Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Conference Committee on House File 2130 to order.
• Today we're going to be acting on House File 2130. Um, this bill comes out of...
• Senator Latz moves the A8 amendment to House language, House File 2130, fourth engrossment.
• Is there any File 2134th engrossment.
• House File 2130 fourth engrossment as amended.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is file item number 6, AB 418 by Wilson. Additional file items...
• File item for the audience is file item number 6, AB 418 by Wilson.
• This bill would be referred to our suspense file.
• This bill will be referred to our suspense file.
• It's referred to the suspense file. Thank you. Yeah.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> files so this there be data files files so this there be data files publicly<04:51:54.280><c> available
• </c> readable files uh that means files readable files uh that means files posted<04:58:30.240><c> on
• Then the third file is essentially a prescription drug file, and I don't have to tell anybody on this
• </c><05:04:39.718><c> don't</c> these machine readable files don't these machine readable files don't
• together. these big data files to be submitted and these big data files to be submitted and by<05:16

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we will call President Ryberg to the testifier table to talk through House File 1478.
• Chair, I will move that House File 1478 be laid over for possible inclusion.
• House File 1478 builds on that. It sets some additional criteria that counties can use.
• </c><00:01:37.759><c> uh</c><00:01:37.920><c> Bill</c><00:01:38.240><c> house</c><00:01:38.479><c> file
• </c><00:01:38.720><c> 1478</c> Corners um this uh Bill house file 1478 Corners um this uh Bill house

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1478, a bill to continue and expand a grant program for locating Minnesota’s public land survey system (PLSS) monuments and survey corners. The author explained that many of the state’s 325,000 PLSS monuments have unknown locations, which contributes to boundary uncertainty, lawsuits, and inaccurate land records and taxation. The bill, as described, would add criteria for counties, allow tribes to access the program, and continue funding it. The committee also noted Senate authors and bipartisan support for the measure. An A1 amendment was offered by Representative Fryberg to put the bill in the desired form, and it was adopted without objection. Testifiers from the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors and county surveying offices supported the bill, saying better monument location improves maps, property transfers, land management, and tax accuracy, while reducing disputes and lowering survey costs for landowners and public projects. One testifier said the work is important but often underappreciated; another emphasized that more monuments can make surveys much cheaper and more accurate. Committee members expressed support for the bill’s goals, with several indicating they would sign on. The chair repeatedly referenced uncertainty around the budget forecast and said the committee would have to consider practical fiscal realities. In the end, Representative Fryberg renewed his motion, and House File 1478, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> today to ask you to support file today to ask you to support file 2228<00:05:01.880><c> and</c><
• Please support House File 2228.
• </c> affordability please support house file affordability please support house file 2228<00:09:14.120
• </c> committee for taking up a house file committee for taking up a house file 2228<00:09:40.519><c>
• House File 546 is laid over. Our next bill on the agenda is Representative Muller's House File 856.

Bills: HF2228 , HF46 , HF856 , HF2149 , HF2215

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, except we’re going to take up Senator Kick’s bill, Senate File 9008.
• Um, we’re back from recess and we’re doing Senator Coop’s bill, Senate File 9008.
• Uh, Senate File 9008 is uh deals with the broadband.
• </c><00:20:00.400><c> 2360</c> like to move that Senate File 2360 like to move that Senate File 2360
• </c> and re-refer Senate File and re-refer Senate File 2775,<00:20:42.799><c> which</c><00:20:43.120>

