Transcript Highlights:

• So if he charges us, he doesn't have to charge us for research or going to look something up.
• We'll be researching other states' comparable boards and their records retention schedules.
• And I'm just providing you the research that I have done.
• So from my research, the county auditor is that person charged with the responsibility.
• Again, just based on my research, I'm not an expert in the state auditor's powers and duties.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't disrupt existing ownership, and it includes important exemptions for research activities and
• I have no idea unless I do research. And so if I'm asked, I'm going to say I don't know.
• Because unless we've done some research or we call somebody, we're not going to know what to answer.
• In my role, I conduct research on California climate, energy, and energy policy.
• And I've led research on the costs of climate change and what it means for households and businesses

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public health research generally indicates that greater availability of drug paraphernalia can correlate
• Public health<00:20:11.120><c> research</c><00:20:11.840><c> generally</c><00:20:12.400><c> indicates
• </c><00:20:12.960><c> that</c> health research generally indicates that health research generally indicates
• So, just to kind of answer it a little bit more directly, no, based on our research, not every state
• </c><01:22:11.760><c> uh</c> directly um no based on our research uh directly um no based on our research

Bills: SB2275 , SB2390 , SB2540 , SB3142 , SB2414 , SB2340 , SB2848

Committee: House Health

Keywords: Medicaid, disability, buy-in program, workers with disabilities, income eligibility, premium structure, biomarker testing, health insurance, medical coverage, state law, health maintenance organization, juvenile justice, youth penalties, minors, court fees, court costs, fines, surcharges, restitution, fee waiver

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I got sent your research on the host communities that you did with your previous organization.
• You had some extensive work in natural gas and research previously.
• You had some extensive work in natural gas and research previously.
• But based on modeling that our research team did when I was at CE, we found significant savings.
• </c> but based on modeling that our research but based on modeling that our research team<00:40:52.000

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Witness: According to some research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, fentanyl
• Witness: According to some research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, fentanyl
• 20:12.280><c> some</c> methamphetamine um According to some methamphetamine um According to some research
• from the University of research from the University of Minnesota<00:20:14.960><c> School</c><00:20:15.280
• </c><00:36:08.599><c> shows</c> Aid and change and the research shows Aid and change and the research

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will miss Erin, but we wish her the best as she goes back into the research base to be able to research
• We will miss Erin, but we wish her the best as she goes back into the research base to be able to research
• Research consistently shows that every dollar invested in prenatal care can yield multiple dollars in
• insurance coverage for treatment that is not covered for women in midlife, because for so long the researchers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In San Diego County, research released from Rady Children's Hospital showed there were 262 traumatic
• In San Diego County, research released from Rady Children's Hospital showed there were 262 traumatic
• We know from recent research that children and teens are now riding more e-motos than e-bikes, so it's
• I just wanted to share a couple of things as the Assistant Majority Leader for Policy and Research.
• I had research done into the challenges facing the state as we work to reach our ZEV goals.”

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the public and for the committee that you actually give us the names of the counties that your research
• And I haven't gone through in detail on your from your research on these counties that you looked at?
• So we should have nearly 30 years of research as to what's working and what's not working. >> Yes. >>
• This research that you're describing right now, that you went and looked at, what's the time frame that
• There is remaining SBIR, or the Small Business Innovative Research Marketing account, that's still left

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Neuroscience research has now shown that regardless of the original cause, once acute pain turns chronic
• And research has shown that the lives of chronic pain sufferers can improve when they have access to
• be happy to deliver it, or we also have printouts with all the information that Cody shared, with research
• Our written testimony points out much research that shows that medical professionals are actually one
• And the third is statewide research and reporting. We can't solve what we don't measure.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am an attorney, law professor, and the research director of the National Vehicle Residency Coalition
• Yet research consistently shows that deeper system involvement and incarceration increase the likelihood
• Hi, I'm Maxine Dugan with the Erotic Service Provider's Legal Education and Research Project.
• We have actual research that shows that in Los Angeles, you know, where there was the tracking and tracing
• I know that our committee staff, when we were researching... ...right here in the committee analysis:

