Transcript Highlights:

• So the short answer is yes: the code does address high consequence areas, whether it’s in the gas code
• or a liquid code.
• He said he would need to look at the code for the exact definition.
• The witness said the code does not allow transport of corrosive materials, but if corrosive materials
• So anything that would sacrifice that 30-day comment period violates the federal code.

Summary: The committee took up public comment on a package of similar local-option bills related to carbon capture and sequestration, including House Bills 5, 6, 497, 498, 501, and 504. The bills would let parishes, or in some cases specific parishes such as Rapides and Livingston, decide by local vote whether Class VI wells, CO2 sequestration, and related pipeline infrastructure could be permitted. The chair grouped the bills together for testimony, adopted a three-minute public comment rule, and noted that the bills were not yet under consideration for a vote during the public-comment portion. Supporters, including Speaker Pro Tem Mike Johnson, parish officials, local activists, and residents, argued that communities affected by carbon capture projects should have a direct voice through local option elections. They said the bills were about self-determination, local control, and allowing residents to decide whether the risks are worth the benefits. Several speakers said their parishes had passed resolutions opposing carbon capture or asking for local choice, while others emphasized concerns about eminent domain, aquifer protection, lack of public understanding, and the need for more information about project impacts and financial benefits. Some supporters also said a local vote would force industry to engage more directly with communities and could improve transparency. Opponents, including representatives of the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, warned that the bills would create uncertainty, undermine Louisiana’s primacy over Class VI permitting, and invite litigation under federal preemption and the Supremacy Clause. They said the state already has a strict permitting process with public input and technical review, and that allowing parish-by-parish approval could delay or block billions of dollars in investment, jobs, and export-related projects. The department testified that if the state adopted a local-option referendum system, EPA could determine Louisiana was not implementing the program consistently and could move to remove primacy. No committee vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need a solution code code that's cut red of tape Stabilize cost and respect the law voter up here
• Once these units are constructed, Government Code, and then I won't read the code, requires local jurisdictions
• in our communities is priced out and they are priced out of this possibility, and where every zip code
• They should not have to go back through re-review over and over while the code has not changed.
• What changes is the needless repetition in the plan approval for identical units under unchanged code

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower California’s annual rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the sunset on existing tenant protections. The author and supporters argued that renters are facing severe affordability pressures, especially in single-family rentals, and that stronger statewide rent stabilization is needed to prevent displacement and homelessness. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property-owner groups, said the bill would discourage housing production, harm small landlords, and override a deal they said was intended to be temporary while the state focused on building more housing. Public testimony on AB 1157 was extensive, with many renters, tenant advocates, labor groups, and community organizations speaking in support, while many landlords, business groups, and property-owner representatives spoke in opposition. Committee members were split: some praised the bill as a necessary response to the rent crisis, while others warned it could reduce investment and worsen the housing shortage. The committee ultimately voted 7-5 to pass AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then approved the consent calendar, including AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275, on a 9-0 vote. It also heard ACA 3, which would require the University of California to make available a limited number of down payment loans for eligible long-term support staff who are first-time homebuyers. Supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers afford homeownership and improve retention, while UC and other opponents argued the proposal was duplicative of existing state programs, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to UC finances. The discussion focused on financing mechanics and the relationship to CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move on to issue 6, the Commission for Behavioral Health.
• This interest was shared at the February Commission meeting.
• For context, the commission is renamed.
• How much grant-making would the commission do outside of the $20 million?
• Is there anyone with public comment for the Commission on Behavioral Health?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provisions from Executive Order N-425 that focus on identifying permitting requirements and building codes
• The bill focuses on identifying permitting requirements and building codes that may impede rebuilding
• In fact, the California Public Utilities Commission has acknowledged that its authority over hydrogen

