Transcript Highlights:

• They have not had running water due to the freezing weather.
• We're seeing extreme temperatures and extreme weather.
• super hot weather.
• Um, we'll going to be super hot weather.
• And so, it's not an weather dependent.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then spent much of the early portion of the meeting on recognitions and announcements. Members welcomed the Sikh community of Colorado for Baisakhi and Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month, noted a langar lunch at the Capitol, and announced a governor’s proclamation later in the day. Other tributes highlighted Jackie Robinson Day, Golf Day at the Capitol, an upcoming Colorado Religious Freedom Day event, and an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority legislative day and youth leadership program. After announcements, the chamber moved to business and adopted a motion making Senate Bill 109, Senate Bill 104, House Bill 1245, and Senate Bill 121 special orders for April 15. The House then began consideration of Senate Bill 109, concerning building code standards for accessible housing supported by public money. The committee report was adopted, and debate focused on an amendment offered by Representative Soper to exempt counties that have not adopted international building codes. Supporters argued the amendment would protect rural counties, preserve local control, and avoid higher housing costs and budget strain; opponents said it would undermine uniformity. Several members spoke in favor, and the amendment was still under discussion when the transcript ended. Committee announcements also noted that Judiciary would hear Senate Bill 1283 and Senate Bill 85, Education would hear Senate Bill 153, and Health and Human Services would hear Senate Bill 60, House Bill 1347, and House Bill 1314 for action only. The House also heard that House Bill 1250 would be pushed to the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're having weather problems. We phoned in. We don't have video.
• We had bad weather. Helco cut the power because of the wind.
• <01:15:44.719> We We've We're having weather problems.
• We We've We're having weather problems. We We<01:15:45.520> phoned<01:15:45.840> in.
• Helco cut the power because of weather. Helco cut the power because of the<01:16:30.000> wind.

Bills: SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, burial sites, DHHL, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, section 6E-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources, archaeology, land use review, environmental review, state historic preservation officer, Hawaiian home lands, project permits, consultation, concurrence, nonconcurrence

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony. SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions. The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the legislative aspect, including the fact that many of you traveled from near and far in the weather
• Farm workers work very long hours, often 60 to 70-hour weeks during the harvest season, in all weather
• Farm workers work very long hours, often 60 to 70-hour weeks during the harvest season, in all weather
• Farm workers work very long hours, often 60 to 70 hour weeks during the harvest season in all weather
• We drove in today from Amherst through a lot of rain and bad weather to share some stories from our time

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• significant and important item, seeing as how we've just again encountered in the month of March historic weather
• significant and important item, seeing as how we've just again encountered in the month of March historic weather
• insurance. encountered in the month of March encountered in the month of March historic<00:31:04.280> weather
• events<00:31:05.480> that<00:31:06.040> have<00:31:06.320> caused historic weather
• events that have caused historic weather events that have caused uh uh uh I<00:31:08.920> think