Summary: The Senate Public Safety Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 647, which would clarify last year’s RV disposal pilot program for Los Angeles and Alameda counties so local agencies can remove abandoned, inoperable RVs more efficiently. Supporters, including a representative for Mayor Karen Bass, said the bill is needed to address public health, fire, sewage, and neighborhood safety hazards. Opponents argued the measure would be used to remove occupied RVs without adequate housing or service referrals and would harm vehicle residents. The committee later approved AB 647 on a do-pass motion to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also considered AB 1656, which would give judges discretion to delay human trafficking cases when the assigned prosecutor has another trial, preliminary hearing, or motion to suppress, with amendments limiting the continuance to one time and no more than 10 days. Supporters said the bill would help preserve vertical prosecution and trauma-informed continuity for survivors; opponents raised speedy-trial and due process concerns. After discussion about balancing victim continuity and constitutional rights, the committee passed AB 1656 as amended to the floor. AB 1917, a bill to require prosecutors to file a motion before reinstating charges dismissed at preliminary hearing, also drew support from public defenders and defense groups and opposition from district attorneys, who argued the bill used the wrong procedural mechanism. The author agreed to explore moving the process into the existing 995 framework, and the committee passed AB 1917 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2636 would require courts to consider possession of a loaded firearm when deciding whether a juvenile qualifies for deferred entry of judgment. Supporters, including probation and police chiefs, said the bill would add accountability for serious gun-related conduct while preserving rehabilitation options; opponents said it would reduce access to effective youth diversion and disproportionately affect Black and brown youth. The committee passed the bill to the floor. AB 1632, which would replace notarization with a penalty-of-perjury statement for 602 trespass authorization letters, was supported by cities and law enforcement as a way to reduce bureaucracy and help address trespass and vacant-property hazards, while opponents warned of abuse and Fourth Amendment concerns. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill to the floor. The hearing then moved on to AB 1974, a voluntary firearm safe-storage bill, with the author introducing the measure and witnesses from Pierce’s Pledge expected to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• I probably need to do a little research, and specifically how they use those instruments and tools.
• Elizabeth Bina, Bureau of Legislative Research. Adrienne Beck, also with the Bureau.
• Leah Hadley, Bureau of Legislative Research. And we will make sure you pull your board. Thank you.
• Elizabeth Bina, Bureau of Legislative Research. Adrienne Beck, also with the Bureau.
• Leah Hadley, Bureau of Legislative Research.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's also the Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program and a senior research scholar at Woods
• I am an associate professor and direct the Berkeley Fire Research Lab at the University of California
• Today I'd like to share what research has shown are proven, effective measures to safeguard our communities
• We might look at high-risk pilot programs where we know we'll have an impact and we already have research
• Recent research from the CDI and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shows that rebuilding

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance held an information hearing on the impacts of climate change and catastrophic wildfire on California’s insurance market, with opening remarks focused on the state’s affordability, availability, and stability problems. Chair and members discussed the role of SB 254’s report, the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the growth of the FAIR Plan, and the need to better align insurance regulation, mitigation, and land-use decisions. The Vice Chair noted the importance of hearing from industry as well as consumer and academic experts, and Senator Becker said the report would inform further committee work. Amy Bach of United Policyholders described how climate-driven wildfire and flood risk, combined with inflation, insurtech, and risk modeling, have reduced competition and pushed more homeowners into the FAIR Plan and non-admitted surplus lines coverage. She said availability is improving somewhat, but affordability will depend on mitigation, insurer competition, and fair rate regulation. In response to questions, she emphasized underinsurance as a long-running problem, supported stronger insurer responsibility for replacement-cost estimates, and suggested a public reinsurance backstop and more mitigation funding rather than removing wildfire coverage from basic policies. Nancy Watkins of Milliman and Michael Wara of Stanford argued that the market problem is fundamentally that expected claims and expenses now exceed premiums because too many homes are burning. They said California needs both risk reduction and actuarially sound pricing, along with a state mitigation framework that targets the highest-risk communities and prioritizes home hardening, defensible space, and community-scale mitigation over broad acreage-based spending. They also discussed the role of non-admitted carriers as a gap-filler, the need for better data on reconstruction costs and mitigation effectiveness, and the importance of sustained funding rather than one-time grants. A later panel with Frank Freebalt of Cal Poly and Michael Golnar of UC Berkeley focused on modeling and mitigation science. They said wildfire policy should treat the issue as a structure-ignition and urban conflagration problem, not just a wildland fire problem, and stressed integrated land-use, utility, and community mitigation. Members asked about zoning, building codes, utility hardening, and who should pay for mitigation; witnesses said older, denser neighborhoods are the highest priority, that utilities must improve operational safety measures, and that targeted mitigation in the highest-risk areas offers the best return. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the executive director of the California Policy Lab at UCLA, an author of multiple research reports
• Our research led to the creation of the LA County Homelessness Prevention Unit, the first program of
• Based on our research, it's imperative that the state make evidence-based prevention a centerpiece of
• And what we have at this point, a few years later, are data and research from UCLA, from the University
• AB 2612 requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to research, develop, and propose

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disinfection, and usage, this legislation ensures that Californians can safely access therapeutic and research
• disinfection, and usage, this legislation ensures that Californians can safely access therapeutic and research
• This legislation ensures that Californians can safely access therapeutic and research-backed benefits
• In fact, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau research and analysis reveals that people with medical
• Finally, I want to thank the many medical researchers and public health advocates who have worked in

