Transcript Highlights:

• I have a serious request for an amendment.
• Another one of those pieces of legislation is unfortunate.
• Another one of those piece of legislation is unfortunate.
• And like a lot of the legislation we see, it's a balancing act.
• So that's how I see this legislation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue will call to order meeting number nine.
• But also House Bill 900 is a one-time appropriation.
• . supposed to be and funded appropriately.
• Uh, executive branch, judicial and legislative branches. Please take note.
• , received very late, governor's request, received very late, but<00:05:03.680><c> an</c><00:05:03.800

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:47 SB 197 Discussion 00:01:50 SB 197 Vote 00:08:40, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.”
• I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Thank you, Mr.
• I respectfully urge your aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• It could be subject to a Public Records Act request.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> manager</c><00:42:31.599><c> for</c> I'm the legislative policy manager for I'm the legislative
• Um, and also the request to push this back the implementation back one year was another request from
• Um, and also the request to push this back the implementation back one year was another request from
• Um, and also the request to push this back the implementation back one year was another request from
• And this the appropriate location.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• RECENT FCO APPROPRIATIONS DURING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE WERE APPROPRIATED 5.561 MILLION FOR
• CENTER AND 2025 APPROPRIATED 2.3 ARE JUST OVER 2.3 MILLION FOR SITE PREPARATION FOR BROWARD.
• LAST SESSION WE APPROPRIATE SOME MONEY FOR 24 TO 30 NEW BEDS I THINK.
• WE DO THINK WE WILL COME IN RIGHT AT THE TOTAL APPROPRIATION OF 59 MILLION.
• IN THE COMING FORWARD WITH THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST WE HAD ANTICIPATED ABOUT $2 MILLION FOR SITE

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the appropriate time, I will In the state.
• And at the appropriate time, I will respectfully ask for an I vote. Thank you. I love that.
• Members of the committee, move the bill at the appropriate time.
• In response to this trend, I asked the Joint Legislative Audit Committee in 2024 to request a review
• In response to this trend, I asked the Joint Legislative Audit Committee in 2024 to request a review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 137 is that type of legislation.
• HB 137 is that type of legislation.
• HB 137 is that type of legislation.
• fund and appropriates funds.
• fund and appropriates funds.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several firearms-related bills. HB 125 would require firearm sellers or transferors to provide buyers notice about secure storage laws, expand secure-storage requirements, and clarify criminally negligent storage. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education supported the bill. The Office of the Public Defender raised constitutional concerns under District of Columbia v. Heller and suggested narrowing the bill so a firearm need not be made inoperable when the lawful owner is home. Supporters, including Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action, veterans, and other advocates, said secure storage would reduce accidental shootings, youth access, theft, suicides, and school shootings. Opponents argued the bill was redundant, could criminalize victims of theft, and imposed strict liability. The committee noted 24 individuals in support and 103 in opposition. The committee also heard HB 137, which would impose a mandatory prison term for violent felons who violate firearm or ammunition possession prohibitions. DLE, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, and the Hawaii County Prosecutor supported the measure, arguing it targets repeat offenders and strengthens public safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed mandatory sentencing, saying judges already have discretion to impose lengthy sentences and that mandatory terms can be inappropriate in some cases. The committee then heard HB 392, which would prohibit ghost guns and establish mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in a felony. DLE and the Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while the Public Defender and several opponents said parts of the bill were redundant or could create definitional problems; the committee recorded five supporters and 70 opponents. HB 995 would amend deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting by the Attorney General and county police chiefs. The Attorney General’s office and HPD supported the bill, with the Attorney General asking for more time for police departments to submit complete data and for the April 1 deadline to be removed. The committee also heard HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended consolidating the new office’s duties with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission to avoid duplication and possibly repealing the existing commission statute. DLE supported HB 664, while the Tax Foundation objected to the special fund. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• that is, and I'm not sure of the exact wording on their legislation, but it's my... ...legislation that
• is, and I'm not sure of the exact wording on their legislation, but it's modeled after this legislation
• And then at the appropriate time for our guest, thank you.
• At the appropriate time, Mr. Chairman, I'll have an amendment. At the appropriate time, Mr.
• Now is the appropriate time? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, as far as this bill is, this is a straight appropriation uh for an education piece.
• </c> this is a straight appropriation this is a straight appropriation uh<00:02:27.920><c> for</c><00
• But I hope as legislators, you will help us in this task.
• as opposed to a direct appropriation to a specific organization.
• </c><00:15:33.920><c> to</c> as opposed to a direct appropriation to as opposed to a direct appropriation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• But we passed some legislation.
• I request. Please order the bill back to the third reading file.
• Doug made me a better legislator.
• The request to adjourn in memory will be deemed read and printed in the journal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They prefaced their request to me with these words.
• Committee on Public Health during the 193rd legislative session, is based on legislation that passed
• That is where this legislation comes in.
• , then to file this legislation.
• , then to file this legislation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1059, Archuleta, do pass and re-refer to Committee on Appropriations.
• Putting a face to the legislation that we will be voting on. So thank you.
• I respectfully ask for a aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• We believe that that will lead to forum shopping and some previous legislation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like to request a roll call also, Madam Chair. Roll call requested. Roll call granted.
• Uh anyone who requested a so forth.
• </c><00:22:53.520><c> a</c> think it holds true and would request a think it holds true and would request
• So, you know, that was their request.
• </c><00:46:37.599><c> Senator</c> requested. Roll call granted. Senator requested.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they bring them to the Capitol to learn and to engage about the legislative process.
• The DOE brings students here today so they have the opportunity to learn about the legislative process
• </c> legislative process. legislative process.
• process and to advocate the legislative process and to advocate for<00:10:02.720><c> their</c><00:10
• &gt;&gt; Same<00:22:57.919><c> request.</c> &gt;&gt; Same request. &gt;&gt; Same request.

