Transcript Highlights:

• This is the second hearing of the Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color.
• You might remember the first hearing took place in Los Angeles at Chuco's Justice Center.
• From our first hearing, two bills were derived from community and incarcerated youth.
• So, again, you're definitely going to hear about the community schools initiative.
• Is anybody else in this hearing room? Hello, everybody. My name is James Birch.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you can hear me. I'm actually out in Colorado with my daughter at the moment.
• So now I'd like to hear from you all. So now I'd like to hear from you all.
• And I'd love to hear folks unmute and share this powerful moment.
• And like we did before, I'd love to hear from folks what supports those values.
• Hi, I'm driving, but I can hear you.

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming its first full-time director, Alison Bauer, who introduced her background in state government, public health, philanthropy, teaching, and LGBTQ family advocacy. Commissioners approved the December quarterly meeting minutes, then turned to a presentation by Adriana Bullen on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Bullen led an interactive workshop using reflection, anonymous polling, and discussion to connect DEI concepts to the commission’s work, including examples from participants’ personal and professional lives and a brief history of intersectionality rooted in Black feminist scholarship and the DeGraffenreid v. General Motors case. The group then applied the discussion to the commission itself, identifying examples of successful DEI work such as listening sessions across the Commonwealth, targeted recruitment, inclusive trainings, the strategic plan, the commission website, and advocacy that helped pass the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights. Participants also named conditions that support the commission’s power, including collaboration, commitment, openness, empowerment, persistence, and strong relationships, while noting barriers such as invisibility of older adults, limited racial and ethnic diversity, and lack of trans elder representation. Several commissioners emphasized the need for more Black, Latino, immigrant, and trans voices, and discussed recruitment challenges, including the difficulty of asking marginalized people to be the only one in the room. Bullen concluded by introducing an equity-lens tool for evaluating decisions and actions, using the commission’s strategic priority on representation as an example. Commissioners discussed whether to expand membership, create an advisory board, or use a broader network of organizations to cultivate future commissioners, noting that some changes would require legislative or procedural action. The meeting ended with appreciation for the workshop and a commitment to continue the work, with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.

Transcript Highlights:

• to thank Representative Rower for carrying this bill and for the committee for taking the time to hear
• </c> taking the time to hear it this morning. taking the time to hear it this morning.
• Um, in the what you'll hear from uh Agent Whitehead shortly, we went and got an executive order from
• So I hear you on that. I think, uh, you know, we're not trying to have mission creep here.
• So I hear you on security would expire.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we're going to hear from Representative Redondo.
• Up next, we're going to hear from Representative Snyder and Weinberger Cs for HB 1039.
• Up next, we're going to hear Cs for HB 1461.
• Up next, we're going to hear Cs for HB 1461.
• Next, we're going to hear CS for HB 741. By Representative Owen, Department of Commerce.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re here in the Labor and Commerce Committee, and we will start with public hearing.
• bills, and then return back to public hearing.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, thank you for hearing my testimony today.
• We'll just hear from Tammy.
• I think you're going to hear some noes on our side of the aisle.

Bills: SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5437 , SB6117 , SB5852 , SB5847 , SB6067 , SB6152 , SB6136

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement, infractions, administrative penalties, license suspension, certificate suspension, endorsement suspension, registration suspension, Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, penalty schedule, repeat violations, workplace standards, construction trades, professional licensing, Washington state, factory built housing

Transcript Highlights:

• We will also hear about a tribal country. ...and justice and equity in her community.
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Ward, do you wish to close?
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Ward, do you wish to close?
• Seeing and hearing no further debate, Assembly Member Calra, do you wish to close?
• we hear echoes that still ring true today.

