Transcript Highlights:

• Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives that when the two houses adjourn on Friday, April
• Now you have heard the reading of the resolution, and the question is, "Shall the House adopt the resolution
• rental housing. rental housing.
• notice provisions, alternative housing notice provisions, alternative housing arrangements,<00:20
• Madam Speaker, the Committee on House Madam Speaker, the Committee on House Human<00:27:11.040><

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional in honor of Earth Day, then referred three Senate bills to money committees under House Rule 35A: S. 173 to Appropriations, and S. 232 and S. 327 to Ways and Means. The chamber also adopted JRS 50, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment so the House and Senate would reconvene no later than April 28, 2026. Several members then made announcements recognizing guests and interns in the gallery, including a homeschooling eighth grader, UVM interns, a constituent shadowing a member, family members, and a Civil Air Patrol delegation. The House next took up S. 89, expanding survivor benefits, and passed it in concurrence with proposal of amendment. It then considered S. 157 on recovery residence certification. The Human Services Committee described the bill as making permanent a temporary framework for certified recovery residences, placing oversight with the Department of Health, requiring standards, data collection, and annual reporting, and preserving resident protections such as written agreements, notice, grievance procedures, and alternative housing arrangements. The committee also said the bill would modernize definitions and repeal the sunset on the current framework. Human Services voted 9-0-2 to recommend the strike-all amendment, and Ways and Means reported the bill favorable 11-0-0, noting no fiscal impact unless a future fee is proposed and enacted. The House adopted the amendment, ordered third reading, and moved the bill forward. The final major item was S. 239, creating a child abuse and neglect reporting working group. The Human Services Committee said Vermont’s mandated reporting system has not been substantially reviewed in over a decade and that the bill would convene experts to review the law and recommend updates. Committee testimony emphasized that Vermont has a very high reporting rate but relatively low rates of substantiation and referral to supportive services, and members said the working group should examine reporting before, during, and after a report, including alternatives when in a child’s best interests. The committee’s strike-all amendment added findings, narrowed and prioritized the working group membership to people with direct child-serving or mandated-reporting experience, set deadlines for an interim report by April 1, 2027 and final recommendations by October 1, 2027, and required the first meeting by August 15. The committee also heard from a wide range of child welfare, education, law enforcement, and advocacy witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair is in the house. Okay. Okay. Okay.
• And am I correct about 72 hours that it has to prior? >> It's 72 hours if it's an urgent situation.
• >> It's 72 hours if it's an urgent >> It's 72 hours if it's an urgent situation.<00:29:16.320
• It can be or we had on the house floor.
• the house clerk. the house clerk.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• supporting the development of housing supporting the development of housing and<00:06:46.160>
• We have a housing speed and the cost of getting housing developed.
• of getting housing speed and the cost of getting housing developed.<00:44:15.359> This<00:44:
• um as you are all well aware, um housing um as you are all well aware, um housing and<00:55:59.760
• , businesses and potentially housing, businesses and potentially housing, potentially<00:56:25.440

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• noted House and Senate bills.
• our House of Representatives. our House of Representatives.
• Beginning with standing committee report number 2235. resolutions, as may be amended, be resolutions,
• Madam Speaker, I move that this house Madam Speaker, I move that this house stand<00:18:08.080><
• The house stands adjourned carried.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is good for housing. This bill is good for folks who need the housing desperately.
• and middle-class housing.
• of new housing units.
• of new housing units.
