Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing the bill today. And thank you for working with us on this bill.
• And there was work before the pandemic to do that. It got put on hold for a variety of reasons.
• Thank you, Senator Wiener and Senator Arreguín for your work along the way.
• Thank you for all of this exchange and the information and all the work that's happened.
• So thank you, Senator Wiener and your staff as well for all the work that's done.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that the bill would place a sales tax measure before voters to provide long-term operating support, paired with a third-party efficiency review and new accountability provisions. Supporters, including SPUR, Caltrain, BART, MTC, transit agencies, local governments, labor, and environmental groups, argued the measure is urgently needed to prevent collapse of transit service and broader economic harm. A major focus of the hearing was accountability and governance. The bill’s amended structure would create operator-specific ad hoc adjudication committees made up of commissioners from the counties that fund each operator, with the ability to withhold a portion of funding if problems are not corrected. Senator Wiener and Senator Arreguín said the amendments strengthened oversight and reflected extensive negotiations among the counties. Assemblymember Papan opposed the bill, arguing it still lacked fair representation and proactive oversight for San Mateo County and that the county was being asked to pay without sufficient control. Assemblymember Lackey also opposed the measure, calling it a bailout and criticizing the tax structure. Committee members questioned how complaints would be filed, how the adjudication process would work, whether MTC could override committee decisions, and how often counties could bring complaints. The authors explained that counties may file one complaint per operator per year, that MTC must follow the ad hoc committee’s recommendation, and that withheld funds would be returned if issues are resolved. After debate, Assemblymember Ahrens moved the bill and Assemblymember Harabedian seconded. The committee voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended and send it to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for hearing the bill today. And thank you for working with us on this bill.
• There was work before the pandemic to do that. It got put on hold for a variety of reasons.
• Thank you, Senator Wiener and Senator Arreguín for your work along the way.
• Thank you for all of this exchange and the information and all the work that's happened.
• Thank you for all of this exchange and the information and all the work that's happened.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended and coauthored by Senator Arreguín, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that without new revenue, BART could collapse and other systems could face severe reductions. They described the bill as the product of extensive negotiations among the five Bay Area counties and transit operators, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties opting in during the process. Much of the discussion focused on accountability and governance. Supporters said the bill includes some of the strongest oversight provisions in recent memory, including a third-party efficiency review and ad hoc adjudication committees that can withhold a portion of funding if operators fail to correct problems. Assembly Member Papin and Assembly Member Lackey argued the measure amounts to a taxpayer bailout with insufficient representation and too much control left to MTC, while the authors responded that the bill gives affected counties direct complaint and enforcement authority and that MTC must follow the ad hoc committees’ recommendations. Several members asked about complaint procedures, withholding thresholds, opt-in/opt-out issues, and whether the funding would return to the source counties if withheld. Testimony in support came from SPUR, Caltrain, MTC, the Bay Area Council, BART, SamTrans, VTA, San Francisco MTA, transit coalitions, environmental groups, local governments, and labor. Supporters emphasized the risk of severe service cuts, the importance of preserving recent investments such as Caltrain electrification, and the need for regional self-help. There was no registered opposition witness, though some members spoke against the bill. The committee ultimately voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended to the floor, with the committee amendments also removing urgency language.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to acknowledge them for supporting me and putting me on loan here to do this work for the
• We've done a lot of work for mental health services for that population, and in the California Reducing
• For example, we've worked with community health workers to work with farming community in Tulare County
• For example, we've worked with community health workers to work with farming community in Tulare County
• I have worked for a lot of organizations in my nonprofit and tribal work where you are very limited and

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to just acknowledge them for supporting me and putting me on loan here to do this work for
• We've done a lot of work for mental health services for that population, and in the California Reducing
• For example, we've worked with community health workers to work with the farming community in Tulare
• Like, for example, working with the Hupa tribe to develop a disaster plan ... ...working with the Hupa
• I have worked for a lot of organizations in my nonprofit and tribal work where you are very limited and

