Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pretty simple piece of legislation.
• This is a pretty simple piece of legislation.
• And you'll see that in this piece of legislation. So it's going to define it.
• And you'll see that in this piece of legislation. So it's going to define it.
• And so that's what this new piece of legislation, Senate Bill 1222, will clear up.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stand for the prayer by Donna Kafer, our legislative chaplain, or remain standing for the Pledge
• Their goal is to work with us to reduce gun violence and pass gun safety legislation.
• Their goal is to work with us to reduce gun violence and pass gun safety legislation.
• SCR 1024, legislator. SCR 1017, environment constitutional amendment.
• SCR 1025, legislative sessions opening date.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then recorded 30 members present and approved the prior journal without objection. Several members used personal privilege to welcome guests, including students from Aliento for an annual education day at the Capitol, a coalition of gun safety advocates, constituents visiting individual senators, and a guest shadowing Senator Gobildone. Senators also recognized a visitor from Tempe and a group from the area agencies on aging. The chamber then moved through second reading of a long list of bills and resolutions covering topics such as solar radiation management, veterinary telemedicine prescriptions, pharmacist prescribing standards, public records and digital media copies, health facility complaints, utilities and renewable energy, water and groundwater management, juvenile and criminal justice, school funding and records, insurance licensing, autonomous vehicle safety data, digital currency, county and municipal governance, behavioral health appropriations, and several election, tax, and constitutional measures. Standing committee reports on the calendar were not read and were entered into the journal. Before recess, Senator Ortiz spoke in support of student walkouts across the Valley protesting immigration enforcement, praising the students’ nonviolent activism and describing it as part of a broader civil rights tradition. After recess, the Senate took up first reading and committee referral of additional bills on public benefits eligibility, workforce reporting, tribal consultations, insurance settlements, missing kidnapped children reporting, small modular reactors, firearm safety instruction in schools, election petition cures, housing and HOA issues, public records fees, water quality testing, groundwater withdrawal fees, and cargo theft. The only recorded vote was on adjournment, which passed by voice vote, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• :04:52.720><c> with</c> fosters meaningful connections with fosters meaningful connections with legislators
• </c> legislators and the broader community. legislators and the broader community.
• 00:05:10.479><c> that</c><00:05:10.639><c> the</c><00:05:10.800><c> women's</c><00:05:11.199><c> legislative
• </c> reminder that the women's legislative reminder that the women's legislative caucus<00:05:12.560>
• Plus, don't miss this chance to see which freshman legislator will have the honor of serving as the Easter

