Transcript Highlights:

• month, average ridership for that month.
• We actually were able to double the amount of one street parking.
• It doesn't really allow for that sort of experimentation.
• It's a huge amount.
• It's a huge amount.

Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held an informational hearing on the future of public transit and its role in downtown recovery. Chair Haney framed the discussion around how downtowns have changed since the pandemic and how transit, walkability, housing, and street design can support more 24/7 activity. The hearing included three panels: transit agency representatives, street design and curb management experts, and housing/transit development advocates. Transit agency witnesses from BART, LA Metro, and Sacramento Regional Transit described post-pandemic ridership shifts, with more weekend, evening, and event-based travel and less reliance on traditional weekday commute patterns. BART highlighted downtown San Francisco’s dependence on transit, its event service, safety investments, and transit-oriented development pipeline, while asking the state to protect transit funding and honor SB 125 and greenhouse gas reduction fund commitments. LA Metro emphasized special event service, especially around the World Cup and Union Station activations, as a way to make transit a destination and improve customer experience. Sacramento Regional Transit reported bus ridership recovery above pre-pandemic levels, light rail lagging behind, new vehicles and stations, stronger security measures, and concerns about future funding cuts affecting student fares, capital projects, and service levels. The second panel focused on making downtown streets more walkable and transit-friendly. Jeff Speck argued that walkability depends on places being useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting, and urged cities to restripe streets, reduce lane widths, add bike protection, improve crossings, and redesign one-way streets. Mark Vuksevich of Streets for All said downtowns are statewide economic assets and called for frequent transit, bus priority, modern curb management, parking pricing tied to availability, and parking benefits districts that reinvest revenue locally. He also said the state should provide model enabling legislation and more flexibility for local experimentation. The final panel focused on housing near transit. California YIMBY’s Aaron Eckhouse supported AB 2074, which would encourage large-scale housing in transit-rich downtowns, and argued for more financing tools, condo reform, and building code changes to reduce costs. Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van Water described the Transbay Transit Center and surrounding district as a case study in transit-oriented downtown growth, with millions of square feet of development, thousands of residents, and a major portal project still awaiting funding and pre-construction work. Members discussed office-to-housing conversions, the need to repurpose underused office stock, and the importance of state funding and policy support for transit, housing, and downtown revitalization.

Transcript Highlights:

• of 1.5% of your gross sales in the previous average of the three years.
• </c> on average. on average. a<00:09:27.760><c> year</c><00:09:28.080><c> in</c><00:09:28.399><c> electricity
• You know, I think there are different technologies that use different amounts of energy.
• technologies that use different amounts of<00:25:08.640><c> energy.
• </c><00:27:11.919><c> other</c> that would also potentially allow other that would also potentially allow

