Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<01:45:32.000><c> Ward,</c> Senator Ward, Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; yes. &gt;&gt; yes.
• Senator Ward. Senator Ward: Thank you, Madam President.
• Senator Ward. Senator Ward: Thank you, Madam President.
• &gt;&gt; Senator<10:57:48.080><c> Ward,</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; no
• &gt;&gt; Senator<10:59:17.840><c> Ward,</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; yes

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we see something in the city or in the ward area, we're going to take action.
• I serve two wards in addition to that. So it's wide-ranging what you have here.
• So if we see something in the city or in the ward area, we're going to take action.
• He can go put lights in his car and start writing tickets in that ward.
• They have no... can go put lights in his car and start writing tickets in that ward.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Summary: The committee first approved the April 28 minutes and announced that Senate Bill 499 was voluntarily deferred. It then heard several House bills, beginning with HB 168, a reentry/transitional housing program for female parolees near release; supporters said it would improve public safety and reduce recidivism, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 322, a cleanup bill from the Maggie Grace Act clarifying that victims or families requesting transcripts would not be charged, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 622, which aligns Louisiana criminal history information practices with federal rules, was amended and then reported favorably. HB 821, moving the School for Safe Centers from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was reported favorably as well. The committee then took up HB 364, which directs State Police to partner on public awareness efforts about the illegality of discharging firearms, especially around holidays. An amendment removed a proposed printing cost and shifted the bill toward PSAs; the bill was reported favorably with amendments. HB 568, which strengthens enforcement of drug-free school zone laws by creating a clearer offense for openly smoking or vaping illegal drugs in school zones and setting a specific penalty for marijuana, drew extensive debate. Supporters, including the author and governor’s office, said it was needed to protect children and families and to give law enforcement a workable deterrent. Opponents argued it would impose harsh, geography-based penalties, sweep in medical cannabis patients and veterans, and worsen racial and fiscal disparities. After roll-call, the committee reported HB 568 favorably by a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved HB 296, a cleanup bill removing long-defunct programs from statute, without objection. HB 823, creating an Orleans Parish DA pilot diversion program for unhoused people accused of nonviolent offenses, was supported by Covenant House and others as a way to avoid criminalizing homelessness and was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1038, a major bill revising the authority and liability structure of city marshals and local governments, prompted extensive testimony. The bill and amendments would limit some marshal powers in smaller jurisdictions, require local approval for certain staffing/insurance matters, and allow local governments to restore powers by ordinance. Supporters said it would reduce liability, clarify authority, and address problems in some marshal offices; opponents, including multiple marshals and law enforcement supporters, said it would undermine elected marshals, hurt small offices, and was too broad and under-studied. The transcript ends amid that hearing, with no final committee action shown on HB 1038.

Transcript Highlights:

• This proposed legislation states the valid and important intent of the legislature to properly limit
• Senator Janie Ward-Engelking. Okay. Questions for our presenter. Senator Janie Ward-Engelking.
• Chairman, Senator Ward-Engelking, my intent was to not have this apply to any portion of the budget other
• Chairman, Senator Ward-Engelking, great question, and I fully agree we have dug ourselves a hole, and

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard presentation of Senate Bill 1252, the “ROGUE Act” (Restraint of Government-Uncontrolled Expansion), by Senator Dan Foreman. The bill would limit annual increases in the maintenance budgets of state entities to the average CPI-U increase for the western U.S., while allowing exceptions for exigent circumstances, federally mandated costs, and operational needs. Foreman said the measure was intended as a statement of intent and a budgeting target, not a hard cap, and said it had been coordinated with JFAC leadership and LSO staff. Committee members raised several concerns, including whether the bill would affect employee compensation, whether it could interfere with JFAC’s appropriations authority, how exemptions would be determined, and whether CPI is a reliable measure of inflation. Members also questioned the lack of a clear definition of “maintenance budget” and whether the bill adequately accounts for population growth and past recession-related budget cuts. Foreman responded that the bill was meant to preserve flexibility for JFAC and would not prevent necessary increases when operational needs require them. Overall, the committee expressed interest in the concept but said the proposal was not yet ready to move forward because of unresolved issues around the definition of maintenance budgets and the practical effect of the cap. No vote was taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, if you would have me, I would be honored to jump on as a co-author.
• The reality is that the proposed legislation is unnecessary.
• Proposed legislation is unnecessary.
• Item number three, AB 82, this by Assembly Member Ward. This measure...
• Every proposal brought forward should be rigorously debated.

