Transcript Highlights:

• This is a lead witness. Okay, great. Just step up.
• I want to thank you for tackling aging. Thank you both for being here.
• I want to thank you for tackling aging. Thank you both for being here.
• Any lead witness opposition? Any opposition? Me too. Thank you. Any lead witness opposition?
• Any lead witness opposition? Any opposition? Me too. Thank you. Any lead witness opposition?

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The committee adopted the consent calendar and then heard several bills on child care, aging, child welfare, food access, and youth services. SB 1200 by Sen. Menjivar would redefine infant and toddler age categories in child care licensing to allow providers to serve children beginning at 18 months in the toddler category, with supporters saying it would increase capacity and help family child care businesses stay open; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 971 by Sen. Choi would authorize counties to offer optional adult education and technology training programs for adults 55 and older through local partnerships; supporters said it would reduce isolation and improve digital literacy, and it passed 4-0 to the floor. SB 1234 by Sen. Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in court-ordered drug testing in dependency cases, with testimony from an angel family and law enforcement about child deaths and exposure risks; it passed 4-0 to the floor. The committee also heard SB 1109 by Sen. Alvarado-Gil, which would require additional state review for short-term residential therapeutic programs in very small rural counties or facilities with repeated serious citations. The author and county officials from Alpine County argued that rural counties lack the hospitals, schools, and 24-hour emergency response needed to safely support these placements, while providers opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially destabilizing to STRTP capacity. After the author accepted committee amendments, members voted 4-0 to send the bill to Appropriations as amended. SB 961 by Sen. Ashby would require students applying for financial aid to be notified that they may also be eligible for CalFresh; student and advocacy witnesses described widespread food insecurity on campuses, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1099 by Sen. Gomez Reyes, which clarifies local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA-related exemptions; supporters said it would reduce legal uncertainty for local safety-net services, and the bill was voted 2-0 with the remaining members absent, leaving it on call. SB 1190 by Sen. Grove would create a licensing and regulatory framework for youth transport companies that move minors to out-of-state residential facilities; survivors testified about traumatic transports, supporters called for basic guardrails, and the bill passed 4-0 to Public Safety. Finally, SB 1325 by Sen. Jones would create a narrow pathway for Feeding San Diego to participate in CalFood, with supporters saying it would expand hunger relief in San Diego County and opponents warning it could divert limited food bank resources; the discussion focused on broader funding concerns, and no final vote was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• His advocacy helped lead to the opening of the Sussex County VA community-based outpatient clinic.
• </c><01:03:13.760><c> in</c> set a franchise record for tackles in set a franchise record for tackles
• </c> traumatic child birth injury that leads traumatic child birth injury that leads to<01:38:42.320>
• </c><02:36:44.479><c> I</c> leadership to tackle these challenges.
• I leadership to tackle these challenges.

Bills: HB8595 , HB4288 , HB4647 , HB6963 , HB5362 , HB6007

Keywords: appropriations, State Department, foreign aid, foreign assistance, diplomacy, embassy security, consular services, passport backlog, visa wait times, international broadcasting, Fulbright, Peace Corps, Millennium Challenge Corporation, foreign military financing, security assistance, counterterrorism, nonproliferation, democracy promotion, human rights, global health

Transcript Highlights:

• And that leads to decision-making that can be regrettable.
• Because that's, you know, tackling what...
• It's how do we tackle the future?
• We are leading the way.
• You can play this leading role in showing that California will lead in preserving access to the arts

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and creative industries in California. Chair Ben Allen, Vice Chair Chris Ward, and other members described the moment as a crisis, citing proposed or implemented cuts to the NEA, NEH, and IMLS, grant terminations, leadership removals, and budget proposals to zero out major cultural agencies. Members emphasized that arts and humanities are both culturally essential and economically significant, and they framed the hearing as a chance to hear impacts on the ground and consider state and federal responses. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA highlighted the scale of the problem. Harky said federal rescissions and policy changes are causing immediate financial harm, forcing hiring freezes, program cancellations, and emergency fundraising, while disproportionately hurting rural, immigrant, elder, and small community organizations. She noted California’s creative economy generates hundreds of billions of dollars and urged support for restoring state arts funding, museum grants, and legislation such as SB 456 and AB 3149, along with federal measures like the Charitable Act and Performing Arts Tax Parity Act. Fisher focused on film and television production, saying runaway production, outdated tax rules, and weak federal IP protections are harming workers and local businesses; she urged federal production incentives, tax parity for performers, and stronger protections against AI misuse of artists’ voices and likenesses. State agency leaders Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council described direct impacts from federal funding disruptions. Noguchi said California Humanities lost NEH support immediately, putting grants and documentary projects at risk and prompting possible litigation and appeals. Lucas said the State Library initially faced a major IMLS funding loss but has since had part of the money restored, though still with a reduced amount that will limit local assistance. Purcell said the California Arts Council is assessing terminated grants and fielding urgent calls from grantees, while continuing to distribute state arts funds and track the damage. Members asked about bipartisan support, business coalition-building, economic measurement, AI threats to creative work, and the implications of federal leadership changes; no votes were taken, but the hearing ended with calls for continued advocacy, legal action, and possible state investment to stabilize the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are all questions that we need to be tackling, but it's important that the state of California
• And that is why California must always lead. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• Why California must always lead. With that, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• We in California will continue to lead with courage, defend our democratic values, and stand with the
• We know, based on copious amounts of research, that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs lead to

