Transcript Highlights:

• We built a company in Los Angeles, dedicated entirely to giving consumers a very green alternative, a
• And while that mirrors population growth in places like Los Angeles, here's the disconnect: In 1960,
• the Los Angeles Fire Department had 112 stations serving 2.5 million residents.
• Hello, Keeley Morris, on behalf of Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, in support.
• Andy Liebenbaum on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, in support.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Angeles in strong support. ...in Los Angeles in strong support.
• Here to testify in support is Sasha Horowitz, with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
• Chair and Members, Sasha Horowitz, Los Angeles Unified School District.
• Chris McKaley, on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Two bills.
• Abundant Housing Los Angeles, Fieldstead, and San Diego Housing Commission support. Thank you.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Sasha Horowitz, Los Angeles Unified School District, in support. My name is Mary Moyle.
• P-Flag Los Angeles, P-Flag Tri-Valley, and my family, in strong support of AB 1540. Good afternoon.
• Markey Sieger, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, in support. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• During the Los Angeles wildfires, 211 answered more than 42,000 calls and texts and helped secure short-term
• I speak today on behalf of immigrant and low-income communities across Los Angeles who rely on equitable

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee heard several bills focused on telecommunications, emergency response, and digital access. AB 1540 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez would restore the 988 “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ youth crisis support, with strong support from suicide prevention advocates, mental health organizations, local governments, and family groups, and opposition from groups arguing it politicizes crisis services and raises safety concerns. Members emphasized the bill’s life-saving purpose and noted it would depend on federal approval. The committee voted AB 1540 out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including AB 2093 and AB 2193, both sent to Appropriations. AB 1832 by Assemblymember Ransom, as amended, would expand and stabilize statewide 211 services through a state fund, a community needs dashboard, and integration into emergency planning; supporters described 211’s role during disasters and service gaps in many counties, and the bill passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 2289, the chair’s bill, would create an Office of Broadband and Digital Equity, consolidate broadband programs, and narrow CPUC jurisdiction to voice communications; TURN and CWA District 9 opposed the regulatory changes but acknowledged shared goals, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2424 by Assemblymember Carrillo would create a new low-income telecommunications advisory board to oversee California Lifeline and address fraud and oversight concerns. Supporters said the board would add needed telecommunications expertise and improve access for low-income and immigrant communities, while opponents argued an existing advisory structure already serves that role and warned of added costs and surcharges. After discussion, the committee voted AB 2424 out on a 7-2 vote to Appropriations. The meeting concluded after all listed bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, and thank you for your service to the people of California and Los Angeles.
• I live off of MLK Boulevard in Los Angeles, and when I walk the street just outside my house, I often
• King would swing through Los Angeles and console the mother of Keith Porter on his way to Minneapolis
• Thank you to the member from Los Angeles on behalf of the API Caucus.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you to the member from Los Angeles.

