Transcript Highlights:

• .. ...have dignity and a reasonable quality of life during their later years in retirement, which allows
• service the average expected lifetime and working period for employees is around 11 to 12 years and
• No, so that term is the average expected working lifetime.
• Now, when you think about it, people are going to live or work for a certain amount of time and then
• So if they work the same amount of years—20 years, 30 years—they're going to be retiring later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the average age of the average fisher person is increasing.
• Uh, South Dakota, North Dakota, I believe Iowa, I believe Wisconsin all allow you to use multiple lines
• been some conversations that we could potentially even increase that, um, to generally increase the amount
• Um, and uh, whether it be 10 or $15, I think we would be able to drive a significant amount of dollars
• </c><00:01:58.719><c> fisher</c> the average age of the average fisher the average age of the average

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know it's tough; you probably haven't calculated this, but an average COLA or an average base increase
• allowed campuses to plan ahead.
• allowed campuses to plan ahead.
• So it's an average that includes both.
• Her allowances alone are more than what I make as my total salary.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an extraordinary amount.
• We need to continue to allow access.
• It averages approximately 800 active users per day with an average session duration of five minutes.
• That will also allow us an increased amount of federal money that we can push to other programming.
• We'll use it to pay the total amount of closer to the $47 million We'll use it to pay the total amount

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, there's this not-huge amount of money in ASIC.
• A dollar amount would? It really ranges.
• Well, it's an average gap.
• So I referred to an average, but, you know, that changes.
• This will allow us to advocate for our clients.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a flag in the system for X amount of dollars.
• I think there's a law that they're not allowed to keep—I think they're allowed to keep up to a certain
• amount of deaths.
• last year’s average.
• to this year's average.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• At the high, it's 20%; on average, it's about 10%.
• The top line is the amount of expense, operating expense...
• amount of volatility because we are down to so few refineries.
• Allowing the sale of some non-carbon gasoline would allow California refiners to use more of the fuel
• Allowing the sale of some non-carbon gasoline would allow California refiners to use more of the fuel

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held its annual oversight hearing on the transportation fuels sector, focused on refinery closures, gasoline supply and prices, in-state oil production, and implementation of SBX1-2 and ABX2-1. The chair emphasized that California needs a system-wide transition plan to manage the decline in fossil fuel demand while avoiding supply shocks and consumer harm, especially in light of Phillips 66’s planned refinery changes and Valero’s announced intent to close its Benicia refinery. CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda and CARB Chair Liane Randolph described the broader fuel transition: EV adoption is rising, gasoline demand is declining, and California’s refining system is increasingly tight and interconnected with imports, storage, pipelines, and marine terminals. Randolph reviewed CARB’s climate and air-quality programs, including the low-carbon fuel standard, and said California still has major ozone and particulate pollution problems even as emissions have fallen. Both agencies stressed that the state must balance climate goals, air quality, consumer protection, and investor confidence, and that additional refinery closures could increase price volatility and strain supply. DPMO Director Ty Milder presented new data on gasoline pricing, saying Californians have paid a “mystery gasoline surcharge” of about 41 cents per gallon since 2015, with higher branded gasoline markups and elevated industry margins concentrated among vertically integrated firms. He said the data show some refiners do well while others struggle, and that the market is highly concentrated. Committee members questioned whether the data proved manipulation or whether state regulations and declining supply were contributing to refinery exits and higher prices. Witnesses said no specific consumer-cost threshold is used in CARB’s economic analysis, and CEC officials said they have not yet implemented the new permissive tools because they are still evaluating whether the benefits outweigh the risks. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, instead of a $75 flat amount, a formula was put into place. A fair amount to the formula.
• So, we do have an estimate for the amount of gas tax that the average driver pays in Minnesota, and I
• So, we do have an estimate for the amount of gas tax that the average driver pays in Minnesota, and I
• 100 miles for the average national average of electric vehicles.
• In Minnesota, the average they said was about $4.77. So slightly lower than the national average.

