Transcript Highlights:

• eligibility for pumped storage hydro projects without mandating any new procurement, without weakening environmental

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications met to hear several bills, noting that ACA 9 would be heard at a later date. The committee first approved a consent calendar item, then heard AB 2458 by Assemblymember Bennett, which would extend California Energy Commission appliance efficiency standards to appliances that are rented or leased, not just sold. Supporters included Ceres and Southern California Edison, and the bill was clarified to not affect commercial food processors. The committee also heard AB 2476 by Assemblymember Ellis, which would expand eligibility for pumped storage hydro projects under the state’s central procurement program by removing an outdated pre-2020 funding requirement while keeping the 500-megawatt cap. Support came from Rye Development, GreenGen Storage, and an irrigation district representative, with discussion focused on ratepayer benefits, competition, and grid reliability. The committee then heard AB 2518 by Assemblymember Sharp-Collins, a San Diego County pilot program to set faster utility connection timelines for certain projects, including affordable housing, hospitals, municipal infrastructure, and EV charging projects. Testimony in support came from the San Diego Housing Commission and San Diego Gas & Electric, which said the timelines were feasible and would help reduce energization delays. Members discussed whether the bill would create unintended consequences for other customers, and the author and utility representative said it would complement existing CPUC work and not conflict with SB 410-related proceedings. All three bills received unanimous or near-unanimous committee approval and were ordered to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee also repeatedly reopened and closed rolls to capture absent members, ultimately recording 16-0 votes on the measures that were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• From that, I was able to work in Farmington, New Mexico, in an analytical environmental laboratory, where

Bills: SB194 , SB200 , SB203 , SB204 , SJR3

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Summary: The committee first announced that House Bill 161 would be rolled over until Monday so the sponsor could work out unintended errors and bring back a clean amendment. The committee then heard House Memorial 2, which calls for a Legislative Education Study Committee study of screen time in elementary classrooms, including instruction, assessment, and general use. The sponsor and supporters said the memorial is intended to examine the effects of screen use on young children’s learning, attention, literacy, social-emotional development, and physical well-being, and to develop research-based guidance rather than rely on anecdotes. Testimony in support came from educators and school leaders, including AFT New Mexico, NEA New Mexico, and the superintendent of Carlsbad Municipal Schools, who argued that screens are being used too heavily in elementary settings and that hands-on learning and direct interaction are being displaced. Committee members raised questions about whether the study should extend beyond elementary grades to secondary education, online books, and AI-related assessment issues such as voice recording and accessibility. The sponsor and legislative staff said the memorial is currently limited to elementary classrooms but could potentially be expanded; they also noted that assessment-related AI concerns would fall within the study. The committee then approved HM2 on a do-pass motion with no opposition. The committee next heard House Memorial 16, recognizing the New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory for 80 years of service and contributions to research, innovation, national security, workforce development, and economic prosperity. Support testimony highlighted the laboratory’s role in southern New Mexico and its status as one of eight FAA test sites for unmanned aerial systems. A member of the public also testified in support as an NMSU alum and STEM advocate. The committee approved HM16 on a do-pass motion with no opposition. The meeting also included introductions from visiting high school students and a reminder that Monday is NMSU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution reaffirms the environmental, cultural, and economic importance of our state parks.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and observances, including St. Johns County Day at the Capitol, Florida Space Day, Florida State Parks Day, AMI Kids Day at the Capitol, Manatee County Days, New College of Florida Day, and Florida Keys Day. The chamber also heard a report on executive appointments from the Ethics and Elections Committee, which recommended confirmation of 65 gubernatorial appointees. Senator Smith spoke in opposition to confirming Tina Vidal-Douart, citing contracts tied to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and the Hope Florida Foundation; Senator Pizzo spoke in support, describing her assistance during COVID testing efforts. The report was then adopted by a 37-0 vote. On the special order calendar, the Senate passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 48 on housing by a 38-0 vote. The bill requires local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, limits certain local restrictions, preserves homestead treatment for the primary residence portion, requires ADU leases of 30 days or more, and extends density bonus incentives for housing affordable to military families. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 578 on the Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Initiative by a 38-0 vote. That bill creates a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health, and outreach to older adults and higher-risk populations. Appropriations Chair Hooper gave a budget update, saying work was progressing well and announcing a revised schedule: budget rollouts in appropriations committees on February 12 and full appropriations consideration on February 18. Rules Chair Passidomo moved to waive rules so bills passed that day could be immediately certified to the House, and the motion was adopted without objection. The Senate then adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• for a private property owner to be able to create defensible space when we have so many of these environmental

