Transcript Highlights:

• Grants are great. Low-interest loans are great.
• cap-and-trade program that already exists.
• I'm not the CFO, but, you know, obviously we would love any form of grant.
• So if we were part of the cap-and-trade program, that would be very helpful.
• We also started a grant program to greatly incentivize it at schools.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair opened by noting California’s $5 million public investment in UC research in 2022 and framed the hearing around three panels: the climate, environmental, and security potential of alternative proteins; industry scaling and commercialization; and university-led research and workforce development. Members emphasized that the committee will continue with site visits and additional hearings across the state. The first panel focused on the case for alternative proteins as a climate, land, water, biodiversity, and food-security solution. Shana Fertig of the Good Food Institute argued that plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use while helping California meet its climate and conservation goals. Zane Swanson of CSIS added that alternative proteins could reduce risks tied to zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, supply-chain disruption, and broader national security concerns. In questions, members discussed the role of pharmaceuticals in animal agriculture and how alternative proteins might complement, rather than replace, traditional farming by creating new markets for California crops and helping farmers diversify. The second panel featured industry leaders Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat, Myra Passick of Upside Foods, and Arye Elfenbein of Wildtype. Brown highlighted plant-based meat’s health and climate benefits, criticized misinformation campaigns against the sector, and urged better labeling, reduced subsidies for factory farming, and more plant-based food in public institutions. Passick described cultivated meat as a scalable food-production technology, said Upside Foods has already produced millions of pounds annually at its Emeryville facility, and asked for grants, low-interest loans, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or similar revenue programs. Elfenbein described cultivated seafood as a way to address overfishing, contamination, traceability problems, and the heavy import dependence of the U.S. seafood supply, while also noting conservation benefits and the need for California to remain a hub for the industry. The final panel centered on research and workforce development. UCLA’s Amy Rowat described state-funded work on technical bottlenecks such as growing fat cells and creating edible scaffolds, along with a Future Food Fellows program that trains students across science, engineering, law, and policy. UC Santa Cruz economist Galina Hale argued that alternative proteins are necessary to meet future protein demand while reducing food-system emissions, and said California must support the sector through grants, loans, procurement, and research centers to avoid losing leadership to other states and countries. The hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses, noting that all materials would be posted online, and saying the committee would continue building policy and budget proposals to support the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• California already recognizes limits in other parole programs, such as the youth offender parole program
• The elderly parole program for parole is strenuous.
• Delete police and district attorneys as being eligible for the grant program.
• Without objection, motion granted.
• Without objection, motion granted.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , allowing the program to continue regardless of a change in state leadership.
• This program would be implemented and administered by the Alabama Department of Revenue.
• </c><00:04:07.680><c> allowing</c> tax credit scholarship program allowing tax credit scholarship program
• </c><00:04:12.720><c> This</c><00:04:13.040><c> program</c> change in state leadership.
• This program change in state leadership.

Bills: HB342, HB342, HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, tax credit, scholarship, education funding, financial aid, federal participation, HB168, Alabama, emergency management, local emergency management organization, mutual aid, mutual aid agreement, disaster response, public safety, public health, state emergency management plan

Transcript Highlights:

