Transcript Highlights:

• And while those tools are important, let's face it, the majority of Californians don't show up to city
• And again, city council meetings and letters to the editor are used by very few folks.
• In 2022, California enacted the Age-Appropriate Design Code, AADC.
• First, the Age-Appropriate Design Code protects youth up until age 18 rather than 13 or 16, and it is
• So on the default issue, when we passed the Age-Appropriate Design Code in 2022, it said you couldn't

Summary: The committee heard AB 1979, which would limit the use of AI in health care by requiring licensed professionals to retain final clinical judgment, prohibiting automated systems from directing unlicensed individuals to perform licensed clinical functions, and clarifying medical-record privacy rules for direct-to-consumer health chatbots. Supporters, including nurses and labor groups, said the bill preserves patient safety and keeps care decisions in human hands. Hospital and industry groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could create compliance burdens and interfere with training and legitimate AI-assisted care. The bill was approved 6-1 and placed on call. Members then considered AB 2624, which would expand California’s Safe at Home confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers facing harassment or doxing. The author and supporters described threats, stalking, and online targeting of immigrant advocates and said the bill would let them use substitute addresses to protect their safety. Opposition focused mainly on concerns about the bill’s legal enforcement language, though the author said it mirrors existing Safe at Home provisions and does not create a new private right of action. The measure passed 4-1 and was placed on call. AB 2103 would make Engaged California a permanent statewide public engagement program. The author and the Office of Data and Innovation said it is meant to broaden civic participation through structured deliberation and transparent publication of results. Some members raised concerns about partisan balance and topic selection, while supporters emphasized the need to reach Californians who do not typically participate in hearings. The bill passed 6-0 and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2, a social media accountability bill for harms to children and teens, and AB 883, which would expand privacy protections and shorten data-broker deletion timelines for elected officials and judges; both drew support and opposition, were approved on committee votes, and placed on call. Later, the committee began AB 2023, a chatbot safety bill for children that would require age verification, safety audits, default protections, and limits on ads and data sharing; testimony was strongly supportive from child-safety advocates, while industry groups raised concerns about vague standards, audits, and liability.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's some pretty good gifts in here from the committee, including a book, A Tale of Two Cities, because
• Quickly I'll read the different sections of code and what these subpoenas try to find: sexual abuse and
• Committee, what you have before you is House Bill 698, and the Idaho Code—I can’t take credit for this—the
• The Idaho Code does not allow individuals with felonies, specifically the felony of treason, to ever

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For context, that's the equivalent to nearly twice the total increase in food prices in the Twin Cities
• ><00:14:33.760><c> in</c><00:14:34.079><c> these</c><00:14:34.399><c> last</c> prices in the Twin Cities
• in these last prices in the Twin Cities in these last three<00:14:35.199><c> years.
• Including customers do not love the self-checkout. >> I love them because I know all the codes, but you
• ,<00:24:12.080><c> but</c> &gt;&gt; codes, but &gt;&gt; codes, but you<00:24:13.919><c> were</c><00:24

