Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:26.199><c> representative</c> organization's uh work representative organization's uh work
• uh</c><00:13:04.320><c> faculty</c> been working um working with uh faculty been working um working with
• One last question: you say work with. What is your understanding of what work with means?
• the um the work like for example the um the work happening<00:14:47.839><c> with</c><00:14:48.199><c
• um this is primarily work the university um this is primarily work the documented<00:15:50.399><c> work

Transcript Highlights:

• WEATHER WORKING IN CONGRESS -- WHEN WORKING IN CONGRESS OR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, SHE BELIEVED PUBLIC
• But our work is not done.
• Let's get back to work.
• LET'S GET BACK TO WORK.
• WALKING WITH HUMILITY, TO LOVE JUSTICE, TO WORK DILIGENTLY, AND CHUY HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY.

Bills: HR878 , HB2659 , HB1608 , HB2261 , SB260 , HB5078 , HB2212 , HR782 , SB2392

Keywords: cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, CISA, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, FBI, interagency task force, Volt Typhoon, People’s Republic of China, PRC, state-sponsored cyber actors, Chinese cyber threats, cyber espionage, critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, national security, information sharing, threat intelligence, digital forensics, sector risk management agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this bill took a lot of work and collaboration. It's better because of their work.
• And it works when you want it to work. And it takes<00:19:37.520><c> effort.
• So in this bill, off that working group goes to prove that legislators can do working groups, that working
• And the work with the Senate was really, it worked out in the end good.
• And the work with the Senate was really, it worked out in the end good.

Transcript Highlights:

• our legacy work and our partnership<00:12:55.680><c> work.
• </c> partnership work. partnership work.
• </c> coming to work with them in our parks. coming to work with them in our parks.
• This work is happening across the state. This is not all of the work that we do.
• </c><01:32:00.480><c> we're</c> of the work and the work that we're of the work and the work that we're

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a work in progress.
• </c><00:24:41.039><c> in</c> introduce and this is a work in introduce and this is a work in progress
• We're also going to have Joe work on getting this evening set aside for extra committee work.
• works.
• </c> work on this. So thank you everyone. work on this. So thank you everyone.

Bills: HF3553 , HF3513 , HF3576

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: vehicle platooning, transportation, public safety, pilot project, Wilkin County, Grant County, autonomous vehicles, transportation regulations, driverless cars, safety standards, first responder interaction, school bus, third-party testing, driver certification, transportation regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• We can work on policy a policy year. We can work on policy next<01:14:38.880><c> year.
• Then, after regular session ended and the working groups were formed, the energy working group met a
• </c> input and share their views on the work input and share their views on the work that<01:21:18.159
• Motans expect us to work begin. Motans expect us to work together. together. together.
• So that work continues, and we're very proud to be able to continue that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm working with the police chiefs and sheriffs on one amendment, and I'm working with the Emergency
• So yes, this is the one that I was tasked to work and enjoyed working with the prime sponsor on digital
• So yes, this is the one that I was tasked to work and enjoyed working with the prime sponsor on digital
• This work matters, and the Community Reinvestment Program makes this work possible. Thank you.
• Yeah, it's not working.

Bills: HB2157 , HB2351 , HB2365 , HB2357 , HB2446 , HB2523 , HB2606

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection, civil rights, discrimination, facial recognition, automated decision-making, deployers, developers, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, employment, housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Our division directors work together to identify our most critical work and priorities.
• work.
• It needs to be clarified and worked on...
• with our partners, working with Minnesotans.
• to work on this language with you, Mr.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for Axiom Advisors.
• And we have worked.
• Forward and for all of your work.
• More board feet, more work.
• More board feet, more work.

