Transcript Highlights:

• This bill preserves that safeguard. What this bill does is simple.

Summary: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard several veterans-related bills, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services officers, and local government representatives; there was no opposition. The bill was moved to Appropriations and later recorded as passing 4-0. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for maintenance endowments for veterans’ cemeteries, with the state matching private or local contributions up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. Supporters emphasized the need for sustainable perpetual care funding for state and county cemeteries, and there was no opposition. SB 1407, the chair’s bill, would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax; supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the economy, while members noted similar bills had previously stalled in Appropriations. SB 1034 would streamline disabled veteran parking placard eligibility for certain 100% permanent and total veterans, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and related changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and connect applicants to county veterans service officers. All of these bills received support from veterans groups and related organizations, with no opposition heard. SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, with supporters framing it as a safeguard for state authority and civil liberties. The committee asked about legal testing of the proposal, and the author said it had not yet been tested in court. After roll calls and a brief recess to regain members, the committee recorded 4-0 votes to pass the bills and consent calendar items, and the meeting adjourned after thanking veterans for their service.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill preserves that safeguard. What this bill does is simple.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commonwealth's Section 7 vehicle requirements, modernizing alternative student transportation while preserving

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions on testimony time limits. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2743 addressing staged suicides, S. 2861 creating a special commission on school bus safety, and S. 3021 updating Massachusetts student transportation rules. On S. 2743, advocates and family members described cases in which domestic violence deaths were allegedly misclassified as accidents or suicides, arguing the bill would improve training and require more careful investigation when there is a known history of abuse. Testimony emphasized the need for law enforcement, district attorneys, and medical examiners to recognize signs of coercive control and staged scenes. Committee members asked about current investigative practices and noted that sudden deaths are already reviewed by medical examiners and prosecutors, but that better training and awareness may still be needed. On S. 2861, Amanda Taylor testified emotionally about her daughter Summer Steel, who died after being trapped in a school bus door, and urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on future buses. Representative Sabadosa and a company representative said the technology already exists, is used in other transportation sectors, and could prevent similar tragedies; they noted estimated retrofit and prospective costs and pointed to Maine’s similar action. On S. 3021, Ever Driven and Chamber of Progress supported modernizing vehicle requirements for alternative student transportation, arguing that current rules are designed for full-size buses and make it harder for districts to serve homeless students, foster youth, and students with disabilities. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• To preserve the safety of everyone here and to ensure the public's access to the discussion, please follow

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact heard several bills focused on trade, affordability, and public finance. AB 2745 (Fong) would update California’s international trade and investment strategy, add a public advisory process, and allow regional trade hubs; supporters from the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and California Forward said it would help California compete globally and attract investment, while no opposition testified. AB 2366 (Avila Farías) would require state agencies to analyze cost-of-living impacts when adopting regulations and direct the LAO to develop guidance; supporters from the New California Coalition and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association argued it would improve transparency and help address affordability, while members noted concerns about implementation and unintended consequences. The committee also heard AB 2243 (Haney), which creates a commission to study whether California should establish a state public bank and how it might be structured. Supporters from the California Public Banking Alliance, climate groups, and other organizations said a public bank could reduce borrowing costs and finance housing, climate, and small business needs; the California Bankers Association and credit unions opposed the bill, arguing it could compete with private banks, duplicate prior studies, and raise unresolved regulatory and cost issues. Several committee members said they would support the study concept but wanted the bill amended so any final decision would return to the Legislature, and the author agreed to clarify that point and remove language related to extending local public bank licensing timelines. The committee also took up consent items AB 2048 (Calderon), AB 2583 (Hoover), and ACR 129 (Haney), which were approved without opposition. After quorum was established, the committee voted AB 2366 out on a 7-0 basis to Judiciary, AB 2745 out on a 7-0 basis to Appropriations, and AB 2243 out on a 7-0 basis to Finance, with the consent calendar also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• To preserve the safety of everyone here and to ensure the public's access to the discussion, please follow

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some taken from unclaimed property from the insurance commissioner and Secretary of State OA FA preservation

Bills: SB1177

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have been deceased for five years to the Freedom of Speech Monument for their contributions in preserving