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, SB 695, file item 2; SB 775, file item 4; SB 695, file item 2; SB 775, file item 4; SB 78, file
• item 8; SB 298, file item 9; SB 480, file item 11; SB 586, file item 13; SB 727, file item 14; SCR 54
• , file item 15; ACR 71, file item 16; ACR 81, file item 17; ACR 96, file item 18; and ACR 97, file item
• File item 17, ACR 96. File item 18, ACR 96. Is there a motion?
• Continuing in file item order, we have file item number three, SB 63, Wiener. So you may begin.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 86, which would extend and expand the CAEATFA sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap from $100 million to $200 million, and add fusion energy. Supporters, including the State Treasurer and industry and labor representatives, cited billions in clean-tech investment, job creation, and environmental benefits; county groups opposed the bill over local revenue losses. The committee approved SB 86 on a 12-0 roll, holding the roll open for additional members. The committee then heard SB 545, which would require Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the California high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Labor, Fresno’s mayor’s office, and other stakeholders supported the bill as a way to spur corridor development and future funding opportunities, while one business group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with the roll held open. Members next considered SB 63, a Bay Area transit funding measure authorizing a regional revenue measure to support transit operations amid looming fiscal shortfalls. The author and witnesses described severe service cuts that could follow without new funding, while committee members raised concerns about the bill’s structure, county participation, polling, and whether other revenue options should be considered. The bill advanced on a 9-3 vote, with the roll held open, and the committee also approved SB 263, directing a state study of tariff impacts on California’s economy and supply chains, on an 11-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 661, which would redirect aviation-related tax revenues back to airports for aviation purposes and bring the state into compliance with federal requirements; testimony focused on airport modernization, rural access, and allocation formulas, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senate file numbers 4401 334 and 1943. Senate file numbers 4401 334 and 1943.
• </c> and Senate file number 5200. and Senate file number 5200.
• </c> Committee reports on House files. Committee reports on House files.
• </c> passage of House File 4188? passage of House File 4188?
• House File Number 2438, Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Wicklund, we're going to bring back Senate File 4399.
• </c> Senate file Senate file 4944<00:26:42.480><c> informational</c><00:26:42.920><c> hearing</c><00:
• </c> So, Senator Kroon, we have Senate file So, Senator Kroon, we have Senate file 4997<00:28:20.440>
• </c><00:36:07.160><c> 4696</c> Please vote yes on Senate file 4696 Please vote yes on Senate file 4696
• </c> Senate file 4696. Senate file 4696.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 447 Chairman.
• File 73 that relates specifically to File 73 that relates specifically to this<00:28:22.960><c> bill,
• File 447?
• So, next up is Senate File 1098.
• And we'll go to Senate File 2039.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now at second reading file, items 1 through 25.
• Colleagues, File Item 34 is the confirmation of Jacob Arkatov. Mr.
• And last but not least on the file today, File Item 35 is a confirmation of Dr. V. V.
• File Item 62, SR 88. Secretary, please read.
• Senators, we will move on to File Item 63. Secretary, please read.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Representative Heintzeman with House File 4508.
• Yes, uh, I, Madam Chair, I'd like to move House File 4508 before the committee.
• Representative Nelson moves that House File 4508 be put before the committee.
• The Idaho elk facility met the Uh we do not support House File 4508 to Uh we do not support House File
• Thank you for giving us an opportunity to talk about House File 4508.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move to file item 11, Senate third reading, to take up file item 68, SCR 111 by Senator Nilo.
• Moving now on to consideration of the daily file, second reading file.
• All right, members, is there a question or debate on file item 64?
• Continuing our consideration of the Daily File, we'll next turn to unfinished business. File item.
• File item 60, Senator Umberg. Secretary, please read.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and began with a floor introduction honoring guests from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, including President Jeffrey Armstrong, students, and student leaders. Senator Laird highlighted Cal Poly’s 125th anniversary, its statewide impact, and student achievements, including Rose Parade and design-build competition awards. The body then took up two Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 111 by Senator Niello commemorated the 125th anniversary of the certified public accountant profession in California and recognized the California Board of Accountancy and the California Society of CPAs; it passed on a roll call and was later adopted 38-0 after the call was lifted. SCR 109 by Senator Grove proclaimed January 2026 as National Mentoring Month and recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California for its long-standing youth mentorship work; it also passed on a roll call and was adopted 39-0 after the call was lifted. The Senate also concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 25 by Senator Umberg, which streamlines California’s merger process and aligns it with the federal process; the vote was 33-0. Members then approved a motion by Senator Laird to give second reading and move forward bills reported from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on February 4, 2026, despite objections from Senator Niello; the motion passed 29-10. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjourn-in-memory tributes for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Barry Del Bono, Professor Alan Stewart Hammond, and journalist Jeb Bing, with multiple senators offering personal recollections and condolences to their families and communities. The Senate concluded by announcing the next floor session and recessing until later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2354 be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.
• </c> house file house file 2354<00:03:07.040><c> otherwise</c><00:03:07.400><c> known</c><00:03:07.599
• </c> especially the provisions in house file especially the provisions in house file 25 25 25 2354<00
• House File 2354 be referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy.
• </c> house file house file 2354<00:10:47.360><c> be</c><00:10:47.880><c> refered</c><00:10:48.240><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We submitted a rate filing with a need for We submitted a rate filing with a need for a 40.8% rate increase
• We filed for a 48.8% increase, and we received 15.7% We filed for 48.8% increase, and we received 15.7%
• So in 2023, we got the rate approval from the 2021 filing, and we filed again in September of 2023.
• So we’re still working through some So that’s what we filed at.
• With our current rate filing, With our current rate filing, at least a portion of that expense is included

