Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2962 request is right there.
• This is a constituent request bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is a constituent request bill.
• The constituent that requested I run this bill, his is being like five years ago.
• This is at the request of the appropriations and budget chairman, that instead of striking title and
• Members, House Bill 3047 is a LOFT request bill.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on a due-pass basis. Representative Grego’s bill to keep a prescribed-burn indemnity fund framework alive, with no state cost and hopes of private or insurance funding, passed 6-0 after discussion about wildfire risk and encouraging safer burns. Representative West’s HB 2962, removing time limits and refund caps for certain tax overpayment claims and extending refund rights for tribal members and former wards, also passed 6-0, with the sponsor saying it would apply retroactively. Representative Archer’s HB 3175, as a committee substitute, would begin creating a state nuclear regulatory framework in anticipation of future federal court changes; it passed 4-3. Representative May’s HB 3336 to remove the salary cap on the OMES CIO failed 2-5 and remained in Appropriations and Budget, while his HB 3831 to create a revolving fund for Oklahoma Task Force One equipment upgrades passed 6-1. Representative Wolfley’s HB 3566 raising tag agent title-transfer fees from $2.25 to $3.75 passed 6-1, and Representative Lawson’s HB 3621 to recreate a state data center for census preparation and LUCA support passed 6-1 after he agreed to amend it to be subject to available funds. Other measures advanced included HB 2958, a 9% pay raise for state employees, which passed unanimously 8-0; HB 3047, making LOFT the clearinghouse for statutorily required agency reports, which passed 6-1; HB 4301, strengthening the VA escape clause by requiring earnest-money refunds when a VA-financed home does not appraise, which passed 7-0; and HB 1979, creating a two-year task force to consolidate early childhood programs across agencies, which passed 4-2. The committee also heard a bill allowing the Attorney General’s Office and District Attorneys Council to buy vehicles without going through OMES, and it passed 6-2. After finishing the agenda, the committee announced a short recess before reopening for an Emergency Management budget hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fiscal Bureau, could you please explain this item in the request?
• So back in January, DWD requested additional funds. I'm pretty sure it's June now.
• The agency did not specify where the money would come from for the request.
• Where the money would come from for the request.
• And this was really a chance in the budget.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so our budget is very locked down.
• So environmental health budget is tight, just like any other agency budget, and we cannot... ...it has
• This is not the total budget for the licensing and certification program.
• And Senator Short has a request. Well, thank you.
• I look to budget writers who have an impossible task. I'm sorry.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5816, which would add juice grapes to Washington’s Agricultural Marketing and Fair Practices Act. Staff explained that the bill would allow juice grape producers to form an accredited association to negotiate with processors under the same timelines used for pears, and the prime sponsor said the measure was intended to help growers obtain fairer prices. A grape grower testified that Washington producers face a small number of buyers, little real negotiation, and prices far below New York’s, arguing the bill would give growers a way to bargain collectively. The public hearing closed with 47 people noted in support and one in opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5971, which would create a green fertilizer incentive program for low-carbon nitrogen fertilizer production and use in Washington. Staff described the bill as directing WSDA to establish the program, adopt rules by 2028, and report to the Legislature, with costs shown in the fiscal note. The prime sponsor and several supporters, including Atlas Agro, a port representative, labor, NRDC, WSDA, the League of Women Voters, and the Washington State Potato Commission, said the bill could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local manufacturing and jobs, stabilize fertilizer supply and prices for farmers, and help Washington compete for federal clean hydrogen tax credits. WSDA said the program was implementable with consultation and that the Climate Commitment Act could be a funding source, though it noted rulemaking costs. The committee then held a work session on commercial shellfish fee assessments after the Department of Health adopted major fee increases for shellfish licensing and certification. Shellfish growers and association representatives said the increases—described as ranging from roughly 233% to 789% overall, with some individual licenses rising much more—would hit small and family farms hardest, could force closures, and were based on a fee structure they said is outdated and not tied well to production. DOH explained that the program has long relied on general fund support, that federal shellfish safety requirements must be maintained, and that the new fees are intended to move the program toward full cost recovery after years without increases. The department said it had used a phased approach, reopened rulemaking to look for a fairer structure, and would continue working with industry and the Legislature; no vote was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's somebody that can answer the breakdown on the budget better than I can, but it goes into the
• It is a straightforward request, at least partially spurred by some inquiries made by members of the
• Appropriations Committee in the Senate and the House Budget Committee.
• The budget itself has not been changed since it was originally implemented in 1994.
• It was an either-or request at that time.

