Transcript Highlights:

• you just got here as we, you and I were over in the house at that time, and, uh, That's been the standard
• This also clarifies the standard of law, uh, that physicians are to use their reasonable medical judgment
• The bill clarifies our definition of ectopic pregnancy to be more in line with medical standards.
• This law further clarifies and insulates um what has already been affirmed as the standard of care by
• That's the standard of care used in all medical cases.

Bills: SB 31, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 1868, SB 2024, SB 2166, SB 2309, SB 2880, SJR 27, SJR 39, SJR 40

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• Any other standard report? >> Okay. Any other standard report?
• 40.080><c> it's</c><02:03:40.320><c> standard</c> standardized I mean it's standard standardized I mean
• . standards. standards.
• </c> be meeting those standards. be meeting those standards.
• </c> the teacher standards board. the teacher standards board.

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: Mauna Kea, land management, University of Hawaii, astronomical observatories, leasable lands, natural resource management, stewardship authority, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts and Education heard testimony and discussed SB 20003, which would require the auditor’s report under Act 255 to include a recommendation on whether the Monarch Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue managing Monaca lands. Testimony focused on the bill’s reversion language, the role of the auditor, and whether the measure gave the auditor too much discretion without clear criteria. The Office of the Auditor’s position, read into the record, was that it had strong reservations because the bill did not provide standards for assessing fitness and asked that the requirement be held or amended. Other testimony suggested a work group with relevant agencies and Hawaiian practitioners to manage the transition and reduce conflict. Committee members debated whether the bill should simply restore the original reversion language or also require an audit-based fitness determination. Several members questioned the need for a 2031 audit when Act 255 already provides for a performance and financial audit in 2031 and noted that the bill could shift authority away from the legislature. In response, the committee chair explained that the measure was intended to restore language removed during conference and to address the transition back to the University of Hawaii if the authority was not meeting the act’s purpose. The committees ultimately recommended SB 20003 be passed with amendments. The amendments would strike the auditor/audit section, add language addressing timelines by providing a 10-year lease extension and sublease extension, and make technical changes including a defective date. The committees voted to adopt the amended measure and send it forward as an SD1. The transcript also included a separate Education Committee hearing on SB 3286, which would require the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan and report to the legislature. University of Hawaii testimony said the system supports the intent but that the bill’s requirements are a heavy lift across 10 campuses and should follow development of a broader academic strategy. Members raised concerns about deferred maintenance, shifting priorities, and the lack of a systemwide plan, while the university said it already has a six-year capital improvement plan but acknowledged it does not fully incorporate the broader academic and housing strategy the bill contemplates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And members, I think if we have minimum standards for animal shelters, if we have minimum standards for
• And members, I think if we have minimum standards for animal shelters, if we have minimum standards for
• animal shelters, if we have minimum standards for We have minimum standards for animal shelters, if
• we have minimum standards for zoos, if we have minimum standards for those types of venues, I think homeless
• This is about confidentiality, HIPAA confidentiality standards, which we already have HIPAA-like standards

