Transcript Highlights:

• Emily French, and Rhonda Ward. Call Terry Putnam, Emily French, Rhonda Ward. Those are the three.
• French and Rhonda Ward. Thank you.
• Rhonda Ward. Ms. Ward, thank you. We've been very good. We know you've got a lot going on today.
• My name is Rhonda Ward, eighth generation Texan.
• Ward, and thank you for your testimony. Welcome. Welcome.

Bills: SB16 , SB76 , SB310 , SB311 , SB396 , SB505 , SB827 , SB964 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1386 , SB1470 , SB2035 , SJR37 , SB 16

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever there was a proposed project, Whenever there was a proposed project that didn't include enough
• Item 234, AB 82 by Assembly Member Ward. The clerk will read.
• Item 241, AB 474 by Assembly Member Ward. The clerk will read.
• Assembly Bill 474 by Assembly Member Ward. Item 241, AB 474 by Assembly Member Ward.
• Item 244, AB 518 by Assembly Member Ward. The clerk will read.

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then returned to session with prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following news of his shooting. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules, moving several bills to the inactive file, re-referring bills to committees, and authorizing committee meetings. The chamber also observed adjournments in memory for several individuals, including Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey. On the floor file, members considered and passed a long list of Senate bills, largely on bipartisan or unanimous votes. Topics included consumer protection and transparency for self-storage contracts (SB 709), adoption jurisdiction (SB 450), privacy and name/image protections (SB 683), an audit of the February 2025 bar exam (SB 47), data broker transparency (SB 361), used-car buyer protections (SB 76), state parks land acquisition streamlining (SB 630), cemetery work group deadlines (SB 777), financial enforcement authority (SB 825), utility outage reporting and reliability planning (SB 292), vital records confidentiality (SB 313), health care coverage and hormone therapy access (SB 418), workplace outreach (SB 578), Holocaust and genocide education (SB 472), county jail treatment for misdemeanor incompetency cases (SB 820), and AI companion chatbot safeguards for minors and self-harm risks (SB 243). Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though SB 578 drew sharp debate over the workplace outreach program and its funding. The Assembly also took up concurrence items and approved numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. These included transparency in legislative nondisclosure agreements (AB 1370), affordable faculty/staff housing provisions at community colleges (AB 648), tribal youth foster care reforms (AB 1378), EV charger payment regulations (AB 1423), technical Political Reform Act changes (AB 1511), diacritical marks on vital records (AB 64), reproductive health protections with urgency (AB 260), union and collective bargaining protections (AB 288), bench trial statement-of-decision streamlining (AB 515), agricultural land stewardship (AB 524), geothermal exploratory project rules (AB 527), Medi-Cal field medicine changes (AB 543), tobacco-related provisions (AB 573), social media platform rules (AB 656), state parks transaction reporting (AB 679), professional licensing changes (AB 742), and child care staffing and assistant teacher pathways with urgency (AB 753). Votes were generally strong, with several measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:10.199><c> two</c><00:07:10.599><c> here</c><00:07:10.759><c> in</c> ward two here in ward two
• What would you propose for that six-month gap?
• <02:25:26.800><c> yes</c><02:25:27.800><c> representative</c> Ward yes representative Ward yes representative
• </c> Lane yes representative Ward Lane yes representative Ward no<02:48:35.319><c> representative</c>
• </c> representative Ward representative Ward no<02:50:12.840><c> representative</c><02:50:13.399><c>

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• By item 35 is AB 1542 by Assembly Member Ward.
• Ward moves a call. Okay, we will pass and retain a file item 30.
• And this piece of legislation is a proposed state statute.
• Thank you, Assembly Member Ward, for that response.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you said the first one was the Ward bill? Yes.
• Okay, we're going to begin with item five by Assembly Member Ward.
• CACO is happy to sponsor AB 930 with Assembly Member Ward.
• So last year, the Legislature considered multiple bills that proposed...
