Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see Senator Becker, it's my understanding that Assemblymember.
• Calderon will present on behalf of Senator Becker. Oh, gotcha. Trying to be efficient.
• Today I'm presenting on behalf of Senator Becker, SB 326.
• Becker. Awesome, thank you for presenting that bill. Do you have any primary witnesses in support?
• on behalf of Senator Becker. Yes. Respectfully ask for an aye vote, please. Awesome. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:57.800> and state Economist Dr Anthony Becker and state Economist Dr Anthony Becker
• Becker to continue. Dr.
• Becker said, “Let me turn it over to Dr. Becker to answer the rest of that question. Thank you, Mr.
• Becker.
• Becker.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Allen, Arreguín, Archuleta, Aragon, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi,
• Becker. He's called absent members. Allen. Aye. Avrato Gil. Becker. Aye. Dally. Durazo. Jones.
• Becker, aye. Blakespear, aye. Cervantes. Choi, aye. Cortese, aye. Daly. Thank you. Aye.
• Becker. Aye. Blake Spear? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye.
• Becker. Aye. Blake Spear. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. Aye. Cortez. Aye.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Becker for working on this together. Um, Rep.
• Becker for working on this together. Um, Rep.
• Uh Becker Bierman. Uh thank you, Rep.
• Representative<00:48:25.640> Becker<00:48:26.400> Yes. Representative Becker Yes.
• Representative Becker Yes.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the Health Finance and Policy bill, and first adopted the A8 amendment, described as a set of technical fixes. Members then considered a large A9 amendment that bundled a wide range of Children and Families provisions, including child care licensing modernization, crisis nursery licensing, SNAP/MFIT-related language, child care provider self-reporting, a physical abuse recognition poster, child protection and welfare provisions, funding for parent support outreach, and forensic interview training scholarships. Supporters described it as bipartisan work with relatively small fiscal impact, while opponents said it greatly expanded the bill and should be handled separately; after a roll call, the A9 amendment failed 7-14. Representative Scott then offered the A11 amendment, raising concerns about new all-payer claims database language and whether it should have been heard in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. Department of Health staff explained the data-sharing safeguards, de-identification process, fee structure, and enforcement provisions, but Scott remained concerned about privacy and the scope of the program and withdrew the amendment. The committee then moved to final bill discussion. Members and authors described HF 4466 as a lean health finance bill largely conforming Minnesota law to federal HR1 Medicaid-related changes, including work requirements, retroactive eligibility limits, cost-sharing, and home equity provisions. Supporters argued conformity was necessary to avoid major federal funding losses and noted a few additional member bills in the package; opponents criticized the federal changes as harmful, especially for vulnerable populations such as victims of trafficking and domestic violence. Fiscal staff said the bill would save just over $2 million in FY 2026-27 and almost $98 million in FY 2028-29. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes,
• Ashby, Becker, aye. Blakespear, aye. Cabaldon, Cabaldon, Caballero, aye. Cervantes, aye.
• Aidegine, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, aye. Caballero, aye. Cervantes, aye. Cortez, aye.
• Becker: Aye. Blais? Aye. Caballero: Aye. Cervantes: Aye. All right, all right.
• Thank you, Senator Becker. Thank you, Madam President.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the Senate journals and adopted floor amendments. Members voted on motions to advance Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures and to suspend Joint Rule 62A so the budget committee could hear budget-related bills with shortened notice; both motions passed by roll call. The chamber then moved through the Daily File, including several second-reading bills and gubernatorial appointments. Three appointments were confirmed: Julie Lee and Ann Patterson to the Delta Stewardship Council, and Santa Cruz County Sheriff Christopher Clark to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Senators also took up Senate Joint Resolution 17, which urges Congress and the President to clarify that states may extend burial and memorial benefits in state veterans’ cemeteries to Republic of Korea veterans who served alongside U.S. troops in Vietnam; the resolution passed unanimously. The Senate then considered AB 109, the Budget Act of 2026, with extensive debate on the state’s fiscal condition and major budget priorities. Supporters said the budget is balanced, maintains reserves, reduces the structural deficit, and protects funding for child care, Medi-Cal, distressed hospitals, in-home supportive services, housing, higher education, and transit. Opponents argued it relies on future tax increases, leaves a structural deficit, and does not adequately address affordability, public safety, or repayment of unemployment insurance debt. After debate, AB 109 passed 28-9, and the chamber later approved the consent calendar items 81 through 86. The session ended with adjournments in memory of Honorable Hajan Lee, Doris Fisher, and James Leslie Barbie. The Senate announced its next floor session would be Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you are Senators Allen or Senators Becker, please feel free to join committee.
