Transcript Highlights:

• We have changes in plans by the Governor, starting out with her original argument that CLCPA was increasing
• people's utility bills, and then an admission that CLCPA had nothing to do with the increased costs
• We also have called for increased money being spent for discount costs for low-income and middle-income
• WE ALSO HAVE CALLED FOR INCREASED MONEY BEING SPENT FOR DISCOUNT COSTS FOR LOW-INCOME AND MIDDLE-INCOME
• If wages are fair, if conditions are safe, if workers can speak up without fear.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report advancing several bills directly to third reading, including Senate Print 9630, an appropriations extender for government operations, and Senate Print 9631, an extender related to Part U1 of Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2023. The chamber then moved to the controversial calendar and debated the first extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning what the bill covered, how much funding it extended, and the status of budget negotiations. Senator Krueger said the extender covered about $1 billion for payroll and certain payments for agencies including Health, Law, OPWDD, and Veterans Services through April 7, and described the budget talks as still unresolved, with no announced follow-up Joint Budget Conference Committee meetings or table targets. She also discussed utility affordability proposals, including a three-year moratorium on A.I. and crypto data/storage facilities and support for green energy and low-income ratepayer relief. O’Mara argued the lack of urgency and absence of written proposals on climate and utility costs was concerning. Both extender bills were then passed, with the first receiving 59 ayes and the second passing 46-13 after debate over its two-year duration. The Senate then adopted the resolution calendar, excluding two items initially, and took up two resolutions. Resolution 1821, sponsored by Senator Ramos, recognized Farmworkers Day and highlighted the essential role of farmworkers, the history of organizing for farmworker rights, and concerns about immigrant workers facing fear and retaliation; Senator May added support, noting the importance of farm labor to dairy production and food supply and the impact of deportation fears on farms in her district. The resolution was adopted. Resolution 1823, sponsored by Senator Zellner, proclaimed March 20, 2026 as Behavior Analysis Day in New York, recognizing applied behavior analysis and its benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, education, healthcare, and other fields; it was also adopted. The chamber also welcomed a group of students from Queens visiting Albany, with Senator Comrie speaking about the importance of civics education and government engagement. After the introductions and acknowledgments, there was no further business, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the end, he signed by a long measure the largest tax increase in our state's history and thought
• know, one of the things, again, trying not to get too into the federal stuff, but we're seeing huge increases
• leaders basically encouraging that kind of behavior is what's also, I think, contributing to the increased
• Increased attacks, the incidents, and probably a large reason why a lot of these federal officers are
• That's the real way you boost working people's wages.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a session-opening media availability on the second day of Washington’s 60-day legislative session, criticizing Governor Bob Ferguson’s State of the State address and previewing their priorities. They said the central issue this session is affordability, and argued the state should respond with less spending, fewer taxes, and less regulation rather than new taxes or expanded government. They also said they expect a major fight over the operating budget, warned against using the rainy day fund or weakening the balanced-budget requirement, and said the state should look for savings in areas where caseloads are down but spending continues to rise, including reducing middle management in state agencies. A major focus was the governor’s proposal for a tax on high earners, which Republicans repeatedly described as an income tax and said they would oppose. They argued it would eventually expand beyond millionaires, said voters have rejected income taxes repeatedly, and said a constitutional amendment would not pass. They also criticized past tax increases such as the capital gains tax, death tax, document recording fees, and climate-related charges, saying Democrats have not provided meaningful tax relief for working families. Republican leaders said the Working Families Tax Credit is one area where they can support using existing Climate Commitment Act revenue, and they suggested other uses for those funds, including transportation and wildfire prevention. The leaders also discussed public safety and immigration, saying the governor and Democrats have been inconsistent on federal law enforcement and that coordination between agencies is essential. They said concerns about masked federal agents and immigration enforcement should be left to investigations rather than political conclusions. On child care and DCYF, they said allegations of fraud and waste should be investigated through audits or other oversight, and they rejected the idea that looking into possible fraud is offensive to honest providers. They also said they see potential bipartisan overlap on transportation and housing, but argued the governor’s housing plan relies too much on public spending and not enough on permitting reform, Growth Management Act changes, and energy code changes to increase supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a potential increase in manufacturer or vehicle plan reviews that may have been previously denied
• There's a potential increase in manufacturer or vehicle plan reviews that may have been previously denied
• representing approximately 1,206 RV industry-related businesses who pay more than $950 million in wages
• It ultimately reduces total procurement time, increases competition, and could provide some firms with

Bills: HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2552

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: HB 2467, fifth-wheel travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer, travel trailer, RV, recreational vehicle, trailer length, vehicle length limits, oversize vehicle, truck and trailer, tractor-semitrailer, semi-trailer, kingpin, Washington RCW, Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway safety, commercial trucking, towing, motor home

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, more than an entire day's wage for a lot of people.
• : one is I would like to possibly see where the first defense, second defense, and third defense increase
• people do get to truancy court and face any of these fees that are laid out, you know, we see this increase
• They work, and we don't need to increase fines and fees for parents.

