Transcript Highlights:

• This is Representative Harbison's ALS Awareness resolution that we heard last week. Any discussion?

Summary: The Committee on Health and Mental Health met with a quorum and took up several measures in executive session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 878, a pharmacy-related bill. Members adopted a committee substitute and amendment that added language previously seen in other bills, including pseudoephedrine and 340B provisions, and language matching Senate floor changes on ivermectin. One member raised concerns about making hydroxychloroquine available over the counter and about pharmacists prescribing class II devices such as CPAP machines, but the substitute ultimately passed by a vote of 13-2. The committee then considered House Bill 3457, Representative Burns’s medically complex patients bill. A substitute was adopted that narrowed the definition of “medically complex patient,” changed one provision from “shall” to “may,” and required primary care physician approval of a care plan before it could be entered into the alert system. The substitute passed unanimously, 15-0. Finally, the committee approved two resolutions sponsored by Representative Harbison. House Resolution 538, on ALS awareness, was amended to add more emphasis on assistive technology and augmentative/alternative communication, then passed 15-0. House Resolution 4661, on chronic kidney disease, also passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting concluded with brief closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules of the Two Branch Act and concurrently to refer to the petition, accompanied by bill of Rebecca Al

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and adopted several organizational orders at the start of the session. Members were appointed to committees to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Council, and House that the Senate was ready to do business, and those committees were discharged after delivering the messages. The Senate also adopted an order to print and bind the Daily Journal for the session and deposit a certified copy with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The chamber then acted on procedural matters, including a Rules Committee report recommending suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition to establish a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, a trial court employee; the rule was suspended and the matter referred to the Judiciary Committee. Additional House petitions were likewise referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn until the next day at 11:00 a.m. Later, members offered an adjournment in memory of Charles D. Baker III, age 97, highlighting his military service, public and private sector career, teaching, civic involvement, and family life. The Senate adopted the motion, observed a moment of silence, and adjourned in his memory.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the North Gallery, we have the ALS advocates here.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Albert here. Senator Bergstrom, Bergstrom here. Senator Warren. Boring Senator Brooks, Brooks.

Bills: SB1519, SB1775, SB1900, SB1948, SB2080, SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules of the Two Branch Act, and concurrently, to refer to the petition accompanied by bill of Rebecca Al

Summary: The Senate convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and carried out the customary opening orders to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Council, and House that the Senate was ready to do business. Committees were appointed and reported back after delivering the messages, and the Senate also adopted an order authorizing the printing and binding of the Daily Journal for the session. The chamber then acted on several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a petition for legislation establishing a sick leave bank for Shannon Manning, a trial court employee, to the Committee on the Judiciary. Additional House petitions were similarly referred under Joint Rule 12. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn the next day at 11:00 a.m. and dispensed with printing a calendar. Later, members offered an order to adjourn in honor of Charles D. Baker III, age 97, who died on November 1, 2025. The Senate heard a detailed tribute to his military service, public and private sector career, teaching, civic involvement, and family life, observed a moment of silence, and then adjourned in his memory to meet again the following day at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules of the Two Branch Act and Concurrently, to refer to the petition, accompanied by bill of Rebecca Al

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• favorite Dulce kindergartener and my favorite Dulce would<00:04:59.000><c> be</c><00:04:59.280><c> Al
• Representative ALS said, “Well, thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Commissioner.
• Representative Al said, just one more thing: with the Yona fraud that has been rampant across the state
• Representative Al said he appreciated that and then noted that with the Yona fraud that has been rampant
• representative Al okay thank you<01:20:40.840><c> chair</c><01:20:41.120><c> yeah</c><01:20:41.320><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Thank you, Senator Al. >> Thank you, Mr.
• &gt;&gt; Thank<00:51:17.920><c> you,</c><00:51:18.319><c> Senator</c><00:51:18.720><c> Al.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Thank you, Senator Al. &gt;&gt; Thank you, Senator Al.
• I didn't find Senator Al Schiller's name as a sponsor, co-sponsor of any of those bills.
• as a find Senators Al Schiller's name as a sponsor,<02:05:11.760><c> co-sponsor</c><02:05:12.400><c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al-A-Niz? Yes. Al-A-Niss, aye. Berner? No. Berner, no. Connolly? No. Garcia? No. Connolly? No.
• Al-A-Niz, aye. Berner? No. Burner, no. Connolly? No. Garcia? No. Connolly? No. Garcia? No. Haney?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My ALE is running out. Where am I going to go, to live in my car? Because that's coming next.
• Our ALE ends in October, could be about the same.
• Our ALE ends in October, could be about the same time that our forbearance ends, and then we, too, will