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee will come to order.
• We're going to head to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a tour.
• We'll proceed down the north loading zone to the parking area behind the House Office Building for transportation

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee was called to order and the roll was taken. Several members were present, including Chair Esposito, Ranking Member Dunkley, Representatives Albert, Barnaby, Ben Oroche, Henson, Mayfield, Placencia, and Weinberger, while some members were excused or not present. No bills, testimony, or budget items were discussed. The chair noted the meeting would be brief and announced that the subcommittee would proceed to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a tour. The only action taken was logistical: members were directed to leave via the north loading zone and travel to the parking area behind the House Office Building for transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Information, Technology, Budget and Policy subcommittee will now come to order. Faith.
• We will be here for just a second because today we're going in a field trip.
• We've got some vans waiting for us.
• building and we're going to meet down outside the House office building where there are 2 vans waiting for

Transcript Highlights:

• And for example, I work for Booth Therapy Services, and one of our employees has been fingerprinted in
• And for example, I work that district.
• And for example, I work for<01:10:34.560><c> Booth</c><01:10:35.040><c> Therapy</c><01:10:35.440><c>
• and common-sense solutions that work for both sides of the rental equation.
• As you heard earlier in this committee session, we did a lot of work this session to try to reach compromises

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Union of Concerned Scientists has been working for the past couple decades in California to advance electric
• I want to thank Senator Allen and his office for all that work and respectfully request your aye vote
• the author's office in working with us a special on the amendment for a categorical prohibition on smelting
• I think the author and his team for work on this and we'll continue to work with you on this.
• Thank you again for your work, Senator. This does have an IRECCO from the Chair.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• are any questions that you feel are pertinent, especially for the work that this group oversees, I'd
• had been working on it for a few years, and there had been a few deaths.
• had been working on it for a few years and there had been a few deaths.
• The website didn't work to apply for unemployment benefits.
• Well, except for Senator Angius, I never got arrested in Mojave County. Working on it.

Bills: HB2048 , HB2189 , HB2248 , HB2403 , HB2728 , HB2729 , HB2730 , HB2731 , HB2906 , HCR2058

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase

Transcript Highlights:

• For the pros and cons. And I think there are pros and cons for both, for sure.
• We do work with university systems, training for young people, moving jobs of the future into the now
• December, where these containers will be on site come September 1st for students to start that work in
• So we've worked with hydroponics and aquaponics for a long, long time.
• Maybe the full committee—this is a subcommittee of the Ag Committee—could come for a tour of one of these

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony from Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm about the impact of Act 698 on raw dairy producers. Ballard said the law allowed his farm to expand from one cow to 12, serve about 150 families, increase sales by roughly $50,000, and sell about $10,000 in raw cheese and other products through retail outlets. He argued the law improved farm income, food security, and local supply, and he asked for an optional state inspection/certification path for raw milk producers so they could access USDA grants and other opportunities available to licensed dairies. Committee members asked about herd management, safety practices, bee production, market channels, and whether such certification should remain voluntary; Ballard said he follows Grade A-style sanitation, chills milk quickly, removes sick cows from production, and supports optional training or inspection but not mandatory regulation. Members also raised food safety concerns, especially for children and pregnant women, and Ballard responded that raw milk producers rely on cleanliness, rapid cooling, consumer feedback, and truth in labeling. He said the health department currently inspects commercial dairies but not raw milk producers who do not sell through a cooperative, and he believed state inspection would help producers distinguish themselves and qualify for funding without changing interstate rules. Several members discussed the balance between consumer choice, safety, and possible “mission creep” if the state created a certification system. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container farming as a response to food insecurity and food deserts. Bolden described a three-year workforce and career-technical program built around retrofitted shipping containers, drones, robotics, agribusiness, and AI, with partnerships involving schools, universities, Farm Bureau, UAPB, the Little Rock School District, and other entities. He said the model could create year-round local food production, support school cafeterias and community markets, and generate jobs and economic impact, estimating at least four jobs per container and potentially significant regional economic benefits. Members asked about costs, target communities, energy needs, crop types, and implementation timelines; Bolden said the first containers for school sites could be in place by late summer or early fall, with pilot projects already underway in Arkansas and Orlando. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the pros and cons? And I think there are pros and cons for both, for sure.
• We do work with university systems, training for young people, moving jobs of the future into the now
• December, where these containers will be on site come September 1st, for students to start that work
• So we've worked with hydroponics and aquaponics for a long, long time.
• So we've worked with hydroponics and aquaponics for a long, long time.

