Video & Transcript Research : 'Currie Loop'

Page 19 of 103
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - Senate Education

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, we will go to Kelly Curry.
  • Madam Chair, members of the committee, my name is Kelly Curry, and I'm a member of the Advisory Board
  • Curry? Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Megan Gilbertson. Megan Gilbertson. I'm...
Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard a presentation from Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne focused on school safety, academic improvement, career and technical education, ESA oversight, and teacher pay. Horne argued that students cannot learn without safe schools and urged more funding for school police officers, citing threats and violent incidents. He also highlighted Project Momentum, tutoring, attendance, classroom phone restrictions, the Student Industry Partnership, expanded ESA participation, and his call to use Proposition 123 land trust funds for direct teacher raises. In response to a question, he said the department is using AI tools, residency checks, and investigators to reduce ESA fraud and abuse. The committee then considered SB 1074, which would require written certification from a principal or administrator before a student removed for discipline could return to class. Horne and the sponsor said the bill would support teachers and hold administrators accountable, while opponents from the Arizona Education Association argued it was redundant, could undermine administrator judgment and FERPA-protected information, and would not address the root causes of classroom disruption. The bill passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1327, as amended by a strike-everything amendment requiring Arizona public universities to adopt and report on research security policies to protect against foreign adversary threats and preserve federal funding eligibility. Support came from the sponsor, State Armor, and the Arizona Board of Regents, and the amended bill passed 5-2. Members next approved SB 1475, which bars students convicted of, or admitting to, certain serious offenses from participating in school-sponsored interscholastic activities, with some discussion about rehabilitation, school discretion, and whether a readmittance process should exist. Supporters said the measure was needed for accountability and uniformity after a particularly egregious case; opponents warned it could remove an important rehabilitative outlet. The bill passed 4-3. The committee then advanced SB 1582 and SB 1583, both related to school safety interoperability funding and technical corrections; SB 1582 passed 4-2, and SB 1583, as amended, passed 4-2. Finally, SB 1598, which appropriates $500,000 for school and community gardens, passed unanimously 5-0 after testimony that gardens serve as hands-on learning spaces and supportive environments for students.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 13th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Arreguín, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Avila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett,
  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves, and Mr.
  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves, and Assembly Member Hadwick seconds.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Apr 10th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Arends, Alaniz, Alvarez, Arambula.
  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, you have seconded Mr. Garcia's motion.
  • Majority leader Aguilar-Curry, you are recognized.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves, and Ms.
  • Hi, Aguiar-Curry, AB 2353, I did not voting.
  • Vote change, Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Bill 2353, aye to not voting.
  • Aguiar-Curry, AB 1603, I did not voting.
  • Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Bill 1603, aye to not voting.
Keywords: 988, house, all
Summary: The Assembly convened, first dealing with quorum and routine procedural matters before moving through a series of third-reading bills, many focused on immigration enforcement, worker protections, child care, and school or voting-site safety. Early measures included AB 2393, AB 1994, AB 1929, AB 1633, AB 1650, AB 1655, AB 1851, AB 1896, and AB 2230, with authors and supporters arguing these bills would provide accountability, protect immigrant communities, preserve access to benefits and services, and limit intimidation by immigration enforcement. Opponents repeatedly argued the bills were anti-law-enforcement, unconstitutional, or based on exaggerated or nonexistent threats. Several bills passed by recorded vote, including AB 2393 (41-15), AB 1994 (58-0), AB 1929 (41-17), AB 1650 (44-19), AB 1655 (50-14), AB 1851 (56-0), AB 1896 (41-19), and AB 2230 (42-15). AB 1633, a 54-vote bill imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, was debated at length but the roll was not completed in the excerpt and the item was moved on from temporarily. After a caucus break, the House returned and took up additional bills. AB 2379 would require child care providers to be informed of constitutional protections and receive multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed 59-10 on both the urgency and the measure. AB 2460 would direct the education department to update referral protocols so schools can better respond to students affected by immigration enforcement trauma and family deportation; it passed 52-8. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on unfair immigration-related practices by employers, making immigration-related threats unlawful in workplace disputes; it passed 50-15. Throughout the day, debate was highly partisan and often heated, with repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real harms or were political messaging, but the Assembly ultimately advanced the measures that came to a vote.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Majority Leader, Aguiar-Curry, moves and Ms.
