Transcript Highlights:

• behalf of California Public Banking Alliance and more than 110 organizations representing communities, workers
• behalf of California Public Banking Alliance and more than 110 organizations representing communities, workers
• behalf of California Public Banking Alliance and more than 110 organizations representing communities, workers

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of ACR 150, which places a much-deserved spotlight on our state's vital safety telecommunications workers
• of ACR 150, which places a much-deserved spotlight on our state's vital safety telecommunications workers
• work with actuaries to create a limited and targeted cost-of-living adjustment for the lowest-paid workers

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several bills to different committees and permission for committees to notice bills pending re-referral. A motion by Assemblymember Castillo to suspend the rules and take up AB 2670 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. Assemblymember DeMaio then moved to re-refer AB 2624 back to the Privacy Committee, arguing the bill had been misrepresented in committee; the Majority Leader’s substitute motion to move to the Daily File was accepted 44-19, and the chamber proceeded to regular business. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 120 on Positive Parenting Awareness Month after Senate amendments were concurred in 56-0. It also adopted ACR 150 declaring California Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, with broad support and 62 coauthors added. Several policy bills then passed, including AB 2233 on autism treatment access and missed appointments (57-0), AB 1601 creating a pathway for a Sonoma County retiree COLA review (50-3), and AB 1801 expanding notice and transparency requirements for private detention facility approvals (45-16). The chamber also adopted H.R. 103 recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, with 60 coauthors added. Members also gave guest introductions recognizing the Greek Evzones, the Whitney High School girls cross country team, and dispatch and public safety telecommunicator guests. Additional resolutions on the consent calendar, including ACR 130, ACR 172, and H.R. 104, were added to by coauthors and then adopted along with the remaining consent calendar items, which passed 62-0. The Assembly then announced upcoming committee and floor schedules and adjourned until Monday, April 20 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the K-12 education or pre-K-12 education, unemployment for hourly workers, that is an area that is
• And those are hourly workers that had temporary jobs, whether they were a few months or a few hours,
• Regular unemployment for seasonal workers, those companies are paying into the unemployment trust fund

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a licensed clinical social worker and I've been a professor of social work for a few decades overall
• Social workers are... ...to be telehealth as needed. Social workers are not doing surgery.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered two bills. HB 361, by Rep. Nix, would reclassify registered interns as registered associates for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling, and would streamline supervision rules by removing the requirement that licensed supervisors be physically present in private practice settings. Supporters said the bill would modernize terminology, reduce barriers to practice, and expand access to mental health care while maintaining supervision and public safety. Several members raised concerns about possible unintended effects on community health centers and Medicaid workforce issues, but the bill drew broad support and passed 17-0, reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 1341, by Rep. Gonzales Pittman, which is aimed at preventing misuse of physician specialty titles and limiting those titles to practitioners who are actually board-certified in the specialty they claim. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not address the general use of “doctor” or “physician,” only specialty designations such as dermatologist, gynecologist, neurologist, or plastic surgeon. Testimony in support came from medical and professional groups, including anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, who said clearer titles help patients know who is treating them and improve safety. The Florida Optometric Association opposed the bill, arguing it could create confusion or omit optometric titles and other designations. Two amendments were adopted without objection. One removed a hospital name-tag requirement from the bill. The other changed a claims-denial provision so that denial letters need only disclose that a Florida-licensed physician in good standing made the decision, while the insurer must retain the physician’s identifying information for potential litigation or discovery. Some members supported the privacy protections, while others questioned whether the amendment was germane to the bill. As amended, HB 1341 passed 13-4 and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our guys heavily rely on H-2A workers, which is a Federal Migrant Worker Program, and that is a very
• And our H-2A workers make like $4. $4.50 more an hour than naturalized citizens, or a lot of us who worked

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, Senate Bill 1092, Senator Lewis's bill, which reduces the length of supervision for social workers
• bill, Senate Bill 1092, Senator Lewis's bill, which reduces the length of supervision for social workers

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first considered Senate Bill 959, by Senator Roberts. After no discussion, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1092, by Senator Lewis, and adopted a House Committee substitute. Members reviewed the substitute’s additions, which included provisions related to professional licensure and interstate compacts: a licensing application process for certain out-of-state professionals with at least three years of experience, the Dental Compact, physician assistant licensure reciprocity for telehealth services, changes to speech-language pathologist licensure supervision requirements, and the Dietitians Compact. The underlying bill would reduce the supervision period for social workers from five years to three years. The committee also adopted a House Committee amendment changing a time period from 90 days to 60 days to match Senate language, then rolled the amendments into a new substitute and adopted the substitute. Finally, the committee voted the House Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1092 do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes and 0 nays, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hospitals in rural communities are shutting down maternity care units and laying off health care workers
• to represent and speak up for the people in California's 25th Congressional District, home to farm workers
• I know what it means when a farm worker spends the day in the field breathing air that exceeds federal
• know what it means when a farm worker know what it means when a farm worker spends<02:37:41.760>
• ,<05:46:36.798> and farms, the dignity of our workers, and farms, the dignity of our workers

