Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here representing the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in support of AB 248.
• I'm here representing the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in support of AB 248.
• And that would be AB 759. May I begin, Mr. Chair? All right. Everyone ready?
• In fact, in 2023, I voted for AB 1194, which added protections for reproductive health.
• I have AB 630.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with testimony split between supporters who framed the measures as targeted fixes and opponents who warned about overcriminalization and unintended consequences. SB 701, by Senator Wahab, drew support from law enforcement and local government groups, who said state law lacks a tool to address the conduct at issue; the ACLU opposed it as duplicative of existing law, while public defenders said they may withdraw opposition after amendments. Because there was no quorum at that point, the bill was held open without a vote. SB 834, by Senator DeRazzo, was presented as a technical cleanup bill to improve California’s automatic record clearance system by preventing outdated “pending” charges from blocking relief, requiring local court records to match DOJ records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It received broad support from criminal justice reform and defense organizations, with no opposition, and the chair indicated support, but no final action was taken during the hearing. SB 248, by Senator Rubio, would require DOJ to send new gun purchasers educational materials during the waiting period about safe storage, suicide prevention, domestic violence, and related resources; supporters called it common-sense education, while one opponent argued the information is already available. The committee voted the bill out on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, but it remained on call pending one additional vote. Senator Rubio’s SB 19, the Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act, would create a new offense for credible threats against schools or houses of worship even when no specific individual is named. Supporters, including law enforcement and Jewish community advocates, said current law leaves a loophole and that the bill would help prevent panic and resource-draining lockdowns; opponents from civil liberties and youth justice groups argued existing law already covers threats and that the bill would worsen the school-to-prison pipeline. After a motion and second, the committee voted due pass to Appropriations, with the measure also left on call. Later, SB 759 by Senator Archuleta, prompted by the killing of Whittier Officer Keith Boyer, would require a court hearing after a third supervision violation or new offense for people on post-release community supervision; supporters said it adds accountability, while opponents said it removes probation discretion and could increase jail and court burdens. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was reported as passing. The committee also heard SB 6 by Senator Ashby, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance while preserving veterinary use. Supporters, including veterinarians, law enforcement, and a parent who lost a son to a drug-related death, said the drug is increasingly present in fentanyl mixtures and needs to be controlled; opponents from drug policy and civil liberties groups argued scheduling would criminalize users, hinder research, and repeat failed drug-war policies. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out due pass to Appropriations, and it passed. Finally, SB 11, the AI Abuse Protection Act, was introduced to regulate AI-generated voice, image, and video replicas, with supporters emphasizing protection against deepfakes and nonconsensual images; the California Chamber of Commerce opposed unless amended, seeking narrower definitions and limits on consumer warnings. The hearing ended while SB 11 was still under discussion, with no final vote reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the request of the author, I am giving a one-day notice to remove item A-8, AB 281, Gallagher, from
• File item 82 is AB 1184 by Assembly Member Patterson, relating to common interest developments.
• I present AB 1184, the Homeowner Association Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026.
• That's AB 871 by Assembly Member Stephanie.
• Colleagues, I rise to present AB 871, which is a bill addressing financial elder abuse.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Routine procedural motions followed, including unanimous-consent actions to suspend rules for adjournment-in-memory remarks, guest introductions, and expedited floor processing of certain bills and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests, including Sacramento Police Detective Jason Collins, student musician Ethan Shue, and Glendale Councilmember Artie Kasakian. On the floor file, AB 1184 by Assembly Member Patterson, the Homeowner Association Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026, was presented as a measure to add basic transparency requirements for HOAs; it passed 56-0. AB 871 by Assembly Member Stephanie, addressing financial elder abuse and scam reporting/training for financial institutions, also passed 56-0. On the Senate side, SB 25 by Senator Umberg, which would give the California Attorney General earlier access to federal merger-notification filings to streamline merger review, passed 43-14 after the Majority Leader presented it. The Assembly then held several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including Paul R. Ignatius, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy and Glendale native; Oxnard Police Commander Scott Aaron; Private First Class Tanner F. Rubio of the U.S. Marine Corps; and former Yolo County Supervisor Betsy Marchand. Members and family guests offered remarks honoring their service and legacies, followed by a moment of silence for PFC Rubio. The session concluded with announcements about upcoming floor and committee deadlines and adjourned until Monday, January 26 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under AB 977, California now has standardized reporting across all of our homelessness programs.
• us to track consistent, comparable metrics across 14 state-funded programs that were identified in AB
• On this budget change proposal to provide funds to Cal ICH to implement legislation AB 799, we don't
• This is to support an ongoing workload and additional work created by AB 2873, which was signed into
• law in 2022, and AB 2006, which was signed two years ago.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 52 in 2014, and AB 168 in 2020.
• And this addition is consistent with AB 168, which contains tribal registers and AB 130 enacting tribal
• Assembly Member Connolly introduced legislation at the end of last session to achieve those goals, AB
• SB 954 builds off the work in AB 1083 and follows through on the promises to clean up SB 131.
• We were the first business group in California to support AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to open the roll up for absentee members on file item number two, AB 911.
• AB 1172. DeMaio, aye. McKinner. Yes. McKinner, aye.
• I'm going to open the roll up for absentee members on file item number two, AB 911.
• AB 1172. DeMaio, aye. McKinner. Yes. McKinner, aye. McKinner. Yes. Aye. Michelle Rodriguez.
• This committee took on AB 22 in 2022 by Assemblymember Gonzalez. Do I have a motion?

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's AB 2285 by Assembly Member Valencia. The clerk will read.
• AB 2285 provides state-chartered banks, credit unions, and crypto exchanges with Provides state-chartered
• AB 2285, and for some really, I think, what are incredibly impactful reasons.
• and certainly will impact millions of Californians, which is why I want to expand the conversation on AB
• All right, vote change at us, AB 22, All right, vote change, Addis, AB 2285, aye to not voting.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move to withdraw AB 1178, Pacheco, from the Appropriations Committee.
• 317, Jackson, from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Appropriations Committee, and AB 1331,
• AB 1331, Elhawary, from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee.
• And last year, when 16- and 17-year-olds were removed out of AB 1414, many of us said that's ridiculous
• So I rise as a co-author of AB 379, and I rise in support of these amendments.

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum after a roll call and prayer, then moved through routine business and a lengthy floor debate centered on AB 379, a bill dealing with protections for minors and human trafficking victims. Assembly Member DeMaio first sought to bring the bill up without Public Safety Committee amendments, arguing the committee had gutted the bill and removed felony language for purchasing 16- and 17-year-olds for sex. The body instead adopted a substitute motion to take up Assembly Member Schultz’s floor amendments to AB 379, and the bill became the focus of intense debate over whether the amended language would still adequately protect minors or instead weaken penalties and create a lower standard for 16- and 17-year-olds. Supporters of the amendments, including Schultz, Petri-Norris, Mark Gonzalez, Krell, Wynn, and others, said the changes were intended to strengthen and clarify the law, protect trafficking survivors, and preserve prosecutorial effectiveness while avoiding misinformation about existing law. Opponents, including DeMaio, Gallagher, Dixon, Macedo, Castillo, and others, argued the amendments watered down the bill, failed to restore the original felony treatment for buyers of 16- and 17-year-olds, and amounted to political maneuvering rather than real protection. The chamber also briefly considered a motion to table the amendments, which failed, and an appeal of a ruling on decorum, which was rejected. After debate, the Assembly adopted Schultz’s amendments to AB 379 by a 55-21 vote and then rereferred the bill to the Appropriations Committee. The chamber also handled several procedural items, including re-referrals of other bills, consent calendar actions, and a series of unanimous consent votes on numerous bills and resolutions. The session ended with announcements of committee meetings and the next floor session, followed by adjournment until Monday, May 5 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, I rise in opposition to AB 248.
• Item 30, AB 100 by Assemblymember Gabriel. Clerk will read.
• Speaker, I request unanimous consent to substitute the roll call vote on AB 100.
• Any further debate on AB 100? Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will open the roll.
• Speaker, I request unanimous consent to substitute the roll call vote on AB 100.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And now, your district has four AB 617 communities: Arvin, Lamont, Stockton, and Shafter, rather, in
• There have been a number of bills that strengthened AB 617.
• But my question to you is: looking across your four communities, where do you think the AB 617 process
• I want to follow up on a couple of the questions that my colleague asked, and she asked about AB 617,
• And so, for example, before AB 617 in South Fresno, it was sort of an inconvenient fact how polluted

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and a reference of bills to committee. The committee first approved or advanced a series of appointments not required to appear, including Paulette Brown Hines to the California Transportation Commission, Christopher Clark and Laura Capps to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Maggie Hallahan to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Kent Sasaki to the Building Standards Commission, and Danielle N. Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. The committee also approved the reference of bills to committees. The committee then heard from Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, for reappointment to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Board. She described her public health background, her family’s experience with asthma, and her work on agricultural burning phaseouts, mobile-source emissions strategies, AB 617 community programs, and climate and air-quality education. Members questioned her about the economic impacts of air rules on agriculture, the district’s approach to mobile-source reductions amid federal uncertainty, AB 617 community outcomes, and how she communicates climate and air-quality issues. The appointment was approved and moved to the full Senate. The committee next considered three California Horse Racing Board reappointments: Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Thomas Hudnut, J.D. The nominees and committee members discussed horse and rider safety improvements, the sharp decline in equine fatalities, the impact of Golden Gate Fields’ closure on Northern California racing, declining interest in the sport, and possible revenue options such as racing-on-demand machines and other gambling-related changes. Public witnesses from the racing industry spoke in support. All three appointments were approved and sent to the full Senate. Finally, the committee heard from Julie Lee and Ann Patterson, J.D., for the Delta Stewardship Council. Both emphasized the Delta’s importance to statewide water supply, ecosystem protection, science-based decision-making, climate adaptation, and community engagement. Senators asked about the council’s co-equal goals, the role of science and social science, public trust, and whether the council’s mission should continue after specific projects are resolved. A public witness from the Association of California Water Agencies supported both nominees. Both appointments were approved and moved to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am pleased to join you today to present AB 915.
• AB 915. The motion is to concur in Senate amendments. Pappin? Aye. Jeff Gonzalez? Aye. Alvarez?
• AB 915. The motion is to concur in Senate amendments. Alvarez? Aye. Thank you, sir. Okay.
• AB 915, motion is to concur in Senate amendments. Tangipa? Aye. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up AB 915, which was presented by the author as a measure to provide jurisdictional clarity so long-duration energy storage projects can proceed through the normal California Energy Commission permitting process. A witness from HydroStore testified in support, explaining that the bill would clarify that the water feature of the Willow Rock Energy Storage Project in Kern County is not a dam. No opposition testimony was heard. The motion before the committee was to concur in Senate amendments. Members voted aye as the roll was called, including Pappin, Jeff Gonzalez, Alvarez, Avila Farias, Baines, Benes, Burner, Bennett, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, and later Tangipa after he arrived. The committee then adjourned after the vote was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And AB 15.
• more robust protections in the wake of changes in the federal administration's budget trailer bills, AB
• SB 7081 is no different than past policies such as AB 2019, which created 25% small business goal for
• And AB 1392, which requires hospitals. To report their spend with small and diverse businesses.
• In response, I authored AB 844 in 2021, which established the green empowerment zone for the northern

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is AB 1 from 2023, the Legislature Employer-Employee Relations Act.
• Of these two ABs that you're requesting adjustments for, both AB 1 and AB 288? Sure.
• We are anticipating additional workload regarding AB 1, the Legislature Employer-Employees Relations
• And then AB 288, okay, great, yes.
• Do you have any kind of timeline when you're expecting the final ruling on AB 288?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• File item 107, AB 46. Secretary, please read. Assembly Bill 46 by Assembly Member Wendy?
• I'm proud to present AB 46 by Assembly Member Stephanie Wynn.
• I'm proud to present AB 46 by Assembly Member Stephanie Wynn.
• I'm very pleased to rise today in support of AB 46. Thank you, Madam President.
• I rise in support of AB 46, and supporting access to...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through gubernatorial appointments and third-reading measures. Three appointments to the California Housing Finance Agency Board and the State Mining and Geology Board were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then considered a series of bills on criminal procedure, military authority, housing, refinery safety, land use, music festivals, homelessness planning, solar tax assessment, HOA assessments, privacy, utility accounts, refrigerant disposal, law enforcement training, natural gas planning, school transfers, and regional transportation planning. Among the more debated measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense instructions passed 25-10 after opposition centered on judicial discretion and consistency. SB 1354, limiting out-of-state military or law enforcement activity without the Governor’s permission, passed 29-9 after supporters framed it as a sovereignty measure and opponents argued federal command authority controls. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed 29-9; supporters said it would curb predatory investor purchases after wildfire disasters, while opponents raised concerns about property rights and market effects. SB 966 on refinery worker participation in safety standards passed 30-9 amid a dispute over worker protections versus regulatory burden, and SB 1256, a local housing/subdivision bill, passed 32-0 despite concerns about fire-safety amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning with a commitment to exempt smaller cities, SB 1007 on HOA assessment transparency and homeowner approval thresholds, SB 923 on privacy deletion rights, SB 1098 on utility balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery, SB 937 on flashbang and breaching-device restrictions, SB 1082 on inter-district transfer timelines, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. SB 1329 on solar farm property tax assessment drew extensive debate over county revenues, solar development certainty, and fairness to rural communities, but ultimately passed after the call was lifted. Several measures were supported by authors and committee chairs as balancing consumer, worker, or local government protections against concerns about costs, regulatory stability, and local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I'll— At this time, I wanted to give an update on the recently passed AB 108 from this
• I would actually note that balance sheets was recently added to the quarterly collection under AB 112
• In AB 144, licensure for laboratory staff and professionals increased nearly 300%.
• This increase in my license fee is part of AB 144.
• And while important, in 2024, AB 2423 required the update of all rates every two years.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The hearing opened with Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office remarks on the May Revision, which both described efforts to reduce large out-year operating deficits through a mix of revenue increases, spending reductions, and reserve use. Finance said the May Revision more than halves projected deficits in later years, while LAO stressed that revenues are at unprecedented levels yet the state still faces a significant structural deficit and is drawing down reserves; LAO urged maintaining at least the administration’s level of budget solutions and adding to reserves rather than new ongoing commitments. The chair echoed concern about cuts to vulnerable populations and noted the tension between service reductions and requests for additional administrative positions. The committee then heard a series of California Health and Human Services and HCAI proposals, including additional legal support for CalHHS to respond to federal HR1 changes; a net-zero transfer of positions for a centralized eligibility/data-sharing platform; 988 crisis line implementation funding and continued work with the Trevor Project to train crisis centers to better serve LGBTQ youth; EMS data system maintenance funding; HCAI implementation of AB 1312 hospital charity care screening; SB 660 data exchange framework funding; CalRx biosimilar insulin reappropriation; and a diaper access initiative that would provide free diapers to newborns in participating hospitals and support a future direct-to-consumer purchasing option. Members questioned the diaper program’s universal design, the use of a Public Contract Code exemption, and the selection of Baby2Baby, with the chair expressing concern about optics and the lack of an income threshold. The committee also discussed distressed hospital funding, with HCAI requesting up to $50 million for another round of grants to hospitals in immediate financial distress. HCAI said it receives annual and quarterly financial reports but the data lag limits real-time monitoring, and the LAO recommended stronger program parameters and turnaround plans. Members argued the repeated need for distressed hospital aid reflects a structural problem, not a short-term gap, and raised broader concerns about hospital reimbursement and patient flow. Other items included reverting $19.6 million in unused opioid settlement funds from HCAI to DHCS for General Fund offset, and a Rural Health Transformation Program request to increase HCAI spending authority to cover the full federal award. Later, DMHC presented funding requests to implement PBM licensing and financial review requirements under AB 116, modernize the managed care complaint system, and build an electronic claims settlement data system under AB 3275. The final major discussion focused on the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, which opposed the May Revision’s proposed reduction of its Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and a $6.7 million cut to community advocacy grants. The Commission argued these programs are core to Proposition 1’s goals of statewide innovation and community accountability, while Finance said the proposal is consistent with Proposition 1’s maximum funding levels and reflects a broader effort to prioritize direct services and use unspent prior-year funds; members pressed for more information and questioned whether the cuts would undermine the new behavioral health framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Monique Limon, whenever you're ready, you can come up to present file item number one, AB 412
• Item number one, AB 412. Thank you, Chair and colleagues.
• AB 412 requires affiliated home care aides to handle challenges with caregiving for an individual with
• Today I urge your I vote on AB 412 so that California home care aides receive basic dementia training
• I'm here in support of AB 412 and thank the author for introducing this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard two measures after announcing that SB 792 had been pulled from the agenda. The first bill, AB 412, would require affiliated home care aides to receive training on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care. The author and supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and the Home Care Association of America, said the bill would help ensure more consistent and compassionate care for people living with dementia. A witness described difficult personal experiences finding aides who understood her husband’s needs. There was no opposition, and the committee members expressed support and personal appreciation for the issue. AB 412 was moved on a do-pass-as-amended motion to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and passed 7-0. The committee accepted the author’s committee amendments. The committee also heard SJR 3, a resolution urging Congress to avoid cuts to SNAP, known in California as CalFresh. The author and supporters from the California Association of Food Banks and End Child Poverty California argued that the program is essential to reducing hunger, supporting children and families, and sustaining the food economy, and that food banks could not replace lost benefits. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, with no opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, including one member who shared personal experience relying on SNAP. SJR 3 was adopted 7-0 and sent forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer AB 238 Harbidian from the Judiciary
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 56 to allow Judiciary Committee to notice AB 238
• To be perfectly clear, you are not voting on AB 12 or the merits of AB 12.
• voting on whether or not we should bypass the Constitution and bypass the public input process where AB
• I'm also proud to have passed that this body and the Senate and the Governor signed AB 2613 last year

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, legislation was passed last year, AB 1108, that addresses this particular issue.
• That's why I introduced AB 1546.
• AB 46 makes an important improvement. which the governor did sign yesterday.
• The amendment would be to conform with AB 46 and to give you the evidentiary hearing.
• The author working with us to comport with the requirements of AB 46.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, legislation was passed last year, AB 1108, that addresses this particular issue.
• That's why I introduced AB 1546.
• AB 46 makes an important improvement.
• The amendment would be to conform with AB 46 and to give you the evidentiary hearing.
• The author working with us to comport with the requirements of AB 46.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under AB 977, California now has standardized reporting across all of our homelessness programs.
• Provides funds to Cal ICH to implement legislation AB 799. We don't have any issues with that.
• So AB 977 programs, there are 14 currently within our existing BCSH structure.
• HCD is the only department under BCSH that has AB 977 programs, but the other groups could go on and
• in 2022, and AB 2006, which was signed two years ago.

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are going to hear AB 545, and we are going to open the hearing.
• Thank you for letting us present AB 545 to you today.
• So if you'd like to share anything about natural resources that does not have to do with AB 545, you
• Anything about natural resources that does not have to do with AB 545, you are welcome to at this time

Keywords: 909, all