Summary: The Assembly convened after an initial quorum call, then proceeded with prayer, the pledge, and routine motions. Members approved several procedural requests, including moving AB 362 to the inactive file and allowing the Natural Resources Committee to hear AB 34 on January 16. The chamber also recognized guests and paid tribute to retiring Republican caucus consultant Daryl Thomas, with remarks from multiple members praising his long service and legal analysis work. The main floor action centered on ACR 116, a resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Members from several caucuses and both parties spoke in support, emphasizing King’s legacy of civil rights, economic justice, nonviolence, and unfinished work. After opening the roll for coauthors, the resolution received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly then took up ACR 118, recognizing Korean American Day; members highlighted Korean American history, community contributions, solidarity with other communities, and the significance of Koreatown and Korean American civic life. That resolution also received 67 coauthors and was adopted by voice vote. The consent calendar was then adopted on a 64-0 vote, including ACR 115 on National Blood Donor Month. The chamber also held an adjournment in memory for former legislator David Kelly, with a tribute to his military service, agricultural background, and legislative work on water conservation and sustainable agriculture. The Assembly announced the upcoming Martin Luther King Day recess and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would build upon existing law and authorize the city of Los Angeles to establish a flexible
• signage framework at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
• The cities of Los Angeles, the mayors of San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento, and the League of
• In January of this year, wildfires in Los Angeles County burned a combined 37,469 acres.
• In the West Coast, north of Los Angeles.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor session focused largely on concurrence votes on Senate amendments and a few budget-related motions. Early procedural actions included a failed motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, approval of motions to take up Senate amendments without reference to file, and recesses for dinner and committee meetings. The chamber also heard several guest introductions and brief ceremonial remarks, including birthday acknowledgments and recognition of interns and visitors. Members then considered and passed a series of measures on topics including armory property transfers (SB 855), data center electricity impacts (SB 57), carbon capture pipeline transport (SB 614), health budget trailer bills (AB 144 and AB 149), and a Black Caucus higher-education bill allowing institutions to consider descendants of enslaved people in admissions (AB 7). The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on bills covering community college nursing programs (AB 1400), public health, signage for the Los Angeles Convention Center, gambling, social media warning labels for children, housing plan-check timelines, small business disaster recovery, wildfire mental health services, antitrust enforcement, foster care kinship placements, housing stability, AI cybersecurity, emergency services, and school nutrition standards. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes or brief debate over policy details. The most extended debate came on SB 274, which would limit retention of automated license plate reader data to 60 days unless tied to an investigation. Supporters argued it was needed to protect privacy and prevent misuse of sensitive location data, while opponents said it would hinder law enforcement and crime-solving. The transcript cuts off during that debate, so no final vote is shown for SB 274 in the provided text. Earlier and later votes recorded in the session showed broad support for many bills, with several measures passing unanimously and others receiving modest no votes, and some urgency measures being sent immediately to the Governor or the Senate after concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Los Angeles wildfires were unlike anything California had ever experienced.
• The Los Angeles wildfires were unlike anything California had ever experienced, as you all know.
• The Los Angeles wildfires made this clearer than ever.
• And here is the reality we cannot ignore: if the SIS had not been in place when the Los Angeles fire
• The Los Angeles wildfires produced historic levels of smoke contamination.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing a detailed update on implementation after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Lara said the strategy has helped stabilize the market, speed claims payments, and keep insurers in California, citing $22.4 billion paid to wildfire survivors, 94% of 4,121 claims paid fully or partially, $210 million returned through department investigations, and a 27% reduction in claim closure time. He said major insurers, including Mercury, CSAA, USAA companies, Pacific Specialty, and California Casualty, have filed under SIS, with several more filings pending, and that approvals have generally been completed within 100 days of public notice. He also discussed modernization of rate review, a new data reconciliation tool, a planned regulation to require rate reviews within 60 days plus a possible 30-day extension, and ongoing work on Fair Plan oversight, wildfire risk modeling, and mitigation standards such as Zone Zero. Committee members focused on wildfire survivor non-renewals, Fair Plan growth, claim handling timelines, and whether new legislative proposals could help or hinder market stability. Lara said visible consumer relief should begin in 12 to 24 months, with broader market stabilization expected over three to five years, and emphasized that mitigation, faster rate review, and insurer participation are key to reducing reliance on the Fair Plan. He also highlighted his 22-bill package, including SB 876 on disaster claims handling, AB 1795 on smoke damage standards, AB 1680 on Fair Plan accountability, and reforms to the intervener process. Members raised concerns about balancing consumer protections with insurer participation, and Lara said the Legislature should weigh those tradeoffs through the committee process. Public commenters were divided but generally acknowledged the importance of the issue. Consumer and survivor advocates argued that insurers still delay or underpay claims and that more protections are needed, while industry representatives praised the department’s work and urged caution so the new system is not undermined. Several speakers stressed the need for mitigation, Zone Zero rules, and adequate rates, while others warned that wildfire and liability insurance problems are affecting foster care providers, commercial coverage, and utility wildfire costs. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud to stand with my colleague from South Los Angeles to support this important resolution.
• I thank our colleague from South Los Angeles for bringing this forward.
• I join my colleague from Los Angeles in supporting. And asking your support of HR 42.
• I want to thank the member from Los Angeles for sharing her story and for bringing this resolution to
• The county of Los Angeles just paid out for probation and it's handling of our young people.