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe it's a paid child care worker.
• Maybe it's a paid child care worker.
• Maybe it's a paid child care worker.
• Maybe it's a paid child care worker.
• Maybe it's a paid child care worker.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then you were, I understand, a social worker, is that correct?
• Latinos are actually the essential workers in this building, and they need representation.
• We represent glaziers. ...painters and trade show workers in Houston and throughout the state.
• To testify on behalf of the Workers Defense Action Fund.
• My name is Kevin Huachin from Workers Defense Action Fund, an organization that organizes.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that the labor brokers, that is what they hold over the head of their workers.
• We know that the labor brokers, that is what they hold over the head of their workers.
• um first of the head of their workers um first of all<00:15:58.199> they<00:15:58.399> create
• ><00:16:17.720> in<00:16:17.880> a<00:16:18.079> lot<00:16:18.279> of worker
• right and it can go in a lot of worker right and it can go in a lot of really<00:16:19.199> terrible

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard extended debate on a bill requiring cooperation with ICE and reporting related to undocumented people in certain criminal contexts. Representative Rymer argued the measure was meant to align with federal priorities focused on violent offenders and to ensure local governments respond to federal inquiries, not proactively target immigrants. He also said the bill was intended to address serious crimes and protect victims, citing examples of violent offenders and trafficking-related cases. Several members raised concerns that the bill’s language was broader than described and could affect family court matters, health care, elder care, and routine interactions with government agencies. Testifiers and members warned it could be used as leverage against undocumented people in custody, child support, domestic violence, and labor exploitation situations, and could discourage people from reporting crimes or seeking help. The sheriff’s association and county attorneys’ association letters were cited as raising due process, equal protection, civil rights, and public safety concerns. The discussion also focused on the bill’s definitions and mechanics, especially whether section three would require reporting after arrests that do not lead to charges and how county attorneys would know when to report. Representative Pinto pressed on the bill’s reference to “violent crime” and whether drug possession could be swept in, while Rymer argued the bill was narrower than critics suggested. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the exchange remained at the discussion and questioning stage.

Transcript Highlights:

• survey, 1,498 educators responded, including teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers
• survey, 1,498 educators responded, including teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers
• , clerical staff, custodians, nurses, and other school personnel. drivers, cafeteria workers, clerical
• No bus driver, paraprofessional, cafeteria worker, custodian, clerk, nurse, or teacher should be punished
• No bus driver, paraprofessional, cafeteria worker, custodian, clerk, nurse, or teacher should be punished

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on May 26, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 433, which would provide Medicaid coverage for certain weight-loss medications. After adopting a House amendment adding customary subject-to-appropriation language, the committee heard from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who said the state currently spends about $240 million a year on GLP-1 drugs for Medicaid patients with obesity and certain other conditions, and that the bill would let the department expand coverage gradually while controlling costs and negotiating better pricing. Members spoke in strong support, and SB 433 was reported favorable as amended. The committee then considered Senate Bill 157, which creates paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 educators and staff. An amendment was adopted to adjust fund language and make the bill proper for Appropriations. Senator Jenkins and supporters, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, described the bill as providing six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, fostering, and related family-building events, while members discussed whether medical leave should also be included and confirmed the leave applies to fathers as well. The bill drew broad support and was reported favorable as amended. Senate Bill 250, requiring the Office of Group Benefits to offer a comprehensive weight management plan with employees paying the full premium and medication costs, was briefly discussed and reported favorable without objection. The committee then spent considerable time on Senate Bill 237, a child welfare measure from Senator Barrow that would expand notification, access, and investigative procedures for the Child Ombudsman and DCFS, including child-on-child sexual abuse cases and multidisciplinary fatality reviews. Members and agency officials debated the fiscal note, with estimates ranging from about $525,000 to $3.2 million and disagreement over whether some costs were already covered or could be absorbed; after a roll call, the bill passed 10-9 and was reported favorable as amended. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 155, which requires insurance coverage for medically necessary dental care tied to cancer treatment. Senator Talbot and medical and cancer advocacy witnesses said the bill would remove a barrier to timely chemotherapy or radiation and could prevent more expensive complications later. Members expressed support and discussed a relatively small fiscal note, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• fought for a more just society for all people, as well as the myriad of teachers, farmers, social workers
• contributions that our community has made in civil rights, in social justice advocacy, in helping workers
• in public service and certainly in philanthropy. ...in helping workers in public service and certainly
• From advocating for worker protections and social justice to advancing groundbreaking achievements in
• was signed into law last year to prohibit employers from using debt as an exploitative tool to trap workers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 984 has the potential to bring tangible benefits to millions of workers in California.
• SB 984 has the potential to bring tangible benefits to millions of workers in California, particularly
• A social worker might go to a home and see that children need protective care, and oftentimes, for whatever
• Port workers continue to move goods at every port in California.
• middle-income Californians such as teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, and construction workers

