Video & Transcript : 'forest practices' :
Page 293 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Joint Legislative Audit
Transcript Highlights:
- In practice, access was constrained by timing and conditions.
- . ...operational review of Orange County Board of Education's oversight and spending practices, determine
- Litigation costs, in particular, as someone who may return to the full-time practice of law next year
- Objective four has us evaluate the board's procurement and contracting practices to determine, for example
- , whether the board's policies mirror best practices and were consistently followed, such as engaging
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar.
Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue.
Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm not as practiced in this kind of speaking, so please have patience with me, but it's coming from
- So the reauthorization is to really continue with that practice.
- Just a... proposed is based on the best practices of Florida and Texas.
- That has been a best practice. Mr. Chair, you are recognized. How much stuff do we own?
- You're a practical doer, and I appreciate you more than, well, I think you know how much I appreciate
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And on average, about 80% of Arizona's PSEP graduates ultimately return to Arizona to practice.
- And in exchange for this financial support, PSEP recipients commit to returning to Arizona to practice
- We look at best practices.
- Sestorf's recommendations because I also think we need to bring in the best practices from other states
- You know, we definitely want our school safety center looking at national best practices.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Higher Education Committee and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Aug 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Committee's request for universal training and tools, we launched the CSU AI Commons to share best practices
- The faculty involved will also share their learnings and best practices across our university campus.
- already ongoing, for working with our local high schools in the region to help them develop best practices
- Providing best practices because those high school students who may be dual-enrolled in a college class
- I have a former practicing attorney.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Higher Education and the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an oversight hearing on the California State University’s AI-empowered initiative, including the systemwide rollout of ChatGPT EDU and broader AI integration across CSU campuses. Opening remarks emphasized both the promise of AI for student success, workforce preparation, and access, and the need to address risks such as bias, privacy, misinformation, environmental impacts, and mental health harms. CSU representatives said the initiative grew out of Academic Senate recommendations and a systemwide generative AI committee, and that the goal was to provide equitable access, training, governance, and workforce alignment across the 23-campus system.
CSU officials described systemwide contracts for AI tools, the AI Commons training hub, and faculty grant programs supporting AI-related curriculum innovation. They said more than 93,000 ChatGPT EDU accounts had been activated, over 4,300 faculty had taken voluntary training, and $3 million had been awarded to 63 faculty-led projects from more than 400 submissions. San Jose State University highlighted its own AI-focused programs, courses, orientation training, faculty fellows, student ambassadors, and interdisciplinary efforts to build AI literacy and responsible use into instruction and co-curricular programs. CSU also said it was tracking metrics on adoption, academic outcomes, workforce outcomes, and environmental impacts.
Faculty, staff, and student representatives welcomed the educational potential of AI but raised concerns about the rollout, saying it had moved quickly and without enough consultation or consistent systemwide policy. They urged stronger protections for academic freedom, intellectual property, privacy, equity, and worker input, and warned about bias, surveillance, job displacement, and the environmental cost of AI. Legislators pressed CSU and OpenAI representatives on training requirements, data privacy, bias reporting, discipline for misuse, liability, sycophancy, and safeguards against harmful uses such as non-consensual imagery or self-harm-related interactions. CSU said interactions in the licensed tool are private, data are not used to train models, and campuses retain their own conduct processes; members also asked CSU to follow up on systemwide training, policy consistency, and additional safeguards.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Koi Jackson has committed her legal practice to public service.
- Koi Jackson has committed her legal practice to public service.
- She has been licensed to practice in California and Hawaii since 2006.
- to practice in California and<00:25:06.400><c> Havaii</c><00:25:06.880><c> since</c><00:25:07.279><c
- She has been licensed to practice in Hawaii since 2007 and is also licensed to practice in Indiana and
Summary:
The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection.
The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background.
The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery.
Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- He also has a law practice, an active law practice.
- But then he comes in front of me practicing, and it makes me uncomfortable.
- Split the deal by saying you can practice in 253 counties, right?
- But maybe not practice in one, like the one where you're the elections administrator, you know?
- We can tell when football practice is over because all the coaches come in to vote at the same time.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - House Health & Human Services
House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I will tell you, practicing hospital medicine and the advancements of medical technology is rapid and
- So they say it is codifying existing practice. It's not for reasons I'm happy to get into.
- And this bill diverges from that practice in a number of ways.
- I think it's clinical practice to always start with the least expensive medication first.
