Transcript Highlights:

• You're saying that they can find any way to make it up, so maybe raise the water bill? No, ma'am.
• you're saying that they can make it up somewhere else and these are things that a city charges for, water
• AB 4433 by Dean Ehrling. to the requirements of obtaining an inter-basin water transfer permit from the
• ways and means HCR 188 by Berry repurposing constitution amendment authorizing the local government water
• development fund to assist in Financing water projects in the state referred the committee on natural

Bills: HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• various streams of carbon captured from industrial sites and directly from the air on Louisiana's water
• , confidentiality, dissemination, duties of employers, compliance relative to state and federal regulations
• It eliminates outdated and burdensome regulations and supports economic growth and market flexibility
• It could be a half-day course on water sector, and that would cover four or six hours.
• But doesn't that set a conflict with the federal regulations of a hostile work environment?

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and led the pledge. The bulk of the early portion of the meeting consisted of personal privileges and recognitions, including ARC Appreciation Day, Teach for America, Film Louisiana, the Child Care Association of Louisiana, Textron Systems, Iberville Parish Day, AARP Louisiana Family Caregiver Day, and several visiting groups and honorees. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled and introduced resolutions, and referred a number of Senate bills to committee. The House then took up a long series of bills, many of them local or technical measures, with most passing by wide margins. Among the bills adopted were measures on municipal and teachers’ retirement systems, retired clerk insurance funds, fire and police civil service, a local Cameron Parish insurance program, specialty courts, jury bond filing by paper check, non-compete limits for interns and apprentices, a memorial bridge naming for Lance Cpl. Justin D. McLeese, veteran points in civil service exams, provisional fire/police appointments, special masters in complex litigation, judicial and court-cost funding measures, aerial applicator safety rules, cell-cultured food labeling, wine and spirits container standards, nonprofit eligibility to appoint economic development commissioners, a homeless diversion pilot program in Orleans, animal shelter standards, a Fort Oge police chief appointment change, retirement benefit calculations for divorced firefighters, an alcohol-permit moratorium in Shreveport, waste-collection contract renewal authority, and a backdrop retirement option for certain judges. There was one notable defeat: House Bill 444, which would have added legislative seats to the East Baton Rouge Recreation and Park Commission, failed on a 37-49 vote after debate over whether legislators should appoint themselves to the board and whether the proposal had adequate stakeholder support. House Bill 284 on expropriation also failed earlier by a 48-47 vote and was returned to the calendar. Several other measures were temporarily returned to the calendar or held over, and some bills were referred or received amendments before final passage. Most final votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, and the House repeatedly adopted titles and motions to table after passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research consistently points instead to factors such as land costs, local land-use regulations, high
• ,</c><00:10:38.560><c> high</c> costs, local land use regulations, high costs, local land use regulations
• is going to keep going up because if you may invest in an electric car, you may swap out your gas water
• </c><00:41:31.680><c> heater</c><00:41:31.920><c> to</c> may swap out your gas water heater to may swap
• out your gas water heater to electric.<00:41:32.880><c> Where</c><00:41:33.119><c> are</c><00:41:33.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First, consideration referred to administrative regulations. Any concerns, questions?
• These changes cannot be accomplished through regulations, and this was requested by the OIG.
• And unfortunately, we have a population that often, it's kind of like water.
• </c><00:08:29.360><c> It</c><00:08:29.599><c> kind</c> often it's kind of like water.
• It kind often it's kind of like water.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up administrative regulations, found no concerns, and then passed House Bill 389 with a favorable expression by a 9-0 vote. HB 389 was described as a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program: it clarifies that practitioners must have active CASPER accounts, exempts charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allows sharing CASPER data with certain federal entities such as military-base providers, and updates references to hydrocodone’s Schedule II status. The sponsor said there was no expected fiscal impact. The committee then passed House Bill 392, also by a 9-0 favorable expression. HB 392 would streamline payment for non-elective medical care for patients in state mental facilities when the facility cannot provide the needed treatment, allowing care in community-based settings and payment to those providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve efficiency and would not have a fiscal impact on the cabinet. House Bill 501 was next and likewise passed 9-0 with favorable expression. The bill would allow pharmacists, in their professional judgment, to refill certain prescriptions for up to 180 days when a physician has died, while excluding controlled substances and preserving pharmacist discretion to require follow-up care. Senators raised concerns that the bill does not require patients to seek a new provider during that period, but supporters said the longer window addresses rural provider shortages and access delays. The committee then heard House Bill 495, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute would prohibit Medicaid services and managed care organizations from covering cross-sex hormones above normal levels and gender reassignment surgery. Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers including a former senator, psychologists, advocates, and legal and social work representatives arguing that conversion therapy is harmful, that the substitute would deny medically necessary gender-affirming care, and that the measure could increase suicide risk and litigation. One witness from the Family Foundation of Kentucky spoke in favor, arguing the executive order on counseling limits free speech and that counseling should not be restricted by government. The transcript ends during testimony, with no final committee vote on HB 495 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• whether<00:32:27.159><c> we</c><00:32:27.279><c> call</c><00:32:27.399><c> it</c><00:32:27.519><c> regul
• what we call it whether we call it regul what we call it but<00:32:29.320><c> I</c><00:32:29.440><c>
• I can think of some examples on the fire system for the water supply to say, like, we want a 20,000 or
• </c><00:34:13.119><c> supply</c><00:34:13.480><c> to</c> the fire system for the water supply to the
• fire system for the water supply to say<00:34:13.960><c> like</c><00:34:14.440><c> we</c><00:34:15.159