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al Sandra Mniosko, on behalf of the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance, representing fuel retailers
• My name is Josiah Al-Fonzo, proud member of USW Local 326. I fully support the SAF incentive.
• My name is Josiah Al-Fonzo, proud member of the USW Local 326. I fully support the staff incentive.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.

Transcript Highlights:

• utilize AAC devices, so eye-gaze computers, Representative Penner: ...such as those used by people with ALS
• Washingtonians with ALS, cerebral palsy, or other speech disabilities who rely on eye-gaze devices or
• Washingtonians with ALS, cerebral palsy, or other speech disabilities who rely on eye-gaze devices or

Bills: HB2073, HB2403, HB2587, HB2607, HB1170, HB1570, HB1710, HB1750, HB1834, HB2441

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, failure to register, criminal justice, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, nonprofit, grant funding, pilot program, financial support, community development, child care, childcare, subsidy rates, rate regions, market rate survey

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, Chair, and members, Omar al-Tamimi with the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network again.
• Hello, Chair, and members, Omar al-Tamimi with the California Pan Ethnic Health Network again.
• Hi, Al Grant, on behalf of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services.

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the chair and members about recent federal cuts to public health, mental health, family planning, and Title X funding, with strong concern about the impact on California programs and providers. The committee then turned to the Department of State Hospitals, which presented its 2025-26 budget proposal of $3.4 billion, including new positions, capital improvements, and funding tied to increased patient costs and incompetent-to-stand-trial services. DSH reported major progress in reducing the IST waitlist and wait times, said it had met the court’s 28-day treatment benchmark for those without extenuating circumstances, and described workforce recruitment and retention efforts such as residency programs, fellowships, outreach, and hiring streamlining. Members asked about future IST referral trends, SB 1323’s effect on diversion and community treatment, and workforce lessons in high-cost regions; public comment urged reconsideration of county IST growth cap methodology in light of new criminal justice initiatives. The committee next received an informational overview of Proposition 1 and its changes to behavioral health funding and governance. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that Prop. 1 restructured county MHSA funding buckets, expanded the Commission for Behavioral Health, shifted prevention and early intervention responsibilities, and authorized a $6.4 billion bond, including $4.4 billion for behavioral health facilities through BHCIP. DHCS said it had released guidance for county integrated plans and was receiving extensive public comment. Members focused on BHCIP application requirements, especially letters of support and tribal projects, and raised concerns about whether DHCS’s implementation matched statutory intent. DHCS said it had authority to set application requirements and that tribal entities were treated differently because of sovereignty and funding structure. DHCS then updated the committee on BHCIP, the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, and related bond implementation. The department said BHCIP had awarded about $1.7 billion across five rounds, with more than 130 projects and 223 distinct facilities funded, and that it was preparing to award the new bond funds after receiving nearly $8 billion in applications. The LAO’s assessment found that more than half of awards served at least 80% Medi-Cal enrollees, but also raised concerns that the regional allocation model could reinforce inequities, that the program had not sufficiently addressed the highest-need regions such as the southern San Joaquin Valley, and that smaller counties and less launch-ready applicants faced barriers. For bridge housing, DHCS said more than $1.1 billion had been awarded, serving over 5,000 people and supporting more than 2,000 operational beds, but the Governor’s budget proposes to eliminate Round 4 funding as the administration weighs other statewide investments and Proposition 1 implementation workload. Public commenters and members urged more accountability, better regional equity, stronger labor and community involvement, and caution about funding for for-profit psychiatric facilities. Finally, the committee heard on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. CalHHS and DHCS described CYBHI as a broad prevention- and equity-focused effort with more than 1,300 organizations funded, over $2.1 billion awarded, and multiple work streams spanning schools, community programs, workforce, and digital supports. DHCS highlighted school-based services, the fee schedule rollout, and digital platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna, which it said are reaching users statewide and providing low-barrier access to coaching and support. Members and public commenters raised concerns about delays in school fee schedule implementation, the large share of funding going to digital tools, the need for more in-person services, and whether the initiative is sufficiently tracking outcomes and equity impacts. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree with Senator Al...?
• I agree with Senator Al...?
• I agree with Senator Al...?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then Al Patel, Department of Finance.
• So with respect to your question of how Then Al Patel, Department of Finance.

