Transcript Highlights:

• Is that tourism or is that environmental stewardship? >> Yeah.
• </c><01:43:20.480><c> a</c> um climate projects and environmental a um climate projects and environmental
• </c> tourism projects could be environmental tourism projects could be environmental could<01:43:25.440
• </c> that environmental stewardship? that environmental stewardship?
• </c><02:00:07.280><c> money</c> that's looking for environmental money that's looking for environmental

Bills: SB1 , SB4 , SB6 , SB9 , SB16 , SB17 , SB20 , SB22 , SB28 , SB29 , SB36 , SB41 , SB45 , SB77 , SB85 , SB87 , SB96 , SB98 , SB110 , SB126 , SB139 , SB143 , SB164 , SB167 , SB171 , SB186 , SB188 , SB195 , SB197 , SB198 , SB204 , SB205 , SB206 , SB207 , SB209 , SB210 , SB211 , SB217 , SB219 , SB220 , SB225 , SB231 , SB237 , SB238 , SB241 , SB244 , SB246 , SB247 , SB272 , SB294 , SB315 , SB346 , SB364 , SB366 , SB367 , SB386 , SB392 , SB403 , SB415 , SB427 , SB431 , SB437 , SB457 , SB459 , SB469 , SB471 , SB478 , SB484 , SB489 , SB502 , SB503 , SB507 , SB508 , SB510 , SB516 , SB517 , SB518 , SB519 , SB521 , SB535 , SB543 , SB550 , SB564 , SB568 , SB570 , SB575 , SB577 , SB578 , SB590 , SB607 , SB616 , SB621 , SB634 , SB644 , SB647 , SB649 , SB652 , SB655 , SB656 , SB663

Transcript Highlights:

• As a student, I am constantly hearing about environmental issues and legislation that has tried to support
• and fight against these issues, which has been significantly highlighted to me in my environmental science
• As an officer of Cane Cleanup, an environmental club at school, I see this waste firsthand.
• This bill is one of the four priorities of the Washington Environmental Coalition.
• That is not a sustainable or reasonable solution to litter and environmental degradation.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• state-of-the-art when installed, it is corrosion-prone and may be vulnerable to failure due to environmental
• <00:04:02.799><c> environmental</c><00:04:03.680><c> ground</c> environmental environmental ground environmental
• environmental ground conditions.<00:04:05.120><c> When</c><00:04:05.360><c> failures</c><00:04:05.840
• This policy aligns incentives in the right way and encourages responsible upgrades, reducing environmental
• risk, and protecting the environmental risk, and protecting the long-term<00:04:54.880><c> health</c

Bills: HF3298 , SF3832 , HF3528 , HF3516 , HF3972 , HF4118

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about a process not to skirt any environmental laws, not to skirt labor laws, because certainly
• It's about a process not to skirt any<00:07:55.120><c> environmental</c><00:07:55.599><c> laws,</c><00
• :07:56.000><c> not</c><00:07:56.080><c> to</c><00:07:56.240><c> skirt</c> any environmental laws, not
• But the biggest thing with these bills is that in the environmental portions of these bills, we don't
• </c> bills is that uh in the environmental bills is that uh in the environmental portions<00:23:38.720

Transcript Highlights:

• And the environmental toll isn't limited to the impact of the fires.
• And the environmental toll is not limited to the impact of the fires.
• The devices creating the environmental problems this bill seeks to address are overwhelmingly entering
• The legal product disappeared, but the environmental problem remained.
• They own the Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos, which receives all recyclables, green waste

