Transcript Highlights:

• Algorithmic curated feeds, infinite scroll, autoplay, overnight push notifications, and it requires periodic
• A platform can satisfy this requirement by offering a method that still requires a government ID as long
• as the method doesn't only require submitting that ID.
• A platform could also satisfy this requirement by requiring users, including minors, to submit biometric
• Tarr, Attorney General reporting requirements. Senator Tarr. Thank you, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Head Start ECAP performance standards meet the health and safety requirements as required by the Child
• upgrades in the kitchen area to meet licensing and WAC requirements.
• compelling that notification to happen.
• This bill creates a transparency and notification requirement for Washington's RHCs, residential habilitation
• Currently, ECAP requires programs participate in Early Achievers, and Early Achievers requires programs

Summary: The Early Learning & Human Services Committee held public hearings on several child care and disability-related bills. House Bill 2317 would exempt certain ECAP and Head Start programs from DCYF licensing when they operate part-day or school-day in public school buildings or on public school property. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill would remove duplicative licensing barriers and help expand preschool seats, especially as Washington prepares to add more ECAP slots. Testifiers from Head Start, school-linked providers, and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools supported the bill, describing licensing delays, added costs, and lost classroom time; no one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2099, which would expand ECAP access for military families with incomes up to Working Connections Child Care limits and adjust prioritization for families with deployed or single custodial military parents. The prime sponsor and multiple supporters, including retired military leaders, Head Start/ECAP advocates, ESD staff, and a military-community partnership, said military families face frequent moves, deployment-related strain, and child care shortages that affect readiness and family stability. Testifiers said the bill would help families access care without changing the program’s low-income focus or adding state cost. House Bill 2350 would require DSHS to notify residents, guardians, and family members when a residential habilitation center is found out of compliance with federal CMS requirements, and to provide follow-up notices on correction and enforcement actions. The sponsor said the bill responds to limited communication around recent noncompliance issues at Rainier School and would improve transparency; DSHS had requested a narrow amendment about how notice is provided to residents. Disability rights advocates strongly supported the bill, saying families need timely information to protect loved ones and make informed decisions. Finally, House Bill 2318 would let ECAP and Head Start children count toward the 5% subsidy participation threshold needed for Early Achievers quality improvement awards. Supporters said the current rule can discourage providers from enrolling ECAP children because it risks losing an award, even though ECAP already requires Early Achievers participation. The sponsor and testifiers described the bill as a small fix to reduce a funding disincentive for providers serving high-need children. The committee took no votes and adjourned after closing the hearings on all four bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• , before excavation notice is submitted to a one-call notification center, to clearly mark with white
• are required to participate when meeting. coordination meetings and including which parties are required
• been updated. time frame required for responses by the utilities has never been updated.
• The bill also requires the committee... We are going to do 1128 next. Would you say 1128?
• The compact outlines requirements.

Bills: SB1128 , SB1137 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1186 , SB1235 , SB1238

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: scrap metal theft, study committee, Arizona, regulated industries, public safety, underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also requires that government agencies making AI technology available to consumers provide notification
• There is no voter approval requirement. There is no voter approval requirement.
• for customer notifications.
• The bill also requires JLARC to conduct a review of the CPDA funding and requires CPDAs to submit new
• The bill also requires J-Lock to conduct a review of the CPDA funding and require CPDAs to submit by

Bills: HB2675 , HB2249 , HB2120 , HB1069 , HB1983 , HB2431 , SB6006 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6353 , HB2521 , HB2091 , HB2104 , SB6355 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB5808 , HB1796 , HB1376 , SB6260 , HB2353

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• This is simply an administrative change required by CMS.
• What is required is that they can go work for their parent.
• But does that eliminate that requirement?
• The EPA requires you— The EPA requires you to have a certificate from them for putting in refrigerants
• We don't require them to have that EPA license; that's a federal requirement, so they would have to have