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last fall, the Legislative Budget Commission published the Long Range Financial Outlook with projected
• It's not up to code. It wouldn't pass any inspection.
• It's not up to code. It wouldn't pass any inspection.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee began with a roll call confirming a quorum, then heard a presentation of the proposed health care budget. The chair said the overall health care budget would total $46.7 billion, a 2.1% decrease in total spending and a 3% increase in general revenue, while reducing 3,585 state FTE. He highlighted funding for Medicaid, KidCare, developmental disabilities services, opioid settlement spending, mental health facilities, senior services, school health nurses, veterans’ dental care, and veterans nursing home improvements. The chair also presented PCB HCB 25-01, a conforming bill that eliminates the Health Care Innovation Program, the Health Care Innovation Council, and the revolving loan program; makes changes to cancer research and graduate medical education provisions; and adjusts Medicaid rebate-related language. The conforming bill passed favorably after no questions, public testimony, or debate. The committee then considered CS/HB 47 on child care. The bill, as explained by Rep. McFarland, would reduce regulation for child care providers in good standing, speed background screening for child care workers, allow provisional hiring status in some cases, create license-exempt status for certain employer-provided child care facilities and DOD child care facilities, and remove outdated paperwork requirements such as the flu brochure. An amendment restored language protecting large family child care homes from being dropped by residential insurers and cleaned up statutory language; it was adopted. Members debated the bill at length, with supporters emphasizing common-sense deregulation and helping working parents, while some members raised concerns about safety, early learning quality, and the loss of informational reminders to parents. The bill was reported favorably. The subcommittee also heard HB 1553 on a uterine fibroid research database. Rep. Dunkley explained that the bill would require health care providers to submit identified fibroid data to DOH so it can be de-identified for a research database, after the department had been unable to use prior de-identified submissions reliably. An amendment removed the current appropriation and was adopted. Members spoke in strong support, noting the prevalence of fibroids and the value of better diagnosis and treatment data. The bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 1529, which addresses the home health aide program for medically fragile children. Rep. Tremont said the bill would direct AHCA to seek a federal waiver so parents’ earnings from caring for their children would not count against Medicaid eligibility, and would revise training requirements and remove mandated annual program assessments. The bill drew supportive public testimony from home care stakeholders, had no debate, and was reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amending the Motor Vehicle Code, prescribing penalties.
• definition for harm to self and harm to others in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code
• meet-and-greet with legislators, as well as we will have the Executive Director from the Education Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1338 has this report through the California Public Utilities Commission, and we would welcome you
• While we're part of the Public Utilities Commission, we're statutorily independent to represent the public
• Our mission in the communications sector is to represent the customer in our work inside the commission
• Our mission in the communications sector is to represent the customer in our work inside the commission
• And much of our initial concerns raised to the commission was clearly Verizon is emphasizing most of

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California. Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs. Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716. Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• genetic testing, these are all predictive of future risk, and they're permitted under the insurance code
• genetic testing, these are all predictive of future risk, and they're permitted under the insurance code
• At the same time, the Federal Trade Commission regulates advertising more broadly.
• and what was happening in the labor code.
• Sevi Christian and Code AI here in support. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, bring them in alignment with the state building code.
• Uh I familiar with local building codes?
• This would cause us to now need to get in and look at zoning code, and it wouldn't be local zoning code
• Well, it Commission on this on the pier?
• was the Hampton Beach Area Commission was the Hampton Beach Area Commission that<01:27:26.159>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Steer has a delete-all amendment coded DE1. Please describe your amendment.
• Uh<00:16:19.600> Commission<00:16:20.040> did<00:16:20.120> a<00:16:20.160> study
• <00:16:20.400> in<00:16:20.480> 2017 Uh Commission did a study in 2017 Uh Commission
• <00:37:00.560> as<00:37:00.800> DE2 coded as DE2 coded as DE2 that<00:37:02.520> insert
• We also have an agreed-upon amendment to the D2 coded A3. I move the amendment A3.

Bills: HF4810, HF4597, HF1082, HF3230

Keywords: public safety, radio communications, infrastructure funding, county funding, interoperability, ARMER network, local jurisdictions, HF4597, Minnesota public safety, 911, emergency dispatch, emergency communications, public safety appropriation, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, PSAP, dispatch interoperability, real-time coordination, emergency response coordination, cross-jurisdictional response, 911 center awareness platform

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we will move on to the next person, Alex Floyd Vargas, from the Chelsea Disability Commission
• One is that current standards and building codes, including here in Massachusetts, protect consumers.
• Just last October, Massachusetts building code CMR 780 was updated and requires kitchen ventilation.
• ventilation during the use of cooking products, and we can work on that together through building codes
• House Bill 460 suggests improvements to Massachusetts regulations and associated building codes that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2568 is a simple but important modernization of our water code.
• AB 2568 is a common-sense modernization of the water code supported by the...
• Nothing in this legislation alters the determination of prevailing wage under the Labor Code.
• It extends direct wage liability to developers per Labor Code Section 218.8.
• Alpha X, San Diego Housing Commission, Fieldstead, and Habitat for Humanity, California. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We took the top 20 behavioral health codes that are used in the state and compared them both to Medicare
• Utah, we are paying $350 a month, 25% more than the state of Utah for a particular behavioral health code
• you'll see is a press release; you'll see it in our managed care contract, there will be billable codes
• See is a press release; you'll see it in our managed care contract, and there will be billable codes.
• About 32 calls, and then from there we coded it properly.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say the same way any other presumptions that exist in the criminal code or criminal law are.
• Certainly the presumption is put forward, but... exist in the criminal code or criminal law are.
• Referencing line 1064 relating to the Criminal Punishment Code, is there any instance where someone who
• Referencing line 1064 relating to the Criminal Punishment Code, is there any instance where someone who
• As a social worker, I'm bound by the Code of Ethics that calls me to fight and advocate for the most