Summary: The committee met to hear four Senate bills, with SB 345 (Hurtado) and SB 793 (Arreguín) placed on the consent calendar and both approved without discussion. The committee then heard SB 326, presented by Assembly Member Calderon on behalf of Senator Becker, which would create a framework for evaluating wildfire mitigation investments and require the State Fire Marshal’s office to develop planning tools, risk baselines, and mitigation scenarios. The only testimony was in support from the League of California Cities, and the bill was moved and passed to the Committee on Natural Resources on a vote of 5-0, with two members not voting. The final bill heard was SB 629 by Senator DeRazo, also presented by Assembly Member Calderon, as part of the Senate’s fire response, recovery, rebuilding, and prevention package. The bill would apply WUI building code and defensible space requirements to areas burned in wildfires, require urban conflagration modeling in fire maps, and mandate annual defensible space inspections in fire-prone areas. Local government representatives said they had concerns but appreciated amendments worked out with the author, while Assembly Members DeMaio and Hadwick spoke in opposition, citing burdens on private property owners and local governments. Despite those concerns, the bill was moved as amended to the Committee on Natural Resources and passed 4-3, with no roll held open before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1016 empowers these local governments, who have invested in planning, community engagement, and environmental

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard two items: AB 1016 by Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez and AJR 10 by Assemblymember Rogers. AB 1016 would expand the local permitting pilot for geothermal power plants in Imperial County, increasing the eligible generating capacity and extending the program through 2030. Gonzalez said he accepted committee amendments and emphasized the bill’s potential to create jobs, generate school and local tax revenue, and support California’s clean energy and baseload power goals. Imperial County officials and supporters from the State Building Trades and Independent Energy Producers Association testified in strong support, citing the county’s long geothermal permitting history, high unemployment, and major economic benefits from proposed projects. No opposition was presented. Committee members asked a few questions, including about the bill’s capacity range and ongoing coordination with labor. Gonzalez said he was continuing to work with the building trades on amendments, and the trades indicated they were now in support. The committee then took a roll call and passed AB 1016 on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members and later additional aye votes recorded. AJR 10 called on the federal government to oppose Forest Service staffing cuts and highlight the importance of national forests for water, wildlife, wildfire prevention, recreation, and rural economies. Rogers argued that reduced staffing would worsen wildfire risk and harm rural communities, and the committee heard no opposition. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, with the roll also held open and later additional aye votes added. The hearing concluded after both measures received enough votes to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• just don't want the dirt bikes and the quads running up and down the creeks causing all kinds of environmental

Bills: SB5 , SB142 , SB158 , SB171 , SB5

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a respectful, environmentally friendly option for those who have passed.
• 61% of individuals were interested in exploring green funeral options because of their potential environmental
• It's a respectful, environmentally friendly option for those who have passed.
• It's a respectful, environmentally friendly option for those who have passed.
• 61% of individuals were interested in exploring green funeral options because of their potential environmental

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 2625, an act providing for the issuance of revenue bonds for the construction and reconstruction of

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating John Leonard on his retirement from the Town of Milton Board of Appeals. The chamber then took up several local and individual bills, including an emergency preamble for a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway of the Trial Court, which was adopted by standing vote. The Senate passed to be engrossed a bill waiving the maximum age requirement for Boston police officer Cheryl Mullace, a bill allowing Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, and a bill authorizing Milford to convert a wine and malt beverage license to an all-alcohol license for off-premises consumption. On the Milford bill, Senator Rausch offered and the Senate adopted a substitute amendment before passing the bill. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a House petition concerning school choice and referred it to the Committee on Education. Later, the Senate enacted S. 2625 on revenue bonds for Quincy telecommunications facilities, H. 4210 removing the residency requirement for Dalton’s town manager, and H. 4647 establishing the sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, sending them to the Governor. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill: An act providing for the issuance of revenue bonds for the construction and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and welcomed the Bellingham High School girls volleyball team, which had just won the 2025 Division III State Championship, the first state title in the school’s history. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 on a joint petition from John Bartlett III regarding school choice, allowing the petition to go to the Committee on Education. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several bills for House consideration, including measures on expanding ballot access for regional school district votes, authorizing Billerica to set an age limit for original appointment of police officers, improving business improvement districts, a Bridgewater charter amendment for gender-neutral language, and a Westwood alcohol licensing measure. The House suspended Rule 7A, took the bills up on second reading, and ordered them to a third reading. The chamber then passed several local bills: House 4173, regulating appointments to the Acton Memorial Library, was passed to be enacted, and House 3912, increasing the Melrose Board of Health from three to five members, was passed to be reenacted. On third reading, the House engrossed Senate 2625, authorizing Quincy revenue bonds for telecommunications facilities, and House 4504 and House 4505, both Nantucket-related measures involving gender-neutral charter language and conveyance of school streets. The House also adopted an order to adjourn to meet Thursday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we're going to get any of these bond dollars out, we've got to have this ready, so...

