Transcript Highlights:

• , they had an election where they went to the public and said the election because they used the emergency
• We had a witness in committee that was exposed to a male in a woman's locker room.
• tax dollars were used to lobby against this bill and to lobby for men in. women's restrooms, locker rooms
• Not only was it about bathrooms, but it was about overnight stays on school trips, it was locker rooms
• And I'm just trying to keep a man out of a lady's room. To recall the roll.

Bills: SB15 , SB9 , SB7 , SB1 , SB2 , SB67 , SB15 , SB9 , SB7

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, there've been increasing public attention paid to various emerging chemicals of concern
• chemicals of concern various emerging chemicals of concern and<00:06:04.480><c> their</c><00:06:04.600
• </c><00:06:14.800><c> chemicals</c> imminent chemicals of emergent chemicals imminent chemicals of emergent
• If the federal protections are weakened, repealed, or fail to address emerging threats, then Kentucky
• </c> repealed, or failed to address emerging repealed, or failed to address emerging threats,<00:20:24.800

Committee: Senate Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:03.200><c> and</c> access in the event of an emergency and access in the event of an emergency
• If the department wants to provide for emergency or supply shortages, how can this unknown be predicted
• If the department wants to provide for emergency or supply shortages, how can this unknown be predicted
• , LRB, Sergeant-at-Arms, the access room, LRB, Sergeant-at-Arms, the DAGs<01:25:52.639><c> teams,</c>
• emergency emergency response.<01:37:26.000><c> And</c><01:37:26.239><c> then</c><01:37:26.480><c> we

Transcript Highlights:

• I remember your great-grandpa, my dad, looking around the dining room when our whole family gathers for
• AB 1805, Ransom, from the Communications and Conveyance Committee to the Emergency Management Committee
• This week honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals
• services, and without them, our entire emergency response network cannot function.
• services, and without them, our entire emergency response network cannot function.

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:

• </c> undocumented people who need Emergency undocumented people who need Emergency Shelters<00:31:13.600
• He said the chart purported to show time of emergence on climate risks.
• The Emerging Technologies Caucus is meeting tomorrow, Friday, at 2 p.m.
• The Pension Subcommittee of EDNA is meeting in half an hour at room 305, our normal room.
• One more thing: let's have quiet in the room.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also kind of outlines the 30 single rooms.
• With social spaces built in, quiet sensory rooms, and three nurses stations with audio visual of the
• If we're getting non-emergent medical transportation vans, those might also qualify to go out to the
• And they're dealing with a lot of emergent care in the rural area.
• a lot of emergent care in the rural area.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston. The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance. The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're in the room here in person and you'd like to see it, we have extra packets outside the room
• If you're in the room here in person and you'd like to see it, we have extra packets outside the room
• Before I got into policy, I was our crisis response emergency program manager.
• I'm going to ask everyone to line up on this side of the room, single file.
• I also exchange my time, energy, and services for pay, as all of us in this room do.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety held an informational hearing in Pomona on sex work-related crimes and efforts to combat human trafficking. The chair and Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez framed the issue as a major public safety and victim-protection concern, referencing the repeal of the loitering law in SB 357 and the recent enactment of AB 379, which targets buyers of sex rather than sex workers. The hearing was organized into three panels: data and research, policing and anti-trafficking efforts, and courtroom/prosecution impacts. In the first panel, the California Department of Justice presented arrest and conviction data for the repealed loitering statute, noting overall declines from 2019 to 2022 but also explaining that the data did not distinguish clearly between people selling sex, people loitering to sell, and people purchasing sex. USC law professor Hannah Gary summarized a 2021 report finding that law enforcement stings and raids often lack transparency, disproportionately harm Black women, minors, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented migrants, and rarely achieve the stated goals of protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, or preventing trafficking. The ACLU of Southern California argued that criminalization of sex work is discriminatory and historically used to police women and people of color, and that laws aimed at buyers still harm sex workers and can increase immigration consequences. Committee members asked about data collection, racial disparities, and whether the new law could worsen profiling; the panelists urged public health approaches, better data, and more survivor services. The second panel featured the California DOJ human trafficking coordinator, Pomona Police Chief Mike Ellis, and survivor advocate Jess Torres of Rising Worldwide. DOJ described its regional trafficking teams, task forces, victim services, and prosecutions, emphasizing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. Chief Ellis said SB 357 limited police intervention and contributed to visible open-air prostitution near schools and other sensitive locations, citing complaints from residents and a reported drop in juvenile rescues in Pomona after the law changed; he supported AB 63-style enforcement with safeguards and service referrals. Torres, speaking as a survivor, argued that anti-trafficking policy must be survivor-led, that many youth in the sex trade are boys or LGBTQ youth, and that criminalization and street enforcement often worsen harm and displacement rather than solving the underlying problems. In the final panel, a Riverside County deputy district attorney said AB 63 could help law enforcement make earlier contact with potential victims and identify traffickers, while stressing the need for training, documentation, and oversight. A Los Angeles County public defender argued that prosecuting trafficked people reinforces traffickers’ control, creates lifelong barriers, and retraumatizes survivors, and pointed to diversion programs as a better model. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking began its testimony by describing its survivor services and crisis response work. The hearing ended without any vote or formal action, but with committee members and witnesses continuing to debate the balance between enforcement, data collection, and survivor-centered services.

