Transcript Highlights:

• The professional engineer exam is not as simple as just having taken the exam and been licensed as one
• The final PE exam is very rigorous.
• coming out of that exam coming out of that exam<00:54:31.200><c> you</c><00:54:31.359><c> are</c><00
• Similarly, control systems exams also saw a 43% increase in exam volume between 2023 and 2024.
• </c> exams also saw a 43% increase in exam exams also saw a 43% increase in exam volume<01:03:19.160>

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Who would make the decision to terminate access?
• Why doesn't it include any access to this information outside of law enforcement needs?
• This is law school exam. This is bar exam.
• This is law school exam. This is bar exam. And so with... Stuff. This is first-year law school.
• This is law school exam. This is bar exam.

Bills: SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• There are no signs allowed in the committee rooms.
• </c><00:09:02.680><c> or</c> Education were all in the room or Education were all in the room or through
• </c> AP exams. AP exams.
• As you know, those are college-level courses and also on how the student scores on an AP exam.
• As you know, those are college-level courses and also on how the student scores on an AP exam.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And making that realistic is with everyone in this room.
• They passed an exam that was nationally recognized or state recognized.
• The other is we need more access, and I'm really happy that Cal State L.A. has been able to access CIW
• You can't access certain things.
• You can't access certain things.

Summary: The hearing opened the Select Committee on Effective Postsecondary Career, Technical Education, and Workforce Development Programs at Santa Ana College, with Assemblymember Mike Fong emphasizing the need for affordable, accelerated pathways into high-demand careers and noting his bill AB 1098 creating the California Interagency Education Council. Chancellor Marvin Martinez welcomed the committee and urged changes to AB 927 to remove the “duplication” barrier for community college bachelor’s degrees, arguing that applied baccalaureate programs can lead to high-wage jobs and expand access for low- and middle-income students. The first panel focused on statewide workforce trends and policy. California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Anthony Cordova highlighted credit for prior learning, Strong Workforce funding, dual enrollment, and apprenticeship growth, asking the Legislature to restore and increase Strong Workforce funding and expand applied baccalaureate degrees. LAEDC’s Josep Bilayo described regional labor market data showing growth in health care, education, construction, bioscience, and clean energy, while stressing the need for employer-led, data-driven programs, wraparound supports, and flexible funding. Andrew Gonzalez of the Building and Construction Trades Council argued that registered apprenticeship must be paid, combine classroom and on-the-job training, and end in a portable credential; he also promoted apprenticeship readiness programs, community workforce agreements, and stronger exposure to trades starting in K-12. Eric Morrison Smith of the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color discussed the California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship Grant Program and related youth apprenticeship recommendations, including bridge programs, intermediary infrastructure, reduced employer barriers, and better coordination of state funding. A later panel highlighted Santa Ana College’s fire technology and firefighting academy programs. President Annabelle Neri and Vice President Jeffrey Lamb said the college is one of the state’s largest fire training providers, with strong partnerships with local fire agencies, law enforcement, and the U.S. Forest Service, and with high job placement and six-figure starting salaries for some graduates. They also described related certificates, advanced officer training, wellness services, and workforce preparation such as mock interviews and sponsorships. Throughout the hearing, members and panelists repeatedly stressed the importance of aligning education with labor market demand, expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning, and using regional collaboration to connect students to living-wage careers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:06.399><c> to</c> Security Administration has access to Security Administration has access
• </c> president to allow them to have access president to allow them to have access to<00:28:59.440><c
• </c><03:51:47.600><c> to</c> and necessity of expanding access to and necessity of expanding access to
• </c> communities, have uninterrupted access communities, have uninterrupted access to<03:53:03.760><c
• </c> or endure lengthy travel to access or endure lengthy travel to access services<04:20:49.359><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• The practical exam has been passed, but the theoretical English exam is difficult for me.
• I was able to pass the practical exam, but due to my English, I have not yet passed the theory exam.
• If anyone in the room would like to raise their hand to indicate support, please do so.
• Language access skills help expand our workforce, especially our skilled workforce.
• Would anyone in the room like to raise their hands to indicate support? None. Anyone online?