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee met with a quorum present and heard one non-consent bill, SB 832 by Senator Allen. The bill would update the statute governing the Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries Working Group to reflect its ongoing role, require it to meet at least annually to review implementation of the revitalization plan and possible amendments, and adjust membership to ensure representation from the city council district with the most Upper L.A. River miles. Senator Allen and sponsor April Bird of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority described the measure as a minor but important update to support continued implementation of the 2020 revitalization plan, which identified 300 projects and has 18 currently underway. Committee members asked about the change from meetings every two years to every year, and the author explained that the bill would codify a more regular schedule after a prior budget change had set the interval at two years. Senator Stern expressed support, noting the complexity of coordinating city, county, and MRCA interests and the need for the working group to support future project funding and planning. No opposition was presented. Senator Laird moved the bill, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass SB 832 to Senate Appropriations. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4638 by bond sponsor Senator Kolkhorst.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• important to the public health occurs, as determined by the commissioner or the commissioner of environmental
• A bureaucrat appointed to the head of the Department of Health or Department of Environmental Protection
• important to the public health occurs, as determined by the commissioner or the commissioner of environmental

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public health and emergency services bills, with many speakers focusing on EMS system failures, hospital service closures, trauma preparedness, epilepsy awareness, drink-spiking response, sudden cardiac arrest, and survivor financial assistance. Several legislators and advocates described the EMS system as underfunded and overstretched, citing long ambulance waits, staffing shortages, and the need for statewide oversight, a special commission, and clearer recognition of EMS as an essential service. A number of speakers also supported bills to preserve essential hospital services after closures such as Nashoba Valley Medical Center and birthing services in Leominster, arguing that current closure rules lack enforcement and leave communities without critical care. Multiple panels testified in support of bills requiring trauma kits in public buildings, public education on SUDEP and epilepsy mortality, and improved cardiac arrest response. Supporters of the trauma-kit bill said public buildings should have bleeding-control kits and trained staff, comparing them to AEDs and first aid supplies. Epilepsy advocates, clinicians, and grieving parents urged a public health campaign on SUDEP, saying families are often not warned about the risk and that awareness could improve medication adherence, reduce guilt, and save lives. On cardiac arrest, EMS professionals and the American Heart Association backed measures to improve telecommunicator CPR, create an AED registry, and strengthen dispatch and training standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on a bill addressing illicit drink spiking. Senators, city officials, victims, physicians, and an international anti-spiking advocate described cases in which hospitals refused toxicology testing unless a sexual assault was reported, and argued for standardized testing protocols, better data collection, and coordination with law enforcement and licensed venues. Another bill drew a sharp exchange over local public health control and the SAFE 2.0 law, with one senator arguing for more local approval and voluntary participation, while committee members defended the earlier law as a response to inequities in local public health capacity. Finally, advocates from Jane Doe, Inc. supported legislation to provide flexible financial assistance to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, saying unrestricted cash helps survivors meet basic needs, escape abuse, and rebuild stability.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Isel Casillas, and I am a first-year student at UC Davis majoring in environmental policy.
• My name is Ezel Casillas, and I am a first-year student at UC Davis majoring in environmental policy.
• I sincerely appreciate it, and testimony from our UC Davis student studying environmental policy—boy,

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• represent the Department<00:37:15.119><c> of</c><00:37:15.280><c> Health,</c><00:37:15.520><c> Environmental
• </c> Department of Health, Environmental Department of Health, Environmental Health<00:37:16.160><c>

