affecting transgender youth and health care. The chamber also heard ceremonial remarks recognizing Lutheran Day at the Capitol, introduced the Doctor of the Day, and handled routine appointments, messages, and committee reports. Several bills were retained on the calendar, including SB 1431 and SCR 1005. Among the major policy items, senators debated and advanced SB 1049 on spousal maintenance, SB 1053 on concealed weapons permits, SB 1415 on insurance adjuster license eligibility, SB 1015 on health care actions related to gender transition procedures and provider liability, SB 1095 on gender transition care for minors, and SCR 1006 on school-related sex and privacy requirements. Members opposing the transgender-related bills argued they were discriminatory, harmful to youth, and an intrusion into family and medical decisions; supporters said the measures protected children, parental rights, privacy, and medical judgment. The chamber also considered election and campaign finance measures including SB 1003, SB 1006, SB 1037, SB 1040, SB 1057, SB 1168, SB 1237, SCR 1002, SCR 1010, SCR 1013, and SCR 1014, with debate centering on transparency, ballot procedures, voter registration, and disclosure thresholds. Additional bills addressed immigration enforcement and foreign influence concerns, including SB 1055, SB 1058, SB 1093, SB 1152, SB 1289, and SB 1308. Supporters framed these as public safety, election integrity, or enforcement measures, while opponents warned they would chill reporting to police, harm asylum seekers and immigrants, or expand punitive government power. The Senate adopted Committee of the Whole reports and assigned bills accordingly throughout the day, and several measures later received third-reading passage votes, including SB 1049, SB 1053, SB 1415, SB 1015, and SB 1095, with recorded roll-call outcomes and transmission of passed bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Open to other suggestions as well. ...around September.
• Open to other suggestions as well.
• We had two meetings last year; I think they're very helpful.
• I said, is this really our last meeting?
• We have had some pretty interesting conversations in the meetings and outside of our committee meetings

Summary: The House Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on two bills. HB 1873 would expand Working Connections Child Care eligibility to full-time graduate and professional students with household income at or below 85% of state median income, with copays waived to the extent allowed by federal law. The prime sponsor and student testifiers argued that child care costs and limited stipends force student parents to choose between education and family responsibilities, while some members raised questions about program cost, uptake, and return on investment. The committee also heard HB 2600, which would require DSHS to update the Supported Living Cost Report template and convene a work group to develop Medicaid rate recommendations aimed at improving compensation for direct support professionals. Supporters, including SEIU-affiliated workers, said the bill would increase transparency and help ensure state funding reaches frontline caregivers, citing low wages and high turnover. Opponents from provider organizations argued the current cost report is already detailed, that the bill would add administrative burden, and that recent rate increases have already been passed through to wages and benefits. In executive session, the committee considered three Senate bills. It adopted a striking technical amendment and voted 9-1 to report out SSB 5911, which protects funds for youth in extended foster care and raises the threshold for protected accounts. It then voted 10-0 to report out SSB 5957, expanding the Homeless Youth Advisory Committee to include more people with lived experience and representatives of disproportionately homeless populations. Finally, it voted 7-3 to report out SSB 6184, which updates Office of Homeless Youth programs and language, including expanding eligibility for emerging adults up to age 21. The meeting ended with an interim planning discussion focused on future work on critical incidents, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities data, homelessness, child care, and facility tours.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I may send out some opportunities for us to do a Zoom meeting about some different things.
• So I may send out some opportunities for us to do a Zoom meeting about some different things.
• So I may send out some opportunities for us to do a Zoom meeting about some different things.
• So I may send out some opportunities for us to do a Zoom meeting about some different things.
• So this opens it up to make that available.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Our districts need to be innovative and flexible to meet the needs of our students.
• I'm in seventh grade, and I have been attending since fifth grade when it opened.
• Please keep the virtual school open so I can continue to grow. Good job, buddy.
• Again, members, House Bill 2196 meets our kids where they are.
• Child care was established with the goal of meeting the needs of working parents.

Bills: HB 117 , HB2196 , HB2689 , HCR64 , HB117

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: early childhood education, task force, governance, Texas Education Agency, child care, education policy, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance, education technology, remote learning, education legislation, workforce development, adult education, high school diploma, industry certification, pilot program, gifted education, education support

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have any opening statements or questions, you’d like to ask. I wanted to open it up to you.
• Young people are asking to serve in these roles, meeting a more diverse workforce.
• My mood became better every time after the P2P meeting.
• “My mood became better every time after the P2P meeting.
• I'm going to open up with a couple of questions, and then I'll open it up to my committee members here

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.