Summary: The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, after a quorum call and opening prayer led by Assembly Member Ramos, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural actions. Members handled several motions on bill referrals and file management, including disputes over SB 280 and ACA 8. The Speaker’s rulings were repeatedly appealed and sustained, and the body ultimately approved re-referral and notice waivers related to ACA 8 and SB 280, along with related committee hearing notices and shortened file notice requirements. Several bills were also removed from consent, moved to inactive file, or withdrawn from committee as nonfiscal measures. The chamber then held a Native American Day ceremony centered on ACR 102 by Assembly Member Ramos, recognizing California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders and members spoke in support, emphasizing California’s Native history, past state harms, and recent legislative efforts affecting tribal communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 71 coauthors were added. The ceremony also honored Native leaders and students, including Judge Abby Abinanti, Councilwoman Catalina Chacon, Rosemary Salgado, Chairman Frederick Massetti, and Clovis Unified students who defended their right to wear regalia at graduation. Later, the Assembly took up concurrence votes on several Senate-amended bills, all of which passed unanimously: AB 829 on Parkinson’s disease, AB 463 on emergency medical services, AB 493 on mortgage escrow interest, and AB 1387 on behavioral health coordination for justice-involved individuals. The body also adopted ACR 100 honoring India’s Independence Day and H.R. 44 recognizing homeless service providers, both by voice vote after substantial support from members and coauthors. Guest introductions highlighted the music industry, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and visiting officials from Pakistan. The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Joel Nilsen and Grace Akiko Kojima, followed by announcements of upcoming session dates and adjournment under the call of the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your patience, and welcome to our first informational hearing for the Select Committee
• This informational hearing is being live streamed on the Assembly's website and will be uploaded for
• Well, thank you, Assemblymember Kalra, for organizing this hearing, and thank you, Assembly members,
• Can everybody hear me all right? Yes. Great. Yeah, we can see you and hear you. It was just fine.
• That's great to hear. And Dr. Hale.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair opened by noting California’s $5 million public investment in UC research in 2022 and framed the hearing around three panels: the climate, environmental, and security potential of alternative proteins; industry scaling and commercialization; and university-led research and workforce development. Members emphasized that the committee will continue with site visits and additional hearings across the state. The first panel focused on the case for alternative proteins as a climate, land, water, biodiversity, and food-security solution. Shana Fertig of the Good Food Institute argued that plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use while helping California meet its climate and conservation goals. Zane Swanson of CSIS added that alternative proteins could reduce risks tied to zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, supply-chain disruption, and broader national security concerns. In questions, members discussed the role of pharmaceuticals in animal agriculture and how alternative proteins might complement, rather than replace, traditional farming by creating new markets for California crops and helping farmers diversify. The second panel featured industry leaders Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat, Myra Passick of Upside Foods, and Arye Elfenbein of Wildtype. Brown highlighted plant-based meat’s health and climate benefits, criticized misinformation campaigns against the sector, and urged better labeling, reduced subsidies for factory farming, and more plant-based food in public institutions. Passick described cultivated meat as a scalable food-production technology, said Upside Foods has already produced millions of pounds annually at its Emeryville facility, and asked for grants, low-interest loans, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or similar revenue programs. Elfenbein described cultivated seafood as a way to address overfishing, contamination, traceability problems, and the heavy import dependence of the U.S. seafood supply, while also noting conservation benefits and the need for California to remain a hub for the industry. The final panel centered on research and workforce development. UCLA’s Amy Rowat described state-funded work on technical bottlenecks such as growing fat cells and creating edible scaffolds, along with a Future Food Fellows program that trains students across science, engineering, law, and policy. UC Santa Cruz economist Galina Hale argued that alternative proteins are necessary to meet future protein demand while reducing food-system emissions, and said California must support the sector through grants, loans, procurement, and research centers to avoid losing leadership to other states and countries. The hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses, noting that all materials would be posted online, and saying the committee would continue building policy and budget proposals to support the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Chaney, thank you very much for hearing me. Members of the committees.
• I was surprised to hear that.
• And this one of the reasons why we're hearing this bill today.
• And I've said this last committee, I want you all to hear me here. >> We're hearing from she says, rep
• , as we just there was a hearing from the associations, the leaders, the lobbyist, the lawyers were hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, Skelly hearings.
• "We are removing the reference to the Skelly hearing. Okay, thank you."
• But what we keep hearing is that that's not the case.
• But what we keep hearing is that that's not the case.
• And I hear time and time again about these independent contractors.