- I've talked to the dental practice. I've talked to the ABA space.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills related to radiation protection in cardiac catheterization labs and later a stem cell/regenerative therapy bill. On SB 1121, which would allow hospitals with radiation protection systems to let clinicians forgo lead aprons if they work in the designated safety area and use real-time dosimetry, testimony was largely supportive or neutral after a late amendment gave radiation safety officers discretion to require protective gear if exposures approach thresholds. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-1 vote. SB 1120, a more prescriptive bill requiring at least 50% of cath lab rooms in hospitals to be equipped with the radiation protection system, drew divided testimony: sponsors and several physicians argued it would reduce orthopedic injury and radiation exposure and improve recruitment and retention, while hospital and radiology groups objected to the mandate, cost, limited vendor pool, and lack of clarity in the bill’s definitions. After adopting an amendment excluding children’s hospitals, the committee deadlocked 6-6 and SB 1120 failed to pass.
The committee then considered SB 1118, which would appropriate $3 million to help rural hospitals install radiation protection systems in cath lab rooms. The sponsor said the funding would help rural facilities meet the same safety goals, and the committee passed the bill 6-5. The committee also heard SB 1214, a “guardrails” bill regulating non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, requiring informed consent, sourcing and reporting standards, advertising limits, and civil penalties for violations. Supporters said it would protect patients while allowing access to promising therapies; some members raised concerns about evidence and commercialization, but after adopting a technical amendment, the bill passed 9-3. The transcript ended as the committee moved on to SB 1630, which would seek federal approval for a home- and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness; the sponsor described it as a capped, Medicaid-based community care option, and Access testified neutral while estimating a fiscal impact, but no final action on SB 1630 appears in the excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (01/20/2026)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I'm a practicing attorney.
- Um, speaking from my own practice experience as a family law practitioner, very early in my practice,
- Um, speaking from my own practice experience as a family law practitioner, very early in my practice,
- </c><01:45:42.480><c> we</c> and um that's one of the practices we and um that's one of the practices
- practice practice uh<01:49:34.480><c> are</c><01:49:34.800><c> you</c><01:49:35.040><c> aware</c><01
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Law would include regulation, practice. This is statute.
- Law would include regulation<01:59:02.159><c> practice.
- </c> regulation practice. This is statute. regulation practice. This is statute.
- </c><01:59:17.840><c> by</c> there would be no change in practice by there would be no change in practice
- > concerned,</c><02:17:08.880><c> um</c> management practices are concerned, um management practices
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA-EIG, TCA DEFER, TCA Public Hearings 03-13-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
- But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
- But actually, in practice right now, there already is a cap on the special fund.
- Basically, it seems like things fall into three buckets: the general accounting practices related to
- </c> services it's just not best practice services it's just not best practice obviously<01:11:02.400
Summary:
The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions.
The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed.
House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time.
The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 02/13/25
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- of targeting vulnerable gamblers with incentives to coax them back into destructive practices.
- This bill would address that practice.
- </c> Senator Marty's hearing was the practice Senator Marty's hearing was the practice of<00:04:10.840
- </c><00:04:55.680><c> other</c> bill would address that practice other bill would address that practice
- And that this is about the tech industry in particular and their predatory practices.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- He is in AP Comparative Government, AP Government, and practical law.
- , and using that data in their medical practices.
- beyond what politicians should prescribe in a medical practice.
- She was concerned that the other parts of the bill would make it harder to do evidence-based practice
- far beyond what should be prescribed by politicians in a medical practice.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and then moved through committee reports, gubernatorial and House messages, and bill introductions. Several measures were referred to committees or held for later action, including new Senate bills on taxation, immigration-related enforcement, and refugee/illegal alien accountability, which were sent to Judiciary and Rules for printing. The Senate also received and processed numerous enrolled bills and committee reports on education, finance, resources, health and welfare, and state affairs.
On the floor, the Senate considered and passed a series of bills. Among the measures approved were Senate Bill 1410 on Medicaid state plan amendments for federally qualified health centers and rural health centers; Senate Bill 1426 appropriating additional funds to the Idaho Transportation Department; Senate Bill 1427 funding the Department of Lands; House Bill 797 requiring fire protection sub-district appointees or electors to live in the district; House Bill 843 changing the homestead exemption so the full exemption applies once a complete application is approved rather than prorating it; House Bill 711 creating an alternative administrator authorization pathway for principals and superintendents; House Bill 832 revising CTE industry-professional qualification rules; House Bill 795 cleaning up definitions for obscene material and lewd matter; and House Bill 817 updating tobacco retailer permitting rules for cigar-related businesses while keeping age restrictions in place.
The Senate also passed House Bill 831 on school polling places, House Bill 872 allowing constitutional amendments and initiatives to be printed within available ballot space, House Bill 893 making codifier’s corrections, House Bill 650 codifying a Tenth Amendment-based presumption favoring state authority, House Bill 674 streamlining telecom service discontinuance review by removing a duplicative state process, and House Bill 810 adding a 120-day fixed-habitation requirement for legislative candidates, though that bill drew constitutional objections. Most of these measures passed on roll calls, some by unanimous consent to reuse prior vote counts, and titles were approved before transmission back to the House or onward to the Governor as appropriate. The session also included a page graduation presentation and several brief recesses and announcements.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- First, our work is backed by research and evidence-based practices in both behavioral health and public
- </c><00:05:58.400><c> in</c> research and evidence-based practices in research and evidence-based practices
- Um, when I practiced, I had many of my clients go through drug court. Um, drug court works.
