Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, as drafted, SCA 5 would solve only one funding and equity problem while creating another
• alone remains the strongest foundation for achieving fiscal sustainability, positive outcomes, and equity
• alone remains the strongest foundation for achieving fiscal sustainability, positive outcomes, and equity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard SCA 5, the Education Equalization Act, which would create an Equalization Reserve in the General Fund funded only in strong budget years with non-Prop 98 dollars. Senator Cortese and supporters argued it would provide a stable, ongoing stream of funding to reduce per-pupil disparities between basic-aid and non-basic-aid districts without reducing the Prop 98 minimum guarantee. Supporters included education foundation, school board, administrator, employee, and business representatives. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, argued the measure unfairly excludes charter and county school students and could worsen inequities; some committee members also raised concerns about its fiscal effects and constitutional structure. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to adopt SCA 5, with the measure kept on call for additional members. The committee then took up a series of Assembly bills, most of which were suspense-file candidates and were moved without objection after brief or waived presentations and no opposition testimony. AB 402, AB 708, AB 1080, AB 1126, AB 1235, AB 1555, AB 1641, ACA 7, AB 1672, AB 1943, AB 2565, and AB 2571 were all sent to suspense. AB 1204 drew testimony from school district leaders and coalition members who said it would worsen LCFF funding disparities by shifting future growth away from the base grant; the bill was opposed and moved to suspense. AB 1672 received support from CalPACE. The Department of Finance did not attend and had no comments on the measures. Finally, ACA 18 was presented as a constitutional amendment to double student voting seats on the UC Board of Regents, creating separate undergraduate and graduate student representation. The author and UC student witnesses said the change would strengthen student voice on issues such as tuition, housing, basic needs, and free speech, and would align UC with CSU and community college governance. There was no opposition testimony, but the committee treated ACA 18 as a suspense-file candidate and moved it to suspense without objection. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of these were establishing a definition of pay equity for contingent faculty in the CTC system as
• and when substitute was mentioned, have there been discussions about the comparison in terms of pay equity
• and when substitute was mentioned, have there been discussions about the comparison in terms of pay equity

Bills: SB6258 , SB5963

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: Washington Medical Commission, medical license, license relinquishment, voluntary surrender, nondisciplinary pathway, physician regulation, health professional licensing, disciplinary database, National Practitioner Data Bank, license renewal, license reinstatement, medical board, professional discipline, credential surrender, healthcare regulation, SB 5963, passport to careers, Washington College Grant, financial aid, higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of these were establishing a definition of pay equity for contingent faculty in the CTC system as
• The first was establishing a definition of pay equity for contingent faculty in the CTC system as a salary
• and when substitute was mentioned, have there been discussions about the comparison in terms of pay equity

Summary: The House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6258, which would authorize the Washington Medical Commission to adopt rules allowing physicians and certain other licensees to voluntarily relinquish their licenses outside of a disciplinary process. Staff and the bill sponsor explained that the current system only allows relinquishment through a disciplinary or quasi-disciplinary path, which can trigger reporting to national databases even when there is no misconduct. Testimony from the Medical Commission and the Washington Physicians Health Program supported the bill as a non-disciplinary, permanent, and more dignified way for providers to exit practice while preserving patient safety by excluding those under investigation or discipline. The chair said the committee would executive the bill the next day and asked that amendments be submitted by 6 p.m. that day. The committee then held a work session on part-time/adjunct faculty in the community and technical college system. State Board of Community and Technical Colleges staff described the system’s 34 colleges, the role of local bargaining, and the differences in duties and pay between full-time and part-time faculty. They noted that adjunct pay has historically lagged and cited a 2024 report estimating it would cost about $75.1 million to raise average adjunct compensation to 85% of full-time faculty pay. American Federation of Teachers Washington representatives and contingent faculty testified in support of HB 2538, arguing that contingent faculty are underpaid, often lack stable employment and compensation for work outside class time, and that higher pay would improve retention, student support, and equity. Members asked about bargaining structures, health benefits, workload, and comparisons to other faculty roles. In executive session, the committee considered Substitute Senate Bill 5931, which makes administrative changes to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, including removing a public dashboard requirement and adjusting election timing. The bill passed 14-1 and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation. The committee also approved Senate Bill 5963, which automatically makes Passport to Careers participants income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and aligns need calculations with the federal formula; it also directs Passport funds into the state financial aid account. That bill passed unanimously, 15-0, and was likewise reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Equity Trade Network, which is around 47 small businesses. and I support this bill.
• I represent the equity trade network, which is around 47 small Board. Thank you.
• television tax credit program by requiring studios who opt in to participate in optional diversity, equity