• We're going to go ahead and lift the call on item number five, AB 930 by Ward.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on April 30, 2025, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. The committee first approved six bills on consent, including AB 950, AB 953, AB 1214, and three committee bills. It then heard several measures dealing with election administration, ballot transparency, and campaign finance, with most authors accepting committee amendments and several bills being held on call for absent members. AB 930 by Assembly Member Ward would extend the deadline for counting timely postmarked vote-by-mail ballots from three to seven days after Election Day and update recount procedures, including online posting of recount results and clearer rules for recount requests. The bill was supported by county election officials and passed out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, though it was initially held on call. AB 459 by Assembly Member DeMaio proposed allowing electronic signatures for initiatives, referenda, and recalls; the Secretary of State and labor groups opposed it over security, implementation, and cost concerns, and the committee ultimately rejected the bill after reconsideration. AB 699 by Assembly Member Stephanie would change how local tiered tax and bond measures are described on ballots by allowing more detail to be placed in the voter guide; housing, school, and local government groups supported it, while taxpayer and realtor groups opposed it as reducing ballot transparency. AB 1188, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega, would list the top three funders supporting and opposing statewide initiatives and referenda directly on the ballot; transparency advocates and labor supported it, while county election officials and business groups raised concerns about ballot length and processing costs. Both AB 699 and AB 1188 passed out of committee with amendments and were held on call. The committee also heard AB 827 by Assembly Member Berman, which would standardize and extend the deadline for curing vote-by-mail signature problems, add a link to cure forms in ballot-tracking notifications, and make other changes to improve ballot curing. It drew no opposition in the hearing and passed with a due-pass recommendation. AB 351 by Assembly Member McKenna would raise the Levine Act contribution threshold for local officials to $1,500 and add CPI adjustments; supporters said it would reduce administrative burdens and reflect modern campaign finance realities, while good-government groups and the League of Women Voters opposed it as weakening anti-corruption protections. The committee initially failed AB 351, then granted reconsideration, but the transcript ends before a final disposition is clearly completed. Finally, AB 1079 by Assembly Member Farías would eliminate the automatic appellate stay in California Voting Rights Act and Fair Maps Act cases; it was supported as a way to prevent delayed remedies in voting rights cases, opposed by the City of Santa Monica over impacts on ongoing litigation, and passed with amendments. After taking up the held items, the committee recorded final votes on the bills, including passage of AB 930, AB 699, AB 1188, AB 827, and AB 1079, and rejection of AB 459.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward.
• Senator Ward seconds.
• Ward. The motion is ought to pass on Ward.
• </c> troubling elements to this proposal. troubling elements to this proposal.
• Senator Ward, yes. Senator Inis, yes. Senator Ward, yes.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to move to file item number three, AB 2089 by Ward.
• And on behalf of Assembly Member Chris Ward, I am pleased to present...
• Ward. And we invite you to close if you would like. Yes, of course.
• This legislation proposes a straightforward but transformative solution.
• File item number 12, AB 2222, Ward. Okay, finally, our last bill.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills, most of them referred to the suspense file because of their fiscal impact. AB 2465 and AB 1675 would deny state grants, loans, tax credits, or other benefits to companies doing business with ICE or related immigration-enforcement agencies; both drew strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and community groups, and opposition from CalChamber and industry groups that argued the bills were overly broad and could affect unrelated federal contracts. AB 1633 would impose a 50% gross receipts tax on for-profit private immigration detention facilities, with supporters saying it would hold companies accountable for dangerous conditions and opponents warning it was punitive and could disrupt detention operations. The committee also heard AB 2089, which would streamline the welfare property tax exemption process for affordable housing, and AB 2250, a cleanup bill to clarify hemp enforcement laws; both were supported by affected industry and advocacy groups, while county assessors and tax collectors opposed AB 2089 unless amended over workload and implementation concerns. AB 2172, which would allow counties to use a single-member assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals, was the only bill taken up for a vote during the meeting. Supporters, including Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang, said the change would reduce a large backlog and speed resolution of appeals; the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 4-0 to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2319, creating a proposed post-production tax credit to keep film and television post-production work in California, with support from labor and industry representatives who said jobs and spending were leaving the state; the author said the bill still needed work on labor standards and the annual credit cap. Finally, AB 2403 was presented to create a commercial production tax credit to keep commercial shoots in California. The author and supporters said commercial production has declined sharply in the state and that other states are winning work through targeted incentives, while labor-backed witnesses argued the bill would protect middle-class jobs and local spending. The transcript ends during the presentation of AB 2403, before any vote or final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up today would be minutes approval, minutes of January 22nd, 2026, Senator Ward Engel...
