Transcript Highlights:

• What makes the existing system work are economic incentives.
• Before the fire, our system was recognized as a high-functioning water system and a reason I moved there
• to the size of the water systems.
• The way our system works is there are two witnesses.
• You can't; the way our system works is there are two witnesses.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, environmental, recycling, and land-use bills, beginning with SB 925 by Senator McNerney, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy. Supporters said the bill would help California retain leadership in fusion research and commercialization, attract investment, and create jobs, while some members emphasized the need to avoid overregulation and keep the state competitive. No opposition testified, and the bill was later approved on a 4-0 vote and held on call. The committee also heard SB 1350, another McNerney bill, to expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for turbines using renewable hydrogen. Supporters framed it as a way to support clean energy reliability, preserve tax credits, and create jobs, while opponents including TURN and Earthjustice warned about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions. The author and chair described committee amendments as adding guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 and was held on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145, which would streamline CEQA and related review for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, part of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station. The bill is intended to speed a long-planned transit-oriented development with housing, commercial space, parks, and open space; supporters included local officials, labor groups, and business organizations, while a housing group raised concerns about affordable housing guarantees but still supported the CEQA exemption. The committee described the bill as balancing streamlining with retained environmental review and approved it 4-0, held on call. Senator Cabaldon’s SB 1341, dealing with CalRecycle processing fees for bag-in-a-box wine and spirits containers, also drew support from the wine industry and some environmental groups that wanted a workable recycling market, while glass packaging and other opponents objected to giving CalRecycle too much discretion; it too passed 4-0 and was held on call. The committee then heard SJR 13 by Senator Padilla, urging the U.S. to seek enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution at the 2026 USMCA review. Supporters described severe public health and environmental harms from sewage and runoff in the Tijuana River and New River watersheds, especially for border and farmworker communities, and the resolution passed 4-0. Padilla’s SB 1033, requiring protein product manufacturers to test for and disclose heavy metals, drew support from consumer and public health groups citing Consumer Reports findings, while industry groups argued for narrower scope, QR-code options, and thresholds tied to health standards; the bill passed 3-0 and was held on call. Senator Ashby’s SB 1010, creating a manufacturer-funded system for refrigerant recovery from discarded appliances, was supported as a climate and enforcement measure but opposed by appliance manufacturers and recyclers who said existing law already regulates refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and reduce recycling; it passed 4-0 and was held on call. Finally, Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley. Supporters said the bill would help ensure solar development benefits local communities and farmland, while solar industry groups argued it duplicated existing work and should better reflect solar’s benefits; the bill was heard but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it was kind of a rough and tumble system it was kind of a rough and tumble system in<00:10:21.680
• And once college system are takers.
• And that's entire system long term.
• </c> jumpst starts them into the new system. jumpst starts them into the new system.
• So the system.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee met to consider amendments to House Bill 111. It first adopted amendment number one without objection. Members then discussed a Senate amendment related to a $750,000 state match for the Central Wyoming College Jackson project, with Senator Laursen explaining the request as a way to leverage local fundraising for the final phase of the project. He said the project had been underway since 2018, that the building was nearing completion, and that the amendment was intended to encourage a local fundraising campaign rather than wait for a later appropriation. Representative Lien questioned whether the funding had gone through the usual approval process, and other members raised concerns about bypassing standard procedures, while Laursen argued the request was consistent with prior late-stage project adjustments and reflected local skin in the game. The discussion also covered a Senate amendment concerning University of Wyoming land use, specifically whether language should remain requiring open space or allow trustees more flexibility to decide between open space and parking. One member moved to delete the Senate amendment and reinsert the stricken language, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn so the committee could consider all amendments together. Members noted that the university had already been discussing the plan and that the language change would not necessarily alter the trustees’ authority, though it might protect the university. The committee then turned to a Gillette College/Enzi building amendment. Senator Driscoll said the proposal was his own and not requested by the college, and Janelle Overberlander, founding president of Gillette Community College District, testified about the history of the project, including the 2021 separation from the Northern Wyoming Community College District, prior planning for a STEM building, and the later decision to revive the project as an academic building honoring Senator Enzi. She said the building is intended to address lab space needs and support industry partners, including companies expected to bring jobs to Campbell County. Driscoll explained that the amendment would provide a dollar-for-dollar match for non-state money and require Gillette College to move to a four-mill levy, which he said would eventually make the college a net contributor to the system. The committee continued discussing the amendment and its long-term fiscal effects, but no final vote on the later amendments is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps in planning our water systems and our road systems.