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first advanced SB 1224, which requires DCFS to look into cases where a child under 17 is involved in a pregnancy, with added oversight for children under 12; it was reported favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 1100, described as repealing an outdated statute. White Coat Day remarks welcomed physicians to the Capitol and thanked them for their service, including efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and physician licensure, was reported favorably. HB 1231 clarified that Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring applies to insulin-dependent patients, including those with gestational diabetes, and was also reported favorably. HB 198, which sets reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures such as colonoscopies, eye, ENT, and gastroenterology services, passed favorably. HB 1160, creating a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical graduates, prompted a lengthy exchange about delayed rulemaking and whether the board had added requirements beyond statute; despite concerns, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced several resolutions and oversight measures. HCR 67, prompted by a personal family experience with a special-needs child’s acute care needs, creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children; it was amended and reported favorably. HCR 27, calling for a statewide evaluation of autism services by LDH and the Department of Education, was reported favorably. HB 223, which recreates DCFS, was amended to shorten the sunset date and require law enforcement reporting through a secure web platform, then reported favorably. HCR 28, creating a task force on school nurse orientation and training for new graduates, was reported favorably after testimony from school nurses about the lack of standardized orientation and the risks of placing inexperienced nurses alone in schools. The committee also took up HB 469, which would allow pharmacy license renewal applicants to designate a portion of fees to eligible schools including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy; after opposition from Senator Cloud and a roll call, the bill was deferred. HB 1182, a cleanup bill changing the occupational therapy certifying entity and adjusting fees, and HB 1076, eliminating one of two sunset provisions for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, were both reported favorably. HB 1216, a major rewrite of clinical laboratory personnel rules, was deferred after concerns that it would restrict existing phlebotomy and lab functions in ways that could conflict with recent law. Finally, HB 457 and HB 616, both by Representative Knox and focused on homelessness, drew extensive testimony: HB 457 established minimum standards for shelters and similar facilities and was reported favorably as amended, while HB 616 would allow audits of homelessness-related funding and databases; after debate over privacy, federal funding oversight, and accountability, the committee adopted an amendment changing enforcement language from "may" to "shall" and continued hearing testimony from opponents and supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does a judge apply this standard<00:23:10.680><c> consistently</c><00:23:11.520><c> without</c> standard
• Using that same standard, I think it needs to be necessarily flexible.
• Using that same standard, I think it needs to be necessarily flexible.
• Using that same standard, I think it needs to be necessarily flexible.
• Using that same standard, I think it needs to be necessarily flexible.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, UDC officers are not always performing checks within the 15-minute standard.
• What this really comes down to is establishing those standardized policies.
• What this comes down to is establishing those standardized policies as our foundation.
• The next component required, as the auditor mentioned, there are three standards...
• We're not inventing the standards. We're looking to the national standard to have them comply with.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or not standard and kind of personalized.
• This will bring standardization and consistency.
• It would standardize the reporting and show clear reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Public shelters that receive funding must have basic standards.
• These facilities are of a basic standard and hopefully well beyond that.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• They include drinking water quality standards or limits, requirements for monitoring, reporting, and
• So with respect to the stringency standard, Idaho Code 39-107D, DEQ has additional requirements if...
• So this is to follow industry standards.
• Public water systems or those undergoing modifications can meet the drinking water standards.
• Idaho's engineering standards are part of our EPA-approved primacy program in 40 CFR 142.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE RULES WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS AN EXISTING RULE REGARDING MINIMUM STANDARDS
• THERE IS A RULE GUARDING BIRTH CENTER STANDARDS AND LICENSURES.
• RESIDENT CARE STANDARDS, MEDICATION PRACTICES, LIMITED NURSING SERVICES AS WELL AS ALF MINIMUM TRAINING
• THIS WILL PROVIDE THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT WITH MINIMUM STANDARDS NECESSARY TO BE CONSISTENT WITH
• I THINK THAT WE WOULD BE PROVIDING MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> objective pass-fail standards. objective pass-fail standards.
• Um, but in our statewide standards.
• And then when you are, standards.
• </c> because they've met the HUD standards. because they've met the HUD standards.
• <01:34:21.120><c> code</c> standard code standard code um<01:34:22.640><c> that</c><01:34:22.960><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His presentation also includes examples of how the draft two standards, which came out in February, I
• His presentation also includes examples of how the draft two standards, which came out in February, I
• His presentation also includes examples of how the draft two standards, which came out in February, I
• </c> Be redone when we get new standards developed.
• Which I think is valid and important, that we're not having to do rework with the new standards.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also inspect commodities as requested for quality condition using our official grade standards and
• As a clarification, the standards describe the requirements for each grade of commodity.
• Part of the changes there, we removed obsolete grade standard language and anything that wasn't being
• So we also investigate consumer complaints, and we perform calibration tests for standards.
• Consumer complaints and we perform calibration tests for standards using metrology in our Metrology Lab