• Senator Ward Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Okay, committee, we have a motion, duly seconded, made by Senator Ward Engelking, seconded by Senator
• , NCCI often calculates the expected fiscal impact of those proposed changes.
• NCCI does not lobby for any specific proposals. NCCI does not lobby for any specific proposals.

Summary: The Senate Commerce committee approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then heard three gubernatorial appointments. Erica Malman of Boise was introduced for the Idaho Personnel Commission; she described her background as a natural resources attorney and law firm managing partner, and senators asked about the challenges and rewards of commission service and her legal practice. Brett Thomas of Twin Falls was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and Dr. Karen Cabell of Post Falls was appointed to the same board; both briefly outlined their professional backgrounds and service, and the committee indicated it would likely vote on the appointments the following Tuesday. The committee then considered two DOPL rules dockets. Docket 24-3201-2101 for the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors moved licensing fees into rule, formalized a 60% fee reduction, and removed intern-related fees; it received no public comments and was approved. Docket 24-3950-2101 for the Public Works Contractors Board finalized temporary fee reductions of 16% to 20% and added “not to exceed” language to allow future reductions; it also drew no public comments and was approved effective sine die. Senate Bill 1221 was presented by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association and supported by a water master from Water District 65. The bill would change Percy retirement language from “irrigation district” to “irrigation or drainage entity” so seasonal retirees can work up to eight months for certain water entities without triggering penalties, matching how the provision is already applied. The committee heard no opposition and voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. The final presentation was an informational briefing from NCCI on Idaho workers’ compensation. Todd Johnson explained NCCI’s role as the state’s rating bureau, described declining claim frequency and generally favorable combined ratios, and noted recent rate decreases, including a 2.5% overall decrease effective January 1, 2026, plus reductions in assigned-risk surcharges. Senators asked about high-risk employers, NCCI’s rating process, and whether it handles claims decisions; Johnson said NCCI sets class-code rate recommendations and does not decide compensability or claims adjustment. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, for being here.
• Ward, we're talking about investing more money in the E... Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ward.
• Ward. This is an interesting conversation that we're having because I think it gets... Mr. Ward.
• Ward.
• Ward, thank you for being here.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2584, which would prohibit public monies from being used for genetic sequencing procedures involving devices made by companies owned or substantially controlled by entities domiciled in a foreign adversary. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect genetic data from being sold or used against the United States. There was no public testimony, and the committee approved the bill on a 13-5 vote for a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2804, which creates a rural development and housing tax credit capped at $2 million per year and tied to federal low-income housing tax credit projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Flagstaff mayor, and housing investors/developers, argued it would leverage private capital to address rural affordable housing shortages, especially for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents. Opponents, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued state LIHTC programs are inefficient, costly, hard to oversee, and can add complexity and higher per-unit costs. The bill passed 13-4 with one not voting. HB 2388, as amended, appropriates $100,000 for the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers, with a report due June 30, 2027. Supporters said the study would help Arizona plan for energy demand and data center growth, while opponents argued the agency should use existing funds instead of a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and then approved the bill 10-7 with one not voting. The committee also received a presentation from the Auditor General on county treasurer procedural reviews, including the response to the Santa Cruz County treasurer embezzlement case and the office’s ramp-up plan for reviews and staffing. Later, the committee approved HB 2352, which appropriates $2,385,900 in FY2029 to make the Auditor General’s county treasurer review funding ongoing. Members supporting the bill said the office needs certainty to plan audits and retain staff, while opponents objected to funding it so far in advance during budget uncertainty. The bill passed 11-7. The committee also approved HB 2418, as amended, which directs $600,000 to be evenly distributed among five county sheriff task forces in Cochise, Coconino, Navajo, Pinal, and Yuma counties; supporters said it codifies the long-standing distribution practice, and it passed 17-1. Finally, the committee heard HB 2499, which would provide $2.6 million and 12 FTEs to the Department of Education for ESA administration; supporters argued the program’s rapid growth requires more staff for enrollment, reviews, and accountability, while members questioned the lack of standardized testing data and how to measure student outcomes. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on HB 2499.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it expands Marksville City Court to Wards 1 through 6 and 11, and Bunkie City Court from Ward 7 through
• Citizens in those wards will elect their judges and marshals directly beginning in 2026.