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources bills, with several measures accepted on committee amendments and moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 2461 on oil and gas bonding and well-closure financial assurance drew strong support from environmental groups and some legislators, while an industry representative was neutral and warned about unintended consequences and reduced transfers. Senators Laird and Cabaldon supported the bill as a clarification of AB 1167, and the committee voted do pass as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of 10 bills, which was moved and held on call. AB 53 by Assemblymember Ramos, as amended, would expand tribal eligibility for conservation grants and loans and express legislative intent to create a process for returning ancestral lands to federally recognized tribes. Tribal and environmental supporters argued the bill recognizes tribal stewardship and helps remove barriers to conservation participation, while county, farm bureau, and habitat league witnesses raised concerns about long-term land management, public accountability, easements, and jurisdiction if lands are transferred. Committee members emphasized the importance of preserving conservation protections and continuing work on the land-return framework; the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and held on call. AB 2679 on Lake Tahoe corridor safety and access was supported by local officials and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, who described dangerous parking, pedestrian conflicts, and a successful shuttle pilot, and the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 1666, creating biomass innovation parks and other incentives for non-combustion uses of forest and agricultural biomass, received broad support from business, conservation, and local government witnesses, with senators framing it as a way to address wildfire debris and create rural jobs; it also advanced do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2494, which would modernize the demonstration state forest system and elevate biodiversity, recreation, carbon storage, and tribal stewardship over maximum sustained production, drew strong support from environmental and tribal advocates but significant opposition from forest industry, county, and research witnesses who warned it could undermine research, sustainable forestry, and local economies; the author said he would continue negotiations, and the bill was moved do pass to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2234, which updates the definition of geothermal exploratory projects, and AB 2521, which seeks to use the California Council on Science and Technology for watershed-wide water availability analyses to help identify excess water for groundwater recharge. Both bills had support from sponsors and some stakeholders, while AB 2521 drew concerns from agricultural water interests about agency reliance, public trust considerations, and funding. Both measures were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2410 would extend a CEQA exemption for certain fuels-reduction projects in high fire-risk areas; local government groups supported it as a wildfire-prevention tool, while environmental and other opponents argued the remaining exemption still weakens habitat protections and public review, and one witness sought to remove conventional herbicides from the exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes they start working. ...that they go to work, sometimes they start working at a small little
• This works, but it only works if we continue to monitor.
• This works. We're the fourth largest credit union cooperators in the world. This works.
• On average, I work 80 hours a week.
• I've worked at COC for 38 years and there have been many challenging economic I've worked at CEOC for

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I could probably work cement before I could work five-year-olds.
• I I could probably work cement before I could<00:01:41.600><c> work</c><00:01:41.840><c> five</c><00
• Uh we you work through your careers.
• ><c> our</c> working facility, working animals, our working facility, working animals, our county<00:
• It's that it's working animals.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> think we need to be proud of the work think we need to be proud of the work that<00:20:00.080><c
• </c> make our state work. Thank you. make our state work. Thank you.
• to work on this as well.
• to work on this as well.
• </c><00:47:07.920><c> Further</c> work on this as well. Thank you. Further work on this as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• , continue to working with industry.
• And I've actually worked with Ms. Neville on legislation. And I've actually worked with Ms.
• This is my actual sponsor of the bill, and so I appreciate her work on this and working with my team.
• This is my actual sponsor of the bill, and so I appreciate her work on this and working with my team.
• Thank you so much for working with us, and we'll continue to work with your staff on the bill as you

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• That team already does that work, and that work will also continue.
• c><00:06:56.000><c> also</c><00:06:56.360><c> continue</c> work and that work will also continue work
• </c><00:07:10.039><c> will</c> in civil penalties so that work will in civil penalties so that work will
• </c> told staff via email to stop working told staff via email to stop working virtually<00:50:50.400
• Thank you for your work.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Each individual one, and it's not like, well, if that doesn't work, then this is not going to work.
• That's why I don't want to see us work backwards in other parts of the work.
• I worked my entire life and always supported myself. I was happy to work.
• rights at work are now.
• I'm working for Koway. Thank you. These people are working and the families, and to keep working...

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We found in our past audit work and in our field work for this project that not very many schools have
• So I appreciate the work.
• We have kids who come to work and they don't come to work.
• You know, do all the work then.
• I may not be working.

Committee: Joint Education Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We work together, and I was very proud. Valerie did a lot of good work.
• We work together and I was very we do. We work together and I was very um<00:15:19.440><c> proud.
• </c><00:21:22.720><c> every</c> facility and do incredible work every facility and do incredible work
• </c> overtime that they are required to work overtime that they are required to work to<00:21:30.559>
• </c><00:35:42.800><c> with</c> requested um, by those that work with requested um, by those that work

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thanks to the great staff we had working thanks to the great staff we had working on<00:02:25.360
• They're people working at the the farms.
• </c> want to recognize the people who work want to recognize the people who work there<00:30:58.480><
• </c> make our state work. Thank you. make our state work. Thank you.
• it was a lady she's been been working it was a lady she's been working<00:32:30.880><c> with</c><00:

Transcript Highlights:

• So where is more work needed?
• There’s more work to do.
• There's more work to do.
• And after we work together, get these cuts off the table, to go back to the work of strengthening the
• And after we work together, get these cuts off the table to go back to the work of strengthening the

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:17.520><c> around</c> has done some phenomenal work around has done some phenomenal work around
• And so just them in our work.
• </c> appreciate the good partnership and work appreciate the good partnership and work that's<00:14:40.920
• 04.400><c> Wolgamott</c> appreciate working with Chair Wolgamott appreciate working with Chair Wolgamott
• ,</c> and we just keep keep doing our work, and we just keep keep doing our work, but<00:15:48.240><c

Committee: House Ways and Means