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax-related bills, beginning with AB 760, which would exempt settlement payments tied to the Garden Grove chemical incident from California income tax. The author and a school district trustee described evacuations, school closures, and losses to residents, businesses, students, and staff, arguing the payments should make victims whole rather than be taxed. There was support from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations, with committee amendments accepted. Members then heard AB 2319, creating a California post-production tax credit for film and television work done in-state, even when principal photography occurred elsewhere or the project did not receive the existing film credit. The author and supporters from the Motion Picture Editors Guild, California Post Alliance, and others said post-production jobs and facilities are leaving California and that the bill would help retain high-wage work; opponents were not present. The committee members generally supported the measure, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2186 followed, excluding future reparations benefits for descendants of formerly enslaved people from state income tax. The author and NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference said taxing such benefits would undermine reparative justice; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 3-0. The committee also heard AB 762, which would ban the sale of disposable nicotine vapes and add enforcement tools. Supporters, including waste, recycling, local government, and public health groups, said disposable vapes create fire hazards, waste problems, and costs for local agencies; opponents argued the bill would mainly eliminate the legal market while leaving illicit products untouched and urged stronger enforcement instead. The author accepted committee amendments adding CDTFA enforcement, but the bill was not voted on because a motion was pending and members were absent. Later, AB 1519, AB 2172, AB 2222, AB 1793, AB 2089, and AB 1265 were heard and each received support from committee members and passed 2-0 or 3-0 to Appropriations, with amendments accepted where noted. AB 1519 clarified that the 20-year tax collection statute of limitations should not be reset by later fees or penalties; AB 2172 would let large counties use a single assessment appeals commissioner for complex property tax appeals; AB 2222 would create a temporary tax credit for local news organizations to retain and hire journalists; AB 1793 would authorize symmetrical cash rounding to the nearest nickel after the federal penny phaseout; AB 2089 would streamline the welfare exemption filing process for affordable housing; and AB 1265 would extend and revise the historic building tax credit to encourage adaptive reuse for housing and mixed-use projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also teamed up with New Mexico Environmental Economic Development.
• We engage with the tribes through our tribal liaison, definitely in compliance with the tribal agreements
• We're also continuing work on the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program, and this is an agreement
• some of our panelists actually alluded to today, I mean, at NMDC, We were part of a cooperative agreement
• with USDA and the local purchasing cooperative agreement, which is basically a farm-to-farm food bank

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Unit 30001, page 52, Environmental Systems Research Institute, ESRI.
• Next agency for your consideration is Agency 220, the Environmental Quality Council.
• But they do trim that up. agency 220, the Environmental Quality agency 220, the Environmental Quality
• Agency 220, Environmental Quality Council, is closed.
• Agency 220, Environmental Quality Council, is closed.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• These are communities that face multiple environmental burdens, yet still struggle to access basic information
• These are communities that face multiple environmental burdens, yet still struggle to access basic information
• So I've had to do, along with CBE and my friends in the environmental community and nonprofits, to put
• Motion is due pass and re-referred to the Committee on Environmental Quality. Senator Grayson? Aye.
• SB 1291, motion is due pass and re-refer to the Committee on Environmental Quality.