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on proposed Minnesota legislation to ban surveillance pricing and restrict AI-powered electronic shelf labels in grocery stores. Speakers from UFCW 1189 and UFCW Local 663, along with Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, argued that these technologies could enable real-time price increases based on consumer data, undermine budgeting and privacy, and worsen affordability for families. They also said the technology could reduce hours or eliminate jobs for grocery workers who currently handle pricing and store knowledge, with UFCW Local 663 estimating about 500 affected jobs among its members alone. Testimony emphasized examples such as baby formula, diapers, bananas, and milk to illustrate how fluctuating prices could hurt families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people in food deserts. Speakers also argued that grocery workers provide essential customer service and that automation should be introduced responsibly, not at the expense of workers or consumers. Murphy and Sencer-Mura framed the bill as a response to corporate greed and big tech surveillance, saying Minnesota should act proactively before the practices become widespread. During questions, lawmakers and advocates discussed whether the issue was proactive or reactive, whether disclosure requirements like those used in New York would be sufficient, and how surveillance pricing differs from loyalty programs or coupons. Speakers said disclosure alone would not prevent tracking or price manipulation and that the goal was to stop the practice altogether. The transcript ended with the advocates saying they would continue meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; no vote or final committee action was recorded in the excerpt, though one question referenced a related bill stalling in committee earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bar code 658022. Senator Grall. Thank you. Bar code 658022. Senator Grall. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Bar code 81062. Senator Bradley. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• We adhere to a code of ethics that include non-core competencies.
• Cecile Scone from Panama City is on deck. Ms. King? Hi.
• I'm from Panama City. I'm co-chair of the League of Women Voters of Florida.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider SPB 7016, a major bill revising Florida’s constitutional initiative petition process. Senator Grall presented it as a fraud-prevention and ballot-integrity measure that would add sponsor training, stricter circulator rules, more voter identification information, faster submission deadlines, notice to voters whose signatures are verified, and additional civil and criminal penalties. The committee also considered several amendments, including a $1 million bond requirement, font and page limits for petition forms, restrictions on incentive-based circulator pay, removal of a criminal-conviction prerequisite for certain fines, deposit and reimbursement procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, mandatory circulator training, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. All of the amendments were adopted, with some roll-call votes recorded and most passing on party-line or near party-line splits. The bill drew extensive questioning from senators, especially about the practical effects of the new requirements. Senator Polsky and Senator Rouson raised concerns about disenfranchising voters, burdening grassroots volunteers, the cost of bonds and deposits, the 10-day return deadline, and whether voters would be notified if a petition they signed was later invalidated. Grall said the measures were intended to protect the constitutionally significant initiative process, reduce fraud, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear administrative costs. Dave Ramba, speaking for supervisors of elections, supported the deposit and reimbursement concepts but warned that the bill’s implementation would be operationally difficult and that software vendors might not be ready for the changes by the effective date. He also said the process should avoid subsidizing petition drives with county taxpayer money. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers from Common Cause Florida, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP Florida State Conference, Florida Rising, Equal Ground, Voices of Florida, and other civic groups arguing the bill would suppress direct democracy, criminalize volunteer activity, impose excessive costs, and create confusion and litigation risk. One speaker from the Florida Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, saying the initiative process should be protected from fraud and outside interests. During debate, Senator Polsky argued the Legislature has steadily made the initiative process harder after recent citizen-led amendments succeeded, while supporters framed the bill as a necessary integrity measure. The committee had not yet taken final action on the bill itself by the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Fiscal uh Department of Budget and Fiscal Services<00:18:51.600><c> from</c><00:18:51.760><c> City
• </c><00:23:08.360><c> and</c> Planning and Permitting from City and Planning and Permitting from City
• So they design them and then it's our job to review for compliance with the code.
• Like, we're checking to make sure that these projects are to code because of health and safety.
• That's our job to make sure these projects meet code, which stands for health and safety.

