Transcript Highlights:

• WE DO NOT HAVE A STATE AGENCY FOR THAT, WE HAVE A STATE AGENCY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT THERE'S CERTAIN
• SO IF WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDS, STATE LEGISLATURE MAY REQUIRE STATE THEMES TO RECEIVE STATE
• BUILDING CODES AND STANDARDS, NOT BUILDING IN A FLOODWAY, NOT BUILDING A HIGH HAZARD AREA, IT'S GOT TO
• SOME OF THE SMALLER STATES DO.
• IT'S A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY.

Transcript Highlights:

• This effort will help the state build a stronger, more diverse, and more effective safety inspection
• Judy He, State Bill & Trace, in support.
• I think we should believe that as a state.
• workers building AI products that companies All with workers building AI products that companies will
• want to sell to the state of California.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on worker protections, AI, workplace safety, and employment access. AB 1697 would delay implementation of AB 692 on employer debt traps by one year to allow more time to address collective bargaining concerns; it drew support from the NFL and no opposition. AB 2495 would expand prohibitions on immigration-related threats used by employers to intimidate workers, with strong support from immigrant-rights, labor, and legal aid groups describing coercion and fear among undocumented and new-arrival workers; it advanced on a divided roll with some members voting no or not voting. AB 2511 would require DIR to study pay disparities between behavioral health and medical-surgical providers, with supporters arguing low reimbursement drives provider shortages and opponents warning of duplicative reporting, proprietary-data concerns, and added administrative burden; it was moved forward to the Health Committee. AB 2157 would make permanent the Displaced Oil and Gas Workers Fund Pilot Program, with displaced refinery workers and labor/environmental groups supporting the bill as a needed transition tool; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2530 would require 60-day notice for public-employer layoffs, relocations, and closures, narrowed by amendment to public agencies; supporters said public workers deserve the same notice protections as private-sector workers, while some opposition sought clarification, and the bill passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 2488, which would direct DIR and UC to study Cal/OSHA inspector vacancies and recruitment pathways. Supporters, including a laid-off refinery worker and WorkSafe, said chronic understaffing has weakened enforcement and that experienced workers could fill the gap; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2545 would create an EDD study of AI-related workforce displacement and safety-net impacts, with labor and tech-policy supporters warning of large-scale job loss and the need for data to plan for unemployment and other public programs; business groups opposed the reporting and task-force structure but acknowledged the issue, and the bill passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 2027 would restrict employers and vendors from using worker data to train or deploy AI systems that replace workers, while limiting collection to what is necessary for employment administration; supporters framed it as a privacy and anti-displacement measure, and opponents argued the definitions were too broad and could hinder useful workplace technologies. The bill advanced to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 2095, the Fair Chance Act bill, was presented to clarify and strengthen rules limiting conviction-history screening in hiring, including written explanations and protections for applicants seeking promotions or new roles with current employers. Supporters described ongoing discrimination against people with records and the need for a real second chance, while opponents said the bill was too broad, added burdens, and could conflict with existing statewide rules. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on AB 2095, but the discussion centered on balancing reentry opportunities with employer concerns about individualized assessments and safety-based hiring decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• state.
• They choose to build in the state.
• This bill requires the Judicial Council to collect and publish anonymized zip-code-level data on eviction
• Currently, state law, Penal Code Section 31610, establishes the intent of the Legislature to require
• SB 1350 is sponsored by the Green Hydrogen Coalition and the State Building and Construction Trades Council

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're asking is that Legislative Council Service, with the State Personnel Office, along with
• CWA represents about 3,000 positions across 13 state agencies.
• The state should really be a shining example of employment for other employers in the state, in our opinion
• I was paid with grant funds instead of state funds as a workaround.
• I could get a little more in the weeds if you want me to, but in the State Personnel Act, it states that

