Transcript Highlights:

• And so I want to join our senator here in support of SCR 170.
• Yes, I also rise in support. Senator DeVosso. Yes, I also rise in support of the resolution.
• I rise in support of SCR 174.
• I rise in support of the resolution.
• I rise in support of the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the resolution.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor privileges and recognitions. Members welcomed a delegation from Catalonia on the 40th anniversary of the California-Catalonia sister-state relationship, Solano Community College’s speech and debate team, and several small business honorees, including Royal Clothiers and Old California Botanicals. The chamber also recognized Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones for his advocacy on democracy and voting rights, with multiple senators speaking in support of his visit. On business, the Senate confirmed Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Laura Ederton Speed as Executive Director of the State Bar, both by unanimous 35-0 votes. The body adopted SCR 163 designating May as California Tourism Month, highlighting tourism’s economic impact, and SCR 170 declaring Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week, with extensive testimony from senators about the trauma firefighters and first responders face and the need to reduce stigma and expand support. The Senate also adopted SCR 174 marking the 60th anniversary of California’s pilot regional centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing the system’s role in community-based care. The Senate adopted SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after extended debate focused on LGBTQ rights, hate violence, and the need for allies to speak out; the resolution passed 26-0. The chamber then approved a second-day consent calendar of multiple bills by 34-0, moved SCR 116 to the inactive file, granted reconsideration on SR 111 for a later session, and heard motions to adjourn in memory of Carl Anthony and Lupe Estrella. The Senate announced committee hearings and then adjourned to reconvene Monday, May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone else in support? Bob Naylor, for Fieldstead and Company, in support. Good morning.
• Fred Leaming, UA Local 343, in support. Thank you. Fred Leaming, UA Local 343, in support.
• We are in full support. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone else in support? Seeing none.
• Anyone else here in support of SB 1172? In support of SB 1172.
• Not listed in support. In fact, there are no entities listed in support in the analysis.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For Opportunity Austin, supporting the bill. Right, thank you. You may begin.
• I am especially thrilled to be here today to support Senate Bill 1961.
• My name is David Signs, and I'm here to testify in support of SB 1961.
• We're fully supportive.
• I'm in support of this bill. I own two businesses here in Texas.

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard Senate Bill 1961, which would expand reporting on post-secondary outcomes and workforce data, including employment, earnings, regional labor demand, and credentials of value. Senator Bettencourt said the bill is intended to close data gaps and improve alignment between education programs and workforce needs. Witnesses from Opportunity Austin, Texas 2036, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, and the Fort Worth workforce community testified in support, saying better data would help students, parents, schools, employers, and regional economic development efforts. After questions from members about regional workforce pipelines and semiconductor talent needs, public testimony closed and SB 1961 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably, including SB 1325, SB 604, SB 1832, SB 747, SB 2185, and SB 2395, with committee substitutes adopted where needed. SB 1325 was amended to remove the DSHS commissioner’s authority to issue standing orders for respiratory distress medication in schools. SB 1832, relating to school transfer or private-school funding options for students victimized by a public school employee, and SB 747, relating to intimate visual material policies, were both advanced on recorded votes. SB 2185, on the bilingual education allotment, was initially moved to a local calendar but was later backed up and reported to the full Senate after a fiscal note was noted. SB 2395, on school district general obligation bonds, was also reported favorably and then moved to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 646, which would expand the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program to additional professions, increase award amounts, and add stipends for rural and bilingual service. Senator West said the bill responds to mental health workforce shortages and inflation. The Texas Counseling Association supported the measure, and a Hogg Foundation representative said participation has grown sharply since prior changes. SB 646 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2647, which would create a Texas state accrediting agency and interim oversight system for higher education accreditors; supporters from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a massage school owner argued it would improve accountability and reduce accreditor overreach, while Senator Menendez raised concerns about effects on law and medical school accreditation and student opportunities. SB 2647 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2786, which would exempt first responders from the Texas Success Initiative entrance exam, and SB 2615, which would standardize remote-work policies across public higher education institutions. The Texas State Association of Firefighters supported SB 2786, saying it would remove an extra step for career advancement; the bill was left pending because the committee substitute had not yet been adopted. SB 2615 was presented as a way to ensure more consistent in-person staffing expectations while preserving exceptions for illness, disability, and some non-teaching roles; it too was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO HELP THEM REACH SUCCESS. VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
• TO THE COMMUNITIES TO SAY WHAT CAN WE DO'S TO SUPPORT THOSE HOMES.
• WITHOUT THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THEY FACE UNCERTAINTY AS THEY TAKE THE NEXT STEPS.
• RIGHT NOW WE ARE BEING FUNDED AT $500,000 PER YEAR TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.
• ALSO SUPPORTS FTES. ALSO ALLOWING US TO PROVIDE 28 ANNUALLY AND THE MENTORS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kiri Rukunga, and I support. Thank you.
• A strong support...
• I'm very pleased to support this bill today.
• As supporters and co-sponsors of SB 670, we appreciate the Senator, As supporters and co-sponsors of
• In support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes. The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's in strong support. Good morning. Nolan Gray, California YIMBY, in strong support. Thank you.
• Wait, somebody did—anybody in support? Thank you. Any support of AB 1578?
• I support this bill.
• For those reasons, we're in support of the bill. Okay, any meet-to supporters in the audience?
• So we respectfully request your support today. Thank you so much. Anyone in support of AB 2568?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you.
• California in support. Thank you.
• Brennan McCarthy with C-Second, in support.
• I'm going to support your bill.
• So anyway, it needs to say, support it.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are standards of care that we do support.
• Please support 1294. Thank you. Any questions? Seeing none. Thank you.
• organization that supports families with children with hearing loss.
• Who's in support of this? Who's not? Those kinds of things. Sure.
• I will be supporting the motion.