• Well, what we're proposing and what this bill can be celebrated for is the fact that rather than the
• We're not proposing to take anything from anyone.
• What we're proposing is that we go to work with what we have.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Quirk-Silva will fill in for Assembly Member Ward.
• Today I present AB 253 on behalf of Assembly Member Ward and as a proud joint author.
• Ward accepts the amendments.
• Ward is doing it. I love this bill. I'm so glad that you're doing it, and Mr. Ward is doing it.
• Specific development projects are proposed and reviewed that would comply.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 253, by Assembly Member Ward and presented by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to review certain post-entitlement permits if a local building department would take more than 30 days. Supporters, including California YIMBY, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Housing Action Coalition, the Bay Area Council, SPUR, and Abundant Housing LA, said the bill would reduce permitting delays and help housing production. League of Cities and the California State Association of Counties expressed concerns but were not formally opposed. Members voiced strong support, and the bill passed the committee 10-0 to Appropriations. The committee then held an informational hearing on California’s general plan. The first panel, led by UC Davis professor Catherine Brinkley, gave an overview of the general plan structure, required elements, update cycles, and the new PlanSearch database that makes adopted plans searchable statewide. She emphasized that general plans are long-term, locally tailored documents that integrate housing, transportation, safety, environmental justice, and other policy areas, and noted that many plans and elements are outdated. Members asked about update timelines, public participation, and whether AI tools could help with drafting and analysis. A second panel of local government representatives described the practical challenges of preparing and updating general plans, especially in rural and small jurisdictions. Speakers from Calaveras County, Sacramento, San Joaquin County, and Fountain Valley cited staffing shortages, consultant availability, funding constraints, CEQA and outreach costs, changing state mandates, and the difficulty of keeping plans aligned with local conditions and board turnover. They asked for more funding, more time, clearer prioritization, and more flexibility. A third panel from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation explained its role in issuing general plan guidelines, technical advisories, and annual planning surveys, and said it is updating its guidance through 2027 to reflect recent housing, climate, safety, environmental justice, and open space laws. No public comment was offered, and the informational hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• O'Connowitz, Robby, Ricks, Ruckty, Semoroff, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward Engel, King, Wintero
• As proposed, it adds a tribal health care facility as an acceptable site to hold an individual if a peace
• Ward-Engelking: Aye. Wintrow: Aye. Woodward: Aye. Zito: Aye. Zuiderveld: Aye. Hart: Aye. Thank you.
• Ward-Engelking? Wintrow? Woodward, aye. Zito, no. Zuiderveld? Hart. No. Zuiderveld, nay.
• Senator Ward Engelkane.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll note that we have one bill on our proposed consent calendar.
• Ward. Ward here. Thank you.
• Ward, aye.
• We'll start with Assembly Member Ward.
• We'll start with Assembly Member Ward.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as a taxpayer, I object to this proposal for flexibility and funding.
• So, as a taxpayer, I object to this proposal for flexibility and funding.
• some of you have heard the spiel that I've made before, but one of the things we heard and Senator Ward
• Chairman and Senator Ward-Engelking, I certainly can appreciate that position.
• Senator Ward Engel King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And just a comment. If the U.S.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 883, which would give qualifying high-performing charter schools and traditional school districts more flexibility over spending and reduce certain state reporting requirements. The sponsor and Emily McClure of the Idaho Charter School Network said the bill is intended to reward strong academic, financial, and operational performance with greater local control, while preserving accountability and avoiding any threat to federal funding. Supporters from American Classical Schools of Idaho said the measure would help schools allocate funds more effectively and reduce redundant compliance work; a district witness opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment among public schools and conflicts with the idea of common schools. After questions about which reports would be waived and whether federal funds would be affected, the committee voted to send HB 883 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Joint Memorial 19, which expresses support for a federal effort to disband the U.S. Department of Education. Senator Den Hartog argued that education is not an enumerated federal power and said dismantling the department could reduce federal overreach while preserving student protections and shifting administration of programs elsewhere in the federal government. Testimony in support came from Idaho Family Policy Center, which said the department violates federalism and parental authority. Opponents raised concerns about uncertainty over where programs such as Title I, Pell Grants, special education, and school nutrition would be housed, and one witness warned that eliminating the department could worsen inequities and undermine civil rights and research functions. The committee ultimately voted to send HJM 19 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've proposed a pilot program that Louisiana would take on.