Transcript Highlights:

• I still often find myself in protests in the streets of Los Angeles and y'all know this.
• Los Angeles County issued fines.
• Today I rise in strong support of SB 716, authored by the Senator from Los Angeles.
• , especially East Los Angeles.
• Angeles Convention Center is included in the existing arena exception, enabling the City of Los Angeles

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, received a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a lengthy concurrence calendar, with many bills passing on largely bipartisan or unanimous votes. Early actions included concurrence on measures affecting electrician certification (AB 1707), refinery worker safety (AB 605), insurance (AB 2061), vehicle and developmental services issues, AI customer service disclosure and access to a human representative (AB 1609), electricity reporting (AB 1813), child care reimbursement (AB 1981), housing (AB 2020), state government/Engaged California (AB 2103), local journalism tax credits (AB 2222), education governance (AB 2225), geothermal resources (AB 2234), occupational safety (AB 2321), water and data center transparency (AB 2469), foster care (AB 2478), juvenile hall visitation (AB 1646), housing (AB 2320), pest control (AB 2086), probation (AB 1816), school facilities (AB 2316), electricity procurement (AB 2476), health care credentialing (AB 1199), and a tax exclusion related to a chemical leak in Assembly Member Ta’s district (AB 760). Several items were passed temporarily or retained, and some bills required recorded votes with a few no votes, but most were approved with strong margins. A major portion of the floor session centered on AB 2551, a higher education bill about collecting data and holding forums related to campus protest policies and student conduct. The debate was extensive and emotional, with members discussing free speech, campus safety, antisemitism, civil rights, and the implementation of prior time, place, and manner protections. Supporters framed the bill as a data and transparency measure to assess whether students are being treated fairly, while opponents and skeptics warned it could weaken protections that had been enacted to prevent harassment and violence. The author emphasized that the bill was intended to address unintended consequences and not repeal existing safeguards. After debate, the bill was put to a vote and concurred in. The Assembly also took up several Senate bills. SB 1148 on security guard training passed unanimously; SB 887 on environmental review for data centers and SB 337 on preventing sexual violence in state prisons both passed; SB 1345 on foster youth belongings during placement changes passed unanimously; SB 1365 on closing rent-gouging loopholes after disasters passed; SB 951 required an EDD report on AI’s effects on the workforce and passed; SB 574 set rules for AI use in legal proceedings and passed; and SB 867 imposed a moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys and passed. The chamber also heard an adjournment in memory for Jamie Rarebreed Gregory, a violence intervention and survivor advocate, and later returned to additional items, including an urgency elections bill expanding electioneering buffer zones (SB 884) and a bill on eviction court data at the zip code level (SB 1160), which was introduced as a transparency measure to better understand housing instability and homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to joining the Northern California Power Agency, Randy served at the Los Angeles Department of
• Randy served as the senior assistant general manager of the power system at the Los Angeles Department
• I'll be doing this on behalf of Assembly Member Muratsuchi, whose flight is delayed from Los Angeles.
• Chaso, I'm trying to get it right, president of the Parkinson's Community Los Angeles.
• of going to Selma with our colleague from Los Angeles this past summer and walking across the bridge

