Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Press Association and publisher of the Navarre Press, the Crestview News Bulletin, and the Santa
• I am so pleased to introduce former Senator Janet Cruz, former minority leader in the House.
• Also, join us in the chamber today, former Senator Janet Cruz and Loran Osley. I saw Janet.
• Cruz and I were not invited to some partisan events.
• Senator Janet Cruz, my Tallahassee Biff, what a great team we made, me, the policy wonk, and you the

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here representing thousands of working-class families from Monterey and Santa Cruz County as president
• I’ve worked for 22 years as an employee of a hotel in Santa Monica, California.
• I am an employee in a hotel in Santa Monica, California.
• I am an employee in a hotel in Santa Monica, California.
• So, a employee of limpede in the hotel in Santa Monica, California.

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is John Phillips, and I’m the owner and winemaker of Inspiration Vineyards and Winery in Santa
• When FWC sponsored the legislation I’m the owner and winemaker of Inspiration Vineyards and Winery in Santa
• legislation that helped to create the Type 79 permit, I jumped at the chance to sell my wines locally in the Santa
• Wilfredo Cruz Jr., CEO of Community Resource Project here in Sacramento, in strong support of SB 1240

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the existing 2006 compact through December 31 to preserve the status quo while longer-term negotiations continue. Members asked about the compact process and why Bureau of Indian Affairs approval is not needed for a simple extension; staff said only substantive compact changes require federal approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. Supporters, including the authors’ representatives and members of the committee, described the bill as a way to honor farmworkers and the broader farmworker movement, especially in light of recent allegations involving the holiday’s prior namesake. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the floor. The committee also approved several consent calendar items and later advanced SB 1044, which raises the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and indexes it to inflation; supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce and veteran business groups said the change would expand access to state contracts for small, micro, and disabled veteran-owned businesses. That bill was sent to Appropriations. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related SOGI and intersex data with federal agencies except where legally required. Equality California and other supporters said the bill would protect trust and prevent misuse of sensitive data, while no opposition testified. The committee passed the bill to Privacy. Cabaldon also presented SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, arguing it would create baseline guardrails, require human review for adverse decisions, and improve service delivery. Labor groups opposed it, saying the bill authorizes use before establishing enforceable standards and that workers were not adequately included in stakeholder discussions. After extensive debate about AI, collective bargaining, and implementation, the committee voted to send the bill to Privacy. The committee also advanced SB 1273, which would allow short-form social media videos to promote instructional events at wineries, and SB 917, which would loosen farmers’ market rules so more small wineries can sell wine there; both were supported by wine industry representatives and sent forward on due pass motions. The transcript then began SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and payment systems, with strong support from nonprofit organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is John Phillips, and I'm the owner and winemaker of Inspiration Vineyards and Winery in Santa
• I'm the owner and winemaker of Inspiration Vineyards and Winery in Santa Rosa.
• legislation that helped create the Type 79 permit, I jumped at the chance to sell my wines locally in Santa
• Wilfredo Cruz Jr., CEO of Community Resource Project here in Sacramento, in strong support of SB 1240

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the Yurok Tribe’s 2006 tribal-state gaming compact. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the compact’s expiration to December 31 of this year to preserve the status quo while the parties negotiate a long-term replacement. Members asked about the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ role, and staff explained that because the change is only a deadline extension and not a substantive compact change, it does not require BIA approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. The authors and supporters said the bill is intended to honor the farm worker movement and shift the holiday away from any one individual in light of recent allegations, while recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections on family histories in farm labor and on the need to center victims and farm workers’ dignity. The bill was moved to the floor, with the roll held open for absent members. Next, the committee heard SB 1044, which would raise the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation. The author and supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce argued the current cap is outdated and limits opportunities for small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises. Some support was qualified, with one coalition noting concerns about access to capital for microbusinesses but still leaning in favor. The bill passed to Appropriations, with the roll held open. The committee also heard SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related data with federal agencies except where legally required. The author and Equality California said the bill is meant to protect sensitive data from misuse and preserve trust in voluntary state data collection. Support came from Planned Parenthood affiliates and Health Access California, with no opposition. The bill passed to the Privacy Committee, with the roll held open. Finally, the committee heard SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, SB 1273 on short-form video advertising for winery instructional events, and SB 917 on allowing more small wineries to sell at farmers’ markets. SB 1248 drew the most debate: the author said it would create baseline guardrails for automated systems, require human review for adverse decisions, and help state agencies use automation responsibly, while labor groups opposed it as authorizing use before meaningful stakeholder engagement and collective bargaining input. Several members supported moving it forward but stressed the need for labor participation in future negotiations; it passed to the Privacy Committee with the roll held open. SB 1273 and SB 917 were both presented as modest measures to help the wine industry adapt to current marketing and sales conditions, and both passed to Appropriations with roll calls held open. The hearing then moved on to SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement and grant processes; the author described nonprofits’ economic importance and the need for a liaison, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is John Phillips, and I’m the owner and winemaker of Inspiration Vineyards and Winery in Santa
• When FWC sponsored the legislation I’m the owner and winemaker of Inspiration Vineyards and Winery in Santa
• legislation that helped create the Type 79 permit, I jumped at the chance to sell my wines locally in the Santa
• Wilfredo Cruz Jr., CEO of Community Resource Project here in Sacramento, in strong support of SB 1240