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies miss their the lapse amount agencies miss their laps<00:19:46.080><c> amount</c><00:19:46.360
• <c> what</c> take average family average home what take average family average home what would<00:49:
• </c><00:59:10.839><c> of</c> municipality that has a fair amount of municipality that has a fair amount
• </c> between the price of gas and the amount between the price of gas and the amount of<01:27:57.840>
• </c> profits tax the way we do that allowed profits tax the way we do that allowed them<02:12:16.000>

Summary: The committee meeting began with an overview from the Legislative Budget Assistant Office on how Ways and Means will work with agencies and leadership during the budget and revenue-estimating process. Staff explained that the governor’s budget is still being developed, agencies are cautious about going on record early, and the committee will use worksheets and updated fiscal reports to track estimates. The presentation emphasized that the fiscal year 2025 budget status is a point-in-time snapshot and remains fluid because the annual comprehensive financial report has been delayed, which could change the beginning balances for both the general fund and education trust fund. The budget update highlighted that the general fund is currently stronger than originally assumed, while the education trust fund is weaker. The speaker said the general fund began FY25 with a much larger balance than expected, while the education trust fund came in lower due to higher-than-budgeted adequacy spending and weaker business tax performance. Revenue trends showed the general fund slightly ahead year to date, but the education trust fund down significantly. The committee also discussed unbudgeted appropriations, including attorney general litigation, legal settlements, abandoned property claims, adequacy true-ups, and education freedom accounts, as well as the role of lapses and off-budget items in the final balance. Members asked about the delayed liquor commission audit and whether it could affect revenue forecasts. Staff said the delay was mainly caused by the commission’s switch in point-of-sale systems and staffing losses, but did not expect major ongoing reporting issues. They also noted that liquor fund variances are more likely tied to Medicaid expansion costs than to commission operations. The governor’s office was said to be working on possible budget reductions, but no January request to the fiscal committee was expected. Commissioner Lindsay Stepp of the Department of Revenue Administration then presented an overview of state revenue sources, focusing first on the meals and rentals tax. She explained that DRA administers 14 taxes that account for most state revenue, and that meals and rentals tax growth has slowed after strong post-pandemic gains. She described factors affecting the tax, including employment, inflation, fuel and food prices, wages, and weather, and noted that online platforms like Airbnb have improved compliance by collecting and remitting tax on behalf of hosts. Members asked about short-term rental compliance and how DRA identifies unlicensed rentals; Stepp said referrals, anonymous tips, and platform data help enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's really the amount that should be there. $184.21.
• The average, if I were to... ...and that doesn't happen.
• It was $432, I believe, was the exact amount, average amongst all 134,000 properties. ...amongst all
• And the average cost per statement ranged from $0.31 to $1.60, with an average cost of $0.74.
• You know, what's an appropriate amount?

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and focused primarily on property tax statement issues tied to the primary residence credit and the 5% early-payment discount. North Dakota Association of Counties representatives said the current special-session language creates problems because the discount is being applied even when no taxes are ultimately owed, and because the discount is calculated before the PRC funds are actually received. They recommended reverting to the prior law so the discount is applied after the PRC, and noted that all four programmers said they could revert the software to the earlier version if needed. The committee also reviewed a bill draft to remove the legislative tax relief line item from the required contents of the property tax statement. Members agreed the current line item is not especially accurate or useful on the statement, and several members said the committee should go further by adding clearer taxpayer education, such as a pie chart or other supplemental breakdown of where property taxes go. County officials said some counties already provide supplemental charts or explanatory material, but others would need help with printing, mailing, or formatting. To support that idea, staff presented a second bill draft creating a grant program, administered through the Association of Counties with OMB as a pass-through, to reimburse counties for supplemental property tax statement information and related administration. After discussion, the committee voted unanimously to combine the two bill drafts into one recommendation and forward it to the full Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee. The subcommittee then voted to adjourn after directing staff to prepare its summary and recommended bill draft for the interim report.