Summary: The committee began by honoring pages Finn Meekum and Cooper Smith for their service, with both students describing the experience as eye-opening and professional. Members thanked them for their help, presented gifts and certificates, and then approved the minutes from February 2 and February 5, 2026. Senate Bill 1316, by Senator Blaylock, would update Idaho’s newborn screening exemption language to align with vaccination exemption standards and clarify that parents may decline newborn screenings and related treatments without stating a specific religious objection. A pediatrician testified in support, saying the bill codifies current practice and supports parental choice. The committee advanced the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1294, by Senator Galloway, would codify newborn hearing screening in Idaho law and standardize the screening methods used. Supporters, including an education official, an early intervention provider, and parents of children with hearing loss, said early screening improves language development, reduces long-term costs, and helps prevent delayed diagnosis. Some members questioned whether the bill was necessary if screenings already occur and whether the mandatory language conflicted with exemption provisions, but the committee sent the bill to the floor on a 4-3 roll call vote. Senate Bill 1314, also by Senator Blaylock, would repeal the Board of Health and Welfare and regional behavioral health board statutes, shifting authority and rulemaking directly to the department while keeping services in place. The sponsor said the boards are outdated and duplicative; an opponent argued the changes could affect federal settlement obligations, grant funding, oversight, and regional input in behavioral health. After debate, the committee advanced the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to speak in strong support of Senate Bill 694.
• This bill also directly supports the priorities expressed by California voters.
• It's about benefits access, health care, and support services.
• CEO of MilitaryEngagement.com and absolutely support this bill.
• And every veterans organization that I can think of is in support of this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met with a quorum and first approved its consent calendar, which included AJR 15, SB 56, SB 296, and SB 855, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then heard SB 694 by Senator Archuleta, a bill aimed at protecting veterans from unaccredited claims representatives and other for-profit entities that charge fees to assist with VA disability claims. The author and supporters, including county veterans service officers and veterans organizations, argued the measure would curb predatory practices, restore accountability, and steer veterans toward free, accredited assistance through CVSOs and other authorized representatives. Testimony in support emphasized that veterans are often targeted online and may pay large fees for services that are available for free, while supporters said unaccredited firms lack transparency and can exploit vulnerable veterans. Opposition witnesses, including representatives of claims-assistance companies and individual veterans, argued the bill would eliminate choice and that some contingency-based firms provide useful services, better outcomes, and faster claims processing. Committee members debated whether the bill would unlawfully bar legitimate assistance or whether it was needed to stop illegal business practices, with several members noting the issue is also being litigated in federal court and that an accreditation process already exists through the VA. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 694 and refer it to the Committee on Judiciary. The final vote was 6 ayes, with some members not voting. The committee then completed the consent calendar vote, which passed with eight votes, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today in strong support of SB 5906.
• And so I give my full support of this bill. I urge you all to support it as well. Thank you.
• The support and success of the Purple Alert bill in Maryland demonstrates that alerts like this are necessary
• We certainly would support a 30-day limit.
• We certainly would support a 30-day limit.