Summary: The committee met late due to a lunch with FFA members and then took up five Idaho State Department of Agriculture rule dockets. Jared Stewart presented four rules: stone fruit grades, bulk permits and retail sale of potatoes, weights and measures, and organic food products. He explained each as part of ISDA’s zero-based rulemaking effort, with changes focused on removing obsolete or duplicative language, updating incorporation-by-reference citations, and clarifying standards and procedures. Members asked a few questions, including about weights-and-measures rechecks, and all four dockets were approved by voice vote. Brian Slabaw presented the pesticide and chemigation use and application rule. He said the agency-initiated changes were intended to reduce administrative burden, update license categories, add a five-year license option, create a drone application category, and clarify supervision and seminar-credit requirements. Members raised several questions about fees, drone operations, supervision ratios, and whether the changes would affect small farmers. Slabaw said the fee change was intended to be revenue-neutral over five years, that drone applicators would need the appropriate license and on-site supervision, and that the agency had discussed the proposal with stakeholders, including aerial applicator groups. The committee approved this docket as well. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved minutes from a January 22, 2026 meeting and then adjourned. The chair also welcomed FFA visitors and noted that five rules were considered during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also inspect commodities as requested for quality condition using our official grade standards and
• As a clarification, the standards describe the requirements for each grade of commodity.
• Part of the changes there: we removed obsolete grade standard language and anything that wasn't being
• So if there are different weight standards that are used by different organizations or groups, we bring
• So, to make sure it was congruent and easier to search and find, the standards maintain the same language

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason being is, you know, the industry standard, and a lot of these individuals, especially those
• that three-year industry standard as well.
• We think a three-year term is the industry standard. would be the best proposition.
• We think three years, which is the industry standard, would be better for the licensees as well as the
• The next bill before you is Senate Bill 303, Gaming Machine Standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:57:21.280><c> Board</c> requirements of the Standards Board requirements of the Standards Board
• So, regarding the use of practice as a standardized test in many states, is there a standard cutoff score
• </c> the use of practice as a standardized the use of practice as a standardized test<01:07:24.359><c
• </c> test in many states is there a standard test in many states is there a standard cut<01:07:26.640
• I have questions for the Standards Board and also the DLE. Mr.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 627, which concerns Department of Education school safety funding and staffing. DOE said the bill would restore two positions and related funding that had been removed from the governor’s budget: a targeted violence prevention and threat assessment program manager and a security technology manager. DOE described ongoing work on school vulnerability assessments, fire suppression measures, security camera research, panic buttons, and active shooter prevention training. Testifiers from DOE, the Department of Law Enforcement, fire services, HSTA, and an individual witness all supported the bill, with the individual citing a past school shooting experience as a reason to increase school resource officers and safety measures. Members asked about the positions’ duties, how the request differed from existing security funding, and the status of active shooter training; DOE said it would provide more information on training statistics. The committee then took up HB 249, relating to Executive Office on Early Learning family child interaction learning programs. The Early Learning Board, EOEL, Commit to Kids, Early Childhood Action Strategies, Partners in Development Foundation, and others testified in support. EOEL said it currently spends about $800,000 annually on FCI program contracts and supports expanding state funding for FCIL programs, including infant and early childhood mental health, if the appropriation covers the broader scope. Testifiers emphasized that FCIL programs are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and help families and children, with one provider sharing a long-term example of a parent and child benefiting from the program. Members asked how many programs are supported, whether FCIL exists on all islands, and whether the request was in the governor’s budget; EOEL said the expansion was requested by the office but not included in the governor’s budget. HB 429, concerning pre-K expansion, drew broad support from the Lieutenant Governor, EOEL, HSTA, and community groups. Supporters said the Ready Keiki initiative has already opened more than 50 classrooms and would add another 50 over the next two years, including Hawaiian immersion classrooms. EOEL said it currently administers 72 public pre-K classrooms across 74 campuses and that the bill’s funding was included in the governor’s budget request. Testimony stressed kindergarten readiness, affordability for working families, equity across islands, and inclusion classrooms. Members asked about national quality benchmarks, with EOEL stating Hawaii meets 10 of 10 benchmarks and that only five states had done so at the time referenced. The Lieutenant Governor also described construction and delivery efforts, including refurbishing existing classrooms, modular options, possible use of state buildings, and even collaboration with libraries to expand child care access. Finally, the committee heard HB 439 on J-1 teacher licensure. DOE supported the bill, while the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposed it, arguing licensure standards are not place-based and should remain rigorous and uniform for all educators. The Attorney General’s office offered technical comments, including replacing “educators” with “teacher” and clarifying the bill’s language on issuance and renewal conditions. Several organizations and individuals testified in support, including school, cultural, business, and educator groups. One witness, a teacher from the Philippines, said J-1 educators are highly qualified and described the rigor of teacher preparation in the Philippines. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> establish a statewide uniform standards establish a statewide uniform standards to<00:01:28.080>
• We believe details of standards.
• a minimum standard.
• a minimum standard.
• </c> going to create a stand state standard going to create a stand state standard that<00:07:05.760>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we partnered with Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
• But we partnered with Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
• We help them with that in addition to the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
• We help them with that in addition to the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
• With Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent standards of coverage. and communities is about community safety and firefighter safety.
• Recent standards of coverage analysis by the International Association of Firefighters identified that
• So again, the general standard is in a conspicuous location where the employees are.
• They don't have the standards.
• The board will have oversight over technical and operational standards for the 911 system, training standards