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met and first heard House Memorial 7, which asks Legislative Council Service, the State Personnel Office, DFA, and GSD to study the use of temporary, term, seasonal, casual, on-call, and other non-regular classifications in state government. The memorial was presented as a response to concerns that some workers are repeatedly terminated and rehired, sometimes after a one-day break, to avoid regular status and associated benefits. Testimony from CWA and AFSCME described long-term temporary workers at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and other agencies who allegedly do full-time work without health insurance, retirement, leave, or consistent pay progression, and who in some cases were denied union coverage. Committee members questioned the scope, definitions of temporary employment, and whether the issue should instead be referred to the state auditor; the sponsor said the study would gather data and recommendations first. The committee voted due pass, and House Memorial 7 passed unanimously. The committee then heard House Bill 177, which appropriates funds to the Veterans Services Department to contract for shelter and care of service and companion animals so veterans can access housing, medical care, and other services without fearing separation from their pets. Support came from the Veterans Services Department, Animal Protection New Mexico, and the Veterans and Military Families Caucus/Veterans Integration Center, all of whom said pets are often a barrier to veterans seeking care and that existing community-based animal boarding models could be used. The bill received no opposition, and the committee voted due pass with no opposition. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill intended to update and clarify the Public Employees Retirement Act and align it with administrative practice. Testimony focused on a provision allowing PERA to use licensed physicians, including out-of-state physicians who can be licensed in New Mexico, to serve on the disability review process when needed so disability cases are not delayed. Committee members raised concerns about ensuring medical expertise and avoiding abuse of the licensing flexibility, but PERA explained the change was meant to address recruitment difficulties and maintain timely review. The committee voted due pass on House Bill 43.

Transcript Highlights:

• Petersburg College, Miami Northwestern, United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy,
• the council to Florida Memorial University, which would allow the council to be more effective and more
• And sits there as an example for state employees and the guidelines for state employees, and that this
• dollars in state time.
• I would have been a yes if the council was included and the statute made it mandatory that the council

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• for that building and bond that building.
• public</c> after state after state and public after state after state and public schools<01:24:31.199
• </c> those states. those states.
• </c> entire state that further extends state entire state that further extends state outreach<01:57:38.000
• Um, this is six years of collaborative consensus-building work on a data platform governance council,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1638, conformity to Internal Revenue Code deductions. Finance.
• SB 1586, state agencies' guidance website. Rage [questionable transcription].
• SB 1615, state-owned properties review board. Government.
• SB 1621, Obesity Prevention, Treatment Advisory Council.
• SB 1665, state agencies hiring practices appeals.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed attendance, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a veteran and House candidate, a former legislative district chair, and two district guests attending in support of future highway-naming testimony. The chamber also extended well wishes to Senator Farnsworth’s wife, who was reported hospitalized, and announced a temporary committee replacement appointment for Senator Fernandez on the Education Committee. The bulk of the meeting consisted of reading House messages and introducing numerous bills for first reading and committee referral, covering a wide range of topics including transportation, taxation, education, health care, housing, water, public safety, elections, immigration, behavioral health, and appropriations. The Senate also placed many measures on second reading, including bills on school budgets, civics instruction, campaign finance, voter registration, housing, tax deductions, and public safety-related issues. Committee meeting announcements were made for the following day. The chamber then considered a gubernatorial nomination and, on a voice vote, confirmed James McCain to the Arizona Board of Regents for a term ending January 19, 2032. After a recess and return, additional bills were introduced and referred, including measures on corporal punishment in schools, homeless shelter funding, child care waiting lists, community gardens, solar energy requirements, insurance claims assistance, firearms regulation, and crime victim notification funding. The Senate adjourned at the end of the session until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The more we give as a state to child care, the admin... ...the more we give as a state to child care,
• A couple—not a couple, a lot—of states across the United States have defined infant in a different age
• , kind of state level.
• These are a little bit different because it's kind of state operations or state programs. Okay.
• In conversations with other states that are facing similar problems, those other states are...”