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up HB 428, with Philip Sherman of the Building Code Review Board presenting a detailed amendment intended to reorganize building-code statutes and limit local changes. He said the proposal would move code-related provisions into RSA 155-A, preserve municipalities’ ability to adopt and administer local enforcement mechanisms and additional non-state codes such as housing or property maintenance codes, but prohibit technical amendments to the State Building Code. He also explained that local administrative functions like permits, fees, certificates of occupancy, plan review, and staffing would remain local, while any local ordinance would still need BCRB confirmation. Members discussed the distinction between administrative and technical amendments, the need to keep fire-code provisions separate, and a date error in the draft’s submission deadline; Sherman suggested the effective-date language should be corrected to reference July 1, 2024. The committee did not vote on the amendment and instead agreed to circulate the draft and revisit it in a later subcommittee meeting before bringing it to the full committee. The discussion then shifted to fire-code issues, with State Fire Marshal Sean Tumi explaining that fire-code-related provisions should be cleaned up in the fire-code statutes and that the state should restrict technical local amendments while possibly allowing limited administrative local standards for transparency and operational consistency. He gave examples such as driveway access, sprinkler connections, key boxes, and other fire-system details that could benefit from local standardization if clearly disclosed. He noted that a separate Senate bill, SB 94, may be a more appropriate vehicle for some of the fire-code language. The chair again emphasized the need for further review and scheduled another subcommittee meeting before the matter would go to the full committee. The committee then began HB 244, and Sherman introduced it as a cleanup of the older municipal-building-code provisions scattered through the RSA 67X series. He said the bill would consolidate and update those references, continuing the effort to align municipal enforcement and appeals provisions with the statewide building-code structure. The transcript cuts off before any further action or vote on HB 244.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet current regulations disproportionately place responsibility on condo owners and boards while allowing
• Yet current regulations disproportionately place responsibility on condo owners and boards while allowing
• Yet current regulations disproportionately place responsibility on condo owners and boards while allowing
• She continued that local zoning regulations exist to preserve communities like the Historic Art Deco
• She urged respect for local zoning regulations that safeguard the character and integrity of cities.