• Ward, Mark Ward. So he’s running SIEC and he’s running the other division.
• Ward, Mark Ward. So he's running SCIC and he's running the other division.
• And now it's rolled in with Mark Ward and recovery.
• The council proposes that...

Summary: The committee met on May 26, 2026, and first approved the minutes from the May 22, 2025 meeting. The main topic was the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster, with testimony from Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy staff, LSU and Tulane geoscientists, and later LSU law professor Keith Hall. Witnesses said the cause of the swarm has not been definitively identified, but induced seismicity from wastewater injection or hydraulic fracturing remains a concern. They described 50 earthquakes reported by the USGS in Red River, Bienville, DeSoto, and Natchitoches Parishes, including a magnitude 4.9 event on March 5, 2026, and explained that Louisiana’s sparse seismic network limits detection and depth/location estimates. C&E said it inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the events, found no violations, now requires more frequent injection reporting, and is working with researchers and LSU on a possible state monitoring network and future policy changes. Committee members asked about injection depths, fault locations, whether the activity could be natural, and whether Louisiana should adopt stronger monitoring or a traffic-light regulatory system like other states. The witnesses said more data is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn, but that denser monitoring can detect smaller quakes and help identify patterns. Professor Hall summarized responses in other states, including more frequent reporting, increased monitoring, injection reductions, moratoria, and traffic-light systems in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. Members also discussed whether operators should share more seismic and geologic data, and several said the state should avoid jumping to conclusions while still improving oversight. The committee then heard from William Berger, a Texas geoscientist, who described using AI and operator data to model wastewater injection and seismic risk, and said broader data sharing would improve forecasting and siting decisions. He and another witness emphasized that many earthquakes arise from clusters of wells rather than a single well, and that proprietary concerns limit voluntary disclosure. The committee also received a brief update from GOSEP and the Louisiana National Guard on the Barksdale Air Force Base drone incursions. GOSEP said it logged the incident in WebEOC and shared releasable information, while State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose. Officers said a task force has been formed, some personnel have received federal drone-mitigation training, and House Bill 940 is intended to mirror the task force MOU. Finally, Major General Thomas Friloux and Brigadier General Jason Maffus updated the committee on the merger of GOSEP into the Louisiana Military Department. They said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, brought back employees to in-person work, modernized the state’s common operating picture, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance through staffing and contract changes. They also noted the planned transfer of the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, ongoing hurricane preparedness, and continued coordination with parish emergency managers. No votes were taken on the substantive topics, and the meeting ended with the committee moving through its agenda items and receiving informational testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward? I appreciate Senators' work on this.
• Ward? Ortega, here. Pellerin, here. Petrie-Norris. Ward? Here. Ward, here. Wicks? Here.
• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye.