Bills: HB2947 , HB3276 , HB3513

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: truancy, school attendance, parent responsibility, education code, community service, criminal record nondisclosure, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• This conference report relates to prevailing wage rate for public works contracts, definition, civil
• One of the most important parts of this bill is it establishes a Virginia-based prevailing wage framework
• and for the purpose of deceiving another person while impersonating a law-enforcement officer, and increases

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go ahead and cut taxes and increase spending and we returned to deficits.
• We asked for a 7% increase and they got a 3% increase, and they'll present that to you as a cut.
• the federal minimum wage.
• Increased debt or selling debt or the federal selling their debt.
• Very little discussion about increasing payroll taxes to help pay for that.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, increase transparency and oversight of these operations.
• Fifth, increase services available to victims.
• Economic policies in the U.S. have reduced wages. They've increased unstable housing.
• Another question: Are there documented links between open-air sex work and increases in other crimes
• Over time, the share of trafficking that involves sex exploitation has increased.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety held an informational hearing in Pomona on sex work-related crimes and efforts to combat human trafficking. The chair and Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez framed the issue as a major public safety and victim-protection concern, referencing the repeal of the loitering law in SB 357 and the recent enactment of AB 379, which targets buyers of sex rather than sex workers. The hearing was organized into three panels: data and research, policing and anti-trafficking efforts, and courtroom/prosecution impacts. In the first panel, the California Department of Justice presented arrest and conviction data for the repealed loitering statute, noting overall declines from 2019 to 2022 but also explaining that the data did not distinguish clearly between people selling sex, people loitering to sell, and people purchasing sex. USC law professor Hannah Gary summarized a 2021 report finding that law enforcement stings and raids often lack transparency, disproportionately harm Black women, minors, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented migrants, and rarely achieve the stated goals of protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, or preventing trafficking. The ACLU of Southern California argued that criminalization of sex work is discriminatory and historically used to police women and people of color, and that laws aimed at buyers still harm sex workers and can increase immigration consequences. Committee members asked about data collection, racial disparities, and whether the new law could worsen profiling; the panelists urged public health approaches, better data, and more survivor services. The second panel featured the California DOJ human trafficking coordinator, Pomona Police Chief Mike Ellis, and survivor advocate Jess Torres of Rising Worldwide. DOJ described its regional trafficking teams, task forces, victim services, and prosecutions, emphasizing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. Chief Ellis said SB 357 limited police intervention and contributed to visible open-air prostitution near schools and other sensitive locations, citing complaints from residents and a reported drop in juvenile rescues in Pomona after the law changed; he supported AB 63-style enforcement with safeguards and service referrals. Torres, speaking as a survivor, argued that anti-trafficking policy must be survivor-led, that many youth in the sex trade are boys or LGBTQ youth, and that criminalization and street enforcement often worsen harm and displacement rather than solving the underlying problems. In the final panel, a Riverside County deputy district attorney said AB 63 could help law enforcement make earlier contact with potential victims and identify traffickers, while stressing the need for training, documentation, and oversight. A Los Angeles County public defender argued that prosecuting trafficked people reinforces traffickers’ control, creates lifelong barriers, and retraumatizes survivors, and pointed to diversion programs as a better model. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking began its testimony by describing its survivor services and crisis response work. The hearing ended without any vote or formal action, but with committee members and witnesses continuing to debate the balance between enforcement, data collection, and survivor-centered services.

Transcript Highlights:

• wages, and positive parenting.
• wages, and positive parenting.
• wages, and positive parenting.
• wages, and positive parenting.
• , college attendance, employment stability, and increased wages, and positive parenting—the things that

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Many make minimum wage.
• Many make minimum wage.<00:09:24.080><c> They're</c><00:09:24.320><c> work</c><00:09:24.480><c> as</c
• > wage.
• They're work as wage.

