Transcript Highlights:

• And then the International Green Construction Code is a model code that provides minimum requirements
• incorporates the ecosystem services of plant life and permeable surfaces and making it so that your city
• Do you work with cities as well? You mentioned working with different programs that support folks.
• a lot of cities here do.
• Do you work with cities as well? You mentioned working with different programs that support folks.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for several House bills, then took up public hearings on HB 2426, HB 1742, HB 2215, HB 2575, HB 1903, and HB 2606. HB 2426 would allow the Pollution Control Hearings Board, with party consent and board approval, to hear permit appeals in alternative smaller compositions to improve efficiency; the sponsor and supporters from Greater Grays Harbor and FutureWise said it would speed up reviews without harming environmental protections, while the bill was described as cost-neutral. HB 1742 would create a Center for Environmentally Sustainable Urban Design at Ecology to promote sustainable building and design competitions; the sponsor emphasized regenerative, biophilic design and a proposed showcase project, and the bill was presented as budget-neutral through outside funding, though the fiscal note was still pending. HB 2215 would tighten Climate Commitment Act compliance for certain newer fuel suppliers by lowering the emissions threshold for post-2023 suppliers, exempt lubricants, and add procurement and transparency requirements. The sponsor said the bill targets “paper distributors” and loopholes used to avoid coverage; Ecology supported closing the loophole but raised concerns about reporting thresholds, implementation, staffing, and rulemaking. Testimony was mixed: the propane association and Washington Oil Marketers Association were concerned about the two-tier threshold and urged stronger upstream enforcement instead, while Climate Solutions and Washington Conservation Action supported the bill as a way to prevent gaming and strengthen climate policy. HB 2575 would reduce several environmental and energy reporting obligations, including less frequent utility reporting under the Energy Independence Act and state energy strategy updates; Commerce and the sponsor said the changes would reduce duplicative reporting and save money, while preserving core protections and oversight. HB 1903 would establish a statewide low-income energy assistance program in the Department of Commerce, phased in by 2027, to supplement existing utility programs and target households with the greatest energy burden. The sponsor and many advocates described the bill as an affordability measure to address a large unmet need, while community action agencies, utilities, and rural representatives supported the goal but asked for clearer language on voluntary utility participation, funding sources, allocation formulas, and how the program would interact with existing utility and weatherization efforts. Several speakers stressed that the program should not replace local assistance and should be designed to avoid shifting costs onto ratepayers. HB 2606 would update the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and reporting requirements, including adding review of agency AI projects and aligning the office’s work with JLARC recommendations; the chief privacy officer testified in support, explaining that the bill would formalize AI risk review, human oversight, and existing privacy/security review processes, with no fiscal impact. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to start with the proposed tax package, which is in CITI 18.
• My only concern was, of course, that the City of Albuquerque would lose GRT.
• But I think it's something like a $6 million cost to the City of Albuquerque in GRT.
• I was hoping that maybe we could hold the city harmless, but it's kind of too late now.
• I'm an Albuquerque City Councilor, and the City of Albuquerque is a member of the Coalition for Sustainable

Summary: The committee first took up the proposed 2026 tax package, Senate Bill 151, and adopted a committee substitute after discussion of the package’s funding capacity and included measures. The substitute bundled five bills: a physician tax credit, a quantum facility infrastructure tax credit, a construction materials gross receipts deduction for affordable multifamily housing, a local journalist employment tax credit, and a health equipment gross receipts deduction. Members discussed amendments that raised the physician credit from $4,000 to $10,000, narrowed the housing deduction to project-based certification, and reduced the journalist credit threshold from four stories to three. Concerns were raised about the fiscal impact on municipalities, especially Albuquerque, and about the funding mechanism, but the committee voted 6-4 to give the substitute a do pass recommendation. Senator Sanchez explained his vote, saying he wished more could have been included in the package. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, the Clear Horizons Act, which would codify statewide greenhouse gas reduction targets and direct the Environment Department and Environmental Improvement Board to develop plans and rules for emissions reductions. The sponsors said the bill builds on the governor’s 2019 executive order, includes a 10,000-metric-ton threshold for covered emitters, allows certified offsets, and is intended to protect public health, reduce climate-related costs, and provide regulatory certainty. Supporters argued the bill would help communities facing wildfire, drought, health harms, and rising insurance and utility costs, and that it would encourage clean-energy investment and long-term economic stability. Opposition testimony came from mining, oil and gas, rural electric cooperatives, construction, agriculture, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, banks, water recycling companies, and realtors. They argued the bill functions like a carbon tax or broad regulatory mandate, would raise energy and compliance costs, could reduce investment and jobs, and would disproportionately affect rural, tribal, agricultural, and low-income communities. Several witnesses warned of higher electricity and fuel bills, revenue losses for local governments, and uncertainty from delegating major policy decisions to rulemaking. Supporters included public health advocates, educators, local officials, clean-energy businesses, tribal and environmental advocates, and residents affected by wildfire and drought, who said the bill is necessary to address climate harms and protect public health and the economy. No final committee vote on SB 18 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• aware of is coding.
• City and County of Honolulu, and it would solve the procedural trap.
• City and County of Honolulu, and it would solve the procedural trap.
• versus City and County of Honolulu and versus City and County of Honolulu and it<00:17:36.000><c> would
• </c><00:18:26.120><c> and</c> attorney in city and attorney in city and county<00:18:27.880><c> uh</c