• It basically says a temporary permit is granted until a license is granted or until a notice to deny
• So my question would be, it says the temporary permit until a license is granted or until a notice to
• until a license is permit is granted until a license is granted<00:09:22.320><c> or</c><00:09:22.560
• Uh there's a program technicians.
• </c> program. Is that correct? program. Is that correct? &gt;&gt; That's<00:28:47.039><c> correct.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 24 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission's Whale T grant program provided over 1,000 grants supporting coastal access and education
• Our Whale Tail and Explore the Coast grant programs have brought hundreds of thousands of people and
• Explore the Coast grant programs have brought hundreds of thousands of people to the California coast
• and recycling programs work.
• Soils Program.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and one resolution focused on recycling, housing affordability, air quality, coastal protection, wildfire resilience, and nuclear policy. AB 2559, by Assembly Member Ward, would require local governments to return refundable construction and demolition permit deposits if compliance documentation is submitted within three years of final inspection; supporters said it would prevent homeowners and developers from losing deposits due to mismatched local deadlines, and it passed unanimously as amended to Appropriations. AB 1704, by Assembly Member Gonzalez, would require CARB to assess the cost of lower-embodied-carbon building materials and pause the embodied-carbon program if cost parity is not reached; supporters framed it as a housing affordability safeguard, while environmental groups argued it would delay implementation of a key climate law. The bill passed on a party-line vote to Appropriations. AB 2349, by Assembly Member Solache, would create regional air quality incident response centers for emergency monitoring and coordination; it drew strong support from air district and local government representatives and passed unanimously to Appropriations. ACR 149, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy, highlighted coastal access, habitat protection, and climate adaptation; it passed the committee, though some members voted no. AB 1960, by Assembly Member Bennett, would let Cal Fire fund community-level wildfire hardening projects through the Wildfire Prevention Grants Fund; members raised questions about funding and implementation, but it passed to Appropriations. AB 2254, the Coastal Monarchs Protection Act, would require coastal local governments to add monarch overwintering protections when updating local coastal plans; supporters cited steep monarch declines and economic benefits, while local government groups opposed the mandate as duplicative and burdensome, and it passed to Water, Parks and Wildlife. AB 2253 would restrict deceptive recycled-content claims and mass-balance accounting practices; supporters said it would protect consumers and real recyclers, while business groups argued it would conflict with recognized accounting systems and EPR programs. The transcript also included AB 1757, which would create a limited carve-out from California’s nuclear moratorium for microreactors; supporters said it could provide clean, local power and support data centers, while opponents warned of cost, waste, and safety risks. The committee ultimately rejected AB 1757 on a divided vote, then granted reconsideration, and the discussion continued without a final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Granted.
• Granted.
• Granted.
• Granted.
• This bill deals with the Delaware Technical Innovation Program, and it allows for supplemental grant

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the SNAP program. ...people each year through the SNAP program.
• You will see down there at the bottom the jobs program, which goes hand in hand with the TANF program
• The ILP program is a really important program to us in the Child Welfare arena. program to us in the
• programs...
• So, they... the program.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the two largest programs<00:07:33.199><c> for</c> programs for programs for DMA.<00:07:35.280
• and services program, you'll see the first is reducing the homelessness prevention programs.
• and services uh to the services programs and services uh program.<00:08:04.160><c> You'll</c><00:08:
• You'll see the first is program.
• </c><00:08:50.800><c> of</c> five items are all one-time grants of five items are all one-time grants

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs and services and analyzing gaps.
• Meal programs assist in keeping people in their homes.
• It increases the current emergency services program.
• Lund on the work that is being done with this program.
• Our age-friendly grants have benefited communities from across the country.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Orana NASA government relations program Orana NASA government relations program specialist<00:13
• We are willing to run the program.
• Alabama has a highly successful program offering grants for homeowners to put in these really simple
• </c><00:38:23.720><c> offering</c><00:38:24.040><c> grants</c><00:38:24.480><c> for</c> successful program
• offering grants for successful program offering grants for homeowners<00:38:25.160><c> to</c><00:38:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a wide range of housing-related bills. HB 295 on Hawaiian homelands drew support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and individual testifiers who described long waits for DHHL housing, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands offered comments noting that lowering the Native Hawaiian blood quantum from 50% to 25% would require multiple legal and federal review steps. The committee also heard testimony on several Hawaii Public Housing Authority measures, including HB 99, HB 1096, HB 1097, HB 1095, HB 1093, and HB 1094, which generally received agency support and little or no public opposition during the hearing. HB 1094 prompted questions about the handling and sale or donation of seized property, and the agency said it lacked capacity to manage that work directly and would need to consult the Attorney General on liability concerns. The committee then heard HB 1056 and HB 1467, both related to a proposed Hawaii Homes or housing resiliency program. DCCA, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Climate Advisory Team, and Hawaii Realtors supported HB 1056, while the Attorney General requested clarification on fund language. The Insurance Commissioner said DCCA was willing to run the program and that strengthening homes would help keep insurance available in Hawaii. For HB 1467, the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Climate Advisory Team also supported the measure, with the Attorney General raising concerns about delegation, the special fund, and extension authority. Testimony on both bills emphasized hurricane retrofits, with some witnesses urging harmonization of the two similar proposals and one witness warning that the bills could conflict with efforts to reduce building-code minimum standards. Other measures included HB 1013 on important agricultural lands, which received support from HHFDC, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT, the Agri-Business Development Corporation, and Purple Maiʻa Foundation, with some agencies offering comments. HB 1294 on agricultural workforce housing drew comments from the Attorney General, who said commissions may be established by law rather than by the department itself, along with support from OHA, a council member, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus. HB 89 on teacher housing received support from OHA and education groups, while the Attorney General said the bill may have constitutional issues and suggested amendments to set standards for voucher applications. HB 276 on condominiums and HB 528 on residential leases also drew support, with no testimony in opposition. HB 415 on public safety and fire sprinklers generated the most clear split in testimony: the State Fire Council, a fire department representative, and an individual supported the bill, arguing sprinklers improve safety and can prevent major losses, while BIA Hawaii, Pacific Home and Appliance Distribution, NAAP Hawaii, Gentry Holmes, and DR Horton Hawaii opposed it, saying the added cost would worsen housing affordability and that existing codes already address safety. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chair repeatedly closed each bill after testimony and questions, and the hearing moved through the agenda without recorded committee votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We program than we take in right now.
• And [clears throat] grant.
• </c><00:08:33.680><c> I</c> programs and foundational support. I programs and foundational support.
• </c> legislature $2.5 million for AI programs legislature $2.5 million for AI programs and<00:15:15.440
• </c> mentioned we do have a lot of programs mentioned we do have a lot of programs in<00:31:24.559><c

