Transcript Highlights:

• Vulik in honoring the memory of Gan P.
• And that's why we honor him.
• <c> recognize</c><02:08:53.920><c> this</c> I am honored to recognize this I am honored to recognize
• </c> chamber, that if you sign that discharge chamber, that if you sign that discharge petition,<03:12
• </c> hung the plaque honoring those officers. hung the plaque honoring those officers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was honored by that appellation, and I'll take it for the rest of my life. As a great honor.
• I WAS HONORED BY THAT APPELLATION, AND I'LL TAKE IT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. AS A GREAT HONOR.
• The Honorable the Speaker, House of Representatives: Sir, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy
• It is a privilege and an honor to stand before you.
• I am honored to represent. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes monitoring after, if they're discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit and other
• <00:17:16.760><c> from</c><00:17:16.880><c> the</c> discharged from the discharged from the neonatal<
• We are honored and excited to be overseeing the implementation of two of the hubs.
• We are honored and excited to be overseeing the implementation of two of the hubs.
• We are honored and excited to be overseeing the implementation of two of the hubs.

Bills: HB20 , HB276 , HB644 , HB812 , HB816 , HB916 , HB1131 , HB1247 , HB1518 , HB1525 , HB1537 , HB1541 , HB1546 , HB1553 , HB1562 , HB1565 , HB1566 , HB1576 , HB1577 , HB1591 , HB1605 , HB1612 , HB1613 , HB1614 , HB1618 , HB1620 , HB1650 , HB1656 , HB1658 , HB1661 , HB1664 , HB1668 , HB1676 , HB1707 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1715 , HB1718 , HB1727 , HB1749 , HB1756 , HB1774 , HB1776 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1805 , HB1813 , HB1815 , HB1831 , HB1838 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1859 , HB1863 , HB1871 , HB1872 , HB1918 , HB1920 , HB1952 , HB1965 , HB1966 , HB1967 , HB1969 , HB1972 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB1975 , HB1980 , HB1985 , HB2005 , HB2023 , HB2031 , HB2033 , HB2062 , HB2113 , HB2114 , HB2116 , HB2138 , HB2139 , HB2156 , HB2158 , HB2159 , HB2171 , HB2208 , HB2268 , HB2270 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2276 , HB2289 , HB2310 , HB2315 , HB2335 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2340 , HB2343 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2387 , SB2338 , SB2431 , SB2438 , SB2593 , SB2907 , SB2671 , SB2321 , SB3084 , SB2401 , SB3033 , SB2972 , SB3032 , SB2806 , SB3014 , SB2108 , SB2981 , SB2973 , SB2423 , SB2078 , SB2322 , SB2397 , SB2896 , SB2088 , SB2347 , SB2408 , SB2970 , SB2851 , SB2713 , SB2697 , SB2312 , SB2192 , SB2363 , SB2530 , SB3028 , SB2024 , SB3007 , SB2599 , SB2596 , SB2662 , SB2930 , SB3334 , SB2378 , SB3019 , SB3231 , SB2240 , SB2372 , SB2175 , SB2046 , SB2298 , SB2922 , SB2835 , SB3263 , SB2174 , SB2128 , SB2006 , SB2489 , SB3134 , SB2982 , SB2425 , SB2849 , SB2797 , SB2795 , SB2575 , SB2521 , SB2765 , SB2386 , SB2852 , SB2022 , SB2117 , SB2277 , SB2387 , SB2688 , SB2885 , SB3132 , SB3219 , SB2169 , SB2591 , SB2090 , SB2983 , SB888 , SB3249 , SB2611 , SB2429 , SB2463 , SB3154 , SB3131 , SB3152 , SB3315 , SB2448 , SB2054 , SB2140 , SB2520 , SB2377 , SB2986 , SB2010 , SB2189 , SB2026 , SB3010 , SB2818 , SB2002

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Chair Gonzalez, and I have the great honor and privilege to represent the American Diabetes
• And if there is a barrier in ensuring that communication happens and that the discharge communication
• is not completed, it is to be documented on the discharge papers.
• And finally, upon the patient's authorization, provide the discharge summary to the patient's family,
• And they've even pressured me to discharge my patient to their custody without providing any information

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr.
• I RISE TODAY TO HONOR THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR.
• Meeting him was a true honor.
• MEETING HIM WAS TRUE HONOR.
• We honor Douglass for his contributions to this country.