• What if we look at them as a system? What efficiencies can we find if we look at them as a system?
• It's the same thing true when you think about cooling systems and heating systems.
• In data centers now, these cooling systems are running on a closed-loop system.
• . ...could connect with their system, and maybe one day become part of their system would be ideal.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cal-Access Replacement System Project, or CARS project, will implement a new data-driven system,
• replacing the existing forms-driven system.
• The system is adequately funded by federal funds.
• And the system will be in the full M&O phase.
• So the delay was part of system change or technology.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1796, DNA match tracking system, DPS. Public Safety.
• SB 1798, school safety identification system appropriation. Appropriations and Education.
• SB 1756, standards Arizona plane coordinate system.
• SB 1781, law enforcement training alert systems. SB 1782, runways alert systems.
• These systems need repairs and they need some shoring up. They're old and they're tired.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An equally important part of our work involves making it easier for people to access the court system
• They are daily reminders that safeguarding the justice system requires constant vigilance.
• That shared responsibility remains at the heart of our constitutional system.
• That shared responsibility remains at the heart of our constitutional system.
• That shared responsibility remains at the heart of our constitutional system.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the prior day’s journal, and then received the annual State of the Judiciary address from Idaho Chief Justice G. Richard Bevan. The Chief Justice described the courts’ workload and fiscal restraint, noting large increases in civil caseloads, continued heavy criminal and juvenile dockets, and the importance of treatment courts, mediation, self-help services, remote hearings, and court assistance officers. He also discussed modernization efforts in court technology, courthouse construction and security concerns, cybersecurity threats, civic education initiatives, and five judiciary priorities for the next three years: improving operations, strengthening public trust, ensuring safety, building workforce capacity, and using technology and data effectively. After the address was ordered spread upon the journal, the Senate returned to business. Senate Joint Resolution 102, proposing a constitutional amendment related to state trust lands, was introduced and referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. The Governor’s appointments of Estella Zamora to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and Janet Lawler to the Commission of Pardons and Parole were received and referred to the appropriate committees. Two bills were introduced on first reading and referred for printing: Senate Bill 1224 on slow-moving vehicles and Senate Bill 1225 on presidential searches for state institutions of higher education. During miscellaneous business, senators announced that the next day’s floor time would shift to 11 a.m. for America 250-related activities, with a chairman’s lunch at noon. The Senate then adjourned until 11 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Synergy is building the template within their system.
• Which was to address systemic deficiencies identified in prior rulings and.
• So I know this will be up to the judicial system.
• It was a new system, and all of us who work in education, I’m preaching to the choir.
• the system Achievement was the real concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• will require ignition interlock companies to provide proof of installation of ignition interlock systems
• ignition interlock devices or notifications to prosecuting authorities when an ignition interlock system
• ignition interlock devices or notifications to prosecuting authorities when an ignition interlock system
• It should make, it should add accountability to the system. Thank you, Senator Lenney.