Bills: HB2118, HB1764, HB1815, HB2117, HB2436, HB2438, HB2532, HB2566, HB2573, HB1736, HB2425, HB1590, HB1913, HB1573, HB1542, HB1804, HB1976, HB1704, HB1996, HB1541, HB1926, HB1703, HB1866, HB1710

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Do pass as amended to appropriations. The current vote is 5 to 0.
• The motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.
• The motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.
• Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.
• Motion is due pass as amended to appropriations.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Environmental Quality heard four bills focused on environmental regulation and public health. SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon would extend a CEQA exemption to child care facilities in residential zones, with committee amendments adding guardrails to exclude sites on natural/protected lands and within 3,200 feet of oil wells or refineries. Support came from child care, planning, local government, and county groups, while one wildlife/plant organization opposed. Members emphasized the need for more child care access and noted the bill was a narrow fix to last year’s CEQA legislation. The committee later voted the bill out on a 7-0 vote. SB 58 by Senator Padilla would update California’s hydrogen sulfide standards and response framework, citing outdated rules and monitoring gaps in the Tijuana River Valley and Salton Sea areas. Testimony from UCLA and community advocates described health impacts and undercounted exceedances, while air district representatives and business interests raised concerns about the scope and timing of the proposal. The committee accepted amendments and advanced the bill on a 7-0 vote. SB 811 by Senator Caballero would establish a regulatory framework for metal shredding facilities, clarifying DTSC enforcement authority and incorporating prior negotiated environmental justice and fire-safety amendments. Supporters included the recycling industry and labor groups; opponents from community, environmental, and local government organizations argued the bill was too deregulatory and did not adequately protect nearby communities. The bill passed 5-0. SB 501 by Senator Allen would expand the state’s battery extended producer responsibility program to include medium-format batteries such as those used in e-bikes and portable power systems. Supporters said the change would improve collection, reduce fire risks, and shift disposal costs from local governments to producers; one battery recycler expressed interest in working on implementation details. The bill was amended and advanced on a 5-2 vote. After quorum was established and votes were taken on call, all four bills were reported out of committee and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• :07:40.640><c> from</c><00:07:40.960><c> Health</c> did request some information from Health did request
• I think it's appropriate.
• </c> this um proposed legislation. this um proposed legislation.
• If, for whatever reason, there is not a reason given to deny the request, the request is accommodated
• </c> a request for any committee spacers. a request for any committee spacers.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 34, concerning parental consent for student participation in the Medicaid-to-schools program. Members said they were not comfortable with a suggested amendment and wanted more information from Health and Human Services about how the program and billing work. On motion by Representative Noble, seconded by Representative Freeman, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill, 18-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Supporters said the bill could help parents and teachers recognize warning signs early and could be life-saving in some cases. Opponents argued the material belonged on the Health and Human Services website rather than the DOE site, and some suggested a narrower link-only approach. After discussion, the committee voted 13-5 to ought to pass, with a minority report requested. The final major item was Senate Bill 97FN on intradistrict public school transfers. The committee first adopted an amendment that incorporated provisions from House Bill 68, required superintendents to approve best-interest transfer requests unless they failed to meet requirements, and revised language on capacity and accommodation. Supporters said the changes would help students, including those facing bullying, while opponents raised concerns about local control, capacity, and fairness to families who can transport children. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report requested. The chair then announced the next meetings would be on the 21st and 27th, and reminded members to watch the Senate calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number 5, SB 228 by Cervantes, with a motion of due pass to appropriations.
• This bill is also a priority of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
• The motion is due pass as amended to appropriations. Bonta.
• The motion is due pass as amended to appropriations. Bonta. Aye.
• Each patient must make two oral requests, a written request signed by two witnesses, and be evaluated