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, this new standard would increase legal liability for public water systems.
• These systems require specialized expertise and uniform standards, which this bill helps to protect.
• California has some of the strictest standards in the nation to become a police officer, and my office
• AB 2405 fixes that with a simple, common-sense, and uniform standard.
• AB 2405 fixes that with a simple, common-sense, and uniform standard.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Emergency Management met to consider a large slate of bills, first approving a consent calendar that included measures on emergency management and related topics, with several bills moved on a due pass basis to Appropriations or other policy committees. The committee then heard AB 2013, which would require community water systems to report on wildfire-related preparedness measures such as tank levels, backup generators, and pump hardening. The author argued the bill would provide needed transparency after repeated wildfire water failures, while water agency and municipal utility representatives opposed it, saying it would create new standards, liability concerns, and duplicative reporting. The bill was ultimately passed to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members voting aye and one member not voting. The committee also approved AB 2385, which would authorize local governments to create local reconstruction agencies for disaster recovery planning and rebuilding; supporters from the League of California Cities and the Los Angeles fire recovery community said it would help communities plan before disasters and speed recovery. AB 2492, concerning public safety coordination for major sporting events like the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics, was supported by the California Travel Association and passed to Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism. AB 2370, which clarifies Cal OES authority over statewide public safety communications systems, was supported by operating engineers and passed to Utilities and Energy. AB 2475, dealing with after-action report timelines and local reporting requirements, was also approved and sent to Appropriations. Later, the committee passed AB 2543, which addresses emergency preparedness for electric vehicle fast-charging infrastructure, and AB 2411, which would create a temporary process for in-state and out-of-state law enforcement to supplement security during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The most debated measure after AB 2013 was AB 2405, which would require law enforcement to transport patients to the nearest appropriate emergency department and report transport patterns. The author and Martin Luther King Community Hospital described severe overcrowding and frequent long-distance drop-offs, while some members raised concerns about rural impacts, exigent circumstances, and added reporting burdens. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to the Committee on Public Safety. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes from absent members on several items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, workplace standards have historically been designed without these realities in mind.
• Simply put, these entities are the gold standard of labor and management collaboration.
• Hassid because it compels access to private property by private actors without clear standards.
• What are those standards exactly that could subject an employer to a private right of action?
• And again, if the notice is necessary and appropriate, then there should be one statewide standard.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several workplace-related bills. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees; supporters said it would help workers recognize and report workplace hate, while opponents raised First Amendment and definitional concerns. The bill passed on a do pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary, with the roll left open for absent members. AB 1940 would add perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause to FEHA’s sex protections and clarify related workplace protections; supporters emphasized workplace equity and retention, while business groups said existing accommodation laws already cover many issues and raised concerns about expanding protected classifications. It also passed and was re-referred to Judiciary with the roll open. AB 1838 would require bidders on public works projects to disclose recent wage-and-hour violations and how they were addressed; labor groups supported the transparency measure, while contractors and business groups questioned definitions and disclosure scope. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. AB 1859 would give joint labor-management committees access to public works job sites to help identify labor-law violations; supporters said it would improve enforcement of wage theft laws, while opponents raised due process, property access, and constitutional concerns. It passed and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee also considered two workplace AI and surveillance bills. AB 1883 would prohibit certain invasive surveillance technologies in the workplace, including facial, gait, and emotion recognition, while placing limits on some facial recognition uses; supporters argued these tools are discriminatory and unreliable, and opponents said a ban was too broad and could eliminate useful safety and operational tools. The bill passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1898 would require employers to give workers advance notice before using AI tools to surveil or manage workers, including disclosure of the tool’s purpose, data collected, and affected decisions; supporters framed it as a basic transparency measure, while opponents objected to the breadth of notice requirements, possible veto power over deployment, and enforcement language. It also passed and was re-referred to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee additionally took up AB 1707, which passed and was re-referred to Appropriations with a consent-calendar recommendation, though the transcript does not provide the bill’s subject matter.