Bills: SB5925, SB5906, SB6070, SB6002

Keywords: Attorney General, civil investigative demand, CID, subpoena-like demand, investigative authority, consumer protection, civil enforcement, pre-suit investigation, document production, interrogatories, deposition, oral testimony, confidentiality, trade secrets, judicial review, enforcement action, Washington RCW, law enforcement powers, government transparency, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• After the support side testifies, then those who are in support and wish to express their point of view
• With me in support, I have Dr.
• Other witnesses in support.
• I support. Thank you. Lawrence Abbott, Lathrop, California: strong support. Thank you.
• Do you support or don't support that?

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health, housing, homeowners associations, groundwater enforcement, pet-friendly rental disclosures, and post-disaster property protections. SB 1088 would modernize POLST and DNR forms by renaming POLST to “portable orders for life-sustaining treatment,” allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to sign, clarifying that the forms are voluntary, recognizing out-of-state forms, and permitting electronic signatures. It drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and related groups and no opposition was presented. SB 1242 would allow family members who originally petitioned in CARE Court to continue participating for care coordination and information-sharing, subject to judicial discretion; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a threat to confidentiality. The committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 1242, and it was placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA transparency, including clearer budget comparisons and disclosure of evidence for violations, and would lower the threshold for regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would curb steep fee hikes and improve accountability, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap on assessments, but the bill advanced on a 6-1 vote and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would bar custody or visitation rights for a person who impregnated a survivor through sexual assault, using a clear-and-convincing evidence standard rather than requiring a criminal conviction; supporters said it protects survivors and may increase federal funding, while opponents argued it could deny children a relationship with a parent. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Additional measures included SB 997, which would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and sustainability rules; it had support from local water, farm, and county representatives and passed 9-0. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front in applications, ads, and websites and allow application-fee refunds if disclosure was not made before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted fees and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups raised concerns about signage, ADA language, and vaccination disclosures. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1090 would prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire disaster areas, aiming to curb post-disaster speculation; supporters described aggressive investor pressure after the Eaton and Palisades fires, while real estate and title groups raised implementation and enforcement concerns. The committee was still discussing the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• support...
• supports.
• supports.
• support.
• support.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on three education budget items: the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), differentiated assistance/statewide system of support, and universal school meals plus kitchen infrastructure grants. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to provide $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended instead fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579, and committee members questioned how the rate was determined, how much funding is actually spent, and whether overlapping funding from ELOP, ACEs, and 21st Century programs is being tracked. CDE said ELOP is showing positive attendance and math outcomes, but some requested data will not be available until mid-2027; members also raised concerns about double-funding, transparency, and whether middle and high school students are being equitably served. On differentiated assistance, CCEE outlined the statewide system of support and the various tiers of universal, targeted, supplemental, and intensive assistance. Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to replace the current DA structure with a more stable universal and targeted assistance model, funded at $131.9 million ongoing, with a three-year support cycle aligned to LCAP and ESSA timelines and broader State Board authority to revise eligibility criteria. The LAO objected to considering the proposal before the State Board finalizes the new performance criteria, and committee members expressed concern that moving to a three-year cycle could delay support for LEAs that newly fall into need mid-cycle. There was also discussion about whether the proposal would weaken subgroup-based equity guardrails or give the State Board too much discretion over who qualifies for support. For school meals and kitchen infrastructure, Finance proposed $1.8 billion ongoing for universal meals and an additional $100 million ongoing plus $100 million one-time for a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure and training grants. The LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the unmet need is not yet clear. CDE said prior investments have improved meal participation, efficiency, and menu variety, but many schools still lack the facilities for scratch cooking and face construction, electrical, and procurement barriers. Members asked for more data on how prior grants were used, which schools are benefiting, and whether funds could also support lower-cost food access strategies such as pantries, while noting federal restrictions on some meal-service innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• work, their commitment, their passion to serve families, and their creativity in finding ways to support
• children and families across our state. ...legislators to work on with us and others to support children
• We’ve got a paper demonstrating our ability to train...
• We’ve got a paper demonstrating our ability to train, you know, like a proof of interrater reliability
• They get ongoing support.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just ask you not for the judges that are present. to support the great legislation that you've put
• There is a demonstrable, observable diminishment in the number of people, and probably also the quality
• Members, we can't be in support of the other parts of the bill.
• And I do know that we have a couple here today who are also going to testify in support. the bill for
• My fellow judges work hard, and we just appreciate your support. Consideration.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• I recall when there was a demonstration outside the home of a Supreme Court justice.
• Merritt will always be a proud Texan no matter how many years we live in D.C. and she supported me and
• I'm grateful to them for their support and guidance during my five years.
• I'm lucky to have my family here supporting me and I'd like to introduce them.
• They know who they are and I thank them for their support.

