Transcript Highlights:

• This kind of consensus is rare, and it reflects a shared understanding that wage theft hurts workers,
• This kind of consensus is rare, and it reflects a shared understanding that wage theft hurts workers,
• bill that reallocates certain employer and employee contributions for the medical and family leave shares
• First, it splits the medical and family shares based on a fixed percentage, with 48% for family leave
• It also modifies the maximum employee deduction for the family leave shares.

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2479, the Wage Recovery Act, which would create a wage recovery program and account to provide limited advance payments to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship from unpaid wages, while also changing how L&I prioritizes wage complaints and increasing civil penalties for willful wage violations. The bill was described as a consensus product of a labor-business work group, and testimony from the sponsor, work group members, business groups, and labor organizations was strongly supportive, emphasizing faster wage recovery, better enforcement, and a balanced approach to wage theft. No one testified in opposition. The committee then moved into executive session and took action on several bills. It reported out House Bill 291, extending employee contact-information sharing requirements to all state agencies; House Bill 2105, as amended, on notice requirements for I-9 audits and related records; House Bill 2107, as amended, on L&I notice to employers after construction-site hazard inspections; House Bill 2151, as amended, on factory-built housing and inspection standards; House Bill 2190, on compensation for language access providers for missed appointments; House Bill 2303, as amended, prohibiting employer requests or coercion for microchip implantation; and House Bill 2345, as amended, adjusting paid family and medical leave premium allocation to address an IRS-related issue. The committee also deferred action on House Bills 2191 and 2218. Several amendments were adopted during executive session, including technical and policy changes to HB 2105, a carve-out in HB 2151 for certain prefabricated enclosures used for energy equipment, and removal of administrative enforcement from HB 2303. Final votes were largely bipartisan, with most measures passing on voice vote or by recorded vote and receiving due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have shared on the floor before that I have supraventricular tachycardia and that's something that
• Chavez's legacy and the shared struggle of black and brown communities. Thank you.
• was shared with me from my father.
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to share this story. Thank you, Assemblymember.
• Thank you very much for sharing. This incredible man with all of us.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BUSY SCHEDULES TO ALLOW US TO COME HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SHARE
• INITIALLY WE HAD 90 DAYS TO GET OUR DEBRIS IN RELATIONS WITH FEMA AT A 100% COST SHARE, THEY WERE ABLE
• I THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE TODAY AND TO SHARE SOME INSIGHT.
• INCLUDES UNDERSTANDING THOSE VENDOR RELATIONSHIPS, HAVING THOSE VENDORS WITH TRANSPARENCY ABLE TO SHARE
• > IT IS A UNIQUE SERVER, IT IS A FLORIDA FIRST AND IT IS A NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE WE ARE TRYING TO SHARE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:40.320><c> information</c> to talk about um sharing information to talk about um sharing information
• That's my just my conclusion. the requirement to share education or the requirement to share education
• </c><00:51:02.640><c> with</c> certainly share her concerns with certainly share her concerns with ensuring
• </c> of burden on the utility to share of burden on the utility to share medical<01:01:03.760><c> information
• </c> Um is there a way of of maybe sharing Um is there a way of of maybe sharing this<01:08:34.400><c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody wants to get their share of the revenue that the state provides.
• revenue that the their share of the revenue that the state<00:01:40.079><c> provides.
• Okay, seeing none, thank you for sharing the bill with us.
• </c> Okay, seeing none, thank you for sharing Okay, seeing none, thank you for sharing the<00:20:05.440
• We want regions to come together and develop shared economic development plans.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sometimes I believe uh Dr power shared sometimes I believe uh Dr power shared<05:25:26.320><c> a</c>
• Thank you for allowing the time to share the information that we do share with our sending towns.
• I share it with our sending town superintendents so that they have that information that they can share
• </c> efficient with everything and and share efficient with everything and and share and<05:43:25.920
• </c> probably we're going to have to share probably we're going to have to share the<06:36:59.520><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in this which to share the risk.
• Um, so I do want to share the numbers. Um, so I do want to share some<01:06:50.240><c> numbers.
• </c> program the disproportionate share program the disproportionate share funding<01:16:14.640><c> program
• </c> this, so we encouraged them to share this, so we encouraged them to share their<01:29:38.639><c>
• </c> visit with her this week and she shared visit with her this week and she shared her<01:30:42.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I can stop sharing my to pause.
• are supposed to represent the shares.
• are supposed to represent the shares.
• </c> have shares. have shares.
• &gt;&gt; Yeah. shares shares shares and<01:48:25.520><c> it</c><01:48:25.600><c> just</c><01:48:25.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you feel like you have more to share, you can always submit written testimony, which will be shared
• We'll make sure to share it with the committee. Thank you. Awesome.
• I am sharing these numbers to highlight the extent of our busing issue.
• Thank you for sharing your story.
• So thank you for staying here and waiting and for sharing this with us.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> how one company has an 85% market share how one company has an 85% market share in<00:03:44.000>
• They use they essentially share data.
• Thank you for sharing your opinions.
• </c> paying the farmer their fair share. paying the farmer their fair share.
• </c> farmers not getting their fair share. farmers not getting their fair share. talk<00:56:28.240><c

Bills: HF3718

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, licensing, client consent, continuing education, emergency services, teletriage, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They are too afraid to come up and testify, but they shared their stories.
• You have five minutes to share. Start when you're ready. Thank you, Mr.
• We share the same concerns that Mr. Golombek just outlined.
• You guys will both be sharing five minutes. Go ahead. So split it. I can go.
• You know, I'll close by sharing a couple of things.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, with extensive testimony on firearms regulation, disability and sexual assault, mental health diversion, emergency response, and law enforcement masking. SB 704 by Senator Arreguín would require firearm barrels to be purchased through licensed dealers with a background check, as a response to the rise in ghost guns and 3D-printed firearms; supporters said barrels are a key component of untraceable guns, while opponents argued the bill burdens lawful gun owners and does little to stop criminals. SB 258 by Senator Wahab would eliminate the remaining spousal rape exception for victims unable to consent because of disability; supporters called it a needed closure of an archaic loophole, while disability-rights advocates opposed it unless amended, warning it could worsen misunderstandings about capacity to consent and harm disabled people’s autonomy. After debate, SB 258 passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, with several members voting aye and the bill held on call. Senator Umberg presented SB 398, which closes a loophole in the law prohibiting paying or offering money or other value to induce someone to vote or register to vote; there was little opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations and was held on call. He also presented SB 27, a CARE Court cleanup measure that would allow certain misdemeanor defendants found incompetent to stand trial to be routed into CARE Court and would expand eligibility to some people with mood disorders with psychotic features. Supporters said it would improve access to treatment and reduce unnecessary incarceration, while county behavioral health directors and disability advocates warned it could blur the line between voluntary civil treatment and coercive criminal proceedings and expand CARE Court beyond its intended scope. SB 27 passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 36 from Senator Umberg, a price-gouging measure tied to wildfire-related emergency conditions that also expands search-warrant authority for certain misdemeanor investigations. Public defenders opposed the search-warrant expansion as unnecessary, while a late supporter from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office spoke in favor; the bill was moved on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and held on call. SB 571 by Senator Arreguín would increase penalties for impersonating emergency personnel and related conduct during disasters; supporters cited post-fire looting and impersonation, while opponents argued longer sentences do not deter crime and that existing law is sufficient. The bill passed on a due-pass motion as amended to Appropriations and was held on call. Finally, Senator Wiener presented SB 627, which would prohibit law enforcement from wearing extreme masks except in limited circumstances, aimed largely at masked federal immigration enforcement operations. Supporters said masked, unidentified officers create fear and undermine trust, while law enforcement groups argued the bill wrongly sweeps in local officers, is too broad, and should instead target federal agents or impersonators. Testimony was still underway when the transcript ended, and no final committee action on SB 627 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> state partners will lead to our shared state partners will lead to our shared goal<00:14:03.199>
• I can see where we might need to share the risk a little bit.
• I can see where we might need to share the risk a little bit.
• In other share the risk a little bit.
• </c><01:36:58.000><c> so</c> uh do some um better risk sharing so uh do some um better risk sharing so

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a piece I'm happy to share with you that calls us a land of 10,000 PUDs, because that's how we
• </c><00:42:28.640><c> of</c> 2020 we um endured the largest share of 2020 we um endured the largest share
• of property taxes continues to our share of property taxes continues to grow<00:43:01.359><c> um</c>
• </c><00:56:54.440><c> in</c> housing and I know that we did share in housing and I know that we did share
• Like I shared, many communities actually have acquired parcels of land to do development on.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> alongside others who I think share alongside others who I think share similar<00:04:32.080><c> beliefs
• So, can you share with us some months.
• I think I shared with some of you the other night.
• I think I shared with some of you do.
• </c> phone call from you asking to share phone call from you asking to share about<01:04:26.160><c> what

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have all kinds of statistics to share, but I can tell my story.
• I will not share all of the stories we hear day after day from these tenants.
• I share all this because we need an Office of Tenant Protection statewide.
• I share with you that I have lived in Holyoke for 20 years.
• I share with you that I have lived in Holyoke for 20 years.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of landlord-tenant and home rule bills, with most testimony focused on rent stabilization, tenant opportunity to purchase (TOPA), tenant fees, access to counsel, algorithmic rent fixing, and tenant protections in subsidized housing. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty outlined the hearing procedures and noted that written testimony could also be submitted. Several members and invited speakers emphasized that the committee was hearing from both local officials and residents affected by housing instability, especially in Somerville and other communities facing high rents and displacement. Supporters of rent stabilization and local-option rent control argued that Massachusetts needs tools to prevent displacement while new housing is built. Senator Eldridge, Senator Jalen, Somerville officials, tenant organizers, and residents described steep rent increases, no-fault evictions, and the loss of naturally occurring affordable housing. Somerville’s home rule petition was described as allowing annual increases tied to CPI plus 2%, capped at 5%, with exemptions for owner-occupied two- and three-family homes and a 15-year exemption for new construction. TOPA supporters said it would let tenants or their designees buy buildings before speculative buyers, preserving affordable housing stock; opponents, including small landlords and property managers, argued rent control would reduce supply, discourage investment, and that TOPA could delay sales and harm properties. The committee also heard testimony on bills to curb junk fees and regulate tenant charges, including limits on late fees, lease renewal fees, payment portal fees, attorney’s fees, and other add-on charges. Advocates said these fees can add hundreds of dollars a month and disproportionately harm low-income renters and renters of color. Another major topic was algorithmic rent fixing: Senator Moore and Representative Sabadoza said landlords should not use software such as RealPage to coordinate pricing, citing federal antitrust actions and arguing that competition is essential to lowering rents. Additional testimony supported a statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, with legal services providers saying representation dramatically improves outcomes and can save the state money, and a bill to create an office of tenant protections to better enforce sanitary code violations. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I’ll share, and then I’ll turn it to Andrew.
• And secondly, as I shared, these are no-regret solutions.
• And secondly, as I shared, these are no regret solutions.
• Yeah, I'll just share that we agree.
• I don't have any additional information to share on that. Okay.

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:

• We have been collecting data from our partners on the Essential Access, and we shared some of those,
• We have been collecting data from our partners on Essential Access, and we shared some of those, and
• You've been so kind to stay here all night with us and share really important information.
• Thank you for the opportunity to share with you.
• We're attempting to complete this sooner so that we have information to share before September.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health began with a hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California health programs, focusing first on reproductive health state investments. HCAI outlined five state-funded reproductive health programs created after Dobbs, including uncompensated care, practical support, capital and clinical infrastructure, and workforce programs. Essential Access Health and Planned Parenthood testified that these funds have served hundreds of thousands of patients, but warned that the uncompensated care program is fully awarded and needs renewal, and that Title X and Medicaid-related federal uncertainty continues to threaten access. Members questioned who the uncompensated care program serves, why Medi-Cal covers a large share of abortions, and whether Planned Parenthood could expand prenatal services; public commenters urged continued support for reproductive health access. The committee then took up long-term care services and supports, starting with the HCBA and Assisted Living Waiver programs. DHCS reported large wait lists for both programs and said enrollment is limited by workforce and provider capacity, while LAO noted that increasing slots alone may not increase access without additional programmatic changes. Members pressed the department on whether more slots should be added given the lower cost of home- and community-based care compared with skilled nursing facilities, and public testimony argued that the wait lists should be reduced and that staffing concerns do not fully explain unused capacity. The committee also heard testimony on congregate living health facilities, where providers and a patient family described the homes as critical, lower-cost alternatives to nursing facilities for younger, medically complex people. Witnesses requested short-term bridge funding, while DHCS said it is proposing to transition CLFs into a managed care benefit by January 1, 2028, which would remove caps and expand access statewide. The final long-term care topic was PACE. DHCS explained that it has paused new PACE applications and service expansions for at least two years to reassess oversight capacity and develop a statewide strategic growth framework, while existing programs continue operating. CalPACE supported the pause as a planning measure but asked for four additional state nurse positions to reduce delays in level-of-care determinations and speed enrollment for frail older adults. Members shared personal stories about how PACE has helped family members and asked how the state will meet growing demand; DHCS said stakeholder engagement will begin later in the year and that some existing applications already in process will continue. Public commenters broadly supported PACE, HCBA, and CLF funding requests. The hearing then moved to the Department of Health Care Services’ 2026-27 Medi-Cal budget and related trailer bills. DHCS said Medi-Cal spending has grown due to coverage expansions, higher acuity, rising utilization, and especially pharmacy costs, and it described proposals to extend the current skilled nursing facility financing framework for one year while the state develops a new value-based payment strategy. LAO said most recent Medi-Cal spending growth has been driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload growth, with pharmacy spending growing especially quickly, and recommended better and more timely data to analyze the drivers. Members expressed concern about the rapid rise in Medi-Cal spending and asked for more detail on the largest cost increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've shared the story that my niece died at 8 months old. I've shared that story.
• I've shared the story that my niece died at 8 months old. I've shared that story.
• I've shared<00:15:08.839><c> that</c><00:15:09.000><c> story.
• So, it is super super shared that story.
• ,</c><00:17:57.560><c> free</c> following up on what you shared, free following up on what you shared

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My client is invested in being an influential father with their shared children.
• I shared... ...would be a presumption, which we're not dealing with.
• Having shared parenting time does not matter in that scenario.
• of shared parenting isn't why we're here today, I think family court is.
• The topic of shared parenting isn't why we're here today.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I haven't asked a question by sharing... No, and I thank you for being here.
• This year in Cave Creek, a sixth grader shared that she'd... ...and in many cases saved.
• So we appreciate you sharing that story with us. Thank you. Members, are there questions?
• Thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing his story and your story with us.
• share the desire to be in compliance.

Keywords: 1182, all