Committee: Senate Banking and Financial Institutions

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard two bills. SB 1131, by Senator Jones, would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by requiring the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed, and by allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations from other regulators or approved third parties. Supporters from the debt collection industry said the bill would reduce duplicative costs and fix issues with the advisory committee process; an opposition witness from the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition said concerns remained. After discussion about preserving consumer protections while reducing burdens on licensees, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 1131 and re-refer it to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” by Senator Gonzalez, which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water companies by removing the 24-hour written notice requirement for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information such as consumer confidence reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including environmental justice advocates and Los Angeles County, described problems with access to water quality information, meeting notices, and board accountability in communities such as Cudahy and Maywood. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposed unfunded mandates and one-size-fits-all requirements on small systems. Members discussed the need for transparency while acknowledging concerns about compliance burdens; the committee then voted 7-0 to pass SB 1291 and re-refer it to Environmental Quality.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to have a strong California Environmental Quality Act, but we need to make sure that things that
• We need to have a strong California Environmental Quality Act, but we need to make sure that that provide
• Motion is due pass to Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Adagin. Aye. At a gain aye.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Becker: Aye. Menjivar: Aye.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Becker: Aye. Becker: Aye.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Human Services heard four bills and ultimately advanced each one unanimously. SB 557 by Senator Hurtado would update California’s statutory definition of family resource centers to align with the federal definition and reflect their prevention-focused, low- or no-cost, community-based role. Supporters from the Child Abuse Prevention Center and California Family Resource Association said the bill would clarify the law and help position California for future funding and partnerships; there was no opposition. The committee also heard SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon, which would correct a technical issue in a prior CEQA child care exemption so it applies to child care centers in residential zones as well. Supporters, including a Napa County supervisor and rural county representatives, described a real-world project delayed by CEQA litigation and argued the bill would help expand child care access; no opposition was heard. The committee then heard SB 837 by Senator Gomez Reyes, which would require aging and disability resource connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness training tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. The author and supporters from the California Commission on Aging and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers cited the deaths in the Eaton and Palisades fires and said the bill would help prevent vulnerable residents from being left behind in emergencies. Finally, SB 479 by Senator Menjivar would allow Berkeley, Pasadena, and Long Beach, as local health jurisdictions, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across teams, similar to county authority under existing law. Berkeley officials said the change would improve coordination and outcomes for unsheltered residents, while a privacy group had raised concerns in a letter; no formal opposition testified. After quorum was established, the committee voted 5-0 to send SB 299 to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, SB 557 and SB 837 to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and SB 479 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The meeting adjourned after members and the outgoing chair exchanged thanks and remarks about the importance of the committee’s work on the social safety net.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to have a strong California Environmental Quality Act, but we need to make sure that projects
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Adagin? Aye. A chobog? Aye.
• Motion is due pass to Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Adagin. Aye. At a gain aye.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Becker. Menjavar? Perez, aye.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Becker, aye. Becker, aye.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• challenges that confront us, whether our anxiety is for things political or personal, changes environmental
• We all know that orphan wells, either unplugged or improperly plugged, can pose serious environmental
• rehabilitation. improperly plugged can pose serious improperly plugged can pose serious environmental
• health risk to surrounding environmental health risk to surrounding communities<01:54:19.320><c> in<
• While I support these types of agreements, we must also ensure that smaller companies and new players

Bills: HR35

Keywords: Delta Sigma Theta, sorority, anniversary, community service, historical recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we can look through and see what the differences are, see where we have some points of agreement
• c><00:08:04.160><c> the</c><00:08:04.319><c> points</c><00:08:04.560><c> of</c><00:08:04.639><c> agreement
• </c><00:08:04.960><c> and</c> figure out the points of agreement and figure out the points of agreement
• ,</c> We I think we have an agreement, We I think we have an agreement, &gt;&gt; but<01:10:06.000><c>
• </c> kind of an agreement on that. kind of an agreement on that.

Summary: The continued conference on House Bill 609 focused on reconciling House and Senate drafts dealing with firearms and other personal defense tools, local government preemption, and agency rulemaking. Representative Leyon walked through amendment 21107H, explaining that it narrows undefined terms, clarifies that the General Court has supremacy over local regulation, allows damages actions for violations of preemption law, and adds language limiting agency rules unless specifically authorized by statute. She also described a three-year sunset and a delayed effective date for new rules so existing rules could continue temporarily while the legislature considers any needed statutory carveouts. Members then debated the practical effect of the language, especially whether it would bar agencies from adopting internal employment rules or instead require those rules to come through JCAR and be tied to express statutory authority. Several examples were discussed, including state plow drivers, corrections employees, and other workers who may need to carry personal defense tools in the field. The committee also discussed a provision making a plaintiff a prevailing party if a municipality changes a challenged policy after suit is filed, and a clause stating that good faith or advice of counsel is not a defense, though it may be considered in mitigation. The discussion narrowed to the difference between the House approach, which some members read as an absolute prohibition on agency rules in these areas, and the Senate approach, which some members said would allow rules only when an agency can point to express enabling authority and JCAR can review them. Members agreed that the goal was to prevent agencies from adopting rules that conflict with the statute while still allowing legitimate safety-related regulations where the legislature has authorized them. The conference took a recess and later resumed with the chair stating the parties had reached an agreement in principle based on the latest Senate language, and Representative Leyon was asked to continue reviewing the draft line by line for remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• and energy impacts both environmental and energy impacts that<00:16:10.639><c> are</c><00:16:10.920>
• and environmental impacts from increased<00:32:01.279><c> water</c><00:32:01.919><c> consumption</c>
• He said peoplenotpools.com is a project of 19 environmental organizations documenting 12 examples of
• He said peoplenotpools.com is a project of 19 environmental organizations documenting 12 examples of
• </c> because we're so good at Environmental because we're so good at Environmental Protections<01:16:

