Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2140, Bullion Depository State Monies, allows the state, including a
• It prohibits the State Treasurer from depositing more than 10% of the state monies in the depository.
• state monies in the depository.
• And in states like California, states like Maryland, other states...
• And in states like California, states like Maryland, and other states, they've actually defined this

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate concurs with the House. came in, every state trooper who helped came in, every state trooper
• resources,</c><00:22:16.400><c> House</c> In energy and natural resources, House In energy and natural
• </c> is the compelling state interest here? is the compelling state interest here?
• :44:49.840><c> in</c><00:44:50.520><c> with</c> stated compelling state interest in with stated compelling
• </c><00:59:08.720><c> I</c> my state my home state failed me. I my state my home state failed me.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Based on the state auditor's 2021 report, there were some significant issues stated, including concerns
• of the state.
• energy and climate goals.
• And that matters because what the state creates, the state defines.
• What the state grants, the state may limit. A corporate charter is not a right.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Code requirements.
• If this is a bill that's good for the entire state of California, that's good for the entire state of
• Now, this has caused a problem for a lot of our retailers in the state of California because our code
• In 2024, the Santa Cruz DA was the first county in the state to undergo a Welfare and Institutions Code
• In 2024, the Santa Cruz DA was the first county of the state to undergo a welfare institutions code 876

Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we get to have a history of tax packages in the state.
• SB 463 covered energy.
• Agriculture in the United States.
• And what I've labeled over here is energy G. But that's really from the state land office.
• So we've tried to hold them harmless by giving them state money. and then we went broke as a state, and

Committee: Joint Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 306 imposes a six-year moratorium on new updates to the state building code that would
• Now, California’s building codes are some of the most energy-efficient and protective of health and safety
• Now, California's building codes are some of the most energy and fishing thousands of Angelinos.
• A pause, though, for five years on any new state building codes...
• A pause, though, for five years on any new state building codes recognizes that we have a patient in

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then took up a series of procedural motions and a large third-reading file focused heavily on housing, wildfire recovery, insurance, and related regulatory changes. Early actions included a successful motion to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 on the third-reading file, followed by a unanimous vote on SB 26, a cleanup measure related to lemon-law civil discovery procedures and automaker opt-outs from the AB 1755 framework. The chamber then moved through a package of urgency bills tied to the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires and broader housing affordability concerns. Measures approved included AB 311 allowing displaced tenants to temporarily house wildfire victims and pets, AB 299 extending hotel/motel/short-term rental stays beyond 30 days for disaster-displaced families, AB 226 giving the California Fair Plan access to bond financing in catastrophic-loss scenarios, AB 253 allowing third-party plan checks when local review exceeds 30 days, AB 301 aligning state permitting timelines with local deadlines, AB 306 imposing a six-year pause on new residential building-code updates, AB 462 exempting certain ADUs in Los Angeles County coastal zones from coastal development permits, AB 493 requiring interest to be paid to homeowners on insurance proceeds held by lenders, and AB 597 tightening rules on public adjuster solicitation, fees, and contract transparency. Each of these urgency bills passed, generally with strong bipartisan support and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Assembly also approved several non-urgency measures, including AB 293 on groundwater transparency and board disclosure, AB 251 on elder abuse litigation standards when evidence is intentionally destroyed, AB 59 removing a sunset on Reclamation District 108’s hydropower authority, AB 417 streamlining EIFD and CRIA financing tools, and AB 312 updating procedures for agricultural theft proceeds. In addition, ACR 6 was adopted by voice vote, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, with extensive remarks from Assembly Member Ta and support from other members. The consent calendar was adopted, and the body later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for David Myers and Olivia Guerrero before adjourning to April 3, 2025. Several vote changes were announced after adjournment, including changes on AB 251 and AB 417.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:04.640><c> employees</c> Aid in hiring essential state employees Aid in hiring essential state
• </c><00:30:47.279><c> lemster</c> Langdon lemster Goan Washington lemster Langdon lemster Goan Washington
• How many states, and what are they?
• </c> this is a big conversation about energy this is a big conversation about energy but<03:33:58.720
• </c><03:35:02.160><c> and</c> grid like they do in other states and grid like they do in other states

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.