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment measures. AB 465 would require local public employers, at a union’s request, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal rights, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters, including AFSCME and SEIU, said it would create fairer and more consistent due process protections for local government workers; opponents from county and city groups argued it would impose binding arbitration and rigid discipline rules that could undermine local flexibility and accountability. The bill passed on a 5-0 vote and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow court interpreter bargaining to be consolidated when multiple regions are negotiating at the same time. The author and the California Federation of Interpreters said the change would reduce repeated bargaining, improve efficiency, and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would really solve wage and staffing problems; the bill passed 5-0 and was placed on hold. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by tying salaries more closely to comparable local fire departments, drew strong support from firefighters and no opposition. Members praised Cal Fire’s work and the bill passed 7-0 and was held for add-ons. The committee also approved AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing federal cuts or office closures. Supporters said Social Security is essential to seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children, and warned that reductions would increase poverty and homelessness. One member objected to naming political figures in the resolution, but the measure still passed 7-0 and was held. AB 1247, which would require contracted-out school classified workers to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address related retirement contributions, passed 5-2 despite opposition from county superintendents and school administrators who said it would add costs and limit contracting flexibility. Finally, AB 288, which would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB fails to remedy labor claims by a deadline, passed 6-0 with strong union support and no opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just so the members know, we have two public hearings.
• I know folks... ...today on the public hearing.
• So, I'm eager to hear how that's going to work. ...eager to hear how that's going to work.
• I have the same fight, and I hear what they're saying on their side, too.
• I know this has been a long hearing.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will be hearing Senate Bill 259, authored by Senator Wahab.
• Please note that in order to facilitate the goal of conducting Over before we start the hearing today
• Please note that in order to facilitate the goal of conducting a legislative hearing, and as we carry
• Sharp Collins to preside over this hearing. Dr. Chuck Collins, the floor is yours. Okay. All right.
• All right, hearing and seeing none, is anyone in opposition to the bill? Okay.

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee heard Senate Bill 259 by Senator Wahab, presented by Assembly Member Schultz after the author had not yet arrived. The bill would make it a misdemeanor to interfere with the delivery of a vote-by-mail ballot and a felony for a person with supervisory authority to interfere with a ballot’s return or delivery. SEIU California testified in support, saying the measure would strengthen protections for voting rights and election integrity, and no one testified in opposition. After questions and no public opposition, the committee voted on a motion for due pass to the Committee on Elections. The initial roll showed support from most members, with Assembly Member Lackey voting no. The chair then left the roll open briefly for absent members to add on, and additional members later recorded votes. The bill ultimately passed out of committee with seven votes and was referred to the Elections Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with a public hearing on Senate Bill 5252, with a briefing from Christina King.
• And one of the things that I keep hearing from our county treasurer is they're struggling with their
• And so I'm happy to hear any questions. Current limitation. And so I'm happy to hear any questions.
• And seeing no further testifiers, we are going to close the hearing on Senate Bill 5252.
• We are going to open the hearing on Senate Bill 5994 with a briefing from Rochelle Harris.

Bills: SB5994

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you hear me now? Yes, go ahead.
• At least that was the last iteration that I recall hearing.
• At least that was the last iteration that I recall hearing.
• At least that was the last iteration that I recall hearing.
• At least that was the last iteration that I recall hearing.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• Hearing the bill be read a third time?
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
• Chairman. hear impeachments, hear impeachments, and<01:27:02.375><c> [clears throat]</c><01:27:02.719

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuesday's hearings will be about LTFM and capital projects, and then Wednesday we're hearing um sort
• Tuesday's hearings will be about LTFM and capital projects, and then Wednesday we're hearing um sort
• Tuesday's hearings will be about LTFM and capital projects, and then Wednesday we're hearing um sort
• </c><01:28:11.400><c> and</c> be having our hearings on Tuesday and be having our hearings on Tuesday
• <01:28:14.000><c> be</c> Wednesday Tuesday's hearings will be Wednesday Tuesday's hearings will be about

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was interesting to hear Mr.
• It was interesting to hear Mr.
• With that, I'm going to close the hearing. All right, open the hearing on bill 255.
• Did I hear you correctly?
• Did I hear you correctly?