Transcript Highlights:

• You mean the average sale for the average person that goes grocery shopping, right, Madam Chair?
• And the average purchase, Madam Chair, is about how much $286 per basket.
• And the average purchase, Madam Chair, is about how much $286 per basket.
• The amount of tonnage, and if you can see that the amount of freight going through New Mexico is.
• The need is far greater than the amount of funding that we have.

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So in regards to the incentive amounts, specific incentive amounts will be determined by the PUC based
• We don't allow, we don't charge over the price.
• It costs a certain amount.
• shift is on average 14.2%.
• Since 2010, the average household bill has risen 88 percent, double the national average, and now stands

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• How much was the average subsidy? Oh, the average amount. Yeah, we don't know.
• </c> &gt;&gt; average subsidy? &gt;&gt; average subsidy?
• &gt;&gt; Oh,<00:20:01.120><c> the</c><00:20:01.280><c> average</c><00:20:01.520><c> amount.
• amount.
• Yeah, we we &gt;&gt; Oh, the average amount. Yeah, we we don't<00:20:02.640><c> know.

Bills: HF3298 , SF3832 , HF3528 , HF3516 , HF3972 , HF4118

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• The prior administration, on average, handled nine risk cases.
• We're saving taxpayers a significant amount of money.
• So the appropriated amount is $26.6 million.
• So the appropriated amount is $26.6 million.
• Now I know our law has a certain amount.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and questions for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Species Conservation, and the Office of the Attorney General. Fish and Game’s budget was described as largely dedicated and federal funding with no general fund support, with discussion of ongoing and one-time enhancements for fisheries inflation, habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, depredation claims, chronic wasting disease testing, and communications. Director Jim Fredericks also reviewed the new nonresident tag draw system, access challenges on private lands, and the department’s role in habitat work and species management. Members raised concerns about depredation claim shortfalls, survey and advisory committee processes, predator management, and the overlap between Fish and Game and the Office of Species Conservation on habitat and endangered species work. The Office of Species Conservation presentation focused on its role coordinating state actions for threatened, endangered, and candidate species, mostly through federal and miscellaneous revenue funds. Administrator Mike Edmondson explained that the office often serves as the policy and administrative lead while Fish and Game carries out much of the field work, and he described metrics for sage grouse, salmon and steelhead, and grizzly bear-related efforts. He also said the office has been working with the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources on a possible merger, with some staff reductions under consideration, and answered questions about grizzly bear delisting, wolf litigation, and tribal consultation. Attorney General Raul Labrador then argued that his office has produced significant results without asking for new money, but said the committee’s proposed reductions would force furloughs or position cuts and asked for $980,000 to be restored. He highlighted the ICAC unit’s elimination of a cyber-tip backlog, increased arrests, consumer protection recoveries, and expanded appellate and civil litigation work defending state laws. Members asked about the source of recovered funds, the office’s flexibility to absorb cuts, and whether the state could work on a framework to transfer incarcerated undocumented offenders to federal custody for deportation. The committee ended by noting upcoming budget-setting work and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• But with all that said, our average statewide 22% of median on April 1st.
• Our average statewide 22% of median on April 1st. Next slide, please.
• It's been a really warm water year, averaged statewide.
• So that's the actual amount of precipitation that they can capture in the reservoir.
• I'm not allowed to call on you, right? Okay. Go ahead, Rapabara.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Water Supply During Drought

