Transcript Highlights:

• housing developments between three and ten units in size to be built under the requirements of the residential
• skills and experience to build middle housing but saw few opportunities compared to single-family residential
• of housing developments with three to ten units built under the requirements of the California Residential
• Cities such as Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington are using the Residential Building Code to accelerate
• These are actually trying to move language effects out of the building code and into the residential

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development heard a long agenda focused mainly on housing production, higher education facilities, homelessness, and permitting reform. Early items included AB 6, which would direct HCD to convene a working group on allowing three- to ten-unit “missing middle” housing to be built under the Residential Code rather than the Building Code; AB 48, a higher education bond proposal that would fund campus repairs, modernization, disaster recovery, and student/employee housing; and AB 76, which would clarify a Chula Vista university innovation district exemption so the project can include academic buildings and housing without conflicting with surplus land rules. Supporters emphasized affordability, cost savings, student housing needs, and access to education, while members raised questions about implementation, affordability requirements, and project scope. The committee later took votes on these items, with AB 6, AB 48, and AB 76 all moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Members also heard AB 595, which would create a state homeownership tax credit pilot to support affordable for-sale housing. The author and supporters argued that California’s homeownership rate is at historic lows and that the bill would help close racial wealth gaps by financing homes working families can buy. The committee approved AB 595 and sent it to Appropriations. The consent calendar, including several other housing-related bills, was also approved unanimously. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to AB 1165, the California Housing Justice Act of 2025, which would require ongoing state investment and a financing plan to address homelessness and housing affordability. The author and witnesses described the scale of homelessness, the limits of one-time funding, and the need for sustained, accountable funding streams. After testimony from housing advocates and people with lived experience, the committee passed AB 1165 on a 10-0 vote to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard AB 609, a CEQA reform bill that would create a simplified exemption for qualifying infill housing projects in already developed areas. Supporters framed it as a targeted way to reduce delays and costs for housing near jobs and transit, while opponents from environmental justice, labor, and tribal groups warned it could reduce public participation, weaken protections for disadvantaged communities, and create consultation concerns for tribal cultural resources. The author said the bill would not change zoning or affordability tools and would continue to work with opponents on amendments. The bill was moved forward after extensive discussion, with members noting ongoing negotiations on tribal consultation and labor concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• were given equal access to opportunity for housing in whatever zone they choose to live in that's residential
• </c><00:22:52.000><c> wells</c><00:22:52.400><c> PAS</c> new private residential wells PAS new private
• residential wells PAS testing<00:22:54.080><c> um</c><00:22:54.240><c> especially</c><00:22:54.559><
• So there are some cases, too, where municipalities will have larger residential well radius requirements
• So there are some cases, too, where municipalities will have larger residential well radius requirements