- ><c> of</c><00:22:29.360><c> my</c><00:22:29.600><c> clients</c><00:22:29.919><c> go</c> practiced I
- had many of my clients go practiced I had many of my clients go through<00:22:30.240><c> drug</c><00:
Summary:
The subcommittee received an overview of Kentucky’s specialty courts from Audrey Collins of the Department of Specialty Courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts, along with testimony from Christian County District Judge Foster Cutoff. Collins described the mission and structure of drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts, emphasizing therapeutic jurisprudence, individualized treatment, judicial oversight, and multidisciplinary teams. She said Kentucky currently has about 2,991 active participants across the three court types, with drug courts in all 120 counties, mental health courts in 17 counties, and veterans treatment courts in eight counties. She also highlighted reported outcomes such as 7,658 entrants and 4,384 successful completions from 2020 to 2024, a five-year average completion rate of 57%, and lower recidivism among graduates than the statewide average.
Collins also reviewed funding and costs, saying the department’s fiscal year 2025 budget was $18.6 million, with most of it from general funds, plus restricted and federal funds. She noted spending on personnel, treatment services, and drug testing, and said specialty courts allow participants to remain employed and meet obligations such as child support and restitution. She said participants paid more than $5.4 million in child support, restitution, and other court-related obligations over five years, and that a statewide evaluation by Morehead State University is underway. In response to questions, she said a dip in 2024 collections may have been affected by a case management system overhaul, and that court costs can be waived in some indigent cases while restitution is still required.
Judge Cutoff described veterans treatment court and mental health court in Christian County, saying the programs are especially important because of the nearby Fort Campbell military community and because they help veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, substance use, and related issues. He said the courts rely heavily on staff, treatment providers, and the VA, which helps connect participants to benefits and therapy. He also said mental health court participants receive housing, benefits, and medication support, and that the programs can keep people out of jail and help them stabilize. Committee members asked about the legal basis and history of the courts, and Collins explained that Kentucky’s specialty courts began as pilot programs in the mid-1990s, shifted from federal support to state funding around 2008-2009, and are now largely state funded. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Apr 1st, 2025 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Her practice has taken her from the halls of the Long... of the Long School of Medicine at UT Health,
- Someone who came in and said, well, I practice Satanism.
- or that you practice or that any of us practice.
- How does the registrar determine that this is practical?
- And when, or what can, if they can use it, and when it's not practical?
Summary:
The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Judiciary Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Floridians deserve access to best-practice health care without government interference.
- The ones that are practicing already saying they're going to do it last to leave.
- I was a practicing anesthesiologist for 30 years.
- Obviously the parent can leave that practice.
- I also practice in this area for 22 years. This is not against settled case law.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group 10-16-2025
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They found that improve their practices.
- </c> alignment with DOJ best practices. alignment with DOJ best practices. >> Correct.
- </c><00:56:49.680><c> operate</c> best correctional practices we operate best correctional practices
- 01:53:30.159><c> corrections</c> what the practice is uh for corrections what the practice is uh for
- </c> to push it against what is best practice to push it against what is best practice um<01:54:02.159
Summary:
The working group on restrictive housing met with a quorum present, approved the August 21, 2025 minutes, and adopted a procedure to take public testimony on each agenda item with a two-minute limit per testifier, with some flexibility for follow-up questions. The main presentation came from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on restrictive housing policies and a recent outside assessment of mental health care practices at HSCF and OOTC. DCR said the assessment found strengths such as consistent medication administration and staff commitment, but also identified major problems including outdated workflows, staffing shortages, inadequate physical plant conditions, overuse of suicide/safety watch for personal safety issues, and a need for more individualized treatment plans.
DCR described several corrective steps already underway: filling a long-vacant high-level mental health administrator position, adjusting evening medication passes, working with DOH on transfer and referral workflows, planning a new electronic medical records system and revised screening tools, and pursuing additional training for ACOs and mental health staff. For OOTC, DCR said the facility is overcrowded and decrepit, needs a better screening tool, and requires more mental health-specific training and staffing. For HCF, DCR said the layout limits confidential assessments and provider access, and that the proposed consolidated healthcare unit would add 43 beds, private exam rooms, and a de-escalation room. DCR also said the new unit could serve acute and chronic suicide/safety watch needs and possibly some inmates with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or significant cognitive impairment.