• Ward? Aye. Ward, I. Wicks? Aye. Wicks, aye. Wilson, aye. Wilson, aye. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on AI, immigration-related health care protections, digital financial assets, and online cannabis/hemp sales. SB 69 by Senator McNerney would create an AI-focused team within the Department of Justice to build enforcement expertise on civil rights, public safety, and legal issues tied to AI. SB 81 by Senator Arreguín would codify hospital and health facility policies limiting disclosure of patient immigration status and restricting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant. SB 97 by Senator Grayson would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets licensing law. SB 243 by Senator Padilla would impose guardrails on AI companion chatbots, including disclosures, anti-addictive design limits, self-harm protocols, and a private right of action. SB 378 by Senator Wiener would allow civil penalties against online marketplaces that advertise illicit intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Testimony on SB 69 emphasized that California needs in-house AI enforcement expertise at the DOJ; supporters said AG offices generally lack tech-policy specialists, while members asked about the Attorney General’s role and noted the office was neutral. SB 81 drew broad support from nurses, immigrant advocates, hospitals, labor, and community groups, who argued that hospitals should remain safe places for care regardless of immigration status; there was no opposition. SB 97 was described as a technical cleanup bill with stakeholder consensus, and the main public comment focused on ensuring blockchain-based nonfinancial products are not unintentionally swept into the law. SB 243 generated the most debate. Supporters, including the mother of a Florida teen who died by suicide after interacting with a chatbot, urged stronger protections for minors and vulnerable users. Opponents argued the bill’s definitions were too broad and could capture general-purpose AI systems, and raised concerns about privacy, cost, and a private right of action. Committee members largely supported the bill’s intent and discussed the need for guardrails without stifling innovation. SB 378 was supported by cannabis workers, retailers, and local government representatives who said online sales of untested intoxicating hemp and illegal cannabis are harming public health and the legal market; opponents from hemp and tech groups argued the bill could sweep in lawful hemp businesses and that definitions need refinement. The committee ultimately passed SB 69, SB 81, SB 97, SB 243, and SB 378, with SB 81 and SB 243 amended, and all five bills were sent onward to their next committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up today would be minutes approval, minutes of January 22nd, 2026, Senator Ward-Engelking.
• The minutes of January 22nd, 2026, Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Okay, committee, we have a motion, duly seconded, made by Senator Ward-Engelking, seconded by Senator
• , NCCI often calculates the expected fiscal impact of those proposed changes.
• NCCI does not lobby for any specific proposals.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Hampshire being the local versus a Ward Hampshire being the local versus a Ward and<00:13:45.240
• Senator Ward, may I just have a quick comment?
• </c><00:38:35.920><c> amendment</c> know we're looking at proposed amendment know we're looking at proposed
• </c> Senator Ward Senator Ward um<01:15:00.239><c> I</c><01:15:00.639><c> agree</c><01:15:01.040><c>
• </c> you thank you Senator Ward you thank you Senator Ward so<01:32:57.320><c> the</c><01:32:58.320><

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'll try to be fast. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• For the record, I am Janie Ward-Engelking, Senator from District 18.
• When this proposal was...
• When this proposal was...
• When this proposal was first introduced to our board, it was presented as a title bill.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, excused. Mr. Woodson. Mr. Yamashita, here.
• In recent years the Supreme Court struck down a proposed conam from this leave their conam questions
• With the warmest aloha, your friend and colleague, Jean Ward. Thank you, Representative Garcia.
• With the warmest aloha, your friend and colleague, Jean Ward. Thank you, Representative Garcia.
• Ward. Ward.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, deferred reading of the journal, and noted there were no messages from the governor or Senate communications. Members then offered several introductions recognizing guests in the gallery, including LifeSmarts awardees, DCCA and LifeSmarts program officials, former Representative Pono Chong and his children, an intern from District 39, a landback advocate, and staff from the Education Committee office. The chamber also marked the close of Education Week 2025 with applause and recognition of the visiting students and supporters. The main floor presentation was House Resolution 211, which congratulated the first- and second-place teams at the 2025 Havi LifeSmarts State Competition and the 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate. Representative Tam presented the resolution, praising the Eolani Raiders for winning first place and wishing them well at the upcoming Chicago competition. Representative Hashimoto recognized Kalanianaole High School’s second-place team, and Representative Woodson honored Wilson Chow of Maui High School for his leadership and service. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the House recessed briefly to allow members to congratulate the honorees. After recess, the House took up a large block of standing committee reports, moving reports 1406 through 1504 with a series of member notations including no votes, reservations, and a few brief explanations. Several members raised concerns about specific measures involving emergency readiness centers, immigration-related legal access, blank votes on ballot questions, electricity costs and Hawaiian Electric, and gambling. Some members spoke in support of measures while noting reservations about cost, process, or policy effects. The full package of reports was ultimately adopted by voice vote. During announcements, Representative Garcia read a statement from Representative Jean Ward announcing her resignation effective at the end of the month due to ongoing health issues, including anemia, sciatica, and pneumonia, after nearly 27 years of service. The House then adjourned by voice vote until 12:00 noon on Monday.