Transcript Highlights:

• I am a researcher and early career fellow and leadership facilitator with the Consortium for Diverse
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• When I was laid off from my research position on conservation science curriculum development at UCLA
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• Plugged into opportunities for community-focused research and coalition building.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a researcher and early career fellow and leadership facilitator with the Consortium for Diverse
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• When I was laid off from my research position on conservation science curriculum development at UCLA
• The research I've been involved with for the consortium is critical for coalition building across the
• Plugged into opportunities for community-focused research and coalition building.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a real tough, long type of research.
• So the appropriation that we request for a million dollars will assist with that research and provide
• um and so the long type of research um and so the appropriation<00:09:33.800><c> that</c><00:09:33.959
• and provide staff and expertise research and provide staff and expertise to<00:09:40.600><c> help</c
• <00:09:49.839><c> and</c> research and research and policy<00:09:51.680><c> in</c> policy in policy in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee heard five bills on January 24, 2025. SB 1 would phase out disposable air filters and require reusable air filters by 2030; testimony was limited, with one supporter urging clearer definitions of fiberglass and paper and several opponents listed, and the committee later deferred the bill indefinitely for lack of support testimony. SB 13 would create an aquaculture investment tax credit beginning in 2026; state agencies and several industry groups supported it, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about loose definitions, internal inconsistencies, and blanks that made the bill hard to estimate or vet. The committee passed SB 13 with amendments and technical changes, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2015 as stated on the record. SB 177 would shift aquatic livestock import and movement permitting to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division, require a risk-based assessment and biocontainment standards, and seek a $1 million appropriation for research and staffing. The Department of Agriculture said the bill would help expand aquaculture while managing risks to native species; aquaculture and farm groups supported it, while Animal Rights Hawaii was listed in opposition. The committee passed SB 177 with amendments, blanking the appropriation for committee report consideration, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 184 would raise the beverage container deposit and refund from 5 cents to 10 cents. Supporters said the higher deposit could improve recycling and environmental outcomes, while opponents, including the Tax Foundation, cited fraud concerns, the program’s existing fund balance, and practical challenges in redemption; the Department of Human Services also noted potential impacts on blind vendors. The committee took the bill up but deferred decision-making until Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:01 p.m. in Room 224. The committee also heard SB 250, which would increase the income tax credit for interisland transportation costs for agricultural products. Agricultural and industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to offset rising shipping costs and preserve access to markets, while the Tax Foundation preferred direct appropriations over tax credits and objected to missing bill details. The committee passed SB 250 with amendments from the Department of Agriculture and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. Separately, a joint hearing on SB 240, the Right to Farm bill, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Agriculture supported further study and raised concerns about the bill’s fragmented approach, while farm, cattle, and other industry witnesses split between support for protecting customary Native Hawaiian subsistence farming and opposition to excluding CAFOs and certain business structures. No vote was taken on SB 240 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually that's SIDS, but actually our research has shown that there's tremendous commonality between
• It is imperative to raise public awareness about SUDEP, to improve SUDEP surveillance, research, and
• And while this bill is focused on education, it holds a promise to inspire research.
• By raising our collective voice on SUDEP, we don't just inform, we ignite the curiosity of researchers
• As an educator and researcher, I have written extensively about how As an educator and researcher, I

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I... for the summer at UC San Diego, where they participate jointly in research projects.
• The Count Hunger Act recognizes the importance of food insecurity research and the need to raise the
• Research shows that only 18% of coaches feel highly confident...
• Research shows that only 18% of coaches feel highly confident Thank you.
• Research consistently shows that equipping young people with digital literacy tools and open lines of

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you think House Research can provide some better identification what notwithstanding section 16A.1283
• Do you think House Research can provide some better identification what notwithstanding section 16A.1283
• Do you think House Research can provide some better identification what notwithstanding section 16A.1283
• Do you think House Research can Chair.
• Do you think House Research can provide<00:41:34.280><c> some</c><00:41:34.800><c> better</c> provide

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have had great experiences interviewing Minnesota State staff and students, completing policy research
• </c><00:12:17.079><c> and</c> students complete policy research and students complete policy research
• With that said, thank you for the opportunity to share this qualitative research about the campus food
• </c><00:13:15.680><c> the</c> 2024 I started researching the 2024 I started researching the hunger-free
• Crawford, who heads up their research area, has been very involved in getting this research institute

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> of</c><00:23:51.160><c> uh</c><00:23:51.200><c> I've</c> the research, especially out of uh I've
• the research, especially out of uh I've seen<00:23:51.480><c> is</c><00:23:51.560><c> that</c><00:23
• </c> and policy research centers are doing. and policy research centers are doing.
• We're looking into updating our public opinion research on this issue.
• </c><00:45:48.920><c> for</c><00:45:49.080><c> you</c> updated public opinion research for you updated

