Transcript Highlights:

• Senator of the Ninth District, Senator McLean, you are recognized to explain the bill.
• Senator of the Fourth District, Senator Yarbrough, moves the bill be read a third time.
• I represent a very interfaith district. I'm an unapologetic Christian.
• Senator of the 31st District, Senator Harrell, you are recognized to explain the bill.
• Senator of the 31st District, Senator Harrell, you are recognized to explain the bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and others. Senators also observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to the special order calendar and took up a long series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate bills before final passage. Among the measures approved were bills creating an expedited DNA testing grant program for local law enforcement, adding aggravating factors in capital cases involving gatherings for religious, school, or government activities, requiring state health coverage for fertility preservation services for cancer patients, authorizing indemnification for commuter rail providers, prohibiting abandonment of migrant vessels in Florida waters, and creating new specialty license plates. The Senate also passed bills on Alzheimer’s awareness, relocating the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter schools, sex offender registration, utility worker protections, juvenile justice, student mental health reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School, school readiness, sexual images involving children, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county property appraiser employees. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and Brownfields. Debate was especially extensive on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered but failed 13-23 after arguments over election-related communications and the scope of existing law. The certified recovery residences bill also drew notable debate, with supporters emphasizing housing as essential to recovery and opponents raising concerns about implementation and local control. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes, including the capital aggravating factors bill, charter schools, and the Office of Faith and Community measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, the chair will entertain a motion to approve the November 21, 2025 meeting minutes.
• If there's anything else from the council, if there's nothing else from the council, I will entertain

Summary: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority advisory council met for its first public comment session, approved the November 21, 2025 minutes, and heard extensive comments from patients, industry members, and advocates. Public testimony focused on concerns about proposed legislative changes, including potency limits, tax increases, grow-license caps, reclamation bonds, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and bills affecting employee credentialing and edible definitions. Commenters also raised transparency concerns about the council’s composition, OMMA’s “secret shopper” program, access to records, and the need for more patient, processor, lab, and small-business representation. OMMA leadership gave agency updates, reporting that the medical portal had improved after earlier problems and that turnaround times were now about 36 days for commercial renewals, same day for credentials and transport agents, and eight days for patients. The agency also said it had added an administrative actions tab to its website, was moving forward with QA lab accreditation, and was working more closely with law enforcement on hemp-derived cannabinoid enforcement. The new Chief Science Officer reported accreditation progress for the QA lab, completion of several validation processes, 12 lab cases filed for 2024-2025 inspections, and one lab license revoked for noncompliance. Legislative staff reviewed bills moving through the session, including measures extending a moratorium, capping commercial grow licenses at 2,550, repealing the grow bond and adding a reclamation fee, and limiting THC in certain products, though one THC-cap bill had been amended into an advertising bill. Council discussion centered on proposed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package limits, with members arguing those limits could harm patients who need individualized dosing and create business disruptions. Members also discussed the need for better scientific testing methods, more timely inspection reports, and clearer guidance on license transfers. A major portion of the meeting addressed coordination between OMMA and OBNDD on enforcement against illegal or “gas station” cannabis products and bad actors. OBNDD explained its role in criminal enforcement, the use of search warrants and emergency suspensions, and how OMMA license revocations automatically affect OBN registrations. OMMA said it is now receiving more regular information from OBNDD and using that data to shut down licenses more quickly. The council also discussed whether public-facing license information should be redacted for safety, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Holy from the 6th District, west side of Spokane County. Excellent.
• for Chehalis and for the 7th District of Calville.
• For the record, Javier Valdez, from the 46th legislative district.
• For the record, Javier Valdez, from the 46 legislative district.
• Just last week in my own district, in the 46th district, three individuals were detained by ICE officers