Summary: The committee heard AB 82, which would expand privacy and safety protections for patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care. The author and supporters said the bill is needed because of rising harassment, doxing, and threats, and because sensitive health data could be used by hostile actors; opponents argued it would create constitutional problems, enable abuse of safe-at-home protections, and improperly shield providers and records from scrutiny. Public testimony was heavily divided, with many advocates in support and many privacy, civil liberties, and anti-trafficking or sex-based policy groups in opposition. The bill was moved on a due pass recommendation and remained on call. The committee then heard AB 331, which would clarify that county election certification is a ministerial duty, prohibit misleading ballot return envelopes, and require voter information guides to be delivered to jails in an acceptable format. The Department of Justice and several good-government groups supported the measure, the Secretary of State had no position after amendments, and a committee member noted ongoing concerns but supported it after the changes. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 1178 followed, proposing to protect undercover peace officers’ names, images, and likenesses in public records while preserving disclosure of sustained misconduct records. Law enforcement and public safety groups supported the bill as a needed safety measure, while journalists, transparency advocates, and civil liberties groups opposed it, saying existing law already protects officers and the new language could lead to overbroad withholding. After discussion about the scope of undercover status and the need for judicial discretion, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted a consent calendar. Later, AB 981 was heard, creating a five-county pilot program requiring intelligent speed assistance devices for certain reckless driving convictions. Supporters, including traffic safety advocates and crash victims, said the bill could reduce repeat speeding and save lives; opponents raised concerns about cost, installer oversight, liability for automakers, and the breadth of the pilot. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 22, which would repeal Proposition 57 and restrict release of sexually violent predators and certain sex offenders, drew strong opposition from youth justice, public defender, and civil liberties groups who said it would be unconstitutional and harmful; the chair recommended no, no motion was made, and the bill was held. Finally, AB 897, a squatter-removal bill, was presented with the author arguing it would protect property owners through a faster due-process process; the transcript cuts off during early support testimony and does not show a final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward.
• but again I work and um and the US Ward but again I don't<00:08:08.479><c> even</c><00:08:08.639><c>
• In general, the USS Ward gun, to get to that, we are in the process right now.
• The University revealed this proposal to transfer the property to the Fond du Lac Band.
• In 2022, the University revealed this proposal to transfer the property to the Fond du Lac Band.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ; 922, Hoover; 940, Wicks; 975, Gallagher; 987, Schiavo; 1016, Jeff Gonzalez; 1044, Collins; 1103, Ward
• AB 260 is an important proposal to protect and safeguard safe and legal reproductive health care here
• I have seen some proposed amendments. I will continue to work with the other side.
• Ward up next. Mr. Ward, you are presenting AB 930. Next, Mr. Ward, you are presenting AB 930.
• Ward? Respectfully. We have a motion and a second. Great. Would you like to close, Mr. Ward?