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• closer to their democracy by authorizing counties to randomly select individuals to serve as poll workers
• Drafting poll workers in participating counties have often expressed greater understanding and confidence
• Assembly Member Gallagher: Because actually tariffs are helping us get better deals for American workers
• what you're talking about, because actually tariffs are helping us get better deals for American workers
• , for Because actually tariffs are helping us get better deals for American workers, for American farmers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When projects move forward, local businesses benefit, workers stay employed, and communities grow in
• My name is Logan Howard, licensed master social worker and director of public policy for Families and
• Social workers are the backbone of our organization and of behavioral health organizations and state
• It recognizes social workers as distinct health professionals eligible for loan repayment, directly addressing
• Is there any of the Health Care Affordability Fund that's going to support the 80-20 or state workers

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida high school students who are registered or pre-registered to vote to volunteer to assist poll workers
• don't change the intent but strengthen clarity and confidence: specifically, define what 'assist poll workers
• I told her a story that I got my sister and my mother to both volunteer and work as poll workers, and
• train The Supervisors of Elections Office typically will train everyone who's going to work as a poll worker
• I'm looking forward to young people getting involved and maybe coming back and being poll workers later

Summary: The Committee on Rules met and first approved several open-government sunset repeal bills and related measures. SB 7024 and SB 7026, both sponsored by Senator Mayfield, were explained as consolidating and extending public records/public meetings exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies; both were reported favorably. SB 7020, sponsored by Senator Trumbull, reenacted an aquaculture records exemption for records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and was also reported favorably. Later, the committee approved SB 14 and SB 24, claims bills for relief involving Miami-Dade County, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg; all were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS for SB 806, a consumer right-to-repair bill creating portable wireless device and agricultural equipment repair acts, despite opposition from several industry groups, and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• When companies evaluate Gallup and McKinley County, they ask four questions: Can I find workers?
• forgiveness, and housing support, and look at supporting housing development to attract and retain workers
• forgiveness, and housing support, and look at supporting housing development to attract and retain workers
• hospitality to small business owners and our largest industries mentioned above, struggle to find workers
• We are grateful to have the guest workers, but the transience of that nature tends to erode the community

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• recognizes and uplifts the vital work of promotoras, community leaders who collaborate with health workers
• They are not just health workers, but also advocates, educators, and trusted messengers.
• There are community health workers.
• Community health workers, these community health workers and trusted messengers who connect California's

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:

• Many of them go undiagnosed and untreated, and there's a lot of heartbreaking stories of workers pushing
• Cases are rising, especially among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.
• Cases are rising, especially among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations, yet the disease remains
• community, there would be those trusted messengers, perhaps those are the promotoras, community health workers
• Vanessa Hina on behalf of Vision y Compromiso, the statewide network of promotoras and community health workers

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, with extensive testimony on maternal health, prenatal safety, privacy, valley fever, Medi-Cal contracting, anti-discrimination protections, and health data sharing. SB 32 would require time-and-distance standards for labor and delivery units in health plan networks; the author and supporters said it would address maternity care deserts and improve access, while health plans opposed. SB 646 would require testing and public disclosure for toxic elements in prenatal vitamins; supporters emphasized fetal and maternal safety and transparency, while industry opponents warned it could confuse consumers or lead to reduced nutrient content. Both bills drew broad support from medical and public health groups, and both were advanced on party-line or near-unanimous votes after committee discussion. The committee also approved SB 313, which moves a parent’s birthplace on birth certificates into the confidential section to protect privacy, and SB 297, which directs CDPH to identify high-incidence valley fever regions and publish them for screening and awareness; valley fever experts and supporters stressed rising cases and the need for earlier diagnosis, while local health jurisdictions raised concerns about mandates. SB 324, dealing with Medi-Cal enhanced care management and community supports, would prioritize local community-based organizations and clarify contracting and data practices; it received strong support from nonprofits and community health advocates, with children’s hospitals and health plans seeking amendments, and it was sent forward after amendments were discussed. The committee then considered SB 418, which would codify ACA nondiscrimination protections in state law and allow up to a 12-month prescription supply for hormone therapy when medically necessary. Supporters framed it as protecting continuity of care for transgender patients and others using hormone therapy, including IVF and menopause patients, while opponents argued it would conflict with federal policy and promote harmful treatments. The bill passed to the next committee. Finally, SB 660 would strengthen the California Health and Human Services data exchange framework by creating governance and accountability for data sharing across health and social service entities; supporters said it would reduce duplication and improve care coordination, while some providers and hospital groups raised concerns. It was approved and sent to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. The consent calendar and the other measures were also voted out, with the committee recording the required roll-call votes and sending the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is also a challenge for election workers to enforce.
• the one that really concerns me is this is already happening too much, but we would have election workers
• It was mainly about electioneering and also allowing the election workers to be okay doing things that
• be a disruptive voter because I actually personally encountered a situation where one of my poll workers
• Enough workers, they may not have enough stuff that they need to make this happen; we should just make

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code