Summary: The Assembly convened without a quorum, then quorum was established and the chamber proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and a series of procedural motions. Members approved multiple unanimous-consent requests to suspend rules, re-refer bills to committees, and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The day also included several guest introductions recognizing student leaders, public power executive Randy Howard, a family member of Assemblymember Gallagher, higher education leaders, Leadership Torrance, and the Vacaville PAL program. On the floor, the Assembly adopted several resolutions and heard extensive remarks in support of them. ACR 160, proclaiming April 2026 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, was adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. H.R. 98, designating California Holocaust Memorial Day, received broad bipartisan support and was adopted after 76 co-authors were added. H.R. 100, recognizing Vaisakhi, also passed by voice vote after 73 co-authors were added, with members highlighting Sikh history, service, and cultural contributions. The Assembly then took up several bills on the third-reading file. AB 1977, relating to online notarization and notaries public, passed 69-5. AB 1987, which would direct wildlife-area fees back to operation and maintenance of state wildlife areas, passed 69-0. Other items on the second- and third-reading files were passed and retained, continued, or placed on the consent calendar as noted by the presiding officer. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory tributes for La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, community organizer Cynthia Brantley Pierce, coach John Beam, and Ralph Cavallo. The Assembly then adjourned until Thursday, April 16, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thankfully, the bill enjoys support not only from the government side, the County of Los Angeles, who's
• Angeles.
• Andy Leavenbaum from the County of Los Angeles in strong support and sponsor of the bill. Great.
• Thankfully, the bill enjoys support not only from the government side, the county of Los Angeles, who's
• Angeles.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 16, 2025, with a quorum present and 51 bills on the agenda. The chair reviewed public testimony rules, noted Assemblymember Arambula was absent, and took up the consent calendar. Several bills were approved on consent in two motions: one group eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group approved do pass with amendments. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved, covering a long list of Senate bills that were not individually heard. Two bills were presented before the committee. Senator Sívants presented SB 307, which would require CSU and UC to adopt protections for undocumented students affected by immigration enforcement, including preserving nonresident tuition exemption status, providing access to financial and academic support, and creating policies for grade withdrawals and re-enrollment. The California Faculty Association supported the bill, and an Assemblymember spoke in favor, citing the need to protect undocumented students; the bill was sent out on a roll call. Senator Allen presented SB 413, which would allow limited access to juvenile court records in certain civil and government claims cases to speed resolution and reduce costs, while maintaining privacy safeguards. The County of Los Angeles sponsored the bill, and it also moved out on a roll call, with Assemblymember Dixon not voting. After those presentations, the committee opened the floor for public comment on bills not heard that day, but no additional testimony was offered. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's the presiding judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.
• I have the privilege of serving as the presiding judge of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.
• Angeles, organizations such as the Shriver Housing Project and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles
• So I can speak to what we do in Los Angeles, but I think it's important to understand something.
• The diaspora, Haitian, we have a lot in Los Angeles, Ethiopian.

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Martha Guerrero, representing the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, in support.
• I have committees with Los Angeles Unified in support.
• Sam Nash, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Dr.
• Sam Nash, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Sam Nash, on behalf of the Los Angeles
• On behalf of Los Angeles Unified, in support. Thank you.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student access, workforce needs, and higher education governance. SB 761 would connect Cal Grant applicants with CalFresh eligibility notices and expand qualifying programs of study; it drew broad support from student, university, anti-hunger, and advocacy groups, with members sharing personal stories about food insecurity and no opposition was heard. SB 520 would create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund to expand master’s-level midwifery training, especially to address maternal health shortages in rural and underserved areas; supporters emphasized the shortage of providers and poor maternal outcomes, while one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of the term “birthing people.” SB 640 would establish a statewide direct admissions process for eligible high school seniors to CSU campuses using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers and improve enrollment, while members asked about special education, dual enrollment, rural access, and measuring effectiveness. The committee also heard SB 744, which would create a state “safe harbor” so California institutions would not lose accreditation or student aid if a federally recognized accreditor loses federal approval; there was no opposition testimony, but the roll call showed some no votes and the item was held open. SB 494 would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge, similar to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported it as a due process and parity measure, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. Finally, SB 550 would authorize a pilot public law school partnership in San Jose between San Jose State and a nonprofit law school; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest pipelines, while UC and private college representatives opposed it as inconsistent with the master plan and a piecemeal approach. The committee also took up consent items SB 244 and SB 271, which passed 6-0, and several bills were advanced by roll call, including SB 761, SB 640, and SB 494, while SB 744 received a split vote and was held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• The County of Los Angeles then recently filed a lawsuit against the board involving this case. through
• Padrinos and that's where the juvenile hall population currently resides in Los Angeles County. continued
• Angeles.
• Our line out the door of our cases south of Los Angeles we now have 240 clients that don't have counsel
• We are a local rape crisis center that serves eastern Los Angeles and western San Bernardino counties