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 56, a reduction for economic development research of $58,000 in both bienniums.
• Line 56, a reduction for economic development research of $58,000 in both bienniums.
• </c> the research innovation office at the U. the research innovation office at the U.
• of $58,000 in both development research of $58,000 in both bananiums.<00:03:22.800><c> And</c><00:03
• to the Center for Cannabis Research in the School of Public Health.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But what many people are not aware of is that the International Agency for Research on Cancer actually
• researchers and the California Fire Service.
• While this has been a great start, these are relatively small research grants.
• , allowing the full breadth and depth of California's cancer research expertise to engage with the fire
• Like currently we're conducting a... ...research study called the California Firefighter Cancer Research

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we have research multiple?
• </c><01:09:41.279><c> that</c> When I asked about the research that When I asked about the research that
• can have research on opioid addiction<01:10:44.880><c> and</c><01:10:45.199><c> research</c><01:10:45.520
• and research on this and research<01:10:46.480><c> on</c><01:10:46.719><c> that.
• I just think that this research on that.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that I've done in the last term was request our researcher, our very fine researcher
• One of the things that I've done in the last term was request our researcher, our very fine researcher
• One of the things that I've done in the last term was request our researcher, our very fine researcher
• One of the things that I've done in the last term was request our researcher, our very fine researcher
• One of the things that I've done in the last term was request our researcher, our very fine researcher

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Administration Committee opened with Senate Bill 197, which would remove the Department of Health and Human Services commissioner’s supervisory role over the legislative facilities committee nurse and instead place the nurse under the Board of Nursing’s scope of practice. The sponsor’s aide and DHHS legislative director explained that the change updates outdated language last amended in 1995, aligns the statute with current practice, and was reviewed with legislative staff and nursing regulators, who were said to be comfortable with the proposal. Members asked why the change was needed and whether the commissioner had actually been supervising; the response was that the language no longer reflected how the position functioned. The chair said the bill might still be a simple consent item, but additional modifications were being discussed, so the hearing was closed with no vote taken at that time. The committee then heard Senate Bill 186, authorizing the Joint Legislative Historical Committee to accept and display a portrait of former Senator Jeb Bradley in the State House. The sponsor’s aide described Bradley’s legislative and congressional service and urged the committee to move the bill ought to pass. Members asked practical questions about whether the portrait was completed, its size, and where it would be hung. The witness said the portrait was not yet completed and that size and placement had not been determined, though the committee was told the historical committee would decide placement. A committee member noted that portrait sizes and locations are already being reviewed because of space concerns, and the hearing ended without a vote. A work session followed on the portrait bills, with the chair using them as a vehicle to discuss broader problems in the statutes governing portraits and the historical committee. He said the committee had gathered information from other states and suggested possible policy ideas such as portrait moratoriums, waiting periods after death, size limits, and clearer placement rules. Members discussed the need to update the RSAs and better define the historical committee’s authority. The committee did not take final action during the work session, but the discussion indicated that the portrait bills may be held while broader statutory revisions are considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• UHC provides support for research, identification, diagnostics, outreach, and community engagement, and
• </c> and UHC provides support of research and UHC provides support of research identification,<00:34:
• done or do the research before it becomes a problem so that we know what's here.
• </c> biocrol research for those target pests. biocrol research for those target pests.
• </c><01:51:29.440><c> or</c> mitigation and turn it into research or mitigation and turn it into research

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s no research about when you combine pesticides, what happens.
• There’s no research about when you combine pesticides, what happens.
• There’s no research about when you combine pesticides, what happens.
• There’s no research about when you combine pesticides, what happens.
• </c> more useful for public health research more useful for public health research um<00:49:12.440><c

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on restricted use pesticides in Hawaiʻi, with Senate and House members opening the meeting and explaining that the session was intended to hear expert presentations and community concerns. Fern Holland outlined the background for the briefing, describing how restricted use pesticides differ from general-use products, why state-level regulation matters, and how community advocates have sought disclosure and protections for years. She summarized 2019 reporting data, saying a small number of users accounted for most reported use, with especially heavy application in North Central Oʻahu and on the west side of Kauaʻi. She highlighted concerns about applications near schools, homes, and coastlines, and identified 1,3-dichloropropene and metam sodium as among the heaviest-used fumigants. She also noted concerns about highly hazardous pesticides, some banned in other countries, and the lack of research on long-term combined exposure to multiple pesticides. Greg Takashima of the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture described the department’s pesticide program and regulatory authority under FIFRA and state law. He explained the distinction between general-use and restricted use pesticides, the certification requirements for applicators, and the department’s role in tracking RUPs from sale through use. He reviewed the branch’s functions in enforcement, education and certification, registration and technical review, and laboratory analysis, including inspections, complaint response, market surveillance, product registration, groundwater review, and outreach on drift reduction and integrated pest management. He also noted staffing and funding limitations, saying the branch lacks a toxicologist and long-term monitoring capacity, and compared Hawaiʻi’s resources to California’s much larger pesticide regulatory program. Takashima thanked the legislature for passing Act 231 the prior year and said the department supports the measure as it moves forward this session. Dr. Lee, speaking for the Hawaiʻi chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and as a former member of the Kauaʻi Joint Fact-Finding Task Force, said pediatric guidance has shifted from focusing on acute poisoning to recognizing chronic low-level pesticide exposure as a concern. He cited AAP publications linking pesticide exposure to cancer, brain tumors, leukemia, birth outcomes, neurobehavioral effects, and asthma, and said pediatricians are now encouraged to advise families on reducing exposure and to support right-to-know measures and buffer zones around schools and public gathering places. He also described the Kauaʻi task force’s work, saying it found the west side of the island to be an unhealthy community but could not prove causation because of missing drift, geospatial, and biomarker data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, questions were held until after presentations, and the department expressed support for Act 231.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> data collection research data collection research um<00:40:42.960><c> conservation</c><00:40:43.520
• </c> So but since 1990 we've had research So but since 1990 we've had research &gt;&gt; followup &gt;
• Our research has done some research. She's found the report of the last commission.
• </c> that was just from my baseline research that was just from my baseline research uh<05:12:14.718>
• </c> when researching this bill. when researching this bill.