Transcript Highlights:

• It remains standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• The members will remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands
• A gifted student, he graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech before attending Penn State.
• And it is a challenge because, you know, Virginia is a very large state and we live differently.

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this—are there any incidents like this in the state of Washington?
• I'm here on behalf of the Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington and the Washington State Association
• I'm a board-certified family medicine physician practicing in Washington State.
• We applaud the Washington State Legislature for taking up House Bill 2333 to ensure adequate protection
• So it won't necessarily be every single person on that list in the state of Washington.

Bills: HB2176 , HB2244 , HB2120 , HB2333

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: drug therapy, public records, confidentiality, healthcare, collaborative practice, transparency, accountability, exemptions, government accountability, audit, legislative review, resource efficiency, committee work, political violence, elected officials, election officials, criminal justice, protection, safety, threats

Transcript Highlights:

• The state militia are governed by the Washington Code of Military Justice, which also uses the breath
• They have 10 schools within the state of Washington.
• Traffic crashes cost over $20 billion in Washington State.
• Traffic crashes cost over $20 billion in Washington State.
• Washington State does not fully fund our courts.

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held public hearings on House Bill 2220, which would change Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) certification hearings for peace and corrections officers. The bill would raise the standard of proof for suspension or revocation from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence, expand the hearing panel from five to six members by adding another law enforcement representative, and require biennial reporting by law enforcement agencies and the CJTC on officer certification, training completion, and decertifications. Sponsor Rep. Mari Leavitt and supporters argued the bill would improve fairness, transparency, training compliance, and recruitment/retention, while CJTC staff said they support objective hearings but opposed the burden-of-proof change and parts of the definitions, especially probation. Opponents, including police accountability advocates and several CJTC commissioners, argued the current system is working, there is no demonstrated problem, and the bill would weaken civilian oversight and make decertification harder. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2362, which would lower Washington’s per se blood alcohol concentration threshold for impaired driving from 0.08 to 0.05, require a public information campaign, and direct an evaluation of the policy’s impacts by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Rep. Brandy Donaghy said the bill is intended to reduce traffic deaths and improve public safety. Supporters, including several prosecutors and victims’ family members, said lower BAC limits can deter impaired driving and save lives, and argued the change would educate the public and reduce crashes. Opponents from the hospitality, brewing, and wine industries said the bill would not address the main causes of fatal crashes, would burden businesses and responsible consumers, and pointed to Utah’s experience as evidence the policy may not reduce fatalities. Prosecutors also raised concerns about the toxicology lab backlog, though some said the bill could eventually reduce cases and improve safety. The hearing on HB 2362 ended with public testimony; no committee action or vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• energy program.
• So instead of paying a $250 energy bill, I pay a $5 energy bill.
• So instead of paying a $250 energy bill, I pay a $5 energy bill. energy bill.
• They would clarify that the provisions of the bill do not authorize any state agency to regulate energy
• When I provided testimony at the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, the prime sponsor stated refineries

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from adopting into the Florida Building Code or the Fire Prevention Code any provision that prohibits
• Combined with wind energy, these renewable technologies provide 17% of the United States' electricity
• To illustrate how other states have solved this problem, a survey of states shows that between IOTA and
• state funding, most states allocate between three and six million dollars per year for every 100,000
• I think a lot, from what I've heard, other states—we just heard that supposedly other states have lower