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and memorials across several policy areas, with most items presented as consent or third-read measures and little debate. Topics included special license plates for the Arizona Space Commission, local land-use and housing restrictions, liquor regulation updates, limits on municipal delays in permitting and exactions, election equipment security and timekeeping requirements, precinct committeeman vacancy procedures, assisted living and deed-fraud measures, a Freedom of Speech Monument committee, renaming Wesley Bolin Plaza, and a ban on gender transition procedures for minors. Members also discussed health and human services bills on behavioral health technician standards, Medicaid billing during ownership changes, breast cancer screening cost-sharing, naturopathic IV administration authority, safe-haven newborn surrender at hospitals, and access claim-processing timelines. The Judiciary portion covered probation limits for dangerous crimes against children, a civil cause of action related to prohibited gender reassignment surgery on minors, elimination of the statute of limitations for failure to register as a sex offender, probation incentive calculations, victim-rights expense recovery, unlawful flight penalties, vulnerable adult theft definitions, motor fuel theft, unlawful alerting, and evidence rules in sexual-assault-related hearings. In discussion, members asked for clarifications on several bills, including the definitions of “malicious” delay, internet access on election equipment, the scope of the breast screening bill, and the meaning of unlawful alerting. Supporters repeatedly described bills as common-sense, fraud-prevention, patient-access, or public-safety measures, while one member noted a no vote on extending the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee. Additional measures in land, agriculture, water, public safety, and transportation included foreign-entity restrictions on land transactions, limits on transporting Mexican gray wolf puppies, water reuse and groundwater fee extensions, a larger water supply revolving fund loan cap, congressional memorials on EPA authority and the San Carlos irrigation project, expanded traumatic event counseling coverage, reimbursement of legal costs for certain disciplined law enforcement officers, data sharing with the federal government on unauthorized aliens, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting rules, military-property sign placement, a towing and impound study committee, photo enforcement penalties, and highway renaming memorials. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and the meeting ended after the transportation items and memorials were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• their employers, aligning the credentialing system with federal emergency management standards and preserves

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee held its first meeting and adopted committee rules for the 2025-26 session. The committee heard SB 1001, which would require the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to issue identification cards for essential utility workers so they can more easily access evacuation zones during emergencies. The author and supporters, including Rowland Water District and the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority, said the bill was prompted by delays during the Eaton Fire, when utility crews in marked vehicles were denied access despite having authorization. Members generally supported the bill as a practical way to improve coordination between utilities, law enforcement, and incident command during disasters. The bill was voted out on a do-pass motion to the Senate Public Safety Committee. The committee also heard SB 1153, which would require urban retail water suppliers in high-risk areas to include wildfire-specific procedures in emergency response plans and make findings clarifying the role and limits of public water systems during wildfires. The author and witnesses from water agencies argued that public water systems are not designed to function as wildfire suppression systems and that the bill would improve planning while addressing growing liability exposure after major fires. Senator Perez raised concerns about balancing liability reform with accountability and the need for future infrastructure hardening, and the Vice Chair emphasized that the bill should not create a hollow safe harbor. The author accepted committee amendments clarifying that negligence liability remains intact, and the bill was moved out as amended to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. A consent item, SB 870, was also approved. After roll calls were completed and absent members later voted, all three measures passed the committee 8-0. SB 1020 was pulled from the hearing for a future date.

Transcript Highlights:

• their employers, aligning the credentialing system with federal emergency management standards and preserving

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee held its first meeting and adopted committee rules for the 2025-26 session. SB 1020 was pulled from the agenda for a future hearing. The committee heard SB 1001, which would direct the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to issue standardized identification cards for essential utility workers so they can more easily access evacuation zones during emergencies. The author and supporters, including Rowland Water District and the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority, described a breakdown during the 2025 Eaton Fire when utility crews were denied access despite having credentials, causing delays in shutting off water at damaged homes. No opposition was present, and members broadly supported the bill as a practical emergency response measure. The committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 1001 to the Senate Public Safety Committee, with the measure held on call until all members voted. The committee also heard SB 1153, a wildfire preparedness bill from Senator Caballero. The bill would require urban retail water suppliers in high-risk areas to include wildfire-specific response procedures in their emergency response plans, and it includes findings clarifying that public water systems are not designed to function as wildfire suppression systems. The author accepted committee amendments clarifying that the bill does not limit liability for negligence, and witnesses from water agencies and industry groups supported the measure, citing the need for better planning and the financial strain of post-fire claims. Members discussed the balance between improving preparedness and avoiding language that could create a liability safe harbor or shift responsibility away from needed infrastructure investments. The committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 1153 as amended to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, also held on call until all members voted. A consent item, SB 870, was also approved. After the committee reconvened and all members present voted, SB 870, SB 1001, and SB 1153 each received unanimous 8-0 votes and were reported out of committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding from supplanting provider payments with federal funds and required Medicaid agencies to preserve