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2003, Massachusetts had 266,463 domestic violence incidents reported, and on average, 18 domestic
• With Cox Automotive reporting that the average national price of a used car is $25,000, consumers can
• be left shouldering large amounts when these dealerships fail.
• This is an area where, on average, dealers should be beating the book or at least meeting it.
• And to be clear, what we're talking about is the same amount of work, but being paid 50% more.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on a wide range of bills involving consumer protection, auto regulation, alcohol licenses, and professional licensure. A major focus was legislation to require a one-hour domestic violence awareness training for salon and cosmetology licensees (H.323/S.200), supported by District Attorney Marion Ryan, law enforcement, and a salon industry witness who described the program’s value in identifying and helping victims. The committee also heard strong support from the Attorney General’s office for auto consumer protection legislation (S.228/H.379) that would expand used-car warranty protections, extend the Lemon Law return period to seven days after receipt of the vehicle, raise the mileage cap to 200,000 miles, and increase dealer surety bonds to $50,000. Independent dealers opposed those changes, arguing they would burden small businesses and that dealer education, not expanded liability, was the better solution. The committee also took testimony on bills related to vehicle financial products and repair information. A trade association supported GAP waiver legislation (H.4188/S.281), saying it would create clear consumer protections and standard disclosures. On right-to-repair and heavy-duty vehicle service information (S.266), engine and truck manufacturers supported an exemption for commercial vehicles, while others argued that releasing service data to the general public could create safety, cybersecurity, and emissions risks. The committee then heard extensive testimony on auto dealer franchise and warranty reimbursement legislation (S.201/H.406), with dealer groups supporting changes to warranty labor reimbursement and manufacturer groups opposing them as costly and unnecessary. Manufacturers from GM, Volvo, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, and others said their current time-study and appeals processes already compensate dealers fairly and that the bill would raise costs for consumers. In addition, the committee heard testimony on H.333, which would move auto damage appraiser licensing from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Occupational Licensure. Collision repair advocates supported the change, saying the current board structure leads to repeated dismissals of complaints and lacks accountability, while emphasizing that the bill is intended to protect consumers and ensure proper repair reimbursement. The hearing also included testimony in support of a local alcohol license petition for Westwood and a separate local alcohol measure for a town grant license. At the end of the hearing, the chairs announced that all docketed bills had been heard, noted that a joint poll would be held on H.4184, and the committee voted to adjourn by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 10 points higher than the state average.
• That's over a Now, a five-year average.
• It allows them to see that and process the words.
• Allow those things to go away.
• To chip away at the average, the average deficit that I experience allows me to put forth efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their average credit was $1,125, which was a higher average than the statewide average claim, showing
• I think if you look at the average claim amount, it's pretty sizable in certain places across the state
• </c> representative hers bill um that allows representative hers bill um that allows small<01:04:25.039
• <01:07:22.559><c> of</c> amount of amount of $5,000<01:07:24.599><c> yeah</c><01:07:25.799><c> thank<
• </c><01:31:26.040><c> me</c> Gomez thank you and if you'd allow me Gomez thank you and if you'd allow

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not allowed to invest in company. We're not allowed to invest in it. it. it.
• </c><01:35:24.480><c> to</c> supplemental retirement allowance to supplemental retirement allowance to
• </c><03:11:56.720><c> of</c> officer are making the same amount of officer are making the same amount
• </c> to consider the entire um career average to consider the entire um career average over<03:13:13.279
• </c><03:13:18.880><c> over</c> since the entire career average over since the entire career average over

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> carrying guns, but they are not allowed carrying guns, but they are not allowed under<00:03:27.599
• </c><00:37:39.200><c> of</c> to distribute a finite amount of to distribute a finite amount of resources
• So that would be the average of rate.
• I don't think it's ever been amount.
• </c> approximately five uh appeals on average approximately five uh appeals on average to<02:00:24.000

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuous resources also allow us to serve families longer when needed.
• Between 2022 and 2025, the average collection Between 2022 and 2025, the average collection per case
• But the amounts passed through average $2.7 million.
• So it would be a change to CalSAWS to change the disregard amount.
• us to get closer to the national average.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• TWENTY ONE CONNECTED DEVICES ARE ON AVERAGE IN EACH U.S.
• DATA CENTERS REQUIRE A LARGE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY.
• THERE IS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CONSTRUCTION JOBS.
• OF THESE ARE WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND FOR A REASON. WE INTEND TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.
• THIS TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS US TO DO THE ENTIRE GRID EVERY YEAR. IT ENABLES FOLKS TO DO MORE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unemployment insurance returns are also less than 1 at 0.61 on average.
• then how that compares to the foundation funding amount.
• So... ...by the $76,022 salary and benefits amount, divide that by 500, and you arrive at the 5,122 amount
• And these are all combined to get a total per-student amount.
• amounts for that same school year.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is just an extension of the amount of time that the funding for the Ramsey County Youth Home
• </c><00:02:09.759><c> of</c> extension of uh the the uh amount of extension of uh the the uh amount of
• </c><00:14:53.040><c> This</c><00:14:53.279><c> allows</c> inadvertently deleted.
• This allows inadvertently deleted.
• instead of the three-year average instead of the oneyear<00:39:58.480><c> average.