Transcript Highlights:

• went on kind of a hiatus with everybody as COVID took over the land, and we ended up doing early discharges
• But in honor of respect, I think... ...decided just to let us do it, and others were thinking about doing
• But in honor of respect, I think we have the opportunity before us to allow this part of health care

Summary: The Committee on Local Government first took up Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which concerns community paramedic/mobile integrated health services and related jurisdictional issues. Supporters, including ambulance and EMS leaders from Caldwell County and Cox Health, said the bill would help expand community paramedicine in rural and regional areas, improve patient care, reduce unnecessary emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs. One witness described a successful program that cut Medicaid charges dramatically, while another said the bill would help ambulance districts merge and operate more efficiently. An opponent representing the Missouri State Council of Firefighters said the group supported the underlying bill but was concerned about the Senate-added jurisdictional language affecting community paramedic services and wanted those issues resolved. The committee heard testimony but took no vote before closing testimony on the bill. The committee then heard House Bill 3496, sponsored by Rep. Rodger Reedy, which would update county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges that have not been revised in decades. Reedy and the Missouri Association of Counties said the bill is intended to modernize minimum salary schedules while preserving local control through county salary commissions, with a growth factor designed to account for changing assessed valuations over time. Committee members asked about how the bill interacts with other salary legislation and whether counties could use alternative training or salary arrangements approved by their associations. Supporters said the proposal was developed through a multi-year task force process involving county officials and related associations. The Missouri Association of Counties and Warren County officials testified in favor, saying the bill reflects a broad consensus and better matches current county finances. No one testified in opposition to House Bill 3496, and the chair closed the public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• veteran of the Oklahoma National Guard who served at least six years, died in the state, and have been honorably
• discharged to receive a proper memorial headstone marker or medallion. passed with flying colors through
• So, one of the areas that I am honored to be able to serve in my capacity is on the SAFE Board, the Sexual

Bills: SB1189 , SB1295 , SB1297 , SB1330 , SB1333 , SB1338 , SB1341 , SB1344 , SB1355 , SB1377 , SB1378 , SB1546 , SB1859 , SB1946 , SB1990 , SB1998

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 18 of the Constitution of Missouri, and may carry a firearm when necessary for the proper discharge
• states, maybe not Missouri, but in other states that governors or even mayors will say we're not honoring
• something to make sure that there is a detainer for a criminal act by the U.S. government that will be honored

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2543 provides the flexibility to expand the cemetery system, allowing more families to honor
• It defines military status to include... active-duty military service members, reservists, honorably
• discharged veterans, and immediate family members.

Bills: SB2007 , SB2104 , SB2543 , SB2545 , SB2926 , SB2938

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• He was there for 3 weeks, and after discharge from Peace and again several medication changes, it became
• He was there for 3 weeks, and after discharge from Peace and again several medication changes, it became
• That was not an option for our family. weeks and after discharge from peace and weeks and after discharge
• So on January 28th of this year, after two months in Peace Hospital, Frankie was discharged and we drove
• </c> means is that I have the absolute honor means is that I have the absolute honor of<00:55:46.720>

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I made a decision on the discharge on that when y'all look at that.
• So this would have to be land application discharge, I would think.
• What are they doing with the discharge, typically? You may not have a hundred percent.
• But typically, they're discharging it to surface water.
• It doesn't distinguish between discharge or land application.

Bills: SB243 , SB1586 , SB1891 , SB1959 , SB2159 , SB2568

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to recognize some of our honored guests: Lieutenant Governor Sylvia...
• Esteemed colleagues and honored guests, please join me in extending our warmest aloha and welcome to
• the Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Honorable Josh Green.
• And then CJ, we honor you today for your years of distinguished service to our state.
• And then CJ, we honor you today for your years of distinguished service to our state.

Transcript Highlights:

• teacher, administrator, classified employee, contract employee, or student who is in the peaceful discharge
• force or violence a teacher, administrator, classified employee, or student who is in the peaceful discharge
• extracurricular athletic activities of elementary or secondary students while that person is in the peaceful discharge
• Her training made very clear that serving as a page is a huge honor, and she needs to dress the part.

Committee: House Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• in place and community-based services, and they also promote socialization, safety, autonomy, and discharge
• Pathway 2 addresses difficult-to-discharge hospital patients, allowing for successful transfer to nursing
• This closes the resource gap that drives avoidable prolonged acute stays, reduces difficult-to-discharge
• T'wina Orwall, I have the honor of representing the 33rd Legislative District in South King County.

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the house sharp honorable members of the house finance<00:12:46.959><c> committee</c><00:12:47.360
• My name is Karen Leo Hill, and I have the honor of serving as the Executive Counselor for District 2.
• of serving as the I have the honor of serving as the executive<00:34:33.240><c> counselor</c><00:34:
• My 20-year-old son graduated high school three years ago with honors due to receiving...
• Good afternoon, Chairman Wher and honored committee members.