• So I don't have any statistics that relate directly back to the ignition interlock system.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard a brief introduction of Hazel Stevens, a new page from Kuna High School who said she is interested in government and hopes to attend NNU and become a lawyer. Members asked her a few light questions before moving to legislation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1311, which would require ignition interlock companies to notify the Idaho Transportation Department when a device is installed and to notify prosecutors when an interlock prevents a vehicle from starting, so the DUI interlock period begins with proof of installation and enforcement can be better tracked. Testimony from Senator Foreman and AAA Idaho’s Matt Condi emphasized accountability, closing loopholes, and public safety; some senators raised concerns about reporting low alcohol readings, possible false positives, and added surveillance. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then received the Idaho Supreme Court’s annual presentation from court administrative staff. Imelda Lopez described court assistance officers, who help self-represented litigants with forms, procedures, child support calculations, and referrals, while not giving legal advice; she noted the program’s statewide reach, low or no cost, and use of online forms and community partners. Chris Paulson outlined Family Court Services, including Focus on Children, mediation, funding assistance for family-law services, and more intensive tools such as child interviews, focused assessments, parenting time evaluations, co-parent coaching, and supervised visitation. He said these services are used in a relatively small share of cases but are important for resolving disputes and supporting families. Israel Enriquez then presented on treatment courts in the Fifth Judicial District and statewide, describing drug, DUI, mental health, veterans, and juvenile drug courts as highly structured accountability programs for high-risk, high-need offenders. He said participants face intensive supervision, testing, treatment, work, restitution, and court appearances, and argued the courts reduce recidivism and save incarceration costs. Members thanked the presenters, with one senator noting the importance of treatment courts amid budget concerns. Finally, the committee considered two court-request bills from Senator Lakey. Senate Bill 1308 would update a mediation statute by removing an outdated reference to a civil procedure rule, and Senate Bill 1309 would codify the priority of payments for juvenile case funds, with restitution to victims first and then other juvenile justice costs. Both bills were moved and passed unanimously with due pass recommendations, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are you prohibiting the ADS systems from the fees? What is the issue around that?
• The ADS system is something relatively new in avionics, and it's a system that's been required by the
• Sir, we're talking about an ADS system. Yes. Not an instructor that gets up.
• Sir, we're talking about an ADS system. Yes.
• We make more in one month using the system and getting accurate information from the system.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met and first considered SB 86, which would make it unlawful for unauthorized aliens to operate commercial motor vehicles in Florida. The sponsor described the bill as a highway safety measure, requiring lawful presence, a valid CDL, English proficiency, and the ability to communicate with law enforcement. The bill also provides for impoundment, custody transfer to federal authorities, a civil penalty on the motor carrier, and an out-of-service order. An amendment was adopted, public testimony included support from the Florida PBA, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 706, which preempts naming of major commercial service airports to the state and would rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment was adopted to make the change subject to FAA approval, a trademark agreement, and a reasonable implementation period for Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County representatives supported the measure and the amendment, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee approved SB 1670, a specialty license plate bill for the “outsider” plate, after adopting an amendment reducing the Huber Brothers Foundation’s share of proceeds from 25% to 10%. The committee also passed SB 1054, which increases penalties for traffic infractions that result in crashes involving red lights or stop signs, including higher fines, license suspensions, and a one-year bodily injury insurance requirement after injury-causing crashes. Testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups supported the bill, and it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 422 on ADS-B aviation surveillance data. The bill would prohibit use of ADS-B data to calculate or collect landing-related fees, and an amendment narrowed the prohibition to fees tied to landings, touch-and-goes, or entering a fee-assessing airspace radius. Aviation groups, pilots, and airport officials offered extensive testimony, with supporters arguing the bill protects safety and prevents inaccurate or surprise billing, while airport representatives said they use the data for fee collection and operational purposes and wanted further changes. Despite those concerns, the committee reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with the core system, the BenefitsCal portal was implemented at the same time, and this service
• What systems can we make it more at the user level so that we're making it easier to inform folks who
• that are highly available with minimum downtimes, secure systems for the data and the workloads that
• To be an expert of these systems in many cases, right?