Summary: The committee considered a long agenda of bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations, amendments, and roll calls. Early bills included SB 658 on lien waivers/releases, SB 736 on Brownfields redevelopment, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, and SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. Each was amended or discussed as needed and then approved by the committee. The committee also advanced SB 768 on foreign control interests in health care licensing, SB 772 on school diabetes management and access to glucagon, SB 1400 on removal of altered sexual depictions posted without consent, SB 1696 on prearranged transportation services, and SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct. Several bills drew notable public testimony and debate. SB 1132 prompted strong support from the sponsor and agriculture interests, but opposition from equipment dealers, technology groups, and wireless industry representatives who argued the market already provides repair options and that the bill could harm dealer networks and security. SB 1730, the Live Local/affordable housing bill, received extensive discussion about parking reductions, height and density preemption, attorney’s fees, local government authority, and impacts on Monroe County and other areas; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably despite concerns from some members and advocates about parking, due process, and local control. SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments also generated significant debate, with opponents warning it could displace long-term guests and vulnerable families, while the sponsor said it clarifies transient occupancy and removes ambiguity in the removal process; the bill passed after the committee rejected a related amendment. Other measures advanced with less controversy. SB 576 updated service-of-process rules, and SB 1164 authorized email delivery of landlord-tenant notices if the parties agree in writing, though tenant advocates urged clearer safeguards and the sponsor said he was not yet committed to the House version. SB 940 prohibited the resale of restaurant reservations without consent and was supported by restaurant interests. SB 1690, allowing infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, drew emotional support from several witnesses who said it would provide anonymous, life-saving alternatives for mothers in crisis; the committee continued discussion into the latter part of the meeting. Throughout, the committee adopted several amendments, heard both support and opposition from industry, advocacy, and local-government witnesses, and reported the discussed bills favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud State.
• </c> of energy and she beat me in Uno. of energy and she beat me in Uno.
• </c> States of America. States of America.
• </c> United States Constitution. United States Constitution.
• </c><03:05:58.319><c> income</c><03:05:58.800><c> tax</c> state budget, our state income tax state budget

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through the state.
• Our state cemeteries, we've adopted the state cemetery in Taos and are moving quite well on a glide path
• But three out of 30, so 10% of every state cemetery that you own in the state of New Mexico, that represents
• Chair**, is because we suddenly have massive solar and alternative energy in the state of New Mexico.
• I know that we all need alternative energy, clean energy, and what have you.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what House Bill 553 did is authorized our state government, the Forestry Division within the Energy
• variety of energy efficiency improvements: municipal projects, building code improvements, and renewable
• This is state grants for residential energy efficiency...
• If a state identifies a project that is good for the state, the state can partner with that developer
• And that is exactly what you described, which is a comprehensive energy transition strategy for the state

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Washington is sort of admired for its work in integration.
• Washington state passed legislation in 2023 related to organ transport services.
• Notably, Washington is the only state in our four-state area that has transplant centers.
• Notable is that Washington is the only state in our four-state area that has transplant centers.
• Alaska, Montana, the northern part of Idaho, and the majority of Washington state.

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So why should the taxpayers across the state of Idaho share in the cost of your state insurance or your
• They're almost equal to what the state performance is.
• So, you know, our state, ...also in this body, serve at the pleasure of the state.
• So, you know, our state is only as healthy as our cities are.
• So you all know what cows are: California, Oregon, Washington.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Thursday, March 12, and then held House Joint Memorial 19 subject to the call of the chair because Superintendent Critchfield was unavailable. The main item of business was House Bill 725, which would allow Idaho cities to apply to join the state employee health insurance pool through the Office of Group Insurance. Representative Cheatham said the bill is intended to give cities an option to seek lower and more predictable health insurance costs, with all expenses paid by the participating cities. Supporters, including the mayors of Pocatello and Idaho Falls and an Idaho Falls firefighters representative, said rising premiums are straining city budgets, and that joining a larger pool could improve predictability, recruitment, and retention. Committee members questioned whether the bill would shift costs to state taxpayers or attract only higher-risk groups; the Office of Group Insurance administrator said cities would pay 100% of costs, the state general fund would not be affected, and each city would undergo an actuarial review. The committee then voted to send HB 725 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee next considered RS 33618, a draft bill from Representative Crane to prohibit foreign persons, foreign corporations, foreign governments, foreign REITs, and certain SEC-registered companies from purchasing single-family homes in Idaho. Crane said the measure was meant to prioritize Idahoans in the housing market and limit purchases by large outside entities. Members raised concerns about the breadth of the proposal and how it would affect noncitizens, temporary workers, foreign-owned businesses, and people tied to mining or other industries. The Office of Group Insurance administrator was not involved in this item, but the discussion focused on definitions, enforcement, and whether the bill could be too broad. After debate, the committee voted to introduce RS 33618 with a technical change on page 2, line 13, changing “and” to “or.”