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• Program.
• And this grant program would be available to K-12 schools of all types: public, private, charter, and
• And this supplements and dovetails well with the Homeland Security Emergency Management grant program
• </c> grants or how does that get distributed? grants or how does that get distributed?
• . grants. grants.

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• We took a bottom-up estimate and looked at the entirety of our program.
• We took a bottom-up estimate and look at the entirety of our program.
• So as we try to de-risk our program for the private sector, we also do need to de-risk the program for
• well as our FY10 grant, has been rescinded.
• So this was a smaller grant that was already in the works.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a hugely successful program. Thank you.
• program, so no cost to us up front.
• need to work on to finish their program.
• grant.
• It was granted self-defense.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 156. The committee first considered the confirmation of Matthew Walsh as Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Walsh described his background in law enforcement, social work, and juvenile justice, and outlined DJJ priorities including recruitment and retention, staff wellness, collaboration with DCF and other agencies, aging facilities, and expanding educational and vocational opportunities for youth. Members asked about his social work training, lockout youth, bed space, recidivism, and the Florida Scholars Academy. The committee voted unanimously to favorably report his confirmation. The committee then took up SPB 704, a committee bill extending the public records exemption for conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information. Senator Martin explained that the exemption was originally created to protect active innocence reviews and should continue past its current sunset date. With no opposition or debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably as a committee bill. Next, the committee considered CS for SB 32, as amended, which creates an injunction for protection against serious violence by a known person and adds it to the statewide injunction verification system and related enforcement provisions. Senator Sharif said the bill is intended to give judges a faster tool to protect victims who have reported serious violence to law enforcement, while supporters said it addresses cases where victims are harmed before a repeat-violence injunction can be granted. Eric Friday of Florida Carry opposed the bill, warning it could be misused against self-defense situations and create problems in cases already covered by existing injunction laws. After debate, the committee voted unanimously to report the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 210, which extends public records protections to petitions for injunctions for protection against serious violence by a known person, including dismissed petitions and identifying information before service. There was no opposition, and the committee voted unanimously to report SB 210 favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government has frozen or terminated about $30 million in grants that affects programs and
• The federal government has frozen or terminated about $30 million in grants that affects programs and
• The federal government has frozen or terminated about $30 million in grants that affects programs and
• The federal government has frozen or terminated about $30 million in grants that affects programs and
• , and community grants program, based on the numbers provided by the State Foundation.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:07:18.320><c> and</c><00:07:18.520><c> donations,</c> grants, and donations, grants, and donations
• </c> and overall management of the program. and overall management of the program.
• </c> grants, and donations. grants, and donations.
• </c><00:50:22.080><c> And</c><00:50:22.200><c> so,</c> grants, grants, and donations.
• And so, grants, grants, and donations.