Bills: SB2057, SB2109, SB2400, HB1752, SB2599, SB2930

Keywords: immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police

Summary: The committee first took up SB 148 on combat sports, but members said they had agreement only in principle and were waiting on a conference draft and money committee release, so the bill was rolled to the next day. HB 1810 on charitable solicitation was then described as regulating professional solicitors who sell donated non-perishable tangible property, including prompt payment, financial reporting, disclosure, and contract requirements; the committee adopted the conference draft and passed it unanimously. SB 2607 on landscape architects was also passed with a conference draft after members agreed to align licensure qualifications with the uniform standard used by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards. Later, HB 1642 on consumer protection and crypto kiosks was passed with amendments to ban the purchase of cryptocurrency through crypto kiosks, and SB 2396 on property was deferred because members said they were aligned on the policy but still needed to sort out enforcement, with the issue to be left to a task force. SB 2961 on insurance was deferred to the next day pending release, and SB 2471 on the powers of artificial persons was rolled to the next day while the House and Senate sought legal clarification to make the bill more defensible; members said they agreed on the goal of addressing dark money but wanted to avoid harming Hawaii or local companies. The committee then passed SB 3001 on artificial intelligence with amendments. The conference draft renamed the regulated systems as “AI companions,” narrowed and clarified the definition, required reasonable measures to prevent outputs encouraging serious bodily injury, increased disclosure frequency for minors, added a feature restriction to discourage disengagement, removed provisions the Senate viewed as too broad or insufficiently articulated, shifted annual reporting to the Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration, and removed civil penalties. Members also said the romantic-relationship language had been removed for now but could be revisited later. SB 2433 on condominiums was discussed but rolled to the next day because the House and Senate were still considering changes related to DCCA authority and condo-owner disputes, and HB 1897 on condominium alternative dispute resolution was deferred for the session because the Senate was not ready and time was running out. In the final portion, HB 1753 on social media data retention was passed with amendments setting limits on how long companies may retain user data, with exceptions such as domestic violence evidence. SB 1166 on insurance was rolled to the next day after discussion of historic weather damage and the need to avoid affecting ongoing litigation against oil companies; members noted they had received an AG opinion that the bill would not jeopardize that litigation. SB 2964 on property insurance was passed with a conference draft requiring insurers to periodically ask homeowners about significant improvements so coverage can be reassessed, and SB 3255 on currency was passed with a conference draft authorizing penny rounding to the nearest five cents, though one senator voted no because he preferred the Senate version that had included a separate cash-acceptance issue. The committee also discussed SB 2852 on website accessibility for people with disabilities as the next item, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the $4.465 million for pre-weatherization grants.
• <00:14:14.280> for And then the $4.465 million for And then the $4.465 million for pre-weatherization
• <00:14:16.760> These<00:14:16.920> are pre-weatherization grants.
• These are pre-weatherization grants.
• the spirit of the bill, Senator Dibble has the provision that Mueller talked about for the pre-weatherization

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• after year, heat kills more people in the United States than any other form of exposure to extreme weather
• sustainable funds for this to continue so we can better understand these impacts of the changing weather
• For this next session, we also would like to recommend that there be funding for extreme weather resilience
• Again, finding some extreme weather resilience would be wonderful and very important to save lives.
• We are deeply interested, as part of the Extreme Weather Resiliency Fund, in finding ways to provide

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll insert definitions for climate disasters, extreme event attribution science, extreme weather, or
• We’ll insert definitions for climate disasters, extreme event attribution science, extreme weather, or
• extreme event attribution<00:04:22.440> science<00:04:23.360> extreme<00:04:23.840> weather
• <00:04:24.240> or attribution science extreme weather or attribution science extreme weather

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held decision-making on SB 146, SB 147, and SB 1166. SB 146 and SB 147, both relating to condominiums, were recommended to pass with amendments. The committee adopted amendments based on testimony from Anne Anderson, including mediator/arbitrator qualifications, clarifications about disputes involving managing agents, small claims timing, lien rights, and refund determinations by an early neutral evaluator. For both bills, the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050 for further discussion. Each measure was adopted with no objections. SB 1166, relating to insurance, was also passed with amendments. The committee removed language that would have required insurers to bring claims and condition rates on doing so, replacing it with encouraging language. The amended bill adds a private cause of action against responsible parties, authorizes insurer actions under certain conditions, defines terms tied to climate-related events and fossil fuel products, and requires HPIA to report to the insurance commissioner on whether it exercised direct action rights. The effective date was likewise deferred to July 1, 2050, and the measure was adopted without objection. The committee then heard SB 985, relating to consumer protection and gift card fraud, and SB 1525, relating to electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. SB 985 drew support from a consumer fraud victim and others who said gift card scams disproportionately harm kupuna, while the Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill’s packaging/display requirements and suggested stronger penalties instead. The committee voted to pass SB 985 with amendments, deferring its effective date to July 1, 2050, and noted it would move on to Judiciary next. SB 1525 drew significant opposition from the Attorney General’s office, Department of Taxation, Department of Health, and public health groups, who argued it conflicted with federal tobacco law, was hard for Tax to administer, and would not effectively remove unauthorized vape products. After testimony, the committee recommended deferral of SB 1525 without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• , special events, weather conditions, special events, cyber<01:13:14.000> threats<01:13:14.800
• Just that, um, because of the weather here in Minnesota, it can be chilly still in September and May.
• > in<02:15:44.000> Minnesota<02:15:45.040> um given that weather in Minnesota um
• given that weather in Minnesota um fluctuates<02:15:46.239> and<02:15:46.560> there<02
• Just that um, because of the weather<02:16:14.079> here<02:16:14.239> in<02:16:14.400><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• habitat and weather considerations. habitat and weather considerations.
• We are faced with weather problems, you know, a catastrophic winter.
• <03:15:05.600> know,<03:15:05.840> a uh weather problems, you know, a uh weather problems
• That the disease, weather, drought, blizzard, it's extremely difficult to control.
• ,<03:16:06.480> blizzard, the disease, weather, drought, blizzard, the disease, weather, drought