  • Aguiar-Curry, AB 2353, aye to not voting.
  • Vote change, Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Bill 2353, aye to not voting.
  • Aguiar-Curry, AB 1603, aye to not voting.
  • Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, Assembly Bill 1603, aye to not voting.
Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS House Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry. >> Friendly question. What is shower of power?
  • Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry. Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry.
  • >> Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry. >> Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry.
  • Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • Lady from Lincoln, Miss Curry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then confirmed a quorum, dispensed with the journal reading, and moved into the calendar. Members also introduced several visitors and groups in the galleries, including AFL-CIO representatives, Volunteer Mississippi, the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy, New England College students on a civil rights tour, and other guests and constituents. The chamber then proceeded through a series of motions to reconsider, table, or advance bills on the calendar. On the appropriations calendar, the House passed several Senate bills after adopting strike-off or amendment language. Senate Bill 2896, described as a potential trooper pay raise measure, was amended and passed 128-0. Senate Bill 2898 increased the MIMA disaster assistance trust fund from $20 million to $40 million and passed 128-0, and Senate Bill 2924 authorized spending from that fund and passed 119-0. Other appropriations measures included Senate Bill 2825 on the healthcare industry zone act, Senate Bill 2832 extending a repealer for the short-line railroad tax credit, Senate Bill 2834 on motor vehicle specialty tags, Senate Bill 2835 allowing banks to use third-party vendors to check liens, and Senate Bill 2846 on conduit bonds; each was explained as largely conforming to House language or adding reverse repealers, and each passed overwhelmingly. The Ways and Means calendar included Senate Bill 2850, which removed a reverse repealer and updated the Advantage Jobs Act to align incentives with prior commitments and future tax changes; it passed 119-0. Senate Bill 2873 expanded administrative forfeiture procedures to products on the cigarette and ends registry and passed 117-1. Senate Bill 2882 clarified that tax assessors cannot require settlement statements for homestead exemptions and passed 118-0. Senate Bill 3111, which would exempt up to 10 cases of wine donated annually to nonprofits from alcohol taxes, drew some concern and passed 97-13 after a reverse repealer was added. Senate Bill 316 added energy storage facilities such as batteries to the definition of alternative energy for local ad valorem tax purposes and passed 114-1. Senate Bill 3124 revised the Pregnancy Resource Act to allow individuals as well as businesses to participate in the tax credit, adjust reporting and in-state requirements, and incorporate House language; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • TLC is doing the same work in Curry County around Cannon Air Force Base, where we have known PESCOA contamination
  • Chair, Representative, we are doing this work in Curry County, like I mentioned.
  • This is a letter that kind of closes the loop on a long saga of going back and forth with the Department
Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Aging and Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next we have Assemblymember Aguirre-Curry on AB 508. Thank you. All right ma'am. Thank you.
  • File item 2, AB 508 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, absent member Sharpe-Collins.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NV

Nevada 2025 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session May 30th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Nevada Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Signed, Marilyn Dondero Loop, Chair. Mr.
  • Senator Dondero Loop. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator Dondero Loop.
  • Senator Dondero Loop. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senator Dondero Loop.
  • Senator Dondero Loop.
  • Senator Dondero Loop. Senator Dondero Loop. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Keywords: 909, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Feb 10th, 2026 at 11:16 am

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Curry County. McKinley County, do you guys have a mascot? What's their mascot? Buffalo.