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify and share our experience today. the Environmental Health Division
• of the the Environmental Health Division of the Department<00:45:50.040><c> of</c><00:45:50.120><c>
• Care, the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health, AARP, and the Elder Justice Center, all in our agreement
• Care, the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health, AARP, and the Elder Justice Center, all in our agreement
• </c><02:06:16.480><c> explicitly</c> institution is our agreement explicitly institution is our agreement

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• When workers have a strong collective bargaining agreement and when we provide them with a pathway to
• When workers have a strong collective bargaining agreement and when we provide them with a pathway to
• We were eventually able to reach a contract agreement, but that campaign highlighted the reality that
• </c><00:20:10.960><c> but</c><00:20:11.120><c> that</c><00:20:11.360><c> campaign</c> contract agreement
• I was asked to provide testimony, or allow testimony on this, about expressing environmental concerns

Bills: HF3023 , HF3078 , HF107 , HF2171 , HF3079 , HF689 , HF1316

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: unemployment benefits, iron ore mining, economic support, workforce development, Minnesota, unemployment insurance, deferred resignation, employment, worker rights, benefits eligibility, Ellsworth Independent School District, ISD 514, school construction, school renovation, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, construction materials, HVAC replacement, boiler replacement, window replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Under our TPST agreement, DPS compliance inspectors hold complete authority to conduct both announced
• We have the same agreement with Canada. The issue with the Mexican LFC kind of goes in patterns.
• The only reason that we have that reciprocal agreement, it originated out of the North American Free
• Trade Agreement, the U.S. and Mexico agreement.
• But the reason we have that reciprocal agreement is for the international transportation of goods—to

Summary: The committee met to hear interim charges on rail grade crossing safety, autonomous vehicle deployment, and commercial driver’s license oversight. After opening remarks from the chair and members, the committee first focused on rail grade separations under SB 1555, with TxDOT and the Texas Railroad Association testifying that the new state grant program was implemented quickly, drew far more applications than available funding, and helped Texas leverage state dollars into major federal awards. TxDOT said the first round funded five projects, with additional federal matching funds helping support a total project portfolio worth more than $1 billion, including the Sergio Ivan Rodriguez Memorial Bridge in Houston. Witnesses emphasized that grade separations improve safety and mobility, and committee members discussed alternative mitigation tools such as siding relocation, digital routing/notification systems, and better public education about emergency notification signs at crossings. Public testimony on rail grade separations largely supported continuing and expanding the program. Representatives from regional business and transportation groups in Houston-area communities said blocked crossings harm safety, freight movement, emergency access, and economic activity, and urged the Legislature to extend SB 1555 and keep state funding in place so Texas can continue competing for federal grants. One witness argued that railroads should bear more of the cost because the projects primarily benefit rail companies, while others stressed that the state should continue using public-private partnerships and federal matching opportunities. Committee members asked about project selection criteria, how success should be measured over time, and whether railroads contribute financially; TxDOT said future success would be measured by projects moving to construction and by reductions in crashes and fatalities at treated crossings. The committee then turned to autonomous vehicles and heard from Texas DMV officials on implementation of SB 2807. DMV explained that Level 4 and Level 5 automated vehicles transporting people or goods for a commercial enterprise must obtain a state authorization, in addition to normal title, registration, insurance, and other requirements. The agency described its rulemaking timeline, the online application and verification system, coordination with DPS on first-responder interaction plans, and the current status of authorized companies operating in Texas. A companion enforcement presentation showed how law enforcement and the public can search AV authorizations and file complaints through the DMV’s truck stop database. The hearing continued into questions about the regulatory framework and complaint process, with the committee emphasizing that safety remains the central concern as the technology expands.