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and adoption of the special order report for the day. The chamber then moved into a special-order agenda focused almost entirely on immigration-related measures, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The memorial was adopted 85-27 after brief debate, with supporters arguing Florida should help maximize federal immigration enforcement and opponents saying Congress, not the state, should fix immigration policy. The House next took up Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses for illegal entry and reentry by adult unauthorized aliens and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members debated constitutional concerns, due process, racial profiling, fiscal impacts, and whether the bill intruded on federal immigration authority. Several amendments were offered and defeated, including proposals to extend protections to Venezuelans with TPS, to remove the mandatory death penalty, to protect certain long-term immigrant workers and teachers, to expand exemptions for Haitians and humanitarian parole recipients, and to create a task force on best practices for immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive locations. A final amendment to strip the bill as unconstitutional was also rejected. The bill then passed 85-29. The final measure discussed was Senate Bill 2C, which creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establishes grants and incentive bonuses for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, repeals the fee waiver for undocumented students beginning July 1, 2025, and appropriates more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as a broad enforcement package, while questions from members focused on the impact on current students who receive in-state tuition and whether the bill would remove incentives for those already enrolled. The transcript ends during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a union that represents over 18,500 state employees across all agencies, boards, and commissions
• thank you for the commissions thank you for the opportunity<00:48:08.440> to<00:48:08.559>
• We're a coalition of labor and grassroots organizations dedicated to a fair tax code and a state budget
• > a<01:14:36.239> state<01:14:36.520> budget<01:14:37.080> uh fair tax code
• is also taking expenditure uh commission is also taking a<01:26:07.080> look<01:26:07.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 192 is a bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to require Amtrak to include information on
• and Exchange Commission and for the purposes of the rule.
• 02:27.120> States bill to amend title 40 United States bill to amend title 40 United States code
• the Securities and Exchange Commission the Securities and Exchange Commission violated<05:02:58.280
• This bill revokes the independent real estate leasing authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with the staff that they have asked for and the Human Rights Commission with the staff that they have
• with the staff human rights commission with the staff that<00:31:18.200> they<00:31:18.360>
• One is connect our tax code with the federal tax code, because you’ve heard about above and below the
• A representative of the Health Equity Advisory Commission.
• Had to look that Advisory Commission.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we make the recommendation. to the commission.
• I'm the Executive Director of the Public Utility Commission.
• I'm Bud Dinges with the Texas Animal Health Commission.
• The Texas Animal Health Commission was established in 1893 as a livestock sanitary commission, charged
• The Texas Animal Health Commission regulations are amended...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Peter Lee is a technical support staff specialist for the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.
• The Public Utilities Commission has provided their guidance to the utilities.
• and the Public Utilities Commission and the Public Utilities Commission weighs<01:25:28.920>
• , to our 2020/2018 code and then onto the 21 model codes.
• 2020 current codes to our 2020 2018<06:08:16.558> code<06:08:17.160> and<06:08:17.360><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held an informational briefing with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations on its budget, staffing, and operations. The director reviewed department leadership and reported on recruitment and retention efforts, including a 14% vacancy rate, a 10.5% workforce increase from filling 189 positions, and the Hela Imua internship program, which has placed 516 interns since inception and led to 62 permanent hires. The department also described modernization efforts, including the UI Huakai project and the Disability Compensation Division’s electronic case management system, and said the unemployment compensation trust fund exceeded $71.5 million, triggering Schedule C for calendar year 2025. The department’s main budget requests included $2.9 million for fiscal year 2026 to support maintenance and operations of the electronic case management system, plus restoration of two enforcement specialist positions. Officials said those positions are needed to address a decline in investigators from 11 to six since 2009, improve compliance, and handle Hawaii Compliance Express certificate work. Additional requests included two human resources specialists to address recruitment backlogs, two labor enforcement specialists to reduce a backlog of Chapter 104 prevailing wage and wage cases, and two positions for the Office of Community Services to expand immigrant services and access centers. The department also discussed federal funding for unemployment insurance and workforce programs, including National Dislocated Worker Grants and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds, and said some funding is received in increments and may require extensions. Members asked about Kauai inspection coverage, federal funding uncertainty, the size of the special unemployment insurance fund, and whether the department could ramp up staffing during a future crisis. Officials said Kauai is currently served by inspectors from Honolulu and there are no plans to open a permanent island position because of staffing constraints. They said the department is meeting federal guidelines and is not in jeopardy, and that the special unemployment insurance fund has about $10 million, with current UI operations funded at a little over $15 million, meaning the fund may need to cover roughly $5 million if federal support declines. The director said the department would use the special fund to supplement shortfalls, but noted that federal funding cuts and the loss of ARPA support have already affected operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also partnered with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to provide $9 million for
• who enforce is this a is this a go to court thing or is this a go to the, the public utilities commission
• Either have them codified or where the Public utilities commission has more or less adopted them wholesale
• Um, you mentioned that in some of the FCC code, uh, rules that were brought up and adopted in other states
• , I think you kind of touched on it that some took the code completely, some of it modified it for their