Transcript Highlights:

• the</c><00:35:06.000><c> committee</c> Miss piano welcome to the committee Miss piano welcome to the
• </c> opportunity to sit as a um Advisory opportunity to sit as a um Advisory Board<00:43:15.960><c> member
• </c> uh Carly kurman please come forward Miss uh Carly kurman please come forward Miss leui<00:46:52.079
• Thank you, Miss Luzi. Can Robbie Hos please come forward? Miss Kurman, please introduce yourself.
• </c> and consideration thank you m kman Miss and consideration thank you m kman Miss H<00:51:12.079><

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Watson &gt;&gt; Miss Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr.
• Thank you. that we toss to the advisory committee. that we toss to the advisory committee.
• Did I miss you or did I miss Senator Farnsworth? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• </c> to accept out of that advisory group. to accept out of that advisory group.
• Uh so, Senator totally missed it.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Dana Allsweed, and I'm a child and adolescent psychologist and Healthy Steps specialist at MGH.
• I recently worked with a two-year-old child who was referred through our Healthy Steps program after
• child and because she was arriving late to her own job after dropping her daughter off at school.
• Our 136 beds care for patients as young as four on our child and adolescent unit in Amesbury.
• In April of 2023, my first child was stillborn at 38 weeks of my normal, healthy pregnancy.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1417 by the State Affairs Committee, an act relating to the Idaho Child Care
• When Joplin missed this tax filing deadline a few years back and overwhelmed volunteers didn't get it
• My father actually serves on the advisory panel working with the board of Joplin Cemetery.
• You know, growing up as a child, when I would get off track in a conversation with my father, I would
• And we're just, you know, what am I missing here?

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was just going to want to say hi to Joey, one of our advisory council members joined us too.
• One of our advisory council members joined us too. I just wanted to acknowledge him.
• I was focusing more on child care or home health being easier to make relevant to us if it's like...
• Child care, home health.

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to approve the prior minutes and then focused primarily on planning a future apprenticeship-related presentation or panel. Members discussed a draft outreach letter and follow-up with the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, with the goal of involving state officials, employers, and possibly trade representatives. The group also discussed how apprenticeship efforts could connect to disability employment goals, including opportunities for people with disabilities and service providers to be included in the conversation. A major topic was Governor Healey’s goal of expanding apprenticeships to 100,000 participants and concerns raised at a recent Chamber of Commerce event about barriers to entry, including education requirements and a $250 annual fee for employers. Several members noted that while large employers may absorb the fee, it could discourage small and mid-sized businesses, and they suggested a tiered fee structure or eliminating the fee altogether. Members also emphasized that apprenticeship conversations should include people with disabilities and avoid stereotypes about what jobs they can do. The subcommittee discussed possible focus areas for the event, settling tentatively on child care and home health as practical starting points, with interest in adding behavioral health as a possible model. They also discussed whether to include a representative from higher education or a state apprenticeship liaison. No final decisions were made on speakers or format, but members agreed to continue outreach, propose dates, and likely hold the session on Zoom rather than in person or hybrid.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Climate Advisory Team, Chris Benjamin, testified in support.
• team uh Chris Benjamin advisory team uh Chris Benjamin testified<00:09:44.440><c> in</c> testified in
• I'm sorry, I did miss you. Yes, Public Utilities Commission with comments. Thank you.
• I know there were a few words missing from it, but even with that, it appears that HECO could own 59%
• His child went no contact and left the country to escape him.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, they might be the primary translator for their family, they might have a child at home,
• For example, they might be the primary translator for their family, they might have a child at home,
• missing so that we can use our uh media missing so that we can use our uh media specialist<00:34:57.000
• </c> whatever skills they might be missing whatever skills they might be missing just<00:35:02.480><c
• </c><01:03:37.160><c> Krell</c> over this past year um as Miss Krell over this past year um as Miss Krell

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Did I miss a part? I have one more than that. Okay. Senator Christian Dawson. Hi, Shaleigh, Dev.
• And as a former teacher and certainly studied child development, I mean, certain years are very, very
• And as a former teacher and certainly studied child development, I mean, certain years are very, very
• Child development.
• We have a great child find system that weaves in with our MTSS system.