• Let's now—if anyone knows Senator Becker or Senator Allen, please send them here.
• Okay, we have Senator Becker here. We're so excited. You're coming to our committee. You are up.
• Becker. Any witnesses in support? Name, organization, and position. Thank you, Mr. Becker.
• Becker. And Ms. Krell is going to present for Mr. Allen, SB 1229. And Ms. Krell is joining us.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Becker. Chair Becker. >> Yeah,<00:32:27.440> thank<00:32:27.519> you.
• >> Chair<00:34:03.440> Becker. >> Chair Becker. >> Chair Becker.
• >> Uh<00:58:46.880> co-chair<00:58:47.280> Becker. >> Uh co-chair Becker.
• co-chair Becker. co-chair Becker.
• >> Chair<01:09:28.960> Becker. >> Chair Becker. >> Chair Becker.

Bills: HF4438, HF4467, HF4379, SF3402, HF4349, HF4064, HF84, HF85, HF3804

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Jones in the hearing room, and then just Becker and Menjivar, who will be going after
• Senators Becker and Menjivar are the remaining items left to be heard in this hearing.
• Senator Becker. Senator Becker, by a hair.
• Item number six, SB 1057 by Becker, lifting the call. Addis, aye. Arias? Colosa? I.
• Item number six, SB 1057 by Becker, for add-ons. Arias, aye. Arias, aye. Mark Gonzalez.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Becker and Menjavar are the remaining items left to be heard in this hearing.
• Senator Becker. Senator Becker, by a hair.
• Item number six, SB 1057 by Becker, lifting the call. That measure is still out.
• Item number six, SB 1057 by Becker, lifting the call. Addis, aye.
• Item number six, SB 1057 by Becker, for add-ons. Arambula, aye. Mark Gonzalez.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes.
• Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Daly, Durazo, González, Grayson
• Senator Becker, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Becker. Aye. Blakespear. Aye. Cabaldon. Aye. Caballero. Aye. Cervantes. Aye. Choi. Aye. Cortese.
• Ashby, Becker.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 390 by Senator Becker and others, relating to local government.
• Senate Bill 272 by Senator Becker and others, relating to public contracts.
• I rise to present SB 272 on behalf of Senator Becker.
• Senate Bill 493 by Senator Becker and others, in Appellants' Affairs.
• Senate Bill 493 by Senator Becker and others in Appellants' Affairs.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, with members observing a moment of silence for the Minnesota tragedy mentioned by the Speaker. The chamber then moved quickly through a large daily file, taking up many Senate amendments and third-reading measures, with most bills passing by wide margins or unanimously. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding action on SB 863, and later taking up several resolutions and bills on concurrence and third reading. Among the main policy items, members adopted AJR 8 on temporary protected status after debate over immigration policy, and AJR 19 urging opposition to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The Assembly also adopted ACR 112 recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month, with several members speaking in support of the deaf community and accessibility. Other notable measures included bills on water reclamation and Colorado River Aqueduct maintenance (AB 580), telehealth (AB 688), housing approvals and ADU enforcement/cleanup (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), pension and retirement rules (SB 301), volunteer fire department tax exemptions (SB 87), dementia training for home care aides (SB 412), and a San Francisco public-safety measure on stolen goods resale (SB 276), which drew opposition over permitting and criminalization concerns. The Assembly also passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills dealing with local government finance and infrastructure, public contracts, the Delta, fairgrounds compensation, and San Francisco liquor licenses, as well as AJR 3 on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Most measures were approved on roll-call votes with few no votes; SB 227 and SB 276 were urgency measures and received the required two-thirds support. The consent calendar was adopted unanimously, and the day concluded with several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remembrances of former Assembly staffer Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, before the House adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alan, Archeroleta, Argyne, Ashby, Becker, Blakespeare, Cabaldon, Caballero, Servantes, Choy, Cortese,
• Under privileges of the floor, Senator Becker.
• Senator Becker from the Majority Leader's desk, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Aye, Becker. Aye, Blakespeare. Aye, Cabaldon. Aye, Caballero. Aye, Cervantes. Aye, Choy.
