Transcript Highlights:

• I have known Senator Limón to be a fierce protector of our environment, of our education, of equity,
• establishing our state's consumer protection agency, tackling predatory lending, medical debt, advancing pay equity

Summary: The California State Senate held a special ceremonial session to swear in Monique Limón as the 50th President Pro Tempore, described throughout the event as the first Latina to hold the post and only the second woman to lead the chamber. The session opened with acknowledgments of statewide officials, tribal leaders, members of Congress, former legislative leaders, and other guests, followed by a quorum call, suspension of Senate Rule 55 to allow guests and media on the floor, a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a land acknowledgement honoring the Miwok, Nisenan, Patwin, and Southern Maidu peoples. The ceremony included musical performances by Mariachi Bonitas and the Sacramento Women’s Choir/Genesis Church, after which several senators delivered remarks praising Limón’s leadership, coalition-building, work on education, labor, child care, wildfire response, and her role as a trailblazer for women and Latinas in California politics. Speakers also referenced the state’s fiscal challenges, federal policy concerns, and the importance of inclusive leadership. Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero administered the oath of office, and Limón was formally introduced as President Pro Tempore. In her acceptance remarks, Limón thanked her predecessor Mike McGuire, Governor Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, and her colleagues, family, and supporters. She emphasized her immigrant family background, the importance of education, child care, consumer protection, labor rights, and support for working families, and said California must continue to protect immigrants and expand opportunity. The Senate then announced a reception in the Capitol Rotunda and adjourned/recessed until January 8, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The LGBTQ plus community is united in its pursuit of equity and equality for all people.
• personally working to strengthen the transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex wellness and equity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His dedication to equity and representation helped pave the way for future generations of Black leaders
• opened doors for future leaders, ensuring that San Diego continues moving toward a future built on equity

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and prayer, then handled several procedural matters before moving to the daily file. Members approved a motion to withdraw Assembly Bills 100 through 219 to the second reading file by a roll call vote of 42-15, and unanimously approved re-referrals of AB 440 and AB 1265 to different committees. The chamber also welcomed international visitors, student and community guests, and later heard a series of guest introductions tied to agriculture, immigration, and Irish heritage. The main floor action centered on two resolutions. H.R. 19, recognizing California Agriculture Day, drew strong support from members representing agricultural districts, who highlighted the state’s farm production, exports, and the role of farmworkers and ranchers; the resolution was adopted by voice vote after 65 co-authors were added. ACR 51, honoring Irish American Heritage Month, was also adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added, with members speaking about Irish immigration, labor history, California-Ireland ties, and St. Patrick’s Day. The Assembly also held multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes for the Honorable Leon Lawson Williams, a pioneering Black civic leader in San Diego who served on the City Council and County Board of Supervisors and helped expand public transit and advance civil rights. Members from San Diego and others described his barriers-breaking career and lasting influence on local government and community leadership. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee hearings and adjourned until Thursday, March 20, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It defunds the equity, diversity, and inclusion center at MDE and refocuses that money for the new Office
• It defunds the equity, diversity, and inclusion center at MDE and refocuses that money for the new Office

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It also advances equity and sustainability goals.
• It also advances equity and vehicles.
• Also thanks to our staff, both GOP, DFL, and our bipartisan.
• Also thanks to our staff both Thank you.
• </c> the staff who helped put this together. the staff who helped put this together.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, since it's our last, potentially our last hearing, I want to thank two incredible staff
• We are disproportionately relying on AI-driven equity valuations, and they're trading at highs that were
• I sent it to your chief of staff. I sent it to your chief of staff?
• How many staff work on the cap-and-invest program at CARB?
• Good afternoon, Chair, staff.

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank Assembly Member Ramos for working with our committee staff on the amendments and
• And I would like to express deep gratitude for you working with our committee staff on the amendments
• And I would like to express deep gratitude for you working with our committee staff on the amendments
• We also have equity concerns with regard to this bill.
• With school staff, parents, and local first responders.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, Michael Bazan, staff to the committee.
• For the record, Shaney Bauer, staff to this committee.
• Kennedy, staff to the committee.
• I'm Jeff Mitchell, staff to the committee.
• I'm Jeff Mitchell, staff of the committee.

Bills: SB6003, HB2353, HB2431, HB1983

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning, construction costs, inflation adjustment, capital facilities, project review, allotments, lease approval

Transcript Highlights:

• We would suggest that an ADHS staff person be assigned to each operator, to each license, so that if
• claims and prior-auth staff, get together every day and do a huddle and talk about where they are.
• ... ...of the clinical staff, so staff from that prepayment review process to prior auth and be able
• And how many people from your staff and the IG's office are part of that roundtable?
• And how many people from your staff and the IG's office are part of that roundtable?

