Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2256, salvage vehicles and insurance claims. HB 2257, Watercraft Fund distribution of monies.
• We have seen horrific tragedies occur at the hands of masked individuals who claim to be working for
• the FBI interviewed a girl who said when she was 13, four times they interviewed her because she claimed
• regulation, when we wanted to add regulations that an insurance company should not use AI to deny claims
• defining AI, the wise bill sponsor made the bill say a human with specific expertise must review the claims

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, guest introductions, and approval of the journal. The chamber then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions, mostly on second reading or in committee-of-the-whole format. Most measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, often after adopting committee or floor amendments. Among the early items, SB 1515 (Industrial Commission revisions), SB 1645 (Auditor General performance audit), SB 1678 (health facilities), and SCR 1023 (Independent Redistricting Commission changes) were debated and approved. SCR 1023 drew the most discussion, with supporters arguing it would add geographic diversity, expand the commission to three Democrats, three Republicans, and three independents, and tighten population deviation standards to 5,000 people; opponents warned it could skew the commission and reduce nonpartisanship. The Senate also adopted amendments and advanced SB 1399, SB 1507, SB 1564, SB 1621, SB 1629, and SB 1811, with topics including AHCCCS cost reports, school district consolidation, electronic monitoring in long-term care, obesity prevention, behavioral health network adequacy, and public-school internet/wireless device issues. Later calendars addressed elections, public safety, and criminal justice. The Senate advanced SB 1134 (political signs) with an emergency clause, SB 1489 (ballot measures and circulators) after removing certain paid-circulator disclosure requirements, and SB 1725 and SCR 1048 concerning marijuana smoke as a public/private nuisance, shifting much of the issue into civil law and leaving only substantial, deliberate conduct on the criminal side. In public safety, SB 1416 on missing and kidnapped children reporting was amended to require law-enforcement training every two years and documentation of online information-sharing decisions; senators clarified it did not alter the Turquoise Alert. SB 1751 and SCR 1049, both related to capital punishment, were amended to make firing squad an available option rather than a mandatory method in certain cases, with one senator speaking in opposition to the death penalty. The Senate also advanced SB 1012, SB 1573, SB 1661, SB 1662, SB 1569, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1655, and SB 1664, covering concealed weapons notice appeals, judicial determinations and religious secular laws, paternity/genetic testing support, probation conditions, election-related voter registration and signature handling, foreign campaign contributions, election worker summonsing, and nomination petition signatures. Several bills were retained or moved between calendars, and the Committee of the Whole reports were adopted, sending the listed bills forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So DSS also has the opportunity to adjust those guardrails as they see fit.
• So once a claim is denied, their job is to go through and either submit the clinical documentation for
• So the market here, the insurance groups, somewhere between 36 to 42 percent of claims should be denied
• So just so that I heard you right, you said somewhere between $69 and $90 million worth of claims could
• So just so that I heard you right, you said somewhere between $69 and $90 million worth of claims could

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• emails acknowledged the new PFAS regulations, but then by then it was too late for the retailers to adjust
• emails acknowledged the new PFAS regulations, but then by then it was too late for the retailers to adjust
• Some in the industry claim that fluorinated polymers are safer than PFAS and are essential in motorized
• Pro-PFAS lobbyists are crisscrossing the country with the same misleading information claiming PFAS is
• </c><01:15:42.400><c> p</c> same misleading information claiming p same misleading information claiming

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• by the state and establishing monitoring program verifying accuracy and allowable claims. if you're
• Now going down through the bill on line and page three, line four, claims must be related to and tied
• Claims must be related to and tied directly to an...
• may be disqualified if it's the claim may be disqualified if it's not<00:17:05.520><c> documented.
• We believe that that type of claim.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires assessors to apply adjustments for incentives and subsidies that don't influence real-world
• But for seniors whose adjusted gross income consists solely of retirement income, even modest increases
• Are you willing... ...to consider some kind of adjusted amendments, income-wise, to work on amendments
• Under current law, families can only deduct medical costs that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income
• Currently, those who itemize can claim deductions from unreimbursed medical expenses, but usually these