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee on SB 170 opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on a housing-related provision that would prohibit municipalities from requiring occupants to be related by blood or marriage. The chair proposed adding “school enrollment status” as a protected class to prevent towns from limiting where students may live, especially in Durham. Members debated whether that phrase was too vague and whether “educational status,” “enrollment status,” or “school enrollment status” was the best wording. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications under the state’s anti-discrimination law and could also affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the bill was aimed at preventing local rules that restrict student housing and group living arrangements. The subcommittee did not take a final vote on that language during the discussion. The committee then turned to land-use and subdivision provisions. The Department of Environmental Services testified that its test-pit and related land-development rules are already protective of groundwater and surface water, and that municipalities sometimes impose stricter setbacks or other requirements locally. Builders and housing advocates argued that more stringent local requirements for test pits, well siting, and related approvals add time and cost and can impede housing development, while some municipal concerns were raised about aquifer and wellhead protection overlay districts and local groundwater safeguards. Public testimony also supported making state standards uniform across municipalities, though one speaker noted that local and state review processes can differ and that the bill could simplify approvals. The subcommittee also discussed a road-length provision, with one member supporting limits on municipal caps that could impede development and another suggesting a possible water-and-sewer-capacity qualifier. Additional sections were explained as allowing utilities and infrastructure to be placed in subdivision open spaces or perimeter buffers, and requiring municipalities to act quickly on plan changes after initial review. The chair indicated support for several of the sections as drafted, and the discussion ended with the committee moving through the remaining provisions without recorded final votes in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to historic preservation: SB 263, which creates a process for expediting the review of residential
• And finally, to expand residential to include mixed-use projects where residential use is the majority
• to include mixed use expand residential to include mixed use projects<00:55:14.960><c> where</c><00:
• 55:15.160><c> residential</c><00:55:15.599><c> use</c><00:55:15.799><c> is</c><00:55:15.960><c> the</
• c> projects where residential use is the projects where residential use is the majority<00:55:17.400>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most witnesses supporting bills aimed at expanding affordable housing tools and financing. SB 1169, creating a Community Land Trust Equity pilot program, drew support from HHFDC and Nahal UI, which said revolving funds would help community land trusts build permanently affordable housing more efficiently. SB 1200, establishing a workforce housing regulatory sandbox within HHFDC, also received support from HHFDC and others, though HHFDC noted concerns about whether the measure could be read to preempt county permitting and zoning powers. SB 511, which would require county legislative bodies rather than HHFDC to approve certain housing project exemptions, prompted HHFDC to suggest revised language and a possible processing deadline for applications; the discussion focused on avoiding indefinite delays and clarifying county and state roles. SB 1283, creating an emergency home loan assistance revolving fund, was introduced with comments from the Department of Budget and Finance and HHFDC. SB 612, on rent-to-build equity agreements for exempt housing projects, drew support and questions about how many affected projects are rentals versus for-sale units. SB 944, extending and expanding low-income housing tax credit provisions, received support from Sugar Creek Capital, Hawaii Housing, and the Chamber of Commerce, while the Tax Foundation raised a technical concern about inconsistent use of the term “taxpayer.” HPHA-supported bills SB 1413 and SB 1412 were also heard, along with SB 1632, which would direct DBEDT to develop a comprehensive action plan for a local housing market; testimony on that measure was strongly supportive but included calls to examine constitutional and legal issues and broader market-structure concerns. The committee also began discussion of SB 1033 and noted it was closely related to SB 1131, with the chair indicating an inclination to move only one of the two similar tax proposals forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado, I hope you feel good about your fees because the gold Dome ces pool feels good about its fields
• Colorado, I hope you feel good about your fees because the gold Dome ces pool feels good about its fields
• </c><03:55:41.760><c> gold</c><03:55:42.000><c> Dome</c><03:55:42.239><c> ces</c><03:55:42.560><c> pool
• </c> fees because the gold Dome ces pool fees because the gold Dome ces pool feels<03:55:43.040><c> good

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• might have both the door to residential might have both direct<00:25:34.720><c> impacts</c><00:25:35.039
• <00:31:59.679><c> Condominium</c><00:32:00.639><c> Association</c> residential Condominium Association
• residential Condominium Association Management<00:32:02.480><c> it's</c><00:32:02.760><c> that's</c>
• There was concern that commercial experience is different than residential.
• than residential um requests for<01:50:56.280><c> some</c><01:50:56.440><c> type</c><01:50:56.560><c

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on several bills. HB 576, relating to restrictions on the transfer of real property under chapter 201H, drew support from HHFDC and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, which said the bill would waive transfer restrictions that conflict with DHHL’s program implementation. HB 421, relating to contractors, drew opposition from the Contractors License Board and DCCA/RICO, who said the measure would weaken owner-builder restrictions meant to prevent circumvention of contractor licensing laws; Hawaii Roter and the Grassroot Institute supported it. Members questioned whether the bill would still bar resale within a year and whether subcontractors would still need licenses. HB 367, relating to building permits, received support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Grassroot Institute, with comments from DLNR; testimony urged the bill to be expanded to include zoning permits as well as building permits to avoid confusion, especially on Kauaʻi. HB 826, relating to housing, received mixed testimony. HHFDC and several local and advocacy groups supported it, while the Sierra Club raised concerns about converting agricultural lands to residential use, possible impacts on food security, property values, taxes, and the need to account for public trust and traditional practices. HB 525 also drew support from HHFDC and three individuals, with no opposition noted. HB 252, relating to managing agents, was supported by the Hawaiʻi Council of Community Associations and opposed by the Community Associations Institute and several individuals, who argued that commercial management experience is not the same as condominium management and preferred language tied to industry certifications and a later effective date. HB 709, relating to trespassing, was opposed by the Honolulu Police Department, which said officers would have difficulty verifying ownership or tenancy in the field, that the bill could require a separate enforcement team, and that the sheriff’s division is better suited to handle evictions. Hawaiʻi Realtors and the Grassroot Institute supported the measure. Finally, HB 431 HD1, relating to housing, received broad support from the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities, HHFDC, DHS, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, OHA, county housing offices, and multiple nonprofit and political groups. Supporters emphasized the bill’s funding for housing and supportive services, with the homelessness office describing the measure as unprecedented and saying it could help the state cut homelessness in half over the next few years.