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• How do they receive notification of these programs?
• student notifications.
• So by requiring those student notifications, it feels a lot better for... ...us knowing what we have
• And most importantly, it reduces confusion through a required notification system where schools must
• It's an easy equation: complete the required course materials and... ...complete the required course

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session on student complaints in higher education. Faculty, union, and research witnesses argued that current complaint systems are sometimes misused in bad faith, disproportionately affecting faculty of color, women, and contingent faculty, consuming institutional resources, and chilling academic freedom. They called for an initial screening process for bias or retaliation, routine data collection and equity review, and a faculty bill of rights. Committee members asked about FERPA, Title IX, and how complaint data could be tracked consistently across institutions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6090 would create a Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University to register and preserve heritage orchards and rare apple varieties; Senator Braun said it would honor Washington’s apple history and support research at low cost. SB 5931 would make technical changes to the Workforce Education Investment Oversight Board, including two-year co-chair terms, a later annual report date, and removal of a dashboard requirement; WASAC, labor, and Microsoft testified in support. SB 5963 would automatically qualify Passport to Careers students as income-eligible for the Washington College Grant and align financial aid definitions; WASAC, College Success Foundation, students, and student advocates supported it as a way to reduce barriers for foster and homeless youth. The committee also heard SB 5978, which would codify and expand the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program and require annual student notifications about admissions, financial aid, dual credit, and related opportunities. Supporters included the Council of Presidents, faculty, students, parents, and the Washington Roundtable, who said guaranteed admission and better outreach would reduce anxiety, improve transparency, and help more students enroll. Finally, SB 6082 would direct JLARC to audit fraud in state financial aid programs, including fictitious students and AI-enabled abuse; the sponsor cited recent fraud concerns, while community and technical college officials said colleges already have fraud controls in place, warned the audit was unfunded and potentially duplicative, and asked for more resources. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We amended the contract to increase the required notification period by the vendor if they wish to terminate
• The underlying contract had required 12 months' notification for them to be able to terminate the contract
• We amended the contract to increase the required notification period by the vendor if they wish to terminate
• The underlying contract had required 12 months, notification for them to be able to terminate the contract
• . required 12 months.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• It restricts addictive algorithmic feeds for minors and limits notifications during school hours and
• Many of these notifications come from social media during the school day.
• Notifications from social media come during the school day.
• The law creating the work group required the group to study and make recommendations in five areas.
• We're concerned about the requirements in Section 2 that would require insurers to file underwriting

Bills: SB5928

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• The second part I would say is also notification to our retailers.
• While a notification requirement exists in regulation, it is not being consistently followed in practice
• that many providers are unaware of the notification requirement or the associated materials.
• rules, and reporting requirements.
• They must adhere to the requirements in this bill.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124, which would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to raise awareness of a screening that many eligible Californians do not know exists; retailers raised concerns about signage size, distribution, and notice to stores. The bill was presented while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time. Members then heard SB 1150, which would require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author and committee chair emphasized patient awareness and privacy, while registry and university stakeholders said they appreciated the amendments and would continue working on the language. SB 1400 followed, proposing changes to Alameda Health System governance to give Alameda County more flexibility and direct oversight; county and labor supporters said the current structure is too rigid for today’s health care environment, and no opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 1094, which would expand substitution of biosimilars and generics to lower prescription drug costs. Supporters, including health plans and Sharp Health Care, said the bill would reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs, while opponents from biotechnology and rheumatology groups raised concerns about pharmacist substitution, patient switching, and therapeutic equivalence. After quorum was established, SB 1094 passed 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1314, which would create a statewide definition for smoke shops, impose a 600-foot buffer from sensitive sites, and restrict nitrous oxide sales; it drew broad support from local government, pediatric, and law enforcement groups and passed 6-0 on call. SB 1309, which would eliminate cost-sharing for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care, also passed 7-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations after testimony from clinicians, advocates, and insurers. Finally, SB 1199 was introduced to ban copay accumulators, with the sponsor and author arguing it would ensure patient assistance counts toward out-of-pocket maximums and improve medication access.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1046, telecommunications infrastructure equipment requirements, passed
• That would require fingerprint clearance cards for all who—I don't know. ...that would require fingerprint
• Madam Chair and members, SB 1315, public schools interoperable communications requirements...
• Madam Chair and members, SB 1143, public school safety reporting requirements, passed with seven ayes
• SB 1213, probation immigration enforcement court notification, passed out of Judiciary Committee on a

