Video & Transcript Research : 'majority voting'
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AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Feb 19th, 2025
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- So those are the major highlights in the bill.
- When you talk about how the majority...
- People to vote favorably on it. Senator Madison, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- To just move to a vote on this one if we can get a motion for it.
- I'm going to vote...
Keywords:
State Auditor, property investigations, negligence, loss report, civil actions, Alabama Retirement Savings Program, state-facilitated retirement savings, auto-IRA, automatic enrollment, payroll deduction IRA, retirement savings access gap, private sector workers, small business retirement plan, portable retirement account, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, life-cycle fund, capital preservation fund, financial literacy, Department of Workforce
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 21, 2026 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to say it allows for them to vote to have that language in there and their bylaws.
- Our elections are held every year and maybe 300 people vote.
- I urge you to see the secret agenda of House Bill 657, and vote no on.
- Major decisions continue as if everything is in order. This isn't a minor dispute.
- I'm going to vote up today because I want to continue to have this discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I I can't vote for this. This for. So, I I can't vote for this.
- vote. Thank you, Mr. Chair. vote. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- Co-Chair Howard votes aye. Co-Chair Igo votes no. Vice Co-Chair Kozlowski votes aye.
- Vice Co-Chair Dotseth votes no. Representative Buck. >> No. Dotseth votes nay.
- Dotseth votes nay. Representative Buck. >> Huh? Yeah. >> Representative Buck votes aye.
Keywords:
supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 43 (3-10-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- explain their vote? explain their vote?
- voting aye, four members voting nay. voting aye, four members voting nay.
- c><00:41:02.920>
voting <00:41:03.200>nay, voting aye, five members voting nay, voting - >
members <00:58:37.480>voting members voting aye, 13 members voting members voting aye - :05.480>
members <01:29:05.760>voting members voting aye, no members voting members voting
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Tax, Business and Transportation Feb 5th, 2026 at 04:18 pm
Senate Tax, Business & Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't do any of this work all the way back to '17, where we did all that major, major surgery to double
- So let's go ahead and take a vote because I have a feeling we'll have differences in votes.
- Madam Chair, I'd like to change my vote to no and explain my vote. Your pressure?
- I appreciate that vote of confidence.
- So there will be no vote. We will just do discussion.
Bills:
SB190, SB152, SB77, SB150, SB151, SB156, SB172, SB182, SB185, SB212, SB170, SB133, SB174, SB163
Keywords:
cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, and so this is the language that every House Democrat voted for, most House Republicans voted for
- , most House Democrat voted for, most House Republicans<00:59:52.240>
voted <00:59:52.559>for - Members, before we vote, any >> Thank you.
- So, I just urge people to vote for it.
- <01:28:47.760>
And just urge people to vote for it. And just urge people to vote for it.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We voted yesterday. Yeah, we did. Okay, come on, senators. All right. Thank you. Thank you.
- Hinojosa has 1,708 bills we're going to vote just to lay it out.
- Globally, the U.S. and Canada are the only outliers, or the major outliers, in the world.
- Yeah, we're going to vote those. I'll start. All right.
- About a quarter or two, about a fifth, a vacant commercial space and the major metros.
Bills:
SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044
Keywords:
workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum at the start, adopted a two-minute limit for public testimony, and heard a series of housing, local government, fire code, and district-governance bills. Several measures were laid out with committee substitutes, including SB 628 on county fire code administration through interlocal agreements with emergency service districts; SB 208 creating a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund for zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders; SB 2835 allowing cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in certain cities. Other bills addressed ESD spending thresholds (SB 2778), hospital district updates (SB 1042), subdivision/platting issues (SB 1708), public housing tax credit eligibility (SB 2608), groundwater district representation for Marfa and Presidio (SB 3044), park board authority in Waller County (SB 2367), ETJ removal procedures (SB 2523), and reporting death certificates to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead issues (SB 2521).
