Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] We are reconvening this joint hearing of the Human Services and Health and Human Services Committees
• </c> Services. I have the A8 in front of me. Services. I have the A8 in front of me.
• </c> capacity or service scope. capacity or service scope.
• </c> uh enrolling a service location. uh enrolling a service location.
• People need to be fired. futility. People need to be fired.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support. Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously. Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We have closed Unit 023, Public Service Commission.
• </c> engineering and technical services engineering and technical services contracts.
• Are there any fire prevention.
• page 57, unit 403, motor vehicle page 57, unit 403, motor vehicle services. services. services.
• . services. services.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution 2074 commemorates a local hero who embodies service above self, Colonel Jim O'Kelly.
• He continued his public service with the U.S.
• Geological Survey, capping 40 years of federal service.
• Thank you for your service. The delegate from Dinwiddie, Delegate Pope Adams. Thank you, Mr.
• Bernie dedicated his life to public service to Richmond and our Commonwealth.

Keywords: June 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 69,000 acres in our district, and we service water to 46,000 acres.
• This service is about 24,000 acres with pressurized irrigation water.
• She was worried that logging might cause a fire.
• That would be the best time to get rid of the fire hazard.
• When there were fires, the company kept him on salary and sent him to fight the fire, even though it

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee approved the January 29, 2026 minutes and then heard a lengthy informational presentation on Idaho water projects and water management. Laura Hurway of the Idaho Groundwater Appropriators framed the discussion around statewide water challenges and the need for public-private investment. Presenters from the Boise River Basin, eastern Idaho, and the Twin Falls area described infrastructure modernization, canal lining, telemetry, recharge, and data collection efforts intended to improve efficiency, protect water supplies, and avoid future curtailment. Committee members asked about water savings, groundwater impacts, project timelines, and the role of incidental recharge, and witnesses emphasized that many projects take multiple years and combine state, federal, and private funding. Lori Gray described the $21 million modernization of the Ridenbaugh Headworks Canal, including automated gates, fish screens, and improved safety and efficiency, with funding from state grants, the Idaho Water Resources Board, and federal Reclamation/WaterSMART money. Daniel Hoke outlined the Treasure Valley Water Supply Project, which uses telemetry and modeling to track declining drain return flows and ungaged returns, with a proposed 15 Mile Creek regulation project to stabilize flows. Jay Barlogia detailed the Twin Falls Canal Company’s large canal-lining and pipeline project, including a $26.3 million grant and work to reduce seepage while balancing groundwater recharge concerns. Alan Jackson and Aaron Dowling discussed eastern Idaho groundwater and surface-water projects, including monitoring wells, telemetry, canal automation, and pipeline conversions, with testimony focusing on better aquifer understanding, reduced pumping, and local economic benefits. The committee then introduced and advanced several measures. It voted to introduce RS 331-09C1, a proposal giving the Idaho State Department of Agriculture continuous spending authority for the Range Land Improvement Fund, and RS 331-35, a concurrent resolution supporting wildlife crossings when backed by local communities. The committee also sent House Bill 502, which codifies Forest Products Commission rules and updates statutory language, to the House with a due pass recommendation after testimony that it supports forest education and active management. Finally, it sent Senate Joint Memorial 107 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; the memorial supports the Integra Delamar gold mining project and urges federal agencies to move the NEPA/permitting process forward. Witnesses said the project has been in BLM review since 2020, has recently been placed on the Fast-41 transparency dashboard, and is expected to bring jobs and tax revenue, while committee members noted the need for timely state DEQ processing as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will put the initial operating segment into revenue service by early 2033.