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would have to be not-for-profit, have less than 10 days cash on hand, show best efforts to exhaust other financing, and have a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients; the bill also gives HCAI expedited contracting and rulemaking authority. Members and the LAO noted the proposal is intended as a short-term bridge until July 1, while broader hospital support is expected in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Much of the discussion focused on whether $25 million is enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day cash threshold is too narrow. Several senators argued the administration had not provided enough data or a clear methodology, and raised concerns about fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which used broader criteria and provided loans rather than grants. Members also raised broader policy issues affecting hospital finances, including Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal funding changes, and the need for better data and more immediate assessment of hospital distress. The LAO said the current proposal is narrower than the prior loan program and emphasized the need for better reporting and analysis going forward. Public commenters, including the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county officials, supported the bill and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. The chair and several members said the bill is a short-term emergency measure for a small number of hospitals at risk of imminent closure, while broader solutions will be addressed later in the budget process. AB 108 was then moved and passed out of committee on an 18-0 vote, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Al-Anz. Aye. Alanis. Aye. Alvarez. Aye. Villa Farias. Aye. Baines. Aye. Bennett. Aye. Bennett. Aye.
• Al-Annees, aye. Alvarez, aye. Alvarez, aye. Alvarez, aye. Avila Farias, aye. Bains, aye. I.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to parks, wildlife, water, and veterans. AB 1592 would authorize the Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the California Indian Heritage Center support organization; supporters said it would help move the long-planned center forward with Native-led governance. AB 2216 would expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area and update its authority to better support watershed-scale conservation, climate resilience, workforce, tribal grants, and related projects. AB 1702 would expand state parks access for veterans, National Guard, reservists, and active duty service members by broadening eligibility for the Distinguished Veterans Pass and creating a discounted parks pass. AB 1673 would allow county fish and game commissions to use certain revenues to reimburse sheriffs for fish and wildlife enforcement and wildlife-conflict prevention, especially in rural counties with limited state enforcement presence. The committee also considered AB 1912, which would allow archery deer hunters to carry concealed firearms while hunting, aligning deer hunting rules with those already in place for other big game archery hunts. Supporters argued it would improve hunter safety in remote areas without harming wildlife enforcement, while opponents were not present. AB 1987 would dedicate revenues generated from state wildlife areas back to those areas for operations, maintenance, and habitat management; supporters said the areas are underfunded and need a stable funding source. All of these bills received due pass recommendations and were later approved by the committee, with AB 2216 passing 11-1 and the others passing 12-0. The most contested measure was AB 2630, which would give the State Water Resources Control Board emergency-style authority to make measurement and reporting changes for water diversions and use, with a five-year sunset. The author and supporters said the board needs flexibility to update the CalWATRS reporting system quickly as technology and conditions change. Water agencies, farm groups, and business groups opposed the bill, arguing it would bypass public input and could allow repeated emergency regulations affecting compliance and operations. After extended debate, the committee passed AB 2630 on an 8-4 vote. The committee also approved two consent items, AB 1804 and AB 2260, both unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Al-Anice, aye. Al-A-Nazz. I. Gonzalez, no. Hanzalz. No. Hanzas, no. Hange. Alanis, aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Al-Huari, Jackson, Rodriguez. Final vote? Jackson, Rodriguez. Final vote, two to two.
• Al-Huari, Jackson, Rodriguez, Tongapaw. The motion for reconsideration fails. All right, that's it.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied. The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gracias al líder Valencia y al Comité de Bancos.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He went by his American name of Al Fred; his real name is Alfredo.
• She said her dad is from Italy and went by his American name, Al Fred; his real name is Alfredo.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 73 02:23 Consideration of HB 441 07:24 Consideration of HB 462 18:44, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.