Keywords: Continuation of today's legislative session, beginning at 7:45 pm., 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 78, Forest Health Grant Program.
• </c> that in grant form. that in grant form.
• program.
• </c> those through the consensus block grant those through the consensus block grant program.<02:01:36.560
• </c> Program Amendments. Program Amendments.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Program.
• are eligible for Pell Grants to include short-term workforce training programs lasting between eight
• To be eligible for workforce Pell Grant funds, H.R. 1 requires short-term programs to offer participant
• Expanding Pell Grants to these programs has real potential to meet workforce needs by training working
• Anything above that, any degree or any program above that, would not be eligible for the program.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a policy hearing on several higher education bills. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a California approval process for short-term workforce Pell Grant programs; supporters said it would expand access to job training with consumer protections, while a neutral witness urged more work on implementation. Members raised concerns about the bill’s $4,000 tuition cap, but the measure passed 5-1 with an urgency clause and was sent to Labor and Employment. AB 1831 (Irwin) would cap compensation for certain CSU administrators, bar raises in years when tuition rises, and repeal a 2025 executive pay resolution; the author said she would amend the bill to remove retroactive repeal, narrow the scope, and clarify that it applies to base salary and non-represented managers. CFA, students, and labor groups supported the bill as an accountability measure, while CSU opposed it, arguing the cap would hurt recruitment and retention. The committee approved the bill 4-1-3 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also advanced AB 1555 (Hadwick), which would allow up to 200 students to qualify for in-state tuition at College of the Siskiyous under a cross-border regional arrangement; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 1552 (Jackson), requiring the community colleges and CSU and requesting UC to report recommendations on civic engagement and democracy education, also passed to Appropriations after some members objected that such programs could be used for partisan activity. AB 1829, which expands CalWORKs student-parent support by allowing more direct aid and waiving a 25% work-study employer match at the colleges’ discretion, passed 8-1 and was re-referred to Human Services. The committee later added on consent items and adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, the board may conditionally grant parole pending completion of programming or other
• Because some programs take more than nine months to complete.
• Under current law, the board may conditionally grant parole pending completion of programming or other
• everyone to do nine months of additional programming.
• It's granted. I would say, see you next week.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary C met on May 19, 2026, with a quorum present and first deferred House Bill 276 at the sponsor’s request. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, largely focused on criminal justice, domestic violence, victims’ rights, probation/parole, and critical infrastructure protections. HB 160, by Rep. Knox, would increase the penalty for domestic abuse battery and battery of a dating partner involving strangulation from three to six years, with at least one year without probation or suspension; it drew strong support from prosecutors and domestic violence advocates and was reported favorably. HB 769, by Rep. Boyd, would create a 24- to 72-hour cooling-off hold in domestic violence cases, with an amendment to make the hold concurrent with other detention periods and to avoid stacking with existing law; it was reported with amendments. The committee also reported favorably HB 1234, which creates mandatory jail time for fleeing the scene after striking a person and failing to render aid, and HB 158, which restores custodial inpatient treatment as an option for probationers and increases the allowable treatment period from 90 to 180 days. HB 169, allowing courts or the parole board to assess extradition costs against absconders based on ability to pay, was also reported favorably. HB 251, requiring notice to a victim or designated family member before resentencing or final conviction hearings, drew support from the Attorney General’s office and opposition from the ACLU, which argued that victim involvement at that stage could be inconsistent with post-conviction standards; it was nevertheless reported favorably. Additional measures advanced included HB 289, which removes a redundant 24-hour delay between denial of a new trial motion and sentencing; HB 394, extending the conditional parole period from nine months to 24 months to allow completion of required programming; and HB 330, increasing penalties and restitution for vandalizing churches and graves, which was supported by the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops. HB 429, expanding critical infrastructure protections to oil and natural gas facilities and related operations and increasing penalties for unauthorized entry, drone activity, and cyber interference, was reported with amendments after discussion about harmonizing the definition with another bill and ensuring coverage of water-related facilities. The committee also approved the minutes from the prior meeting before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that seems to be a reference<00:46:44.319><c> to</c><00:46:44.640><c> grant</c> reference to grant
• are managing the grants, you've got the<00:48:51.440><c> grant</c><00:48:51.760><c> recipients</c><00
• And if there's people believe it's a fraudulent program, I fear people won't support the program.
• ,</c><01:51:18.480><c> I</c> believe it's a fraudulent program, I believe it's a fraudulent program,
• </c> fear people won't support the program. fear people won't support the program.

Keywords: 1183, house