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires assessors to apply adjustments for incentives and subsidies that don't influence real-world
• But for seniors whose adjusted gross income consists solely of retirement income, even modest increases
• Are you willing to consider some kind of adjusted amendments to work on amendments to help pare this
• Under current law, families can only deduct medical costs that exceed 7.5% of their adjusted gross income
• Currently those who itemize can claim deductions from unreimbursed medical expenses, but usually these

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Yountville is a good example of that, where we are adjusting these levels according to those buildings
• the Department of Cannabis Control, and we have item number four: Enforcement and Legal Affairs Adjustment
• Number 4, Enforcement and Legal Affairs Adjustment. All right, we have lots of people here.
• We're going to go ahead and open up this for public comments on enforcement and legal affairs adjustment
• illicit cannabis or very similar to illicit cannabis, very intoxicating, and people would previously claim

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:

• And Yountville is a good example of that, where we are adjusting these levels according to those buildings
• the Department of Cannabis Control, and we have item number four: Enforcement and Legal Affairs Adjustment
• Number 4, Enforcement and Legal Affairs Adjustment. All right, we have lots of people here.
• We're going to go ahead and open this up for public comments on enforcement and legal affairs adjustment
• illicit cannabis or very similar to illicit cannabis, very intoxicating, and people would previously claim

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their increase in cost, unanticipated at the time, is unsustainable, that's where we need to make adjustments
• functions that support the overall operations of the department and where we needed to make some adjustments
• functions that support the overall operations of the department and where we needed to make some adjustments
• All right. make some adjustments to account for having to help provide support for this new program.
• currently have inspection authority, will the board be able to adequately investigate the, you know, claims

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget proposals for Exposition Park, the California Science Center, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), the Debt Collection Licensing Act program, and the Board of Registered Nursing. For Exposition Park, the administration requested $96.5 million for utility replacement, site improvements, code compliance, accessibility, and safety upgrades, plus $1.698 million for operational sustainability funded from the park’s improvement fund. The LAO said the proposals had merit but noted the first item could be downscaled if needed because of the state’s budget condition. Members emphasized the park’s deferred maintenance, major upcoming events, and the need to protect a statewide asset; both Exposition Park items were held open. The Science Center requested funding to open and operate the new Air and Space Center, including staffing for the facility that will display the Space Shuttle Endeavour and expand exhibit space. The LAO supported the proposal but suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as admission fees, parking fees, or private funds. Members discussed the Science Center’s public-private funding model, the importance of keeping access affordable for disadvantaged communities, and the tradeoff between free admission and long-term operating support. The item was also held open. DFPI sought continuation of expenditure authority for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law, debt collection licensing, and broker-dealer/investment adviser workloads, and the LAO recommended limited-term funding with more cumulative reporting before permanent funding is considered. Members pressed the department on whether its workload and spending are tied to measurable outcomes rather than just activity counts, and DFPI cited complaint resolution, enforcement actions, and restitution recovered as examples of impact. The Debt Collection Licensing Act item drew similar LAO comments, but members raised stronger concerns about the financing model, the gap between projected and actual licensee counts, and whether spending levels are justified; that item was held open. The Board of Registered Nursing requested $1.4 million for eight special investigators to address rising complaints, and the board said most complaints are resolved through investigation, referral, probation, or rehabilitation rather than discipline. Members asked about complaint backlogs, viral and potentially automated complaints, bias in care, and the lack of broader inspection authority; the item was also held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that claim, it doesn't hold up.
• clarifies that certain requirements relating to rules adopted by Ecology only apply to those rules adjusting
• finally is amendment labeled H, offered by Senator Banke, which makes the same emissions threshold adjustment
• So yes on the concept; TBD if we need to make some adjustments, but for today I'm asking for a yes.
• So yes on the concept, TBD, if we need to make some adjustments, but for day I'm asking for a yes.