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• I believe we must address it before the end of the legislative session.
• The legislative directors in Long Beach don't have that same responsibility.
• We had a long conversation a few weeks ago about the budget and about our legislative deal.
• We listened to our friends at the Legislative Analyst's Office. We worked hard. We dove in.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your bringing forth this very important legislation.
• Jim Lindberg, Friends Committee on Legislation of California in support.
• Committee on Legislation of California, in support.
• I think we're going to see a lot of legislation on this topic.
• So I look forward to co-authoring this legislation as well. Thank you for having me.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation does close those gaps.
• Giuseppe from the Police Chiefs Law Enforcement Legislative Coalition.
• Legislative? So currently the sheriff is under...
• Being on the registry right now, unless we pass the chairman's legislation and Chief Roberts' legislation
• Being on the registry right now, unless we pass the chairman's legislation and Chief Roberts' legislation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, eight states are introducing legislation like this one.
• appropriation for that specific purpose and additionally subjects to legislative appropriations, the
• I think it's an important piece of legislation. I hope that the governor will sign it.
• to increase awareness of veterans' benefits using administrative or legislative options.
• to increase awareness of veterans' benefits using administrative or legislative options.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of bills, mostly in health, education, commerce, federalism, and government. In health, members discussed radiology technology updates (HB 2050), a tribal Medicaid waiver/drawdown measure with no state cost (HB 2177), an emergency medicine study committee (HB 2183), fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements (HB 2184), a physician assistant licensure compact (HB 2190), dementia care telemonitoring funding (HB 2202), SNAP error-rate reduction and fraud/eligibility oversight bills (HB 2206, HB 2442, HB 2797), child welfare protections like credit freezes and recorded interviews (HB 2321, HB 2322), and podiatric licensure compacts (HB 2438). Several of these were described as consent-calendar items, while HB 2206 and the SNAP-related measures drew discussion about fraud reduction, administrative burden, and work requirements. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendors and local permits (HB 2118), earned wage access services with fee caps and disclosure rules (HB 2309), CPA licensure changes (HB 2476), cash acceptance for retail purchases under $100 (HB 2555), drone delivery and unmanned aircraft guardrails (HB 2875), timeshare salesperson licensing (HB 2877), and a prohibition on state-mandated social credit scoring in lending decisions (HB 2903). The tax and retirement-related items included 529 plan conformity and Roth IRA transfer rules (HB 2477), annual tax conformity to the Internal Revenue Code (HB 2785), ASRS technical and disability-related changes (HB 2089, HB 2090, HB 2092), and a bill on employee health insurance definitions (HB 2089). The Arizona Commerce Authority bill (HB 2754) would add legislative members to the board and shift more control over trade offices and Arizona Competes Fund spending to the legislature. The education section focused heavily on school governance and finance. Bills included patriotic youth group presentations in schools (HB 2312), school board term limits (HB 2318), mandatory training for governing board members (HB 2379), independent municipal advisors for bond elections (HB 2320), restrictions on districts buying operating charter/private school sites to game enrollment formulas (HB 2376), conflict-of-interest limits for school facilities board architects and engineers (HB 2378), public meeting and travel transparency rules for districts (HB 2380), limits on long-term school property leases and reporting requirements (HB 2384), tighter bidding rules for school construction job orders using Building Renewal Grant funds (HB 2482), and a voluntary computer science proficiency seal (HB 2764). Sponsors repeatedly framed these as transparency, accountability, and anti-abuse measures, while some opposition centered on local flexibility, housing use, and existing training providers. In federalism and government, the committee heard bills to give counties more time to mail sample ballots (HB 2006), require courts to identify veterans at first appearance for possible veterans court referral (HB 2226), study veterans’ awareness of benefits (HB 2406), broaden military leave protections (HB 2663), require SAVE verification for voter registration and certain state services (HB 2806), require U.S.-sourced voting machine components by 2029 (HB 2901), affirm the Electoral College (HB 2902), and establish due process protections for justice of the peace courts against outside administrative action (HB 2976). Government committee items included a later deadline for library trustees’ annual reports (HB 2129), a two-year limit on certain adult protective services reports to the Attorney General (HB 2228), and an exemption for public and semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ spa rules (HB 2439). Several bills were reported as consent-calendar items, and a number of sponsors noted committee votes, fiscal neutrality, or favorable testimony in support of the measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can introduce legislation that DCS...
• Matt Gress, Legislative District 4. This bill is... ...Legislative District 4.
• I think that this legislation goes right along those lines.
• So I think that legislation is sufficient at this time.
• So I think that legislation is sufficient at this time.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The original legislation allowed for one granting entity.
• Are they still meeting the legislative intent of the original legislation?
• Are they meeting the intent of the legislation?
• So, I was just looking for some legislative underpinning in case minds change.
• It's in legislation. Seasonal employees.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We seek to protect the rights of all who participate in the legislative process so that we can have effective
• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• They'll then appear in a hearing to make the recommendations to legislators at that time.
• They'll then appear in a hearing to make the recommendations to legislators at that time.
• So instead, I've included a trigger for legislative consideration for removing the safety operator.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation safety, climate resilience, wildlife connectivity, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program allowing certain hydrogen internal combustion cargo-handling equipment at ports; supporters said it could help ports stay competitive while reducing emissions, while South Coast AQMD raised concerns about possible nitrogen oxide emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote to the Natural Resources Committee. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to incorporate community resilience indicators, including socioeconomic factors, into climate vulnerability assessments; supporters from Greenlining, AARP, and others said it would better protect seniors, people with disabilities, and transit users during heat waves and disasters, while some members questioned the cost during a tight budget year. It passed 9-0 to Appropriations, with some members not voting. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph and give local agencies more flexibility in how the limit is posted and enforced; supporters cited child pedestrian deaths and safety research, and the bill passed 11-0 to Appropriations. AB 902, as amended, would require transportation projects in wildlife connectivity areas to include wildlife passage features where feasible; supporters emphasized reduced collisions and habitat fragmentation, while the California Building Industry Association and COGs moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. It passed 9-1 to Local Government. AB 1014 would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule; supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tourist areas, and the bill passed 13-0 to Appropriations. AB 1022 would end towing or booting vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, with supporters describing the practice as punitive and harmful to low-income drivers, while cities and parking groups argued it would weaken enforcement and create problems for out-of-state vehicles. The bill passed 9-3 to Appropriations. AB 1423 would require publicly funded EV chargers to meet reliability standards and allow enforcement of uptime requirements; supporters said taxpayers need functioning chargers, while charging-industry opponents objected to retroactive standards and possible conflicts with existing agreements. The bill passed 14-0 to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills by voice vote and held roll calls open for additional members to add on.

Transcript Highlights:

• You should have it there in your Dropbox, but this is the legislative section that we intend to modify
• You should have it there in your Dropbox, but this is the legislative section that we intend to modify
• And so there's clearly some language in the drone legislation that we have on the books that needs to
• Thank you, Representative Spillers, for this good cleanup legislation regarding it.
• Chairman and committee members, for your consideration of this important legislation. Absolutely.