Committee: All AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM.

Transcript Highlights:

• are any questions that you feel are pertinent, especially for the work that this group oversees, I'd
• are any questions that you feel are pertinent, especially for the work that this group oversees, I'd
• on had been working on it for a few years, and there had been a few deaths.
• The website didn't work to apply for unemployment benefits.
• Well, except for Senator Angus, I never got arrested in Mojave County. I'm working on it.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11 minutes and heard a presentation from Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services, on homelessness in Maricopa County. He described rising homelessness, especially among older adults, and said CASS uses low-barrier emergency shelter, family shelter, and an older-adult shelter with case management, behavioral health services, and partnerships with outside groups for food, banking, digital access, and other supports. Members asked about collaborations with mutual aid groups and about point-in-time data, and Smith said the county data could be drilled down through AZMAG. The committee then moved to legislation. HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, would bar businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services or employment based on medical interventions, with an amendment allowing schools to limit access during outbreaks or for certain infections. Supporters framed the bill as protecting bodily autonomy and informed consent, while opponents argued it would undermine employers’ ability to prevent disease spread. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. HB 2906, requiring one dental board member to be an active oral and maxillofacial surgeon, passed unanimously after testimony that the board needs surgical expertise for complex cases and anesthesia oversight. HB 2189, directing the Nursing Board to adopt rules for licensed health aides and routine ventilator care, also passed with an amendment and a 6-0 vote. HB 2403 appropriates $2.5 million in FY2027 for home and community-based services providers for elderly and physically disabled Arizonans. Supporters said the funding would help retain caregivers, whose wages have lagged for years, and argued home care is cheaper than hospitalization or institutional care; the bill passed 6-0. HB 2731 continued the Physician Assistant Board to 2030 and passed with a technical amendment, and HB 2730 continued the Occupational Therapy Board and passed as well. HB 2729 continued the Nursing Board to 2030; the board said it regulates about 150,000 licensees and handles thousands of complaints annually, and the bill passed 6-0. HB 2728 continued the Department of Economic Security and incorporated several previously vetoed policy provisions affecting SNAP, unemployment, and eligibility/redetermination rules. Speakers in opposition said it would make benefits harder to access and turn a continuation bill into a vehicle for controversial policy changes, while supporters argued it was part of the legislature’s oversight role. The bill passed 4-3. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to HB 2048, which limits utilization controls on FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications relative to opioids; supporters said it would improve access to non-opioid pain treatment and reduce opioid harm, while opponents warned it would bypass clinical review and raise costs. HB 2048 passed 4-3. Finally, HCR 2058 would require a comprehensive claim-level audit of Arizona Medicaid claims and direct recovery efforts for misappropriated funds; supporters said it could recover significant overpayments, while opponents questioned its incentives and overlap with existing oversight. The resolution passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tell those minions of the unelected billionaire donor that you don't work for them; you work for the
• Tell those minions of the unelected billionaire donor that you don't work for them; you work for the
• </c> government to work for or answer to government to work for or answer to anyone<00:10:52.680><c>
• </c><00:11:49.720><c> for</c> you don't work for them you work for you don't work for them you work for
• for working people so benefits and funds for working people so that<00:48:30.720><c> we</c><00:48:30.839

Transcript Highlights:

• Their accomplishments are often unseen, but our nation is grateful to each one for the vital work they
• So thank you for your work there.
• Thank you for your ongoing work there, and that of your family as well.
• work for them. is entirely unacceptable.
• Signal use, as I've said repeatedly, is permissible for work purposes.