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Emergency situations include the outbreak of communicable diseases, severe weather events that endanger
• In the past 2 years, at least two major winter weather events have placed livestock in serious danger
• :14:50.839> the Emergency situations include the outbreak of communicable diseases, severe weather
• In the past 2 years, at least two major winter weather events have placed livestock in serious danger
• Roll call is open for your vote. winter weather events have placed winter weather events have placed

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we just need to get some kind of chain, you know, with inclement weather storms and stuff to
• if they have them, but I mean, I think we need to make sure that they all have them to begin with. weather
• storms and stuff um to to help weather storms and stuff um to to help our<00:04:17.440> nursing
• They sent out in this storm, they send out daily updates. >> Yeah. >> From the National Weather Service
• >> From the National Weather Service. So uh >> From the National Weather Service.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from the Nursing Home Administrator Board, whose executive director explained the board’s role in licensing nursing home administrators, the AIT internship pathway, reciprocity, board composition, meeting schedule, and staffing. Members then shifted to an ice-storm-related discussion about nursing home emergency preparedness. Legislators asked whether any facilities lacked power, generators, or water, and urged clearer communication protocols so facilities would report problems directly through the Department of Health and emergency channels rather than through scattered calls to legislators. The board said facilities generally communicate with the Department of Health, that emergency contact information had been distributed before the storm, and that every facility has some form of generator, though not all can power the whole facility. The board also presented a small budget request, including modest salary increases for its two employees and a cloud-migration cost tied to House Bill 1491, with the understanding that statewide funding for that requirement might be handled separately. The discussion then moved to the Department of Health’s budget and operations. Agency leadership said the department has spent the last three years improving county health department efficiency, reducing overhead, and adjusting fees to eliminate program deficits, which has reduced spending by about $10 million and would shift roughly $8 million in general funds away from deficits. The department requested level funding overall, citing inflationary pressures and the possibility of another federal shutdown, but said it could absorb the impact for another year. Members discussed the public health trust created in a prior session, the need to rebuild county health departments, maternal and fetal care initiatives, and the importance of maintaining the $2.9 million in public health program support that has helped expand services such as obesity management, OB care, and home visitation for high-risk mothers and babies. Oversight and compliance issues were also reviewed. Legislators asked about prior problems with grants and sex education funding, and department officials said they had tightened oversight, adopted OpenGov for compliance, and corrected earlier violations so the programs are now in full compliance. They said the agency had improved accountability for both state and federal funds and that transparency remained a priority. The department also highlighted the cannabis program, saying it is now profitable, generating about $9 million in net revenue last year and about $12.5 million this year, with projections of $40 million to $50 million annually as it matures. Officials said they are asking for seed money for the public health trust from cannabis revenue so private-sector donations can be leveraged for long-term public health support. They described enforcement actions including fines, suspensions, license revocations, plant destruction, and referrals to law enforcement, the attorney general, and licensure boards for serious violations. The meeting ended with general support from legislators for the department’s work and acknowledgment of improved health outcomes, including Mississippi moving from 49th to 48th in overall health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I know that there's a rumor of potential weather and what it may be or anything else.
• Now, I know that there's a rumor of potential weather and what it may be or anything else.
• It gives the EMA the opportunity to buy materials to help educate the public on bad weather, storms,
• and<00:43:05.359> storms<00:43:05.760> and<00:43:05.920> tornadoes on bad weather
• and storms and tornadoes on bad weather and storms and tornadoes and<00:43:06.560> hurricanes