Transcript Highlights:

• LCFF base grant amounts are calculated on a per-student basis measured by average daily attendance of
• But where does a COLA, and what amount, make sense?
• And a discretionary grant allows them...
• It's not a specific formula behind the amount.
• It's not, like, a specific formula behind the amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• the total benefit to an average residential customer to about $120 versus the $100 the average residential
• We are increasing the amount of work we're doing.
• And this particular bill allows you to sell that interest at fair market value, or the amount that you
• I know I'm not allowed to, but how is it excluded?
• And, in fact, we have data that shows the average.

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• an average pace.
• amount appropriated would not reasonably reflect the amount that was going to be spent.
• That's our core amount.
• That's our core amount.
• The average for that is $600,000 a year. The average for that is $600,000 a year.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the State Auditor’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick described rebuilding the office after staffing had fallen to a historic low, explaining that the office has grown from 92.5 to 119 FTE but still needs several years to reach full staffing, especially at the manager level. He said most of the budget is payroll, noted the office’s use of lapsing general revenue while staffing is rebuilt, and outlined requests including core operating funds, a small sports betting audit NDI, and a $290,000 increase to the CPA stipend to address recruitment and retention problems. Members also discussed the auditor’s authority to audit state agencies and subrecipients, the office’s role in performance audits, and the meaning of “E” appropriations and the auditor’s recent general revenue conditions report. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 10, focusing on Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health issues. One witness from the American Heart Association supported continued funding for cardiac emergency response planning in schools, citing AEDs, CPR training, and about 480 schools served. Another witness from the Alzheimer’s Association urged rejection of a proposed $1 million reduction to the Missouri caregiver program, arguing it supports families caring for people with dementia and helps avoid more expensive institutional care. Most of the testimony concerned proposed cuts to developmental disability services, especially day habilitation and self-directed supports (SDS). Providers, family members, and workers said the proposed reductions would force service cuts, reduce wages, and threaten community-based care that keeps people at home and out of more costly facilities. They argued the cuts would shift costs to emergency, residential, or institutional settings and asked the committee to preserve current funding levels. Several members asked questions about provider rates, the share of services delivered by private providers, and the cost difference between SDS and institutional care. The hearing ended with the chair apologizing for earlier tension, explaining the schedule, and recessing the committee to return later because of House floor obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did that dollar amount, the full amount, come from the administration?
• I just wonder if it's like the median of past, the average of past 10 years, the average of something
• It's the average.
• This is already twice the national average, with seniors waiting on an average of three months for a
• This is already twice the national average, with seniors waiting on an average of three months for a

Transcript Highlights:

• So that deduction, the amount that an operator can deduct, will decrease.
• It just seems like it's a huge tourism uptick and a huge amount of rooms, huge amount of things, and
• For example,... ...monthly distribution amounts set forth in statute.
• This would allow it to increase the amount of tourism revenues that it distributes to priorities lower
• I'm allowed to use this. Welcome.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as the House Commerce Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and a performance audit covering the Department of Gaming, the Racing Commission, the Boxing and MMA Commission, the Barbering and Cosmetology Board, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. The Auditor General reported that the Department of Gaming and the two commissions generally met some statutory duties, but identified major issues: the department had not consistently reviewed independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, had disclosure and conflict-of-interest compliance gaps, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and was late distributing some compact trust fund payments to tribes. The Racing Commission needed better public records procedures, and the Boxing and MMA Commission had licensing and fee-setting issues. The department and commissions said they agreed with the findings and were implementing recommendations, with the department noting it had already begun look-back reviews, updated guidance, and additional staffing. Members also discussed consumer protection, illegal gambling, prediction markets, and whether out-of-state enforcement actions should affect Arizona licenses; the department said it would evaluate such matters case by case and generally wait for final adjudication or final regulatory action before acting. The committee then voted to recommend continuation of the Department of Gaming for two years until July 1, 2028, the Racing Commission for six years until July 1, 2032, and the Boxing and MMA Commission for six years until July 1, 2032. The Department of Gaming motion passed 7-4, the Racing Commission motion passed 10-1, and the Boxing and MMA Commission motion passed unanimously. The committee next heard the Barbering and Cosmetology Board audit. The Auditor General said the board timely processed many applications and complaints and had adopted curriculum rules, but it failed to enforce disciplinary guidelines consistently, sometimes issuing different sanctions for similar violations without documenting why it deviated from policy. The audit also found problems with reciprocity education requirements, application review quality control, inspections, open meeting and public records compliance, conflict-of-interest processes, fee-setting, and statutory clarity on scope of practice and training requirements. The board said it agreed with the findings, had already updated disciplinary parameters and documentation policies, and was working on the remaining recommendations and possible legislation. The committee then voted to continue the board for six years until July 1, 2032, and the motion passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, the committee began hearing the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority performance audit, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation was completed or any action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:15.920><c> of</c> with, and that is the massive amount of with, and that is the massive amount
• </c><01:03:22.480><c> here,</c> the important part is averages here, the important part is averages here
• </c> embarrassed and disgusted that we allow embarrassed and disgusted that we allow wealth<01:19:33.880
• </c> society, pays very little to the average society, pays very little to the average worker,<01:21:
• </c><01:39:04.840><c> for</c> protect uh increasing the amount for protect uh increasing the amount for