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year, with the vote appearing unanimous. After a brief discussion about who would chair the rest of the meeting, the committee proceeded to its regular agenda focused on the 2026 drought situation in Washington. The Washington state climatologist, Karen Mbacca, and Department of Ecology drought staff presented data showing a statewide drought declaration issued April 8 due to very low snowpack, warm winter temperatures, and resulting water supply concerns. They described the state’s statutory drought criteria, current reservoir and streamflow conditions, Yakima Basin water supply forecasts, likely summer temperature and precipitation outlooks, and the possibility of an El Niño developing later in the year. Ecology said the declaration makes $3 million in drought response grants available and allows expedited water transfer processing, and staff said they are already hearing concerns about impacts to agriculture, fish, and drinking water systems. Committee members discussed the need for longer-term drought preparedness, possible legislative tools, and whether additional funding or reservoir/storage strategies should be considered. Rep. Dent and others asked about available grant money and future mitigation planning, while Ecology said it is open to working with the legislature and stakeholders on resilience measures. The committee then heard a contrasting presentation from Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington, who argued there is no current drought emergency because reservoirs are full, precipitation and soil moisture are near or above normal in many areas, and agriculture is performing well; he said the state’s drought declaration is not justified by current conditions. Members questioned him about reservoir capacity, drought definitions, and forecasts, and the meeting ended with several members thanking departing legislators and noting the importance of continued water planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> full funding and a three-year averaging full funding and a three-year averaging I<00:04:18.759><
• </c><00:04:27.840><c> of</c> incorporating a three-year average of incorporating a three-year average
• The three-year average is a priority, but I agree with the testimony.
• He asked for background on how the department arrives at that amount. or not allowing a worker to have
• </c> they deserve whatever penalty is allowed they deserve whatever penalty is allowed for<00:49:05.359

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Current data shows an average of 17.6 veteran deaths by suicide per day.
• It's now up to $23,000 a year on average.
• Being allowed to share data.
• AB 1618 allows us to begin granting directly to NGOs.
• Are non-veterans allowed to use the VA services? Um... Through CVHI?