Transcript Highlights:

• through the state longitudinal data system, allowing Dox and other state agencies to provide certain wage
• state tax to provide uh uh and other state agencies<00:03:34.120><c> certain</c><00:03:34.640><c> wage
• </c><00:03:36.439><c> okay</c><00:03:36.720><c> up</c><00:03:37.000><c> first</c> agencies certain wage
• data okay up first agencies certain wage data okay up first we<00:03:37.560><c> have</c><00:03:38.120

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 338, relating to taxation, would temporarily reinstate the Act 221 technology infrastructure renovation tax credit and expand eligible technology-enabled infrastructure to include data servers; Tax Department said it had no requested changes, SurfPAC supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation offered comments. Members later advanced SB 338 with amendments, including a report to the Legislature before the 2029 session and technical changes. SB 1491, on departmental data sharing, would add the Department of Taxation to the state longitudinal data system to share aggregated wage data; UH, Hawaii P20, and the Tax Foundation supported it, and Taxation said it could comply as written. The committee amended the bill to also include DBEDT and then passed it with amendments. The committee also considered SB 1156 on sexually explicit deepfakes, SB 853 on an immigration services trust fund, SB 436 on limiting State Fire Marshal service to three terms, and SB 1034 on rest periods in the food service industry. The Attorney General said SB 1156 was unnecessary because existing law already covers AI-created deepfakes, and the committee deferred the bill. SB 853 drew support from DLIR/Office of Community Services and civil rights advocates, but opposition testimony noted substantial public opposition; the committee deferred the measure, saying existing resources from Act 7 made the trust fund premature. SB 436 drew concerns from the State Fire Council representative that term limits would add complications, but the committee passed it with amendments. SB 1034 drew mixed testimony: DLIR stood on comments, the restaurant association supported the intent but suggested changing the five-hour threshold, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association opposed it over the lack of a definition of food service industry; the committee amended the bill to add that definition and passed it with amendments. At the later 3:15 p.m. decision-making-only agenda, the committee deferred SB 730 indefinitely after conferring with the PSM chair, saying it was special legislation needing further work in the interim.

Transcript Highlights:

• development piece that we need to keep on supporting and help people upskill so that they can earn the wages
• that we need them to and the wages that they need to to be able to have happy, healthy families.
• Now we're seeing about a 9% increase each year in the population.
• them the legislation, and they thought this was a great idea because of the prevalence and the increasing

Transcript Highlights:

• too, that nobody else wants to do, because they've been driven into a point where they can't make wages
• shadow society where these workers are afraid to complain about any kind of working conditions or wages
• Again, polling on this bill indicates that an increasing majority of Americans want to see employers
• Indicates that an increasing majority of Americans want to see employers who rely on illegal aliens,

Transcript Highlights:

• Raising an increase in optional county fee registration in certain counties or for the subcommittee on
• HB 3447 by Morales of Harris relating to the minimum wage for the subcommittee on workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of requesting a general fund appropriation, AB 534 provides a smart, sustainable solution by increasing
• Also, we know that rental costs continue to increase, which makes it difficult for service providers
• Small best practice changes can vastly increase...
• Small best practice changes can vastly increase the number of children placed with families.
• Like having the economic footing to leave a dead-end, low-wage job and finding a better situation, either

Committee: House Human Services

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several bills focused on foster youth, public benefits, housing stability, and poverty reduction. AB 373 would require attorneys in extended foster care dependency cases to represent the expressed wishes of non-minor dependents ages 18 to 21 rather than substituting their own judgment. Supporters, including California Youth Connection and the Children’s Law Center, said the bill would respect young adults’ autonomy; there was no opposition. The committee later approved AB 42, which would exempt merit-based scholarships, grants, loans, and fellowships from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh, with supporters arguing that students should not lose benefits for pursuing education. The bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 534, which would help transitional housing providers serving foster youth move from leasing to owning properties by extending contract terms and improving access to financing. Supporters said ownership would create more stable, affordable housing and reduce landlord barriers; there was no opposition. AB 562, a family-finding measure, would require counties below statewide placement averages to use a checklist and work with the Center for Excellence for Family Finding to improve relative placements for foster children. Testimony emphasized the importance of family-first placements and better county accountability, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 661 would direct the Department of Social Services to develop a plan for a permanent statewide guaranteed basic income program, drawing on local pilot programs and input from experts and participants. Supporters described the program as a way to improve economic security, housing stability, and access to education and health care, while one committee member voted no and the bill passed 5-2. The committee also adopted a consent calendar containing several additional bills, and all measures taken up during the hearing were reported out to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:26.400><c> necessary</c> calculates the rate increase necessary calculates the rate increase necessary
• This rate increase goes directly to the providers and can be used to improve wages and benefits, although
• </c> incompetent to stand trial has increased incompetent to stand trial has increased significantly<
• </c> mental health care in jails, increasing mental health care in jails, increasing community<01:45:
• capacity increases in this bill?