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At today's hearing, the committee will hear testimony and bills related to corporations.
• At today's hearing, the committee will hear testimony and bills related to corporations.
• after the conclusion of our hearing.
• The hearing will also...
• Please be aware, again, that this hearing is being live streamed, and an archive copy of the hearing

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue, chaired by Senator James Eldridge and Representative Adrian Madaro, opened its hearing with a moment of silence for the late Lowell State Senator Ed Kennedy and reviewed hearing procedures and deadlines. The committee then took testimony on several corporate tax bills, including S. 2033/H. 3110 on offshore tax avoidance, H. 3248 on a manufacturing tax exemption, H. 3057 on a tiered corporate minimum tax, and S. 2041 on a corporate tax haven blacklist, along with a separate business interest deduction bill. No votes were taken during the hearing. Supporters of S. 2033/H. 3110, including labor unions, health care workers, educators, public health advocates, seniors, and several legislators, argued that Massachusetts needs new revenue to offset federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, health care, education, and other services. They said the bill would raise roughly $400 million annually by increasing the share of offshore profits included in the state tax base from 5% to 50%, and they framed it as a fairness measure that would require large multinational corporations to pay more while leaving most local businesses and workers unaffected. Testimony emphasized risks to MassHealth, PCA services, adult dental care, hospitals, schools, and public health programs if new revenue is not raised. Opponents, including the Mass Taxpayers Foundation and the Council on State Taxation, argued the proposal is poor tax policy and likely unconstitutional because it would tax foreign-source income without allowing foreign tax credits or a comparable apportionment method. They said Massachusetts should take a broader, coordinated approach to federal tax changes rather than a standalone bill, and warned of litigation risk and possible double taxation. Supporters such as MassBudget and former tax counsel Don Griswold countered that the bill is a reasonable rough-justice approach, consistent with federal and neighboring-state treatment, and that it would primarily affect a small number of very large multinationals. On S. 2041, the Global Business Alliance opposed the proposed tax haven blacklist, while supporting a separate bill allowing business interest deductibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, you're going to hear me always come back to that.
• Again, you're going to hear me always come back to that.
• And you'll hear more about that as we go deeper in today's presentation.
• I did not ever hear that in North Dakota, but I do know that well, too.
• I haven't seen that yet, but I hear it's coming.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I It's unfortunately a public hearing.
• </c> from the house that we didn't hear? from the house that we didn't hear?
• Hearing none, all those in Ms. James?
• </c><00:22:16.040><c> and</c> you know, giving us a hearing and you know, giving us a hearing and looking
• Senator Clark, can you hear us? I can hear you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a very punctual person, Chair, and I want to welcome you all here to the Tuesday, May 5th hearing
• Your willingness to hear directly from those affected is meaningful and important.
• And so right now, you hear a lot of people describe college athletics as chaos.
• With that, we are going to conclude this information hearing.
• With that, we are going to conclude this information hearing.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on name, image, and likeness (NIL) and financial literacy for student athletes, with members framing California as a national leader on NIL but emphasizing the need for stronger protections and more consistent education. The chair and witnesses discussed how NIL opportunities now include both third-party endorsement deals and school revenue-sharing arrangements, and how the current landscape varies widely by institution, leaving athletes with a patchwork of rules and support. Several witnesses argued that student athletes, especially younger ones and those from low-income or first-generation backgrounds, are vulnerable to predatory contracts, tax problems, and pressure from family, agents, or lenders. The first panel featured Tyree Dillingham and Brandon Copeland, who called for standardized financial literacy, better guardrails against predatory NIL advances, and a player-led association or similar collective voice for athletes. They described examples of athletes not understanding paychecks, taxes, or contract terms, and warned that some schools and collectives blur the line between education and marketing. Copeland also argued that college athletics now functions like a professional business and that athletes need representation and a standard contract structure to protect them. The second panel focused on lived experience, including testimony from attorney Anthony Coronae and student athlete Mikey Williams. Coronae described reviewing a contract that he said functioned like a predatory loan disguised as marketing support, with the company taking exclusive rights to Williams’ NIL and requiring repayment far beyond the advance. Williams testified that he signed without a lawyer, later lost endorsements, scholarship, and housing stability, and only later learned the contract’s consequences. He said a required financial literacy course at Sacramento State helped him begin to understand budgeting, taxes, and contracts, and he urged the legislature to require legal review or stronger safeguards for athletes. The third panel, from San Diego State University, highlighted a more structured institutional model. Athletic director Brendan Hill described a mandatory four-year life-skills program that includes financial literacy, resume workshops, internships, and branding education, while student athlete Sloan Benchoff said the program helped her manage money and prepare for post-college life. Witnesses agreed that support is uneven across schools, that some agents and lenders are exploiting athletes, and that California should consider standardized financial education and agent regulation while also being careful not to create rules that unintentionally restrict athlete rights. No formal vote or bill action was taken at the hearing.