Summary: The committee began with introductions and then heard Senate Bill 5865, which would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and require use of Washington Pattern Forms Committee forms instead. Staff, the prime sponsor, and judges’ association witnesses said the bill is a technical fix that would make garnishment calculations more accurate and efficient without changing substantive law. A collectors’ association witness said the current statutory form can be used if needed until new forms are available and raised concerns about the timeliness of pattern form updates, but was open to working on language. The public hearing on SB 5865 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-certified or accredited forensic lab. The sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle city attorney and traffic safety experts, described severe backlogs at the state toxicology lab, with some DUI blood results taking many months or longer and cases expiring before charges can be filed. Counties, prosecutors, sheriffs, and defense representatives generally agreed the backlog is a serious problem, but several warned the bill could shift costs to local governments, create uneven access to private testing, and raise due process concerns unless discovery cooperation is required. The committee then closed the hearing on SB 5880. Senate Bill 5912 would reinstate the indigent defense task force to study Washington’s public defense system and report recommendations by 2028. Supporters from counties, cities, public defense offices, and tribal interests said the statewide shortage of defense attorneys and rising costs are straining local budgets and delaying access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern Washington. Some witnesses urged the bill be amended to add more stakeholder representation, including clients and practitioners, and cautioned that the task force should not delay immediate action on funding and caseload standards. The hearing on SB 5912 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5837, a broad update to guardianship, conservatorship, and protective arrangement procedures. The bill would lower the minimum age for a proposed guardian from 21 to 18, expand notice options, clarify appointment of counsel, and streamline service and hearing procedures. Testimony was largely supportive, especially from kinship caregivers, legal aid, and estate-law practitioners who said the bill would reduce costly publication requirements and improve access to justice, though some witnesses requested amendments on notice, waiver language, emergency procedures, and counsel provisions. The committee reported 40 pro and 70 con sign-ins on the bill, then moved on. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing facial coverings during public interactions except in limited circumstances such as undercover work, SWAT operations, or health and safety needs. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant and marginalized communities, while opponents argued it could endanger officers, conflict with federal authority, and is tied to ongoing litigation over similar California legislation. Testimony was sharply divided, with some witnesses emphasizing public fear and trauma from masked officers and others arguing the bill would make officers more vulnerable and create constitutional problems. The hearing continued with additional public testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the State Senator from the Bristol and Norfolk District.
• If we want vibrant main streets and thriving commercial districts and resilient local economies, we need
• And in February, a district court... ...law and the OCC joined in support of the banks.
• In February, a district court in Illinois ruled that federal banking law does not preempt states from
• With that, I will entertain a motion. So moved. Motion made to adjourn. And second.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm proud that my district is home to the Ventura County Alumni Chapter. Yes.
• every night, and I chose to become a part of this chapter because of the work that they do in my district
• And you should know there are Deltas in every single one of your districts, so we're here to work with
• This is a district bill. Senator Grove. Thank you, Madam President.
• Colleagues, this is a district bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session on recognitions and resolutions honoring community groups and observances. Members welcomed the Far West region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Los Angeles South Bay alumni chapter, and later recognized the 2026 Latino Spirit Award honorees after adopting SR 86 on Cinco de Mayo Week. Senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support of the resolution, emphasizing Mexican history, Latino resilience, and shared struggles for justice. The Latino Spirit honorees included leaders in higher education, philanthropy, labor, health, advocacy, business, environmental justice, journalism, culinary arts, and music, along with a legacy award for Los Tigres del Norte. The Senate also adopted SCR 146 declaring May Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, SCR 154 establishing Green Star Veterans and Families Day, SCR 123 honoring California Peace Officers Memorial Day, SCR 164 recognizing Black Health Equity Advocacy Week, and SCR 103 designating Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. Testimony and floor remarks focused on health disparities, mental health, veteran suicide, and the sacrifices of peace officers, with several caucuses speaking in support of the health equity resolution. Each of these resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber then took up several appointments from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, confirming Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, Jason Johnson, Madeline McLean, Brian Bishop, and Sarah Larson, despite some protest votes from Senator Grove over the lack of action on another appointment. In third reading, the Senate passed SB 1159 on AI and public participation, SB 1416 on faster refunds for duplicate medical payments, SB 1273 on winery video advertising at instructional events, SB 941 limiting commissary markups in private detention facilities, SB 990 on a highway information sign near Ridgecrest, SB 1099 clarifying local authority to provide public benefits, and SB 1195 expanding tied-house exemptions for certain venues. The session concluded with adjournment memories for labor leader Kent Wong and Navy veteran-artist Vittaliano Victor Villar, and the Senate adjourned until May 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't know if you've had the opportunity to participate in your respective districts in Fire Ops
• It requires school districts to report their paid leave practices to the department.
• The second thing that it does, and we created a potential for school districts to maintain the efforts
• For school districts to maintain the efforts in literacy, this requires a 75% average over a three-year
• Thanks a lot, Senator Rotz, for entertaining my questions. Look, we've got to do something.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, due to the short time the committee has to hear bills, I would entertain a motion to
• For the record, my name is Representative Salahuddin from the 48th Legislative District, and I know you
• For the record, Strong Peterson, representing the 21st District.
• I pastor a church in Tacoma, but I'm also a superintendent in the Seattle-Tacoma district, which spans
• I pastor a church in Tacoma, but I'm also a superintendent in the Seattle-Tacoma district, which spans