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills, with members instructed to move quickly, note short titles, and pull only selected measures from consent. Many bills were reported as passing committee on party-line votes or with split votes, while others were unanimous. Several members repeatedly requested bills be pulled from consent, especially on contentious topics such as artificial intelligence content verification, gender transition procedures provider liability, vaccine reimbursement rates, light rail expansion feasibility, public employee merit hiring, health board evaluations, rural health funding, patient steering, DCS policies, school safety, virtual currency payments, undocumented immigrants’ financial services, central bank digital currency, and various criminal justice and education measures. A number of bills drew brief substantive comments or objections. One member criticized SB 1015 on Trans Visibility Day. Another raised concerns about fingerprinting requirements for behavioral health facilities, arguing similar safeguards should apply to universal voucher programs. Judiciary-related bills also prompted strong reactions, including measures on narcotics sentencing for minors, probation and immigration notification, crimes against children monitoring, and a death penalty bill involving firing squad, which drew an explicit objection for the record. Several bills were flagged because of split votes, Democratic no votes, or concerns about funding, constitutional issues, or policy consistency. The caucus also discussed a blue-sheet amendment to HB 2874 on campaign committee termination statements and penalties. Members asked about the retroactive date, the size of outstanding fines, the Secretary of State’s position, and who offered the Senate amendment. Supporters described it as a cleanup bill that would help committees close out old accounts, while others questioned the retroactive scope and financial impact. The chair ultimately announced that Mr. Winninger was refusing the Senate amendment, so final passage would not occur that day and the measure would instead go to conference committee or remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the sale of their grandparents' property for back taxes in 2009, alleging that proper notification
• So what the law requires... ...anywhere that they should have been notified?
• So what the law requires, no, their name did not actually come back on a green card.
• Their name was not on there; you didn't have access to their name to make notification to them of the
• She signed papers, the green slips, yes, of the notification. My grandmother was still alive.

Committees: All JBC-CLAIMS , All JBC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:19.040><c> to</c> required to required to &gt;&gt; unless<00:52:20.160><c> it's</c><00:52:20.480
• Notification shall not be required for the initiation of an inquiry or an investigation.
• I did say in there that notification shall not be required for the initiation of an inquiry or an investigation
• ><c> be</c><00:58:21.040><c> required</c><00:58:21.359><c> for</c> notification shall not be required
• for notification shall not be required for the<00:58:21.760><c> initiation</c><00:58:22.400><c> of</