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 9, which is Payette, Washington, and the western half of Canyon County.
• even though we have some language in here which tracks what has been passed in, I think, 19 other states
• and one thing only: to set term limits for members of the House of Representatives of the United States
• and members of the United States Senate.
• And that's consistent with other Idaho code, such as 18, 1508A, and 18. consistent with other Idaho code

Summary: The House Judiciary, Rules Committee met and approved the minutes from January 21 by unanimous voice vote. The chair reminded members that bill requests should be submitted quickly and must include the SOP fiscal statement before reaching Nancy’s desk. A new member, Representative Stone, was introduced to the committee. The committee then considered three RS introductions. RS 330-0, by Representative Shirts, would make an Article V call limited to congressional term limits for the U.S. House and Senate; after discussion, it was introduced on an 11-4 roll call vote. RS 32831, by Representative Skaug, would add public records exemptions for Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections safety and security matters; it was introduced by voice vote. The chair also noted that if members or the public strongly oppose a bill, he wants to hear that before it returns for a public hearing. Finally, RS 32908, by Representative Tanner, would expand Idaho’s child enticement law to cover 16- and 17-year-olds, while keeping a five-year age-gap threshold to avoid Romeo-and-Juliet situations; it was introduced by voice vote. The committee adjourned with a reminder that it would meet again on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 9, which is Payette, Washington, and the western half of Canyon County.
• , even though we have some language in here which tracks what has been passed in I think 19 other states
• and one thing only: to set term limits for members of the House of Representatives of the United States
• and members of the United States Senate.
• And that's consistent with other Idaho code, such as 18, 1508A, and 18. consistent with other Idaho code

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state.
• The State Water Project is the State Water Project. So it's just a division of responsibilities.
• state has the water needs.
• So think of the state: if the state owns the crossing, the city, the county, it's an agreement between
• That's just for state. Every year.

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $150 million annually each for Central Valley subsidence repairs and Delta levee work. Senator McNerney and supporters from Restore the Delta, the State Water Contractors, and many water agencies, labor groups, environmental organizations, and local governments argued the bill is urgent to protect water delivery for 27 million Californians, safeguard levees and state assets, and address climate-related flood risks. There was no opposition testimony, and members asked about the bill’s focus on state-owned conveyance; the author said the distinction reflects the separate state and federal water projects. The bill was held while the committee lacked a quorum, with no vote taken at that point. The committee then heard SB 981, which would require CARB to include cost-of-living impacts in its existing regulatory analysis for major rules. Senator Niello and supporters from agriculture, manufacturing, business, propane, restaurants, and commercial property groups said the bill would improve transparency about how regulations affect gasoline, electricity, food, housing, and business costs. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the Union of Concerned Scientists, argued it would add delay, cost, and redundant analysis to CARB rulemaking and could not reliably measure the effects the bill seeks to capture. Committee members raised concerns that CARB already estimates costs, that the bill is burdensome and narrow, and that it does not fully account for benefits or the role of other agencies. No vote was recorded in the transcript. SB 887, by Senator Padilla, would require data center projects to undergo CEQA review while creating a streamlined path for projects meeting strong environmental, labor, and community-benefit criteria, including zero-carbon electricity, on-site storage, recycled water or water-efficient cooling, and full cost responsibility for grid upgrades. Supporters said data centers are rapidly expanding, can strain energy and water resources, and should be held to clear standards while still allowing beneficial development; labor and environmental groups backed the measure. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and business groups said the bill is overly prescriptive, discriminatory toward one industry, and could drive investment and jobs out of state. After discussion, the committee established a quorum and voted 3-1 to pass SB 887 as amended to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, with the bill kept on call. The committee also heard SB 1008, which would renew a CEQA exemption for the closure of at-grade rail crossings ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. Senator Ochoa Bogh and Union Pacific testified that the measure would help the state act quickly on rail safety by removing redundant environmental review for crossing closures, while still requiring collaboration with local jurisdictions and the PUC. There was support from railroad and business representatives and no opposition. The committee voted 4-0 to pass SB 1008 to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and the bill was kept on call.