Transcript Highlights:

• in support of H.R. 98, because today, of course, we again remember, importantly, the victims and survivors
• It's the first, as some of you may have noticed, that I have been here, when we have not brought survivors
• For many years, the Jewish Caucus has endeavored to bring Holocaust survivors and Holocaust liberators
• point this year, early this year, of taking my sons to a Shabbat dinner to sit with a Holocaust survivor
• a friend of ours so that they would hopefully have some memories when they're older of meeting a survivor

Summary: The Assembly convened without a quorum, then quorum was established and the chamber proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and a series of procedural motions. Members approved multiple unanimous-consent requests to suspend rules, re-refer bills to committees, and allow committees to notice bills pending re-referral. The day also included several guest introductions recognizing student leaders, public power executive Randy Howard, a family member of Assemblymember Gallagher, higher education leaders, Leadership Torrance, and the Vacaville PAL program. On the floor, the Assembly adopted several resolutions and heard extensive remarks in support of them. ACR 160, proclaiming April 2026 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, was adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. H.R. 98, designating California Holocaust Memorial Day, received broad bipartisan support and was adopted after 76 co-authors were added. H.R. 100, recognizing Vaisakhi, also passed by voice vote after 73 co-authors were added, with members highlighting Sikh history, service, and cultural contributions. The Assembly then took up several bills on the third-reading file. AB 1977, relating to online notarization and notaries public, passed 69-5. AB 1987, which would direct wildlife-area fees back to operation and maintenance of state wildlife areas, passed 69-0. Other items on the second- and third-reading files were passed and retained, continued, or placed on the consent calendar as noted by the presiding officer. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory tributes for La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, community organizer Cynthia Brantley Pierce, coach John Beam, and Ralph Cavallo. The Assembly then adjourned until Thursday, April 16, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• in support of H.R. 98, because today, of course, we again remember, importantly, the victims and survivors
• It's the first, as some of you may have noticed, that I have been here, when we have not brought survivors
• For many years, the Jewish Caucus has endeavored to bring Holocaust survivors and Holocaust liberators
• point this year, early this year, of taking my sons to a Shabbat dinner to sit with a Holocaust survivor
• a friend of ours so that they would hopefully have some memories when they're older of meeting a survivor

Transcript Highlights:

• They carefully pulled the survivors to safety.
• They carefully<00:29:28.320><c> pulled</c><00:29:28.640><c> their</c><00:29:28.880><c> survivors</c><
• 00:29:29.360><c> to</c> carefully pulled their survivors to carefully pulled their survivors to safety
• </c><00:30:12.559><c> All</c><00:30:12.720><c> of</c><00:30:12.880><c> whom</c> the 12 survivors on board
• All of whom the 12 survivors on board.

Transcript Highlights:

• OVER 124 HOT MEALS WERE DELIVERED TO SURVIVORS.
• INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOCUS ON SURVIVORS HOMES. PERSONAL PROPERTY.
• THERE WERE IMPACTED DISASTER SURVIVORS FROM DEBBY ALSO PART OF THIS FOOTPRINT AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE CAPTURED
• IN NON CONGREGATE MEANS JUST WITH HELENE AND MILTON 52 COUNTIES SAW THEIR SURVIVORS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY
• AND IN MILTON WE SAW 83,000 SURVIVORS IN 282 SHELTERS.

Transcript Highlights:

• at this intersection of technology, safety, and privacy, because for survivors of family violence...
• For survivors who can flee, they must create You know, an entire new life for them that includes new
• That's the reality for many survivors and it. means you need to interact with several electronic systems
• is collected. and sold, those abusers can purchase it or find it and find that information that a survivor
• This bill provides a simple, but hugely impactful protection. for survivors.

Bills: SB213 , SB378 , SB610 , SB681 , SB918 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB1343 , SCR8

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• advocates</c><01:18:49.600><c> whose</c> Nor were the survivor advocates whose Nor were the survivor
• </c><01:20:53.640><c> of</c> work of advocates and survivors of work of advocates and survivors of sexual
• </c> and it speaks for survivors. and it speaks for survivors.
• </c> that survivors that survivors are<02:54:55.360><c> not</c><02:54:55.960><c> faced</c><02:54:56.840
• </c> remedy that can extricate the survivor remedy that can extricate the survivor from<03:26:30.840>

Transcript Highlights:

• A few weeks ago, we had survivors and victims of sex trafficking come to the Capitol, display courage
• Many survivors of sexual assault who choose to report the crime find the investigative process forces
• And to do so, at times in local precincts that are not designed to support survivors of violence.
• AND TO DO SO, AT TIMES IN LOCAL PRECINCTS THAT ARE NOT DESIGNED TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE.
• Back in high school, I took one year of Holocaust classes with Holocaust survivor Mrs.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a cancer survivor.
• Hi, I'm Enes Manley and I'm the daughter of a cancer survivor. I strongly support this bill.
• I am a cancer survivor.
• So, I'm a cancer survivor, and I also support this bill. My name is Sophia Coburn.
• I'm a cancer survivor, and I strongly support this bill. My name is Cindy Wheeler.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, less than 2% of rapists are actually convicted, making it even more likely that a survivor
• Survivors and their children deserve the opportunity to move forward without continued abuse, trauma,
• But within that work, she ignores the cries of the survivors of the males that claim themselves to be
• There's already evidence of these practices impacting fire survivors in the L.A. region.
• There's already evidence of these practices impacting fire survivors in the L.A. region.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• As the president of the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivors Coalition, I lived this.
• And now, as president of this coalition, we go with survivors to their court hearings.
• The Trafficking Survivors' Relief Act was passed and signed into law.
• So this now allows a survivor who— The Survivors' Relief Act was passed and signed into law.
• They can be domestic violence survivors who may be returning to retrieve belongings.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from its March 18, 2026 meeting and then took up a long agenda of bills and a clemency nomination. HB 2825, as amended, was heard first. The bill would replace criminal enforcement tools for nonpayment of fines, fees, restitution, and surcharges with a civil collection process, including a required summons and civil default procedures. Supporters said it would streamline restitution collection and reduce costs, while opponents argued it would weaken victims’ rights and remove effective enforcement leverage. The committee adopted the Rogers amendment and passed the bill 5-2. The committee also confirmed Neil McDowell to the Arizona Board of Executive Clemency by a 6-0 vote after hearing his background in corrections and his plans to help the board function efficiently. The committee then passed HB 4070, as amended, 5-2. That bill bars incorporation of corporations whose officers, directors, or trustees have been convicted of sex trafficking or human trafficking, and expands civil liability to those who facilitate trafficking. Supporters framed it as a corporate accountability tool to deter trafficking, while the ACLU opposed it as overbroad and potentially sweeping in people not intended to be covered. HB 2720, which increases penalties for paying or agreeing to pay for sexual conduct and adds a fee to support anti-trafficking services, also passed, 4-3. Supporters, including survivors and law enforcement, said it targets demand and helps victims; opponents warned it could criminalize victims and lacked sufficient safeguards. The committee heard several additional bills. HB 2047 would raise trespass penalties after eviction-related writs of restitution from third-degree to first-degree trespass; the sponsor and constables said it would improve scene safety and encourage law enforcement response. HB 2136 would create new crimes for “civil terrorism” and “subversion” and increase penalties for certain highway obstruction; the ACLU argued it would punish protest and speech critical of government. HB 2406 would make images and recordings of abused children and deceased minors confidential, limit dissemination, and impose civil and criminal penalties for misuse; supporters said it would prevent re-victimization and reduce trauma, while defense and media concerns were raised about access. HB 2415, dealing with kratom and 7-OH products, drew sharply divided testimony over whether the bill is a needed safety regulation or an overbroad ban that could push users to illicit drugs; the transcript ends before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the president of the Arizona Human Trafficking Survivors Coalition, I lived this.
• And now, as president of this coalition, we go with survivors to their court hearings.
• The Trafficking Survivors' Relief Act was passed and signed into law.
• So this now allows a survivor who... The Survivors' Relief Act was passed and signed into law.
• They can be domestic violence survivors who may be returning to retrieve belongings.

Bills: HB2028 , HB2047 , HB2136 , HB2244 , HB2364 , HB2406 , HB2415 , HB2557 , HB2573 , HB2589 , HB2720 , HB2749 , HB2825 , HB2861 , HB2862 , HB2870 , HB2970 , HB4070 , HB4117 , HCR2004 , HCR2051

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: community restitution, homelessness, indigence, court assessments, monetary obligations, forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, evictions, judgment satisfaction, tenant rights

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we need to make changes, we can do that as a statewide network so that survivors have justice
• can track where their kit is. ...by the Department of Public Safety so that survivors can track where
• And if we need to make changes, we can do that as a statewide network so that survivors have justice
• We already know that survivors of sexual violence experience lifelong impacts, on average, losing over
• House Bill 206 will help ensure survivors can apply for help and access needed treatment without costs

Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Transcript Highlights:

• For survivors and with survivors.
• They care for the body of the survivor, #1.
• We all together come together to support survivors that way.
• Um, I would like to also compel you to have a presentation on other recourses of justice for survivors
• , not just criminal, because only less than 20% of survivors will seek criminal legal action.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Safe Harbor funds really support safe, compassionate, licensed programs where survivors can live and
• </c><00:36:56.240><c> from</c><00:36:56.480><c> The</c> designed by youth survivors from The designed
• by youth survivors from The Link.
• And so, this committee owes Representative Keeler and every single survivor an apology, and we can do
• And so, this committee owes Representative Keeler and every single survivor an apology, and we can do