Summary: The subcommittee held a work session on HB 313, a bill dealing with non-public sessions and when a person discussed in such a session should be notified or allowed to request that the meeting be open. The chair opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and invited public comment before committee discussion. The main public testimony came from Phil Jaru, who described a personal dispute with local officials and said the bill should ensure people are notified when they are being discussed in closed session and can request an open meeting. He also argued for limits on non-public sessions, saying they should not be used for matters outside the board’s authority or for what he characterized as gossip, while also trying to avoid interfering with investigations. Committee members focused on the practical and legal problems with the proposal. Several members questioned whether a person should have a right to attend, to demand an open meeting, or simply to receive notice, and whether that right should apply before the meeting or only once the discussion begins. Members raised concerns about situations involving multiple people, children, victims, or other confidentiality interests, and whether a request to open the meeting could conflict when one person wants openness and another wants privacy. One member suggested the bill may be too broad and proposed narrowing it to simple advance notification, possibly by email, rather than an automatic right to open the meeting. The discussion also touched on existing law governing non-public sessions, including the narrow “reputation” exception and Supreme Court cases interpreting it. Members noted that the current statute already limits non-public discussion to the matters stated in the motion, and some suggested that if the concern is boards using non-public sessions for unrelated discussion, that issue may be better addressed by clarifying the existing statute rather than expanding the bill. No vote or final action was taken; the committee appeared to continue working through possible amendments and whether the bill should be narrowed to notification or a right to attend rather than a right to force the meeting open.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the department's case management system as required by department policy.
• For 109 of 115 non-criminal investigations that should have included notification, we found problems
• them, both verbally and in writing, despite statute and department policy requiring these notifications
• included some lacking evidence that any notifications occurred, more than 70 lacking notification of
• Leadership requires all of us to take that responsibility seriously.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• OGB is only required to send some sort of notification, whether it be posted on their website or through
• So this bill would require them to let you know what happened.
• This would just require the case accepted a case for investigation.
• multidisciplinary team, we would be required to put together packets.
• How is this bill changing that that would require the additional staff?

Bills: SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB250 , SB433

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: dental care, cancer treatment, health insurance, medically necessary, health coverage, paid parental leave, educators, teachers, school employees, public schools, local education agency, LEA, school board, charter schools, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, foster care leave, pregnancy loss, stillbirth

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1769 addresses this gap by requiring the development of transfer... ...addresses this gap by requiring
• This bill establishes a process to review SARC's data requirements to identify duplicate requirements
• They don't require the same clinical placement requirements.
• It is incumbent upon the school community to be able to provide the notification requirements that they
• We have many different health care-related notifications already that are required by our schools, by

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, beginning with AB 387 on youth sports safety and AED access. The author and supporters, including youth sports and cardiac safety advocates, said the bill would improve coordination between youth sports organizations and facilities to ensure AEDs are available and emergency response is better prepared. School administrators, county groups, and school business officials opposed unless amended, citing liability, cost, staffing, maintenance, and school security concerns. Members asked about AED portability, CPR training, and liability; the author said committee amendments were accepted, but the bill was held due to lack of quorum while negotiations continued. AB 467 would codify the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, allowing it to seek multi-year grants and other outside funding after an initial state appropriation sunsets. Supporters said the center has already trained faculty, supported paid internships and fellowships, and reached thousands of Californians, while opponents were absent. Members questioned whether codification was premature before the required report is due in 2027; the author said the measure was needed now to stabilize fundraising. The bill was also placed on hold for lack of quorum. A major portion of the hearing focused on AB 664 and AB 2694, both dealing with community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 664 would authorize Southwestern College to seek up to four targeted bachelor’s programs to address local workforce shortages in South San Diego County; students, local officials, and community college advocates supported it, while CSU and UC opposed, arguing for a statewide solution and concern about the master plan. AB 2694 proposed a broader statewide framework for community college bachelor’s degrees with stronger workforce and partnership requirements, reduced program caps, and limits on duplication; it drew support from community college groups and students, but CSU and UC again opposed or opposed unless amended. Members discussed place-bound students, workforce needs, transfer pathways, and the need for a master-plan-level approach, but no votes were taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 917, which would require certificated employees in very small school districts and certain county-run programs to receive permanent status under the same rules as larger districts. CTA and many educators supported the bill as a fairness and retention measure, while small school district and ROP representatives opposed, saying the current flexibility is necessary to manage enrollment swings, staffing, and specialized regional programs. Testimony emphasized the tension between job security for educators and operational flexibility for small LEAs; the hearing continued with more opposition testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The misunderstanding on our part was that that included the notification to Legislative Audit.
• We were denied and required to pay the sales tax. It's my understanding that...
• And required to pay the sales tax.
• She got the notification. So we will, we will do that going forward. Okay. And I guess, Mr.
• Chairman, my concern, that's a verbal notification.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee first approved prior meeting minutes by motion and second, with a voice vote of aye. It then reviewed audit reports, beginning with the Department of Human Services FY24 report. DHS had three findings: improper disaster SNAP and Medicaid benefits tied to employee fraud, a delayed notification involving an altered and cashed warrant for nearly $610,000, and asset-control issues including missing or misidentified equipment and incorrect sales tax paid on tax-exempt vehicle purchases. DHS representatives said several fraud cases had been resolved or were pending, explained the warrant-notification delay as a misunderstanding, and said corrective steps were being taken, including policy and training changes. Members asked about missing items, the warrant delay, the vehicle tax issue, and whether procedures would be formally documented; the committee deferred the DHS report to the next meeting for follow-up. The committee next heard the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism FY24 report, which had two findings: nearly $3,500 in museum receipts believed stolen at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and cash-control exceptions at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium, including a missing $100 and an $80 overage. Agency officials said they had implemented new controls, including a point-of-sale and reservation system, and explained that the War Memorial issue related to the mix of cash and bank balances after an event. Members questioned the theft, the statute of limitations, bond board coverage, and whether the agency had adequate oversight and procedures. The chair later noted updated information from the prosecutor that the Parks and Tourism matter remained open and active, with additional information still being requested from the agency, and the committee deferred that report to the next meeting as well. The meeting ended with adjournment and a note that the next meeting would be February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what the law requires...
• So what the law requires, no, their name did not actually come back on a green card.
• You didn't have access to their name to make notification to them of the sale of the property.
• She signed papers, the green slips, yes, of the notification. My grandmother was still alive.
• No one was notified, and I certainly did not receive any notification.