Transcript Highlights:

• In adopting the rules, L&I must consider the standards and specifications in the uniform...
• The standards published by the International Code Council for inspections and regulatory compliance,
• , but we're putting it in line with the national standards.
• So the bill doesn't change the standards for what is a violation or how it's appealed.
• So the bill doesn't change the standards for what is a violation or how it's appealed.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee held public hearings and later executive action on several bills. Senate Bill 6158, by request of L&I, would update factory-built housing and commercial structure rules to incorporate International Code Council standards and allow qualified third-party inspectors approved by L&I; the sponsor said it would make modular housing inspections more efficient and cost-effective, and L&I supported it with a requested technical amendment and no fiscal impact. Senate Bill 6197 would separate plumbing discipline standards for residential and nonresidential work, allowing suspension after five infractions in five years for nonresidential violations while keeping the current three-in-36-month standard for residential work; supporters from mechanical contractors, union plumbers, and a plumbing advisory board member said it would curb unlicensed work and unsafe practices, while opponents from contractor groups and some plumbing businesses argued it was too punitive, did not adequately distinguish commercial service from construction, and should be refined. L&I said it needed time to implement and asked for a later effective date. During executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute and advanced Senate Bill 5437, which voids noncompetition covenants, with a delayed effective date and other conforming changes; some Republicans opposed it as too broad. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 6117, which would extend PERC jurisdiction and state collective-bargaining protections if federal labor law no longer applies, after rejecting an amendment that would have narrowed coverage further. Senate Bill 5852, dealing with immigrant worker protections during federal I-9 inspections, advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the private right of action. Senate Bill 5847, on workers’ compensation medical care and treatment access, advanced with an amendment removing penalty provisions and another adding claims manager positions; the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Senate Bills 6067 and 6136 also advanced, the former changing workers’ compensation health benefit calculations and the latter requiring L&I to publish actuarially indicated industrial insurance rates. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6302, which would address misclassification in finishing trades on public works by limiting contractors and subcontractors to no more than two independent contractors on covered finishing work such as drywall, flooring, tile, painting, and glazier work, with violators treated as employees for prevailing wage and workers’ compensation purposes. Supporters from building trades and pipefitters said the bill would reduce misclassification, protect workers, and level the playing field; opponents from general contractors and contractor associations said it would effectively ban legitimate independent contractors, reduce flexibility on public projects, and hurt small businesses. L&I said it had clarifying questions about how the cap would apply and asked for more specificity.