• And we are building enough tracks that give us the service that we need. Okay.
• However, my view on that is extending the service from Fourth and King at Townsend and into the portal
• It does not connect to those existing services.
• Eric DeHart, Fire Chief, Ripon Consolidated Fire District in San Joaquin County.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan and next steps for the project. Chair Cortese opened by noting major changes since the 2024 plan, including new leadership, a bottoms-up review, scope changes in the Central Valley, loss of federal funds, and renewed interest in private investment and value capture. The Authority’s CEO, Ian Chaudhary, presented the project as moving into a construction and track-laying phase, citing progress on Central Valley structures, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and a new procurement for track and systems. He said the plan reflects a more disciplined, optimized approach, with the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment targeted for revenue service around 2033 and the broader Phase 1 corridor envisioned as commercially viable through ancillary revenues, public-private partnerships, and future private financing. Committee members questioned the Authority about station relocations, single-tracking, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, transparency, and the feasibility of private financing. Chaudhary said the Merced and Bakersfield station locations were still under discussion with local governments and that no contracts had been finalized. He defended the reduced scope and single-track approach as a just-in-time strategy to avoid overbuilding, while maintaining high-speed standards. He also said the Authority was exploring land value capture, broadband, energy, and other corridor-based revenue sources, but acknowledged that some tools would require legislative action and that private financing options were still being evaluated. Several senators expressed support for the project but raised concerns about permitting delays, local opposition, constitutional and statutory limits, and the need for stronger accountability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General then gave critical assessments of the draft plan. LAO staff said the plan assumes major statutory changes, understates risk, lacks transparency about scope changes, and may not fully fund even the smaller Merced-to-Bakersfield segment once borrowing costs and other uncertainties are considered. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan does not comply with newer statutory requirements in SB 198 and AB 377, citing three main deficiencies: unauthorized scope changes to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment, an inadequate funding plan that omits financing costs, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the Authority’s presentation obscures the true cost and schedule impacts of the project changes, and that incomplete reporting limits legislative oversight. The Authority responded that it would address the OIG’s findings in the final business plan, and committee members indicated they expected a written response on compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff would get random drug tests and be fired if they test positive.
• I appreciate you and your service to the state. Thank you for your time.
• conglomerates, governmental entities that can fire their attorneys.
• And certainly, I think quality of service will vary between county to county.
• consider whether she had finished those services, but that they do not have to offer services.

