Transcript Highlights:

• and Kittitas Counties provides permanently affordable homeownership at approximately 50% of market rates
• , with 76% of initial homeowners... ...affordable homeownership at approximately 50% of market rates,

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we have an annual occupancy rate of 97%.
• So our budget with that million-dollar deficit is at that $27 per bed per day rate.
• So our budget with that million-dollar deficit is at that $27 per bed per day rate.
• Is this one of the match programs for the 50% federal match for Medicaid reimbursement rates?
• Don't the 50% federal match for the Medicaid reimbursement rates?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And many other states have a vendor tax credit, and we do not.
• Credit unions reinvest earnings in their members through lower rates, higher savings rates, enhanced
• Keep in mind that the CPA exam has an initial passing rate of about 50%.
• Keep in mind that the CPA exam has an initial passing rate of a the public.
• Keep in mind that the CPA exam has an initial passing rate of about 50%.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and reviewed a broad agenda including credit card fees, event ticketing, music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, CPA pathways, school mental health licensure, and a bill regulating alternative healing therapies. The chairs explained hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and submission of written testimony, and noted that more than 70 people had signed up to testify. Legislators and advocates were heard out of order throughout the day. A major portion of the hearing focused on credit card surcharge and interchange legislation. Restaurant owners, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, NFIB, and other small-business witnesses supported bills allowing merchants to add convenience fees and, in one proposal, preventing card companies from charging fees on tax and tip portions of transactions. They argued that swipe fees are a major and growing cost, especially for restaurants, and that Massachusetts is one of only two states that bars surcharges. Opponents from the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the Electronic Payment Coalition, and the Electronic Transactions Association warned that the proposals would create compliance burdens, fragment the payment system, raise legal preemption issues, and disrupt a system they described as efficient and secure. The committee also heard competing testimony on ticket transferability and ticket resale. Supporters, including the National Consumers League and Sports Fans Coalition, said bills on ticket transferability would protect consumers who cannot attend events and would increase competition and savings in the secondary market. Opponents, including United Musicians and Allied Workers and theater owners, argued that mandatory transferability would weaken artists’ and venues’ ability to prevent scalping and predatory resale, and that some ticket sellers should be exempt from the broader ticketing regulations. Separate testimony supported music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, and new CPA education pathways, with witnesses saying these measures would expand access to care and strengthen the workforce while maintaining professional standards. The hearing also drew extensive opposition to S.261 on alternative healing therapies, with practitioners and clients arguing it would overregulate spiritual and holistic practices and was not an effective response to human trafficking concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:39.360><c> know</c><00:19:39.600><c> detection</c> rate of uh you know detection rate of uh you
• at our turnover rate, the way HR folks calculate turnover rate, it's running about 11%, 12%, 13% every
• </c><00:37:11.520><c> rate,</c><00:37:11.920><c> it's</c> HR folks calculate turnover rate, it's HR folks
• </c> they're taxpayers but they're rate they're taxpayers but they're rate payers<01:47:01.679><c> through
• Uh it is a daily rate is a joke.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...clinical authority away from licensed professionals and into things like software systems or vendor
• Large trials have shown that AI-assisted reading can increase cancer detection rates while reducing radiologists
• are at the point where people don't necessarily trust it, but people are using it at an exponential rate
• And also, we have a situation where there... ...exponential rate, and also we have a situation where,
• We're waiting for one rate. What's that? Oh, where ready's on, okay. All right.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1979, which would limit the use of AI in health care by requiring licensed professionals to retain final clinical judgment, prohibiting automated systems from directing unlicensed individuals to perform licensed clinical functions, and clarifying medical-record privacy rules for direct-to-consumer health chatbots. Supporters, including nurses and labor groups, said the bill preserves patient safety and keeps care decisions in human hands. Hospital and industry groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could create compliance burdens and interfere with training and legitimate AI-assisted care. The bill was approved 6-1 and placed on call. Members then considered AB 2624, which would expand California’s Safe at Home confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers facing harassment or doxing. The author and supporters described threats, stalking, and online targeting of immigrant advocates and said the bill would let them use substitute addresses to protect their safety. Opposition focused mainly on concerns about the bill’s legal enforcement language, though the author said it mirrors existing Safe at Home provisions and does not create a new private right of action. The measure passed 4-1 and was placed on call. AB 2103 would make Engaged California a permanent statewide public engagement program. The author and the Office of Data and Innovation said it is meant to broaden civic participation through structured deliberation and transparent publication of results. Some members raised concerns about partisan balance and topic selection, while supporters emphasized the need to reach Californians who do not typically participate in hearings. The bill passed 6-0 and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2, a social media accountability bill for harms to children and teens, and AB 883, which would expand privacy protections and shorten data-broker deletion timelines for elected officials and judges; both drew support and opposition, were approved on committee votes, and placed on call. Later, the committee began AB 2023, a chatbot safety bill for children that would require age verification, safety audits, default protections, and limits on ads and data sharing; testimony was strongly supportive from child-safety advocates, while industry groups raised concerns about vague standards, audits, and liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities were really opposed to the RENA process at all, the idea that there's a deficit of market-rate
• And in reality, in an apartment, which is a market-rate apartment someone lives in, in California or
• Lastly, the clarifying amendments outlined in the analysis will ensure that inspection ratings are transparent
• created massive financial consequences for property owners living in these associations, and the ratings
• provide administrative services, such as putting together board meetings, company materials, overseeing vendor