Testimony was largely supportive on the housing bills. Supporters of SB 208, including Habitat for Humanity affiliates, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, Texans for Housing, and an educator, said the revolving fund would help nonprofit builders finance land, infrastructure, and development costs for affordable homes, especially for families earning 30% to 80% of area median income. SB 2835 drew support from architects, planners, and housing advocates who argued that single-stair buildings can be safe, more efficient, and better suited to missing-middle housing, though the Texas APA registered qualified opposition, saying the proposal bypasses the usual code-development process and may not be sufficiently studied. SB 2477 also received broad support from housing groups and policy organizations, who said office conversions could help address vacancy and housing shortages, though Corpus Christi raised a concern about fee recovery and local cost reimbursement.
The committee also heard support for SB 628 from a county fire marshal and an ESD representative, who said the bill would reduce duplicate fire-code enforcement and costs. SB 2778 was backed by a Bexar County ESD fire chief, who said the current $2,000 expenditure approval threshold is outdated and slows emergency purchases and repairs. SB 2608 was supported by the El Paso housing authority, which said adding certain Section 8 projects to the at-risk LIHTC set-aside would help renovate aging subsidized housing. SB 3044 was presented as a way to give Marfa and Presidio representation on the groundwater district board while preserving permitting authority. Each bill heard public testimony was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee recessed to reconvene after the Senate adjourns.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Voting<00:27:36.200>
no? Voting no? Voting no? Present? - Corbin is voting<00:33:10.480>
no. voting no. voting no. Chisholm,<00:33:12.080>no. - Curtis voting<00:34:41.840>
no. voting no. voting no. Present. Present. Present. - Clerk, voting no. object? Mr. Clerk, voting no.
- Anyone wish to be recorded as voting<02:19:45.480>
no? voting no? voting no?
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Austin Warren of Alcorn State University, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also heard a series of guest introductions, including representatives from the Council of State Governments, local visitors, students from Tupelo High School and First Presbyterian Day School, a doctor of the day, family members honoring a fallen highway patrol officer, forestry groups, and other guests in the galleries.
The Senate then took up several calendar items. It passed House Bill 1648, the budget transfer bill, after a strike-all amendment and use of the morning roll call. It also advanced House Bill 1230 on distinctive motor vehicle tags and House Bill 1330 on local option alcoholic beverage control/resort area definitions, both with strike-all amendments and morning roll call passage. House Bill 750, the SMART Act extending a tax credit program that supports research partnerships between businesses and higher education institutions, was also passed by morning roll call. Later, House Bill 1761 relating to festival wine permits was amended with a strike-all and passed, and Senate Bill 3230 was taken up under suspension of the rules and passed to authorize Greenwood Leflore Hospital’s board to seek Chapter 9 debt relief.
The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 52 recognizing Mississippi Alpha Network/Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on its 55th anniversary, and Senate Resolution 32 commending the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team and Coach Matt Harrison for winning the MAIS 4A Division 1 State Softball Championship. Representatives of both groups addressed the Senate briefly, emphasizing service, community involvement, and the teams’ accomplishments. The Senate granted immediate release for the hospital bill and continued to pass or retain several other items on the calendar.
Near the end of the transcript, the Senate began consideration of House Bill 1577 on false child abuse reports. Senator Fillingane explained a strike-all amendment that would make knowingly false reports a misdemeanor, with penalties including fines, jail time, and restitution, while preserving protections for good-faith reporting. Senators Seymour and Hopson asked questions about the bill’s criminal classification and burden of proof, and discussion was underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/12/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- When that temporary law expired, at least two major insurers began denying contract requests for mental
- When that temporary law expired, at least two major insurers began denying contract requests for mental
- Major insurers including HealthPartners and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota have started denying
- I would ask for a yes vote. >> Thank you, Senator Seeberger. Well done.
- I would ask for a yes<00:53:46.960>
vote. yes vote. yes vote.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 28 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And they had no voice because they couldn't vote. They could not vote.
- Have all members voted who wish to do so? Have all members voted? Time for voting has expired.
- If all members have voted, the clerk will display the tally: 135 votes in the affirmative, 18 votes in
- Have all members who voted a wish to do so? Have all members voted?
- Thank you. 134 votes in the affirmative, 21 votes in the negative.
Summary:
The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a birthday resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It also advanced two local bills: one authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, and another relative to the town administrator of Carlisle. Both bills were amended by Ways and Means and ordered to third reading or engrossed as amended. The chamber also passed a memorial-marker bill for fallen law enforcement officers in Milton and Canton.