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• historical records of the facts present at the time of birth, and the state has a legitimate interest in preserving

Bills: HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678

Keywords: administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, offered the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and introduced Dr. Zachary Fowler as Doctor of the Day. The chamber also received several visitor introductions, including CPA representatives, Ms. Oklahoma 2025 Tessa Dorrell, Osage County elected officials, and retired firefighters. The floor leader noted a lengthy agenda and moved through second- and third-reading business. Members debated and passed House Bill 437, which updates Oklahoma CPA licensure pathways to align with the 2025 Uniform Accountancy Act and create three structured routes to licensure; it passed 73-0. House Bill 1225, dealing with vital records and birth certificate sex designation language, drew extended debate over self-determination, accuracy of records, and constitutional concerns; it passed 73-18. House Bill 3076 created a new alternative teacher certification pathway and passed 76-17, with debate centered on whether alternative routes help fill shortages or weaken traditional preparation programs. House Bill 381 lowered the age to become a licensed fire extinguisher technician from 21 to 18 and passed 90-0. During debate on the education bill, supporters argued alternative certification can improve recruitment and retention and cited out-of-state programs and retention data, while opponents said it could disincentivize traditional teacher preparation and worsen long-term retention. On the vital records bill, supporters described it as a transparency and accuracy measure, while opponents argued it would impose government judgments on identity and conflict with prior court rulings. After completing the listed business, the House recessed until 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the intent of the bill is preserved exactly. Actually, thank you, Senator. No problem.

Committee: Senate Government Organization

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• considers any further changes to the bill, we respectfully ask that it continue to honor that intent and preserve

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its last scheduled public hearing of the year on March 9, 2026, taking testimony on House Bill 2487, Substitute House Bill 2689, and Engrossed House Bill 2681. For HB 2487, staff and the Department of Revenue explained that the bill would narrow a B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses after a 2024 Supreme Court decision, make several related changes including annuity and assigned risk plan exemptions, adjust the advanced computing surcharge threshold for certain affiliated groups, and allow a penalties-and-interest waiver with a repayment plan. DOR supported the bill as clarifying the original intent and preventing double taxation, while insurers and health plan groups opposed it, arguing it would create higher costs, retroactive tax liability, and uncertainty; consumer and policy groups testified in support, saying it closes a loophole and restores the intended tax structure. Committee members questioned the retroactivity, the number of affected businesses, and the fiscal estimates, and the chair reminded members that amendment requests were due by noon for the next day’s executive session. For Substitute HB 2689, staff described changes to the Working Connections Child Care program that would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, reduce future rate-setting from the 85th to the 75th percentile, block enhanced rates for certain cross-region providers, cancel the planned move to enrollment-based prospective payments, revise attendance-based reimbursement to a full month for absences of 10 days or fewer and half-month for longer absences, and require a 65% market survey response rate for validity. The fiscal note projected substantial savings, offset by implementation and staffing costs. SEIU 925 and Head Start representatives supported the simpler House approach to attendance billing but raised concerns about the new survey threshold and the risk of increased audits and provider burden; they also noted an amendment under discussion to address the 2026 survey issue. Committee questions focused on how a full month is defined under the attendance rules. For HB 2681, staff said the bill would raise annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retail licenses by $400, generating about $866,000 per year for the dedicated cannabis account with minimal administrative cost. No one signed up to testify, and the chair closed the hearing without a vote on any of the bills. The chair also thanked committee staff for their work and reiterated that amendments for the heard bills were due by noon that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Governor Mansion Authority is responsible for operating, maintaining, preserving the governor's

Bills: HB44 , HB400 , HB444 , HB487 , SB249 , SB252 , SB58 , HB44 , HB400 , HB444 , HB487 , SB249 , SB252 , SB58

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: teachers retirement, credit purchase, St. Clair County, DAY Program, pension reform, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, HB444, vaccines, vaccine exemption, religious exemption, religious liberty, private school, church school, faith-based school, parochial school, school immunization