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• City teams currently are not permitted to do so under state law.
• It just gives the state a reason to... ...the household. This rule adds nothing.
• SB 1194 builds on this.
• state.
• It's so important to build out our legal infrastructure.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It explicitly states in subsection 9, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any state
• In order for any officer or employee of a state or political subdivision of a state to, A, communicate
• Since you mentioned the council, I thought the council... Thank you, Mr. President.
• I know that we've worked over time to brand our state as the so-called free state of Florida.
• then get in-state tuition.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of an amended joint proclamation expanding the Legislature’s immigration agenda. The proclamation added items calling for financial penalties for government officials, enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law. The chamber then took up the special order calendar, beginning with Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill. Most of the meeting was devoted to debate and questions on the strike-all amendment to SB 2B. Sponsor Senator Gruters described the bill as a broad immigration enforcement package aligned with President Trump’s agenda. He said it would require greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, strengthen participation in the 287(g) program, create a chief immigration officer and council, authorize financial penalties for noncompliance, provide bonuses for officers assisting ICE, and direct information-sharing with federal agencies. He also said the bill would bar DHSMV from issuing licenses or ID cards to unauthorized aliens and would end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Berman, Osgood, and others questioned the scope of the bill, whether it would affect schools, churches, cities, nonprofits, and green-card holders, and how the 287(g) provisions would work in practice. Gruters repeatedly said the operational focus was on jails and detention facilities, not street-level enforcement. A major point of controversy was the bill’s proposed mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of certain capital offenses. Senator Fine said the covered crimes were the most serious capital felonies, including murder, child sexual battery, destructive-device offenses causing death, and certain trafficking offenses, and argued the provision was intended to withstand constitutional challenge. Senator Pizzo raised Eighth Amendment concerns and questioned whether the bill could mandate death sentences. The tuition waiver provisions also drew extended debate: Fine said the state would save about $41 million by ending discounted tuition for undocumented students, while Democrats argued the savings would not return to general revenue and that the policy would harm students who are already enrolled. Fine and Gruters said green-card holders would not be affected and that the bill targeted only students in the country illegally. The discussion also covered appropriations and implementation. Senator Smith asked about the bill’s large funding levels, and Fine broke down the spending as including $375 million for the chief immigration officer, $100 million in grants to local law enforcement, $29 million for the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement, and $10 million for an unauthorized-alien transport program. Gruters said the funds would reimburse local governments and help address staffing shortages, while critics questioned the lack of benchmarks and the fiscal impact. No final vote or disposition on the bill appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• economic future for our state that, We spent a lot of time helping to build an economic future for our
• ..and California Arts Council.
• Let me state, first of all, that I love this state and I am committed to its success.
• So the success of this state is very important. So the success of this state is very important.
• I have stated that one of the concerns of our state is that we don't have what I call a true economic

Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development on the state’s Jobs First economic development strategy and related budget requests. Go-Biz described its regional planning process, priority sectors such as ag-tech, space defense, life sciences, and semiconductors, and requests including an extension of the CalCompetes tax credit, support for export promotion, additional film commission staff, innovation and emerging technology capacity, and a California brand campaign. Members questioned the campaign’s purpose, with some supporting efforts to counter misinformation about California and others warning it should not obscure regulatory and business-climate concerns. Go-Biz said the campaign would be nationally focused, could include business attraction efforts, and was intended to complement—not replace—policy work on permitting and workforce development. The item was informational only. The committee then heard from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate on the California RISE program, the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund, and the Technical Assistance Program/Capital Infusion Program. CalOSBA reported that California RISE’s first round awarded $16.9 million to 61 employment social enterprises, which collectively increased revenue, secured contracts, and employed thousands of people facing barriers to work; a second round is being launched with a new administrator and expanded services. For the performing arts payroll fund, the office said all 100 awardees had been paid, but demand far exceeded available funding, and the program was oversubscribed within days. California for the Arts testified that the sector remains fragile after COVID and urged statutory changes to simplify eligibility and stretch dollars further. SBDC representatives described TAP/SIP as a statewide network supporting small businesses, capital access, and disaster recovery, emphasizing their role in underserved communities and the leverage of federal matching funds. Committee members focused on whether these programs produce durable outcomes and reach smaller or disadvantaged businesses. Questions centered on long-term job retention in California RISE, outreach to ethnic and community media in the civic media program, and whether TAP/SIP are accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital or capacity. CalOSBA and its partners said they rely heavily on local community organizations for outreach, provide one-on-one counseling and training, and are working to collect more longitudinal data. The committee also discussed the film and television tax credit program, for which Go-Biz requested funding for three permanent positions and ongoing program support. Film Commission staff said the expanded program is tracking demographic and career-pathway data, with most productions opting into new diversity provisions, and that a formal report to the Legislature is expected in 2027. The item concluded without a vote, as the hearing was for oversight and budget discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Green Hydrogen Coalition and Jeremy Smith from the State Building Construction and Trades Council
• Members of the committee, Jeremy Smith, here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades
• Members of the committee, Jeremy Smith, here on behalf of the State Building and Construction Trades
• Building Trades Council.
• Judy Yu, the State Building and Construction Trades, in support and was asked to register in support