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum, announced that House Bills 3304, 2777, and 3054 would not be heard that day, and then moved into executive session. In executive session, the committee considered House Bill 1910, which concerns child maintenance/child support obligations for certain persons convicted of DWIs. Representative Davis offered an amendment changing mandatory language from “shall” to “may” to preserve judicial discretion; the amendment was adopted 5-2 with one present. The committee then adopted a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 1910 do pass 7-0 with one present. The committee next took up House Bill 3116, a civil jurisprudence bill. An amendment was adopted to incorporate provisions from three previously heard bills: HB 1711 (Uniform Deposition Act), HB 1713 (allowing circuit courts to dissolve LLCs), and HB 3072 (workers’ compensation changes). The committee rolled the amendment into a substitute and voted the House Committee substitute for HB 3116 do pass 8-0. The committee also considered House Bill 3289 on court operations. An amendment was adopted to add treatment court administrators in certain circuits, subject to appropriations, then rolled into a substitute. The House Committee substitute for HB 3289 was voted do pass 8-0. In public hearing, Representative Dolan presented House Bill 3443, which would raise the court automation fee from $7 to $10 and add a CPI-based annual adjustment. Supporters from the Judicial Conference of Missouri said the fee has not been updated since the 1990s, that court automation costs continue to rise, and that the surcharge covers only a portion of the system’s expenses; they also noted that salaries are generally funded through general revenue rather than fees. Committee members asked about the new fee amount, what the revenue would support, and the collection-rate assumptions in the fiscal note. No opposition testimony was offered. Representative Parker then presented House Bill 2865, which would remove the statutory cap of $75 per hour for attorney’s fees in certain agency/licensure proceedings and replace it with “reasonable” fees. He and supporters said the current rate has not been updated since 1989 and is too low to attract attorneys for cases involving licensed professionals defending their licenses. Testimony in favor came from a private attorney who practices in this area, the Missouri Bar, and another supporter who said the bill would improve representation for Missouri licensees. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing on HB 2865 was concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's somebody that can answer the breakdown on the budget better than I can, but it goes into the
• Appropriations Committee in the Senate and the House Budget Committee.
• The budget itself has not been changed since it was originally implemented in 1994.
• There was a request put forward by the Court Automation Committee.
• It was an either-or request at that time.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Consent has been requested. Is there objection?
• Well, the current budget outlook, as of January, according to the February LSO General Fund Budget Monitor
• Now this has been requested. Is there objection?
• Unanimous consent has been requested. Is there objection?
• Unanimous consent has been requested. Is there objection?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages and committee reports before moving through a long third-reading calendar. Several bills were introduced or advanced, including measures on restroom access and indecency (HB 752), assertive community treatment (HB 753), foreign law in Idaho courts (HB 602), police dog protections expanded to electronic storage detection dogs (HB 654), hospital taxing district petition procedures (HB 549), legislative candidate residency requirements (HB 673), driver’s education options in urban districts (HB 628), and redesign of the agricultural license plate supporting Ag in the Classroom (HB 663). The House also passed HB 652, which would make hunting the official state sport of Idaho, after brief debate about its cultural significance and nonexclusive nature. Debate centered most heavily on HB 556, which would raise county jail reimbursement for state inmates from the current structure to a flat $80 per day. Supporters argued counties are absorbing large unreimbursed costs, jails are overcrowded, and the state should pay more of its own incarceration expenses; opponents cited the bill’s $3.1 million ongoing fiscal impact and the state’s tight budget. Despite those concerns, HB 556 passed 59-10 with one abstention. HB 602 also drew discussion over whether limiting foreign law could recreate prior problems with enforcing out-of-country child support orders; the sponsor said the bill was narrower and preserved constitutional and treaty protections, and it passed 61-6. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the year before filing, generated the most extended debate. Supporters said it would ensure candidates are actually part of the communities they seek to represent, while opponents raised concerns about retroactivity, military service, travel for family care, and the burden of proving residency. Rather than defeat the bill, the House voted 63-6 to send it to General Orders for further work. The House then passed HB 628 on parent-taught driver education in urban districts despite safety objections, and HB 663 on the Ag in the Classroom license plate redesign. The chamber adjourned after announcements and committee scheduling notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:56.559><c> proposal</c> Appropriations um the budget proposal Appropriations um the budget
• in Hennepin County as well as budget, too.
• </c><01:33:14.320><c> for</c> any others but this is a a request for any others but this is a a request
• </c><02:09:28.920><c> either</c> year with Grant Program requests either year with Grant Program requests
• </c> applications for $23 million in requests applications for $23 million in requests out<02:10:34.599