• The Housing Crisis Act is one of those landmark housing bills that AB 2676 does tweak.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a large slate of local government and housing-related bills, with several authors presenting measures aimed at streamlining development, updating local government procedures, and addressing infrastructure and resource issues. Early bills included AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1786 allowing certain local agencies to use best-value contracting, AB 2058 reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 clarifying historic resource protections in housing law, AB 2568 increasing the number of compensated days for water district board members, AB 2224 updating county recorder fees and electronic recording requirements, AB 2469 requiring data-center water supply assessments and cost responsibility, and AB 2397 limiting local vetoes over housing infrastructure financing districts. Most of these measures drew support from local governments, housing advocates, or special districts, while some also drew opposition from business, county, or labor groups depending on the bill. The most extensive debate centered on AB 1751, which would create ministerial approval for qualifying townhome projects and establish a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered projects, while expressly preserving prevailing wage law. Supporters, including the author, the California Conference of Carpenters, and housing advocates, argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union workers, and improve accountability through direct developer liability and enforcement provisions. Opponents, including several building trades organizations and some local government groups, argued the bill would undercut prevailing wage standards, reduce benefits, and could create broader wage pressure in the construction market. Committee members raised questions about land-use barriers, the wage floor, and the bill’s interaction with prevailing wage and federal law, and the author emphasized that the measure was intended as a wage floor rather than a replacement for prevailing wage. AB 2469 on data centers also drew a sharp split. Supporters said the bill would give local governments better information before approving water-intensive projects, protect overdrafted groundwater basins, and ensure data centers pay for needed infrastructure rather than shifting costs to ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, the Data Center Coalition, and others argued the bill imposed unnecessary and potentially unconstitutional burdens, singled out one industry, and could create security and competitiveness concerns. Across the hearing, several authors asked for aye votes, and committee members repeatedly noted that the committee was still operating without a quorum, so no final votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on General Laws will come to order. Please call the roll. Chair Keathley: Here.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on General Laws met, called the roll, and established a quorum with 12 members present. The committee then moved into executive session to consider Senate Bill 119. After a brief motion and no discussion, the committee voted on Senate Bill 119 and approved it do pass by a unanimous 12-0 vote. No testimony or substantive debate was recorded in the transcript. With no further business before the committee, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, I move that House Bill 2213 be voted do pass. Again, any discussion?
• By your vote of 11 ayes and zero noes, you voted House Bill 2213 do pass.
• By your vote of 11 ayes and zero noes, you voted House Bill 2213 do pass.
• I move that House Bill 3216 be voted do pass. I move that House Bill 3216 be voted do pass.
• By your vote of 11 ayes and zero noes, you passed House Bill 3216.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session after establishing a quorum and considered three measures. House Bill 2213, relating to Ulysses S. Grant Day, was moved do pass and approved unanimously. House Bill 3216, relating to Missouri River Runner Day, was also moved do pass and approved unanimously. Senate Bill 1613, relating to Frankie Muse Freeman Day, received the same treatment and was approved unanimously as well. Members noted that testimony had been heard on each bill in a prior meeting, and the chair described the committee’s work this year as bipartisan and focused on naming days, roads, bridges, and similar measures. Several members offered appreciative remarks about the committee’s collegiality and the chair’s leadership. No other business was taken up, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program has many requirements, including the provision of housing for those employees.
• The housing costs themselves continue to increase, as do the necessary things that come along with housing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen workplace safety in the artificial stone fabrication industry by creating a certification program, requiring supplier verification, and adding enforcement tools; it passed to Appropriations. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a state process to approve short-term workforce training programs eligible for new federal Pell Grant funding; it also passed. AB 2499 (Gibson), “Adrienne’s Act,” would direct Cal/OSHA to develop heat illness protections for incarcerated workers and correctional-facility workers; it passed after emotional testimony from the family of a woman who died from heat exhaustion in prison. AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline workforce funding disbursement and create a unified sub-grant structure; it was held on call amid concerns about reduced oversight. AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts, benefits assistance, and domestic worker inclusion; it passed with no opposition. AB 2634 (Sabir) would tighten High Road Training Partnership funding to prioritize labor-management programs; it passed. AB 1888, a companion to the Safe Home Grant Program, would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for wildfire home-hardening work; it passed unanimously. The committee also approved AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682 on consent, all to Appropriations. Several bills drew significant support and opposition. AB 2646 (Krell) would set a $19.75 minimum wage with COLA for agricultural employees; farmworker advocates described poverty-level wages and wage theft, while agricultural business groups warned of major cost increases and impacts on family farms. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2227 (Connolly) would increase farm labor contractor bond amounts, strengthen license renewal, and create default judgment procedures to speed wage recovery; supporters cited long delays and unpaid wages, while opponents argued the bill added burdens and that the real problem was the Labor Commissioner process. It also passed to Appropriations. AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for hotel workers to flag real estate investment trusts that allegedly overstep their passive-investor role; labor groups supported it, but hotel and property industry groups warned it would disrupt federal REIT conformity and investment stability. The committee approved it, and later add-on votes confirmed it passed out of committee. Throughout the hearing, members emphasized worker protections and the need for timely enforcement, while some expressed concern about administrative burdens or reduced oversight. Most measures were approved on party-line or near-unanimous votes and re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations, with the committee adjourning after completing the add-on roll calls and consent calendar.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills related to public employment, retirement systems, education, and labor policy. AB 2483 would create a pathway for formerly incarcerated firefighters to receive certification and pursue firefighting jobs after release; supporters said incarcerated crews provide essential wildfire response and the bill would recognize their training and reduce recidivism. AB 1619 would raise the stipend limit for trustees of county retirement systems, CalSTRS, and CalPERS from $100 to $320 per meeting, with supporters arguing the amount had not been updated in decades and no longer reflected the complexity and responsibility of overseeing large pension systems. AB 2780, the committee’s annual retirement cleanup bill, made technical and conforming changes to retirement law. AB 2519 would correct an unintended consequence of prior CalSTRS legislation so certain charter school employees promoted into leadership roles could remain in the retirement system. AB 2017 would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays and provide excused absences and related accommodations for students and workers. AB 2656 would require public employers to give employee organizations 45 days’ notice before using generative AI in represented job classifications, with supporters emphasizing transparency and opponents raising concerns about scope and implementation costs. Testimony across the bills was largely supportive. For AB 2483, the author, a fire recruitment program leader, and other supporters described the work of incarcerated firefighters and the need for a formal hiring pathway. For AB 1619, a retirement board trustee said the stipend increase was needed to reflect inflation, workload, and to support broader participation. AB 2519 drew strong support from charter school leaders and educators who said the earlier law unintentionally threatened CalSTRS eligibility for employees advancing into administrative roles. AB 2017 featured emotional testimony from Muslim students, community leaders, and advocates who said formal recognition of Eid would promote inclusion and understanding. AB 2656 was supported by a public safety labor group, while county and local government associations opposed it but said they were open to further discussions. The committee took action on each measure. AB 1619, AB 2780, AB 2519, AB 2017, and AB 2656 were all moved out of committee, generally on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several were re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. AB 2483 was heard while the committee was operating without a quorum and was held for later action until a quorum was established.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to research, develop, and
• My name is Frances Barraza, vice president of policy for the San Diego Housing Commission.
• The San Diego Housing Commission develops, finances, and oversees affordable housing across San Diego
• Affordable housing development projects in San Diego have faced significant, unpredictable delays in
• The San Diego Housing Commission's Homekey Project, Pacific Village, a 127-unit permanent supportive

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills. AB 1813, by Assemblymember Ward, would revise California’s community renewable energy program to better support community solar and storage, especially for renters and low-income customers, and to base bill credits on avoided costs. Supporters said the current CPUC program is unworkable and would not produce new projects, while utilities raised cost-shift, CCA, and process concerns. AB 2313, by Assemblymember Berman, would let gas customers whose service lines are being replaced choose electrification instead, using part of the replacement funds as an incentive; supporters framed it as a customer-choice and cost-saving measure, while opponents argued it could divert safety funds and conflict with the recently approved SB 1221 pilot. AB 1975, by Assemblymember Schultz, would require the CPUC to develop a grid utilization methodology to better measure and use existing distribution infrastructure; supporters said it could reduce ratepayer costs and defer upgrades, while utilities warned against rigid utilization targets and said the bill should better account for customer behavior and beneficial load growth. The committee also heard AB 2612, which would direct state agencies to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems that can connect through residential and nonresidential circuits. Supporters said it would expand access to low-cost solar and improve safety and consistency, while utilities sought clarification that they would participate in the standards process. AB 1849, by Assemblymember Papin, would direct CARB to study the need for decarbonized gas fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors and for grid reliability; supporters said it would provide a data-driven assessment of future fuel needs, while opponents argued it was biased toward a predetermined outcome and duplicative of existing state efforts. AB 2088 would authorize investor-owned utilities to own and operate thermal energy networks using geothermal energy or waste heat, with supporters emphasizing climate, affordability, and workforce benefits and no opposition testimony heard. Votes were taken on the measures that came to a vote. AB 1975 passed the committee 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2612 passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1849 passed 10-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2088 passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations. Several bills were still on call for absent members when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, this is the first committee out of house of origin, work in progress.