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard SB 866, which would require jurisdictions that do not receive HAP grants to include homelessness data, strategies, and regional coordination in their housing elements. The author and supporters said the bill would close a gap in planning and create more consistent, data-driven local responses to homelessness. Opponents, including the League of California Cities and several cities, argued the bill would impose costly and duplicative reporting requirements on small jurisdictions, require data cities cannot control, and should instead be aligned with existing regional planning processes. Members raised concerns about burden on small cities, but also emphasized the need for statewide, standardized homelessness planning. The committee then heard SB 967, which would allow jurisdictions to count qualifying interim housing toward a portion of their acutely low-income RHNA obligations, with safeguards against double counting and reporting requirements for moved units. Supporters said interim housing is a faster, less expensive way to get people indoors and should be incentivized as a bridge from encampments to permanent housing. Opponents, including housing law experts and advocacy groups, argued the bill would blur the line between temporary shelter and permanent housing, weaken obligations to build deeply affordable housing, and create a two-tier system for the lowest-income Californians. After discussion, the committee passed SB 967 on a due pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call for absent members. The committee also considered SCR 131, a resolution calling for a coordinated state effort to end unsheltered homelessness and prioritize a broader set of interventions, including interim housing, prevention, and permanent supportive housing. Supporters described unsheltered homelessness as a moral and public health crisis and urged stronger state alignment and funding. One member explained an abstention based on concerns that the resolution’s language could be read as endorsing more funding without clear metrics or evidence of effectiveness. The author said amendments had already narrowed the language and was open to further changes. The resolution was adopted on a motion, with the roll held open for absent members. Finally, the committee heard SB 1238, which would strengthen oversight and transparency for homeowners associations and HOA management companies, including disclosures, reserve-fund protections, and a fiduciary-duty provision. The author and supporters said the bill would protect homeowners from mismanagement and improve financial clarity in common interest developments. Opponents from community manager and HOA groups said managers are administrative agents, not decision-makers, and objected especially to imposing a fiduciary duty to individual homeowners. Members generally supported the bill but flagged the fiduciary-duty issue and reserve-fund language as areas for further review, noting that some amendments had been agreed to and others would be addressed later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities were really opposed to the RENA process at all, the idea that there's a deficit of market rate
• And in reality, in an apartment, which is a market-rate apartment someone lives in, in California or
• Lastly, the clarifying amendments outlined in the analysis will ensure that inspection ratings are transparent
• created massive financial consequences for property owners living in these associations, and the ratings
• provide administrative services, such as putting together board meetings, company materials, overseeing vendor