Summary: The special committee on government convened to discuss child welfare reform, with members framing the meeting as a response to Arizona Auditor General findings and broader concerns about the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The chair emphasized that the committee’s goal was to improve accountability, oversight, and child-centered practices rather than assign blame, and said bills advanced from the committee would move to the floor. Roll was taken, and the committee then heard testimony on several bills focused on foster care and DCS operations. HB 2611 was heard first. The bill would require termination of a group foster home employee who tests positive on a drug screen, establish screening and safety requirements for group homes, expand foster youth rights, and include designated advocates on family/service teams. An amendment was adopted that changed the drug-testing language to require removal from child contact pending confirmatory review rather than automatic termination, and to require testing after certain incidents. Supporters, including foster youth and former foster youth, described unsafe conditions in group homes, bullying, drug use by staff, inadequate training, and the need for posted rights, mental health services, and stronger accountability. Some members raised questions about the amendment, drug-testing procedures, backup staffing, and contracting authority, but the amendment passed and HB 2611 was given a do pass recommendation by a 5-1-1 vote. The committee next considered HB 2035, which would add extended family members to the search, notification, and placement process when a child enters custody and create a presumption that placement with relatives or significant adults is in the child’s best interest. Testimony strongly favored kinship placement, with speakers arguing that children do better with familiar caregivers and that current practice often fails to locate or prioritize relatives. Several witnesses described tragic cases, including the death of Zariah Finley Dodd, to argue that repeated placements and congregate care increase risk. Some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing law and asked for clarification on differences from prior legislation; the sponsor said the bill strengthens existing policy and adds written documentation requirements. HB 2035 was ultimately given a do pass recommendation by a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 4049, which would authorize DCS to employ legal counsel and incur legal expenses, along with an amendment that would require independent representation or review in certain cases involving credible allegations against DCS or its agents. The sponsor and several witnesses argued that the Attorney General’s office has a structural conflict when representing DCS, and that independent counsel would better ensure honesty and accountability in court proceedings. Others cautioned that keeping representation within the Attorney General’s office preserves consistency, oversight, and existing checks and balances. Discussion continued on the structure of legal representation for DCS, but the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 4049 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unchecked online radicalization is pouring gasoline on these fires.
• Unchecked online radicalization is pouring gasoline on these fires.
• Nearly half of my coalition's member organizations are social service providers.
• CAIR California's work providing immigration legal services to recently arrived Afghans.
• Every one of your organizations itself are under fire and it's self-taking hate.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia heard opening remarks framing hate crimes as a growing threat to civil rights and democracy, with particular concern about online radicalization, political scapegoating, and attacks on protected communities. The California Department of Justice presented its 2025 hate crimes report, noting 1,955 reported hate crime events in 2025, a 3.4% decline from 2024 but still historically elevated. DOJ said race and ethnicity remained the largest category, with anti-Black bias the most frequently reported, anti-Hispanic/Latino bias rising sharply, and religion-, gender-, sexual orientation-, and gender identity-based incidents remaining significant. The California Commission on the State of Hate said its research shows hate is broader than official crime data, with millions of Californians experiencing hate incidents and many victims needing mental health, legal, financial, and other services beyond law enforcement. Committee members and witnesses discussed the causes of hate, especially social media radicalization, misinformation, and the role of public rhetoric. Testimony emphasized that online content moderation has weakened, that young men are often heavily radicalized online, and that state policy should focus on education, data collection, law enforcement training, and community-based prevention. The committee also discussed prior and current legislation aimed at hate prevention and training, and witnesses urged stronger data-sharing, permanent research infrastructure, and better support for victims and frontline organizations. A second panel of community organizations described impacts on their communities and asked for targeted policy responses. The NAACP highlighted rising anti-Black hate and the need for sustainable funding and better reporting; LULAC emphasized fear tied to ethnicity and immigration status and called for multilingual outreach and solidarity; Jewish California described rising antisemitism, support for AB 715 and AB 2664, and the need to recognize Jewish ethnicity in state law; CHIRLA urged stronger oversight of immigration enforcement and detention, plus legal services and know-your-rights programs; Asian Americans Advancing Justice focused on language access, historical erasure, safety, and opportunity; CAIR California cited a sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate, the San Diego mosque shooting, and called for fair security funding and stronger civil rights protections; and Equality California described continued attacks on LGBTQ+ people and asked for privacy, health care, and anti-discrimination protections. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment and closing remarks emphasizing solidarity and continued legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• As mentioned, Transportation Committee staff and legislative information services are on hand.
• That's about reducing fire risk, making sure if folks are storing or charging electrified devices in
• At the shop, we sell and service e-bikes, and people are largely using them for transportation.
• When I talk to Commissioner Cox in Boston, obviously the largest cities have delivery services going
• We'll have to then do our in-service training. ...we do yearly in-service training, mandatory in-service