• the test for undue hardship under the reasonable accommodation framework in the Fair Employment and Housing
• the test for undue hardship under the reasonable accommodation framework in the Fair Employment and Housing
• Housing Act, which is a lot more similar to what we're talking about here, which does, you know, balance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and heard several bills. The main discussion centered on AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara argued the bill would provide science-based, health-driven rules and clearer claims handling for wildfire survivors. Consumer groups and insurers generally supported the goal but sought further amendments, warning about cost, scope, and possible conflicts with existing standards; fire survivors urged stronger protections and broader coverage. The committee ultimately voted to pass AB 1795 as amended to Appropriations, with members later adding their votes on call. The committee also heard AB 1576 on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which the author said would reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving protections for previously disabled workers. Supporters said the bill was a needed reform, while business, public entity, and insurance opponents argued it did not address the fund’s structural problems and that a trailer bill would be a better fix. AB 1576 was passed to Appropriations on a split vote, also held open for later additions. AB 1931, creating a limited lines license for utilities to offer home protection products, drew broad support and no opposition in the room; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2361, dealing with peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platform liability, passed as amended to Appropriations after supporters said it would align liability with fault and opponents warned it could reduce accountability for serious injuries. The committee also heard AB 2098, which would require employers to allow leave for workers’ compensation medical appointments during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits. Labor supporters said workers should not have to choose between treatment and their jobs, while employer and insurance groups sought narrower standards and objected to some language. AB 2098 passed to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including AB 2054, AB 2061, AB 2292, and AB 2724, was also approved and sent to Appropriations. Members repeatedly added votes after the roll was held open, and the committee adjourned after all items were processed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up a large consent calendar. The committee approved two groups of unanimous bills, including measures on topics such as court interpreters, workplace training, public records, and other committee and member bills, before moving to individual bills and the suspense file. Several bills were later placed on suspense and deemed approved, with public comment limited to those measures. Among the bills heard individually, AB 2393 would create fixed statutory damages for false imprisonment and false arrest claims, with the author arguing it would help victims seek justice and would not expose the state or local governments to liability. AB 1697 would delay implementation of a recently enacted law banning certain employment debt contracts until January 1, 2027, and AB 2534 would extend Domestic Violence Prevention Act restraining order protections to attempted and completed forced marriages. AB 1608 would strengthen the High-Speed Rail project’s Inspector General by adding staffing and contracting authority, requiring public reports, and allowing limited temporary confidentiality for sensitive information; the bill drew questions about transparency and the scope of information that could be withheld. The committee also heard AB 1916, which would allow American Sign Language interpreters to participate in collective bargaining under the Trial Court Interpreter Employment and Labor Relations Act, and AB 1803, which would require anti-hate speech training as part of workplace harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees. AB 1821 would change Public Records Act response timelines from calendar days to business days, with supporters from local government groups saying it would better reflect the time needed to process broad and complex requests without reducing access. AB 1919 would establish election procedures for a Santa Cruz Metro citizens initiative related to transit funding and service, with supporters saying it would let voters decide the system’s future. The committee voted do pass on the heard bills, with several recorded as out on roll call and some members not voting on particular measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jackson in the house? And I want to ensure that he is here.
• Jackson in the house? And I want to ensure that he is here.
• Well, let me just also clarify, we do have the 72-hour rule where an amendment is placed, and we have
• 72 hours before we can put an item on the floor to be voted on.