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> full amount upfront. full amount upfront.
• Construction amount.
• </c> government's fund a loan in the amount government's fund a loan in the amount of<00:30:52.320><c
• So the par amount..."
• </c><01:14:05.520><c> I</c> million over 30 years average. I million over 30 years average.

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's certain amount of pace.
• And this shows, on average for each of those 10 groupings, what is the average percent of cash income
• </c><01:15:08.239><c> spending</c> so if there's $342 of average spending so if there's $342 of average
• House File 916 allows efficiencies.
• </c> in the rate which is also going to allow in the rate which is also going to allow community<01:37

Bills: HF331 , HF916

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• It could speak to kind of average or try to identify typical amount of time served or typical time in
• It could speak to kind of average or try to identify typical amount of time serve or typical time in
• That creates a certain amount of uncertainty.
• And again, that's the average.
• just allow the presumption to, allow the presumption of testing to go forward.

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Summary: The committee work session began with a staff presentation on state tort liability, focusing on why Washington’s tort payouts and claims have risen and how sovereign immunity, statutes of limitation, damages rules, and case law shape state exposure. Staff and the Attorney General’s Office highlighted that DCYF, DSHS, and DOC account for the largest share of claims and payouts, with Washington’s broad waiver of immunity and lack of caps on non-economic damages making it unusual compared with many other states. The discussion emphasized childhood sexual abuse claims, foster care and juvenile rehabilitation liability, and the impact of recent cases and the 2024 statute of limitations changes. Agency witnesses from DCYF, DSHS, and DOC described rising claims, delayed payout timing, difficulty defending older cases with limited records, and efforts to reduce future liability through practice changes, electronic health records, medication-assisted treatment, staffing, and early resolution programs. The committee then shifted to parole and sentencing. Staff from the Sentencing Guidelines Commission and Public Safety Policy and Research Center reviewed Washington’s move from indeterminate sentencing and parole to the current determinate sentencing system under the Sentencing Reform Act, and explained that parole can coexist with sentencing guidelines in other states through different models. They also summarized Criminal Sentencing Task Force recommendations related to three-strikes, persistent offender review, and a second-chance review process, noting that the task force did not reach consensus on those ideas. Judges Veronica Galvan and Cindy Larson, speaking for the Minority and Justice Commission and the Superior Court Judges Association, supported considering a parole or review-board model as a way to address racial disparities, improve fairness, and create a more centralized and transparent review process with data collection and judicial review. The final panel began with prosecutors, with Eric Eisenger introducing himself and indicating he would speak from both his role as Benton County prosecutor and as a former defense attorney. The transcript cuts off before the prosecutors’ full testimony or any committee action on the parole topic, and no votes were taken during the portion provided.