Committee: Senate Governmental Organization

Transcript Highlights:

• continued wildfires, those would be counties like Catron, Grant, Lincoln, San Miguel, Sandoval, Taos, Santa
• concern, Madam Chair and Senators, is, again, so I’ve tried to buy property, for example, here in Santa
• And in the Rio Santa Cruz, it was 18. Those are the numbers we have across the state.

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Summary: The Senate Conservation Committee first took up Senate Memorial 3, presented by Senator O’Malley on behalf of Senator Bergman and a group of Rio Doso High School students and Wild Friends. The memorial asks state agencies to participate in a no-cost workshop on insect identification, ecology, monitoring, and management, and to help educate the public about insects. Students, conservation specialists, and an entomologist testified that insects are essential to pollination, ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, while also noting declining insect populations and the need for more public understanding. Some senators raised concerns about the memorial’s wording, including whether it should be broadened from insects to arthropods and whether the Department of Agriculture, rather than Game and Fish, should be involved. The committee discussed timing and implementation, and the sponsor agreed to work on amendments. The memorial passed on a due pass motion by a vote of 8-0, with one excused. The committee then heard Senate Bill 154, which would require wildfire-related homeowners coverage to include flood damage caused by post-fire conditions for a five-year period. Senator Duhigg and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance argued the bill responds to the Ruidoso fires and subsequent flooding, noting that many homes were destroyed by mudslides and that flood insurance is often unavailable or inadequate. Supporters, including Ruidoso officials, affected residents, and attorneys, said the bill would help homeowners recover from cascading wildfire and flood losses. Opponents from the insurance industry and business groups warned the bill would be an outlier, could significantly raise premiums, and might reduce availability of homeowners insurance statewide. Committee members questioned how the mandate would work, whether it should be optional, and how costs would be allocated. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote. Finally, the committee briefly heard Senate Bill 187, which appropriates $202,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Water Project Fund for future water projects authorized by the legislature. The Finance Authority said the funding would help address a gap between available money and the 113 recommended projects, totaling about $522 million, including water conservation, flood prevention, storage, wastewater, and watershed projects. Members asked for more detail on the locations and types of projects, and the Finance Authority said it would provide the list from the companion authorization bill. The committee then moved the bill forward on a do pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only a few months ago, Senator Ted Cruz held a Senate Commerce Committee hearing.
• In that hearing, Chairman Cruz highlighted concerns about excessive screen time, noting that researchers
• This was in Santa Clarita, California. Okay. Any questions? Thank you very much. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Education approved the minutes from February 18 and March 4, 2026, then took up several bills. HCR 2003, the “Protect Girls in Sports in Arizona Act,” drew extensive testimony. Supporters, including Superintendent Tom Horne, argued it would protect fairness, safety, and privacy in girls’ sports and locker rooms by requiring teams to be designated male, female, or co-ed and by limiting access to sex-designated private spaces. Opponents, including ACLU and transgender advocates, said the measure was discriminatory, would function as a bathroom ban, and could force schools to police students’ bodies and identities. The committee voted 4-3 to give HCR 2003 a due pass recommendation. The committee then advanced HB 2020, which lowers certain student threats or disruptions at educational institutions from a Class 6 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor, and HB 2032, which changes the statewide testing window so assessments begin later in the spring and scores are returned later, with supporters saying it would better reflect a full year of instruction. HB 2033, allowing school districts or charter schools to choose paper-and-pencil administration of statewide assessments by governing board vote, also received support from educators who said it would reduce technology barriers for younger students. HB 2318, as amended, would impose term limits on school district governing board members after eight consecutive years; school board groups opposed it as harmful to rural districts, but the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also approved HB 2378, which changes eligibility rules for School Facilities Oversight Board members who are architects or engineers so their businesses may not include school construction. HB 2313, which prohibits teacher strikes or organized work stoppages and ties funding penalties to districts or charters that violate the ban, advanced despite testimony that it duplicates existing law and could chill educators’ speech and worsen staffing shortages. Finally, HB 2249, a major expansion of the Parents’ Bill of Rights, passed after heated testimony. Supporters said it would prevent schools from socially transitioning minors without written parental consent and stop staff from encouraging children to hide information from parents; opponents warned it was vague, punitive, and would expose teachers and schools to massive liability and litigation. The committee adopted amendments on HB 2318 and HB 2249 and reported all of the listed bills out with due pass recommendations, with recorded split votes on several measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• to attend a number of these really fantastic sessions, including the opening session, which is in Santa
• And there have been various seminars that have come to Santa Monica College or New York Film Academy.
• ...been various seminars that have come to Santa Monica College or New York Film Academy by experts
• Central Coast, a collaboration with three of the arts councils in San Benito County, Monterey, and Santa
• Cruz counties is developing a plan for workforce development for teaching artists to be credentialed