• So we will at least have 72 hours with your amendment. No, absolutely, absolutely.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely split between supporters and opponents on policy and implementation. Assembly Member Wynn presented AB 2507 to strengthen state consultation with federally recognized tribal governments by requiring clearer tribal liaison roles, a tribal advisory committee, and more consistent early consultation across agencies. Supporters from Wilton Rancheria and the California Tribal Business Alliance said the bill would improve respect, coordination, and program outcomes; no opposition was heard. Wynn also presented AB 2024, a cleanup bill intended to reduce delays in outdoor advertising permit processing by requiring agencies to act on submitted applications. Supporters said it would clarify existing law and reduce uncertainty, and members expressed interest in the measure as a final fix to longstanding interpretation problems. Both bills were later approved and sent to Appropriations. Assembly Member Connolly presented AB 1585, which would require wine labeled “American” to be made from 100% American-grown grapes, aligning the federal “American” designation with California’s 100% sourcing rule for California-labeled wine. Supporters, including growers, farm bureaus, consumer advocates, and family wineries, argued the bill would improve truth in labeling, protect consumers, and help an industry facing bankruptcies, vineyard removals, and job losses. Opponents from major wineries and Wine Institute argued the bill could confuse consumers, create costly label changes, and disrupt blends and cross-regional products that are currently legal under federal law. After extended debate, the committee passed the bill to Appropriations. Assembly Member Ransom presented AB 1605, a DUI safety bill that would allow judges to place a no-alcohol-sales notice on the licenses of repeat or serious DUI offenders, limiting their ability to purchase alcohol. Supporters from law enforcement and roadway safety groups said the measure would address recidivism and help prevent alcohol-related crashes and deaths, while retailers and restaurant groups raised concerns about implementation and ID-checking burdens. The committee discussed committee amendments and the bill passed to Appropriations. Assembly Member Hoover’s AB 2211, allowing craft distillers to operate a second tasting room, also advanced with support from the distilling industry and no opposition. The committee also took up AB 1578, which would require local and state elected officials to take anti-hate speech training; supporters said it responds to rising hate crimes, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and objected to the lack of a clear definition of hate speech. After a lengthy exchange, the bill passed on a party-line-leaning vote to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2717, extending a sunset for off-site advertising displays at large sports venues, was introduced as a venue-revenue and fan-experience measure tied to major upcoming events, and the transcript indicates it was being considered with committee amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• historically underserved and underrepresented communities where families have faced poverty, trauma, housing
• talked about were ensuring that all the elements that are that are reflected in the SARC could get housed
• educators take on second jobs and still struggle to keep up with a rising cost of living, including housing
• with social-emotional learning so that they can learn things like emotional regulation, conflict resolution
• This is so that the People's House remains robust and has timely access to the information needed for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a lengthy set of bills, beginning with AB 2189, which would authorize a State Council on Developmental Disabilities grant to create a statewide parent network for families of students with disabilities. The author and supporters said the bill would help parents understand special education rights and advocate more effectively, while an opposing witness argued California already has family-led organizations doing similar work and the bill should build on existing efforts. The committee discussed the bill’s amendments, then passed AB 2189 6-0 and held it on call. The committee then took up AB 2615, a cleanup bill to AB 715 dealing with instructional materials and anti-discrimination provisions in schools. Supporters said the bill makes technical and substantive fixes promised during last year’s debate, including clarifying “factually accurate” language, removing references to professional responsibility standards, and refining how offending materials are handled. Opponents from civil rights, labor, and education groups argued the bill still chills speech and could be used to police classroom instruction too broadly, especially the “factually accurate” requirement. After extended debate and several member questions about implementation, the committee passed AB 2615 5-0 and held it on call. The committee also heard AB 2496, which would streamline school accountability reporting by making the California School Dashboard the primary transparency tool, reviewing or phasing out the School Accountability Report Card, and making a mid-year LCAP update optional. Supporters said the bill reduces duplication and improves accessibility, while an opponent warned that parents could lose a simple PDF-style report and that the mid-year update still provides useful budget information. AB 2496 was passed out on a 3-0 vote and held on call. In addition, AB 1750, which would require school employees to receive full salary for up to five additional months while on extended medical leave, drew strong support from educators and opposition from administrators over staffing and cost concerns; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee also heard AB 1644, a bell-to-bell smartphone ban for TK-8 schools with recommended high school restrictions and exceptions for educational, health, and safety needs; supporters emphasized student focus and well-being, while administrators raised concerns about timing and local implementation after recent district policy adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s the way the House rolls. I mean, I love y’all, but June’s getting here quick.
• So if you funded the full amount that came out of a House, you would be closer to this amount.