Committee: House Resources, Recreation and Development

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, I meant to have some research put in the file for the committee this morning, but I did
• some research with CSG, and in the South, Kentucky is the third highest number of parole cases heard
• And you know, I I meant to have some<00:16:22.160><c> research</c><00:16:22.640><c> put</c><00:16:22.880
• ><c> in</c><00:16:23.000><c> the</c><00:16:23.079><c> file</c> some research put in the file some research
• with CSG, and in the did some research with CSG, and in the south,<00:16:29.160><c> Kentucky</c><00:

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We now know through decades of research that problem-solving courts are effective when they're implemented
• As I mentioned earlier, there has been extensive research over the past few decades that supports the
• Some of the key research findings across the various problem-solving courts include reduced recidivism
• We have additional information on research in the last section of the annual report.
• After researching the issue and conducting various surveys of judges and court personnel, the initial

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and funding of research.
• This is an area of active research, and I'm sure Dr. Green will touch on this as well.
• These all have been really well cataloged in our research and others. May not use the drug at all.
• These all have been really well cataloged in our research and others.
• perspective, working at a biomedical research institute.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• City and County of Sacramento, the City of Long Beach, Pocomoke Beautiful, Tobacco Education and Research
• , Pacific Beach Coalition, Sunrise Movement California, Save the Bay, Cal Poly Center for Health Research
• Pacific Beach Coalition, Sunrise Movement, California, Save the Bay, Cal Poly Center for Health Research
• And, in fact, we are a research... ...in our growth. We haven't been limited in our innovation.
• We don't yet have the research to know the full damage of vaping with our youth, and rural areas are

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And here with me is Michael Mastrandrea, research director, Stanford Climate and Energy Policy Program
• We do our research, right?
• We do our research, right?
• The state has not researched or defined what legitimate CDR is or mapped the risks and costs.
• They're going to be doing the research and looking at the research to determine how to make the investments

Summary: The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste diversion at state facilities by updating integrated waste management plans, increasing reusable foodware use, reducing paper purchasing, and requiring better employee education and recycling/composting practices. Supporters from the California Compost Coalition, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others said the bill would help build composting and recycling markets and let the state lead by example. Several groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were now neutral after amendments, including the removal of a 90% requirement. The bill was moved out on a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee then took up SB 326 on wildfire mitigation. The bill would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate the risk-reduction benefits of fuels management and landscape resilience investments, and it would accelerate implementation of Zone Zero defensible-space standards, including grants for local enforcement and broader application to rental and sale properties and post-fire reconstruction. Support came from Stanford climate researcher Michael Mastrandrea and several local government, insurance, and climate groups. With no opposition, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. Next, SB 34 on port emissions and the South Coast Air Quality Management District drew extensive testimony. The author said the bill was narrowed by committee amendments to preserve the ports’ ability to reduce emissions while preventing cargo throughput caps and addressing concerns about automation, local control, and the timeline for port clean-air planning. Supporters included ILWU, business groups, and port-related stakeholders, while the South Coast AQMD and many environmental and community organizations opposed it, arguing it would weaken public-health protections and set a bad precedent. After lengthy debate, the committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Transportation, with some members voting no and others abstaining. The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting options for farmers and small community composters by allowing limited on-farm composting after large biomass events and increasing the amount small operations may process and sell. Supporters said the bill would help address agricultural waste, expand composting capacity, and reduce landfill disposal. Commercial composting representatives opposed it, warning that the bill could create regulatory inequities, strand recent investments in permitted facilities, and allow too much unregulated food waste. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a due pass vote. The transcript also briefly referenced SB 613 on upstream methane emissions data, described as having no opposition and intended to improve tracking of imported oil and gas emissions.