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related measures. SB 866 by Senator Blakespear would require jurisdictions that do not receive HAP homelessness grants to include homelessness data strategies and regional coordination in their housing elements. Supporters said the bill would close a planning gap and improve transparency and accountability; opponents, including the League of California Cities and several cities, argued it would impose costly, duplicative reporting requirements and ask cities to collect data outside their control. Members raised concerns about burden on small cities and possible amendments for lower-population or low-homelessness jurisdictions, but no final vote was taken because the committee initially lacked a quorum. SB 967, also by Senator Blakespear, would allow qualifying interim housing units to count toward a portion of a jurisdiction’s RHNA obligation for acutely low-income housing, with safeguards against double counting and reporting requirements. Supporters said the bill would incentivize rapid, dignified interim housing and help move people out of encampments; opponents warned it would blur the line between temporary shelter and permanent housing and could reduce pressure to build deeply affordable permanent units. After extensive debate, the committee reached quorum and voted the bill out on a due pass basis to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with members noting continued work on amendments. The committee also considered SCR 131, a resolution calling for a coordinated state effort to end unsheltered homelessness and prioritize a broad range of interventions, including interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and prevention. Supporters emphasized the scale and urgency of unsheltered homelessness and the need for clearer state goals and funding. One member said the resolution’s language was too broad and abstained, but the author agreed to consider wording changes. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote and held on call for absent members. Finally, SB 1238 by Senator Wahab would increase oversight and transparency for homeowners associations and HOA managers, including disclosures, reserve-fund rules, and a proposed fiduciary-duty standard. Realtors and homeowner supporters backed the bill as a way to improve accountability, while community-manager groups opposed the fiduciary-duty provision and raised concerns about litigation and insurance costs. Members discussed the reserve-fund language and fiduciary-duty issue, noting that further changes would be considered in the Judiciary Committee; the bill was not yet voted on in this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, we do extensive vendor qualification before we even order it.
• I think this witness talked about an issue about reimbursement rates and that other pharmacies and the
• lack of pharmacists and reimbursement rates that are having and that's resulting in some pharmacies
• I think this witness talked about an issue about reimbursement rates and that other pharmacies and the
• lack of pharmacists and reimbursement rates that are having and that's resulting in some pharmacies

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this, by the way, is at the official Soviet exchange rate, not the real rate.
• Now, what is the conversion rate between then and now? It's about 3.23 times.
• So if we didn't make money, our vendors are the ones who were going to be funding us, and they were not
• He says, you know what the biggest... ...the show that has the highest ratings in Iran, in the Islamic

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games held its first hearing at the LA84 Foundation to examine the legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Games and lessons for 2028. Chair Tina McKinnor and Senator Ben Allen opened by emphasizing the region’s opportunity to build on the 1984 Games’ success, while LA84 Foundation leaders described the foundation’s role in preserving that legacy through youth sports, play equity, and community investment. A youth panelist from Heart of Los Angeles testified that LA84-supported programs helped him stay engaged in sports, build confidence and communication skills, and hope for more community participation and opportunity from the 2028 Games. Former LA Olympic organizing committee officials Richard Perlman and Bob Graziano gave a detailed history of how the 1984 Games were privately financed, used existing venues, relied heavily on volunteers, and generated a large surplus. They said the organizing committee maximized revenue through television rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, while keeping costs low through disciplined budgeting and community-based procurement. Members asked about equitable economic benefits, volunteer recruitment, ticket access, security, traffic, and funding. Witnesses said the 1984 model involved extensive community outreach, low-cost tickets, and local purchasing, and they urged a structured, deliberate approach to small-business participation and transparency in 2028 planning. Later witnesses focused on the long-term legacy of the 1984 Games. Zev Yaroslavsky argued that the Games succeeded because voters rejected taxpayer underwriting, forcing a private model that protected the city from financial risk, and he said the Games left major cultural and civic legacies, including the LA Opera and broader arts growth. LA84 and Play Equity Fund leaders said the surplus was intentionally used to create lasting impact, including support for millions of youth, research, and policy work. Renato Paiva described how LA84 support helped expand Access Youth Academy and elevate squash as an Olympic sport, and Derek Fisher spoke about the importance of free youth sports and the need to preserve access and opportunity as Los Angeles prepares for 2028.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this, by the way, is at the official Soviet exchange rate, not the real rate.
• Now, what is the conversion rate between then and now? It's about 3.23 times.
• So if we didn't make money, our vendors are the ones who were going to be funding us, and they were not
• He says, 'You know what the biggest...' ...the show that has the highest ratings in Iran, in the Islamic