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 2120, which would allow certain state and county employees rehired within one year to transfer accrued vacation and sick leave and extend the break-in-service period for health benefits. Testimony was split: the Department of Human Resources explained current leave payout and pension credit rules and raised concerns about the long transfer window, while labor representatives supported the measure. During decision-making, both committees recommended passage with amendments. The amendments narrowed the bill by changing the break-in-service period to 180 days for leave beginning on or after July 1, 2026, making the benefit transfer voluntary with a 90-day notice deadline, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2077. The recommendations were adopted by vote. The committees also heard SB 2523, an appropriation for the City and County of Honolulu Department of Information Technology to modernize the driver’s license and motor vehicle system. DIT described the current COBOL-based mainframe as decades old, said the project would use a code-share arrangement with Arizona, and estimated a $10 million, two-year conversion and rollout. Members questioned the cost, the city-state funding arrangement, and the feasibility of the project, including whether it would move to a cloud-based system. After testimony, both committees deferred the measure. In the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs portion, SB 2032 on consumer protection for solar sales drew broad support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, the Office of Consumer Protection, the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, and others. Testifiers said the bill was needed in response to misleading solar door-to-door sales and urged amendments to clarify “contractual affiliation,” exclude balcony/portable solar devices, and require disclosure of cash and financed prices. The committee then moved on to SB 2079 on vehicle titles, which had one supporter and one opponent but no testimony in person or online, and SB 2241 on zero-emission vehicles, for which the Hawaii State Energy Office submitted written support. The hearing also began discussion of SB 2579 on water-related grants, where agencies said any program would need clearer statutory standards and likely a feasibility study before implementation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail crossing and trailhead, strengthening outdoor recreation, environmental
• He's double majoring in political science and environmental science.
• He's studying environmental science right now and is close to graduating pretty soon.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very mattering, has on environmental advocacy. Here's how political redistricting worked for me.
• Either one can leave people dealing with deadly environmental issues without a voice.
• South Texas because he knew no one would stop him, and he exploited weak regulations, gutting environmental

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development of housing near educational and employment opportunities is foundational to the economic and environmental
• I'm in Environmental Services at UC Davis, and I am here with my co-workers in support of ACA 3.
• the Public partnership with tech, ranging from the implications for academic integrity to the environmental

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• special education services, nutrition funding, and leaving our communities vulnerable to illness, to environmental
• special education services, nutrition funding, and leaving our communities vulnerable to illness, to environmental
• special education services, nutrition funding, and leaving our communities vulnerable to illness, to environmental

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Sen. Erin Maye Quade, Rep. Esther Abad, and other Minnesota DFL legislators held a press event focused on responding to Trump administration and federal Republican actions that they said threaten health care, education, housing, public health, and other state services. Speakers argued Minnesota must not make “false trade-offs” between core services and should instead protect programs like Medicaid, school funding, disability services, nutrition, and public health by raising additional revenue and closing tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations. Rep. Abad and others outlined possible revenue options, including a fifth-tier income tax, a corporate rate match, closing tax exemptions for luxury items and second homes, a social media tax, and ending data center tax exemptions. They said these measures would not fully replace possible federal cuts, but could help mitigate harm and preserve services. Several speakers also criticized Republican opposition to tax increases and said the state should ask wealthy taxpayers and corporations to contribute more. Testimony from Olivia Dylan, a laid-off Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist, described the impact of federal public health funding cuts and MDH layoffs on outbreak response, nursing home support, lab work, and tribal public health. Sean Leaden of SEIU Local 284 described low pay and staffing shortages among hourly school workers and said underfunding has hurt students and employees. Sen. Doran Clark and Rep. Emma Greenman framed the issue as both a budget and democracy question, arguing that federal cuts and attacks on public programs undermine self-governance and community well-being. In response to questions, speakers said Minnesota cannot fully backfill expected federal Medicaid losses, but can use state tools to reduce harm and should press Republicans to identify what services they would cut instead.

Transcript Highlights:

• This resolution reaffirms the importance of the Florida Wildlife Corridor and its significant environmental
• This test considers various environmental factors like ecological functions, water quality, and restoration
• He co-authored critical reports on everything from foreign threats to environmental disasters, like the

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're happy to say those words, and environmental stewardship for a sustainable quality of life, which
• Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, Farm Worker Coalition, Central California Environmental
• Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, Farm Worker Coalition, Central California Environmental

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.