Keywords: John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general, national security, China Initiative, Department of Justice, judicial authority, executive actions, nomination hearing

Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• supports.
• supports.
• supports.
• support.
• support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support of AB 699.
• Today I in support of AB 84.
• I stand in support of AB 84.
• And let's support AB 1454.
• when we support this bill, we support it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be the IT support desk people. So institutional support is a very broad category.
• It's just beginning to demonstrate, as I said.
• Health through some support through HCHI.
• So, we appreciate the administration's support of the JAN-10 increase and current impact, and the support
• The law library has historically been funded through a mix of general fund support and special fund support

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are standards of care that we do support.
• Please support 1294. Thank you. Any questions? Seeing none. Thank you.
• organization that supports families with children with hearing loss.
• Who's in support of this? Who's not? Those kind of things. Sure.
• I will be supporting the motion.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee began by honoring pages Finn Meekum and Cooper Smith for their service, with both students briefly describing their positive experiences at the Capitol. Finn said the work was eye-opening and professional, and Cooper said it helped him learn about the political landscape and professional communication. The committee then approved the minutes from prior meetings. Senate Bill 1316, dealing with newborn screenings and related exemption language, was presented by Senator Blaylock as a clarification bill that would align newborn screening exemptions with Idaho’s vaccination exemption framework without discouraging screenings or changing medical standards. Pediatrician Mark Uranga testified in support, saying parents should be able to decline interventions for any reason and that the bill codifies current practice. The committee voted to send SB 1316 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1294, sponsored by Senator Galloway, would codify newborn hearing screening in Idaho law and standardize the practice, with supporters emphasizing early identification, language development, and long-term cost savings. Testifiers included education and early intervention professionals and parents of children with hearing loss, who described the importance of early screening and follow-up. Some members questioned whether the bill was necessary if screenings are already offered and parents may opt out, but the committee voted 4-3 to send SB 1294 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1314, which would repeal the Board of Health and Welfare and regional behavioral health board statutes, transferring authority and rulemaking directly to the department while preserving services. Senator Blaylock argued the boards are outdated and duplicative, while opponents warned the changes could affect federal settlement obligations, grant funding, oversight, and public input in behavioral health. After testimony and debate, the committee voted to send SB 1314 to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regulations to those demonstrably regulations to those demonstrably necessary<00:03:02.480><c> to
• </c> support that the office is providing. support that the office is providing.
• </c> appropriate support to them doing that. appropriate support to them doing that.
• </c> not supported by statute. Correct. not supported by statute. Correct.
• </c> ask that you uh support the legislation. ask that you uh support the legislation.

Keywords: 1189, house, all