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills covering criminal justice, elections, and wildfire-related settlement funding. HB 103 would raise the age cutoff for life-without-parole eligibility from 18 to 21; supporters included the Public Defender and others, while prosecutors and some others opposed it. HB 11 would allow civil claims against people or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking; it drew mostly support but was not ready for a vote and was deferred for further questions. HB 132 would expand a state-initiated expungement pilot to include possession of any Schedule V substance; the Public Defender, ACLU, and oversight groups supported it, with one opponent, and committee questions focused on what substances and how many cases would be affected. HB 145 would require the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit expungement orders to the Judiciary to implement Act 159; the Judiciary and Public Defender supported it, and members discussed technical issues involving multiple defendants and multiple charges. HB 369, a campaign finance housekeeping bill on excess cash contributions, and HB 408, which aligns voter registration-by-mail deadlines with current law, both received support and no opposition of note. The committee also heard HB 1175, which creates appropriations and a trust fund for Maui wildfire settlement claims; the Attorney General’s office, Maui County Council, and Tax Foundation supported it, while one senator said he would vote no because of concerns about House leadership. HB 386, which conforms drug possession thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine, was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. HB 134 would require electronic filing of nomination papers; the Elections Office supported it but asked that any convenience fee be authorized in statute, while one witness opposed it over security and cost concerns. After testimony and questions, the committee took up decision-making and passed HB 103 with amendments, deferred HB 11, and passed HB 132, HB 145, HB 369, HB 408, HB 1175, HB 386, and HB 134, with HB 134 amended to clarify no additional charge for electronic filing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the city of Minneapolis. Thank you. the city of Minneapolis. Thank you.
• I am the city administrator, police chief. I do both roles for the city.
• Steve Nasby, city administrator, City of Windham.
• The city far beyond our city limits.
• </c> existing border cities allocation. existing border cities allocation.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You wonder why people, and then they've started building apartments all over the city of Baton Rouge.
• I'm out there in this city. Like I said, I'm in 70805 for the 54 years when I came in there.
• I'm out there in this city, like I said, I'm in 70805 for the 54 years when I came in there.
• I'm not really sure where the country, the state, or our cities would go from there.
• And thank you, Senator Barrow, for bringing the bill and to our colleagues at City.

Summary: The Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 21, 2012, with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 230 by Senator Barrow, a proposed constitutional amendment to let voters decide whether Louisiana should establish a state livable/minimum wage starting at $10.25 per hour in 2027, with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. Senator Barrow and several supporters framed the bill as a response to stagnant wages, rising housing and living costs, poverty, and related social problems, including crime, family instability, and child care barriers. A technical amendment was adopted to correct the bill’s language after questions were raised about whether it improperly required all employers to pay the stated wage rather than setting a minimum wage floor. Public testimony was largely in favor. Supporters included Mother Pearl Porter, who described decades of wage stagnation compared with sharply rising costs of rent, food, and gas; Angela Adkins of 10,000 Women Louisiana, who said workers should be able to cover basic expenses and that indexing wages to inflation would prevent future erosion; Jan Moeller of Invest in Louisiana, who argued the bill would help the ALICE population and noted Louisiana’s high poverty and inequality rates; Julie Schwamm Harris, who linked low wages to broader economic and social harms; Tom Costanza of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, who cited Catholic social teaching and the common good; and Tyler Phillips, who spoke about the impact of low wages on students and low-income communities. The Louisiana Restaurant Association opposed the bill, arguing it did not account for tipped workers and would increase costs for restaurants and consumers. After debate, Senator Boudreaux moved to report SB 230 as amended. The motion failed on a roll call vote, 2 yeas and 3 nays, so the bill was not reported from committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Miriam Solval and I'm provider of the city of Hayward. I'm 24 years with my daycare.
• I am a child care provider in the city of Arleta, in the San Fernando Valley.
• My name is Maria Esther Fernandez Silva, and I am a child care provider in the city of Norwalk.
• My zip code, where I actually live.
• City-County funding.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and city of Vamboy late this year.
• </c> Mil City Museum on the grain elevator. Mil City Museum on the grain elevator.
• </c> Again, more projects over at Mill City. Again, more projects over at Mill City.
• </c><01:16:54.320><c> and</c> local match and allows cities and local match and allows cities and counties
• </c> they're uh participating uh at the city they're uh participating uh at the city and<01:20:28.159