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the new federal budget triples ICE annual budget to nearly 29.9 billion a year and increases immigration
• Uh, the new federal budget triples ICE annual budget to nearly 29.9 billion a year and increases immigration
• Uh, the new federal budget triples ICE annual budget to nearly 29.9 billion a year and increases immigration
• Uh, the new federal budget triples ICE annual budget to nearly 29.9 billion a year and increases immigration
• Because of the budget, the federal budget that was passed. Yeah.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:01.920><c> through</c> services that can be requested through services that can be requested
• So they need to be requesting these services or directing someone else to request on their behalf.
• Um it is request on their behalf.
• Um but we long term in the budget.
• for this PDM increase. in the budget, it's actually on page 116 in the budget, it's actually on page

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 2. Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 3. Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 4. Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 5. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 6. Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 18% of their budget. They'll have to close the school.
• request a full reappraisal.
• Within a deadline and the requesting entity must pay for it.
• They can request this. They don't need to use it for taxing.
• My clients do not have litigation budgets.

Bills: HB1952, HB3258, HB3524, HB3851, HB4478, HB4613, HB4703, HB4742, HB4744, HB4809, HB4864

Keywords: county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh 277 million in funding requested. uh 277 million in funding requested.
• Um, yes, that's a request that the Metropolitan Council included in their agency requests.
• Do you see that as the operating budget or the operating budget or >> I, Chair Hansen, Mr.
• Do you see that as the operating budget or the operating budget or >> I, Chair Hansen, Mr.
• </c> that's an operating budget. that's an operating budget. &gt;&gt; Correct. &gt;&gt; Correct.

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• is actually for a same level request is actually for a same level budget<00:08:43.000><c> which</c><
• </c><00:27:18.880><c> request</c><00:27:19.880><c> um</c> ...and so to our budget request, as you've
• for the board, and so we've added on a 10% request for operating budget.
• for the board, and so we've added on a 10% request for operating budget.
• for the board, and so we've added on a 10% request for operating budget.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a request you'll see on our budget in the amount of about $120,000.
• what the governor's requested reduction was.
• bill, and they have a couple one-time requests.
• Budget and Finance reviewed and considered these.
• Budget and Finance reviewed and considered these.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's sort of our traditional um budget that we're used to seeing every year.
• Chair, maybe that's a good time for budget questions.
• Um, I just have a request.
• budget.
• Uh, and all of those things culminating in budget and policy proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee substitute for committee. with one amendment and request the concurrence of the Senate.
• So I hope we, you know, have the money for that as we do the budget.
• President, I move the Senate refuse to concur in the House Amendment Barcode 692-383 and request that
• In the West Gallery, I have two incredible interns. one Tom Cotton and Rick Scott have requested that
• We'll save the traditional hanky drop ceremony for our special session on the budget.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's almost like a performance-based budgeting exercise about funding and results.
• And I think your budget and your whatever sector you're in shows your priorities.
• And if the UC system isn't budgeting this as a priority, then we need to change that.
• Oversight, as has been requested by the Office of the President.
• Another question is, in the case of the campuses receiving a joint repatriation request...