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Fair Plan, focusing on its rapid growth, financial stability, rate adequacy, and role in the homeowners insurance market. Committee members described the Fair Plan as increasingly functioning as a “safety net” rather than a true insurer of last resort, while Fair Plan representatives said the plan was created by statute, is privately funded by member insurers, and is now taking on more business because of non-renewals and limited availability in the admitted market. They emphasized that the plan offers residential and commercial coverage, but not a full HO-3 homeowners policy, and said expanding into that product would require major new staffing, vendor, and claims infrastructure. A major topic was pricing and assessments. Fair Plan officials said their rates have historically lagged their projected costs, especially because reinsurance costs were not fully recoverable in rates until recently. They reviewed recent filings, including a 2023 filing that was reduced from an estimated 80% need to a 35.8% request after working with the Department of Insurance. They also discussed the plan’s reinsurance tower, a new catastrophe bond, and the $1 billion assessment triggered by the 2025 Los Angeles fires after losses exceeded available capital. They said AB 226 helped secure a $600 million line of credit to reduce assessment risk, and they thanked lawmakers for supporting that measure. Members raised constituent concerns about coverage limits, underinsurance, and misinformation from agents. Fair Plan officials said they do not deny applicants because their homes exceed the plan’s $3.3 million limit; instead, policyholders can combine Fair Plan coverage with excess insurance. They said broker training and webinars are being expanded to address misunderstandings, and they noted that raising the cap would depend on achieving actuarially sound rates and sufficient financial capacity. Members also asked about smoke claims from the 2025 fires; the Fair Plan said it has paid covered smoke claims under California law, reviewed closed claims, and removed the “sight and smell” language from its policy form after litigation and CDI action. Public commenters from the insurance industry, builders, agriculture, and nonprofit service providers largely urged faster depopulation of the Fair Plan, more adequate rates, and reforms to the clearinghouse process. Some warned that the Fair Plan is now competing with the admitted market because it can be cheaper in some areas, while others said the plan is still essential because the private market is not serving high-risk or specialized properties. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, but committee members and Fair Plan representatives agreed to continue working on rate, transparency, and depopulation issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I am going to bring House File 2908 before the committee, and I will move that House File 2908 be
• Please proceed with your bill presentation for House File 2908. Mr.
• </c> house file house file 2908<00:03:13.400><c> Mr</c><00:03:13.680><c> chair</c><00:03:14.040><c> and
• Is there any member discussion to House File 2908?
• Is there any member discussion to House File 2908?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And now we are going to file item number 3, AB 28, from Assembly Member File item number three, AB 28
• File item number four, we have not heard yet.
• from the file.
• Next, AB 28, file item 3.
• File item 21, AB 2253. The motion is due. Okay, this is the last bill, File Item 21, AB 2253.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 2218, which would declare state policy to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting California Native American tribes and require several state agencies to incorporate that policy into water-related decisions. The author and tribal witnesses said the bill would codify a seat at the table for tribes and build on existing consultation and equity commitments, while supporters from environmental and tribal organizations backed the measure. Opponents from municipal utilities, water agencies, cities, counties, agriculture, and business groups argued the bill was too vague, could create uncertainty for water supply and project approvals, and might invite litigation. The chair signaled support, and the author said the bill was intended as a consultation measure rather than one that would usurp agency authority. The committee then took up AB 1795, a wildfire smoke-damage bill that would establish statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke-damaged homes and create clearer insurance claim handling rules. The Department of Insurance supported the bill, saying it would bring consistency and accountability after major urban-interface fires, while wildfire survivors and advocates said current insurer practices leave families unable to safely return home. Insurance and local government groups opposed unless amended, warning about cost, implementation uncertainty, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed unresolved issues, including how the bill would interact with a separate wildfire health-and-safety bill, whether it would apply to existing policies, and how presumptions and testing standards should work. The committee voted AB 1795 out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 1642, another wildfire-related bill, was also heard and focused on setting science-based testing and clearance standards for homes, schools, and businesses after urban and wildland-urban interface fires. The author and a Caltech scientist described contamination from lead and other heavy metals in fire-affected homes and argued for a presumption that certain contaminants found after a fire came from the wildfire, to reduce costly disputes. Survivors and many advocacy groups supported the bill, while insurers and other industry groups opposed, saying the testing regime was too broad, the geographic scope was unclear, and the presumptions could function like strict liability and raise insurance costs. Senators pressed both sides on how AB 1642 would overlap with the CDI smoke-claims task force and with AB 1795, and the author said the two bills were intended to be complementary and would continue to be reconciled. The committee also briefly heard AB 1976, which would create a CEQA exemption for pedestrian malls and limit certain local procedural delays for pedestrian and traffic-calming projects. Supporters said it would make it easier to create safer, more walkable, and more livable streets, and there was no opposition testimony. The chair described it as a narrow CEQA exemption for active transportation-related projects and indicated support. The committee then moved on to AB 2026, a groundwater recharge permitting bill, with the author explaining that it would streamline permitting so more recharge projects can capture floodwater and store it for drought years; testimony on that bill began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the role on Senate File 17. the role on Senate File 17.
• </c> Voting on SE Senate File 17 engrossed. Voting on SE Senate File 17 engrossed.
• Senate File 43. >> Pardon?
• Senate File 43. >> Pardon?
• Senate File 43. >> Pardon?