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in state history. in state history.
• </c> state capital. state capital.
• </c> needs for this building. needs for this building.
• </c> at this building. at this building.
• Um, I know it was mentioned earlier that other governmental buildings throughout the state don't have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First, recognizing that the Garden State is the most densely populated state in the country, the bill
• , which represents all of you and the State House complex on our city council here in Trenton.
• the state.
• And frankly, I don't know why the State of New Jersey is investigated authority to another state.
• the state with no one stopping it.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama code section 17-16-2 outlines how state conducts 17-16-2 outlines how state conducts 17-16-2
• and a state like Alabama where the state and a state like Alabama where the state and a state like Alabama
• So, this is defined in our state code. It It's Tell defined in our state code.
• It It's Tell defined in our state code. It It's Tell me what the state code say.
• Who's the me what the state code say. Who's the me what the state code say.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name, affiliation, and position. Thank you.
• Jessica Sankis with the California State Association of Counties here in support.
• then not to build a child care center.
• But it just makes no sense for us to make it easier to build.
• facility in that, but then it is to build a childcare center.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Summary: The Senate Committee on Human Services heard four bills and ultimately advanced each one unanimously. SB 557 by Senator Hurtado would update California’s statutory definition of family resource centers to align with the federal definition and reflect their prevention-focused, low- or no-cost, community-based role. Supporters from the Child Abuse Prevention Center and California Family Resource Association said the bill would clarify the law and help position California for future funding and partnerships; there was no opposition. The committee also heard SB 299 by Senator Cabaldon, which would correct a technical issue in a prior CEQA child care exemption so it applies to child care centers in residential zones as well. Supporters, including a Napa County supervisor and rural county representatives, described a real-world project delayed by CEQA litigation and argued the bill would help expand child care access; no opposition was heard. The committee then heard SB 837 by Senator Gomez Reyes, which would require aging and disability resource connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness training tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. The author and supporters from the California Commission on Aging and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers cited the deaths in the Eaton and Palisades fires and said the bill would help prevent vulnerable residents from being left behind in emergencies. Finally, SB 479 by Senator Menjivar would allow Berkeley, Pasadena, and Long Beach, as local health jurisdictions, to use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across teams, similar to county authority under existing law. Berkeley officials said the change would improve coordination and outcomes for unsheltered residents, while a privacy group had raised concerns in a letter; no formal opposition testified. After quorum was established, the committee voted 5-0 to send SB 299 to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, SB 557 and SB 837 to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and SB 479 to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The meeting adjourned after members and the outgoing chair exchanged thanks and remarks about the importance of the committee’s work on the social safety net.

Transcript Highlights:

• state of the state present kind of the state of the state if<00:03:59.280><c> you</c><00:03:59.360><c
• Those revenues stated in the code were to improve existing storm water facilities and construct additional
• Special building permit and land development fees are not assessed against Anchorage of the state, the
• Those revenues stated in the<00:35:44.880><c> um</c><00:35:45.920><c> uh</c><00:35:46.160><c> code</c
• </c> the council. the council.

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• boys and girls teams of Kamehameha Schools, Kapālama, for their remarkable achievements in the 2024 State
• I'm proud to share that this talented team produced not just one, not two, but three individual state
• First, Jax Railan is a senior who captured her third state title.
• And she's also just a freshman, I might say, and Ariana Wona, who won her first state title.
• Wrestling Championships these 2024 State Wrestling Championships these athletes<00:02:17.519><c> have

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington State right now has the second highest taxes on wireless communication in the United States
• I heard in another meeting one legislator stated this state is a great place to retire in.
• a state match to eligible state, local, and tribal governments.
• We've seen regulations and building codes implemented.
• That goes through the state forest in every state where we can get Defense Department and U.S.

Bills: HB2579

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: public media, digital equity, funding, media access, communication technology, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so through our relationship building with our fellow state agencies, we are starting to identify
• . ...outline a few states by comparison, states that have made more permanent state-level investments
• But another piece of the $4 million is really about building state capacity around emerging technologies
• But another piece of the $4 million is really about building state capacity around emerging technologies
• So it's really a state capacity-building piece.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.