Summary: The joint hearing of the Select Committee on Native American Affairs and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee focused on the University of California’s compliance with NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA and the return of Native American human remains and cultural items. Senators and Assembly Members opened by emphasizing the sacredness of repatriation, the ongoing trauma caused by delayed returns, and the need for stronger systemwide accountability. The State Auditor presented the third audit of UC’s repatriation efforts, concluding that UC still lacks the urgency, oversight, and clear timelines needed to promptly return remains and belongings. The audit found thousands of remains and hundreds of thousands of cultural items still in UC custody, new undisclosed collections at several campuses, weak budgeting and underspending, and repatriation plans that often lacked concrete deadlines. The auditor recommended stronger UCOP oversight, performance metrics, proactive searches for undiscovered items, and possible legislative action to tie funding to measurable progress. UC officials responded that the system is committed to full compliance and has accelerated its work since adopting a new policy in 2022. UC Provost Catherine Newman said the system repatriated more than 2,800 ancestors and nearly 80,000 funerary belongings in the past year, and that UC now says 80.3% of Native American remains are either repatriated or available for repatriation. UC announced a new systemwide plan to complete repatriation of human remains by the end of 2028, to finish high-risk campus reviews by June 2026, to recall all loans by January 2026, and to require quarterly reporting to UCOP. UC also said it will spend an additional $8.8 million over three years, expand staffing, improve databases, support tribal consultation costs, and identify potential reburial sites on UC land. Berkeley and San Diego described increased staffing, consultations, and repatriation activity, while Santa Barbara said it had corrected earlier omissions, notified tribes about previously unreported ancestors, and was working toward completing repatriations and updated inventories. Committee members pressed UC on why progress has been so slow, why the audit’s timelines differed from UC’s public reporting, and whether the 2028 goal applies only to human remains rather than all cultural items. UC said the 2028 target is for human remains, while cultural items will take longer, and acknowledged that more work remains. Members also asked about the technical expertise needed for repatriation, the role of tribal experts, and whether repatriation should be embedded more permanently in UC governance or statute. Tribal leaders and representatives then testified that remains and belongings were taken without consent and must be returned with tribal consent and leadership. They criticized the repeated delays, stressed that tribes are the experts on their ancestors and cultural heritage, and urged UC to treat repatriation as a top priority and to return all associated items, not just human remains, so ancestors can truly rest.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with respect to Monday's meeting, which is possible executive, please make requests for amendments
• conference with the parties is required to assure the eligibility of the transfer requests.
• I know there's a portion of your budget to keep these roads clean.
• , but I've not briefed in Capital Budget.
• A fiscal note has been requested as of February 3, but it is not yet available.

Bills: HB1367, HB2172, HB2718, HB2139, HB2192, HB2307, HB2379, HB2467, HB2495, HB2604

Keywords: motorcycle safety, right shoulder, shoulder riding, limited access roadway, freeway, expressway, highway congestion, lane splitting, traffic safety, RCW, Washington traffic law, roadside assistance, emergency vehicles, tow truck, congested traffic, motorcyclist, route jurisdiction, abandonment, transportation, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1476 is a request bill from the CLO.
• Senator Hines requested unanimous consent to strike title.
• Senator Mann requesting unanimous consent to strike title.
• Senate Bill 1735 is a request from CareerTech.
• Senator McIntosh requests unanimous consent to strike title.

