Transcript Highlights:

• Really looking at climate, oh yes, CDE, right, labor, all of that really comes together to make sure
• And critically, we're connecting Californians to career-track opportunities with labor standards and
• Because we know that we can get labor numbers quicker.
• But labor doesn't include, let's say, gig workers at the same level, right?
• Their labor is the backbone of the California economy.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is pretty typical in Chapter 7 in the code.
• We have international building code.
• And that we could look at historical or existing building code to do that.
• And they've always said, then give us money to remodel because we want to bring it up to code.
• Casitas have been newly part of the Santa Fe Code and the Albuquerque Code, to my knowledge, that we're

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> With respect to this, is this just for the ZBA and the building code board of appeals, or does it
• just for the ZBA and the building code just for the ZBA and the building code board<00:35:41.359
• Our existing zoning codes weren't designed to address data centers.
• <00:52:02.800> Noise Texas, Bitcoin Data Mining Center.
• Noise Texas, Bitcoin Data Mining Center.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm old code. QR code. Yeah, a QR code will basically launch them straight to this website.
• I think we just heard Texas County talk about.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had one of those home diagnostic devices and it threw the code P whatever 12.
• Since much of this committee hails from places like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Maryland, many of
• devices and it threw the code devices and it threw the code P<00:34:13.839> whatever<00:34
• I was looking up all the error codes, the P codes, that list for emission so-called emission failures
• codes, the P codes up at all the error codes, the P codes that<01:33:41.600> list<01:33:41.920

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But because this type of development requires skilled labor and custom materials, it can be extremely
• This is support: Yvonne Fernandez with the California Labor Federation, in support.
• I just want to say that this bill is supported by the California Federation of Labor and also the Entertainment
• The more we spend through tax codes, the fewer resources we have to allocate.
• this hearing, we will now take up bills on the suspense file and file item order. spend through tax codes

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

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement agency or any law enforcement official from acting in accordance with Title 8 United States Code
• /c><00:08:36.560> sections<00:08:37.000> 1373<00:08:38.039> and United States Code
• sections 1373 and United States Code sections 1373 and 1644.
• This repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting
• of Labor and Industrial Relations<00:26:54.840> regulate<00:26:55.320> hoisting<00:26:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• on Public Safety, having had under consideration SB 1058 relating to firearm transactions merchant codes
• turned over to the Department of Justice, and by the way, they are effecting arrests right now in Texas
• The sponsor will say it's about billing codes, but I don't believe it.
• Lisbeth Medina, 16, stabbed to death in Texas by an illegal alien.
• When I was a reporter along the Texas-Mexico border, I had the opportunity to meet many of those families

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Texas has actually taken some stands on this.
• So Texas has actually taken some stands on this.
• The purpose of this bill is to maintain consistency in the Criminal Code, where we oftentimes establish
• For example, in February of 2024, there was a Texas attorney that actually pled guilty to spiking his
• As was mentioned earlier, this bill does borrow language from Texas.

Bills: HB2076, HB2135, HB2175, HB2186, HB2223, HB2345, HB2364, HB2417, HB2440, HB2666, HB2763, HCR2043

Keywords: school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• The men and women who now are part of the Maxwell Medical may be aligned under a new Texas wing, but
• The men and women who now are part of the Maxwell Medical may be aligned under a new Texas wing, but
• <01:52:08.719> wing, may be aligned under a new Texas wing, may be aligned under a new Texas
• It creates records of political labor.
• Is that the Department of Labor? >> No, it would be the community itself.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The headgate was. in New Mexico, but I was actually sued by the state of Colorado for the Colorado-Texas
• I understand if you make too many ponds, it slows the process down, and Texas will be watching.
• It puts almost $450 million in labor income.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they went from California to Oklahoma to Texas…” “October.
• And they went from California to Oklahoma to Texas, then to Arkansas.
• And this is because of the APSCN coding structure.
• and special needs isolated funding cannot be analyzed separately because they share the same fund code
• special needs isolated funding that cannot be analyzed separately because they share the same fund code

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then on the last page, uh, here is where we cover, um, the codes, so current codes and then codes to
• Then on the last page, uh, here is where we cover, um, the codes, so current codes and then codes to
• Then on the last page, uh, here is where we cover, um, the codes, so current codes and then codes to
• National Electric Code. National Electric Code.
• code is part of the state building code. code is part of the state building code.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A1.
• The amendment is coded A2.
• The amendment is coded A3.
• The amendment is coded A4. I amended. The amendment is coded A4.
• 03:08:54.680> labor.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But why would the state of Texas do that? So, Madam Chair and Senator, I'm going to let Mr.
• So we know of one concrete case where the Johnson County Sheriff's Department in Texas...
• Where the Johnson County Sheriff's Department in Texas, Johnson County, Texas, accessed, did a nationwide
• It is the ability for an agency in Texas to...
• Active duty pay versus drill pay is coded that way for benefits.

Bills: SB97, SB55, SB40, SB38, SB120, SB113, SB116, SB117, SB118

Keywords: tax credits, municipality, county property, industrial revenue bonds, economic development, qualified expenditures, solar energy, tax credit, renewable energy, photovoltaic, solar thermal, New Mexico, economic incentive, energy independence, SB40, Driver Privacy and Safety Act, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate reader, vehicle surveillance

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of a University Now initiative, a comprehensive labor market study identified 147 high-priority
• As part of a University Now initiative, a comprehensive labor market study identified 147 high-priority
• housing developments between 3 and 10 units in size to be able to utilize the California residential code
• , a much simpler and easier-to-follow system of building codes rather than the more onerous and ubiquitous
• California building code, as a way to be able to certify the buildings are compliant with our laws.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on guest introductions recognizing visitors, community college delegations, students, caregivers, a retired Assembly staff member, and a championship high school football team. Members also observed an adjournment in memory for Alex Preddy, a VA nurse killed in Minnesota, and later for Kathy Wooten and Rowena Ramos. The chamber then moved through the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. Among the bills taken up, AB 34 on renewable portfolio standard exemptions for publicly owned utilities passed 55-0; AB 35 to accelerate implementation of Proposition 4 climate resilience funds passed 62-0; AB 52 on food and agriculture equity passed 50-6; AB 72 creating an EV economic opportunity zone passed 58-0; AB 96 removing a diploma requirement for Medi-Cal peer support specialists passed 55-0; AB 230 extending Pierce’s disease control programs passed 64-0; AB 277 requiring background checks for behavioral health employees passed 59-0; AB 647 clarifying a county RV disposal pilot passed 54-0; AB 664 authorizing limited bachelor’s programs at Southwestern Community College passed 60-1; AB 673 creating a support grant for unaccompanied homeless youth passed 55-1; AB 710 on dynamic electricity pricing passed 54-0; AB 748 streamlining pre-approved housing plans passed 65-0; AB 767 expanding protections around sexually violent predator placements near schools and daycares passed 65-0; AB 883 protecting officials’ personal information from data brokers passed 66-0; AB 946 expanding 30x30 conservation efforts to urban areas passed 65-0; AB 1054 creating a deferred retirement option program for CHP and Cal Fire passed 61-1; AB 1070 on missing middle housing code simplification passed 66-0; AB 1159 strengthening student data privacy passed 54-4; AB 1204 revising the Local Control Funding Formula passed 54-1; AB 1265 extending the historic building tax credit passed 64-0; AB 1349 banning speculative ticketing passed 61-0; AB 1359 allowing seniors 80+ to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note passed 67-1; AB 643 on organic waste procurement credits passed 48-4; AB 685 creating a small business resiliency fund passed 63-0; AB 714 tightening oversight of commercial driving programs passed 65-1; and AB 805 establishing a youth apprenticeship bridge program passed 66-0. Several other items were passed and retained or continued without debate. Debate on AB 1054 drew the sharpest disagreement, with opponents warning about pension costs and supporters arguing it would help retain experienced CHP officers and firefighters. AB 767 also prompted strong comments about public safety and placement of sexually violent predators in rural communities. On AB 1349, supporters from both parties backed the anti-speculative ticketing bill as consumer protection, while AB 664 drew support from members emphasizing access to higher education in underserved regions. The Assembly then adjourned until January 29, 2026, after announcing upcoming session dates and recording a few vote changes from the dais.

Transcript Highlights:

• And obviously for the state, our tax code system is a voluntary compliance system.
• , sales tax is due on the total sales price without allowance for deductions of cost of materials, labor
• , sales tax is due on the total sales price without allowance for deductions of cost of materials, labor
• to move the group to some other state in the Midwest where this isn't taxable and I can get cheaper labor
• They referenced NAICS codes, North American Industry Classification Service codes.

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's one plant in Texas producing now and one plant in Nevada.
• The one in Texas is just up and going, and the demo plant up in our neck of the woods.
• There's one plant in Texas producing now and one plant in Nevada.
• There's one plant in Texas producing now and one plant in Nevada.
• <04:11:42.080> wages, aren't exactly paid slave labor wages, aren't exactly paid slave labor

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was only after CHIRLA, labor partners, and several advocacy organizations intervened that the hospital
• Yvonne Fernandez on behalf of the California Labor Federation in support.
• Christine Smith, Health, Texas, California in support.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills on June 9. SB 1023 by Senator Laird would require insurers that cover injectable HIV PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit, with supporters saying the change would reduce reimbursement delays and expand access, while health plans opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that interferes with benefit design. SB 964 by Senator Smallwood-Quivas would limit prior authorization for certain dose or frequency adjustments to covered medications, especially for chronic complex conditions; medical supporters said it would prevent harmful delays in care, while insurers argued it weakens safety and utilization controls. SB 1323 by Senator Rubio, as amended, would strengthen protections for people in immigration custody receiving medical care by requiring hospitals and facilities to inform staff how to respond to requests and allowing patients to notify family members of their location; it passed with one no vote. SB 1099 by Senator Reyes would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state and local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA rules, with supporters saying it would reduce legal uncertainty for safety-net services; it passed, though one member later changed a vote to no on the add-on roll call. The committee also took up SB 895 by Senator Wiener, a proposed $12 billion science research bond for the November ballot that would create a California scientific research funding institute. Supporters from UC, UAW, hospitals, and advocacy groups said the measure would help offset federal cuts, protect research jobs, and sustain California’s leadership in biomedical and other research; there was no opposition, and the bill passed on a party-line style vote with two no votes. SB 944, also by Senator Wiener, would stabilize Medi-Cal coverage for acupuncture, which supporters described as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological treatment for pain and other conditions that has repeatedly been threatened in the budget process; it passed unanimously. The committee also approved consent items SB 918 and SB 1202, and later cleared the remaining measures on call after roll votes and add-on votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• like 18 projects or something, just from a project management perspective and, you know, construction labor
• Albuquerque, the big guy in Las Cruces, and the conjunction of I-27, which is newly constructed from Laredo, Texas
• In a best-case scenario, those wouldn't be contract labor, right?