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a pending document authority document but with CMS to increase that to 7.8 billion.
• But the big increase for 25 26 is essentially almost all driven by the increase in the debt directed
• to July, 4th date of enactment may prove some challenges around increasing those amounts.
• increase of it to the ACR.
• The Legislature invested in the customer call center based on increased and to support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last five years, years, our premiums have increased by more than 100%.
• Perspective property insurance expenses now, even with an 8% increase in student enrollment, this year
• Looming ahead for us this summer is also a 40% increase in our cost per kilowatt hour for electricity
• This has also increased from 2 percent to 3 percent, further compounding our exposure.
• This means that while GPIC and others are absorbing significant increases in mandated insurance costs

Bills: SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I applaud the administration and the bipartisan coalition from Congress for increasing the
• Most efficient way to increase the availability of affordable housing.
• So if we cut taxes, it increases revenue, if... Mr. Chairman, please continue. Thank you, Mr. Swan.
• So if we cut taxes, it increases revenue, if I hear you correctly? Well, I think that’s a misnomer.
• Chair, they would allow us to dramatically increase the number of audits that we could do, yes.

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot compete with low Asian wages, but we can lead in smart manufacturing.
• We see increased imports from Mexico. The USMCA facilitates trade flows and near-shoring.
• that increased demand.
• processes to increase cross-border commerce efficiency.
• And that represents a 35% increase from just one year prior in 2022.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and California’s economic dependence on trade with Mexico and Canada. Members emphasized that California exports more than $183 billion globally, with roughly a third going to Mexico and Canada, and argued that the agreement supports jobs in manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, technology, and ports. The hearing was framed as preparation for a legislative report and possible resolution on California’s priorities for the upcoming USMCA review. Academic and policy witnesses described the USMCA as essential to North American competitiveness, affordability, and regional security. Dr. Rafael Fernández de Castro said the agreement is central to a stronger North American alliance, helps keep food and other goods affordable, and supports the Cali-Baja region’s integrated economy. Dr. Ismael Placencia argued that California and Mexico co-produce value through integrated supply chains and nearshoring, and proposed ideas such as specialized technician visas, cross-border innovation zones, binational certification standards, and a technology fund. Members asked about the uncertainty around the agreement’s sunset/review clause and the possibility that investment is being delayed while businesses wait for clarity. Go-Biz representative Diana Dominguez said USMCA gives businesses, especially small and medium-sized firms, predictability, market access, and stronger digital trade and supply-chain integration, while also noting challenges such as regulatory barriers and financing. California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce president Julian Canante said the agreement benefits small businesses but also creates complexity through stricter rules of origin, compliance burdens, and tariff uncertainty, and he urged more trade assistance and education. Mexican officials Miroslava Pérez-López and Pedro Casas Alatriste said the treaty remains the cornerstone of North American trade, that Mexico’s public consultation process generated nearly 800 submissions, and that the region should deepen integration rather than weaken the agreement. A later panel from San Diego regional organizations reinforced the same themes, citing the border region’s co-production economy, the importance of border infrastructure, and the need to protect integrated supply chains from tariff shocks. Witnesses urged investment in ports of entry, energy reliability, talent development, and smoother review processes, while members repeatedly stressed that any renegotiation should preserve labor and environmental standards without harming small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alarmingly, outbreaks are increasing. 95% were children younger than 5 years old.
• Alarmingly, outbreaks are increasing.
• When vaccination rates drop, the risk to our children increases.
• Transparency increases, increasing the likelihood of bullying and discrimination.
• For these reasons, AB 2551 would increase... ...their cultural or language needs.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, beginning with AB 2651 by Bonta, which would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds. Supporters, including family physicians, PTA representatives, and medical groups, said the bill would improve transparency and help parents protect children and vulnerable family members. Opponents argued the data could be misleading, could identify medically exempt or conditional students, and might lead to stigma or discrimination. The bill was later moved out of committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with one no vote recorded on the roll call. The committee also heard AB 2123 by Aguirre-Curry on medical debt relief, AB 1570 by Wilson to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast diagnostic and supplemental imaging, AB 2201 by Berner to restore Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal flexibilities, AB 2448 by Berman to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care records, AB 2034 by Addis on food additive safety and transparency, and AB 2598 by Krell to require better notification of next of kin when a patient dies in a hospital. Each bill drew strong support from authors, advocates, and affected individuals, while some drew opposition from insurers, industry groups, or transparency critics who raised concerns about cost, duplication, implementation, or unintended harm. Several bills were moved forward on due-pass-as-amended motions, including AB 2123, AB 2201, AB 2448, AB 2034, and AB 2598. The committee also heard AB 2551 by Elhawary, which would require health plans to collect and publish data on how often enrollees must go out of network for behavioral health care and why. Supporters said the measure would expose access barriers and high out-of-pocket costs, especially for communities of color and people with language access needs; opponents said it would add another reporting mandate and might not solve provider shortage problems. Members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals and several described personal or district-level experiences with behavioral health access problems. The bill was then moved out of committee on a due-pass motion. The committee also took up consent items and other procedural motions, with multiple bills reported out and some placed on call.