Transcript Highlights:

• exist in all sectors of the economy, from the agricultural, commercial, industrial, public, and residential
• The two biggest sectors in terms of spending are the residential and commercial sectors, making up 58%
• include our nationally recognized Home Energy Reports program, which reaches over 3 million PG&E residential
• Our particular portfolio includes public agency, residential, agricultural, commercial, workforce education
• In addition, what you probably don’t see on the residential, and I’m a single mom with two kids, I live

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on how California Public Utilities Commission energy efficiency programs are budgeted, evaluated, and measured for cost-effectiveness. The chair framed the issue as not whether energy efficiency works, but how to ensure ratepayer-funded programs continue to deliver value as the portfolio has shifted from simple measures like lighting to more complex retrofits, electrification, workforce, and equity programs. CPUC staff outlined the statutory framework, the four-year budget cycle, recent spending of about $795 million in 2025, and the use of total system benefit (TSB) and the total resource cost (TRC) test, noting that some programs are exempt from cost-effectiveness requirements at the individual program level but not at the resource acquisition portfolio level. Utility, regional network, implementer, and advocacy witnesses offered differing views on the current metrics. PG&E described its portfolio as cost-effective overall and argued that cost-effectiveness should remain at the portfolio level to allow innovation and multi-year program flexibility. SoCalREN and the Energy Coalition emphasized the value of local government delivery, equity-focused programs, and the need to credit programs for broader benefits such as workforce development, market transformation, and electrification. The Public Advocates Office argued that ratepayer-funded programs should produce benefits greater than costs and raised concerns about the growing share of budgets going to programs that have not met cost-effectiveness thresholds. Several witnesses said the current math is too complicated and that different program types may need different metrics. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses on the complexity of the TRC and TSB calculations, the treatment of participant costs, and whether the state should use a simpler or more transparent framework. CPUC staff said the relevant issues are already being addressed in two open proceedings, with one budget application proceeding expected to conclude in roughly the second or third quarter of next year and a broader policy rulemaking ongoing. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported; the hearing functioned as an informational discussion and policy review.

Transcript Highlights:

• From age 11 to 22, he attended a residential school and thrived there, forming close bonds with staff
• a statewide plan to improve communication, strengthen referrals, coordinate services, identify residential
• Before 22, we had fought to keep him in school and out of residential placement.
• Before 22, we had fought to keep him in school and out of residential placement.
• Again, the bill would create a plan to improve transparency, communication, and residential placement

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing focused primarily on special education-related bills, with testimony centered on two major themes: transition planning for students aging out of school-based services at age 22, and the fiscal strain special education costs place on districts. Committee members explained hearing procedures, noted the House was in formal session, and periodically stepped out for votes while staff recorded testimony. A separate bill on special education due process was also taken up briefly, along with a bill on special education finance and another on equitable access/data reporting. On House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, witnesses from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, self-advocates, and Senator Comerford described the “Turning 22” transition as a crisis point that often leaves families without adult placements, services, or clear communication. Testimony emphasized earlier planning, more accountability, better data collection, and a commission to improve coordination and residential placement. Several parents and advocates shared personal accounts of traumatic transitions, delayed placements, and the need for plans to begin at least a year before age 22. The committee later closed testimony on these bills after hearing from all signed-up speakers. House Bill 4217, on special education due process, drew support from Representative Sullivan-Almeida, parents, and advocates who argued that the burden of proof should shift from families to school districts. Testimony described costly legal battles, delays, and parents having to become experts in reading instruction or hire advocates and attorneys to secure services. Brody Dwyer, a 10-year-old student with dyslexia, and his mother described how evidence-based instruction helped him after years of struggle. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 546/Senate Bill 317, which would require DESE to publish cross-tabulated data on race, disability, gender, income, and other factors; advocates said this would better expose disparities and help address the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, on House Bill 691/Senate Bill 430, school leaders, educators, and union representatives testified that special education costs are outpacing district budgets and that increasing circuit breaker reimbursement and creating a commission to study long-term sustainability would help prevent staffing cuts and service reductions. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee repeatedly closed testimony on individual bills as speakers finished and moved through the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, we do need to keep them out of the residential areas. It's just a fact.
• Water supply assessments, or WSAs, apply to projects meeting certain requirements, including residential
• developments over 500 units, or non-residential projects that demand a similar or greater amount of
• So if I am the mayor of my own city and we have a project, a large residential project comes in, remember
• project comes in remember we're really and we have a project, a large residential project comes in.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, in the residential sector of our construction market, it saved about $10 million in the last year
• Well, uh, in the residential Matts?
• Well, uh, in the residential structure,<00:08:15.759><c> in</c><00:08:16.000><c> the</c><00:08:16.160
• ><c> residential</c><00:08:16.639><c> sector</c><00:08:16.879><c> of</c> structure, in the residential
• sector of structure, in the residential sector of our<00:08:17.199><c> construction</c><00:08:17.599