Transcript Highlights:

• It may even conflict with federal protections, like Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, leading
• The Washington Post had kratom listed as a leading or partial cause of death in 4,100 deaths from 2020
• Excessive work hours can lead to academic decline and an increase in dropout rates.
• And instead of taking big corporations to task or tackling the affordable living crisis, you're making
• And instead of taking big corporations to task or tackling the affordable living crisis, you're making

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up a committee substitute for SB 752, which would require newspapers and television stations to remove online reports later found to be false or defamatory in certain circumstances, and would change when the statute of limitations begins to run. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address lasting harm from false accusations that remain searchable online. Several speakers opposed the measure, arguing it would chill reporting, punish accurate historical coverage, and create vague legal risks for the press. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then approved CS/SB 846, a bill aimed at preventing immigration service fraud by non-attorneys and misuse of the term "notario." Supporters, including an immigration attorney, said the bill would protect vulnerable immigrants from bad advice and fake legal services. The committee also approved CS/SB 800, which updates battery labeling and recycling requirements to reduce fires caused by discarded batteries; waste and recycling representatives supported it, while a battery industry group warned the bill could effectively ban battery-embedded products. CS/SB 578, dealing with wine container rules and allowing recyclable inserts and boxes up to 5.16 gallons, was also reported favorably. The committee next approved CS/SB 1734, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act, which sets product standards, labeling rules, age limits, testing, and enforcement provisions. Supporters said it reflects current science and consumer safety needs, while opponents warned it could burden small businesses and overregulate the market. SB 918, which would loosen state child labor restrictions for certain minors and align Florida law more closely with federal standards, drew extensive opposition from advocates, students, and labor groups who said it would increase exploitation and harm education; several senators also raised concerns, but the bill was still reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 854 on unlicensed contractors and deposit fraud, and confirmed several appointments to state boards and commissions. A separate bill on online encryption and child safety, SB 868, was taken up with an amendment and public testimony, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• These pressures are unfortunately leading to conflict.
• These pressures are unfortunately leading to conflict.
• I give you a tour, let you lead. any of the members to come up to Sierra County.
• We lead on so many other issues. We lead in wildlife protection.
• Thank you for ensuring California continues to lead with science, compassion, and coexistence.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, again, I welcome, uh, tackle.
• You know, that's what that<00:18:57.679><c> lead</c><00:18:58.160><c> led</c><00:18:58.480><c> to</c>
• led to for us want to have that lead led to for us want to have education<00:19:00.880><c> for</c><00
• </c><01:09:28.080><c> to</c><01:09:28.319><c> better</c> it'll it'll just lead to better it'll it'll
• just lead to better understanding,<01:09:29.520><c> better</c><01:09:30.640><c> um</c><01:09:31.120><

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• Arkansas is now recognized as one of the leading states in economic outlook.
• Arkansas is now recognized as one of the leading states in economic outlook.
• there are food deserts in every single county in our state, and we haven't devoted a single dime to tackling

Transcript Highlights:

• We have seen also it was stated that this bill is to prevent efforts like the ones that we saw to tackle
• We have seen also it was stated that this bill is to prevent efforts like the ones that we saw to tackle
• We have seen also it was stated that this bill is to prevent efforts like the ones that we saw to tackle
• We have seen also it was stated that this bill is to prevent efforts like the ones that we saw to tackle
• We have seen also it was stated that this bill is to prevent efforts like the ones that we saw to tackle

Transcript Highlights:

• Eternal Spirit of God, who is ever speaking to us and always seeking to lead Your children into the ways
• and this courageous spirit, Eternal Spirit of God, who is ever speaking to us and always seeking to lead
• During Women's History Month, it's especially meaningful to recognize women and girls who are leading
• to tackle the current crisis in Missouri around literacy.
• We had to tackle it. Do it sometime. We're doing it in this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the chairman of the Europe Subcommittee on Foreign Affairs, I will continue to lead both reauthorization
• both</c><00:06:29.039><c> reauthor</c><00:06:29.560><c> I</c><00:06:29.680><c> Iz</c> continue to lead
• both reauthor I Iz continue to lead both reauthor I Iz ation<00:06:30.000><c> of</c><00:06:30.120><c
• on this issue I'll speak more on lead on this issue I'll speak more on these<04:47:12.920><c> later<
• Strong families leads to so much good in our communities, and I don't want to demean the concept of a