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor met on February 19, 2026, and heard a series of bills largely focused on public employment, staffing, and professional licensing. Early measures included HB 2276 and HB 2472, both relating to Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund staff salaries, which were supported by trust fund representatives and received no opposition or questions. The committee also heard HB 1714 HD1 on housing, where the Hawaii Public Housing Authority testified with comments and the Deputy Attorney General raised concerns about the scope of autonomy, civil service, collective bargaining, and a possible separation-of-powers issue involving legislative approval of long-term contracts. The committee then considered several personnel and civil service bills. HB 2325 HD1, relating to civil service exempt positions at DLNR, drew support from DLNR and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, but HGEA opposed it and urged the department to seek other recruitment and retention solutions while keeping employees in civil service. HB 1541, relating to Department of Health positions, was supported by DOH on the grounds that the positions serve vulnerable populations and require specialized expertise, while HGEA opposed. HB 2140 HD1, relating to essential permanent positions, received support from OPSD, HGEA, and the Chamber of Commerce, with written comments from the city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. HB 2315 HD1, relating to state employment benefits, was strongly supported by DOH, UPW, and HGEA as a recruitment and retention incentive; members questioned the pilot program, and DOH explained it would allow employees to cash out vacation leave earlier than current policy allows. The committee also heard HB 2295 on government contracting, with DOE support not present and IBEW 1186 in opposition. HB 1720, relating to professional engineers, drew strong support from the City and County of Honolulu’s planning department, which argued the bill would help with affordable housing review and only affect eligibility to sit for the licensure exam, but strong opposition from engineering industry and licensing board representatives, who warned it would lower licensing standards and harm reciprocity; members questioned both sides about plan review experience and licensure requirements. HB 2367, relating to employment earnings and pay transparency, received strong support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, the Commission on the Status of Women, and others, who said transparency helps small businesses and retention, while written opposition came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and NFIB. Finally, HB 1935, relating to personal information, drew comments from the Attorney General and the Campaign Spending Commission about implementation burdens and disclosure requirements, with UPW supporting the home-address redaction portion but opposing the broader disclosure process; additional written testimony was noted from OIP, the League of Women Voters, Public Press Law Center, HGEA, and DCCA.

Transcript Highlights:

• affected the lifelines of our cities, that is metal theft.
• What does this mean for cities?
• In support on behalf of the City of Thousand Oaks. Thank you. Good morning.
• Social Equity Applicant out of City of Sacramento.
• City of Sacramento Dias Committee. for CCIA and CIA in strong support. Thank you.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most places, in most major cities, will have a CT scanner that patients can go to.
• Good morning, Ben Triva with the League of California Cities in support. Thank you.
• that look out for our small cities.
• So if it's capped at $250,000, to my city versus bringing it to somewhere else?
• I see it in my own city in Arinda.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public health, wildfire recovery, local government finance, transportation, and rural health care. SB 1124 by Senator Archuleta would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco retail locations. The author and a physician witness argued the bill would raise awareness of a highly underused screening that can save lives, while retailers and fuel/convenience groups raised implementation concerns about signage size, notice, and penalties. The bill passed to the Health Committee on a 4-0 vote after the committee later took up the on-call item. SB 1352 by Senator Valadao and Senator Allen would clarify that wildfire victims can rebuild homes up to 110% of the original size without triggering reassessment, so long as the property was destroyed in a governor-declared disaster. Supporters, including the L.A. County Assessor, the California Assessors Association, Realtors, and taxpayers groups, said the bill would reduce uncertainty and help families rebuild without higher property taxes. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. SB 1343, presented by Senator Allen on behalf of Senator Dodd, would provide a $4,000 income tax credit for sales tax paid on furniture and appliances purchased to furnish a primary residence after a disaster; it drew one opposition witness from the California Teachers Association but otherwise had no public opposition and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place caps and transparency requirements on consultant compensation in local tax-sharing agreements, responding to cases in Shafter and Dinuba where revenue was allegedly diverted to consultants. Local government and business groups supported the measure as a guardrail, while some members expressed concern about Sacramento limiting local control; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1408 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to place a countywide sales tax measure of up to 1% on the ballot to continue transportation funding; transit agencies and local officials supported it, while taxpayer groups opposed it, and it passed 4-1. SB 1404 by Senator Stern would restore a fee on property owners in state responsibility areas to fund Cal Fire wildfire prevention and suppression, with supporters arguing the fee would broaden funding and opponents calling it an unfair tax on rural and wildfire-prone residents; it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1102 by Senator Dodd would create a $2,000 tax credit for frontline nurses working in rural hospitals; supporters said it would help recruit and retain nurses in underserved areas, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The three largest recipients of revenue generated from the division include the General Fund, cities,
• The third program is the Idaho Code Commission, which is continuously appropriated.
• the ex officio secretary of this three-member commission, which is charged with compiling the Idaho Code
• The Idaho Code Commission is continuously appropriated.
• the ex officio secretary of this three-member commission, which is charged with compiling the Idaho Code