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met with a delayed start while waiting for quorum, then heard several bills before moving to the suspense file. AB 564 by Assemblymember Haney would freeze the planned cannabis excise tax increase at 15% rather than allow it to rise to 25%; supporters argued the legal cannabis industry is struggling against the illicit market and high taxes, while opponents said the measure would reduce funding for children, youth programs, environmental restoration, and enforcement promised under Prop. 64. The bill was sent to suspense during regular order and later approved out of suspense on a 6-0 vote with amendments, including a five-year sunset and a reduced rate. AB 1265, also by Haney, would extend and expand the state historic tax credit to encourage rehabilitation of vacant historic buildings for housing and mixed-use projects; preservation and housing advocates supported it, and it was also sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee then heard AB 1377 by Assemblymember McKenna, which would require studios seeking optional diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility film tax credits to complete the plans they submit to the California Film Commission. Labor supporters said studios should do more than make good-faith efforts, and the bill passed 5-1 to Appropriations. AB 1416 by Vice Chair Ta would clarify disaster-related property tax deferrals for homeowners who have requested installment plans, and it passed 7-0 to the Assembly Floor. Afterward, the chair gave a general warning that the bills on suspense represented large revenue losses and emphasized the committee’s need to weigh tax expenditures against other state priorities. On the suspense file, the committee approved AB 27, AB 53, AB 97, AB 231, AB 232, AB 429, AB 613, AB 984, and AB 1485, mostly on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, while AB 547 passed 5-1. Several other bills, including AB 386, AB 389, AB 490, AB 6991, AB 814, AB 1057, AB 1219, AB 1282, AB 1354, AB 1431, AB 1435, and AB 1481, were held in committee. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the suspense-file actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity is important to us as a state, or to people in the state.
• we're bringing NMED and they are bringing something to us that says, 'No, we don't really care about equity
• evidence means, what the assessors are using county by county, and then of course I just have the equity

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand that that also builds equity for those families, especially immigrant communities, so our
• Good morning, Violet Swindler, expressing support on behalf of Tech Equity Action and the California
• Small firms really don't have the capital or the resources to put their energy into those levels because
• benefits, costs, and available resources for rebuilding and preserving the mobile home park and the equity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand that that also builds equity for those families, especially immigrant communities.
• Good morning, Violet Swindler, expressing support on behalf of Tech Equity Action and the California
• Small firms really don't have the capital or the resources to put their energy into those levels because
• benefits, costs, and available resources for rebuilding and preserving the mobile home park and the equity

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements identified during the design and drawings phase of the project to ensure safety, code, and energy
• Preserving this program is essential to maintaining community engagement, equity, accountability, and
• California’s budget deficit cannot be solved by continuing cuts to medical and health equity programs
• California's budget deficit cannot be solved by continuing cuts to medical and health equity programs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I equity groups to to buy it up.
• So now you're talking about the payment equity piece that's in there.
• </c> to own them that aren't private equity? to own them that aren't private equity?
• </c><01:33:18.880><c> Thank</c> this provision on private equity.
• </c> private equity private equity firms.<01:37:35.920><c> Uh,</c><01:37:36.400><c> Senator</c><01:37

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I just want to talk about private equity, Mr. Chair, and other members.
• Seriously, is there any private equity people in the room? Raise your hand.
• But, um, is one of the rules of private equity, Mr.
• So we'd rather have them have equity firm get rich than let talk to their relatives.
• So we'd rather have them have equity firm get rich than let talk to their relatives.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About three years ago, we looked at equity.
• We talked about equity a little bit in the Neighborhood Atlas. So this is using HRSA data.
• Science-driven policy advances health equity.
• Science-driven policy advances health equity.
• other things that we consider in this panel: disease burden, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and equity

Bills: SB5877 , SB5967

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, preventive services, state authority, healthcare access, insurance coverage, public health, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• About three years ago, we looked at equity, and we looked at that using what's called the Neighborhood
• We talked about equity a little bit in the Neighborhood Atlas. So this is using HRSA data.
• Science-driven policy advances health equity.
• Science-driven policy advances health equity.
• other things that we consider in this panel: disease burden, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and equity

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee opened its 2026 session with a work session focused on the committee’s priorities of access, quality, and affordability. Health Care Authority staff Michelle Needham and Ross Florey reviewed the Health Care Cost Transparency Board’s work, noting Washington’s uninsured rate has fallen from 15% in 2010 to 5%, but health care spending growth remains above the benchmark. They said 2023 spending grew 6.2% versus a 3.2% target, with prescription drugs, hospital outpatient care, professional services, and non-claims spending driving growth. They highlighted ongoing work on market transparency, hospital spending, primary care, and federal policy changes that could reduce coverage and increase uncompensated care. Dr. Drew Oliva of the Washington Health Alliance added quality and safety data, saying many measures remain below top national performance, primary care attachment is weak, hospital pricing varies widely, and behavioral health data are limited. He urged stronger primary care investment, more transparency, and better patient safety oversight. Committee members then introduced themselves and staff before moving to public hearings. The committee first heard Senate Bill 5877, a technical fix expanding the physician health program surcharge to certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and related educational resources. The bill sponsor and witnesses from the Washington Medical Commission, the Washington Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants, and the Washington Physicians Health Program all supported the measure, describing it as a consistency and access fix for a newly licensed profession. The bill drew 12 pro, 2 con, and 0 other sign-ins. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5967, which would preserve access to preventive services by allowing the Department of Health to issue immunization recommendations based on multiple expert sources and by freezing state insurance coverage protections for preventive services and vaccines as of mid-2025, with OIC rulemaking authority to keep coverage at least as favorable. The sponsor, Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham, and Governor’s office staff said the bill is intended to protect existing coverage, not create new vaccine mandates, and to keep recommendations grounded in science amid federal uncertainty. Supporters included Dr. Helen Chu, Dr. Beth Harvey, Dr. Maria Huang, Dr. J. Miller, and Dr. Matt LaGalbo, who emphasized vaccine safety, rising vaccine-preventable diseases, and the importance of no-cost preventive care. Opponents, including Bob Runnels and Natalie Chavez, argued the bill politicizes vaccines, reduces transparency, and expands state authority without adequate fiscal detail. The hearing continued with additional testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to note that we have a very strong value around equity and we are working to address that
• values of the department that are stated up there: being human and patient-centered, that value around equity
• need and keyed in on three areas: access to care, the cost control of health services, as well as equity
• focused on, as Lacey noted, being one of the core intents of the proviso, but really focusing on equity
• Current statutory structure doesn't really speak to equity here within Washington State within the certificate

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding of his body's work is regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion policy.
• former chair was within his prior work in education, you were referring directly to the diversity, equity
• Like I said, he's written on diversity, equity, inclusion. I've read... Sure.
• Like I said, he's written on diversity, equity, inclusion. I've read comments about that.
• Professionally, I'm a partner at the King and Spalding law firm, where I lead our global private equity

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard and approved two bills before moving into confirmation hearings for several university and college board nominees. CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships was presented as a measure to improve consistency and transparency in local education agency partnerships, cap LEA administrative funding at 10% when applicable, and require public meetings and work papers for workforce funding model decisions. Support was noted from Associated Builders and Contractors, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Foundations for Florida Futures, and Independent Electrical Contractors. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education governance and presidential searches after adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment defining the final group of presidential applicants as no fewer than three. The amended bill added provisions on trustee citizenship and residency/alumni eligibility, interim president succession planning, longer presidential contract renewals, limits on candidate polling by universities, syllabus posting, textbook/open-access material lists, and other governance and academic policy changes. Senators raised concerns about the minimum-three finalist requirement, interim president selection, trustee eligibility, and polling restrictions, while supporters said the bill would depoliticize leadership selection and improve transparency. The bill was reported favorably after the amendments were adopted. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees, including nominees for FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UWF, and UF. Most nominees emphasized ties to their institutions, student success, workforce development, military connections, and institutional growth. Several UWF nominees were questioned extensively about their votes for former chair Scott Yenner and his controversial comments about women and other groups; some said they were unaware of those remarks at the time of the vote and would not have supported him with that knowledge. Public testimony on UWF expressed concern about the nominees’ lack of higher education experience, their ties to the region, and the impact of Yenner’s views. The committee later voted to recommend a block of non-UWF nominees favorably, and it agreed to vote on the UWF nominees individually, with some remaining nominees deferred to a later hearing due to time.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding of his body's work is regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion policy.
• former chair was within his prior work in education, you were referring directly to the diversity, equity
• Like I said, he's written on diversity, equity, inclusion. I've read... ...comments about that.
• Professionally, I'm a partner at the King and Spalding law firm, where I lead our global private equity
• King and Spalding law firm, where I lead our global private equity and mergers and acquisitions practice

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I work for a company called Yatco Energy. I am their director of category management.
• Created with over five years of financial sweat equity.
• sweat equity, financial and sweat<01:32:38.960><c> equity.
• She is not a wealthy sweat equity.
• and</c><02:13:30.719><c> large</c> private equity firms and large private equity firms and large corporations

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I really see this as not just an issue of wealth, but also an equity issue because the people in
• So, I really see this as not just an issue of wealth, but also an equity issue because the people in
• Number two, allowing for equity appeals.
• </c> Number two, allowing for equity appeals. Number two, allowing for equity appeals.
• Um, it's called the equity kind of portion of the bill.

Bills: HF4906 , HF3971 , HF4777 , HF2109 , HF2988

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I have a question actually about one of your slides, the 10 commitments to equity.
• So that’s really when we talk about prioritizing equity, right?
• So that’s really when we talk about prioritizing equity, right?
• So that’s really when we talk about prioritizing equity, right?
• So that's really when we talk about prioritizing equity, right?

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of our broadband equity access deployment program, the federal government has allocated New Mexico
• So it's a much smaller portion of the overall fund for that Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 323, Access to Affordable Broadband, sponsored by Rep. Pamela Herndon. The bill would appropriate $5 million from the general fund to expand broadband affordability for low-income residents, very small communities, unincorporated areas, and tribal lands. Jeff Lopez, director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, testified that affordability is now the biggest barrier to broadband access in the state, even as infrastructure deployment continues through state and federal programs. Members asked about rural service options, including low-Earth-orbit satellite providers such as Starlink and Amazon Project Kuiper, the use of unobligated broadband funds, and whether the bill would disadvantage existing New Mexico providers. Lopez said the office’s federal BEAD program included some satellite service in very remote areas, but that HB 323 would be technology-neutral and intended as either a pilot or a broader affordability subsidy depending on whether Senate Bill 152 becomes law. He also said the office is not pursuing the prior policy that favored Starlink in areas already served by wired providers. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of broadband for education, business, and rural communities. The committee then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Mason making the motion and Representative Garcia seconding it, and no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• of limitations, the shorter statute of repose, allowing auto manufacturers to deduct for negative equity
• especially low-income consumers, with unsafe lemons if they can't afford to pay the amount of negative equity

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee met in a subcommittee setting to hear SB 26, a follow-on bill to last year’s AB 1755 dealing with California’s Song-Beverly “Lemon Law” process. Senator Umberg explained that the measure is intended to preserve the compromise reached last year while allowing automakers to opt out of the new framework and return to the prior law, with the goal of speeding up discovery and helping consumers resolve claims more quickly. Committee members and the author also noted the bill’s connection to concerns about court congestion and the need to revisit the law as vehicle technology evolves. Support came from Consumer Attorneys of California, Toyota, and several automakers and manufacturers, including General Motors, Rivian, Honda, Hyundai, Lucid, Tesla, Kia, Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes. Toyota said the bill gives automakers a five-year opt-in choice and reflects the negotiated deal. In soft opposition, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety said it preferred more manufacturers opt out, but remained concerned about AB 1755’s reduced statute of limitations and repose, negative equity deductions, and the broader impact on consumers with defective vehicles. After quorum was established, the committee took up the motion and passed SB 26 on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye. The chair thanked the stakeholders for reaching a compromise and indicated the bill would move forward, with immediate referral anticipated after floor action.