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 14, 2025, for a regular order hearing with a large consent calendar and many individual bill presentations. The committee first approved numerous bills on consent, then heard a series of measures spanning reproductive health, child care eligibility, transportation, mental health diversion, county recorder fees, groundwater management, election deadlines, parking enforcement, consumer protections, housing, immigrant and student protections, and utility/CPUC oversight. Several bills were taken up only for presentation because they were on suspense, including ACA 4 on long-term housing funding, and the committee later approved a very large suspense calendar as a whole. Among the bills discussed, AB 260 would protect medication abortion access and providers; AB 904 would clarify child care subsidy eligibility during family leave or job search; AB 1014 would give Caltrans more flexibility on speed limits in rural highway segments; AB 46 would clarify judicial discretion in mental health diversion; AB 1413 and AB 929 addressed groundwater adjudication and SGMA-related protections for small community water systems and wetlands; AB 930 would count vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days; AB 1022 would end towing solely for unpaid parking tickets; AB 290 and AB 302 dealt with automatic payments for the California Fair Plan and medical data protections; AB 1303 would remove the need for a Social Security number for California Lifeline eligibility; and several housing bills, including AB 920, AB 956, AB 1470, AB 893, and AB 1021, sought to streamline approvals or expand housing options. AB 1318 and AB 49 focused on immigrant-serving nonprofits and keeping immigration enforcement out of schools, while AB 1532 extended telecommunications and transportation access programs and added CPUC accountability measures. Testimony was generally supportive for the bills heard, with authors and sponsors emphasizing low or absorbable fiscal impacts, consumer protection, housing production, public safety, and protections for vulnerable communities. Opposition appeared on a few measures, including concerns about ADUs, towing authority, charter school-related issues, and the scale of proposed housing funding in ACA 4. Several members also commented in support of the housing and immigrant-protection measures, and some bills were voted out with recorded no votes or not-voting members noted. After the suspense calendar was deemed approved, the committee opened public comment on bills not presented that day, heard a long list of supporters and opponents on various measures, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wilson, Zbur, Mr. Speaker.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Assembly Member Ramos.
• Assembly Member Ward, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker and members.
• Thank you, Assembly Member Ward. Assembly Member Schiavo, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, then proceeded through a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor ceremonies. Members also recognized Assemblymember Ward’s birthday and welcomed several guests, including family members, business and community leaders, firefighters, and students. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Native American Day ceremony and adoption of ACR 208 by Assemblymember Ramos, which recognized California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the need to tell California’s history honestly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were added, followed by a ceremonial honoring of tribal elders and leaders. The Assembly also adopted several other resolutions and concurred in Senate amendments on multiple bills. These included ACR 126 designating the Captain Vida Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 requiring disclosure of AI use in bar exam development, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 protecting local officials taking parental leave. Later, ACR 213 designated September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HR 102 recognized Filipino American History Month, and ACR 230 proclaimed California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day; all were adopted with broad support and many coauthors. The Senate file also began with SCR 136 on coastal protection and SJR 12 opposing offshore drilling, with debate reflecting strong environmental opposition and a dissenting view that the resolution was too absolute and could raise energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Ruchti, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Ruchti, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, VanOrden, Ward-Engelking
• The memorial also recognizes our congressional delegation for consistently standing against proposals
• This was first proposed during the first Trump administration.
• It is being proposed again during the second Trump administration.
• Ward Engel King. Wintrow. Woodward. Cedo. Seideld. Anthon. Din Hartog. Lenny. Shippy. Woodward.

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and received communications including the designation of Steve Kaiser as a substitute senator for District 15. The chamber also made several committee report referrals and introductions before moving into floor action on memorials and bills. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Memorials 110, 111, and 113. SJM 110 urged federal action to restore sugar import safeguards to protect Idaho sugar beet growers and rural jobs. SJM 111 reaffirmed Idaho’s position that public lands should remain in public hands and opposed transfer or sale of federal lands, with debate focusing on stewardship, access, and the cost of state management. SJM 113 supported the concept of Treasury bonds redeemable in gold as a way to test dollar credibility and address inflation. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 116, described as a cleanup of rules related to sales and use taxes and lodging taxes. On legislation, House Bill 624 passed the Senate 32-0 and was returned to the House; supporters said it updates Idaho’s virtual learning and Idaho Home Learning Academy framework with added oversight, transparency, and contract controls, while preserving the program. Senate Bill 1305 passed on a voice/roll-call consent vote and would let water district users, by resolution, charge water-right transfer costs to the person transacting the property rather than spreading them across all users. Senate Bill 1271, as amended, passed 28-3; it declares invasive rats a public health and safety nuisance and directs the Department of Agriculture to assess the problem and coordinate a response, with legislative approval required for any funding. The Senate then handled first- and second-reading referrals, held a few announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as a taxpayer, I object to this proposal for flexibility and funding.
• If you have heard the spiel that I've made before, but one of the things we heard and Senator Ward-Engelking
• government, If you have heard the spiel that I've made before, but one of the things we heard and Senator Ward
• certainly I'm not privy to most of them but as I understand that and as what I have seen from these proposals
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And just a comment: if the U.S.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward-Engelking? Wintrow? Woodward? Sagerveld? Burtenshaw? Den Hartog? Aye. Aye.
• Ward Engel King, Wintrow, Cito. The vote count shows 33 in favor with two absent.
• This group initially was proposing licensure, and we resisted that.
• Senator Ward Engelking. Mr.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. The good senator from 33 pretty much said it all. But...

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward-Engelking has a question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Rabbi.
• left and I would propose that we take a pro and a con, a pro and a con to finish up with.
• Representative Ward-Engelking, thank you, Mr.
• He said the proposed bill also impacts current student-athletes.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you for bringing this forward.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 23, February 24, March 2, and March 5, 2026, and then unanimously agreed to switch the order of the day’s bills. The committee took up House Bill 623, which would require Idaho public schools to begin the day with a 60-second moment of silence. Representative Skog and supporters said the bill is a neutral, low-cost way to help students calm down, reflect, and improve behavior and mental health, citing other states and testimony from a rabbi, pastor, and others. Opponents argued it was government overreach, could be used to promote prayer, and raised First Amendment and implementation concerns, especially for young children and special education classrooms. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send HB 623 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1357, which would limit the share of foreign national student-athletes receiving scholarships at Idaho public colleges and universities. Senator O’Conniewicz said the bill was intended to prioritize Idaho and U.S. students, increase opportunities for local athletes, and reduce reliance on foreign national athletes in scholarship sports. Athletic directors, coaches, and conference officials opposed the bill, arguing it would hurt competitiveness, create administrative burdens, reduce recruiting flexibility, and potentially trigger NCAA concerns; they also said some programs, especially tennis and golf, would be especially affected. Supporters said the bill still allowed many foreign national athletes and would help develop Idaho talent. After extensive debate, the committee voted to hold SB 1357 in committee at the call of the chair, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Ward: Yes sir. Yes sir. Good afternoon, Chairman.
• Jim Ward: Bell and committee members, thank you for this opportunity. My name is Jim Ward.
• Jim Ward: Yes ma'am. Yes.
• Jim Ward: Yes.
• Blocking it as HB 530 proposes would set our communities behind.

Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward and Senator Bers.
• </c> and this bill proposes to make it worse. and this bill proposes to make it worse.
• &gt;&gt; Senator<01:46:42.560><c> Ward,</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; yes
• &gt;&gt; Senator<02:22:43.439><c> Ward,</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; yes
• &gt;&gt; Senator<04:46:17.040><c> Ward,</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; Senator Ward, &gt;&gt; yes

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rep Ward Johnson. Rep Davis. Rep Schaefer.
• Chair: Yes, Representative Ward Johnson.
• Representative Ward Johnson: To the faculty Senate representative.
• Representative Ward Johnson: Can you expand on that?
• Rep Perez, Rep Ward Johnson, Rep Davis, Rep Schaffner.

Bills: SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:07.280><c> house</c><00:03:07.519><c> bills</c> Accordingly, the subcommittee will review the proposed
• So the bill, as proposed... It doesn't eliminate, but it eliminates some portions of that.
• to identify on a town or city Ward to identify on a town or city Ward level<00:58:41.240><c> out</c><
• town or city Ward or town Ward<01:10:30.960><c> or</c><01:10:31.120><c> what</c><01:10:31.320><c> have
• </c><01:10:31.600><c> you</c> Ward or what have you Ward or what have you and<01:10:34.400><c> there<

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ruchti, Ricks, Ruchti, Semroth, Ruchti, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Toews, Ben Orden, Ward-Engelking
• This was first proposed during the first Trump administration.
• It is being proposed again during the second Trump administration.
• Judy Shelton has proposed that the United States Department of the Treasury issue limited tranches of
• Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Van Orden. Aye. Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Woodward. Zito. Den Hartog. Lent.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• current budget. ...which is wholly inadequately funded in the current budget, and so far nothing proposed
• , we have labor and maternity wards, We have labor and maternity wards in those rural hospitals that
• Plumas County under their public hospital district to ensure that there is a maternal and maternity ward
• And there are a couple of colleagues that really talked about the closure of maternity wards, and I am
• gone through that this governor has vetoed, that specifically focused on the fact that our maternity wards

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through privileges of the floor to recognize several guests, including the St. Mary’s High School football team from Stockton for winning the 2025 state championship, Black-owned businesses honored by the California Legislative Black Caucus and California Black Chamber of Commerce, and students and guests visiting the Capitol. The Rules Committee reported Senate Resolution 77 to third reading, and the Senate approved the journals and proceeded to the daily file. The chamber then confirmed Tyler Sadwith as Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services by a 33-0 vote. The main floor action was on Senate Resolution 77, which condemned racist and dehumanizing imagery shared by President Donald Trump depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Numerous senators from multiple caucuses spoke in support, framing the post as racist, dangerous, and part of a broader pattern of dehumanization; one Republican senator objected to the resolution’s language and process but said racism should be condemned. SR 77 was adopted on a 28-0 vote. The Senate then took up SB 106, a budget bill to create a one-time $90 million grant program to support family planning providers after federal cuts under H.R. 1 reduced reimbursements to Planned Parenthood and similar clinics. Supporters said the measure would preserve access to reproductive and preventive health care, especially in rural and underserved areas, while opponents criticized the bill for secrecy, no-bid contracting, and prioritizing abortion-related services over other budget needs such as rural hospitals and developmental disability services. After debate, the Assembly amendments were concurred in by a 26-9 vote. At the end of the session, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory, with Senator Choi offering a remembrance for Mitzi Ortiz, the city manager of Aliso Viejo, who died on December 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Ruth Ward, members of the committee.
• of you has got a copy of the proposed of you has got a copy of the proposed uh uh uh amendment.<00:07
• Ward would best speak to that, but I think the short answer is yes.
• </c> correctly with this new proposed correctly with this new proposed amendment<00:25:15.440><c> in<
• </c> the amendment forward with Senator Ward. the amendment forward with Senator Ward.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 34, which would require parental consent for each new service provided to a student through the Medicaid to Schools program and require reports to legislative policy committees. Senator Ruth Ward said the bill was intended to increase transparency, protect parental involvement, and ensure continuity of care, especially for students with disabilities. She also noted a proposed amendment she received shortly before the hearing that would change the bill’s focus from a “new service” to a “new care plan.” Representatives from the New Hampshire Primary Care Association and Amoscake Health testified that they opposed the bill as written but would support it with the amendment. They explained that tying consent to individual diagnosis codes or services could be burdensome, could delay care, and could create compliance problems if a diagnosis changes during a visit. They said the amendment would better align consent with the overall care plan and avoid interrupting treatment mid-appointment. Committee members raised questions about how the bill would interact with IEPs, individualized health plans, homebound services, telehealth, billing, and whether the amendment would still require parental involvement after a care plan changes. The deputy Medicaid director from the Department of Health and Human Services testified that the amendment was more operationally feasible because Medicaid billing involves many ICD-10 codes that can change or overlap, and consent should be tied to the care plan rather than to each code. He said the current law already requires parental consent for participation in the Medicaid to Schools program and annual consent for billing, but the bill would make explicit consent for care-plan changes. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee appeared to continue discussion with DHHS after the testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once the decision was made to propose the integration, we looked at the staff, we looked at the budget
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman and Senator Ward-Engelking, if you have... ...and students. Ms. Sechrest. Sure, Mr.
• Chairman and Senator Ward-Engelking, if you go to page, there we go, page seven of the bill, and so we're
• Chairman and Senator Ward-Engelking... ...so the STEM Action Center had established a STEM education

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chris Ward, my colleague from San Diego.
• And if it pleases the chair, I will go ahead and get into the two proposals, the three proposals that
• Next we have the Help America Vote Act proposals.
• Assembly Member Ward.
• And then I'll proceed to the proposal.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.