Summary: The committee heard five housing- and resilience-related bills. HB 793 would create an International Aerospace Innovation Fund administered by Space Florida to support aerospace research, workforce development, and commercialization; it was amended with a clarifying change and passed unanimously. C.S. for HB 411 would extend an affordable housing property tax exemption to certain nonprofit projects on leased land through a housing finance authority, such as Habitat for Humanity projects; it also passed unanimously. HB 701 would require local housing assistance plans to allow mobile home owners on leased land to seek help with lot rent, and it passed unanimously after an amendment and testimony from mobile home advocates and AARP in support. The committee also considered C.S. for HB 393, which expands the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to help eligible condominiums fund hurricane mitigation projects, including roof-related work, with added eligibility and inspection requirements. The bill drew support from condo and housing groups and passed unanimously with committee substitute. The final and most extensive measure, HB 943, would significantly revise state land-use and development rules to promote affordable housing by limiting local restrictions, changing zoning and approval standards, adjusting parking and impact fee rules, and expanding accessory dwelling unit and mixed-use provisions. It generated extensive testimony, with many local officials, city and county groups, and preservation advocates opposing it as overly broad and preemptive, while housing and business groups supported it. HB 943 was amended several times during the meeting, including changes related to church-owned property, parking, historic landmarks, manufactured homes as accessory dwelling units, and fair housing language. The sponsor repeatedly said the bill was a work in progress and that additional changes would be made. After debate from members emphasizing both the need for more housing and the need to preserve local control, the committee approved HB 943 on a 14-1 vote, with Rep. Casello voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, that it's important that it be balanced and fair for small businesses as it's regulated.
• That as you regulate this space that it takes into consideration.
• We're concerned about the proposed regulations that will cause great hardships on the African-American
• The ADMT regulations would impact a small businesses such as the pandemic had our businesses and the
• They should redraft the regulations to minimize adverse economic impacts to California and California's

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• terms of how we do education for our student athletes, how we deal with financial literacy, how we regulate
• It's not water bottles from Costco. It's not most supermarket stuff.
• It's not water is prepared on premises.
• It's not water bottles<00:44:57.440><c> from</c><00:44:57.680><c> Costco.
• So it's very important that we put regulations in place in order to protect especially minors, who are

Bills: HB2384

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: student-athletes, compensation, name image likeness, NCAA, Title IX, transparency, education, Hawaii, athletic programs, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees heard HB 2384, relating to student athlete compensation, with testimony largely in support from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics, and several other supporters. UH Mānoa said the bill would create a framework for name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies, including education, financial literacy, agent regulation, transparency, and reporting. Supporters argued NIL is now a necessary part of college athletics to recruit and retain athletes, keep Hawaiʻi talent in-state, and remain competitive, while also helping student athletes develop as future leaders. One supporter also emphasized the need for financial guidance so young athletes do not mishandle NIL income. Committee members questioned why the bill would direct public funds to NIL payments rather than broader athletic operations or other student groups, whether other states are funding NIL directly, and whether the approach could create a bidding war. UH representatives said the university already has NIL contracts in place, but the bill would strengthen and formalize policies. They said the requested funding model includes about $5 million for NIL and $10 million for athletics operations, with the NIL amount intended to supplement private fundraising; they also noted UH has raised roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for NIL since July 1 and is targeting $3 million this fiscal year. Members also raised concerns about fairness, public spending priorities, and whether the university’s policies adequately protect student athletes. The committees voted to pass HB 2384 HD1 with amendments. The chair said the bill should be amended to explicitly state that allocated funds may be used by UH for NIL payments to student athletes, and asked the next committee to examine whether a different payment scheme, similar to those used elsewhere, might be more appropriate for public funds. One member announced a no vote, citing concerns about direct public funding of NIL and unequal treatment of student athletes versus other students. The JHA committee adopted the same recommendation, with some members voting with reservations. Afterward, the meeting moved on to HB 644 HD1 on single-use plastics, where the first testimony was in opposition from the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Biodegradable Products Institute, both arguing the bill as drafted would improperly exclude certified compostable products and should better align with composting and certification standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um again, adult learners regulations.
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, Senator, you referenced the waters &gt;&gt; So, Senator, you referenced the waters
• Recently, a Supreme Court decision came down about the waters of the U.S. that shifted the waters of
• So, this will be Salt Water South I-10." "All right. I like Salt Waters of Mississippi.
• </c> &gt;&gt; You don't want to drink that water. &gt;&gt; You don't want to drink that water.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 9 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the publishers um directly regulate the publishers um under<00:26:49.039><c> uh</c><00:26:49.120><c>
• He said this is not a direct regulation under copyright law of any authors that is trying to infringe
• I mean, we certainly can regulate.
• ><c> of</c><00:53:37.920><c> those</c> regulating the activity of those regulating the activity of those
• </c> be a lot easier for the regulated be a lot easier for the regulated community<01:10:12.400><c> to