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Summary: The committee first received an overview of Washington’s Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs from OSPI. Staff explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional school setting, and that it can take the form of online, site-based, or remote courses. OSPI said ALE is still basic education, with the same student rights and district responsibilities as other public school programs, and that the agency provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Members asked for more detailed statewide data on demographics, outcomes, and post-graduation tracking, which OSPI said it would follow up on. Representatives from several ALE programs then described their models and student populations. Washington Virtual Academies, Columbia Virtual Academy, Pearl, and River Home Link each said they serve students through different combinations of online, remote, or site-based learning, with families choosing these programs for reasons such as medical needs, athletics, travel, homeschooling preferences, religious or political concerns, bullying, or the need for more individualized instruction. The presenters emphasized that they provide certificated teachers, special education and multilingual services, assessments, clubs, field trips, and other supports, while also noting funding and capacity limits. Senators asked about for-profit versus district-run structures, transportation, meals, early learning, CTE access, vaccination requirements, and how students socialize and transition to high school. Several presenters said they would provide follow-up information on demographics, language access, and funding details. The committee then shifted to an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI described its AI guidance, which centers on human input, AI output, and human evaluation, and said it has issued practical documents for classroom use and ethics, revised standards to emphasize critical thinking, digital literacy, media literacy, and data literacy, and supported statewide professional development. OSPI also highlighted an AI innovation summit, educator training courses, and new AI-related course codes and equivalency frameworks. District presenters from Quincy and Peninsula described local AI integration efforts, including board policies, classroom guidance, teacher professional learning, custom support tools, and career-connected programs such as drone certification. They stressed that AI should be introduced in a human-centered way and asked for state support for innovation, equity, workforce partnerships, and clear governance standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of advisory members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Nothing major, just advisory members that I missed. Uh, so I'll come back to that at the end.
• Advisory members. Armstrong, and Lord.
• Advisory, so Sapansky and Small, OK, put them on as advisory.
• , advisory team Indian Affairs Committee.

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chair of the Winnipesaukee River Basin Advisory Board. >> And Wes Hails from Laconia. >> So I
• </c> the Winnipegasi River Basin Advisory the Winnipegasi River Basin Advisory Board.
• >> Um, Senate Bill 645, which is income eligibility for the child care scholarship program. >> There
• </c><00:47:48.560><c> Y</c> child care scholarship program. Y child care scholarship program.
• care scare scholarship program and child care scare scholarship program and then<00:52:43.760><c> you

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to miss in a 15minute visit. to miss in a 15minute visit.
• It begins to report deaths in child care institutions.
• </c> child care um institutions. child care um institutions.
• Our child care licensing rules do require deaths to be reported to the department.
• </c><05:12:29.920><c> the</c> extent that it might even endanger the extent that it might even endanger

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Legislative Study Commission on Child Legislative Study Commission on Child Sexual<00:17:13.039>
• I missed that first word. I couldn't hear it. What part?
• when it comes that I'm kind of missing when it comes to<01:07:55.440><c> that?
• And Miss Diane Harper, I don't do it without all your support and help.
• Miss Diane Harper, I don't I don't do it Miss Diane Harper, I don't I don't do it without<01:32:42.000

Transcript Highlights:

• Education Committees to hear from the California Association of Student Councils and the Student Advisory
• But more importantly, I walked in one of these hearings a few minutes late and almost missed a huge opportunity
• My name is Thea Nikolaescu, and I will be your Student Advisory Board on Legislation Education Conference
• We are delegates of the Student Advisory Board on Legislation and Education, representing the youth of
• This method is best at solving for missing guidelines because we mandate guidelines which are simple

Transcript Highlights:

• Elijah's Law is a law that trains child care facilities in the identification and treatment of food-borne
• And so since daycare child care facilities now fall underneath DESE, DESE has those guidelines.
• And so we are just requiring that DESE gives the guidelines to the child care facilities for training
• And I think that any parent who sends off their kids somewhere wants to make sure their child is safe
• I could have lost my child.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• And then pillar three is the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee to examine the link between ultra-processed
• something off the shelf, knowing what's in it may give you pause to say, "Hmm, do I want to feed my child
• , a four-pillar approach—from physical activity to nutrition education to having a new Nutrition Advisory
• If there is no compliance, there will be no meal for that child who is getting guaranteed that one meal
• There will not be a meal for that child.