Transcript Highlights:

• I emergency in any one of those towns.
• for emergency transfers.
• That's the emergency room requirement and that's the all-payer.
• That's<01:47:23.440><c> the</c><01:47:23.679><c> emergency</c><01:47:24.239><c> room</c><01:47:24.560
• ><c> requirement</c> That's the emergency room requirement That's the emergency room requirement and<

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure is an emergency measure.
• This measure is an emergency measure.
• This does have an emergency clause and requires a two-thirds vote to pass the emergency clause.
• This does have an emergency clause, which will require a two-thirds vote.
• You passed Senate Bill 1829 without the emergency clause.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions recognizing judges, medical and mining guests, students, and Girl Scout Troop 6354. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a long calendar of bills, with most measures receiving committee amendments and do-pass recommendations. Bills discussed included SB 1272 on the Douglas port of entry, SB 1327 on Arizona Board of Regents restrictions involving foreign countries, SB 1400 on public safety employee information, SB 1519 on off-highway vehicles, SB 1627 on unmanned aircraft, SB 1630 on AHCCCS home and community-based services and mental illness, SB 1720 on parenting time, SB 1763 on school district finances, SB 1826 on rural wayfinding signs, and SB 1827 on vertiports/advanced air mobility. Several bills drew floor amendments and brief explanations, including changes to off-highway vehicle use, drone restrictions near schools, parenting-time standards, and school finance reporting. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1272, SB 1327, SB 1400, SB 1519, SB 1627, SB 1630, SB 1720, SB 1763, and SB 1826. SB 1827 initially failed on a 15-15 vote. Members also debated SB 1111 on automatic license plate readers during a later Committee of the Whole session; supporters said it added guardrails such as warrant requirements, training, logging, and felony penalties for misuse, while opponents argued it still enabled broad surveillance and contained loopholes. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole report and then proceeded to third reading votes on the earlier bills. In the later session, the Senate considered SB 1111, SB 1214 on stem-cell/regenerative therapy, SB 1683 on foreign ownership/advisory limits for real property, SB 1686 on a memorial designation, and SB 1745 on local excise tax rate limits. SB 1214’s sponsor said the bill created a framework for regenerative medicine and medical tourism, while opponents said the policy was too significant for floor amendment and should be developed through stakeholder meetings. SB 1683 and SB 1745 were amended and advanced, and SB 1686 passed without amendment. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the Senate then took up a motion to alter the report on SB 1111 to include the Hoffman amendment and exclude the Payne amendment, with debate centered on whether the bill was a necessary surveillance safeguard or an unconstitutional mass-surveillance measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The hydrogen industry is still emerging, and emerging industries rarely move in a straight line.
• They should include emergency response planning.
• Well, Senator, as the Chair of the Transportation Committee, I'm glad you're in the room.
• Well, Senator, as the Chair of the Transportation Committee, I'm glad you're in the room.
• It is an emerging part of California's clean air, clean energy, and economic landscape.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1898 offers a safer path forward while still allowing these foams in real emergencies.
• SB 35 1898 offers a safer path forward while still allowing these foams in real emergencies.
• If we don't, we'll be importing cement at emergency levels just to keep up.
• If we don't, we'll be importing cement at emergency levels just to keep up.
• We have clean rooms. We are just like the wafer fabs.