Summary: The Senate Education Committee considered a long agenda of education-related bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Early actions included passage of SB 843, which allows certain rural schools with low average daily membership to hire teachers related to board members in the second degree, and SB 1733, which requires schools to report child sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours before conducting their own investigation. The committee also advanced SB 1476, a Commissioners of the Land Office cleanup bill that makes land exchange approvals permissive, updates terminology, and expands permanent school fund investment options to include private equity and private credit; members questioned CLO staff about appraisals, notices, ethics, and audits before voting it out 11-0. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 1237, the Teacher Bill of Rights, which would codify various teacher protections involving religious expression, discipline, planning time, workplace safety, and due process. Senators raised extensive questions about religious symbols, prayer, Bible use, classroom discipline, and whether some provisions were already in law; the author said the bill was intended to protect teachers and improve recruitment and retention. Despite concerns that some language was vague or duplicative, the bill passed 7-4. The committee also passed SB 1410 to codify the Ag in the Classroom program after deleting a section that would have increased a license plate fee, and SB 1894, which would remove the five-year cap on professional development hours for certain teacher training, though the title was struck for further work. Later, the committee approved SB 1272 to raise the income cap for the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant, SB 1204 to provide three days of bereavement leave for education employees after the loss of a spouse or child, including miscarriage, and SB 1721 to extend the sunset of the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education. It also passed SB 1725 on higher-education expressive activity and free speech training, SB 1735 giving CareerTech sole authority over its accreditation, SB 1337 establishing paid paternity leave for education employees, SB 1339 codifying funding for the 2023 teacher pay raise for off-formula districts, SB 1461 extending the OETA sunset to 2031, and SB 1975 centralizing notice of AP testing locations. Several bills drew brief discussion about fiscal impact, local control, and retention benefits, and the committee adjourned after noting one agenda item had been laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I wanted to address Representative Montoya's request.
• At the request of the whip over maybe last fall, there is a request to see if any of those federal exemptions
• At the request of the whip over maybe last fall, there is a request to see if any of those federal exemptions
• million agency budget for a report in a memorial.
• , it's still just a request.

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 5 and heard three measures. House Bill 246 would provide state matching funds for local governments already approved for federal flood mitigation assistance to buy out and rehabilitate floodplain properties, especially in Lincoln County, to reduce repetitive flood damage and restore land to a more natural floodplain. Supporters included county officials, emergency management, and a racetrack lobbyist, all emphasizing public safety, reduced disaster costs, and community recovery. Some members raised concerns about pre-flood property valuation and anti-donation issues, but the bill passed on a do-pass motion. House Bill 271 would appropriate funds through the Office of Natural Resources Trustee for natural resource recovery and public land access, including disaster recovery projects and expansion of recreational opportunities. Supporters argued it would help restore watersheds, improve access to public lands, and support hunting, fishing, and local outdoor economies. Several members questioned whether the bill was too open-ended, whether it could affect grazing or other existing rights, and why the trustee’s office was the right vehicle; the sponsor and trustee said the office has a transparent public process and that the bill would not create new eminent domain authority or adverse changes to existing rights. The committee approved the bill 9-1, with one member explaining support but noting lingering concerns. House Bill 254 would allow investor-owned electric utilities to count avoided greenhouse gas emissions when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs under the utility cost test. The sponsor and utility witnesses said this would help expand programs such as heat pumps, HVAC upgrades, and all-electric development, while opponents worried it could function as a rate increase or “double dipping” because customers already pay fees supporting efficiency programs. The committee passed the bill 7-3. Finally, House Joint Memorial 3 would ask the Environment Department to study PFAS exemptions and report back during the interim as rulemaking on the PFAS Protection Act proceeds. The memorial drew both support and opposition, with critics saying it conflicted with existing statute and was unnecessary, while supporters said it would ensure a thorough review of federal changes and consumer-product exemptions. The memorial passed 8-2, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's $17 million slated in the current budget because he's the chair of the budget, you know, so he
• And so with that, I would respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you, sir.
• And then a question for the author: What is the dollar amount request for the budget request that goes
• What is the dollar amount request for the budget request that goes along with this?
• AB 615 is a common-sense policy, public safety measure, to request...

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.