Bills: SB 25 , SB25 , SB314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• so severely that the child dies.
• Should the abuse or torture of a child that kills that child Should the abuse or torture of a child that
• kills that child be treated any differently?
• An individual from diversion for lewd acts with a child, but say someone who abuses that child to the
• And death of a child or abuse and torture that causes a child under eight to be deceased should definitely

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we cannot stand by while heavy-duty autonomous vehicles are deployed under conditions that endanger
• , and we cannot stand by while heavy-duty autonomous vehicles are deployed under conditions that endanger
• And honestly, what concerns would you have that maybe—where are we missing the mark?

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard an informational hearing on California’s newly finalized autonomous vehicle regulations, with DMV and CHP officials describing the updated framework and committee members pressing them on safety, enforcement, and first-responder impacts. DMV said the rules, effective April 28, 2026, expand reporting, create a phased permitting system from testing to deployment, add requirements for safety cases, remote operations, and first-responder coordination, and open a path for heavy-duty AV testing and deployment while still prohibiting oversized loads and hazardous materials. CHP said it worked with DMV on enforcement tools, first-responder interaction plans, and training local agencies on the new notice of noncompliance process. Members asked about crash data, immobilizations, freeway and construction-zone safety, weigh-station enforcement, and whether foreign licenses can qualify for remote assistants or drivers; DMV and CHP said the rules are intended to keep AVs accountable and that heavy-duty AVs will be held to the same roadway standards as human-driven commercial vehicles. A second panel focused on data collection and enforcement. Consumer attorneys argued the prior rules were too limited because DMV stopped collecting meaningful data once AVs moved from testing to deployment, making it difficult for the public and litigants to understand incidents; they supported the new regulations but urged that the collected information be made public. The industry association said California now has the nation’s most robust AV oversight, with monthly or quarterly reporting of collisions, system failures, immobilizations, harsh braking, vehicle miles traveled, and notices of noncompliance, plus broad DMV authority to restrict or suspend operations. In response to questions, the industry said it generally supports the new framework, believes the regulations are clear, and does not favor full federal preemption of state AV rules, though it wants federal standards for design, construction, and performance. A third panel addressed first-responder interaction and remote operations. The San Francisco Fire Department described repeated AV interference with emergency scenes and said AVs have generated hundreds of “sleeper calls,” where passengers fall asleep and trigger 911 responses; the department said these incidents consume significant staff time and it wants better protocols to reduce unnecessary dispatches. Waymo said it has trained thousands of public-safety personnel, maintains a 24/7 emergency line, uses geofencing/avoid-the-area messages, and can allow first responders to manually override or move vehicles when needed. Committee members asked about sleeper-call prevention, remote assistant licensing and drug testing, communication redundancies during outages, and how manual overrides work for vehicles without traditional controls; Waymo said it is collaborating with responders and that its vehicles are designed to reach a safe stop if connectivity is lost. The final panel began with testimony on heavy-duty autonomous vehicles. A transportation researcher said freight is essential to California’s economy and that heavy-duty AVs pose distinct safety risks because of their weight, stopping distance, and the potentially severe consequences of crashes or immobilizations on highways. He said the new regulations are important because they create a regulated pathway for heavy-duty AV deployment, require a safety case, set mileage thresholds, and add reporting categories that can serve as leading safety indicators. The hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended, with additional testimony expected from labor and industry witnesses on heavy-duty AV deployment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, there's general consensus—there'll always be somebody—but the consensus is that we're missing
• flood performance standards were largely inherited and created before the Clean Water Act, the Endangered
• And I'll give you one guess as to which liability is more costly: inverse condemnation or Endangered

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we haven't been, have any signals from the agencies or staff and or an indication that those are endangered
• out with you a quick aside you brought up your zero-based budgeting you talked about how talented miss
• NOAA Fisheries also prepares recovery plans for endangered fish and marine species, and to move a project

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Details of that advisory commission are also in that subdivision.
• Section 12, Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission, creates a legislative advisory commission
• advisory commission which a legislative advisory commission which will<00:14:34.600><c> field</c><00
• </c> legislative Inspector General advisory legislative Inspector General advisory commission<00:58:14.240
• </c> that's maybe a question for The Advisory that's maybe a question for The Advisory Council<00:58:

Committee: Senate State and Local Government