Bills: HJR75

Keywords: HJR75, H.J.Res. 75, Congressional Review Act, CRA, Department of Energy, DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, energy conservation standards, commercial refrigerators, commercial freezers, refrigerator-freezers, appliance standards, energy efficiency, federal regulation, regulatory disapproval, small business compliance, manufacturers, commercial refrigeration, Public Law 119-9

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're going to tackle it, we're going to tackle it with all information to determine what is best
• If we're going to tackle it, we're going to tackle it with all information to determine what is best

Committee: Joint Government Structure

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will consider the nomination of Ariel Roth to lead the National Telecommunications. and Information
• We're very proud of, in the state of Washington, Commander Anne McClain, who is leading the crew 10.
• To lead this incredible team requires a leader who not only understands and believes in the mission,
• First, American astronauts will lead the way in the ultimate high ground of space.
• And according to a recent Wall Street Journal report must personally ask you to lead NASA.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Erins will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• We haven't really tackled homeownership here in California, and we have an opportunity to do that.
• We haven't really tackled homeownership here in California, and we have an opportunity to do that.
• This outdated system can also lead to interruptions in essential services.
• This then leads to these factories having even fewer projects and, subsequently, still having a short

Transcript Highlights:

• These... ...pressures are unfortunately leading to the word conflict.
• And just as we respond to that conflict, we lead statewide efforts to care for sick and injured animals
• I give you a tour, let you lead. any of the members to come up to Sierra County.
• We lead on so many other issues. We lead in wildlife protection.
• Thank you for ensuring California continues to lead with science, compassion, and coexistence.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm kind of—I need to see what the language comes out to, but that could possibly lead up to $650.
• I need to see what the language comes out to, but that could possibly lead up to $650 for carts if they
• But I have heard in conversation leading up to this today that there is an openness or an interest.
• California's nation-leading ADU reforms have helped homeowners build tens of thousands of new homes,
• Good afternoon, Rebecca Marcus on behalf of Leading Age California in support.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping and then took up SB 753 by Senator Cortese, a bill to update California’s shopping cart recovery law. The author and supporters from San Jose, the League of California Cities, counties, and water districts argued the bill would let local governments retrieve abandoned carts immediately, return them directly to retailers, and recover documented costs, rather than storing carts for 30 days. Retail groups and grocers opposed the measure, saying carts are stolen property, that the bill could create a new revenue stream for cities, and that retailers should retain a first right of retrieval without added fees. Members debated notice periods, cost caps, and local control, and the author agreed to continue working on amendments. The committee adopted the bill as amended and passed it 6-0. The committee then heard SB 445 by Senator Wiener, which would speed up third-party permits and approvals for high-speed rail projects. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader transit proposal and now focuses on requiring early engagement, clear rules, and binding arbitration to prevent utilities, cities, and other entities from delaying a state-approved project. Supporters said permitting delays add major costs and can hold projects hostage; opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts said they were concerned about impacts on safety, reliability, affordability, and local authority, though many said they were willing to keep working on amendments. The committee sent SB 445 to the Utilities and Energy Committee on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 9 by Senator Wiener, a narrower housing bill dealing with accessory dwelling units. The bill would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards apply if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings within the required time. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the measure would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee passed the bill 6-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll also hear from early career researchers who will speak to the impact of their work that tackles
• Washington State University is one of the leading public research universities in the nation, with an
• Our School of Medicine leads a broad and comprehensive research enterprise looking at cancer, diabetes
• And suicide is the second leading Lucas O'Brien: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people
• And suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34.

Bills: SB6321 , SGA9245 , SGA9247 , SGA9250 , SGA9252 , SGA9253 , SGA9254 , SGA9259 , SGA9260 , SGA9261 , SGA9262

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding

Transcript Highlights:

• And that leads to the third challenge, which is the paradox of prestige.
• This tail-wagging-the-dog approach, where we're using the top end to lead the directions of the market
• So we invite that and would love to be able to tackle these problems together.
• We invite that and would love to be able to tackle these problems together. All right.
• We believe that California has the opportunity to lead the way in this regard.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that leads to the third challenge, which is the paradox of prestige.
• This tail-wagging-the-dog approach, where we're using the top end to lead the direction of the market
• So we invite that and would love to be able to tackle these...
• We invite that and would love to be able to tackle these problems together. All right.
• We believe that California has the opportunity to lead the way in this regard.