Summary: The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will move forward with that report language as we go through the appropriations process, and then
• We will move forward with that report language as we go through the appropriations process, and then
• This is just the minimum if you... request to do something that the legislature's already done for the
• to just make this definition statewide and so this but this is a request to just make this definition
• Womberg, Chief of Staff, Legislative Liaison, Department of Water Resources, here neutral on the bill

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water considered several water and energy measures. Senate Bill 1202, which requires the Arizona Department of Water Resources director to include additional information on each groundwater basin in the five-year water supply and demand assessment, was described as similar to a bill vetoed in a prior session. After brief discussion, it was passed with a do pass recommendation by a 6-3 vote. Senate Bill 1418, dealing with small modular nuclear reactors, would limit county regulation in certain cases, expand siting definitions, raise the megawatt threshold for plant regulation, and allow replacement of existing thermal units with SMRs without a new certificate in specified circumstances. Members noted it contained language from previously vetoed bills, but it also passed 6-3 with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Concurrent Memorial 1007, which urges Congress to divest the federal government and the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the San Carlos Irrigation Project Electric System and provide funding for a system study and improvements. Testimony from the sponsor and Arizona Municipal Power Users Association emphasized the system’s unreliability, aging infrastructure, and support from multiple local and federal entities for transferring control. The memorial passed unanimously, 9-0, with a do pass recommendation. Finally, Senate Bill 1785 would codify in statute a Department of Water Resources policy on the area of impact for recovery wells associated with underground storage facilities, generally reflecting a one-mile safe harbor unless a hydrologic study shows a different impact area. Supporters said the bill would provide certainty for permit applicants and align statute with long-standing department practice; DWR testified neutral and said it would like to work on technical language changes. The bill passed with a do pass recommendation by a 7-3 vote. House Senate Bill 1287 was held for additional information and no action was taken on it.

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate everything that went into this legislation.
• Motion is do pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is do pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is do pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• Motion is do pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development heard several sunset and policy bills affecting state boards and professional practice. SB 1302 would extend the Board of Registered Nursing for four years and make operational changes such as streamlining renewals, updating simulation and school-approval standards, and allowing certain out-of-state nurse practitioner experience to count toward California recognition; nursing groups supported it, while the California Medical Association raised a concern about the out-of-state NP provision. SB 1303 would extend the Board of Naturopathic Medicine to 2031 and add a fictitious name permit program, term staggering, and other technical changes; it drew support from the board and naturopathic doctors, but the California Naturopathic Association opposed it unless amended to clarify the board’s jurisdiction. SB 1304 would extend the Respiratory Care Board to 2031 and revise respiratory care rules, including LVN practice in certain settings; it was supported by some providers and respiratory therapists, but hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other groups opposed it unless amended to allow LVNs to perform basic respiratory tasks in more health care settings. SB 1363 would extend the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and update apprenticeship, licensure, and tribal exemption provisions, and SB 1368 would extend the speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensers board while adding a retired license category and continuing-education oversight changes; both were supported and had no opposition. All of these bills were voted out of committee, generally on a 10-0 basis after the committee later established quorum and took recorded votes. The committee also heard SB 865, which would create a California Music Festival Preservation Grant Program within the Office of Small Business Advocate to support large independent multi-day music festivals. The author and supporters argued that festivals like Aftershock and GoldenSky generate substantial tourism, hotel nights, jobs, and tax revenue, and that state support would help keep events in California rather than other states. Opposition focused on the use of public funds during a deficit year and questioned whether profitable festivals should receive a grant subsidy. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with Senator Choi opposed. Members also heard SB 1297, which would create regional wildfire public-private partnerships and a financing structure using local commitments, a revolving fund, and state-backed revenue bonds coordinated with iBank to fund wildfire mitigation projects. Supporters said the bill would help address the state’s large wildfire mitigation funding gap by leveraging public and private capital for home hardening, vegetation management, and other prevention work; questions centered on where bond repayment funds would come from, and the author said the bill was still a work in progress and not intended to cost the state. The bill passed unanimously. Finally, SB 993, presented on behalf of Senator Ochoa-Bogue, would restore privacy protections for mental health professionals in correctional and state hospital settings by limiting routine disclosure of identifying information while preserving a complaint process; testimony described safety concerns and staffing impacts, and the bill passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to take questions at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Yes, Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Keywords: 988, house, all