The main floor debate centered on House Bill 5305, the “Protect Act,” which was presented as a measure to limit state and local involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, restrict ICE access in courthouses and other sensitive locations, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, and expedite U and T visa certifications. Supporters, including members of the Black and Latino Caucus and other legislators, argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, preserve public trust, and keep local police focused on criminal matters. They cited courthouse arrests, fear in immigrant communities, and the need for clearer boundaries between state and federal authority.
Several amendments were offered and voted on during consideration of H.5305. An amendment to strike Section 4 was rejected, as were amendments seeking to alter the courthouse enforcement provisions and to recognize immigration judge warrants. Other amendments were adopted, including one clarifying sheriff-related provisions, one expanding language around release dates, one adding protections related to school settings, and one expediting U visa certification for family members aging out. A roll call was taken on the bill and on multiple amendments, with the House ultimately adopting the amendments described and continuing consideration of the bill as amended.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, every hope that you vote for it.
- <02:33:37.200>
by but you would still have that vote by but you would still have that vote - , wouldn't be there available to vote, wouldn't be there available to vote, that<02:34:02.560>
- <04:08:28.080>
priest been continues to face a major priest been continues to face a major - I don't know who votes what way in the voting booth, but if the people who are on the higher end of the
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm from the Pueblo of Santa Domingo, and I am a lobbyist with an AM Native Vote.
- In the spirit of a balanced and thoughtful PED, please vote for SB 64. Thank you. Thank you.
- So please, I urge you to vote yes on SB 64. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Okay.
- They have started doing major training, teacher-led training through the RECs.
- Oh, major luck. There's nobody. All right. House Bill 256 questions from the committee.
Keywords:
teacher residency, Teacher Residency Act, public schools, teacher preparation, educator pipeline, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, student teachers, apprenticeship, co-teaching, mentor teachers, residency stipend, teacher salary, level one teacher, charter schools, school districts, New Mexico education, teacher workforce, principal stipend, cohort model
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Delivering for the Northland – Senator Grant Hauschild May 12th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a district that voted for Donald Trump at the presidential level, but Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith
- So, these are folks that I think vote across the aisle.
- They vote for the person and they vote for people that they think are going to deliver for them, and
- I brought the majority leader up there.
- I brought the majority leader laid off. I brought the majority leader up<00:03:05.920>
there.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/9/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to to vote for this amendment. to to vote for this amendment.
- Please vote green.
- Please vote<01:03:43.520>
green. vote green. vote green. - I urge a red vote. Representative Baker: Um, is going to be a major problem in years coming.
- Instead, on a party-line vote with Democrats voting yes in committee and Republicans voting no, we showed
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 28, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20.
- Remaining electronic votes will be conducted as five-minute votes.
- vote pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20. vote pursuant to clause 9 of rule 20.
- All members voted. Does any member wish to change their vote? Well done.
- Army Major General John C. Ron Jr., who Army Major General John C.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair votes aye. Vice Chair also votes aye. Senator McKelvie: Yes. Senator Richards: I.
- Chair votes aye. Of the members present, are there any voting with reservations or objections?
- Chair votes aye. Of the members present, are there any voting with reservations or objections?
- Chair votes aye. Thank you.
- Chair votes aye. Of the members present, any voting with reservations or objections?
Summary:
The committee heard several insurance and condominium-related bills. SB 1137 would require insurers to notify policyholders of approved rate changes within 30 days and at least 30 days before the effective date. The Insurance Division supported the bill, while testimony focused on condominium master policies and whether the notice period would be enough for associations to respond to rate increases. The division said the bill would mainly affect admitted carriers, not surplus lines insurers that write many condominium master policies, and warned against limiting the nonadmitted market. SB 293, requiring sellers to disclose when USPS cannot deliver mail or packages to a residential property, was also heard with HAAI Realtors commenting. SB 752 would extend notice periods for cancellation or nonrenewal of property-casualty policies; the Attorney General’s Office raised concerns about contractual impairment and retroactive application.