Committee: All JBC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Joint Budget Committee’s Claims Review and Litigation Reports Oversight Subcommittee met to consider two proposed Department of Corrections litigation settlements and one appealed claim from the Claims Commission. The first settlement, Caroline Arnett v. Larry Norris et al., involved allegations of long-term sexual abuse by a corrections employee. Committee members asked about PREA audits, facility practices, and whether the inmate had been placed at the proper facility. The department said audits and other safeguards were underway, and the committee approved the settlement. The second settlement, Latasha Ridgel v. Arkansas Department of Corrections, also involved sexual harassment/assault allegations. Members questioned the seven-year delay in the case and whether the issue was systemic; the department cited attorney turnover, COVID delays, and legislative changes making inmate exposure a felony. The committee approved that settlement as well. The committee then heard an appeal in Sharon Greer and Deanna Hayes v. Commissioner of State Lands, a denied and dismissed claim involving a tax-delinquent sale of family property in Crittenden County. Staff and the Commissioner of State Lands’ office said the property was certified in 2000, sold in 2009 after notice was sent, and that excess proceeds were available for a limited period before escheating to the county. The claimants argued they were not properly notified of the sale or the excess proceeds and only learned of the matter in 2025 after receiving the deed at a family funeral. Committee members discussed the notice process, statute of limitations, and the handling of excess proceeds, with several noting the issue may call for legislative review rather than relief in this case. After debate, the committee voted to affirm the Claims Commission’s dismissal of the Greer/Hayes claim. Members also discussed broader concerns about how excess proceeds from tax sales are handled and whether the current statutory process should be revisited in future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Senate Bill 1479 adds a photo identification requirement for documents presented at the
• This would require contact information for buyers and sellers.
• This would require contact information for buyers and sellers.
• That notification caused me to discover the fraud.
• Is there an age limit that's required to go into the assisted living? No, but...

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• No regulatory analysis was required.
• This was not required for a regulatory analysis.
• This was not required for a regulatory analysis.
• This was not required for a regulatory analysis.
• This was not required for a regulatory analysis.

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes robust consumer protections, notification requirements, and reporting requirements, and this
• The notification requirements, the ability to allow providers at the end of the day to determine whether
• And that’s why in this bill, there are much stronger notification requirements than you have for any
• Or is it a notification?
• No one is required to enroll.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.