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the stepchild of Cabot—I don't mean that in a bad way, I mean that in a good way—are our own little city
• And this is because of the APSCN coding structure.
• and special needs isolated funding cannot be analyzed separately because they share the same fund code
• special needs isolated funding that cannot be analyzed separately because they share the same fund code
• within the AppScan. be analyzed separately because of they share the same fund code within the AppScan

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A1. I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative You.
• The amendment is coded A-2. I recognize.
• The amendment is coded A3.
• The amendment is coded A4.
• And it doesn't matter their zip code, background, or individual needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding for medium-unmanned surface vessels due to private investments from Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City
• That is the highest crime rate in the city. Mr. Chairman, I did have an amendment. All right.
• Commerce Code. 15 CFR 791-4. It's U.S. Commerce Code, and that's how they define them.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 21 with a quorum present, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. It first reported Senate Resolution 125 favorably, which urged the Navy to expedite funding and implementation of medium-unmanned surface vessels, citing jobs and private investment tied to Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City. The committee then heard House Bill 1253, the Gracie Claire Rushing Act, from Chairwoman Butler and Crystal Romero, who described the painful history of Gracie’s death, exhumation, and discovery that her heart had not been returned after autopsy; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 89, a local retirement health insurance measure for the Third and 30th Judicial Districts; House Bill 1257, barring elected officials and immediate family members from owning interests in electronic monitoring companies; House Bill 1029, as amended, creating a moratorium on alcohol beverage licenses in House District 3 until 2027; House Bill 1011, making a juror-per-diem donation program for CASA permissive statewide; House Bill 1064, creating a domestic violence intervention court pilot in East Baton Rouge Parish with support from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and YWCA; House Bill 816, prohibiting foreign adversaries from buying land near military installations; and House Bill 940, creating a counter-unmanned aircraft system task force to coordinate law enforcement response to drone threats. The committee then heard House Bill 1247, which addresses the shortage of sexual assault nurse examiners by creating a statewide SANE coordinator in the Attorney General’s office and a response standards subcommittee; after adopting a technical amendment set, it was reported favorably with amendments. House Bill 335, expanding public-benefit eligibility verification to entities administering benefits and adding legislative auditor oversight, was also amended after concerns from food banks and disaster-response nonprofits, with members agreeing to work on additional floor amendments to protect essential services during emergencies. House Bill 623, a tobacco-related deadline fix, was voluntarily deferred to allow more time for drafting. The committee also reported favorably HCR 64, extending a report deadline for the Supreme Court drug and specialty court office. Later, the committee reported favorably House Bill 243, changing recusal procedures so cases go first to the Attorney General rather than a private lawyer; House Bill 451, allowing hearing notices to be sent more than 30 days in advance and electronically; House Bill 1251, reducing permit costs for very small in-state distillers; House Bill 1053, allowing salons, barbers, and boutiques to offer limited complimentary wine or champagne without a permit; House Bill 153, barring criminal-justice debt from being reported to credit agencies; House Bill 59, authorizing East Baton Rouge Parish to transfer funds to the public defender’s office; HCR 50, a task force request; HCR 102, continuing the Senior Task Force on Fraud Prevention; and House Bill 1098, part of the aerospace package addressing liability related to sonic booms. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief exchange about LSU and McNeese football.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding for medium unmanned surface vessels due to private investments from Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City
• That is the highest crime rate of the city. Mr. Chairman, I did have an amendment.
• Commerce Code. 15 CFR 791-4. It's U.S. Commerce Code, and that's how they define them.