Bills: HB2385, HB3349, HB3962, HB3883, HB4396, HB4811, HB5088, HB4588, HB4867, HB4895, HB5398, HB5616

Keywords: NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo

Transcript Highlights:

• This session I'm looking to expand on the success success of that legislation by introducing this legislation
• That's the sort of gross violation of privacy I expect as a response to this legislation.
• I implore you all as legislators to use this opportunity to protect women.
• I'll also point out that that is just a really weird thing to legislate.
• And basic fundamental realities are now having to be legislated into law.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• This session I'm looking to expand on the success success of that legislation by introducing this legislation
• That's the sort of gross violation of privacy I expect as a response to this legislation.
• I implore you all as legislators to use this opportunity to protect women.
• I'll also point out that that is just a really weird thing to legislate.
• This is so strange, I agree with an earlier witness, this is a weird thing. to legislate.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Seems like that might be something that would be helpful to inform our future legislation.
• We are currently not in a position to be able to comment on legislative matters.
• So I would not be able to comment on legislative matters.
• That's why we're legislators. That's why we're here.
• The legislation method that we're talking about today is not that method.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Distinguished legislators.
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Distinguished legislators.
• So I just </font> <font color="aaaaaa">want to thank our legislators.
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">legislative body.
• So I just </font> <font color="aaaaaa">want to thank our legislators.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it is preferable to have a legislator it is preferable to have a legislator offer<00:24:27.520><
• Um, the proposed legislation<00:26:20.080><c> in</c> legislation in legislation in LCPR25-003<00:26:22.559
• Um the 75% direct this legislation.
• </c> just wondered if there is a legislator just wondered if there is a legislator who<00:31:26.960><
• </c><01:03:43.680><c> bring</c><01:03:44.319><c> legislative</c> have legislators bring legislative have

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As legislators, we get to vote on policies and legislation, and we hope that it would make positive changes
• And decided to introduce legislation on the subject in the context... ...introduced legislation on the
• I want to thank the author for this nuanced piece of legislation.
• Today, as this legislative term... ...peace and safety.
• I've had conversations as you heard with the chair of the API Legislative Caucus.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “Unless this bill is passed and completes legislation.
• So I think it’s synonymous with completes legislation.
• I never intended on the legislators being in there.
• “I’m not trying to hurt the legislation at all.
• I think, you know, from our cold case, a previous legislation, sometimes long... ...legislation, and

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just an additional point of clarification is we've had some legislation that did not survive.
• Not that we're writing legislation, but I think there's some things that can be done to simplify some
• Not that we're writing legislation, but I think there's some things that can be done to simplify some
• Not that we're writing legislation, but I think there's some things that can be done to simplify some
• We share the legislators' and the families' goal of preventing tragedies.

Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, traffic violence, speed management, and how criminal and administrative systems interact. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the hearing was intended to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on that day. They emphasized the scale of roadway deaths and serious injuries, the need for a holistic Safe System approach, and the importance of hearing from law enforcement, researchers, victims’ advocates, judges, and DMV officials. The first panel reviewed current DUI law and research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalties, including escalating misdemeanor and felony consequences, ignition interlock device requirements, license suspensions, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, speed, and vulnerable road users, and the state’s Safe System and safety corridor efforts. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley presented research supporting systemic interventions such as self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders; she also noted that many DUI fatalities involve first-time offenders and that punitive measures alone have limited effect on high-risk drivers. Members pressed witnesses on ignition interlocks, speed governors, DUI treatment, diversion, and whether current penalties are strong enough. Several senators, including Archuleta and Blakespear, argued for stronger immediate consequences and better use of in-car technology, while witnesses said chronic offenders often need treatment and that some existing programs may be underused or inconsistently effective. The discussion also touched on data gaps, the need to distinguish alcohol- from drug-involved crashes, and the possibility of allowing diversion for some first-time DUI cases while preserving consequences for repeat offenses. The second panel addressed DMV and court processes. DMV Director Steve Gordon said the department handles mandatory, court-ordered, and administrative actions, and that recent process changes have reduced DMV hearing delays from roughly 170 days to under 70 days in many cases. Judge Lisa Rodriguez explained that county-by-county court practices, case filing delays, sentencing timelines, and paper or mixed electronic systems can slow reporting to DMV, especially for misdemeanors and felonies. She said courts are reviewing reporting requirements, training, and case-management coding to improve transmission of DUI orders, while DMV said it is open to simplification and better coordination but is constrained by aging systems and the motor vehicle account’s financial limits. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hard work of legislating. hard work of legislating.
• Concurrent Resolution 6 establishes the deadlines for this legislative session.
• I had the opportunity to attend legislator conferences with him outside of session.
• ,</c><00:31:57.519><c> talked</c> talked about the legislation, talked talked about the legislation,
• </c><01:07:59.440><c> and</c> being here as a legislator and being here as a legislator and exemplifying

Keywords: 1187, senate, all