Summary: The committee first took up Idaho Transportation Department budgets. It approved increases for the Transportation Services Division, including deferred maintenance, airfield improvements, aeronautics facilities maintenance, replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs. It also adopted reappropriation language for capital facilities and aeronautics programs. The Division of Motor Vehicles budget was then approved for replacement items and IT hardware, followed by Highway Operations funding for roadside safety, tree removal, new and replacement equipment, IT hardware, and a small personnel transfer. The committee also approved Contract Construction and Right-of-Way Acquisition funding, including a large general fund transfer and language allowing accounting corrections and reappropriation authority. All of these items received due pass recommendations. The Department of Agriculture budget was next. The committee approved two FY 2026 supplementals: one for quagga mussel treatment costs from the Invasive Species Fund and another for pest monitoring and control from the General Fund to the Pest Control Deficiency Fund. It then approved FY 2027 enhancements for replacement items, IT hardware, and health benefit costs, along with reappropriation language for the Resilient Food Systems Grant. The State Liquor Division budget was also approved, including ongoing inflation adjustments, replacement items, and IT/security hardware. However, a proposed reporting requirement on energy and utility rebates for the Liquor Division failed after the Senate did not support it, so that language was not adopted. The Secretary of State budget drew the most discussion. The committee approved a one-time voter pamphlet appropriation and an internal transfer for overtime, but rejected a substitute motion that would have imposed an additional base reduction. The Secretary of State testified that the office was already dealing with major filing backlogs and an earlier rescission, and that further cuts would slow business filings and election-related work. The committee then approved the original motion. Finally, the Office of the State Public Defender budget was approved for six new trial attorney positions, data migration and storage costs, IT replacement items, and health benefit funding. The meeting ended with notice of the next day’s budget-setting agenda and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Zach Saffloot, the League of California Cities.
• Zach Saffloot, the League of California Cities.
• The city worked very hard on behalf of the city to support the bond bill that made its way through the
• Sharon Gonzalves on behalf of the City of Cronin opposition. Mr.
• the state, including cities within my own district like Oakland.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• This came out of the work that asked our agencies to begin code cleanup.
• That code cleanup, initiated at the agency level, was then reviewed by the DOGE Task Force last fall,
• From there, DOGE approved these suggested code cleanup sections.
• So RS 32-89 is looking at old code that pertains to the regional library systems that haven't existed
• But this is looking at Title 33 and lots of sections of code cleanup on redundancies, non-applicable

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, text generated by AI—there are a lot of code writers, a lot of copilots that are writing computer
• code right now.
• And of course that code then gets compiled into the programs we use on our computers.
• Since it's code that's text generated by AI, then does this bill require that watermark to be somehow
• inserted into that code?

Bills: HB1170 , HB1570 , HB1834

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, AI-generated content, deepfake, synthetic media, content provenance, provenance data, metadata, watermarking, disclosure, transparency, consumer protection, unfair or deceptive acts, unfair competition, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, platform regulation, AI detection tool, media authenticity

Transcript Highlights:

• We are starting to see them come, but we're seeing them start to abuse different codes.
• You press a button, it generates a six-digit code, right?
• Cities with the greatest number of hospices.
• Before that prohibition was codified in the Health and Safety Code.
• It would also be helpful to have diagnosis codes submitted with prescriptions.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're not expecting to have the, as my dad would say, the city slickers represent the rural.
• that enjoys diverse types of communities, so Lewiston versus Riggins, or, if you know, versus Elk City
• You know, we've heard these, this money called an investment, which is code for spending, as we all know
• another piece of code to try to fix this.
• We say it—I mean, we’re right here in the code—we’re going to let chiropractors use prescription drugs