Bills: HF3698 , HF4243 , HF4239 , HF4241 , HF4242 , HF4240

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee

Transcript Highlights:

• in effect now we could be tracking the impacts of those wildfires and the impact to our ground and water
• of my colleagues in the assembly to assist a lot of our community members. we delivered hundreds of water
• rental agreements from the customers, getting them involved in that gives the PUC another thing to regulate

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At one time I represented the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and in
• At one time I represented the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and in
• At one time I represented the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and in
• Sigon, Jeff Sigon, Campaign Finance Public Disclosure Board, perhaps to make mud to the water.
• </c><01:16:22.360><c> clean</c> campaign Finance regulations clean campaign Finance regulations clean

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• quality violations. ...for the damage to the roads and the water quality violations.
• Now, your bill goes beyond federal regulations. It requires everyone to be verified using SAVE.
• those regulations change.
• There's a comprehensive regulation. There's housing policy, and I think...
• There's a comprehensive regulation. There's housing policy.

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and public safety bills, largely focused on traffic violence, e-bike regulation, and DUI enforcement. AB 1588 on sideshows and street takeovers drew support from the author, San Francisco officials, law enforcement, and the League of California Cities, who said the bill would close loopholes, add motorcycles and dirt bikes to the sideshow framework, and align penalties with speed contests. ACLU California Action opposed it, but members generally supported the bill, noting the need for stronger tools against dangerous takeovers. The committee also heard AB 1654 on commercial driver’s licenses and federal verification rules, with the author arguing California must comply with federal law to avoid losing CDL authority; the chair and others objected that the bill could wrongly affect U.S. citizens and codify changing federal rules. The bill was discussed but not advanced in the portion provided. AB 1976 sought to speed delivery of bicycle and pedestrian safety projects by limiting some public meetings, restricting cancellation of contracts without findings, lowering petition thresholds for traffic calming, and updating the Pedestrian Mall Act. Supporters said current procedures delay life-saving projects and give too much power to opponents, while counties and cities opposed the limits on local public input and budget authority. After discussion, the committee voted to send AB 1976 to Local Government, with several members expressing support but also concerns about preserving community participation. The committee also heard AB 2015, which would direct Caltrans to study the effects of navigation apps on local roads and safety. Supporters said apps can divert traffic onto residential streets and undermine local traffic calming, while members suggested the bill should also consider built-in vehicle navigation systems. AB 2168, on the Active Transportation Program, would update the definition of safe routes to transit, prioritize transit-rich and underserved areas, and add stronger spending accountability; it drew support from bicycle and transit advocates and some local agencies, with a few technical concerns left to resolve. Finally, AB 1942 on e-bike registration and license plates for Class 2 and 3 e-bikes drew strong support from law enforcement and medical witnesses citing rising injuries, but broad opposition from bicycle groups, micromobility advocates, and some local governments who said it would burden lawful riders, create DMV problems, and not address illegal e-motos. The committee also heard AB 1685 and AB 1687, both DUI-related bills from the same author: AB 1685 would increase DMV points for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and AB 1687 would extend license revocation for a third DUI conviction to eight years with an interlock option after four years. Both bills received strong support from law enforcement and victims’ advocates, with ACLU California Action opposing them as duplicative or overly punitive; both bills were advanced by committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:52.360><c> affordable</c> stabilization of uh regulated affordable stabilization of uh regulated
• <00:14:01.000><c> quality,</c> water quality, water quality, um<00:14:03.040><c> electrical,</c> um electrical
• That has been, I think, the high-water mark of housing infrastructure bond investment.
• That has been, I think, the high-water mark of housing infrastructure bond investment.
• </c><00:47:47.760><c> industry</c><00:47:48.920><c> um</c> It is a highly regulated industry um It is