Bills: SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1898 , SB2050

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> emerging types of fraud. emerging types of fraud.
• And then they go into the doctor or the emergency room.
• </c> for an emergency for an emergency uh<02:37:24.840><c> red</c><02:37:25.120><c> flag</c><02:37:25.480
• </c> those emergency petitions right away. those emergency petitions right away.
• </c><02:45:50.040><c> order</c> of the service of the emergency order of the service of the emergency

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have lots of ag land, as I imagine many of you all in the room know, that Doña Ana County produces
• opposition to this bill and you're in the room and you want to speak up, raise your hand.
• That might help us hear in the room. Okay. Is this okay? It's a little bit better. It's on the RN.
• Let's go to the room. If you are in opposition, raise your hand.
• The emergency clause is so that the funding can get out for early crops and then in fall.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a mass casualty health emergency now.
• You can buy one at Costco for $300, and that can cool a room very efficiently.
• I hear that John Seng is not available in the remote Zoom room. Is that correct? Thank you.
• If none of those other names are available in the Zoom room, is that correct?
• Madam Vice Chair, it looks like Isabella may have left the Zoom room.

Bills: SB6091 , SB6096 , SB6153 , SB6200

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: SB 6091, Washington real estate, real estate broker, residential property, home listings, exclusive listing, limited marketing, open marketing, fair housing, brokerage law, consumer protection, housing access, MLS, seller disclosure, buyer representation, dual agency, designated broker, managing broker, short sale, real estate pamphlet

Transcript Highlights:

• We will ask if there's anyone in the committee room who wishes to speak in support.
• In the committee room who wishes to speak in support.
• Is there anyone else in the committee room who wishes to express an opposed position?
• Emergency blocking crossings.
• Not being able to break it for emergency— all that's off the table.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee heard SB 220, which would require Los Angeles Metro to submit an updated governance reform report by July 1 in light of Measure G and the creation of a future countywide executive. Senator Allen argued the bill simply accelerates a locally driven discussion and does not prescribe a specific board structure. Metro, the Los Angeles mayor’s representative, and several members of the committee opposed it as unnecessary and premature, saying local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue. After discussion focused on local control and the need for broader L.A. County delegation input, the bill passed the committee on a 7-2 vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require freight railroads to install wayside detector systems at specified intervals, with different treatment for short-line railroads, and to submit safety response plans to the CPUC. Senator Archuleta and union supporters said the bill would help prevent derailments like East Palestine by detecting overheated bearings earlier and improving crew notification. Railroads, passenger rail operators, and business and supply-chain groups opposed it, arguing the spacing mandate was arbitrary, costly, could slow freight movement, and could disrupt shared passenger corridors; they also raised preemption and implementation concerns. Members discussed costs, passenger impacts, and whether 10-mile spacing was supported by data. The bill passed 11-2 and was also held on call. Finally, the committee considered ACR 71, which designates a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. Assembly Member Kalra and numerous Vietnamese American community members and local supporters described the designation as a recognition of the history, resilience, and contributions of the Vietnamese community in San Jose. There was no opposition testimony. Members praised the measure and noted the connection between the San Jose and Orange County Vietnamese communities. The resolution passed unanimously, 11-0, and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, you have room for a shed.
• Basically, you have room for a shed.
• Basically, you have room for a shed.
• Basically, you have room for a shed.
• Basically, you have room for a shed.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a band practice room and a small fitness studio.
• that goes to room and board?
• </c> business woman who was emergently business woman who was emergently transported<01:27:20.360><c>
• Each and every one of us in this room knows somebody who has an addiction problem.
• Each and every one of us in this room knows somebody who has an addiction problem.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• in our local tax base, just alone for emergency response.
• Just alone for emergency response, and we've seen those programs being cut.
• We are in an emergency place.
• But we also know that there are people sitting in emergency rooms waiting to be placed for up to six
• We've been sitting in this room. Tell me about it. I know.