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to preserve an industry that currently exists out there and differentiate it from a predatory

Summary: The committee took executive action on a series of bills, beginning with Engrossed House Bill 2445 on heir finder services and probate. Members adopted Striking Amendment Alpha, which added definitions and guardrails for heir finder agreements, including written filing and court oversight requirements, and then advanced the bill as amended to the Rules Committee. A second proposed striker, Bravo, was rendered out of order after Alpha was adopted. On Engrossed House Bill 1574 concerning access to life-saving care and substance use services, the committee considered several competing amendments. Amendment Charlie was rejected, while Amendment Delta was adopted to narrow protections and add public health and syringe service program provisions. Amendment Echo, which would have limited distribution of drug testing equipment to health care facilities and excluded syringe and smoking equipment, was rejected. Amendment Foxtrot, dealing with fentanyl endangerment and parenting sentencing alternatives, was withdrawn after discussion and then incorporated into a new striking amendment; the bill as amended was sent to the Rules Committee. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on Second Substitute House Bill 2333, expanding protections for elected officials and prosecutors, including security provisions, address confidentiality, residential address redaction, and limited criminal history information sharing, and sent it to Ways and Means. The committee next acted on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care market standards, adopting Amendment Hotel to exempt state-owned or state-operated entities and public hospital districts from filing fees, rejecting Amendment India on fee calculations and refunds, and then sending the bill as amended to Ways and Means. On Engrossed House Bill 2156 regarding Attorney General investigators, the committee rejected several amendments that would have limited criminal investigations, required additional certification, redirected recovered funds, or narrowed the definition of economic and financial crimes, then advanced the bill as amended to the Rules Committee. It also adopted striking amendments on Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a court unification task force and Substitute House Bill 2203 creating reckless interference with emergency operations, sending both bills onward. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508 on the Office of Independent Investigations and Substitute House Bill 2248 on corporate filings were advanced without amendments, and the committee removed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways from the day’s exec list. The meeting ended with final votes, committee recommendations, and adjournment, marking the last Law and Justice Committee meeting of the 2026 session.

Transcript Highlights:

• George Washington once said this, quote, the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will preserve the non-regulatory voluntary independence of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this legislation is one tool that helps preserve project momentum in the face of sustained inflation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically what this memorial does is ask Congress to act and preserve the intent with this passage

Summary: The committee began by introducing several RS drafts and sending them to print by unanimous voice vote. It then heard the gubernatorial reappointment of Dave Bobbitt to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Bobbitt described his background in banking and lifelong hunting and fishing in Idaho, and said his priorities include wolf and grizzly bear delisting and more state control over wildlife management. Senators asked about wolf depredation, population goals, hunting technology rules, and federal involvement in wolf management. The chair said the confirmation would not be voted on until the next meeting. The committee next considered House Bill 502, which would move Idaho Forest Products Commission provisions from administrative rule into statute and consolidate related definitions, nomination, chair/vice-chair, and assessment requirements in the code. Senator Harris said the bill was mainly a codification and streamlining measure with no material policy change. The bill was moved to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Joint Memorial 9, urging Congress to reaffirm FLPMA as the primary authority for federal land management and exchanges. Support testimony came from J.R. Simplot Company representative Elizabeth Kreiner, who described a long-running land exchange dispute and argued the memorial would preserve certainty for western land exchanges. The memorial was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee received an update from Idaho Water Resources Research Institute Director Kendra Kaiser on the institute’s funded research and priorities. She said the institute had distributed more than $500,000 across Boise State, Idaho State, and the University of Idaho, and that water scarcity, technology/monitoring, and water quality were the main statewide research themes. She highlighted projects on snowpack and streamflow forecasting, flood forecasting, harmful algal blooms, managed aquifer recharge, monitoring gaps, East Snake Plain water supply modeling, and Lake Pend Oreille management. Senators asked about curtailment forecasting, the Snake River Basin Study, and how the research would help tributary water users. Kaiser said the institute’s curtailment analysis was for early planning only and that results would be posted publicly and shared through presentations and advisory groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically what this memorial does is ask Congress to act and preserve the intent with this passage

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all