• And first, Senator Becker, you are recognized.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a series of privileges of the floor recognitions. Senators honored California Interscholastic Federation Scholar-Athletes Ryan Liu of Burlingame High School and Mona Sugawata of West Torrance High School for their academic, athletic, and community achievements, and welcomed a delegation from Jiangsu Province in China to mark the 15th anniversary of the California-Jiangsu sister-state relationship. The chamber also recognized the California Taxpayers Association on its 100th anniversary and welcomed Senator Ochoa Bogh’s district staff visiting Sacramento. Under motions and resolutions, the Senate referred AB 782 to the Rules Committee. A motion by Senator Menjivar to rescind the vote on AB 1457 and place it on third reading was debated, with Senator Valadares opposing; the roll call passed 28-9. The Senate then took up the consent calendar, adopting Assembly Concurrent Resolutions 129, 164, and 166 by a unanimous 38-0 vote, with the same vote applying to the remaining consent items. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjourn-in-memory tributes. Senators Becker, Wiener, and Rubio honored Clarence Jones, Rita Semmel, and Deputy Levi Vargas, respectively, describing their public service, community leadership, and lasting legacies. The Senate then announced that the next floor session would be Monday, June 8 at 2 p.m., and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 1, ACR 157 Hoover; Item 4, SB 899 Grove; Item 5, SB 949 Becker; Item 6, SB 9663 layered; Item 7,
• J.R. 5, Becker. That leaves five bills to be presented.
• Consent items: Item 1, ACR 157, Hoover; SB 899, Grove; SB 949, Becker; SB 963, Laird; SB 1008, Ochoa;
• SB 1207, Laird; SB 1428, Natural Resources and Water; SJR 5, Becker.
• SB 1207, Laird; SB 1428, Natural Resources and Water; SJR 5, Becker.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several climate, coastal, and air quality measures. Senator Laird presented SCR 136 marking the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Act and Coastal Conservancy Act, and SJR 12 opposing the federal offshore oil and gas leasing program; both drew broad support from environmental groups, local governments, and other advocates, with no opposition on the record. Senator Padilla presented SB 10, which would require certain state agencies to include gender impact assessments in climate planning, with supporters arguing climate harms fall disproportionately on women and LGBTQ+ communities; it also drew support from environmental and equity organizations and no formal opposition at the hearing. Padilla also presented SB 675 to restructure the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District board and expand public disclosure of permits, enforcement actions, and related information. Supporters, including the City of Imperial, residents, and environmental groups, said the district needs more representative governance and transparency because Imperial County faces severe air pollution and health burdens. Opponents, including the district, business groups, and agricultural interests, argued the bill would impose unfunded mandates, create administrative burdens, and could slow investment and permitting in the county. The bill was amended to remove a Title V permitting prohibition, and the committee ultimately approved it on a roll call vote. Senator Allen presented SB 1229, which would limit use of the Coastal Act’s disaster-rebuild exemption when a replacement structure would newly impede coastal public access, aiming to prevent investors from exploiting post-disaster rebuilding rules. Support came from Sierra Club, Surfrider, and other coastal advocates, who said the bill protects public access and sensitive coastal resources while still allowing homeowners to rebuild. The committee also took up the consent calendar, which included several measures such as ACR 157, SB 899, SB 949, SB 963, SB 1008, SB 1207, SB 1428, and SJR 5. Final roll calls showed SCR 136, SJR 12, SB 10, SB 675, and SB 1229 all advancing out of committee, along with the consent items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Becker, Seyarto, Allen, Cabaldon here, Grove here, Laird here, Reyes here. Thank you.
• Senators Becker: aye. Seyarto: aye. Allen: aye. Cabaldon: aye. Grove: aye. Laird: aye.
• Senators Becker: aye. Seyarto: aye. Allen: aye. Cabaldon: aye. Grove: aye. Laird: aye. Aye.
• Senator Becker: Aye. Senator Seyarto: Aye. Please call the roll.
• Senators Becker, Cabaldon, and Laird: Aye. Senator Reyes: Aye. 7 to 0. That bill's out.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, coastal protection, water supply, and urban greening. AB 1987 by Assemblywoman Aguirre-Curry would direct fees generated by state wildlife areas back to their operation and maintenance; she accepted committee amendments, and Audubon California testified in support with no opposition. AB 1448 by Assembly Member Hart would restrict state actions that could facilitate expanded offshore oil and gas development in federal waters, including limits on using existing infrastructure for new offshore drilling and added review requirements for lease changes; it drew broad support from coastal governments and environmental groups and no opposition, and was referred to Appropriations. AB 1894 by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio would allow imported water deliveries for groundwater recharge to continue when they comply with approved invasive mussel control plans, addressing disruptions caused by the golden mussel; supporters said it protects groundwater reliability while maintaining invasive-species safeguards, while opponents argued it could undercut local authority and liability protections. After discussion about liability and whether the bill weakens invasive-species protections, the committee voted 6-0 to send it to Appropriations. The committee also considered ACR 107 by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, which recognizes the Diablo Range as a conservation priority and links it to habitat protection, groundwater recharge, and the state’s 30-by-30 goals. Save Mount Diablo and other supporters emphasized the range’s ecological value and limited current protection, and members voiced support; the resolution passed 7-0. AB 1946 by Assembly Member Bryan would encourage land conservation investments in historically underserved urban communities and support greening, park creation, and restoration in places like South Los Angeles. Testimony from Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation and park and conservation groups stressed environmental justice, access to nature, and the need to regenerate degraded lands into parkland. Members discussed the importance of urban parks, maintenance, biodiversity, and balancing rural and urban conservation, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also took up the consent calendar, which passed unanimously. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly noted the need to balance environmental protection with practical water delivery and local community needs, and several bills were amended or clarified before votes. Final recorded actions included unanimous or near-unanimous approvals for the measures heard, with AB 1448, AB 1894, AB 1987, and AB 1946 moving forward, along with ACR 107 and the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to thank Senator Becker for Health access, Planned Parenthood, many more.