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Northern Kentucky building industry representatives Brian Miller and Matt Mains on housing affordability and construction workforce issues. They argued that regulatory and code requirements add significant cost to new homes, citing an estimate of nearly $94,000 per home nationally and $15,000 to $20,000 per home in Boone County over the past decade. They recommended reforms to building code adoption, architectural design mandates, permit fees and delays, and setback/land dedication rules, saying these changes could reduce costs by $25,000 to $35,000 per home without affecting public safety. They also discussed workforce training efforts through the Enzwe Building Institute, dual-credit programs, apprenticeship incentives, and workforce grants, saying these efforts have helped hold wage growth below regional trends and improve housing affordability. Committee members asked about the breakdown of regulatory costs, the effect of energy codes, and ways to speed up permitting. The presenters said the costs were roughly split among federal, state, and local requirements, with local regulations adding about $25,000 to $35,000 and some energy-code changes adding about $19,000 per home. They said faster plan review, coordination with the Kentucky Division of Water, and addressing municipal staffing shortages could cut 30 to 45 days from approvals. Members also discussed the difficulty of building starter homes under about $350,000 and the need for more missing-middle housing, with the presenters saying such homes are hard to produce without sacrificing quality. The committee then took up Representative Kim Moer and Dr. Dale Bertram’s discussion of marriage and family therapist licensing and healthcare workforce data reporting. They explained that the bill would allow Kentucky to recognize out-of-state marriage and family therapists who meet licensure requirements, have no disciplinary history, and have passed the national exam, in order to reduce barriers and address provider shortages, especially in rural areas. They also described a separate workforce data reporting section that would require licensure boards to collect consistent information on where licensees practice and whether they are actively seeing patients, including through telehealth, so the state can better understand its healthcare workforce. Members supported the portability idea, noted that some qualified applicants are currently working in Indiana instead of Kentucky, and asked whether the data collection could be handled administratively; the sponsors said the bill would create consistency across boards. The committee also briefly discussed occupational board updates and the need for stronger communication between legislators and licensing boards, including architecture licensure issues and efforts to recruit more professionals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because in my community, there are two tax bases: there's a residential tax base and then there's the
• tax base and then there's residential tax base and then there's<00:13:10.519><c> the</c><00:13:10.720
• uh uh homeowners and residential uh uh homeowners and therefore<00:13:44.040><c> contrary</c><00:13:
• so just provide and less by residential so just provide my<00:13:55.480><c> question</c><00:13:55.720
• Is it residential? Whatever.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• justice system and a representative our justice system and a representative jury<00:21:22.559><c> pool
• is</c><00:21:23.159><c> essential</c><00:21:24.039><c> to</c><00:21:24.240><c> maintaining</c> jury pool
• is essential to maintaining jury pool is essential to maintaining public<00:21:25.120><c> trust</c><
• These barriers can reduce participation and really affect representation in jury pools.
• During the pandemic, we tried to expand our pool a little bit by getting even individuals who can do

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not residential.
• </c> residential homes is not livable. residential homes is not livable. generators<01:51:49.760><c>
• Light industrial residential properties.
• 17.119><c> the</c><01:53:17.440><c> legislature</c> residential.
• But I ask the legislature residential.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They go to a residential care facility. At these residential care facilities, they are staffed.
• So, they will go into the care and therapy environment of one of our RCFs, our residential care facilities

Bills: SB1328 , SB1380 , SB1436 , SB1558 , SB1572 , SB1651 , SB1805 , SB1831 , SB1836 , SB2014 , SB2023 , SB2044 , SB2179 , SB933