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee first heard HB 124, which would codify the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department. The sponsor and Workforce Solutions officials said the office has already been operating on a grant and has become a key resource for businesses and immigrant workers, especially for workforce development, credential recognition, language access, and referrals. Supporters from immigrant advocacy, child care, conservation, and civic groups argued the office would help address labor shortages, improve integration, and strengthen economic growth. Several members questioned whether the office would serve people without legal status, what services would be provided, and whether it would create taxpayer costs; sponsors said eligibility would depend on specific programs, the office would mainly provide referrals and workforce support, and it is currently philanthropic grant-funded. The bill was ultimately passed on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee then considered SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment to change New Mexico’s pretrial detention standards. The sponsor argued the 2016 bail reform language has contributed to a “revolving door” for repeat offenders and that the current standard is too restrictive and inconsistently applied across judicial districts. Supporters from State Police said the resolution would give clearer direction and let voters revisit the issue. Opponents from the ACLU and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association warned it would expand pretrial detention, weaken the requirement that the state prove no release conditions are adequate, and disproportionately affect poor people and people of color. After extended debate over public safety, judicial discretion, and whether the proposal should include a clearer standard, the committee approved the resolution on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee also passed SJR 7, a land swap between the state and the City of Santa Fe involving the DPS site and part of the Midtown campus. The sponsor, the Department of Public Safety, and the Santa Fe mayor said the exchange had been discussed for years, would allow the state to own the land under its DPS facilities, and would help the city advance its Midtown redevelopment plan, including housing and public amenities. Members asked about the parcels involved, whether both sides agreed, and whether any member had a financial interest; the sponsor said the swap was non-monetary and fully agreed to by both parties. The resolution passed without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SM 31, which creates a workgroup with LFC, DFA, and PERA to study the loss of COLAs for PERA retirees and recommend solutions. Retiree advocates said the reduced COLA has significantly eroded pension value and that retirees relied on the statutory promise of a 2% COLA. Other speakers emphasized the need to protect long-term fund solvency while addressing retiree losses. The memorial passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting then recessed, with the chair noting the next day’s agenda would be posted later.

Transcript Highlights:

• I I I have little a little wiggle room to talk them out of that other than encouragement.
• I stepped on the room and I apologize for that.
• to that. proof of insurance that you do not have access to that.
• So we're going we have exam or is it going to do that?
• We try and were paying for the costs of these exams.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:55.000><c> within</c> and behavior due to accessibility within and behavior due to accessibility
• The number of those taking the CPA exam fell by over 30%.
• The number of those taking the CPA exam fell by over 30%.
• c><00:24:19.679><c> ADD</c><00:24:20.039><c> with</c><00:24:20.240><c> 120</c> exam pass the exam with
• ADD with 120 exam pass the exam with ADD with 120 college<00:24:21.320><c> credits</c><00:24:21.960>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• to work for the courts for at least three years after they pass the required exams.
• The recent administration of the California bar exam comes to mind. Thank you.
• The recent administration of the California bar exam comes to mind.
• The recent administration of the California bar exam comes to mind. Thank you.
• The recent administration of the California bar exam comes to mind.

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• But my concern with something like this is just having direct access to inmates.
• Of those, less than 3,500 people passed the exam.
• exam lists just to have enough recruits to fill a class.
• The title change matters not for ego but for access.
• I am a retired emergency room doctor.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing on a wide range of bills affecting law enforcement, corrections, fire services, emergency management, telecommunicators, and sex offender policy. Testimony strongly focused on proposals to restore an education incentive for Massachusetts State Police troopers hired after the Quinn Bill was repealed, with State Police Association witnesses arguing the current system creates unfair pay disparities, hurts recruitment and retention, and leaves newer troopers earning less than some supervisors with the same or less education. They urged favorable reports on H. 2651, S. 1759, and S. 1783. A separate witness also supported H. 2627, a sheriff’s pay-parity bill, while suggesting amendments to avoid distinctions between correction officers and jail officers and warning that the proposal should not be viewed as a funding issue alone. The committee also heard testimony on public safety and oversight bills. A rape survivor testified in support of S. 1663, arguing that municipal fire or police personnel convicted of sex offenses should not remain in positions of public trust. Senator Miranda testified in support of S. 1723, S. 1724, and S. 1727, which would create correctional officer training/accountability standards, a correctional inspector general, and privileged communication with legislators for incarcerated people; he said the bills respond to misconduct and lack of independent oversight in the Department of Correction. In contrast, the Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Fire Fighters opposed H. 2572/S. 1668/S. 1740 on emergency management, saying the bill was developed without enough collaboration, lacked local-control safeguards, and could undermine incident command and local decision-making during disasters. Several panels supported other public safety measures. The Fire Chiefs Association and PFFM backed S. 1641 and S. 1744 to create a Massachusetts Public Safety Building Authority to help fund fire station and municipal public safety building projects, and supported S. 1647 to implement the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot works and welding safety, including tougher penalties and training requirements. Witnesses also supported H. 2664/S. 1736 to create a hoisting machinery regulations board, saying current licensing standards for heavy equipment are too minimal. Another panel backed H. 2663/S. 1761 to classify 911 telecommunicators as first responders, citing stress, burnout, and the expanding role of dispatchers. Finally, an attorney from CPCS testified in opposition to S. 1752, warning that expanded sex offender residency restrictions would likely increase homelessness, make supervision harder, and raise constitutional concerns based on prior court rulings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pass the national um certification exam. pass the national um certification exam.
• We call it national certification exam.
• </c><00:13:19.120><c> you</c> That means you've passed your exam. you That means you've passed your exam
• Um I took your certification exam. Um I took retook<00:13:38.880><c> an</c><00:13:39.120><c> exam.
• </c> was every six years I retook an exam. was every six years I retook an exam.