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Keywords: national security, cyber threats, civil liberties, transnational crime, FISA Section 702, public-private partnership, intelligence community, Annual Threats Hearing

Summary: The Senate Intelligence Committee convened for a significant meeting focused on the Annual Worldwide Threats Hearing. Prominent officials from various intelligence agencies presented their insights on emerging national security threats, including concerns over increasing cyber threats, particularly from China and non-state actors. A major discussion point included the balance between national security and civil liberties, as evidenced by conversations surrounding Section 702 of FISA and its implications for privacy protection. The challenges posed by cartels and transnational criminal organizations, especially related to narcotics trafficking, were emphasized as pressing issues necessitating coordinated responses from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. This meeting underscored the necessity of public-private partnerships to tackle these multifaceted threats effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• You ready for me to present? Yes, Madam Chair.
• on for a year and a half.
• of want or will to work with others.
• Gray hair hasn't worked for him.
• The request for positions is tied to the opening of the new school for veterinary medicine.

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that great question. Absolutely.
• All right, next up, we have Representative Abbott for CS for HB 1397.
• are creating these opportunities for folks within DOT is a way for folks to kind of lift themselves
• Thank you for that question.
• Abbott, for the discussion about this.

Summary: The Transportation Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, Rep. Owens presented HB 1165, which would allow FDOT to issue a special blinking permit for mobile cranes and accessory support vehicles to travel on and off interstate highways at all hours, subject to local curfews and FDOT conditions such as size limits, mapping, signage, and warning lights. Supporters argued the change would improve flexibility for infrastructure and emergency work and could be safer at night because of lighter traffic and required visibility measures. After one proponent testified, the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee then heard CS for HB 1397, presented by Rep. Abbott, a broader transportation-related bill addressing the aggregate supply chain grant program, small business partnerships, airport and seaport transparency, maintenance priorities, the Florida Transportation Academy, and the Florida Transportation Research Institute. An amendment was adopted to clarify authority for transportation and parking authorities and to protect septic-to-sewer conversion projects from local rules when permits are issued by FDOT and FDEP. During debate, several members raised concerns that proposed repeals could reduce outreach and opportunities for small, disadvantaged, and rural businesses in DOT procurement, and the sponsor said he was willing to work on restoring or clarifying notification language. Despite those concerns, the committee reported the bill favorably, with some members voting no and others indicating support pending further changes before the next stop or floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• for Barbara as she worked to solve similar cases for other Minnesota families.
• </c><00:39:56.800><c> That</c> for the poor and working families.
• They say no for working families; we only want it four years.
• Are you for those who have already benefited from the income divide, or are you for the working and middle
• middle</c> or are you for the working and middle or are you for the working and middle class?

Transcript Highlights:

• Speakers are listed in speaking order for each of the items.
• At least in a public way for statewide consumption.
• For good, they started out with 13 in the 1990s.
• Saves and it's closer to attach for every one person accounting diverts.
• For example, the maintenance is not connected to any specific practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking for good competition in that procurement process. ...of work and looking for good competition
• For the RFQ, how are you rolling the desire to have access to the contract and to the work for small
• on for at least myself just this time formally the last This is something we've been working on for,
• Thank you for the new work and the updated work and the information given.
• community benefits program that we've worked on for quite a bit.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• for all.
• We want to thank you for helping Texas become one of the great states for veterans.
• Maybe my life for a family member. But what are you willing to lay down for a friend?
• Thank you for being a part of this.
• our respect and reverence, not just for the military, but for those who have gone into battle and...