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is actually just a follow-up bill to a bill that I had previously on difficult to discharge.
• This just creates a pathway that's pre-approved for those members who can be difficult to discharge because
• This just creates a pathway that's pre-approved for those members who can be difficult to discharge because
• When a patient is ready to discharge, our staff must first determine...
• When a patient is ready to discharge, our staff must first determine what SNF or rehab hospital may be

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• and the properties of the discharge.
• and the properties of the discharge.
• and the properties of the discharge.
• and the properties of the discharge.
• If there is any anticipated discharge and the properties of the discharge, we'd be glad to work with

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, I rise to present SR 70 to commemorate and honor the 11 lives that were tragically lost To
• We honor Mary not by closing the chapter, but by carrying out the work.
• We honor Mary not by closing the chapter, but by carrying out the work.
• We honor Mary not by closing the chapter, but by carrying out the work.
• After he returned from the Army with an honorable discharge, he spent the next few years chasing his

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled routine procedural matters, including deeming various messages and committee reports read. Senator Arreguín requested removal of SB 239 from the inactive file for second reading. The chamber then took up SJR 9 by Senator Durazo, which was presented as amended and placed on call before later receiving the amendments by a 29-10 vote. The main floor action was on SR 70 by Senator Pérez, commemorating the third anniversary of the Monterey Park mass shooting and honoring the 11 victims. Pérez and Senator Rubio spoke at length about the tragedy, the victims, the community response, and the heroism of Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the shooter. The resolution passed unanimously, 39-0. After adoption, Senator Pérez introduced Monterey Park Mayor Elizabeth Yang as a guest on the floor. The remainder of the session was devoted largely to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Senators honored labor leader Mary Gutierrez Hunter, veteran and political activist Bob Mulholland, former Yolo County Supervisor Betsy Marchand, and Vietnamese American community leader Vu Von Locke, with remarks highlighting their public service, organizing work, and community impact. The Senate also announced that Appropriations would meet after session, and the desk was declared clear before recessing until the next floor session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are truly honored.
• It is my honor, along with Representative Stuart and Representative Chapman, to recognize the distinguished
• That moment created a bond between our countries, our communities, that continues to be honored today
• sentencing to when they have completed every requirement that this DOC has given them, they are discharged
• I am honored to bring forth the Oklahoma Women's Privacy Act. This legislation is rooted, Mr.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So Water Code Section 13267 allows the water boards to require dischargers, past dischargers, or suspected
• dischargers... ...dischargers, past dischargers, or suspected dischargers to furnish technical monitoring
• requirements for discharges of waste to land pursuant to Title 27. ...requirements for discharges of
• ... ...when a person is required to investigate and clean up a discharge, two, determining how a site
• We would simply pump out the contaminated groundwater, treat it on site, and then discharge it via a

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and planning considerations associated with refinery closures. In opening remarks, the chair framed refinery shutdowns as a complex part of California’s decarbonization transition and said the committee would focus on environmental and land-use issues, while Vice Chair Gunda argued closures reflect years of policy-driven disinvestment and warned that supply disruptions and higher prices could harm working families. State agency witnesses from the Energy Commission, CARB, and the Water Boards described the state as being in a “mid-transition,” with declining gasoline demand, growing zero-emission vehicle adoption, and increasing conversion of some refinery assets to renewable fuels, but also with abrupt capacity losses that can force greater reliance on imports and storage. They emphasized the need for proactive planning, transparency, and coordination across agencies, and noted that refinery closures can stress pipelines, terminals, and other linked infrastructure, with potential liabilities falling to the state if those assets are not financially supported. The Water Boards explained their cleanup authorities and tools for refinery decommissioning, including investigation, monitoring, remediation, and enforcement under the Water Code, and said site-specific cleanup plans depend on contamination, groundwater conditions, and future land use. They noted that decommissioning can reveal previously inaccessible areas and require additional sampling or wells, and that cleanup costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Committee members pressed the witnesses on whether the state has enough information to plan for land transitions, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more standardized procedures or financial assurances are needed. The witnesses generally said existing tools are useful but that more transparency and better data sharing would help communities and policymakers understand liabilities and long-term redevelopment opportunities. Members also questioned the relationship between California policy, refinery closures, imports, and global emissions. CARB said its programs apply to transportation fuel suppliers whether fuel is refined in-state or imported, and that its climate and air-quality rules are designed to reduce emissions and avoid leakage. Some senators argued that California’s policies have accelerated closures and that demand has not fallen fast enough to offset lost refining capacity, while agency witnesses responded that closures are also driven by global market forces, aging infrastructure, crude quality, and changing fuel demand. The committee then heard from outside experts, including a Notre Dame professor who said closure costs are often underestimated and that stronger financial assurance requirements can shift company behavior, a Stanford/SLAC researcher who outlined five drivers of refinery closures, and an environmental attorney who discussed community impacts and lessons from the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony and questions.