The committee also heard SB 575, which would allow authorized insurers to offer building and hurricane damage coverage for condominium buildings at a lower rate than prior surplus lines coverage. The Insurance Division stood on written testimony, and a condominium owner urged amendments to require a membership vote before such coverage changes, citing concerns about condominium self-governance. SP 1046 would require managing agents to notify unit owners and the Real Estate Commission when a condominium association fails budget and reserve reporting requirements. The Real Estate Commission said the bill was administratively workable as drafted but noted ambiguity over who counts as the “managing agent”; several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it could disrupt the principal-agent relationship and impose legal judgment on nonlawyers, while others supported it.
SP 150, dealing with captive insurance companies seeking exemption from examinations, drew the most detailed discussion. The Captive Insurance Council supported the bill as a way to reduce duplicative oversight and improve Hawaii’s competitiveness, while the Insurance Division opposed it as drafted, citing concerns about broad commissioner discretion, possible missed issues between exams, staffing shortages, and the need to preserve oversight. A committee member asked about a possible middle ground, including a shorter exemption period or limiting the bill to self-attestation companies; the division said it would need more information and that annual filings and approval requirements would still provide oversight. The committee also heard SP 212, which would require at least two Real Estate Commission members to be licensed engineers or architects; testimony included support and a concern about conflicts of interest among people who serve in multiple roles in the condominium and real estate sectors. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved from one measure to the next after testimony and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republican Members Propose New Legislation Addressing Fraud - 02/19/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Any idea why they're trying to make such major changes to this bill?
- I think it might have even been a voice vote, but don't quote me on that.
- major changes to this bill? major changes to this bill?
- I think it might have even been a voice vote, but don't quote me on that.
- Not spring a delete-everything amendment that makes major changes to the bill after we've done a full
Summary:
Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem.
Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records.
Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- the state of New Hampshire of voting the state of New Hampshire of voting laws<00:53:09.000>
- <01:09:38.839>
it last year and this committee voted it last year and this committee voted - Is a major draw for tourism.
- <04:05:33.439>
of benefiting from the vast majority of benefiting from the vast majority of - <04:16:37.399>
cut old to 40 years old the next major cut old to 40 years old the next major
Summary:
The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases.
Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version.
Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568.
The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Any no votes? 25 eyes. reservations? Any no votes? 25 eyes. Thank<00:05:07.120>
you. - Any no votes? 25 ayes. Thank you. SB 3022 HD1 passes final reading.
- Any no votes? 25 ayes. Thank you. SB 3102 HD2 passes final reading.
- Any no votes? 25 ayes. Thank you. SB 3144 HD2 passes final reading.
- <00:08:20.880>
If All majority senators report to the caucus room after session.
Bills:
HB1519, HB1541, HB1737, HB1782, HB1854, HB1860, HB2023, HB2104, HB2276, HB2335, HB2455, HB2468, HB2551, SB177, SB411, SB874, SB2053, SB2069, SB2108, SB2268, SB2360, SB2363, SB2405, SB2407, SB2530, SB2543, SB2568, SB2803, SB2818, SB2851, SB2907, SB2934, SB2969, SB2999, SB3097, SB3103, SB3233, SB3238, SB3245, SB3001, SB3138, HB1946, HB389, HB1510, HB469, HB1573, HB1705, HB1858, HB1875, HB1961, HB1962, HB2001, HB2093, HB2096, HB2097, SB888, SB2169, SB2367, SB2557, SB2575, SB2698, SB3082, HB344, HB939, HB1688, HB1853, HB2443, HCR103, HCR117, HCR180, HCR112, HCR18, HCR105, HCR173, HCR35, HCR98, HCR42, HCR53, HCR181, HCR101, HCR179
Keywords:
campaign contributions, lobbyists, transparency, election funding, ethical regulations, HB1541, Act 057, Department of Health, Hawaii State Hospital, Developmental Disabilities Division, civil service, civil service exemption, HRS 76-16, HRS 334-4, mental health program, state hospital, secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility, associate administrator, project manager, security manager
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Patterson not voting. Burner. Calderon. Not voting. Chen. Davies. Gonzales. Aye. Herbidion. Aye.
- Not voting. Taw not voting. Wot. Not voting. Zibber not voting. Okay. 7.0.
- Wallace, not voting.
- Wallace, not voting. Wallace, not voting.
- Chen, not voting. Chen, not voting. That's 11-1. 11-1, that bill is out. Item number three, SB 283.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate.
SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments.
SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.