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on California’s Wine Industry held its first meeting at Napa Valley College, with opening remarks from Chair Senator Christopher Cabaldon and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry emphasizing the industry’s importance to California’s economy and communities. The chair said the hearing was intended to gather information and ideas, not to vote on legislation, and to inform future policy, budget, and oversight work. The first panel focused on research and trends, with speakers from Sonoma State, UC Davis, and Terrain describing the industry as facing structural change rather than a temporary downturn. Panelists said California wine is confronting falling consumption, rising costs, labor shortages, housing pressures, tariffs, and competition from imports. Dr. Damien Wilson argued the industry has relied too heavily on premiumization and must focus on attracting new consumers, especially younger generations, through more accessible products, better marketing, and evidence-based decision-making. UC Davis’s Ben Mumpeteet said grapevine disease, extreme weather, and water shortages require long-term research investment and stronger university-industry-state partnerships. Chris Bitter, a wine economist, reported that California wine sales are down about 25% since 2019, that large amounts of grapes have gone unpicked, and that vineyard removals and falling vineyard values reflect a severe supply-demand imbalance; he urged regulatory review, trade competitiveness analysis, and transition support for growers. The committee then heard from industry representatives. Michael Miller of the California Association of Wine Grape Growers described a crisis in which growers can produce high-quality fruit but have no buyers, leading to abandoned or removed vineyards, lost farm revenue, and pressure to restore market balance. Honor Comfort of the Wine Institute presented the Share Wine Co-Lab, an open-access marketing platform designed to help wineries better reach younger consumers through data-driven, collaborative outreach. Jane Lisa Tamayo of Family Winemakers of California discussed the burden on smaller wineries and growers, including regulatory and market challenges. Members and witnesses also discussed changing consumer preferences, the need to adapt to younger drinkers, and concerns about tariffs and trade policy, with the chair warning that broad tariff calls had harmed export markets such as Canada. A final panel addressed tourism, farmworker impacts, and water regulation. Visit Napa Valley’s Lindsay Gallagher said tourism remains strong in Napa but is increasingly dependent on broader destination marketing beyond wine, while international visitation has declined. Sonia DeLuca of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation said declining sales and rising costs reduce hours and income for farmworkers and urged targeted relief, wage-loss support, and continued bilingual training. State Water Board official Annalisa Kihar outlined the 2021 Winery General Order for winery process water, saying it was designed to streamline permitting, improve consistency, and reduce burdens on small wineries while protecting water quality; she reported 56 wineries enrolled and 122 under review, and said the board is working with industry partners on technical support and sustainability-based compliance pathways.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's our director of student services, and she is going to lead us kind of over there, and then Paige
• don't feel safe on campus, that impacts their mental health, physical health, and grades, which can lead
• and I want this committee to know that there are really three buckets, I would say, that the board tackled
• The one thing that never got a lot of attention, though, that flew under the radar is the board tackled
• Under the radar, the board tackled about 12 policies or sections of policy that really balanced out the

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard a campus presentation from Dean Corey Gorder and President Steve Shirley. Gorder outlined DCB’s leadership changes, its affiliation with Minot State, and extensive shared services with Minot State, UND, and NDSU in areas such as business office functions, financial aid, payroll, HR, Title IX, printing, and institutional research. He said shared services help smaller campuses access expertise, and committee members asked about cost allocation and accreditation limits; Gorder said the arrangements are negotiated between institutions and that, to his understanding, academic accreditation is not affected by these service-sharing agreements. The committee also discussed DCB’s enrollment, dual credit reach, and program mix, including nursing, dental assisting and hygiene, paramedic training, drone certification, and farm management. Gorder said DCB wants to expand higher-demand, trade-oriented programs, strengthen Minot programming, and address facility needs, especially residence halls and space constraints in dental programs. Members asked detailed questions about dual credit, including how DCB develops relationships with high schools, whether it has exclusivity, who teaches the courses, and whether credits transfer. Gorder said relationships are built through outreach and existing school connections, that schools may choose other providers, and that DCB pays stipends to instructors under institution-specific formulas. NDUS staff Lisa Johnson said transfer problems are rare within North Dakota and usually arise only with highly selective out-of-state institutions. Gorder also noted that DCB’s dual credit and campus programming are heavily tied to rural schools and that the college is trying to streamline dual credit delivery as enrollment and staffing demands grow. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose representatives outlined student priorities from the last legislative session and the interim. Their main themes included campus safety, mental health resources, academic freedom, scholarships and affordability, teacher incentives, workforce readiness, housing, food accessibility, student research funding, internships, and campus collaboration. They said they supported or opposed various bills related to those issues during the 69th Legislative Assembly and emphasized that students want affordable, safe, and academically strong campuses. Committee members asked about housing affordability, food insecurity, research opportunities, and dual credit transfer and expansion. No votes were taken on policy matters during this portion of the meeting.