The discussion then focused on Act 292, which DCR said is difficult to implement as written. DCR said the bill aligns with DOJ, NCCHC, and ACA guidance in defining restrictive housing, limiting duration, requiring reviews, identifying vulnerable populations, and using step-down units, but raised two major concerns: a requirement to refer vulnerable people to DOH for confinement, and a requirement for clinical assessments every 12 hours by a provider. Members responded that the law should be matched with funding and staffing, and asked what resources are needed. DCR said it submitted a request for 35 positions at a cost of about $8.6 million, and also said funding may be needed for community-based beds and contracted medical services.
Members also asked about the current MOA/MOU between DOH and DCR, the working group membership, and the timeline for revisions. DCR said the group includes DCR, DOH, and governor’s office medical advisors, that a first draft is complete, and that the revised agreement should be in place by the end of the year. On staffing, DCR said ACO recruitment classes increased from five to eight, vacancy rates dropped from 34% to 24%, but OOTC still faces a projected $7.1 million shortfall and heavy overtime costs, forcing post closures and program reductions. The meeting ended with continued discussion of screening tools, including DCR’s explanation that current broad questions may over-identify people with substance-use-related symptoms as having serious mental illness, and that a more discrete tool is needed to better identify those with acute needs.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Privacy and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- is very challenging for our member companies and other California companies to establish business practices
- is very challenging for our member companies and other California companies to establish business practices
- It's a critical step forward to making sure that consumers are protected against this deceptive practice
- I'm making a standing practice of always joining all bills that Assembly Member Lowenthal jumps on.
- He came out of practice to come here and testify, so I appreciate it. Thank you, members.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- provides them a massive benefit, which is patients and bodies that seek treatment through their practice
- Ultimately, these practices expose CalPERS and CalSTRS to real financial risk, including cost overruns
- Ultimately, these practices expose CalPERS and CalSTRS to real financial risk, including cost overruns
- The intent is not to interfere with medical practice, but to ensure that administrative paperwork tied
- First, as stated, anticipating wage increases when bidding public works is standard practice.
Summary:
The Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee heard and advanced several bills covering workers’ compensation transparency, public pensions, prevailing wage, workplace harassment training, and employee benefits. AB 1048 would require disclosure of the contract justifying reduced workers’ compensation payments to medical providers; supporters said it would improve transparency without changing reimbursement rates, while opponents argued the problem was overstated and existing dispute remedies were sufficient. AB 1601 would give Sonoma County flexibility to target a cost-of-living adjustment for retirees rather than requiring an all-or-nothing COLA; county and union witnesses said retirees have gone without a COLA since 2008 and have lost purchasing power, and the bill passed unanimously. AB 1439 would commission a UC Berkeley study on labor standards in pension-funded real estate and infrastructure projects; labor groups supported it, while local governments, housing, and industry groups opposed it, and it passed on a 4-1 vote after one senator voted no in committee.
The committee also heard AB 1697, which would delay implementation of a prior law restricting certain employment debt and pay-to-quit arrangements until 2027; the author said the delay would give employers, including professional sports leagues, time to adjust, while a financial services group sought a further delay to 2028. AB 1803 would require anti-hate speech content in existing workplace harassment training for employers with five or more employees; supporters cited rising antisemitic and other hate incidents and said the bill would help workers recognize and report hate, while opponents raised First Amendment concerns and argued existing harassment law already covers hostile conduct. AB 2120 would extend Los Angeles Unified’s selective certification hiring authority and allow retention of specialized employees in layoffs, and AB 2292 would bar providers from charging administrative fees for disability insurance and paid family leave certification forms; both drew support and were advanced without opposition testimony.
AB 1198, the Fair Pay for Construction Workers Act, would require prevailing wage to be based on the time work is performed rather than the date a project is advertised for bid. Labor and contractor supporters said the current rule can lock in outdated wages and underpay workers on long projects and change orders, while cities, counties, and contractor groups warned it would create uncertainty, raise costs, and jeopardize projects funded by fixed grants or bonds. After testimony and questions, the committee voted to send all of the bills forward, with final recorded votes later showing unanimous or near-unanimous approval and several measures placed on call before the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Labor and Employment
Transcript Highlights:
- .is essential because it is linking a very current issue that we have right now with sort of our practices
- We want to be symbiotic with existing practices.
- Would I be granted time to handle the practical realities that come with losing a loved one and attend
- to To handle the practical realities that come with losing a loved one and attend to the funeral?
- ..that I think we can find, I think, through a homing conversation a way that this could work in practice
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Transcript Highlights:
- it provides them a massive benefit, which is patients, bodies that seek treatment through their practice
- Ultimately, these practices expose CalPERS and CalSTRS to real financial risk, including cost overruns
- The intent is not to interfere with medical practice, but to ensure that administrative paperwork tied
- First, as stated, anticipating wage increases when bidding public works is standard practice.
- First, as stated, anticipating wage increases when bidding public works is standard practice.