Summary: The committee continued its fourth hearing on fraud, waste, and abuse involving Arizona’s Medicaid and behavioral health systems, with a major focus on Access/ALTCS eligibility, behavioral health licensing, and payment delays. Senator Shamp presented findings alleging large gaps in ABD Medicaid asset verification, including that only a portion of enrollees were checked and that many with substantial liquid assets remained on the program. She argued the state’s waiver and lack of asset limits created a compliance and fiscal risk, and urged referrals to law enforcement, tighter verification, and broader reforms. Heather Dukes, representing behavioral health and sober living operators, testified that ADHS and Access have become overly punitive toward licensed providers, often sending technical paperwork violations straight to enforcement instead of allowing correction plans, and that zoning and licensing delays are harming legitimate businesses. Reva Stewart testified that patient brokering and fraudulent recruitment of vulnerable people into behavioral health and sober living settings remain ongoing, especially through social media, and called for stronger accountability and enforcement against bad actors. ADHS Deputy Assistant Director Tiffany Slater said the department has received more than a thousand complaints about unlicensed sober living operations, which has diverted staff from routine oversight of licensed facilities. She said ADHS has expanded enforcement tools for sober living homes, is using a new licensing system to flag repeat bad actors, and is trying to make the application process easier, while acknowledging that inspections can tip off unlicensed operators. Access Director Virginia Roundtree described steps the agency has taken since the prior hearing, including daily staff huddles, live dashboards, added project management support, an external claims vendor, and an independent review of the Division of Fee-for-Service Management. She said Access is trying to balance fraud prevention with support for legitimate providers, and committed to follow up on a specific provider payment dispute by early the next week. Committee members repeatedly pressed Access and ADHS on delayed claims processing, prepayment review, and whether the current system is driving providers out of business. Roundtable testimony from Access staff described the new Provider Resolution Roundtables, which are intended to work with a small number of providers facing the most claims and authorization problems. Members questioned why claims are being denied or held for long periods, why some providers are still waiting on payments from 2023 and 2024, and whether the agency’s actions are sustainable. Access also explained the Targeted Investment Program, saying it is a federally approved Medicaid initiative with large dollar amounts still being paid out on a delayed schedule, and agreed to provide more information on provider participation and payment timing. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated the committee would continue reviewing the issue and requested additional reports and follow-up information from Access and ADHS.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lisa Kinney-Klaassen, staff to this committee.
• Staff, if you'd like to give us a briefing.
• Staff, if you want to come give us a briefing.
• Alicia Kinney-Klaas and staff to this committee.
• Matt Shepardt, County Source staff to the committee.

Bills: SB5965, SB6030, SB5975, SB5941

Keywords: environment, retail bags, sustainability, pollution, customer impact, plastic bags, retail, waste reduction, cookware safety, lead regulation, consumer protection, interstate trade, health standards, SB 5941, Washington State Energy Code, State Building Code Council, renewable energy, solar panels, school district exemption, public school construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and your committee staff.
• Chair, and your staff, and we respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• Staff, you can let him know that we need them on local government.
• Chair, members, committee staff.
• Chair, members, committee staff.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local government finance. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assemblymember DeMaio proposed changing SANDAG board selection to give rural unincorporated areas a stronger voice; members raised concerns about the approach and local input, and the bill ultimately did not receive a second at the time it was heard. The chair later clarified that because no second was made, the bill was held rather than voted out, though the transcript also reflects confusion and later attempts to revisit the item. Several housing and permitting bills advanced with committee amendments and broad support. AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks would streamline restaurant permitting through self-certification and faster plan review; AB 920 by Assemblymember Caloza would require a centralized online portal for housing permit tracking in larger jurisdictions; AB 1061 by Assemblymember Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing in historic districts with limits to protect historic character; AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Farías would streamline temporary manufactured housing after disasters; AB 660 by Assemblymember Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assemblymember Haney would expand downtown revitalization financing tools for mixed-use housing. Each of these measures drew support from housing, business, and industry groups, with some local-government and special-district stakeholders seeking continued amendments on certain bills. The committee also approved AB 1156, which updates the solar use easement program to better accommodate renewable energy development on water-constrained agricultural lands, and AB 964, which would let local governments offset certain state mandate reimbursement debts against amounts the state owes them. AB 1223, by Assemblymember Wynn, would let Sacramento-area transportation authorities propose sales tax measures for portions of the county and keep revenues local; it advanced despite some transportation and taxpayer concerns. Consent items AB 36 and AB 1131 were also approved. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, often with committee amendments and some members noting they would continue working on the measures in later committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, good morning to all the senators, staff, and folks listening and watching online.
• Well, good morning to all the senators, staff and folks listening and watching online.
• You and your staff do a great job in terms of spotlighting issues that we all need to think about.
• Her chief of staff was on before. Thank you, Senator Comerford.
• Her chief of staff was on before. Thank you, Senator Comerford.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding. Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law. Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thank the Speaker and his staff for recognizing that epinephrine auto-injectors belong in that same
• for his leadership and depth of understanding in particular on this bill and that of his chief of staff
• This is thoughtful, evidence-based public health policy rooted in prevention, equity, and compassion.
• I also want to thank my staff on the Joint Committee on Transportation for the best...
• I also want to thank my staff on the Joint Committee on Transportation for their hard work on the committee

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , The museum serves over 9,000 annual visitors and is sustained by a multigenerational network of staff
• This resolution honors hospitals, health care workers, and support staff who care for Californians, This
• resolution honors hospitals, health care workers, and support staff who care for Californians every
• environmental services workers keeping patients safe, the technicians behind the scenes, and every staff
• nurses, therapists, pharmacists, technicians, first responders, food service workers, and support staff

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At another facility, mental health staff assigned to crisis units are required to spend their entire
• At Valley State Prison, during weeks of 109-degree heat, staff worked in offices with no ventilation.
• I'm a staff attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance Inc.
• And as far as increasing the bonds, we've actually— I will say, Assembly Member, your staff has been
• Because if she's my staff. Oh, yeah. You can sit here, too. Yeah. Musical chairs. Yeah, exactly.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Morrison, if I could have our staff attorney introduce himself and his, and our support staff.
• I'm a staff attorney with the Legislative Council Service, and my colleagues, you can introduce yourselves
• looking at eliminate, uh, the One Big Beautiful bill also eliminates the neighborhood access and equity
• Chairman of the staff is that we get a listing of all New Mexico tax abatement and credits associated
• And I think, uh, once again, I think, uh, I want to thank you and the staff for continuously working

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to say first thank you to Chairman Lambert and, and your staff for all the work that you've put
• Senator Schwartner, Chair Lambert, your staff was instrumental in getting us to an agreement, as was,
• uh, the staff of Senator Huffman.
• Our officers dedicate, uh, their service to our communities, our kids and our staff members.
• I do want to thank Representative Guilhan and his staff for the hard work that they've done on this bill

Transcript Highlights:

• That soon thereafter sold to private equity.
• That soon thereafter sold to private equity.
• And what we learned from her and her staff, and developed over time, that you see in the bill here, is
• And what we learned from her and her staff, and developed over time, that you see in the bill here, is
• process my staff and I stand<01:31:13.760><c> ready</c><01:31:13.920><c> to</c><01:31:14.119><c> help

Bills: HF1355, HF1469, HF1768

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF1469, Minnesota, workforce development, job training, job skills training, reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, ex-offenders, inmates, recently released inmates, felony conviction, felony-level offense, corrections, prison release

Transcript Highlights:

• reducing the first mortgage obligation while preserving its priority and potentially reducing the equity
• </c><00:24:16.200><c> and</c><00:24:16.360><c> down</c><00:24:16.600><c> payment</c> reducing the equity
• We only have two ambulances that we staff, two stations, two ambulances, so they were covering those
• We only have two ambulances that we staff, two stations, two ambulances, so they were covering those
• We only have two ambulances that we staff, two stations, two ambulances, so they were covering those

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our professional and supervisory staff is about 77, our full-time trade people and operators is about
• Okay, we have a hydrologist on staff working to make sure that we know what was happening before and
• New Energy Equity is a solar company.
• New Energy Equity is a solar company, a commercial solar company.
• So New Energy Equity and Superior don't have any operations in North Dakota, but I can assure you that

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine’s production history, customer mix, safety record, reclamation practices, workforce, community involvement, and economic impact. Members asked about how long land stays in production before reclamation, how quickly it returns to agriculture, labor shortages, groundwater impacts, and which skilled trades are hardest to fill. Hawbaker said the mine typically disturbs land for three to five years, reclamation returns much of the land to agricultural use, and the biggest hiring challenges are electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, engineers, and accountants. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation. He reviewed the history of North Dakota and federal reclamation laws, the PSC’s permitting and inspection authority, bonding requirements, contemporaneous reclamation standards, and how the state handles topsoil, subsoil, drainage, and revegetation. He emphasized that North Dakota’s program is well regarded, with frequent inspections and no corrective-action issues in recent federal reviews. Christman also discussed problems caused by federal coal ownership that can delay mine plans, and he answered questions about reclamation timing, wildlife easements, wind and pipeline reclamation, and whether similar bonding concepts could apply to data centers. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He highlighted the industry’s long-term role in providing reliable electricity, jobs, and tax revenue, along with North Dakota’s low electricity rates and strong grid reliability. Fortner discussed severance and conversion tax revenues, federal regulatory changes, litigation over EPA rules, carbon capture, critical minerals, and the potential for large-load customers such as data centers to support new coal generation. He said the industry sees a window of opportunity for growth and expressed support for new large-load development, while noting that diversified energy companies are also pursuing natural gas and other resources. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning for the tour.