Bills: HB2338 , HB2367 , HB2426 , HB2606

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, a lot of what we've had to do on budget adjustments has to do with the recent inflation. Mr.
• A lot of what we've had to do on budget adjustments has to do with the recent inflation.
• you loudly and clearly when you say, and I don't know that I've heard that before, that they are claiming
• Retirees in the special risk class will receive an alternative cost-of-living adjustment of 1.5% after
• Retirees in the special risk class will receive an alternative cost of living adjustment of 1.5% after

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the ballot summary language, saying that the ones that come from outside the building do not get adjusted
• an inherent problem that has been going on for some 20 years, and that the process of changing or adjusting
• And I think the process of changing that or adjusting that is something that we need to look at.
• facts of that case as well as just more evidence for the ballot candy argument that you guys are claiming
• particularly the idea that the politicization of the process is not healthy and that when the courts adjust

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What strikes me is if we're adjusting this law and editing it, that we could look at this line too.
• What strikes me is if we're adjusting this law and editing it, that we could look at this line too.
• What strikes me is if we're adjusting this law and editing it, that we could look at this line too.
• What strikes me is if we're adjusting this law and editing it, that we could look at this line too.
• that has said if a person's property is damaged and that could have been prevented, and they have a claim

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to make a few adjustments in our schedule today, but thank you to all our committee members and
• We do have our agenda up here, but we're going to make a few adjustments to our agenda.
• That means not just lower insurance claims, but also overall better property insurance market conditions
• We had to do some adjustments this morning, but please proceed.
• The program can be adjusted over time, so it provides some of that flexibility.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adjusts that a little bit to make sure that the amount going to the highway user tax fund is held
• No, the department should have no ability to claim the usage of safety as a way to make these projects
• MnDOT hasn't fully finished implementing this, so stakeholders can figure out how they need to adjust
• Wright County where he looked at a road that was expected to be a 25-year road, and they made some adjustments
• , 100% of the grants will go toward individuals who are married and filed a joint return with an adjusted

Transcript Highlights:

• You're talking about trying to adjust the price to create the incentives for people to be in the program
• You're talking about trying to adjust the price to create the incentives for people to be in the program
• think it's very appropriate that our staff, our professional staff, is very cautious about making claims
• recommend that you decide on the desired scope of activities that you want CPUC to undertake and adjust
• recommend that you decide on the desired scope of activities that you want CPUC to undertake and adjust

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there, so somebody knows, or you have staff here that could tell us why these conflicts that they claim
• First, the Capital Programs Committee claims very publicly, and we'll get into that in a few minutes,
• would love to learn, it sounds like some of this may already be in your new line of thinking or the adjustments
• The adjustments you're making, but having a financial and environmental review of existing contracts
• I mean, the roles that people play have been adjusted, as Jonathan mentioned.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, there may be some adjustments from companies, but largely we think that those are lessened
• I also want to reiterate that the frequent claim that corporations will flee the state if California
• You also agree to provide documentation to support and allow any adjustments to that income or to your
• that other, you know, true economic value add is outside the U.S., such a company could very well claim
• would come out, and maybe the Franchise Tax Board would take a reasonable approach and say that adjusting

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• no fewer than 14 days and no more than 30 days before the program begins, with TDEM authorized to adjust
• residence or other family-owned property was denied; and then those applicants who paid flood damage claims
• Morris said that even their FEMA flood or NFIP adjuster said the process is confusing.
• leaving their job site while ripping down halls, tearing down walls, and tearing out insulation, the adjuster
• continued that the stress of navigating recovery and the NFIP and FEMA systems, along with organizations claiming

Bills: HB48 , HB66 , HB68 , HB71 , HB75 , HB164 , HB171 , HB254 , SB3 , SB18 , HB123 , HB149 , HB117

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Summary: The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending. The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms. The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Representative Bojanowski, a waiver of 11th Amendment immunity means that claims relating to this
• relating</c><00:09:11.360><c> to</c><00:09:11.680><c> this</c><00:09:11.920><c> act</c> means that claims
• relating to this act means that claims relating to this act can<00:09:12.880><c> be</c><00:09:13.040
• What we’re trying to do, we’re trying to adjust the cost shifting of the situation.
• We're trying to uh we're trying to adjust<00:29:01.440><c> the</c><00:29:01.600><c> the</c><00:29:01.679

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 1 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 1 Vote 00:15:05 HB 2 Discussion 00:17:20 HB 2 Vote 01:13:20, 958, all