Bills: HB31 , HB31

Committee: House Health

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT THE EMPOWERMENT DEPENDS UPON ACCESS.
• ACCESS TO TRAINING, ACCESS TO CREDENTIALS, AND ACCESS TO JOBS.
• TODAY IF YOU ARE A PHYSICIAN YOU GO FROM EXAM ROOM TO EXAM ROOM AND YOU ARE MEETING WITH PATIENTS AND
• THINK THAT WE CAN FORECAST THAT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS WILL BE USED TO SUMMARIZE A PHYSICIAN EXAM
• I WAS IN THE ROOM WITH LESS THAN 100 FOLKS. INCREDIBLY SMART PEOPLE. I CALL THEM RSP.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the translation of the real estate exam the translation of the real estate exam in<00:04:48.560>
• </c> our team members have to take the exam our team members have to take the exam up<00:09:44.160><c
• I'm just simply asking for an accommodation for the exam after someone has taken that exam several times
• I'm just simply asking for an accommodation for the exam after someone has taken that exam several times
• I'm just simply asking for an accommodation for the exam after someone has taken that exam several times

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions. Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused. Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products. The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Try your best to move out and spread out amongst the room.
• In a gym locker room.
• Before I knew it, I was receiving exams.
• The pelvic exams, the breast exams, it was more than once per year. And at the end of...
• The pelvic exams, the breast exams, it was more than once per year.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the bill reinstates the open-book exam for land surveyors.
• So they still have to take a state-specific exam.
• Then we have to take a national exam that's the Principles and Practice of Surveying exam, offered and
• Then there's the state-specific exam, and every state has its own state-specific exam.
• Ward, only the state-specific exam. The national exam is standard across all states. Thank you, Mr.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• sometimes... ...in the room here.
• How do we make sure that there's still access? ...declined.
• room with the equipment, with not a little, Is it?
• Having an exam room with the equipment, with not a little head in a box, but having a full-size physician
• in the room with you, albeit virtually.