Transcript Highlights:

• Heavenly Father, we take this moment to reflect on the leadership that is represented around the room
• Members, you heard from a lot of our colleagues in the room.
• You will love this amendment, and I can't wait to see your yes votes in this room.
• cancellation available to consumers post the state of emergency.
• Studies showed dental therapists improve oral health outcomes, reduce emergency room visits, and save

Bills: SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972 , SB 365 , SB 1786 , SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 14 , HB 43 , HB 36 , HB 26 , HB 149 , HB 121 , HB 206 , HB 136 , HB 3114 , HB 2733 , HB 1732 , HB 3700 , HB 467 , HB 1130 , HB 1846 , HB 1442 , HB 1147 , HB 2176 , HB 2701 , HB 805 , HB 2890 , HB 1154 , HB 1644 , HB 2118 , HB 1718 , HB 2488 , HB 2596 , HB 2468 , HB 484 , HB 2578 , HB 3204 , HB 1041 , HB 307 , HB 685 , HB 538 , HB 2525 , HB 3125 , HB 2027 , HB 2894 , HB 3077 , HB 106 , HB 18 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972

Transcript Highlights:

• needs: Ella has shown so much improvement since she started ABA, but we know she has so much more room
• In regards to the decrease in chewing in edible objects, we did end up in the emergency room a few years
• In regards to decrease in chewing in edible objects, we did up in the emergency In regards to decrease
• in chewing in edible objects, we did up in the emergency room a few years ago because she swallowed
• We have the right minds in this room to help solve some of those issues.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the June 4 minutes and then heard an update from the Attorney General’s office on Medicaid fraud investigations, including ABA-related fraud concerns. Justin Brasher explained how the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates providers using credible allegations, hotline tips, data mining, subpoenas, surveillance, and federal partnerships, and described the choice between civil and criminal cases. He cited examples such as impossible-hours billing, caregiver fraud, DME fraud, and updates on the Brian Hyatt and Joseph Schwartz cases. Members asked about ABA fraud and safeguards; Brasher said the office is aware of the federal ABA fraud toolkit and emphasized that investigations require a credible allegation so legitimate services are not disrupted. Representative Clowney clarified that the examples discussed were Medicaid fraud generally, not ABA-specific cases. The committee then heard extensive testimony from Rachel Dodson and ABA provider Jessica Linnehan about Dodson’s nine-year-old daughter, Ella Grace, who has autism and multiple medical conditions. Dodson described how ABA has helped Ella improve communication, school participation, safety, hygiene, and medication management, but said insurance denials and reduced authorization hours are now the biggest barrier to care. Linnehan explained the authorization process, saying insurers often issue unclear denials, caregivers are excluded from physician review calls, and delays or partial approvals can interrupt services. She said Ella’s current plan was reduced to 25 hours per week despite the family requesting 34 hours, and argued that children should not have to regress before receiving higher-intensity care. Dodson and Linnehan also cited CASP guidance supporting higher-intensity ABA when safety concerns are present. Representatives from DHS and Empower Healthcare Solutions responded that Medicaid ABA services are covered through the PASSEs and fee-for-service, that Empower uses InterQual medical-necessity criteria, and that care coordinators help families but do not make clinical determinations. DHS said it is working on clearer ABA-related notices and a new policy/manual that is moving toward public comment and later legislative review. Members discussed whether the issue should be added to the task force’s legislative priorities, but several said they had not yet seen the draft priorities. The committee ultimately approved a motion to have the chairs finalize the report before submission to the General Assembly, then voted to expunge that vote after members objected to voting without reviewing the document. The meeting ended with a plan to circulate the draft by email and reconvene before the report deadline later in the month.