Committee: House Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• to attend a number of these really fantastic sessions, including the opening session, which is in Santa
• And there have been various seminars that have come to Santa Monica College or New York Film Academy.
• ...been various seminars that have come to Santa Monica College or New York Film Academy by experts
• Coast, there is a collaboration with three of the arts councils in San Benito County, Monterey, and Santa
• Cruz counties to develop a plan for workforce development for teaching artists to be credentialed and

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, developed under AB 127 by the California Arts Council with an interagency work group and outside research support. Committee members and panelists described the plan’s purpose as strengthening the state’s creative workforce, stabilizing creative businesses, expanding equity and access, and building infrastructure for long-term implementation. The opening presentation highlighted major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business growth, cultural tourism and identity, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity-building. Testimony from the California Department of Education and the Workforce Development Board focused on existing workforce pipelines, including updated arts/entertainment/design CTE standards, the Entertainment Equity Alliance, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pathways, and High Road Training Partnership investments. Speakers said these efforts are producing strong placement outcomes, including paid on-the-job training, union placements, and support for workers facing barriers, while also emphasizing the need for entrepreneurship training and wraparound supports. Committee discussion also centered on a major unresolved issue: how to define and measure the creative economy consistently across agencies, since current labor data often misses gig, contract, nonprofit, and business activity. A second panel of practitioners and advocates described local examples of the plan in action. The Handy Foundation, Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, the Arts Council of San Bernardino County, and the California Arts Council chair all argued that artists and creative workers should be treated as essential contributors to education, community health, local economies, and resilience, not as peripheral workers. They urged stronger school partnerships, more arts access, and better recognition of creative careers. Members also discussed AI’s impact on creative work, with panelists saying it should be treated as a tool that requires guardrails, training, and union and educator involvement rather than as a replacement for human creativity. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members expressed support for continued implementation, better data systems, and additional funding in future budget and policy actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dan Cruz did it, a former teacher, a former L.A.USD teacher who retired several years ago, and he was
• And my apologies, I didn't clarify: our geographic areas are from Santa Barbara to...
• Our geographic area is from Santa Barbara to San Diego County.
• And there were events hosted in San Diego and in Santa Barbara for the Olympic Games.
• If you're from Santa Barbara to San Diego, L.A.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dan Cruz did it, a former teacher, a former L.A.USD teacher, who retired several years ago, and he was
• And my apologies, I didn't clarify, our geographic areas are from Santa Barbara to...
• Our geographic area is from Santa Barbara to San Diego County.
• And there were events hosted in San Diego and in Santa Barbara for the Olympic Games.
• If you're from Santa Barbara to San Diego, L.A.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games held its first hearing at the LA84 Foundation to examine the legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Games and lessons for 2028. Chair Tina McKinnor and Senator Ben Allen opened by emphasizing the region’s opportunity to build on the 1984 Games’ success, while LA84 Foundation leaders described the foundation’s role in preserving that legacy through youth sports, play equity, and community investment. A youth panelist from Heart of Los Angeles testified that LA84-supported programs helped him stay engaged in sports, build confidence and communication skills, and hope for more community participation and opportunity from the 2028 Games. Former LA Olympic organizing committee officials Richard Perlman and Bob Graziano gave a detailed history of how the 1984 Games were privately financed, used existing venues, relied heavily on volunteers, and generated a large surplus. They said the organizing committee maximized revenue through television rights, sponsorships, and ticket sales, while keeping costs low through disciplined budgeting and community-based procurement. Members asked about equitable economic benefits, volunteer recruitment, ticket access, security, traffic, and funding. Witnesses said the 1984 model involved extensive community outreach, low-cost tickets, and local purchasing, and they urged a structured, deliberate approach to small-business participation and transparency in 2028 planning. Later witnesses focused on the long-term legacy of the 1984 Games. Zev Yaroslavsky argued that the Games succeeded because voters rejected taxpayer underwriting, forcing a private model that protected the city from financial risk, and he said the Games left major cultural and civic legacies, including the LA Opera and broader arts growth. LA84 and Play Equity Fund leaders said the surplus was intentionally used to create lasting impact, including support for millions of youth, research, and policy work. Renato Paiva described how LA84 support helped expand Access Youth Academy and elevate squash as an Olympic sport, and Derek Fisher spoke about the importance of free youth sports and the need to preserve access and opportunity as Los Angeles prepares for 2028.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, the following wage
• for Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa
• Barbara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Ventura.
• Curly Shelby here representing the cities of Oakland, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Santa Barbara, and Buena