Bills: HB0078 , HB0087 , SF0070 , SF0068 , SF0017 , SF0043

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• That amendment was not filed, so we'll have to amend it here in committee.
• It should have been filed this... My experts are telling me it hasn't been filed. All right.
• Point of interest, is that something I filed, or did the staff file?
• That's why I think you filed, because I thought the staff filed. All right.
• So you are wanting to adopt that as an untimely filed amendment? All right.

Bills: SB1491 , SB1581 , SB1286 , SB1451

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Keywords: presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, initiative petitions, signature gathering, protest period, grand jury, Oklahoma legislature, polling place, polling locations, voter access, county election board, precinct, municipal building, school building, school district, municipality, political subdivision

Summary: The Elections and Ethics Committee considered several election-related bills. Senate Bill 1451, with an untimely filed committee amendment, would allow the State Board of Elections to use existing printed voter registration cards before switching to new ones and would add a space on the card for voters who moved from another county or state so election officials can better update and cancel duplicate registrations. The Secretary of the State Election Board said the measure would codify existing interstate notification practices and help clean up voter rolls; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1286, which requires political subdivisions that host county election board elections to provide polling-place rooms at no cost. Supporters said the bill was a request from the Tulsa County Election Board and was intended to address the large share of polling places located in private buildings that can withdraw access on short notice. It passed 5-1. Senate Bill 1581 was approved 5-1 as well. It extends the time to gather signatures to impanel a grand jury from 45 to 90 days and adds a 10-day protest period for signature verification. Testimony indicated the change would align this process with other initiative petition timelines. The committee also passed Senate Bill 1491, which requires newly appointed presidential electors filling a vacancy to take the same oath as other electors; it passed 5-1. The meeting ended with thanks to the committee for its service for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next bill is Chair Stevenson's bill, House File 1615.
• Representative Stevenson moves House File 1615 be re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
• a further conversation on medical cannabis issues further down the road, and it also deletes House File
• 00:01:12.960><c> also</c><00:01:13.360><c> deletes</c><00:01:13.840><c> House</c><00:01:14.159><c> File
• </c> the road and it also deletes House File the road and it also deletes House File 1310<00:01:15.520

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1615, a bill sponsored by Chair Stevenson, and first considered the DE1 amendment. Representative West moved the A1 amendment to the DE1, describing it as a compromise with Chair Stevenson that would allow hemp manufacturers to participate in markets outside Minnesota with non-compliant products, permit medical businesses to sell medical cannabis to other medically endorsed or medical combo businesses, and strengthen participation requirements in the market. Stevenson supported the amendment, noting ongoing discussions with West and the Office of Cannabis Management. The committee adopted the A1 amendment. Stevenson then presented the bill as amended, saying the committee had already heard an overview and testimony on the bill and that the only change was the newly adopted amendment. He noted the bill largely combines measures previously heard by the committee on separate days. After brief discussion and closing remarks from Stevenson, he asked for a yes vote. The committee renewed the motion to re-refer House File 1615, as amended, to the Committee on Ways and Means. The motion prevailed on a voice vote.