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: parents' rights, healthcare consent, minors, medical records, protection, legal guardianship, Medicaid, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, eligibility verification, death records, Death Master File, vital statistics, disenrollment, recoupment, improper payments, benefits integrity, public assistance, income verification, residency verification, incarceration status

Transcript Highlights:

• Our 2024 State of Residential Recycling Report shows that the state has just a 17% residential recycling
• Promote recycling, you know, especially at the residential level, so definitely anything that's going

Bills: HB1730 , HB1823 , HB2048 , HB2266 , HB2440 , HB3333 , HB4086 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4839 , HB4841 , HB5151

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• A report on the Phillips 66 Carson Refinery revealed a 16-foot-thick pool of oil underneath the facility
• A report on the Phillips 66 Carson Refinery revealed a 16-foot thick pool of oil underneath the facility

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard three main bills after initially lacking a quorum and deferring the consent calendar. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand California’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries, such as those used in e-bikes, lawn equipment, and portable power systems. Supporters from local governments, recycling groups, environmental organizations, and battery stewardship interests said the bill would reduce fire risks, improve collection and recycling, and close a gap in existing law. One industry witness sought clarification about off-highway vehicles and a battery association requested guardrails for mixed battery formats; the California Retailers Association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions with the author. SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide, state-funded low-income drinking water rate assistance program administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, contingent on funding. The author and supporters said many Californians face water debt and that the bill would help address affordability while working around Proposition 218 limits on local ratepayer-funded assistance. Water districts, local governments, environmental justice groups, and conservation organizations testified in support, and there was no opposition. SB 1259 by Senator Blakespear, as amended, would require refineries to provide advance information on closure, cleanup costs, and timelines to help communities plan for refinery transitions and remediation. Supporters, including the City of Benicia, environmental justice groups, and advocacy organizations, argued that communities need transparency before closures occur and that other energy sectors already provide similar planning information. Opponents from labor, petroleum, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, burdensome, and could discourage refinery investment or signal premature decline of the industry. After extensive debate, the committee voted to pass SB 1259 as amended to the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, and also approved SB 501 and SB 1125; the consent calendar items SB 1253 and SJR 13 were adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• A report on the Phillips 66 Carson Refinery revealed a 16-foot-thick pool of oil underneath the facility
• A report on the Phillips 66 Carson Refinery revealed a 16-foot thick pool of oil underneath the facility

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for a comment, I serve on the high-risk pool with Mr.
• Just for a comment, I serve on the high-risk pool with Mr.

Summary: Senate Commerce began with introductions of a new page, Hayden Carter, and recognition of outgoing pages Amanda Olson and Cooper, who each reflected on their service and future goals. Committee members praised the pages’ professionalism and noted the behind-the-scenes work of the Legislature. The committee then moved to legislation, starting with Senate Bill 1284, the Dietitian Compact, presented by Senator Cook as a licensure portability measure for dietitians while preserving Idaho’s authority over licensing standards. Testimony on SB 1284 came from several dietitians and advocates who supported the compact, saying it would improve access to nutrition care, reduce delays, help rural and border-area patients, and ease burdens on practitioners who work across state lines. Senators raised concerns about sovereignty, rulemaking, fees, fingerprinting/data sharing, and how compact rules would interact with Idaho law. After debate, a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation failed on a 4-5 roll call, and the bill was held in committee. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1285, which would clarify that homeschool diplomas satisfy education requirements for occupational licensure; after discussion, Senator Taves agreed to amendments to broaden the language to “non-public” schools, make the bill effective immediately, and consider lowering an age reference from 21 to 18. Supportive testimony came from Idaho Family Policy Center and Homeschool Idaho, who said homeschool graduates have faced unnecessary licensing barriers. The committee voted to send SB 1285 to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 512 followed, reinstating an open-book Idaho law exam for professional land surveyors; surveyors testified that the exam helps protect property owners and reduce boundary disputes, and the committee approved a motion to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting ended with a gubernatorial reappointment hearing for Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, where members offered supportive comments and no vote was taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for a comment, I serve on the high-risk pool with Mr.
• Just for a comment, I serve on the high-risk pool with Mr.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recognize that the community of superintendents and district administrative staff is a very small pool
• But even the consortia, and even the charter schools, have two consortia that they could pool their resources

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Rhodes Pools, pickleball courts landscaping. What would be the process for that?
• Some have, Jim, some we have pools us want to make sure that homeowners have the ability to either select