Bills: HB2304 , SGA9280 , SGA9281

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin, due to the short time the committee has to hear bills, I would entertain a motion to
• For the record, my name is a sponsor dean representative from the 48th legislative district, and I know
• spoken with faith-based organizations and leaders across the state from Spokane to Tacoma to my own district
• For the record, Strong Peterson, representing the 21st District.
• For the record, I'm Representative Julie Reed from the 36th Legislative District, and I am here to talk

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on several measures and two gubernatorial appointments. At the start, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for Substitute House Bill 2354, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, and Second Substitute House Bill 2590. The committee also heard public testimony on House Bill 1859, which would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold needed to qualify for a density bonus. Supporters, including the sponsor, faith leaders, and local officials, said the current 100% affordability requirement has made projects difficult to finance and that the bill would better unlock underused church land for housing. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, which would further standardize where and how permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, and shelters can be sited, while limiting local barriers and allowing some negotiated conditions near schools or when local governments provide significant support. The sponsor and supporters from King County, housing providers, the Attorney General’s office, disability advocates, medical professionals, and others argued the bill would reduce discriminatory or inconsistent local siting rules and expand needed housing. Some local government representatives supported the bill but asked for additional amendments to preserve local flexibility, require on-site contacts, and clarify how operating conditions and funding agreements would work. The committee also heard House Bill 2590, which would revise rules for limited equity cooperatives so they can better function as a long-term affordable homeownership model and remain exempt from certain Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act requirements. Supporters said the bill would help preserve manufactured housing communities and other cooperative housing while maintaining affordability and oversight. House Bill 2354, a trailer bill to WACOIA, would make technical changes affecting common interest communities, including EV charging and heat pump cost responsibility, reserve studies, and audit thresholds; the Washington State Community Association’s Institute testified in support. In executive session, the committee confirmed gubernatorial appointments Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone and voted do-pass recommendations for EHB 1687, SHB 2269, and HB 2304, all subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• like the Tulare Lake drainage district for the work done in the 2023 flooding?
• Yeah I'm entertained by the phrase federal accountability. but nonetheless let me move on.
• I'm Jonathan Grossman from the 6th District Appellate Program. We are another appellate project.
• Our services for 32 counties served by the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento and the Fifth
• District. in Fresno.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2633 would increase business opportunities for the city of Garland, the city in my district
• Garland's lakefront areas, entertainment corridors, and revitalization zones are ripe for responsible
• I think the Alamo is in your district. Pardon? I think the Alamo is in your district.
• was filed against me by the counselor that taught the mental health program at my public school district
• So there is leverage in dollars, numbers, and volumes, and... ...people out of the district.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130 , HB256 , HCR19

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Boyer, are the school districts going to be responsible for installing, or is the state
• going to provide funding for the school districts to install the equipment?
• It provides relative to the downtown development district for the city of Baton Rouge, including governing
• Debbie Villio concerns salary increases for judges, including the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, District
• Courts, and the Criminal District Court of Orleans.