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first considered a gubernatorial appointment and voted to send Juliet Sharon, nominated as director of the Department of Health and Welfare, to the floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1264, which would create an Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and a bipartisan legislative oversight committee to manage federal rural health transformation money. Senator Cook and supporters said the committee was needed because the funding timeline is very short and Idaho needs legislative oversight over how the money is spent; opponents argued the bill adds bureaucracy, that the federal money is debt-financed, and that the executive branch or existing budget processes should handle it. After extensive debate and testimony from hospital, physician, and public witnesses, the committee passed the bill on a 5-4 roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then quickly advanced Senate Bill 1254, a technical fix to Idaho’s chiropractic statute so chiropractors with clinical nutrition certification can “prescribe” certain limited items they are already authorized to administer, such as vitamins, minerals, fluids, and epinephrine. The sponsor said pharmacies had refused to dispense these items because the statute did not use the word “prescribe,” and the committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Next, Senate Bill 1255 was heard, which would allow tribal health care facilities to serve as sites for initial holds in involuntary commitment cases and clarify that tribal police are included as peace officers for that section. Tribal and county law enforcement witnesses said the change would reduce confusion and help tribal members in mental health crisis receive quicker, more appropriate care; the committee unanimously sent the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, Senate Bill 1256 was introduced as a cleanup measure identified through the committee’s DOGE review, removing outdated statutory language in the Blind and Visually Impaired Agency referral process. The sponsor said the agency itself identified the obsolete language, and the committee unanimously moved the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re going to begin today with the **Board of Medical Examiners**, Agency Code 446.
• Agency Code 446, also known as the Medical Board. Thank you.
• We're talking about the State Fair Commission; it's Agency Code 460.
• It's like taking part of the city of Santa Fe and putting it on the parade route.
• Agency code number 465, and they're located behind tab four in your binders.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The cities, everybody has time to get on. Cities could get in on their call, right?
• The cities, Right.
• </c><01:46:28.960><c> cities</c> everybody has time to get on. cities everybody has time to get on. cities
• </c> facility within our city or town. facility within our city or town.
• Within the city or town, town or city.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Give us housing, but only in cities. Give us housing, but only in cities.
• This is right has now been or city.
• and cities, and cities, so the towns and cities, they<03:12:04.399><c> need</c><03:12:04.560><c> to<
• </c><03:26:18.080><c> and</c> direction. um being from a city and direction. um being from a city and
• </c><05:15:15.600><c> or</c> built against local zoning codes or built against local zoning codes or

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> administrative code. administrative code.
• But let's go now to the QR code. >> There'll be a scan the scan code.
• Scan the QR code. me scan this code me scan this code because<01:27:02.320><c> in</c><01:27:03.040><c
• Scan the<01:27:21.040><c> QR</c><01:27:21.520><c> code.</c> the QR code. the QR code.
• </c> your your city. So, why not? your your city. So, why not?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sharon Gonzalez on behalf of the City of Vernon, in support. Good morning.
• We build it, evident of the city of Lancaster naming itself the first hydrogen city in the world.
• The City of Concord is the local reuse authority for the base closure process.
• We invest heavily in enforcement and continuous code updates.
• City deserves after decades of carrying this kind of responsibility.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• business owners who run thriving restaurants and convenience stores in my district and across the city
• They’ve all settled in not just New York City, but particularly in many of the neighborhoods that I get
• m incredibly proud to represent the whole spectrum of Arab American neighbors who live in New York City
• THEY'VE ALL SETTLED IN NOT JUST NEW YORK CITY BUT PARTICULARLY IN MANY OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT I GET
• President, Yes, the city does have to make a determination on whether or not someone is present.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; That's it's internal revenue code. Yep. &gt;&gt; That's it's internal revenue code.
• So that just makes the United States flag code incorporate my reference as the flag code of New Hampshire
• of the flag code is considered a flag for the purpose of the flag code.
• as the flag code of New reference as the flag code of New Hampshire.<03:11:42.479><c> And</c><03:11:
• So, and um flag code.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all