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Dan Filizzotto on behalf of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office in
• Madam Chair, members, with the Los Angeles Rams on behalf of the Los Angeles Entertainment and Sports
• So before the fires were even out in L.A., the Los Angeles Police Department were making hundreds of
• Los Angeles has already received $49 million, you know.
• I have a good friend down in Los Angeles, the fire, the winds were blowing parallel with his street.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Los Angeles. We have San Bernardino. We have... We have Los Angeles.
• We will, and we have, and that's what we've done in Los Angeles.
• There was a lot of awareness and attention on Los Angeles County Juvenile Facility and the substandard
• At Los Angeles, it has been a very challenging circumstance.
• So our commitment has been and continues to be that we will continue to be in those Los Angeles facilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Deborah Garns, Davis Rabbit, Cindy Silva, Vincent Wells, and Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, all by 5-0 votes. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees and floor acknowledgments, each by 5-0 vote, before moving to appointments required to appear. Trista Gonzalez, nominated to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, testified about her 33-year career in tax administration and emphasized taxpayer service, efficiency, and team culture. Members asked about responsiveness to legislators, the lithium extraction tax, online sales tax compliance after Wayfair, and enforcement against illicit cigarette, tobacco, and cannabis activity. Gonzalez said the department is ready for the lithium tax, works to register businesses meeting the $500,000 threshold, and coordinates with law enforcement on inspections and seizures. Public commenters from Ryan LLC and the California Society of Enrolled Agents supported her confirmation. The committee voted 5-0 to send her nomination to the full Senate. Aaron McGuire, nominated as executive director of the Board of State and Community Corrections, described his experience at the agency and its expanded responsibilities, including annual detention facility inspections, major grant administration, and the new in-custody death review division. Senators questioned him about grant oversight, fraud prevention, public access to audits, implementation of SB 519, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, reporting, site visits, audits, and recovery actions to monitor grants, and that trailer bill language has clarified access to records for in-custody death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in Los Angeles juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with the courts and local officials. Supporters from Amity Foundation, Health Right 360, Westcare, and Giffords testified in favor, and the committee approved his nomination 5-0 to advance to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Suber, on behalf of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, co-sponsor and support.
• Los Angeles is a city that is 70% renters. That is our population.
• Markey Siege, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, in support. Thank you.
• It is also true that millions of people in Los Angeles Thank you.
• Angeles... ...the cutoff that was referenced is for a facility in Los Angeles County that closed four

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• ICLC is a non-profit located in Skid Row, Los Angeles, dedicated to providing free legal services to
• We are one of the seven pilot programs in Los Angeles, and we're so excited that once we are ready to
• Los Angeles Community Action Network, National Council of Jewish Women California, Wave or Women for
• As we've seen in Los Angeles, it can show the power of good government.
• Angeles City College, and the Los Angeles Community College District for allowing me to represent both

Transcript Highlights:

• David Bullock, City of Los Angeles resident, happy to support this much-needed bill.
• The January 2025 wildfires devastated Los Angeles County, with the Eaton fire burning more than 14,000
• In response to threats of mass price gouging and evictions, the Los Angeles City Council and the Los
• Raymond Contreras with Lighthouse Public Affairs, on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles and SPUR,
• Raymond Goddardis with Lighthouse Public Affairs, on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles, Habitat

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had representatives, including the mayor of Los Angeles, who was here to speak to those issues.
• In Los Angeles, prop houses are closing at a rate that we have not seen.
• The City of Los Angeles may have a different definition.
• It's an honor to share how we're putting that vision into practice in Los Angeles County as a model for
• Our goal is simple, but urgent: to ensure that arts workers can stay, live, and thrive in Los Angeles

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on the Arts

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a very special guest, a previous Speaker of the Assembly and current Mayor of Los Angeles.
• So I represent a big portion of South Central Los Angeles. These services are absolutely needed.
• 2022, members of the Los Angeles City Council referred to a young Black boy as a monkey.
• I rise and want to thank my colleague from Los Angeles for bringing H.R. 84 before us.
• A remark was made by the president of the Los Angeles Council, and she in fact resigned.