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR3 , HCR49 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HB1 , HB2 , HB42 , HB45 , HB66 , HB71 , HB79 , HB126 , HB133 , HB145 , HB159 , HB167 , HB213 , HB218 , HB222 , HB289 , HB291 , HB312 , HB313 , HB316 , HB324 , HB352 , HB383 , HB398 , HB403 , HB429 , HB457 , HB459 , HB511 , HB549 , HB571 , HB579 , HB591 , HB608 , HB616 , HB624 , HB766 , HB769 , HB783 , HB799 , HB804 , HB864 , HB874 , HB909 , HB951 , HB971 , HB983 , HB1005 , HB1017 , HB1051 , HB1056 , HB1095 , HB1126 , HB1129 , HB1186 , HB1193 , HB1223 , HB1224 , HB1230 , HB1235 , HB1249 , HB723 , HB36 , HB140 , HB181 , HB198 , HB205 , HB211 , HB226 , HB259 , HB271 , HB302 , HB335 , HB342 , HB487 , HB513 , HB623 , HB682 , HB730 , HB740 , HB761 , HB775 , HB797 , HB812 , HB816 , HB940 , HB968 , HB979 , HB1028 , HB1029 , HB1038 , HB1049 , HB1084 , HB1161 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1203 , HB1247 , HB1256 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB237 , SB250 , SB405 , SB406 , SB414 , SB433 , SB480 , SB513 , SB149 , HB359 , SB29 , SB43 , SB78 , HB210 , HB258 , HB468 , HB784 , HB134 , HB1117 , SB42 , SB274 , SB382 , SB449 , SB300 , HR74 , HB463 , HB715 , HB998 , SB80 , SB268 , SB444 , SB479 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , HB74 , HB119 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1236 , SB208 , SB217 , SB283 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> positions in our district. positions in our district.
• Um the testifiers we had today were school districts, public school districts.
• </c><00:26:03.520><c> What</c> districts, public school districts.
• What districts, public school districts.
• If they are going to entertain retired teachers and require the districts to withhold for the employer

Transcript Highlights:

• This has happened in my district in the same way it's happened in your district. ...and how to help.
• your districts since June 6.
• Come walk a day in my district.
• My district, AD 61, did not vote for Prop. 36, so I'm legislating as per my district. ...did not vote
• Our district attorney strongly opposed Prop. 36, and our district attorney has busted numerous retail

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:

• </c> struggling district is beyond me. struggling district is beyond me.
• </c> District 6. District 6.
• Farmington that every district in the state is a sending district.
• Farmington that every district in the state is a sending district.
• </c> those costs don't leave the district. those costs don't leave the district.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has happened in my district in the same way it's happened in your district. ...and how to help.
• your districts since June 6.
• Come walk a day in my district.
• My district, AD 61, did not vote for Prop. 36, so I'm legislating as per my district.
• Our district attorney strongly opposed Prop. 36, and our district attorney has busted numerous retail