Bills: SB61, SB8, SB58, SB60, SB167

Keywords: school psychologist, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure compact, license reciprocity, portable license, equivalent license, professional licensing, psychology board, school mental health, student services, educational services, interstate practice, reciprocal licensing, background check, continuing education, workforce shortage, military spouse, active duty military, compact commission

Transcript Highlights:

• many Minnesota programs like ECO, the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act, as well as the weatherization
• many Minnesota programs like ECO, the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act, as well as the weatherization
• <00:17:56.480> the optimization act as well as the optimization act as well as the weatherization
• <00:17:57.440> assistance weatherization assistance weatherization assistance program.<00:17:59.440
• The answer is extreme weather caused by climate change.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also do utility bill payment assistance programs and home weatherization, colonial activities and
• All my federal draws are going through, um, with the exception of Department of Energy weatherization
• First, could you talk a little bit more about the weatherization program um through the infrastructure
• you know, with their electric bills like I mentioned earlier and then we use some of that for weatherization
• We also have a federal Department of Energy weatherization program, um, that's something we get, you

Transcript Highlights:

• to be well positioned to make thoughtful and strategic decisions that will improve our ability to weather
• to be well positioned to make thoughtful and strategic decisions that will improve our ability to weather
• to be well positioned to make thoughtful and strategic decisions that will improve our ability to weather
• decisions that will improve our<00:37:01.760> ability<00:37:02.079> to<00:37:02.280> weather
• <00:37:02.800> and<00:37:03.079> the our ability to weather and the our ability to

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state homeless program and then the energy efficiency program, which is a weatherization assistance
• DOE conducts our weatherization program audits and we are also.
• The Department of Energy is the third pillar, and they provide assistance on weatherization programs.
• more activities that could um be um eligible, which includes single family uh rehabilitation, weatherization
• We don't want to be here 30 years from now and still talking about weatherization, you know, if we are

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we don't have the unemployment insurance, how are those workers being able to weather this disaster
• this body on what we can do to protect workers better and to make sure they are safe and able to weather
• this body on what we can do to protect workers better and to make sure they are safe and able to weather
• So thank you for your time. to weather the storm financially so thank you for your your time next we're
• There are gaps in the resources needed to weather this storm, and many community members are ineligible

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE ARE OTHERS BECAUSE OF WEATHER, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STEERS THEM AROUND WHETHER AND THEY ARE ABLE
• HAPPEN ALL THE TIME IN FLORIDA SO WE ALLOW AIRCRAFT TO DEVIATE AROUND TRAFFIC OR OR EXCUSE ME, AROUND WEATHER
• SO THEY WILL DO A BIG LOOP BECAUSE WEATHER MOVES.

Transcript Highlights:

• would start from there and to address the question of disaster, making sure that small businesses can weather
• You can weather things, you know, why not create some incentives in our state, so.
• there to help give advice and professional guidance to help small businesses start, thrive, grow, weather

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And during those 20 years, extreme weather patterns resulting from climate change have profoundly impacted
• And so Governor Newsom and his administration then started using the term weather whiplash.
• We've definitely seen weather whiplash, and it's continuing to increase.

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.