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, the chair calls up Adriana Cruz, Tim Fennell.
• We will start with Adriana Cruz, and you were testifying neutral.
• My name is Adriana Cruz, and I'm the Executive Director of the Texas Economic Development Initiative.
• Close out the panel in your present Adriana Cruz executive director, Texas for economic development and
• Director Cruz. Thank you for that summary.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• Sacramento Regional Transit District, and, I will be remiss in the absence of Senator Laird to say, the Santa
• Cruz Metro Transit District and the Valley Transportation Authority.
• Agencies like BART, VTA, SACRT, and Santa Cruz Metro, they're all under PERB.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 934 by Senator Wiener, which would extend the time for survivors of conversion therapy to bring malpractice claims and clarify how expert testimony and scientific evidence may be used in those cases. Senator Wiener and supporters, including a survivor and a licensed therapist, described conversion therapy as harmful and argued that survivors often cannot come forward within current limitation periods. Opponents, including attorneys and advocacy groups, argued the bill was an unconstitutional workaround to California’s existing ban and could chill legitimate therapy or expand liability. Committee members pressed both sides on the bill’s scope, with the author emphasizing it does not bar exploratory therapy or medical treatment, only attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was moved on a 7-2-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the item placed on call; the consent calendar was also adopted 6-0 and placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1092 by Senator Allen, as amended, concerning manufactured home parks. The bill would require park owners who intend to sell to give residents or their designated representatives notice and an opportunity to submit a competitive bid, with timelines intended to allow residents to organize financing and complete due diligence. Supporters said the measure would help preserve naturally occurring affordable housing and give residents a fair chance to buy the land under their homes, especially after fire-related losses and increasing investor ownership of parks. Opponents from park-owner and realtor groups argued the bill would burden private property rights, devalue parks, and create an unconstitutional taking by imposing long timelines and restrictions that could deter buyers. Several senators questioned the 240-day process and whether the bill should include clearer good-faith or reciprocity provisions; the author said he was open to further adjustments. The transcript ends during committee discussion of SB 1092, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sacramento Regional Transit District, and, I will be remiss in the absence of Senator Laird to say, the Santa
• Cruz Metro Transit District and the Valley Transportation Authority.
• Agencies like BART, VTA, SACRT, Santa Cruz Metro, they're all under PERB.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Senator Kavanagh, it would specifically impact the rural counties that are in Graham, Greenlee, Santa
• Cruz, Pinal, Pima, and I know I'm forgetting some of them, but largely Southern Arizona, Cochise.
• the Court of Appeals, It would specifically impact the rural counties that are in Graham, Greenlee, Santa
• Cruz, Pinal, Pima, and I know I'm forgetting some of them, but largely Southern Arizona, Cochise.