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget and staffing cuts on veterans and on California’s systems for delivering veteran services. In opening remarks, the chair argued that cuts to the VA, federal workforce, Medi-Cal, SNAP/CalFresh, and related programs would disproportionately harm veterans, citing impacts on health care, suicide prevention, housing, and employment. The committee then heard from the California Military Department, CalVet, county veteran service offices, and veterans legal and housing organizations about how state and local programs are responding. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness, training, equipment, and funding for programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, and counterdrug operations. Members asked about how service members access VA benefits, the impact of federal cuts on readiness, and what the Legislature can do to help. Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and stable funding, and he criticized some federal efficiency reviews as wasteful while warning that reduced readiness would ultimately affect Californians. CalVet Deputy Secretary Roberto Herrera, L.A. County veteran services director Jim Zenner, and Swords to Plowshares legal director Mo Cedar emphasized that county veteran service officers and legal aid are essential for claims, appeals, housing, and mental health access. They said the PACT Act and federal staffing strains have increased demand, while county offices remain underfunded. Testimony highlighted the value of CalVet strike teams, MHSA-funded legal services, and county programs that bring in federal benefits and reduce homelessness and incarceration costs. Committee members generally agreed that California should sustain and expand these supports, improve data sharing, and protect state programs from federal cuts. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, Herrera, Amy Fairweather of Swords to Plowshares, and Robert Storr of U.S. Vets described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative. They reported improved outcomes for veterans in supportive housing and expanded no-cost counseling statewide, but warned that step-down funding and federal uncertainty could jeopardize services. Members asked about wait times, access, and who can use VA services, and witnesses explained that the main barriers are workforce shortages and capacity, not just eligibility. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of confusion about what is allowable and what isn't allowable.
• There's a lot of confusion about what is allowable and what isn't allowable.
• There's a lot of confusion about what is allowable and what isn't allowable.
• </c><03:31:32.239><c> for</c> code the code enforcement to allow for code the code enforcement to allow
• </c> um amount. um amount.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• allow the Legislature to adopt exemptions for charitable or educational properties.
• and does not allow.
• not allowed to have a police assessment fee.
• My colleague just showed me from his county that an average house costs $134,000.
• We know that the average bill takes three years to get across the finish line.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes held its first meeting with opening remarks from the co-chairs and ranking member framing the committee’s task as developing property tax legislation for next session. Staff then gave a high-level overview of Florida property taxes, explaining how ad valorem taxes work, the roles of property appraisers, tax collectors, taxing authorities, value adjustment boards, and the Department of Revenue, and reviewing key concepts such as just value, assessed value, exemptions, taxable value, millage rates, homestead exemptions, Save Our Homes, and portability. The presentation also emphasized that property tax law is largely rooted in the Florida Constitution and that local governments choose millage rates, which affects collections. No public comment was taken. The committee then discussed five Speaker-proposed concepts. Proposal 1 would require cities, counties, and special districts to hold a referendum on eliminating property taxes on homestead properties; members raised concerns about local funding, public safety, special districts, renters, and the need for extensive voter education, with some suggesting countywide elections or town halls instead. Proposal 2 would create a new $500,000 homestead exemption for non-school taxes and a $1 million exemption for seniors 65+ or long-term homesteaders; members split between seeing it as meaningful relief for seniors and warning it could devastate local tax bases, especially in lower-value or rural counties, while also potentially trapping older homeowners in place. Proposal 3 would authorize the Legislature to raise homestead exemptions by general law; some liked the flexibility, but others worried about statewide one-size-fits-all impacts, political difficulty in reversing changes, and the need for local revenue replacement. Proposal 4 would change assessment caps for homestead and non-homestead property; several members said it would not provide enough relief and could shift burdens to rental properties and non-homestead owners. Proposal 5, eliminating foreclosure on homestead property for tax liens, drew the strongest opposition, with members saying it would undermine lien priority, mortgage and title systems, and incentives to pay taxes. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly stressed the need to understand local fiscal impacts, including police, fire, infrastructure, and other services funded by property taxes, and to consider alternative revenue sources or offsets if taxes are reduced. The co-chairs said the committee is still in the information-gathering stage, that all ideas remain on the table, and that members should do “homework” by meeting with local taxing authorities and learning how property taxes are set and spent in their districts. The meeting ended with no votes on the proposals and adjournment after a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when this amount of dollar claims can be controlled with not stacking, still allowed to bring a claim
• So what this will allow us to— —do is guarantee the amount of money coming to the state, but also allow
• It's an aggregate amount that actually comes in that allows us the flexibility to pay out more on the
• So it allows us to just average the two to come up with a better payout for our scratcher tickets.
• So it's an all-averaging game for us, but it was even harder because we were averaging to the month.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 246, which would require licensure and inspections for massage therapy establishments. The sponsor and Regulation and Licensing Department said the bill is intended to close a gap in oversight, improve sanitation and public safety, and help address human trafficking and prostitution concerns. Supporters from the massage therapy profession and industry groups said establishment licensing would create accountability and protect legitimate practitioners, while AMTA took a neutral position but supported the rulemaking process. Several senators raised concerns about privacy, home-based businesses, and whether mobile or traveling therapists would be affected; the department said the bill would apply to establishments, not individual therapists, and that home inspections would be governed by rules. The committee voted 8-0 to give SB 246 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 300, an appropriation for CYFD computer hardware and software to improve compatibility with the national child welfare management system. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce delays and improve data sharing, especially in child welfare and ICWA-related cases. Members asked about the current system and how the funding would help, and the sponsor said the bill was aimed at better interoperability. The committee voted 8-0 to send SB 300 forward with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 146, which would amend the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. The bill and committee substitute would align the legal standard more closely with federal deliberate indifference language, reduce damages caps, shorten the statute of limitations, require 90 days’ notice, and bar double recovery under both the Civil Rights Act and Tort Claims Act. Supporters, including county and city representatives, law enforcement, AFSCME, and risk management officials, argued the changes were needed to control rapidly rising claims costs and protect public budgets. Opponents from the ACLU, civil rights, poverty, immigrant, and LGBTQ advocacy groups said the bill would weaken accountability, reintroduce qualified immunity-like protections, and make it harder for people harmed by government actors to seek justice. After a failed motion to table and a 5-5 vote on the committee substitute, the bill remained in committee and did not advance.