• in the process because we knew the private sector could do this cheaper and better than we could in-house
• the difference in the increase in the contract is based on what the governor's executive budget and House
• And that's basically consistent with what came out of House Bill 1.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first received a fiscal status statement and five-year baseline budget update from the Office of Planning and Budget. Members were told there were no changes to the baseline, but several current-year items now require appropriations, including Hurricane Katrina closeout costs under GOSEP, projected Department of Corrections shortfalls for offender medical care and overtime, and a reduction in the minimum foundation program tied to February 1 student counts. After questions about how the five-year percentages and inflation assumptions were calculated, the committee adopted the fiscal status statement. The committee then approved several Facility Planning and Control items, including adding eight higher education deferred maintenance projects to the approved list under Act 751, a $412,993 change order for LSU’s Jesse Coates Building project, a report of four other change orders for informational purposes, and combining two Hornbeck water projects into a single expanded water plant and distribution project. It also approved a two-year extension of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Banner ERP consulting agreement and approved Water Sector Commission recommendations for an additional $5.5 million for the Tencel Water District Association, which included a $100,000 local commitment. A major portion of the meeting focused on a proposed tax increment financing package for a 1,000-room headquarters hotel adjacent to the New Orleans Convention Center. Witnesses described the project as a $550 million private investment supported by state and local tax dedications, with projected benefits including more convention business and improved competitiveness. Members raised concerns about the 45-year term, the use of a 1% state tax dedication, possible cannibalization of existing hotel revenue, and the return on the public incentive. After extensive questioning, the committee deferred the proposal to the next month for further review and requested additional projections. Finally, the committee reviewed contract extensions for Louisiana Economic Development’s marketing vendors and a Department of Education amendment for the Odyssey platform used in the Louisiana Gator program. The education officials explained the contract is based on a per-student amount of $143.50 and that the current amendment is needed to avoid a lapse when the existing term ends June 30. Members discussed whether an RFP should be started for future years to seek a better price, and the department said it would be able to provide academic outcome data after the current testing cycle. The meeting then adjourned.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay met on April 22 and first established a quorum, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and elected Representative Bacala as vice chair by acclamation after nomination by Senator Womack. The committee then took up a single substantive item: a waiver request from the City of Donaldsonville under a 2025 law allowing certain small municipalities to seek relief from the required local match for capital outlay projects. Matt Baker of the Office of Facility Planning and Control said Donaldsonville met the eligibility criteria, including a population below the statutory threshold, and recommended approval of the waiver for Project 50-M68-25-01, the Stormwater Resilience Project, Planning and Construction, tied to about $1,222,500 in state funds. Mayor Leroy Sullivan testified that the city has a high poverty rate, has already made difficult financial adjustments to complete prior water and wastewater projects, and needs the waiver to address drainage problems in an area expected to see new development, including an RPCC Westside campus. Senator Lambert moved to approve the waiver, and the committee approved it without objection. With no further business, Representative McFarland moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about 400 housing units.
• housing units, etc.?
• of the 400 housing units?
• It is about 400 housing units.
• of the 400 housing units?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks from Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, who reviewed the department’s budget and priorities. She emphasized California agriculture’s record production, but also the pressures facing farmers from climate change, drought, groundwater regulation, supply chain disruptions, low commodity prices, and federal funding cuts. Ross highlighted ongoing investments in Farm to School, local food procurement, food hubs, climate-smart agriculture, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety, and she warned that proposed USDA cuts and market disruptions could harm research, pest control, and export development. Members also discussed the importance of local food systems, school kitchens, and the need to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and institutions. A major topic was the Farm to School program and related local food initiatives. The chair raised concerns that the Legislative Analyst’s Office was recommending against continued funding for Farm to School because it did not meet the state’s “must-have” standard, and suggested pairing it more closely with the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and food hubs to broaden its impact. Ross responded that Farm to School has already reached nearly half of California students, has helped small farms, and is part of a larger strategy that includes school kitchen investments and culinary training. Members also discussed Market Match/CNIP, which Ross said was not funded in the current budget, and Proposition 4 climate bond spending, including SWEEP, Healthy Soils, urban agriculture, invasive species work, tribal food sovereignty, and land access programs. The committee then moved to Item 1 on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The LAO explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the JLBC previously not concurring with 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. The LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture because they support important functions and do not materially help the budget, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance said the vacancy reductions were intended to improve budget resiliency and preserve flexibility, noting that vacant positions can be used to cover other operational costs or be reclassified. Department representatives argued some eliminated positions were hard to fill and that the cuts would affect permitting, public safety, maintenance, and pest detection, though they said immediate impacts would be limited because many positions were already vacant. Members pressed Finance and department staff on whether the savings justified the program impacts, especially at Fish and Wildlife, where permitting bottlenecks were described as a concern for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects. Several members questioned why special funds tied to fees were being reduced, and why Fish and Wildlife’s special funds were treated differently from other departments. Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow long-term maintenance and staffing capacity. CDFA said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection, the broom rape program, and other oversight functions, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate through reclassification and internal prioritization. No votes were taken, and the chair noted that public comment would come after all items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also want to thank the Senate for going through the process of perfecting and sending it to the House

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Local Government held a public hearing on Senate Substitute No. 2 for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1023, sponsored by Senator Justin Brown. The bill would expand the existing authority for certain public library districts to ask voters to approve a local sales tax, with county-specific provisions: St. Charles County would have to reduce property tax levies to offset sales tax revenue, and Cass and Johnson counties would be limited to a 0.33% rate and would eliminate property tax levies if the sales tax is adopted. The bill also includes a provision allowing circuit courts to collect a civil case filing surcharge of up to $15 for law library maintenance, and a Kansas City Public Library fiscal-year flexibility provision was also described. Supporters from several library systems and the Missouri Library Association testified that the bill would give libraries more flexibility to diversify revenue, reduce reliance on property taxes, and protect voter-approved library sales taxes from legal uncertainty tied to county reclassification. Witnesses from St. Charles County said the measure would let local voters decide whether to fund library services through sales tax, property tax, or a mix, while a Marshall Public Library representative said the bill would help preserve a voter-approved sales tax affected by unrelated litigation. A Kansas City Public Library representative said the fiscal-year change would improve budget timing. One committee member questioned the fairness of shifting library funding to sales tax, especially for nonresidents, while other members spoke in support of libraries and their community services. No one testified in opposition. The chair closed the public hearing and announced the committee plans to executive the bill on Monday at noon, with notice to be sent by email. A representative also criticized the tone of the senator’s response during questioning, but said he still supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing.