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud water treatment plant is not just state-leading; it's not just an example for the country.
• Cloud water treatment facility. I think I've stalled long enough, Mr. Chair.
• </c> what is happening at the St Cloud water what is happening at the St Cloud water treatment<00:24:
• We are governed by a board comprising regulators, utility executives, and industry experts, and so we
• but I am excited to be here out of water but I am excited to be here because<01:15:58.639><c> we</c>

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We oftentimes put regulations, you know, like around pesticides and other things that, you know, are
• scientifically proven to damage the land, the air, the water, and have effect on human beings.
• We oftentimes<00:18:14.200><c> put</c> oftentimes put oftentimes put regulations,<00:18:16.480><c> you
• </c><01:07:39.840><c> We</c> regulating food at the state level.
• We regulating food at the state level.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was some water. I didn't dare look. I'm going to some water. No, thank you.
• I had a 31-page bill that dealt broadly with surrogacy in many different respects, from the regulation
• I think there is a limited amount of actual data because the industry is not regulated in any meaningful
• They are certainly not regulated at all. Fertility clinics aren't regulated at all by Florida.
• There are watered-down and smaller food portions than what are required, missing food items altogether

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What we are seeing is long-term water scarcity and climate changes in agriculture, particularly in water
• And you know, you talk about water, water, now I, the term escapes me, but precisely the need to reduce
• the consumption of water in those water-intensive crops is one of the principal aspects of this research
• Communities are facing challenges regarding water issues as well as water supply.
• and brackish water, as well as recycling and reuse of water, generates a lot of data.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought that was a water bottle, but I don't think it is. Yeah. It is, yeah.
• We've already seen real-world consequences of inadvertently regulated AI in the mental health sphere,
• A failure of government to regulate an industry that for some reason has, for decades, gone unchecked
• And so it's time to regulate. And with that, I think the bill hasn't even been moved.
• Obernulty, in Congress, who's leading the effort at the national level around AI regulation, to make

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several Senate bills, with most of the discussion focused on worker training, public safety, and consumer protection. SB 1203 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would expand training and de-escalation requirements for private security officers. Supporters, including security workers and labor groups, said the bill would better prepare officers who often respond first to mental health crises and violent incidents. Opponents, including security industry representatives and business groups, argued it would impose major costs, create training bottlenecks, and could reduce licensed security coverage. The committee ultimately voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Labor and Employment, with some members noting future amendments to address training capacity and employer-provided training. The committee also approved SB 936 by Senator Blakespear, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide canisters larger than 8 grams while preserving legitimate medical, dental, culinary, and automotive uses. Support came from county officials, public health groups, waste management organizations, law enforcement, and local governments, who described rising misuse, impaired driving, and recycling hazards. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill passed to Public Safety. SB 1271 by Senator Reyes, aimed at strengthening California’s midwifery training pipeline by requiring data collection on licensed midwife preceptor capacity, also passed unanimously to Health. Supporters said the bill would help address shortages in rural birth care and improve access to training for aspiring midwives. SB 903 by Senator Padilla, which would place guardrails on the use of AI in mental health and psychotherapy settings and prohibit AI from being marketed as a therapist, drew emotional testimony from a mother whose son died by suicide after extensive chatbot interactions. Health and behavioral health groups supported the measure, while several industry and health organizations were opposed unless amended; the committee nevertheless sent it to Privacy and Consumer Protection on a unanimous vote. The committee also approved SB 1165 on consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically on that note, on AB 40 regulations, the ambulance patient offload time.
• I've received some feedback that the regulations Off-load time.
• I've received some feedback that the regulations were adopted and need some clarity to them.
• So the AB 40 legislation called for EMSA to produce emergency regulations.
• things that become regulations and stakeholders have to respond to.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.