  • There is debate from Representative Curry. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • There is debate from the gentleman from Chavez, Curry, Roosevelt, Representative Reeb.
  • Speaker, I yield to the kind lady and co-sponsor from Chavez, Curry, and Roosevelt.
  • Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, and San Miguel, Representative Zamora. Oh, sorry.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Aug 21st, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Avila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner Horvath, Bonta
  • I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 63 to allow Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry to take
  • The clerk will read: Assembly Bill 604 by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, an act relating to redistricting
  • Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry moves and Mr.
  • Aguiar-Curry moves and Mr.
Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, recess, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor session centered on redistricting measures. Members debated a point of order raised by Assembly Member DeMaio challenging the constitutionality of SB 280, ACA 8, and AB 604; the Speaker ruled the point not well taken, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on appeal. The body also took up consent-calendar and procedural motions, including suspending rules to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 and to bring the measure up without reference to file. Several motions to re-refer or suspend rules on related measures failed, while the motion to adopt the late amendments on ACA 8 carried. The main substantive item was ACA 8, the Assembly Constitutional Amendment related to redistricting, presented by Assembly Member Berman as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states, especially Texas. Supporters argued the measure was a temporary, voter-driven response to protect democracy, counter partisan gerrymandering, and address broader threats tied to the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and health care cuts. Opponents argued ACA 8 would undermine California’s independent citizens redistricting commission, violate the state Constitution, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a power grab. Members on both sides framed the issue as a defense of democracy, but disagreed sharply over whether the Legislature should act or leave redistricting to voters and the existing commission. No final vote on ACA 8 is shown in the transcript excerpt, but the Assembly did vote on several procedural matters: the appeal of the Speaker’s ruling was sustained 58-18; the motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 passed 58-19; a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary failed 19-58; and a motion to take up A.J.R. 21 without reference to file failed 19-58. The session remained focused on ACA 8 and related redistricting questions, with extensive floor speeches from both supporters and opponents.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Curry voting aye. There being 122 ayes and 16 nays, HB721 is passed to engrossment.
  • Curry for a memorial recognition. Mr.
  • Curry notes that the mother of Andrew Holcomb, our bill clerk, passed away suddenly last night.
  • Curry called for a moment of silence. Thank you, members.
  • Curry for a motion. Mr. Speaker, I move to postpone further consideration of HB 4603 until 8 a.m.
Bills: HB200, HB541, HB1803, HB30, HB175, HB249, HB721, HB851, HB897, HB 1128, HB1904, HB1916, HB5560, HB3071, HB5627, HB5435, HB3913, HB2921, HB2695, HB2688, HB3045, HB3483, HB3673, HB4213, HB4226, HB783, HB4373, HB4735, HB5155, HB5057, HB4984, HB4944, HB4813, HB5339, HB5196, HB5033, HB4853, HB3486, HB4211, HB74, HB4670, HB4730, HB4743, HB4603, HB4463, HB3892, HB4139, HB4752, HB4520, HB4517, HB4486, HB4437, HB4426, HB4396, HB4263, HB3487, HB3418, HB2284, HB2266, HB2229, HB4912, HB2189, HB4506, HB5269, HB5224, HB5195, HB3317, HB4166, HB3947, HB3358, HB3370, HB4438, HB3745, HB3602, HB3697, HB2001, HB1968, HB3371, HB3909, HCR7, SB1744, SB1364, SB1316, HB2026, HB3302, HB3368, HB1639, HB5652, HB4655, HB5654, HB5658, HB5656, HB4894, HB4996, HB5088, HB5650, HB4464, HB3751, HB5665, HB5661, HB 