• , all vying for 72 units of available housing.
• But I don't think any of us want to see these resolutions as far as what your housing element is, how
• But I don't think any of us want to see these resolutions as far as what your housing element is, how
• housing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 1725, which would require disclosure of oil wells and methane monitoring issues near homes and sensitive sites. The author and community advocates described health and safety risks in neighborhoods like Vista Hermosa Heights, while opponents including apartment, building, and chamber groups argued the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead ensure abandoned wells are properly capped. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established. Members then discussed AB 2110, authorizing local tax increment financing districts for workforce housing, and AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects. AB 1771 was also heard as a study bill on the on-site resident manager requirement for larger apartment buildings, with supporters saying the 1960s-era rule is outdated and opponents warning about tenant safety and employment impacts. AB 2185 drew broad support for directing state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better accommodate factory-built housing, while AB 2748 split witnesses over whether to delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing; supporters cited project costs and opponents argued the code is important for resident access to clean transportation. The committee then took up SB 417, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot. Supporters from housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups said the bond is needed to keep more than 40,000 shovel-ready units moving and to preserve existing affordable housing, while opponents sought specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing. After discussion about student housing, social housing, and budget funding, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 417 to Appropriations, keeping the roll open for absent members. Finally, AB 1740 was heard, proposing a limited coastal permitting streamlining framework for Santa Monica’s urban, multimodal areas. The author and supporters said the bill would reduce delays for housing, adaptive reuse, and low-impact projects while preserving coastal protections, but the Coastal Commission and environmental groups opposed it as an unprecedented carve-out from the Coastal Act and urged Santa Monica to complete its local coastal program instead. Members asked questions about the length of Coastal Commission delays, and the bill remained under consideration without a recorded vote in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here today presenting House Bill 2250.
• Their houses were built in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, and the type of siding that was on their house
• Their houses were built in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, and the type of siding that was on their house
• They had to decide the entire house.
• I now move that the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3328 be voted due pass.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2250, which would require insurers, beginning in 2027, to pay for full siding replacement when storm damage affects only part of a home and matching siding is not reasonably available. Sponsor Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann said the bill is intended to codify existing Missouri case law and address complaints from constituents who were left with mismatched siding after hail damage, especially in older homes where the original materials are no longer made. Committee members generally expressed support for the consumer-protection goal, while also discussing possible changes such as limiting the requirement to certain elevations or adding clearer policy disclosures. Opposition testimony came from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, which argued the bill could raise premiums for all homeowners and noted that consumers can already buy more comprehensive coverage if they choose. Coalition witnesses said insurers should repair direct physical damage but warned against requiring full-house replacement for cosmetic mismatch, citing a prior St. Louis-area experience where a similar requirement reportedly increased premiums. Members and witnesses also discussed related issues such as consumer understanding of policy terms, the availability of different policy products, and whether contractor payroll or fraud concerns should be addressed separately. No vote was taken on HB 2250. After the hearing, the committee established a quorum and moved to executive session on House Bill 3328. The committee adopted a House Committee Substitute that removed the IBHS certification requirement in favor of a non-biased third-party testing lab and removed the adjuster cap, while otherwise keeping the bill’s stronger home program framework. The committee then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 3328 do pass by a vote of 9-0, and the meeting adjourned.