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentleman from the City of St. Louis is recognized to inquire of the bill sponsor.
• Absolutely, and so did the city of Kansas City. I do remember that. Thank you. Thank you, John.
• I think that's going to help me get to Jefferson City a little easier.
• The Kansas City Current were the winners of the 2025 NWSL Shield.
• We've had those over in the Kansas City area recently. And I give MSHSAA credit.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, approved the previous day’s journal unanimously, and then adopted a motion suspending House Rule 98 to allow members to wear hats on the floor. Members also introduced several special guests, including the Eugene High School Class 2 basketball champions, family members, scholarship recipients, and other visitors. One member used a lengthy personal privilege speech to criticize a recent U.S. Supreme Court voting-rights decision and warn about threats to democracy and minority voting power. The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. It approved a motion to go to conference on the property-tax omnibus measure tied to Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. House Bill 3329, repealing expired tax credits, passed 142-0. House Bill 3405, clarifying the SALT deduction and improving tax-credit accounting, also passed 138-0. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426, a parental-rights bill that also drew criticism over a school financial-ledger requirement and possible burdens on schools and student safety, failed on third reading 70-60. The House next passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1233, a professional-licensing bill involving CPA exam access and other occupational licensing changes, by 129-6 after adopting an amendment removing compact language and rejecting a nursing-home physicals amendment. It then passed House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1408, which raises the maximum rural interstate speed limit to 75 mph and, through multiple amendments, also carried a mix of transportation-related provisions including vehicle inspections, hands-free enforcement, motorcycle lighting, driver education, and specialty license plates for women’s professional sports; the final vote was 82-53. The Speaker also appointed a conference committee for Senate Bill 1066. The final item mentioned was Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Bill 863, described as an interscholastic athletic oversight/appeals bill, but the transcript cuts off before its final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:55.600><c> and</c> joined by a number of cities and joined by a number of cities and community
• </c><00:16:56.720><c> and</c> it more viable for cities and it more viable for cities and municipalities
• Um and the city of opportunity there.
• </c> actually able to join some of our city actually able to join some of our city leaders<00:49:32.880
• Miss Proser, the city of St. Paul.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Well, I For those of you who don't know me, I, I was an administrator of a city department, um, and
• and he and you read his report, uh, and it's damning, uh, both his report and his assessment and the code
• Failing in her job responsibilities and there's no other way to read a code neutrals report uh or the
• That actually deals with the two acts, the, the Mental Health Development Disabilities Code, but also
• To places like, not saying this necessarily, but when we go to Silver City or Truth or Consequences or

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• coding.
• Dante Bataki, CTO of Eleanor Codings, who continues to build his company.
• I would say compliance with state board policy and Century Code compliance.
• But collapsing programs in like CIP codes, we've also identified new programs.
• So that piece is still in Century Code, but was not funded in the 25-27 biennium.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this past Sunday, we lost former Jacksonville City Council member and former member of this
• Is it your zip code?
• Bar code 870913. Remove line 115 and insert an amendment. Representative Nixon, you're right.
• After Jordan took control of the Old City of Jerusalem, Jews were expelled.
• City Council vacancies, and that is the bill.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.

Transcript Highlights:

• That new number to call is area code 669-906-833. Again, that's 669-906-833.
• I'll start here in Carson City.
• Not seeing anyone else come forward in Carson City for support.
• Anyone opposed to Assembly Bill 534 who'd like to be heard here in Carson City?
• I'm not seeing anyone else in Carson City, and I don't see anyone in Las Vegas.