Transcript Highlights:

• thereafter, as an author, a speaker, and an advocate, Bob Graham worked tirelessly to further environmental
• Bill 7034, a bill to be entitled an act relating to ratification of rules on the Department of Environmental
• My hope is that we maintain that agreement, so the people can at least see that they have faith in this
• And yeah, in order to get to a place where we had an agreement amongst colleagues to do away with number
• one, number two, and number three, I voted Agreement amongst colleagues to do away with number one,

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• coordinating economic<00:31:42.720><c> development</c><00:31:43.200><c> and</c><00:31:43.360><c> environmental
• </c> economic development and environmental economic development and environmental policy<00:31:44.399
• DI secured voluntary agreements from employers to pay a total of $81,574.10 in back wages, compensatory
• However, they enter into agreements requiring the employer to make sure its third-party administrator
• They enter into certain agreements that require the employer to make sure its third-party administrator

Bills: HF3707 , HF3732 , HF2581 , HF3731

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Coastal Act stands as one of the most important environmental protections in our state's history.
• And I think of local environmental leaders in my community, like Dick Day, like Carol Hart, who's in
• That it really started this conversation about who the coast should be for. environmental principles,
• So I rise in full support of ACR 149 for the environmental reasons, for the economic reasons, but also
• This bill is balancing environmental standards with affordability.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the early session on guest introductions recognizing students, interns, advocacy groups, sorority members, and other visitors. Members also noted Assembly Member Castillo’s birthday and announced a later floor photo for members wearing denim. The chamber then moved to the Daily File and took up a series of bills and resolutions. Among the major actions, AB 2323 by Assembly Member McKinnor, on modernizing public notice while preserving transparency and due process, passed 57-0. ACR 149 by Assembly Member Hart, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and the Coastal Conservancy, drew extensive debate both in support and opposition before being adopted by voice vote, with 46 co-authors added. AB 2011 by Assembly Member Hart, codifying mental health parity standards, was also taken up, and AB 2691 by Assembly Member Addis, expanding disqualifying felony convictions for elected office to include sexual assault and human trafficking, passed 53-0. The Assembly also adopted HR 31 on Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month after lengthy testimony from members describing personal experiences and the need to support survivors. The body then approved several policy bills with broad support, including AB 1621 on housing permitting timelines (64-0), AB 1704 on studying the cost of low-embodied-carbon building materials and pausing standards if cost parity is not reached (58-0), AB 1916 updating the definition of certified interpreter to include ASL interpreters (59-2), AB 2559 on returning construction and demolition permit deposits when compliance is documented (61-0), AB 2663 as an urgency sunset extension for alcoholic beverage law (64-0 on urgency and measure), and AB 2731 expanding on-sale general alcohol licenses in Santa Cruz County (63-0). The Senate consent calendar was also adopted. The session ended with an adjournment in memory of Josado Dado Banatao, honoring his life, engineering achievements, and philanthropy, followed by a motion to adjourn until April 30 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mariela Racho with Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability and the California Environmental
• They have real concerns and questions about everything from environmental... that I have the pleasure
• They have real concerns and questions about everything from environmental, Concerns and questions about
• everything from environmental impacts to electricity rates and cost to the good-paying jobs that it'll
• Quality Committee and the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement