Transcript Highlights:

• Angeles, Los Angeles City and County Department of Sanitation and the Environment, Placer County Board
• Good morning, Keeley Morris, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, in support.
• Angeles, Los Angeles City and County, Department of Sanitation and the Environment, Placer County Board
• Good morning, Keeley Morris, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, in support.
• Chair and members, Sasha Horwitz with the Los Angeles Unified School District in support.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Bernie Ojeda, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Chair.
• Bernie Ojeda, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Sheriff Luna, we're in support
• In fact, the Los Angeles Police Department, which maintains data for five years, had a worse clearance
• According to the California State Auditor, over 99.9% of the 320 million plate hits Los Angeles stored
• According to the California State Auditor, over 99.9% of the 320 million plate hits Los Angeles stored

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bernie Ojeda, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Chair.
• Bernie O'Heda, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, with Sheriff Luna, we're in
• In fact, the Los Angeles Police Department, which maintains data for five years, had a worse clearance
• According to the California State Auditor, over 99.9% of the 320 million plate hits Los Angeles stored
• According to the California State Auditor, over 99.9% of the 320 million plate hits Los Angeles stored

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Nashua with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, in support.
• Sam Nashua with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, in support.
• Sasha Horwitz with Los Angeles Unified School District, in support.
• Sam Nashua with the Los Angeles County Office of Education in support.
• Sasha Horwitz with Los Angeles Unified School District in support.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each year on April 24, thousands of Armenians from across Los Angeles gather there not only to mourn
• Speaker, members, as the member representing Historic Little Armenia in Los Angeles, it's my honor to
• low-income. large and diverse Armenian community in the San Fernando Valley and indeed the City of Los
• Los Angeles, Indio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Glendale, West Hollywood, Whittier and San Fernando Valley
• Patrick LoSasso, President of Parkinson's Community in Los Angeles.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Skoglin with the County of Los Angeles in support. Good morning.
• John Skoglin with the County of Los Angeles in support.
• John Skoglin with the County of Los Angeles in support.
• John Skoglund with the County of Los Angeles in support.
• Huntsman is the recently retired Inspector General of the County of Los Angeles.

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, coastal, and infrastructure bills. AB 306 would create a statewide appeal and code-interpretation process for building code issues at the California Building Standards Commission; supporters said it would reduce inconsistent local interpretations and speed housing delivery, while no opposition testified, and it was moved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 956 would clarify ADU law to allow up to two detached ADUs on a property and address ADUs in HOAs/common interest developments; supporters framed it as a flexibility and housing-supply measure, while local government and county groups raised concerns about ministerial approval, parking, density, and impacts on neighborhood character. After committee questions, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the bill remaining on call. Members also considered AB 1751, which would create a ministerial approval path for qualifying townhome projects and allow local inclusionary ordinances for larger projects. Supporters said it would expand attainable homeownership and help produce missing-middle housing, while cities and counties objected to reduced density, by-right approval, and potential housing-element net-loss issues. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and remained on call. AB 912, which would revise the governance structure of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board, drew unanimous support from the district, city, and county; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1710, aimed at preserving housing project entitlements from later regulatory changes, also advanced on a 4-0 do-pass-as-amended vote after opponents said they were awaiting the committee amendments. The committee also heard AB 2080, which would make county treasurer investment authority delegations ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal; supporters said it would reduce technical noncompliance and administrative burden without reducing oversight, and it was moved to the Senate Floor. AB 1740, a coastal bill for Santa Monica, would set timelines and reporting for a local coastal program and create an expedited Coastal Commission process for bike, transit, and pedestrian projects; supporters said it reflected a negotiated path forward with the city and commission, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2181, backed by Unite Here, would limit use of hypothetical density bonus value in hotel and motel appraisals; supporters said it would protect hospitality jobs from speculative lease-rent increases, and it was moved to the Senate Floor on a 4-0 vote. Finally, AB 2469 on data centers and water use drew the most extended debate. The bill would require water supply and water use assessments before approval, and shift infrastructure costs to project proponents; supporters said it would improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure local governments have information before approving water-intensive facilities. Opponents, including business, city, county, and tech groups, argued existing law already covers water assessments and fees, warned the bill could create a separate permitting regime, and raised concerns about privacy, security, and investment impacts. The committee had not yet taken final action on AB 2469 when the transcript ended, and members were still asking technical questions about data center cooling and water reuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities like San Jose, Santa Monica, Richmond, Fresno, and Los Angeles, including in my own district,
• The iconic 6th Street Bridge in Los Angeles, dubbed a Ribbon of Light after its 2022 reconstruction,
• Good morning, Keely Morris on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, in support.
• Good morning, Keely Morris on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, in support.
• Amanda Kim, student anesthesiologist assistant from Los Angeles, California, also looking to come home

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with most measures drawing support from industry, professional, local government, and advocacy witnesses, and several receiving committee amendments before moving forward. AB 8 on hemp and cannabis drew the most extensive debate: supporters said it would close loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthen enforcement, and bring THC products into the regulated cannabis supply chain; opponents, including small cannabis farmers and environmental groups, warned it could undermine Proposition 64’s closed-loop system, harm California cultivators, and reduce tax revenues for youth, environmental, and law enforcement programs. The author said the bill was intended to protect consumers and children and to work further with stakeholders. AB 476 on copper theft was presented as a public safety and infrastructure bill to tighten reporting, documentation, and penalties for scrap metal theft; supporters from cities, utilities, broadband, and recycling-related groups described major losses and outages from copper theft, and the remaining opposition moved to neutral after amendments, with the bill advancing with committee support. The committee also heard AB 985, which would allow nationally certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice under direct supervision of licensed anesthesiologists to address anesthesia workforce shortages. Supporters, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, medical groups, students, and patients, said it would expand access and bring California in line with other states; nurse anesthesiology groups expressed concerns and sought further clarification, but there was no formal opposition at the hearing. AB 506, aimed at online pet sales, would void contracts that fail to disclose an animal’s origin or veterinary records or that require non-refundable deposits; animal welfare groups said it would curb puppy mill pipelines and deceptive online sales, and there was no opposition. AB 876, on certified registered nurse anesthetists, generated the sharpest health care policy dispute: supporters said it would codify existing practice and clarify CRNA duties, while physicians and medical associations argued it would expand scope too far and reduce patient safety. After a roll call, AB 876 passed the committee 9-0, as amended, to Appropriations. Other bills advanced with broad support after amendments. AB 432, the Menopause Equity Act, would require continuing medical education on menopause-related care for certain physicians; the author and medical experts said the bill addresses widespread gaps in menopause treatment and research, while CMA and ACOG opposed the mandate as an inappropriate CME requirement, though they agreed the underlying problem is real. The bill passed on call, as amended, to Health. AB 759 would allow eligible architectural candidates to use the title “architect in training” to encourage completion of licensure and improve diversity in the profession; it passed unanimously, as amended, to Appropriations. AB 967 would create an optional expedited licensure fee for out-of-state physicians to reduce delays in bringing doctors into California’s workforce; supporters said it would help address shortages and improve patient access, and the bill was presented with support from medical stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the bill to address your concerns and exempt the County of Los Angeles from AB 2257.
• Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, or Watts, where I was born and raised.
• Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, or Watts, where I was born and raised.
• For these reasons, the Los Angeles Police Department, the City of Los Angeles, and the NSSE co-chairs
• David Bolog, Los Angeles resident, in support. Great. Thank you all so much.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 1650, AB 2014, AB 1886, AB 2126, AB 2624, and AB 2257. AB 1650 would require clearer identification on privately owned vehicles rented or leased to government agencies for enforcement operations; supporters framed it as a transparency and safety measure in response to ICE activity, while no opposition testified. AB 2014 would allow post-conviction habeas relief where gender bias or stereotypes were used at trial and may have affected the outcome; supporters described cases involving sexist and anti-LGBTQ stereotypes, while the California District Attorneys Association opposed the bill as overbroad and likely to restrict relevant evidence, though the author said recent amendments removed the evidence-code provisions and left only the habeas remedy. AB 1886 would extend a 12-month probation presumption to youth in out-of-home placements and those discharged from secure youth treatment facilities; youth advocates supported it as a fairness and rehabilitation measure, while judges, probation officials, and district attorneys opposed it as undoing a recent compromise and limiting individualized decisions. AB 2126 would speed hiring of peer partners in child welfare by creating a narrow exemption process for certain foster-youth-related offenses; it drew broad support and no opposition. AB 2624 would expand the Safe at Home address-confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers; supporters cited threats, doxing, and harassment, while one journalist opposed it over possible effects on reporting, and the author and committee members said the bill preserves press protections and is narrowly aimed at threats and harassment. AB 2257 would restore county authority to create a separate corrections department to run jails instead of the sheriff; supporters argued it would improve accountability and address jail deaths and fiscal problems, while sheriffs opposed it as unnecessary and said sheriffs are already subject to oversight. The committee also noted several bills pulled by their authors and adopted a consent calendar of unrelated measures. Votes were not always taken immediately because the committee was waiting for a quorum, but AB 2624 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations and left on call, and the chair indicated support or favorable recommendations on several of the other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• From Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco, these operations have raised serious concerns
• to the bill to address your concerns and exempt the County of Los Angeles from AB 2257.
• Community Hospital in South Los Angeles, or Watts, where I was born and raised.
• For these reasons, the Los Angeles Police Department, the city of Los Angeles, and the NSSE co-chairs
• David Bolog, Los Angeles resident, in support. Great. Thank you all so much.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Magda Molina, homeowner in Los Angeles, in strong support.
• Magda Molina, homeowner and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support.
• Nathan Brevost, a Los Angeles resident, in strong support.
• Magda Molina, home and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support.
• Magda Molina, home and business owner in Los Angeles, in strong support.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Los Angeles is one of those.
• In January of 2025, Los Angeles, not being on the list, experienced two of the most destructive wildfires
• Angeles or if you're in Ventura, Santa Barbara County, we know wildfire risk chases us everywhere and
• Good afternoon, Sylvia Solis Shaw on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, in strong support
• Good afternoon, Sylvia Solis Shaw on behalf of the City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in strong support

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties and direct future funding toward areas with the greatest wildfire risk and social vulnerability; supporters included CSAC and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a permanent fire innovation unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew support from Megafire Action, fire agencies, and several advocacy groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open gubernatorial states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting emergency powers; the LAO provided technical assistance on the bill. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help finance home hardening and defensible space improvements, with broad support from state, local, environmental, and credit union interests. Testimony on the bills emphasized wildfire risk, the need for broader home hardening access, and the value of innovation and oversight in emergency management. Supporters of SB 894 said grants alone cannot meet the scale of needed mitigation and that low-cost financing could leverage private capital. Supporters of SB 1079 argued California needs a more formal system to connect firefighters with innovators and scale proven technologies. On SB 1020, the author and committee discussed balancing executive emergency authority with transparency and accountability. There was no recorded opposition to the measures during testimony. After discussion, the committee accepted amendments on the bills and voted to pass SB 894, SB 973, SB 1020, SB 1270, and SB 1079 as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The transcript shows multiple roll calls as quorum was established and absent members were called; each bill ultimately received unanimous support from members present and was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Los Angeles being one of those.
• In January of 2025, Los Angeles, not being on the list, experienced two of the most destructive wildfires
• Angeles or if you're in Ventura, Santa Barbara County, we know wildfire risk chases us everywhere and
• Good afternoon, Sylvia Solis Shaw on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass, in strong support
• Good afternoon, Sylvia Solis Shaw on behalf of the City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in strong support

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 2025-110, California Institution for Men, Infrastructure Management, and 2025-114, Los Angeles
• We have 2025-110, California Institution for Men, Infrastructure Management, 2025-1-14, Los Angeles Fires
• Prevention and Response, which I particularly 2025-114, Los Angeles Fires Prevention and Response, which
• I have parts of Los Angeles.
• Kyle Griffith, on behalf of Californians for Water Security and at the request of Los Angeles County

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Summary: The committee began with a status report from the State Auditor on staffing and audit capacity, noting 14 audit supervisors, 14 audits in progress, several audits scheduled for release, and a planned high-risk review of state financial reporting. The committee then approved a consent calendar covering six audit requests, including topics such as kindergarten oral health assessments, prison infrastructure management, Los Angeles fires prevention and response, community college financial aid and enrollment, wildfire management at Chino Hills State Park, and the Chiquita Canyon landfill. The first major item was Assembly Member Gonzalez’s request for an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. Supporters described long-running fiscal mismanagement, a projected $60 million deficit, layoffs, concerns about contracting practices, foundation donations, and weak governance. District representatives said they were already working with Riverside County Office of Education and FICMAT, had adopted a fiscal stabilization plan, and were making cuts to restore solvency. The State Auditor said the proposed audit would examine the district’s financial condition over 10 years, ELOP spending, partnership agreements, foundation funds, and contracting practices. After extensive discussion and public comment, the motion to approve the audit failed because it did not receive the required votes. The committee next approved Senator Wahab’s request for an audit of East Bay transit agency administrative oversight. The senator argued that the Bay Area’s fragmented transit system creates duplication and wastes resources, while agency representatives and transit advocates said the agencies already face extensive oversight and are actively coordinating through existing regional efforts. The State Auditor outlined objectives focused on agency autonomy, coordination, ridership, finances, and the potential effects of consolidation. After debate and public comment, the audit was approved. Finally, Senator Archuleta introduced a request to audit excessive unrestricted reserves at selected California Community College districts and Calbright College, arguing that reserve balances have grown substantially and may be diverting funds from student services and instruction. He said the audit would examine why districts are holding large reserves and whether those funds are being used effectively for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Skoghwin with the County of Los Angeles, in support.
• Brian Rick's with the Los Angeles Unified School District, in support.
• When you think about things like the Los Angeles fires, after the smoke and the fires are done, people
• Send me on to your bill from down in Los Angeles. ...Send me on to your bill from down in Los Angeles
• County wildfires. many of ...was, especially with the Los Angeles County wildfires.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several emergency-management-related bills. AB 1749 would prohibit drones from knowingly or recklessly interfering with wildfire suppression or other emergency response airspace and authorize civil enforcement with penalties up to $75,000 per violation. AB 1540 would restore the 988 “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, with the author and supporters describing it as a needed crisis lifeline; opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and criticized the Trevor Project. AB 1805 would overhaul oversight of the state’s troubled next-generation 911 project by strengthening the advisory board, requiring quarterly reports, and mandating an independent technical evaluation and audit. AB 1832 would create a statewide 2-1-1 support fund and a community needs dashboard to expand and stabilize 2-1-1 services. AB 2543 would require EV charging operators to develop emergency management plans and identify backup power or charging options during disasters, with opponents arguing it singled out one industry and could slow deployment. Testimony was largely in support of AB 1540, AB 1805, and AB 1832, with many public agencies, behavioral health groups, fire organizations, and local governments backing the measures. AB 1540 drew emotional testimony from a parent who lost a child to suicide, while AB 1805 received support from police chiefs, dispatchers, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which discussed the need for an independent technical review of regional versus statewide 911 system options. AB 1832 supporters emphasized that 2-1-1 helps divert non-emergency calls from 911 and provides critical disaster information and referrals. AB 2543 drew opposition from EV charging companies and industry groups, who said the bill imposed unique obligations on private operators and did not address all fuel types. After debate, the committee voted to advance all of the measures. AB 1540 was sent to Senate Health, AB 1749 to Senate Judiciary, AB 1805 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technology, and Consumer Protection, AB 1832 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications, and AB 2543 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications with amendments to be taken in the next committee. The consent item, AB 1836, was also approved. Final recorded votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with AB 2543 receiving the most opposition but still passing the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Alexander Nunez, based out of Los Angeles, California.
• I'm also a former police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
• Hello, Keeley Morris, on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, in support.
• Hello, Keeley Morris on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and support.
• Keeley Morris on behalf of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts in support. Thank you.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• We've consistently met Access for All's program offset eligibility criteria in Los Angeles, San Francisco
• From 2019 to present, LIFT has offered wheelchair mode in Los Angeles and San Francisco counties under
• LIFT completes an average of 5,000 to 7,000 trips quarterly in Los Angeles County and 800 to 1,000 trips
• For us, we're doing it in a percentage where in Los Angeles County is the worst.
• Angeles and San Diego counties.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• In a time in which Los Angeles has just experienced the worst fires in history, the fashion industry
• Unravel, a student organization at the University of California, Los Angeles, has authorized me to convey
• We're dealing with healthcare rising, insurance costs, rebuilding Los Angeles.
• Marky Siege on behalf of the County with Los Angeles in support. Thanks.
• Our communities of Southeast Los Angeles and South Los Angeles are extremely proud of their efforts to

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• According to a report from the San Francisco Chronicle, the recent fires in Los Angeles County devastated
• Since 2020, over 200 restaurants per year have closed in Los Angeles.
• These restaurants, like mine, are woven into the cultural fabric of Los Angeles.
• On behalf of Los Angeles institutions and independent restaurants across California, I respectfully urge
• Eddie Navarrete with the Independent Hospitality Coalition in support, Los Angeles.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach. Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• 39 locations across California, with about 22 of them in Southern California and 19 in the greater Los
• Angeles area.
• Angeles, Long Beach, Wilmington, Fullerton, and the Inland Empire.
• Let me just also, just as one who represents the Los Angeles area, not the affected area, I want to commend
• Angeles community.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met in regular order, established a quorum, and first heard AB 611 by Assembly Member Lee. AB 611 would create a voluntary tax contribution checkoff to fund spinal cord injury treatment research. The author said the measure would support Californians living with spinal cord injuries and noted there was no opposition. After no public testimony in support or opposition, the committee voted 5-0 to recommend concurrence in the Senate amendments, with the motion adopted and the bill held open for absent members. The committee then held an informational hearing only on AB 817 by Assembly Member González, which was presented in response to the Lineage cold-storage warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. González described the fire’s impacts on the surrounding community and said the bill would require contingency resources before new permits for certain cold storage facilities and would make related settlements tax-free. He also explained amendments narrowing the bill’s scope and delaying broader implementation while stakeholder discussions continue. Testimony on AB 817 included support from a community representative and concerns from industry groups, including the Global Cold Chain Alliance, the American Chemistry Council, and the California Grocers Association. Opponents said they understood the community’s concerns and were willing to keep working on the issue, but warned the bill could raise costs for cold storage construction and improvements and potentially affect food prices, especially for smaller businesses. Several committee members expressed sympathy for Boyle Heights and support for finding a sensible, targeted solution, but no vote was taken because the hearing was informational only. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had representatives, including the mayor of Los Angeles, who was here to speak to those issues.
• In Los Angeles, prop houses are closing at a rate that we have not seen.
• The City of Los Angeles may have a different definition.
• It's an honor to share how we're putting that vision into practice in Los Angeles County as a model for
• And our goal is simple, but urgent: to ensure that arts workers can stay, live, and thrive in Los Angeles

Committee: House Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.