• We'd like to thank Senator Becker for Sponsors of SB 306 by Senator Becker.
• Senator Becker, thank you so much. I know that this has been a bill a long time...
• Senator Becker, thank you so much.
• Item number one, SB 306, Becker. Sharp-Collins, aye. Item number one, SB 306, Becker.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Becker. DeBrunthes? Cortiz. Jones. Here. Valadares. Here. All right, our quorum is present.
• Becker? Senator Cabaldon, aye. Ashby, aye. Becker? Senator Cervantes? I want this... I... Cortiz?
• Becker: No. Cabaldon: No. Senator Ashby: Not voting. Becker: No. Cervantes: Not voting. Cortez: No.
• Becker, aye. Senator Svanthes, aye. Cortez, aye. Quartey, aye. Jones, aye. Valadares, aye.
• Becker, aye. Cortez, aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear status updates from the state auditor and consider several new audit requests. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, including a new 2026 audit on DMV license revocation, and noted other statutory audits on the State Bar exam rollout, CSU/UC Title IX implementation, tobacco tax, state financial statements, federal compliance, and high-risk issues such as late financial reporting, Medi-Cal eligibility, and water infrastructure safety. The committee approved a consent calendar covering audits on UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s request to audit SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used and documented, citing prior problems with tolling and financial oversight. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, has improved internal controls, and believed its funding uses were appropriate. Several members questioned whether the audit duplicated existing reviews and whether the issues were already public, and the request ultimately failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ administration of Proposition 47 grants. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients comply with requirements and whether outcome and recidivism data are reliable, while BSCC said the program already has oversight, including biennial State Controller audits, and pointed to reported reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism. The committee approved the audit. Senator Cortese’s request to audit CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract also passed, with supporters citing rising out-of-pocket costs, provider network problems, and the long-running contract’s lack of competition; CalHR responded that most members have nearby access, it recently ran an RFP, and it will add MetLife as a second carrier in 2027. The committee then approved the remaining consent items and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh<00:09:57.800> Chair<00:09:58.000> Becker. Uh Chair Becker. Uh Chair Becker.
• Becker. >> No. >> No. >> No. >> Becker,<00:28:44.360> no.
• Rep.<00:36:02.160> Becker. Rep. Becker. Rep. Becker. >> I'm<00:36:03.440> no.
• >> Becker, no. Rep. Becker. >> Becker, no. Rep. Becker. >> No. >> No.
• >> Becker,<00:36:07.880> no. >> Becker, no. >> Becker, no.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If staff is listening, if we can get Senator Becker, Senator Perez over to Privacy and Consumer Protection
• Welcome, Senator Becker. Senator Becker, we appreciate you being here this afternoon.
• Item number six, SB 1000 by Senator Becker. The motion is do pass to the Appropriations Committee.
• Item number six, SB 1000 by Senator Becker. Item number six, SB 1000 by Senator Becker.