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an overview from Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program, created under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Sharon explained the $50 billion federal program, Idaho’s application timeline, the state’s ranking and award amount, and the five broad initiative areas in the approved plan: technology and access, innovative care models, workforce development, chronic disease and behavioral health, and rural infrastructure/partnerships. She emphasized that the funding is tightly overseen by CMS, with required reporting, compliance checks, sustainability plans, and the risk of losing funds if Idaho does not obligate money or meet milestones on time. She also outlined the state’s plan to hire a 12-person temporary team and to use a mix of RFPs and competitive subgrants, with monthly reporting to the committee and a shared information space to track solicitations, rubrics, and awards. Committee members questioned several parts of the plan, especially scope-of-practice issues tied to the application, the use of telehealth funding, workforce retention, and the survey process used to shape the application. Representative Tanner asked whether the state could continue pursuing scope changes for dental hygienists and physician assistants and whether legislative action could affect funding outcomes; Sharon said the state would continue to evaluate those policies, but that compliance, timely spending, and performance would be the main factors affecting funding. Representative Healy raised concerns about the survey’s heavy use of “other” responses and about telehealth spending, arguing some telehealth uses may not be practical for specialty care. Representative Manwaring requested a shared drive for real-time data and asked for raw survey results and dollar-based funding caps. Sharon agreed to provide follow-up information, including survey data and additional details on funding limits. Chris Jones of Catalyst Policy Group then presented broader policy observations and examples from other states. He praised Idaho’s application, urged the committee to keep the focus on patient-centered rural access, and highlighted ideas such as community health workers, remote patient monitoring, rural training pipelines, value-based care networks, and telehealth models that reduce staffing needs and improve sustainability. He also cautioned against relying on social determinants of health funding, noted the importance of rural training and partnerships, and praised Idaho’s 3.5% tribal set-aside. The committee ended by agreeing to set up a shared information hub with LSO, to expect follow-up materials and possible solicitation drafts soon, and to tentatively plan its next meeting around CMS’s Idaho visit on May 28.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also appreciate provisions that allow for a waiver of certain certification exams and exam fees. and
• I only have a few minutes, I want to focus on a couple of areas of the bill that we believe leave room
• Funding arts education not only supports the arts but also leads to improved access to education.
• That will create a positive impact for students being able to have access to this program.
• You may have more students who need access to those services, okay?

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in room 1100 of the Minnesota Senate Building.
• I understand Michael Woek is in the room and wanted to—oh, is he online?
• I understand Michael Woek is in the room and wanted to—oh, is he online?
• Michael Woek is in the room, and wanted to—oh, is he online?
• </c> know driver's education manual the exam know driver's education manual the exam um<00:53:13.880>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Access to that information is unsupervised?
• Access to that information is unsupervised? So the access to the information. supervised?
• So this isn't about access.
• We have room.” “One more, that's sure. We have room. Do you have any room?” “Yeah.
• What is the room? Thank you. What is the room? Yeah. They said that Josh is wrapping up.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate bills by Senator Umberg. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two years’ notice before changing the multiple-choice question vendor for the bar exam and restoring a more traditional exam delivery method after the February exam problems. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would give the California Attorney General earlier access to federal merger filings to improve antitrust review; supporters said it would reduce delays and duplication, while members discussed how it would work alongside federal review. SB 36 would strengthen California’s price-gouging laws after the January 2025 firestorms by requiring reporting from listing platforms, expanding consumer enforcement, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; it drew support from consumer advocates and opposition from business groups. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent calendar and moved SB 25, SB 36, and SB 253 out of committee, with SB 36 receiving some no votes and being placed on call before final action. The committee then heard SB 413 by Senator Allen, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by the subject of the file against child welfare or probation agencies. Supporters, including Los Angeles County and county associations, said the bill would reduce costly and repetitive petitions and speed litigation while preserving redactions and confidentiality protections. The Youth Law Center opposed unless amended, warning that bypassing juvenile court review could expose sensitive information and weaken long-standing privacy protections for youth. After discussion about who could access the records and what safeguards remained, the committee passed SB 413 as amended to Appropriations. Next, Senator Becker presented SB 770, which would remove the requirement that a homeowner installing an EV charger in a common-interest development name the HOA as an additional insured. Supporters argued the insurance requirement is confusing, difficult to obtain, and an unnecessary barrier to EV adoption; opponents from HOA and property groups warned it could shift liability and costs to associations. Members focused heavily on insurance and indemnity questions, and the bill was moved out of committee to Insurance. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the residential pay-or-quit notice from three days to 14 days. Supporters said the longer notice would help tenants cure late rent, avoid eviction, and prevent homelessness, while opponents argued it would burden landlords, could be misused repeatedly, and might inadvertently affect commercial leases. The committee engaged in extensive debate over landlord hardship, tenant protections, and possible guardrails; the bill was ultimately held on call for further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:21:10.560><c> evaluators</c> practical exam evaluators practical exam evaluators and<01:21:12.719
• We've done read-aloud exams, where we've read the exam orally to them and them taking the exam that way
• </c> um you know private testing in a room um you know private testing in a room with<01:52:28.080><c
• ><c> and</c> we've read the exam orally to them and we've read the exam orally to them and um<01:52:40.400
• </c> um them taking the exam that way. um them taking the exam that way.

Committee: Joint Appropriations