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the January 21, 2026 minutes and held SB 1208. It then heard SB 1211, which would allow victims of felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence to seek a lifetime injunction against a convicted defendant. Supporters from victim advocacy organizations and a survivor described the bill as an important safety measure that would reduce repeated court appearances and trauma. The committee voted 7-0 to give SB 1211 a do pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1239, which removes the statute of limitations for failing to register as a sex offender or providing false registration information. The sponsor said the bill closes a public-safety loophole and was requested by DPS, while opponents argued existing warrant procedures already address the issue and raised due process concerns. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to recommend SB 1239 do pass. SB 1240 would exclude probationers convicted of dangerous crimes against children from the probation incentive payment formula. The sponsor tied the bill to a recent child sexual assault case and said the change would keep those cases separate from probation performance incentives; defense attorneys warned it could discourage treatment and push more people into prison. The committee voted 4-3 to recommend SB 1240 do pass. The committee also heard and approved SB 1095, as amended, which bans gender transition procedures and referrals for minors and restricts public funding and facilities for such care; supporters called it necessary child protection, while opponents said it was discriminatory. The committee then heard SB 1243 and SB 1244, both related to court-ordered mental health treatment. SB 1243 adds notice to guardians and lets them seek continued treatment, while SB 1244 creates a continuing court-ordered treatment process after repeated annual reviews. Supporters, including family members of seriously mentally ill patients, said the bills would close gaps and prevent dangerous lapses in care; opponents raised due process concerns and warned about expanded involuntary treatment. Both bills received do pass recommendations, with SB 1243 passing 7-0 and SB 1244 passing after amendment and roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a recent study that was released by the University of California at Santa Barbara highlights the
• Cruz Climate Action Network, Audubon California, California Coastal Protection Network, Pacific Forest
• Cruz Climate Action Network, Audubon, California, California Coastal Protection Network, Pacific Forest
• Wilfred Cruz, Executive Director of Community Resource Project, and Julian Kanete, President and CEO
• My name is Wilfred Cruz Jr. I am the Executive Director of Community Resource Project.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a recent study that was released by the University of California, Santa Barbara, highlights the extent
• Cruz Climate Action Network, Audubon California, California Coastal Protection Network, Pacific Forest
• Cruz Climate Action Network, Audubon, California, California Coastal Protection Network, Pacific Forest
• Wilfred Cruz, who is the Executive Director of Community Resource Project, as well as Julian Kanete,
• My name is Wilfred Cruz Jr. I am the Executive Director of Community Resource Project.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Rudy, for all you've done for this city of Santa Ana, for our community.
• ,</c> one of my constituents, Victor Cruz, one of my constituents, Victor Cruz, because<00:37:19.760>
• </c><00:38:04.880><c> was</c> wrongfully detained, Victor Cruz was wrongfully detained, Victor Cruz was
• My legislation, co-led with Senator Ted Cruz, repeals the anti-police provisions of the D.C.
• My legislation, co-led with Senator Ted Cruz, repeals the anti-police provisions of the D.C.

Bills: HR893 , HB6019 , HB4058 , HB5107 , HB5214 , HB4071 , HB4070 , HB3965 , HB2259 , HB1736 , HR1327 , HR581

Keywords: censure, conflict of interest, domestic violence, military contracts, ethics, HB6019, H.R. 6019, Senate data, legal process, subpoena, warrant, court order, notification requirement, Senate offices, legislative branch, data disclosure, privacy, records access, Congress, repeal

Transcript Highlights:

• Nicole Wardleman, on behalf of the City of Santa Cruz, in support.
• Ignacio Guerrero, Director for the Santa Clara County Department of Child Support Services.
• My store implemented the first incentive program in Santa Clara County, double...
• My store implemented the first incentive program in Santa Clara County, double... ...double...
• My store implemented the first incentive program in Santa Clara County, Double Up Food Bucks, now part

Committee: House Human Services