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there were a lot of uh budgetary constraints, but you were willing to increase the hourly payment rate
• 02.640><c> payment</c> willing to increase the hourly payment willing to increase the hourly payment rate
• 03.200><c> for</c><00:02:03.439><c> our</c><00:02:03.759><c> contract</c><00:02:04.240><c> forensic</c> rate
• for our contract forensic rate for our contract forensic examiners,<00:02:06.079><c> develop</c><00:
• This is something where we would work with a vendor to provide this protection on an individual basis

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, the contract offices will be effective, but they did just get a rate increase.
• Get a rate increase. So hopefully that will offset some of this that's going to happen.
• We have a vendor right now that does this in a number of states.
• And at any rate, after I've... ...temp tags get by.
• At any rate, after I've decided that it's a violation, I fill out a form and send it to one of my law

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the problem is if the case that you present were accurate, then Texas would have very high rates
• , but I think we have some of the lowest rates in the nation because we have so much renewable energy
• I think the problem is if the case that you present were accurate, then Texas would have very high rates
• , but I think we have some of the lowest rates in the nation because we have so much renewable energy
• We have a state-of-the-art compliance program that uses industry-leading vendors that conduct KYC, know-your-customer

Bills: SB383 , SB1012 , SB1181 , SB1705 , SB2075 , SB2221 , SB2586 , SB2864 , SB2994

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our interest rate is usually 60.
• This is based on federal reimbursement rates.
• These are based on those federal reimbursement rates and the number of students we feed.
• And is it included at this rate in the Yousey Martinez funding general amount? Mr.
• literacy, that are directly connected to improvement for proficiency rates.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Look at the graduation rate. Look at what they're graduating in. Look at the time to the right.
• I get it on the graduation rate. I get that. But the tuitions don't match.
• And then also the rate.
• You know, have a concept of what kind of cases are going to, and then also the rate.
• That's why our fill rates are increasing when other districts are having to close schools.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the major ones is utility spending supported by rate payers required by regulators. borrowers
• you look at the money that's also been invested not just by California taxpayers but by California rate
• How about I want to buy homes in, in areas that have high, you know, you know, fire-wise rating.
• In terms of trying to give people incentives through potentially lower rates or more assurance they'll
• Over 99% of California homes already have a class A fire rated roof, so they already have the best rating

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have vendors and subcontractors that do business with the state.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:30:49.520><c> calculation</c> the tax rate calculation the tax rate calculation we<02:30:51.080
• </c><02:30:58.640><c> calculation</c> basically the the tax rate calculation basically the the tax rate
• , we can't calculate a rate.
• The credit amount is dependent on the rate that's then calculated.
• </c> to start the fund and then as vendors to start the fund and then as vendors pay<03:56:04.880><c>

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Elizabeth is a community advocate and program leader at ICON CDC, where she supports sidewalk vendors
• Elizabeth is a community advocate and program leader at ICON CDC, where she supports sidewalk vendors

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of several Senate bills, notices for committee hearings, and a successful motion to suspend rules so ACA 20 could be taken up later in the week. The chamber also recognized former Assembly Member Christina Garcia and later moved into a Pride Month observance. The main ceremonial item was House Resolution 115 recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Assembly Member Ward opened on the resolution, and multiple members from different caucuses spoke in support, highlighting Pride history, LGBTQ+ rights, and the contributions of LGBTQ Californians. Assembly Member DeMaio offered supportive remarks while noting policy differences, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 53 co-authors were added. The Assembly then held a Pride honoree ceremony recognizing 15 individuals and groups for contributions to the LGBTQ community. On the floor file, members also adopted several resolutions by voice vote after adding co-authors: ACR 187 on Men’s Mental Health Month, ACR 157 marking the 50th anniversary of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, ACR 222 declaring Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Awareness Month, and ACR 224 recognizing Social Media Harms Victim Remembrance Day. Each drew personal testimony from members about the underlying issues, including suicide prevention, caregiving and dementia, mining reclamation, and harms to youth from social media. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 46 on mental health diversion by a 51-1 vote, and later adopted the consent calendar 66-0. The House adjourned until June 25, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• are like, we are way more equipped to provide... ...what they need than sending them to an external vendor
• suggest, and this is probably very workforce-centric but also relates to community colleges and other vendors

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.