Bills: H5400, H5421, H5430, S3077, S3089

Keywords: Boston, easement, highway improvement, Woburn, Burlington, public safety, transportation, land transfer, vessel transportation, Marston Mills, Osterville, Barnstable, state highway, traffic safety, maritime regulation, local legislation, Hyannis Transportation Center, Thomas S. Cahir, Cape Cod, commemorative designation

Transcript Highlights:

• LCRA, as you know, would provide a number of vital services for the...
• And they want to run to the fire, and I love that about it.
• Again, I see Chief Kidd in the back of the room, and thank you for your great service.
• Tim Stephenson, Department of State Health Services, Consumer Protection.
• Good morning, Jeff Hoge, Department of State Health Services.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the Senate Protective Services.
• </c> Department of Human Services budget. Department of Human Services budget.
• That's a brief overtime services.
• </c> and equipment, um, services. and equipment, um, services.
• We also had two projects for capital expense in this academy. the Fire Academy retain in fire the Fire

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A project has its operating cash flow and operating income, which it uses to pay off debt service and
• And we are going to have Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce.
• Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce.
• This is AI coming to help you deliver services to the community.
• They could not answer the sprinkler question without talking to the fire marshal.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Senator and Senators, for the opportunity to speak. met in state service.
• What tribes have educated us is that prescribed fire, cultural fire, was used not only to reduce wildfire
• What tribes have educated us is that actually prescribed fire, cultural fire was used not only to reduce
• The secondary services that relate to people coming in and out of our coastal areas.
• We're out with... ...services of their science. We're doing artificial reef work.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is the Chief Executive Officer at Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.
• Also, point of privilege not to flex on Sacramento Fire Department too much.
• Public service to him wasn't just a job, it was a purpose.
• He was always in service.
• But also a legacy of loyalty, service, and unwavering care for others.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that motans rely on the basic services that motans rely on to<00:12:59.360><c> build</c><00:12:59.600
• </c> We're also working to improve the efficiency and customer service across state agencies.
• </c><00:23:02.159><c> across</c> efficiency and customer service across efficiency and customer service
• </c><00:26:00.000><c> It's</c><00:26:00.400><c> not</c> agencies and firing everyone.
• It's not agencies and firing everyone.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:19.479><c> provided</c> survivors the types of services provided survivors the types of services
• </c> and resources and other services and resources and other services including<00:04:34.199><c> those
• We need lawmakers to take immediate action to ensure that services for all crime victim service providers
• </c> about how it's impacting Direct Services about how it's impacting Direct Services organizations<
• </c> Services provided by us as service Services provided by us as service providers<00:26:12.919><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After three decades in the private sector, entering state service was a deliberate choice.
• said that the agency may work with applicants to decrease the loan size, which would reduce debt service
• The speaker asked whether the agency would be able to tell which counties have not received its services
• She added that it has 1,000 hours of battery storage, nothing catches on fire, it is underground in a
• Nothing catches on fire. It's all underground in a depleted oil field.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments and procedural items. The committee approved, largely on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, the appointments of Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nicholas Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. It also approved references to bills, committee appointments, subcommittee ratifications, joint committee appointments, and floor acknowledgments. A motion to grant rule waivers for Senators Perez and Padilla to introduce additional measures under SR 22.5 drew opposition from Senator Grove and ultimately passed on a 3-2 vote in the final tally. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Andy Nakahata as executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Nakahata described his background in finance and infrastructure lending and said he would focus on expanding access to IBank programs statewide, especially in underserved and rural areas. Members questioned him about outreach equity, county-by-county loan activity, creditworthiness standards, the California Transmission Accelerator, and financing for public hospitals and other infrastructure projects. He said IBank works through financial development corporations, municipal advisors, and other partners, monitors geographic reach, and can work with applicants to adjust loan size or identify additional funding sources when projects are not fully creditworthy. Public witnesses spoke in support of Nakahata, including representatives from Siebert William Shank and O’Melveny/other public finance firms, who praised his expertise and leadership. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee voted 5-0 to move Nakahata’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation. After completing a final roll call on the earlier agenda items, the committee adjourned its public session and announced it would move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• After three decades in the private sector, entering state service was a deliberate choice.
• And it's really inquiring with them: are there lenders and CDFIs we should be looking at who service
• may be working with them to decrease the loan size, which then obviously decreases the loan debt service
• Nothing catches on fire. It's all underground in a depleted oil field. It's synthetic geothermal.
• stations, fire departments.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services for testing drinking water.
• </c> Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human Services U<00:04:21.040><
• </c><00:04:35.919><c> to</c><00:04:36.320><c> adopt</c> and Human Services to adopt and Human Services
• We certainly wouldn't want to, you know, it's our position that cancer in the fire service is occupationally
• We certainly wouldn't want to, you know, it's our position that cancer in the fire service is occupationally

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services.
• Of the 411 files, I know some use county services and all that, fire rescue.
• I support the bill and the efforts to address occupational cancer in the fire service, but I do have
• After 20 years in the fire service, I have seen how cancer affects firefighters and their families.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Professionally and socially, while remaining deeply committed to community service.
• Incorporated has consistently answered the call to service.
• The sorority's slogan, 'Greater service, greater progress,' reflects a belief that progress is achieved
• Reverend Jackson's decades of service reshaped the American political landscape and advanced the cause
• Those decisions include hiring and firing authority, wage set, Essential employment decisions.

Keywords: 959, house, all