• and our child welfare system.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an overview of efforts to streamline access to safety net programs and move toward more automatic, person-centered enrollment. CDSS, DHCS, and CalHHS described current cross-enrollment between Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs, including data showing high overlap among programs and a text-message outreach pilot that increased CalWORKs applications and enrollments but reached only a small share of potentially eligible people. Witnesses emphasized barriers such as differing federal eligibility rules, data-sharing limits, privacy concerns, and the need for better technology, consent management, and stakeholder engagement. Members pressed the administration on how to institutionalize these efforts across administrations and asked for concrete budgetary and regulatory steps to support “no wrong door” enrollment and automatic referrals. The committee also reviewed several chair priorities. On the proposed foster care multi-agency office, CDSS said existing coordination structures already address much of the intended work and asked to verify prior fiscal scoring. On the Employment First Office, CalHHS explained that the office’s $1 million budget was eliminated in the 2024-25 budget as part of deficit reductions, while noting that employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities remains an administration priority through existing departmental coordination. For the food insecurity proposal, CDSS said it could provide technical assistance but would need new data-sharing agreements, could not separately calculate a CFAP participation rate with current data, and would likely need until July 1, 2027, plus ongoing staffing, to complete the requested report. The mandated reporter proposal drew support for reform, with CDSS estimating low-millions in one-time training costs and ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands. The subcommittee also discussed a guaranteed income proposal. CalHHS suggested drafting new statutory language and considering a county-administered model rather than a state-run competitive grant process to reduce administrative burden, while members and public commenters urged support for AB 661 and a study of a permanent statewide guaranteed income program. Public testimony also supported automatic enrollment, community-supporting mandated reporting reforms, and cash assistance for fire recovery. In the final items, CSD described how local nonprofit partners helped during the Los Angeles fires with food, housing vouchers, transportation, and emergency energy assistance, and explained that LIHEAP and CSBG remain important but limited tools for disaster response. CSD also said recent federal staffing cuts and possible future federal budget threats could affect LIHEAP and CSBG administration, though no immediate service disruptions had occurred and additional LIHEAP funds were expected to be released soon.

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as Texas Tech system are sending in their responses as well.
• Moving to page 18, this is for the University of Texas system.
• One, the top of the page, this writer was adopted at Texas A&M University System. system for the quantum
• The next adopted item is for the Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.
• Regulatory Filing Fees permitting systems was adopted for $6.3 million.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THEY DO HAVE A BRAND-NEW SYSTEM. THE APS. WE DID A REALLY QUICK UPGRADE TO THAT.
• TO THANK ALL THE SYSTEM PARTNERS THAT WORK WITH US ON CREATING THE RULE.
• WE ARE WORKING WITH USF HAVING A BRAKE SYSTEM.
• EVERYBODY IN THAT GROUP HAS HAD EXPERIENCE IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
• EVEN GOING AS FAR AS WORKING WITH SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we also have our 28 Florida college system institutions.
• Florida College system institution.
• It was 50 school districts and 14 Florida college system institutions.
• All of our post-secondary institutions are Florida college system.
• School districts and Florida college system institutions.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So keep that in mind. sound system in this room. So, the sound system in this room.
• </c> judges, my court system. judges, my court system.
• Clarifies that protocol systems.
• Court staff would need to system.
• </c> the court system. the court system.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Small systems, such as residential systems, medium and large systems—we need all hands on deck.
• Medium systems, like community solar, and large-scale systems, whether they're solar or wind.
• systems.
• In the system means that we can't store water upstream either, so it makes the system really inefficient
• System whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this system is already a tried-and-true system. It's already built. It's called Guardify. Okay.
• is already, a tried and true system.
• But consistency isn't exactly what this system makes easy; consistency is exactly what the system makes
• I truly mean that in a system here in this state.
• So I am asking you to complete the system.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the system is moving in the right direction.
• We are investing in infrastructure from roads to water systems.
• The justice system can act.
• This is a targeted fix to make the system work as it intended.
• It simply strengthens the system so that it works as intended.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, too many veterans are left to navigate a complex and confusing system alone.
• With the system alone. In LA County, we are working hard to change that reality.
• care systems.
• We're unique in our funding systems.
• And further along, they're going to hurt the system down the road. Right. Right.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• holistically to see: is the system working, or is the system in need of systemic change?
• I will mention that the retirement system is 94% funded.
• I will mention that the retirement system is 94% funded.
• That says the retirement system has been managed very well over a long period of time.
• , the teachers' retirement system, there had been minimal COLAs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So every election judge would system.
• Um, that tracking system doesn't currently exist.
• Um that tracking system doesn't ballots.
• You actually made the case um, for again our system working.
• You actually made the case um, for again our system working.

Keywords: 1183, house