1237, HB2802, HB5437, HB2703, HB5666, HB5667, HCR113, HCR86, SB2196, SB463, SB856, SB1245, SB1169, SB509, SB985, SB305, SB552, HB1535, HB 123, HB1804, HB426, HB1773, HB1871, HB2035, HB2492, HB1411, HB4753, HB4666, HB4529, HB1499, HB1610, HB2028, HB1506, HB886, HB3546, HB796, HB223, HB3556, HB2448, HB4638, HB 111, HB180, HB 1027, HB 1178, HB610, HB 1277, HB1615, HB1620, HB5342, HB4885, HB4751, HB4530, HB4488, HB2149, HB2071, HB2282, HB2248, HB2243, HB2522, HB2310, HB2513, HB2300, HB1902, HB1813, HB3719, HB4284, HB3743, HB3778, HB5153, HB5147, HB4877, HB4850, HB3261, HB3005, HB3033, HB2849, HB2967, HB3531, HB1768, HB333, HB2914, HB2613, HB3717, HB3704, HB2697, HB3801, HB3099, HB3488, HB3477, HB3466, HB3396, HB3469, HB2594, HB2776, HB2564, HB2298, HB5331, HB5646, HB5247, HB5323, HB4384, HB3896, HB4014, HB3627, HB3594, HB2524, HB510, HB561, HB5111, HB5446, HB 1181, HB3963, HB2785, HB1661, HB2460, HB200, HB541, HB1803, HB30, HB175, HB249, HB721, HB851, HB897, HB 1128, HB1904, HB1916, HB5560, HB3071, HB5627, HB5435, HB3913, HB2921, HB2695, HB2688, HB3045, HB3483, HB3673, HB4213, HB4226, HB783, HB4373, HB4735, HB5155, HB5057, HB4984, HB4944, HB4813, HB5339, HB5196, HB5033, HB4853, HB3486, HB4211, HB74, HB4670, HB4730, HB4743, HB4603, HB4463, HB3892, HB4139, HB4752, HB4520, HB4517, HB4486, HB4437, HB4426, HB4396, HB4263, HB3487, HB3418, HB2284, HB2266, HB2229, HB4912, HB2189, HB4506, HB5269, HB5224, HB5195, HB3317, HB4166, HB3947, HB3358, HB3370, HB4438, HB3745, HB3602, HB3697, HB2001, HB1968, HB3371, HB3909, HCR98, HCR92, HCR126, HCR7
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Committee Jun 24th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • First, I'd like to thank Assembly Member Aguard Curry for filling in for Senator Member Arambula on the
  • Aguirre-Curry? Aguirre-Curry present. Calderon? Colosa? Dixon? Dixon present. Fong? Here.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 22nd, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Clerk will call the roll: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Arreguín, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías,
  • Escorted by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry is B. Scott. B.
  • Escorted by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry is Elizabeth Padilla.
Keywords: 988, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Education Jan 26th, 2026 at 08:32 am

Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • On deck is Asia or Aja Curry. I apologize if I pronounce your name. Have it, Ms. Burns. Mr.
  • Curry, and on deck is Lauren Scott. Yes, good morning.
  • My name is Asia Curry, and I'm the executive director of a charter school in Las Vegas, New Mexico, as
Bills: SB29, SB64
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Apr 28th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Aarons, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Avila-Farias.
  • Curry moves and Ms. Davies seconds.
  • Government organization to set AB 445, Aguilera-Curry.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Mar 12th, 2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Aguiar-Curry next in the sign-up list, but since we don't see her in the room, we see Mr.
  • Aguilar-Curry and that is file item number 2 AB Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members.
  • I want to thank Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry and the other co-authors and co-sponsors for bringing this
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Mar 31st, 2025

S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Aug 25th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Davies, Aguiar-Curry. Aguiar-Curry here. Arreguín, Carrillo. Rio here.
  • Davies, Aguiar-Curry. Aguirre, aye. Arreguín, Carrillo, aye. Harabedian, Hart, aye. Hoover, aye.
  • Davies, Aguiar-Curry. Aguirre, aye. Arreguín, Carrillo, aye. Harabedian, Hart, aye. Hoover, aye.
Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support. The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance. Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use. Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.