• Item number six, SB 1000 by Senator Becker. Sure. Item number six, SB 1000 by Senator Becker.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on artificial intelligence, consumer transparency, and privacy protections. The committee first took up consent items, then heard SB 1050, which would require disclosures in advertisements that use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters, Common Sense Media, and the Music Artists Coalition, argued consumers should know when an ad uses a synthetic person and that the bill protects workers and honesty in advertising. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups said the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, created enforcement and compliance concerns, and should include carve-outs and stronger guardrails. The bill passed out on a divided vote. The committee then heard SB 1111, which would create liability and remedies for nonconsensual use of a person’s voice or likeness to create digital replicas or deepfakes. Supporters said the bill addresses a growing problem of exploitative AI-generated sexual content and gives victims clear legal standing; there was no opposition testimony. SB 867, a proposal to place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys, drew support from children’s advocates, pediatricians, and media-safety groups, who said the Legislature should pause before exposing children to potentially harmful products. Business and civil-justice groups raised concerns about broad definitions and unintended consequences, but the bill advanced after members discussed the need for clearer guardrails. Later, the committee heard SB 1247, which would let people who were monetized as child influencers delete content featuring their image and likeness once they turn 18. Supporters framed it as a privacy and healing measure for children whose lives were shared online for profit, and there was no opposition. SB 1146 would require disclosures in health-related ads that use AI-generated or synthetic depictions of health care providers; medical and pediatric groups supported it as a way to combat deceptive health misinformation, and it also passed without opposition. The committee also heard SB 1000, updating California’s AI Transparency Act to align disclosure and provenance standards with evolving technology and international practices, and SB 957, which would require social media companies to notify users before complying with certain federal administrative subpoenas and give them time to challenge them. SB 957 drew support from civil liberties and privacy groups and opposition from one member concerned about federal law-enforcement impacts; both bills advanced, along with the others heard, with roll calls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, Representative Becker.
• Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, Representative Becker.
• It's a really important issue that Representative Becker is bringing.
• urge a yes vote on the Becker amendment. urge a yes vote on the Becker amendment.
• Representative Becker. So I would continue to request my roll call.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 1606, as amended, was debated on the House floor as a bill to prohibit access to nudification technology and related AI-generated sexual deepfakes. Representative Hansen, the bill’s author, described the measure as a response to non-consensual, sexually explicit images and videos, especially harms to children and women, and said the bill would define nudified content, require nudifying features on apps and websites to be turned off in Minnesota, bar promotion of such apps, and create enforcement and remedies. Supporters emphasized testimony from survivors, the rapid growth of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, and the need for state action because federal regulation has lagged. Opponents of the amendment argued the underlying bill should remain a clean, single-issue measure focused on non-consensual content creation and warned that adding age-verification language would complicate the bill and add cost. Representative Bakeberg offered amendment A4, which would add age-verification requirements for commercial adult-content sites, with privacy limits for adults and enforcement mechanisms including audits and attorney general authority. Supporters of the amendment said it would extend existing physical-world protections for minors into the digital space, cited legal support from a Texas case and similar laws in other states, and argued it would help protect children from online pornography. Representative Hansen opposed the amendment, saying she had not been consulted, that it would muddy the bill’s focus on non-consensual nudification, and that it would add fiscal cost. Other members spoke both for and against the amendment, with some saying the issues were related and others saying the amendment was not ready and should be handled separately. The House then took a roll call on amendment A4, and it failed on a 67-67 tie. After the amendment was not adopted, the bill was given its third reading. In closing remarks, supporters of the underlying bill reiterated that it was intended to protect victims and prevent harm before it occurs, while one member said the bill did not go far enough because it targeted software makers rather than the people creating and distributing the material. The transcript ends with further discussion of the bill’s purpose and support for moving it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are Becker County, where I am chambered, Benton County, Clay County, Douglas County, Mille Lacs
• Before I was appointed to the bench, I was county attorney of Becker County for seven years, and for
• Um there are Becker<00:09:58.880> County<00:09:59.120> where<00:09:59.360> I<00:
• 09:59.519> am<00:10:00.000> uh<00:10:00.160> chambered, Becker County where I am
• assistant Becker County Attorney. assistant Becker County Attorney.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3874 and laid it over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. The Minnesota Judicial Branch, represented by State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz, presented a supplemental funding request focused on two main areas: judicial safety and security, and the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch was grateful for prior budget support but noted it did not receive salary increases for staff or judges and did not get funding for juror per diem. He explained that the branch is seeking funding for personal data protection, home security, two additional judicial security positions, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program. Much of the testimony centered on rising threats against judges and court staff. Shorba and Fritz described increases in incidents, threats, and disturbances, and Fritz gave several examples of threatening behavior involving judges’ homes, personal information, and online doxxing. They argued that the branch needs better threat assessment, coordination with local law enforcement, and security measures at homes, courthouses, and online. Members expressed support for the concerns and asked questions about how threats are currently handled and whether state patrol officers assigned to security duties would need additional training. The second major topic was the judicial branch’s request for funding to cover its employer contribution to Minnesota Paid Leave, which took effect in January 2026. Shorba said the branch followed MMB’s calculations and expected the cost to be addressed through broader state government funding, but the branch did not receive an operational adjustment. He said the branch is now having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. Members questioned why the request was not included in the earlier budget process, and Shorba responded that the branch believed the issue would be handled centrally and later learned it had not been funded for the judiciary. No vote on the funding requests was taken in the discussion shown.