Bills: HF4234 , HF3697 , HF1183 , HF4738

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:52.680><c> and</c><01:02:52.840><c> families</c> the voices of survivors and families the
• voices of survivors and families navigating<01:02:54.520><c> unsafe</c><01:02:55.040><c> housing</c><
• For a survivor, that lay my head next.
• </c><01:04:32.280><c> can</c> more households and more survivors can more households and more survivors
• </c><01:13:02.920><c> victims</c> sexual assault survivors victims sexual assault survivors victims survivors

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• came</c><00:02:55.879><c> to</c><00:02:56.040><c> the</c><00:02:56.280><c> capital</c> Youth and survivors
• came to the capital Youth and survivors came to the capital to<00:02:57.120><c> advocate</c><00:02:57.519
• access Services they also survivors access Services they also coordinate<00:05:11.080><c> with</c><00
• leadership we have three Survivor leadership we have three Survivor<00:08:21.360><c> subject</c><00:
• That was one of the trainings when you had brought in a survivor of sex trafficking and exposed patrol

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• response to the Palisades and Eaton fires, has actually launched a pre-approved program for all fire survivors
• response to the Palisades and Eaton fires, has actually launched a pre-approved program for all fire survivors
• And this program shouldn't just be for fire survivors.
• If it's good for fire survivors, it should be good for all of our residents.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 358 ensures that survivors of stalking, domestic violence, and harassment are not left
• That means that if a stalking or domestic violence survivor finds an unauthorized tracking device or
• The Trace Amendment clarifies that laws and power survivors and strengthens protections for those facing
• So we believe AB 358 is about common sense, safety, and more importantly, survivor empowerment.
• It is about common sense, safety, and, more importantly, survivor empowerment.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety-related bills. AB 383 by Assembly Member Davies would expand and clarify firearm restrictions tied to juvenile adjudications, allow certain minor firearm possession for hunting or training with guardian approval, and authorize warrants in some domestic violence-related firearm surrender situations. Supporters, including a district attorney representative, argued it would close gaps in existing law and improve public safety; opponents said it would over-criminalize youth and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 400 by Assembly Member Pacheco would require law enforcement K-9 units to meet statewide POST standards covering training, use of force, and handler skills. Supporters said the bill would create consistency, accountability, and safer deployments; opponents argued the standards were inadequate and would legitimize harmful canine practices. After debate over whether the bill expanded canine use or simply standardized it, the committee approved AB 400 and sent it to Appropriations. AB 380 by Assembly Member Gonzalez would extend price-gouging protections during emergencies, including for hotels, food, essential goods and services, and commercial property, and would remove the 12-month lease limit loophole for rent gouging. Supporters said the bill responds to wildfire-related exploitation and provides clarity for disaster victims; business and landlord groups warned it could amount to commercial rent control and create uncertainty for future emergencies. The author said he would continue working on amendments, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 358 by Assembly Member Alvarez would create a narrow exception to Cal-ECPA so law enforcement could inspect tracking or surveillance devices found in a person’s home, vehicle, or property with the finder’s consent. Supporters said the change would help stalking and domestic violence victims preserve evidence quickly; privacy advocates argued warrants and existing emergency exceptions already cover these situations. The chair proposed narrowing the language to “tracking or surveillance device,” and the bill was held on call after an initial roll with only three votes in favor. The transcript also began AB 247, which would raise pay for incarcerated hand crew firefighters, with testimony from formerly incarcerated firefighters in support, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nearly all survivors of brain injury require access to Medicaid for their long-term care.
• It can certainly delay the transition by enabling brain injury survivors to remain at home and in the
• It is therefore important for the state to study access to palliative care for brain injury survivors
• on Medicaid from both the state fiscal perspective and enhanced quality of life for survivors.
• </c> chronic condition nearly all survivors chronic condition nearly all survivors of<01:14:52.960><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• As a survivor of domestic violence. Unfortunately, yes.
• So there's a lot of other things that survivors might need time for as well.
• I, myself, am a survivor of domestic violence. I was married...
• I am a survivor of domestic violence.
• The dangerous period for a survivor is immediately following an arrest.

Bills: HB 1194 , HB 1221 , HB1738 , HB1913 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2180 , HB2229 , HB2282 , HB2448 , HB2492 , HB2777 , HB2984 , HB3357 , HB3553 , HB3602

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: emergency protection order, protective order, magistrate, criminal procedure, victim safety, family violence, domestic violence, stalking, assault, magistrate's order, temporary protection, court order duration, defendant restrictions, Article 17.292, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, emergency restraining order, victim protection, firearm restriction, pretrial intervention, reimbursement fee

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.