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a new cemetery district, the Orange County Cemetery District, that was formed, and it's essentially
• You have the cemetery district, who was doing a locally owned cemetery, non-veteran, for lack of a better
• And CalVet's portion of this is designed or intended to begin after the cemetery district, mostly because
• The district actually has to have access to the CalVet portion in order to grade their property.
• So I know there's, as, as, as... ...dispensaries, licensed cannabis dispensaries in my district.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several CalVet budget updates first. CalVet reported progress on the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, explaining that DGS is revising the earlier feasibility study to reflect a smaller footprint and lower grading costs, with updated numbers expected by the end of April. Members and public commenters emphasized the project’s importance and asked whether additional budget authority or trailer bill language was needed; CalVet said it may need more spending authority but wanted to return after the revised study is complete. The committee also reviewed the Yountville skilled nursing facility replacement project, where CalVet said construction is nearing completion, a certificate of occupancy was received, and the new 240-bed facility will replace Holderman Hospital while older buildings will be repurposed for lower levels of care. CalVet also defended eliminating about 178 vacant positions at Yountville and West Los Angeles as a fiscal and staffing efficiency measure, saying current care levels can still be met and that retention and hiring efforts are improving. The committee then took up the Department of Cannabis Control’s enforcement and legal affairs proposal. DCC described the size of the illicit cannabis market, said enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, and asked for additional sworn staff, a new Redding-area field office, and more analysts to focus on distribution networks, organized crime, environmental harms, and high-priority public safety cases. Finance supported the proposal as a targeted investment, while the LAO had no additional comment. Members asked about funding impacts and local co-location options, and DCC said the request would be funded from cannabis excise tax revenues and could help shift sales into the legal market. Public testimony from the cannabis industry strongly supported more enforcement against illicit retail and said it would help legal operators compete. DCC also presented its hemp enforcement and regulation proposal tied to AB 8. The department said the law closes loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthens enforcement across agencies, and prepares for hemp to enter the cannabis regulatory framework in 2028. DCC requested staff for a civil enforcement unit, field-testing equipment, lab capacity to detect synthetic cannabinoids, a track-and-trace specialist, and a policy specialist. Members asked about enforcement in informal retail settings and consumer confusion, and DCC said the biggest problems have been smoke shops and online sales. Public commenters from the legal cannabis industry supported the proposal, saying intoxicating hemp has harmed the regulated market and created public safety risks. The Cannabis Control Appeals Panel then requested ongoing funding of $3.4 million to support 12 positions and its quasi-judicial appeals function. The panel said that with provisional licenses largely phased out, more annual licensees now have appeal rights and the workload is beginning to increase, with two cases currently on the docket. The LAO recommended limiting funding to three years and requiring a workload and comparative analysis before making the funding permanent, while Finance supported ongoing funding as consistent with the panel’s permanent statutory role. Members questioned the panel’s compensation and workload, noting that the five-member body is paid at a high statutory rate despite historically meeting only quarterly, though panel staff said the work now includes substantial case preparation and monthly hearings. Finally, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced two proposals: $2 million ongoing for the Contractors State License Board’s IT needs and $251,000 plus one limited-term position for the Board of Pharmacy to implement Proposition 34-related licensing policy and reduce barriers to licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cerritos College and Bellflower High School in my district.
• And I just want to mention Cerritos College in my Assembly district.
• AB 2120 is a priority bill in my district.
• you all to do the same in your districts.
• of the people and on behalf of myself in the district.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Honorable Trita, Assembly Member, 70th District, presiding.
• SB 246 creates a new medical supplemental program for district municipal public hospitals.
• Senate amendments address concerns raised by district counsel.
• Senate amendments address concerns raised by district counsel, so the bill has no opposition.
• Seeing and hearing no further business, I'm ready to entertain a motion to adjourn. Mr.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long consent and concurrence calendar. Early procedural actions included moving several bills to the inactive file, waiving the floor amendment deadline for certain measures, rescinding prior action on SB 733, and approving a motion to withdraw AB 710 from committee to the third reading file by a 42-12 vote. The chamber also re-referred AB 406 to Labor and Employment and later AB 754 to Housing, while taking up numerous Senate and Assembly measures out of order to accommodate authors and guests. The body adopted several resolutions recognizing October 2025 as California Promotoras Month (HR 58), National Fried Rice Day and National Rice Month (HR 71), Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (HR 70), and All California Day (HR 67). Members also concurred in Senate amendments on a wide range of bills covering insurance, horses, emergency vehicles, health facilities, restitution, education, tribal regalia at graduation, behavioral health, air pollution, energy, dams, greenhouse gases, foster youth, court interpreters, tenancy language access, patient privacy notices, discrimination in school facility rentals, hospital visitation rights, diversion, agriculture, insurance studies, electricity, and environmental stewardship. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew recorded noes. Several higher-profile policy bills drew debate. SB 694 on veteran claim assistance generated the most extensive discussion, with supporters arguing it would stop predatory, unaccredited companies from charging veterans for VA claims help, and opponents warning it could reduce veterans’ choices and should be paired with broader fixes to county VSO access; the bill ultimately passed 46-0. Other notable actions included concurrence on SB 576 limiting loud streaming ads, SB 512 on transportation tax initiatives, and SB 785 creating a tax credit for durable medical equipment for children with complex medical needs. The Assembly also concurred in SB 250 on Medi-Cal provider directories, SB 831 on the Geological Survey, SB 788 on CPA regulation, SB 456 on muralist licensing, SB 72 on the California Water Plan, SB 76 on used-car fee protections, SB 246 on rural health workforce support, SB 484 on coastal affordable housing, SB 680 on sex offender registration, SB 695 on climate-resilient highway projects, and SB 783 on outdoor advertising. Votes were overwhelmingly favorable across the board, with the chamber repeatedly adopting Senate amendments and resolutions by voice vote or recorded roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:09:41.839><c> Montgomery</c> district through Kahok and Montgomery district through Kahok
• And the people in my district, which is not a wealthy district, are complaining because their electricity
• </c><03:24:41.760><c> a</c><03:24:42.000><c> wealthy</c> district, which is not a wealthy district, which
• /c><03:24:43.760><c> my</c><03:24:44.000><c> district</c><03:24:44.399><c> are</c> district, the people
• in my district are district, the people in my district are complaining<03:24:45.279><c> because</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• In my district, here. I have a question.
• Um, we would like to entertain some of the questions related to the high points.
• It was in my district. It was someone that consumed alcohol on a site.
• I have a lot of different facilities in my district.
• Some are very very classroom district.

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy