Transcript Highlights:

• It's a specialized hiring tool that Los Angeles Unified School District has successfully and responsibly
• It's a specialized hiring tool that Los Angeles Unified School District has successfully and responsibly
• Anna Yokomizu, legislative advocate on behalf of Los Angeles Unified.
• Los Angeles Unified is sponsoring AB 2120 to extend the authorization for the district to use selective
• In addition, Los Angeles Unified seeks to logically extend the policy to also apply to reductions in

Summary: The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee. The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony. AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a specialized hiring tool that Los Angeles Unified School District has successfully and responsibly
• Testifying in support, I would like to introduce Anna Yokomizu at Los Angeles Unified.
• I'm Anna Yokomizu, legislative advocate on behalf of Los Angeles Unified.
• Los Angeles Unified is sponsoring AB 2120 to extend the authorization for the district to use selective
• In addition, Los Angeles Unified seeks to logically extend the policy to also apply to reductions in

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees collected for the games in Los Angeles County will be transmitted to L.A.
• When the games begin, increased domestic and global visitors will further congest Los Angeles County
• Angeles.
• Metro, which is all Los Angeles County, includes cities.
• I just want to thank the member from Los Angeles for bringing this forward.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation safety, active transportation, and transit access. AB 954 would create a Caltrans pilot program for bike highways in two metropolitan areas and require a report on a possible statewide program; supporters said it would expand protected bike networks and help climate goals, while some members objected that gas-tax-funded transportation dollars should prioritize roads and rural needs. The bill passed on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open for later additions. AB 289 would authorize automated speed enforcement in active highway construction zones to protect workers. The author and labor/construction supporters cited work-zone fatalities, serious injuries, and vehicle intrusions, while opponents raised concerns about replacing CHP enforcement and shifting violations from criminal to civil penalties. Committee members largely supported the bill as a supplement to CHP, and it passed 9-1 with the roll held open. AB 674 would update the Clean Cars for All program to prioritize pre-2004 vehicles in disadvantaged and low-income communities, increase incentives for the highest-emitting vehicles, and improve reporting and data collection. Supporters said the program would better target older, more polluting vehicles and improve public health equity; the bill was approved and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. AB 1237 would allow L.A. Metro and VTA to add a $5 fee to primary tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and certain NCAA championship games to fund transit service and provide same-day transit access; supporters called it a practical congestion solution, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argued it was an unconstitutional tax requiring voter approval. The bill passed 11-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 891 would create a statewide Caltrans quick-build pilot program for safer routes for pedestrians and bicyclists on state highways, with six projects completed by 2028. Supporters described quick-builds as low-cost, temporary safety improvements that can be implemented quickly, while some members questioned whether the program could draw on gas-tax revenues and whether a statewide pilot was appropriate. The bill passed 11-4 and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved a six-bill consent calendar and later recorded additional roll-call votes to hold the measures open for add-ons before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond Contreras with Lighthouse Public Affairs on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles, SPUR, and
• Raymond Godredas with Lighthouse Public Affairs on behalf of SPUR, Abundant Housing Los Angeles, and
• Angeles, you have to have a licensed contractor pull the permit, and then you have to wait for a Los
• Chris McKayley, here on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and proud support.
• Chair, Chris McKayley, here on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and proud support.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and operated briefly as a subcommittee while the chair outlined public comment procedures and the consent calendar. The first major item was AB 1751, a townhome/homeownership measure by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Wicks. The author accepted amendments to strike the bill’s wage provision and to limit unit size and project size, but declined other proposed amendments on downzoning, demolition protections, and site restrictions. Supporters, including the New California Coalition and California Conference of Carpenters, argued the bill would expand attainable homeownership and create more townhome sites; opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about renter protections, demolition/displacement, density impacts, and local control. Several labor groups and local government representatives were neutral or supportive of the amended bill, while the committee members discussed the tension between housing production and worker protections. The committee ultimately passed AB 1751 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. The committee then heard AB 750, which expands HCD’s Portfolio Reinvestment Program to more at-risk affordable housing developments needing rehabilitation. The author and supporters from the California Housing Consortium and California Housing Partnership said the bill would help preserve deed-restricted housing facing expiring affordability restrictions and disrepair, especially when paired with anticipated bond funding. Members asked about the program’s prior funding and how it works to keep units affordable through rehabilitation rather than state takeover; the author emphasized the goal was preservation of existing affordable housing stock. AB 750 passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a roll call vote and was held on call for absent senators. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Next, the committee heard AB 306, which would create a more workable statewide appeals and code-interpretation process at the California Building Standards Commission for local building code decisions. The author and supporters from AIA California and the Housing Action Coalition said the bill would reduce inconsistent interpretations across 540 jurisdictions, improve transparency, and support housing innovation while preserving local authority over local matters. Members discussed how the bill would interact with local amendments and alternative methods and means, and the committee moved the bill to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote. AB 2612, directing HCD and the Building Standards Commission to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems in new construction, also advanced to Appropriations after supportive testimony and brief questions about safety standards and stakeholder consultation. AB 1070, which orders a study on allowing 3- to 10-unit missing-middle housing under the Residential Code and requires a one-time report on code-related cost pressures, passed to Appropriations after building officials removed opposition. Later, AB 2181, a narrow bill concerning hotel and motel valuation and density bonus potential, passed to Local Government after testimony from Unite Here and others about protecting hospitality jobs and preventing speculative appraisals. Finally, AB 1237, clarifying safety rules for private in-unit pools in hotels and condominiums, passed to Health after the author described added safety measures such as pool covers, alarms, emergency devices, certified operators, and AEDs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Siege on behalf of the County of Los Angeles in support. Thank you. Good afternoon. Mark E.
• Siege on behalf of the County of Los Angeles in support. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• So the fires in Los Angeles destroyed thousands of homes and displaced tens of thousands of people.
• There's already evidence of these practices impacting fire survivors in Los Angeles.
• In fact, last year after the tragic fires in Los Angeles, we took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles

Summary: The committee first took up SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the time for survivors of conversion therapy to bring malpractice claims and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Senator Wiener and supporters, including a survivor and a licensed therapist, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued that survivors often cannot come forward within current limitation periods. Opponents, including attorneys and advocacy groups, argued the bill was an unconstitutional workaround to California’s existing ban and could chill legitimate therapy or expand liability. Committee members pressed both sides on the bill’s scope, with the author emphasizing it does not bar exploratory therapy or medical treatment, only attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the item placed on call; the consent calendar was also adopted 6-0 and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, as amended, concerning manufactured home parks. The bill would require park owners who intend to sell to give residents or their designated representatives notice and an opportunity to submit a competitive bid, with timelines intended to allow residents to organize financing and complete due diligence. Supporters said the measure would help preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and give residents a fair chance to buy the land under their homes, especially after fire-related losses and increasing investor ownership of parks. Opponents from park-owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create an unconstitutional taking by imposing long timelines and restrictions that could deter buyers. Several senators questioned the 240-day process and whether the bill should include clearer good-faith or reciprocity provisions; the author said he was open to further adjustments. The transcript ends during committee discussion of SB 1092, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Flags, Los Angeles, in strong support of SB 934, request you to pass it. Thank you. Thank you.
• Siege on behalf of the County of Los Angeles in support. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• So the fires in Los Angeles destroyed thousands of homes and displaced tens of thousands of people.
• There's already evidence of these practices impacting fire survivors in Los Angeles.
• In fact, last year after the tragic fires in Los Angeles, we took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jesse Damon with Special Service for Groups in Los Angeles.
• We are the trans and queer suburbs of Los Angeles County, with 120,000 LGBTQ people, which is 20% of
• Los Angeles County.
• Los Angeles County.
• Thank you. 20% of the LGBTQS population of Los Angeles County.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Angeles, the first LGBTQ synagogue in the entire world.
• Anthony is the Vice President of Programs and Policy at the Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles.
• He is also a commissioner on Los Angeles County's first-of-its-kind LGBTQ Plus Commission.
• Angeles and Hollywood cheerleaders, helping to raise funds and coordinate events.
• Mario is a graduate of Los Angeles Film School and Full Sail University.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't have to worry about this in the center of Los Angeles, but in this diverse state.
• You have a mountain lion issue in our north state. center of Los Angeles, but in this diverse state,
• And neither do the people who live up here or in Los Angeles. But we pay for it.
• A great example is the spill that just happened in Los Angeles, where drilling for fiber optic cable
• In 2025, the Los Angeles wildfires, there was a lot of question raised about what was determined as fire

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll start by saying we initially, I represent Los Angeles County.
• So as a rural agricultural community, but we had very high incidence of gun violence were Los Angeles
• AB 1915 is supported by a coalition that includes the Los Angeles County Business Federation, BISFED,
• Our city of Los Angeles' temporary emergency outdoor dining program increased our seating capacity by
• Chris McKayley, here on behalf of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard AB 2575 on health care AI guardrails, with the author and supporters from the California Nurses Association and labor groups arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment. They said the bill would require basic disclosures about AI tools, protect workers from retaliation for overriding AI in good faith, and prevent developers or employers from shifting liability to frontline clinicians. Opponents including the California Medical Association, CalChamber, hospitals, and other health care organizations argued the bill would add costs, create uncertainty, and discourage useful AI applications. Committee members discussed bias in health care and accepted amendments narrowing the disclosure provisions; the bill was moved with a 7-1 vote and re-referred to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement. AB 634 would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products containing tianeptine, described by supporters as “gas station heroin.” The author and law enforcement supporters said the substance is dangerous, easily accessible, and can cause opioid-like addiction, while no opposition came forward. The committee also heard AB 1607 to extend the Maddy EMS Fund, which reimburses emergency providers for uncompensated care. Supporters said the fund is essential to keeping emergency departments staffed, especially amid expected coverage losses; an ACLU representative opposed the funding source because it relies on criminal and traffic fines. Members supported the need for the fund but raised concerns about the fairness and long-term stability of the revenue source, and the bill advanced on a 8-0 vote. AB 1906 would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening tests without cost sharing, and the author said the bill would improve early detection and reduce disparities, especially for rural and working Californians. Support came from Planned Parenthood, Health Access, and several health and labor organizations; insurers said they appreciated the amendments and were reviewing their position. The committee adopted amendments aligning the bill with clinical guidelines and passed it 6-0 to Appropriations. The committee also took up AB 2247, the Thrive Act, to create a pilot program for trauma and mental health services for youth affected by gun violence in four counties. Supporters described barriers survivors face in accessing counseling, while members questioned the narrow focus on gun violence, the choice of counties, documentation requirements, and whether the program should instead be housed in victim compensation. The bill passed 8-0 to Judiciary. Later, AB 2531 would expand California’s uncompensated care program so veterans denied abortion care through the federal VA system could receive coverage in California, and would add an abortion resources link for veterans. Supporters framed it as filling a gap created by federal restrictions; opponents argued state funds should not support abortion. Members noted the VA already provides many reproductive services but not this one, and the bill passed 7-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard AB 1915, which would modernize restaurant facility rules and create a self-certification pathway for some equipment installations. Restaurant and business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce costly delays, while the Contractor State License Board opposed the self-certification provision over safety and inspection concerns. Members generally supported streamlining but echoed public safety concerns and indicated further work was needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Backus has recently retired after a long career with Los Angeles Care. Under Mr.
• His leadership is launching the Elevating the Safety Net initiative has ensured that Los Angeles communities
• His legacy is one of growing equity and innovation, and his work will continue to echo across Los Angeles
• At Cal State University Los Angeles, from uplifting and working with our first generation and low-income
• Moses was born in Los Angeles but called Kern his home.

Transcript Highlights:

• An additional 12 counties, including Los Angeles, will run out by June 30.
• We mourn the tragic loss of life and devastation throughout Los Angeles.
• We mourn the tragic loss of life and devastation throughout Los Angeles, including destruction of the
• Our Los Angeles County...
• Our Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging had 2,811 clients who were impacted by the fires, and our

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Bruno Beside with the California Immigrant Policy Center based in Los Angeles and a proud
• Children and families as a result are... immigration rates across Los Angeles and Southern California
• Immigration agents have also been present at Riverside, Los Angeles, and in Glendale.
• I'm the founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based legal and licensed cannabis retailer Sweetflower.
• I'm the founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based legal and licensed cannabis retailer, Sweetflower.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on AI, health privacy, digital assets, and cannabis enforcement. SB 69 by Senator McNerney would create an AI-focused team within the Department of Justice to build expertise on civil rights, public safety, and consumer protection issues tied to AI; supporters said California needs in-house technical and legal capacity, and the bill drew no opposition. SB 81 by Senator Arreguín would codify hospital and health-facility protections limiting immigration enforcement access and disclosure of patient citizenship status absent a judicial warrant; nurses, immigrant-rights groups, hospitals, labor, and many local and advocacy organizations supported it, while no opposition was heard. SB 97 by Senator Grayson would update California’s digital financial assets law with technical clarifications developed with DFPI, industry, and consumer groups; it was described as a consensus bill with no opposition. SB 243 by Senator Padilla would regulate AI companion chatbots by requiring disclosures, limits on addictive engagement, and crisis-response protocols for self-harm or suicidal ideation, with a private right of action; the bill was strongly supported by the mother of a teen who died by suicide after interacting with a chatbot, while TechNet, CalChamber, CCIA, EFF, and CJAC opposed it over scope, definitions, First Amendment concerns, and cost. SB 378 by Senator Wiener would let consumers seek civil penalties against online marketplaces that advertise illicit intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products; supporters argued it would protect public health and the legal cannabis market, while hemp and tech groups warned it could sweep in lawful hemp products and needed narrower definitions. After quorum was established, the committee voted all five bills out: SB 69 passed 14-0, SB 81 passed 11-3, SB 97 passed 13-0, SB 243 passed 11-1, and SB 378 passed 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Angeles.
• Angeles as Highway 66.
• Angeles.
• Angeles as Highway 66.
• And whereas Cherokee Chicago to Los Angeles as Highway 66.

Bills: HB1937 , HB2153 , HB3674 , HB2978 , HB3885 , HB3671 , HB3261 , HB3021 , HB3029 , HB4274 , HB3701 , HB3076 , HB2299 , HB3852 , HB3244 , HB3345 , HB3114 , HB3764 , HB4144 , HB3304 , HB2939 , HB4227 , HB3262 , HB2941 , HB3498 , HB4343 , HB4425 , HB3386 , HB3087 , HB3062 , HB3431 , HB4141 , HB3581 , HB4237 , HB2960 , HB3645 , HB3648 , HB3974 , HB3045 , SCR18 , HCR1024 , SJR39 , SJR49 , HB4486 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142 , HB1823 , HB4476 , HB3378 , HB3880 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3429 , HB3657 , HB4215 , HB3624 , HB1170

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the daily prayer, and recognized a series of guests and special introductions, including Langston University Day, Moore Public Schools cheer and pom squads, a student shadow, former Senator Connie Johnson, Brazilian missionaries, and a long-serving mental health employee. The chamber also heard introductions from the day’s pages. The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, recognizing April 21, 2026, as National Lineman Appreciation Day, and House Concurrent Resolution 1024, designating Route 66 Day at the Capitol and honoring the highway’s centennial. Senators then advanced Senate Joint Resolution 49, which revokes a Wildlife Department rule requiring oil and gas companies to post a surety bond, after discussion clarified the measure was intended to eliminate duplicative regulation; the resolution advanced on a 42-3 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 4486, authorizing the State Capitol Preservation Commission to arrange a privately funded Gold Star Family Monument near the Capitol Square Arch, and approved several appropriations measures tied to ARPA interest or excess funds. These included Senate Bill 1130 for the University of Oklahoma Hospital Trust Authority’s Child Behavioral Health Project, Senate Bill 1131 for the Office of Juvenile Affairs’ Youth Services Program, Senate Bill 1132 for the Rural Hospital Rebuild Program, Senate Bill 1133 for Griffin Memorial Hospital replacement capacity, Senate Bill 1134 for the Human Performance Project and Pharmaceutical Expansion Project, and Senate Bill 1142 for grants to the Boys & Girls Club and YWCA. Most of these bills were adopted with emergency clauses after roll-call votes, with some members changing votes before final emergency passage. The Senate then announced committee meetings and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you represent Los Angeles. I have the pleasure of representing Endor.
• My district includes the Angeles National Forest, a large portion of my district.
• Los Padres National Forest is a cathedral of wilderness, a source of resilience.
• Shortly after settling in New York, Johnny and his family moved to Los Angeles to join his uncle and
• Angeles.

Transcript Highlights:

• We, along with our co-sponsors, including the Los Angeles Community College District, see this bill as
• Public Affairs, on behalf of Abundant Housing Los Angeles, in strong support. Thank you.
• We have 87 member institutions throughout the state, over two dozen in the Los Angeles region.
• Maria Velos, Los Angeles Community College District, and strong support of this bill.
• Luis Dorado, President of Los Angeles Harbor College, as well as the co-chair of the Los Angeles Regional

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've consistently met Access for All's program offset eligibility criteria in Los Angeles, San Francisco
• Next, since July 2019 to the present, Lyft has offered wheelchair mode in Los Angeles and San Francisco
• Lyft completes an average of 5,000 to 7,000 trips quarterly in Los Angeles County and 800 to 1,000 trips
• For us, we’re doing it in a percentage where in Los Angeles County is the worst.
• For us, we're doing it in a percentage where in Los Angeles County is the worst.

Summary: The hearing focused on transportation network companies in California, with the chair framing it as an informational hearing on the history, regulation, safety, climate, accessibility, and data issues surrounding Uber, Lyft, and smaller or autonomous TNC services. The CPUC described its decade-long regulatory role, including safety rules, background checks, insurance requirements, reporting obligations, and two major legislative programs from 2018: the Clean Miles Standard and the Access for All program. Members asked about complaint trends, data collection and disclosure, program implementation, and how the CPUC uses annual reports for policymaking, compliance, and program oversight. Uber and Lyft said the statewide framework has supported growth while providing safety and access benefits, but both companies emphasized that insurance is a major cost driver and argued that California’s UM/UIM requirement is unusually high compared with other vehicles. They said the Clean Miles Standard is pushing electrification but faces headwinds from EV affordability and charging infrastructure, while Access for All has expanded wheelchair-accessible service but still needs continued support. They also discussed transit partnerships, wildfire response, and the potential role of autonomous vehicles, with both companies saying human drivers will remain important and that future regulation should account for new technology. The final panel, including the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and UC Berkeley researchers, presented evidence that TNCs have increased congestion and reduced transit ridership, especially in dense urban areas. They described prior research showing TNCs contributed to congestion growth in San Francisco and noted that this work helped spur local taxes on ride-hailing trips to fund safety and transit improvements. The panel also discussed the CPUC’s evolving data-disclosure decisions, arguing that public access to TNC trip data is important for understanding transportation impacts and informing local policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The people of Los Angeles County are asking for the right to decide for themselves if they want to take
• And if Los Angeles and Contra Costa County believe this is their fix for their specific region, then
• And if Los Angeles and Contra Costa County believe this is their fix for their specific region, then
• He was also the father of Los Angeles City Council Member Tim McCosker of the 15th Councilmatic District
• After joining the Los Angeles Fire Department in 1961, his dedication to service and sacrifice inspired

Transcript Highlights:

• In AB 129 for Chula Vista, AB 1734 for Los Angeles,... where this project is based, the Public Interest
• In AB 129 for Tula Vista, AB 1734 for Los Angeles, In AB 129 for Chula Vista, AB 1734 for Los Angeles
• The epidemic of in-custody deaths has been investigated by press outlets like CalMatters, the Los Angeles
• Major California counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Ventura have independent medical
• I've seen it in Los Angeles, but, you know, and I tried with one bill to make it more...

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Chief Operations and Education Officer at the Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles and a
• Our organization is responsible for rehabilitating marine mammals throughout Los Angeles County, and
• We are a minority-owned broadcaster in Los Angeles, and only in Los Angeles.
• Our stations combined reach over 3 million people in Los Angeles each month.
• Some media markets are extremely expensive, for example, Los Angeles.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused largely on regulatory oversight, food insecurity, state symbols, immigration-related funding, and ethnic media outreach. SB 885 and SB 986 would require major regulations with estimated economic impacts over $50 million to come back to the Legislature for review; supporters said this would restore accountability and help address affordability, while opponents warned it would delay health, safety, and worker protections. SB 1025 would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across state departments, expand outreach, run a hunger hotline, and analyze service gaps; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight language. SB 1214 would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly, and SB 1178 would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp, with testimony emphasizing conservation, ecology, and agricultural benefits. SB 1286 would recognize the California sea lion as the state pinniped, with supporters citing its role as a sentinel species and conservation success story. SB 1171 would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded grants or loans; supporters framed it as a response to ICE conduct, while opponents raised concerns about unintended impacts on contractors providing essential services and possible federal retaliation. SB 1358 would create the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act to improve state advertising and outreach to ethnic and community media through a database and contracting requirements, with supporters arguing it would improve effectiveness and reach underserved communities. Several bills were advanced on committee votes, many with roll calls held open for absent members. SB 885, SB 986, SB 1025, SB 1214, SB 1178, SB 1286, and SB 1171 all received motions to do pass, with some members noting support but also urging amendments or guardrails, especially on timing, reporting, and oversight. The committee also took up a consent calendar of multiple items after quorum was established.