Committee: Senate Legislative Operations and Elections

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President Mark Sedaris, George Proakis, the Watertown City Manager, and Earl Smith, Watertown City Assessor
• I'm here with a panel including the Watertown City Council President, City Manager, and City Assessor
• We'll hear from our city manager, George Proakis. Thank you.
• the residents of the city?
• And I served in the city council, council president Sedaris, and back...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 miscellaneous and late-file bills, with testimony focused on several local tax and policy measures. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would make permanent a temporary tax classification adjustment allowing the city to maintain a 50% minimum residential factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and legislators said the change is needed because the city’s commercial growth has triggered an old statutory formula that would otherwise push a larger share of the tax burden onto homeowners, especially seniors and fixed-income residents. They said the current temporary relief expires in fiscal 2027 and warned that, without permanent action, residential tax bills could rise sharply; committee members asked about the regional business impact, commercial taxpayers such as Alexandria Real Estate, and Watertown’s stabilization and free cash balances. The committee also heard H. 4435, a Charlemont bill authorizing a tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials said the measure would help a small rural town with a large tourism and recreation economy cover increased police, fire, and EMS costs caused by visitors, while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers. A committee member questioned whether the proposal fit within existing tax law and whether it was more like a tax on entry than on services; town witnesses responded that it would apply to recreation-related services such as guides and lifts and was modeled on the meals and rooms tax. Finally, testimony was taken on H. 4722, which would promote fair tax treatment for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including electric school buses and trucks, by capping sales and excise taxes at the level of comparable diesel vehicles. Supporters said the bill would remove an unintended tax penalty, help school districts and transportation providers afford electrification, and remain revenue-neutral. Representative Gentile also testified in support of H. 4722 and H. 4755, a Sudbury bill to amend the town’s means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption so the local program can continue without requiring a new special act if it lapses. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve on the Paramount City Council.
• some of the clarity for each specific city.
• We also highlighted this to many cities and many communities.
• Carrie West with the City of Sunnyvale, where the majority of these mobile homes do exist, and the city
• Carrie West with the city of Sunnyvale, where the majority of these mobile homes do exist, and the city

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee opened its first Senate Housing hearing of 2026 by taking up several two-year bills and bond measures. SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act, would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow video/phone participation by contractors during inspections, and limit HOA barriers. Supporters said the bill would cut costs, speed replacements, reduce pollution, and help Californians lower energy bills; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing concerns about a permit fee cap and virtual inspections. After questions about fees, inspection liability, HOA authority, and electrical panel upgrades, the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill would be narrowed to two definition changes and that broader SB 79 cleanup would come in a new bill later in 2026. Testimony reflected both support and concern: some local governments and counties said more clarity was needed on implementation, transit-related definitions, and timing, while housing and transit advocates supported the cleanup and the removal of the ferry-stop provision. The committee approved the amended bill 10-1 to Local Government. SB 417, the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, proposed a $10 billion general obligation bond for affordable rental housing, supportive housing, homeownership, and preservation. Supporters argued that state housing funds had been exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready units were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and create jobs. Opponents, including Habitat for Humanity, asked for a dedicated CalHome set-aside for homeownership. Members debated state debt levels, bond repayment, and whether the state should rely more on direct appropriations, but the bill passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also began hearing SB 492, the Youth Housing and Youth Center bond, which the author said was intended to be folded into a larger housing bond package. The bill would authorize bonds for youth housing and youth centers for transition-age youth up to age 25, with the author arguing that early intervention could prevent future homelessness. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 492.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mission is to work together with counties, cities, and communities, as well as oversee the health
• Our mission is to work together with counties, cities, and communities, as well as well as well as, and
• Our mission is to work together with counties, cities, and communities, as well as our public, private
• We also have a program, which I have to send out when I get back to the city.
• And this isn't a city that has a lot of food banks. We have Open Hands.

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support landscape for older LGBTQ Californians, including people aging with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the long history of discrimination faced by older LGBTQ adults, the growth of the aging LGBTQ population, and the need to translate existing state commitments into concrete services. Senators highlighted concerns about nursing home vulnerability, the aging of people living with HIV, and the impact of federal actions and Medicaid cuts on California’s safety net. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony described widespread inequities, including discrimination, social isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in culturally competent care. State officials outlined the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, gender-affirming care protections in Medi-Cal, and efforts to improve coordination across departments. Advocates argued the state has been too slow to respond to federal threats and that services are often hard to find or fragmented. Committee members pressed the departments on how survey findings are being turned into action, how rural and underserved communities are being reached, and whether more formal stakeholder coordination or “no wrong door” access systems are needed. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor gave emotional testimony about the “survivorship penalty,” loss of benefits, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, housing assistance, and protection from outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need for area agencies on aging; it said 20 of 33 area plans now identify HIV as a target population and many include specific strategies, such as LGBTQIA mental health connections programs. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and rely on whole-person case management. Case management testimony underscored persistent needs for medication subsidies, transportation, food, and housing. Committee members questioned how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how SB 258 is enforced across local agencies, and how to reduce administrative barriers and auto-connect eligible people to benefits. The final panel began with the Department of Social Services outlining protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219’s nondiscrimination requirements and related provider notices and resident rights materials. The hearing remained focused on identifying service gaps, improving coordination across aging, health, and social service systems, and ensuring state programs better reflect the lived experience of older LGBTQ Californians.