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to just note that in a lot of our research around this, there certainly is precedent already for
• The research is unambiguous. Work requirements do not increase employment.
• Mandy, Yeekwood, Southeast Asia Research Action Center, also in support. Thank you.
• Now, research consistently and strongly shows that children placed with family caregivers experience
• Now, research consistently and strongly shows that children placed with family caregivers experience

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard testimony on a series of bills affecting disability services, child welfare, foster youth, domestic violence survivors, guaranteed income pilots, crisis response, and child care providers. AB 1575 would update the Lanterman Act to use person-first language and broaden respite services to allow safe community access; supporters said it would improve dignity and consistency in services, and there was no opposition. AB 2470 would create a statewide one-stop reentry program for survivors of intimate partner violence to replace documents, repair credit, and access housing supports, while also giving CalWORKs emergency housing funds more flexibility; the Little Hoover Commission backed the bill based on its prior recommendations. AB 2510 would clarify and expand CalWORKs family reunification aid so parents can keep receiving support during reunification even if not all children are removed, and supporters said it would reduce barriers and better align with reunification goals. AB 2585 would expand guaranteed income pilot funding to rural and underserved counties, with testimony emphasizing the need for geographic diversity and data from places like the Central Valley. AB 1932, the Crisis Act 2.0, would continue and strengthen community-based mental health crisis response programs; testimony from family members and advocates strongly favored non-law-enforcement responses, and the bill drew broad support. AB 1925 would direct a feasibility study on a statewide permanent disability certification process to reduce repeated verification burdens; the committee approved it 4-0 and sent it to Appropriations. AB 2189 would fund a statewide special education parent action network to train and connect parents for systemic advocacy; after some opposition over the use of state funds for advocacy, it passed as amended and was referred to Education. AB 2684 would allow out-of-state nonminor dependents to do monthly social worker visits virtually, with in-person visits still required quarterly; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1967 would improve pathways for older youth experiencing homelessness or failed adoptions to enter or reenter foster care, and it passed to Appropriations. AB 2126 would create a targeted background-check exemption for certain former foster youth hired as peer partners, and it passed as amended to Public Safety. AB 2379 would require DSS to notify family child care providers of Fourth Amendment rights and provide multilingual know-your-rights training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed to Judiciary after some members questioned whether DSS was the right agency to administer the training.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not getting off to what your research has provided. I have been to these countries.
• It's amazing how much faster you can do legal research with AI.
• It's amazing how much faster you can do legal research with AI.
• It's something I was researching, Senator. Have you found the clocks to be off?
• I'd ask everybody to do some research.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several election-related bills and one bill on party vacancy procedures. SB 1018, which would expand Arizona’s foreign law restrictions to expressly include Sharia law and certain related religious or cultural practices, drew sharply divided testimony. Supporters said it was intended to prevent enforcement of coercive or unconstitutional private adjudications, while opponents argued it was anti-Muslim and unconstitutional. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. SB 1568 would require election equipment clocks and timekeeping functions to be set to the current accurate time and verified during testing. County officials opposed parts of the bill as impractical for equipment not connected to the internet and for areas with different time zones, while the sponsor and a witness said inaccurate clocks had been observed in testing. The committee adopted the bill on a 4-3 vote. SB 1687 would move the primary election to the Tuesday before Memorial Day and adjust related filing and petition deadlines; an amendment expanding Clean Elections timing and spending provisions was offered but defeated. The bill then passed 4-3 after members discussed the need to align election timelines and Clean Elections rules. SB 1825 would change how precinct committeeman vacancies are filled, shifting authority in counties over 500,000 people toward legislative district chairs and requiring faster action by county boards. Supporters said it would streamline appointments and improve transparency, while opponents warned it could concentrate power and create abuse. An amendment clarifying the county-size threshold was adopted, and the bill passed 4-1 with one present and one absent. SB 1037, which imposes stricter cybersecurity and chain-of-custody requirements on voting and tabulating equipment and requires continuous video at counting centers, also passed after amendment on a 4-2 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring U.S. citizenship to register and vote, banning foreign-national election contributions, requiring proof of identity for voting, and changing some mail-ballot and polling-place rules; the transcript cuts off before any vote on that resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we did some research back in Northern Kentucky and came upon a program called the Blue Envelope
• And so we did some research and lost.
• And so we did some research back<00:26:40.559><c> in</c><00:26:40.720><c> Northern</c><00:26:41.120><
• :59.760><c> I</c><00:41:59.920><c> get</c><00:42:00.000><c> to</c><00:42:00.160><c> the</c> more research
• on it before I get to the more research on it before I get to the floor<00:42:00.480><c> and</c><00:

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not getting off to what your research has provided. I have been to these countries.
• It's amazing how much faster you can do legal research with AI.
• It's amazing how much faster you can do legal research with AI.
• It's something I was researching, Senator. Have you found the clocks to be off?
• Has Heritage Foundation done the research that indicates that it would be particularly hard for any group

Bills: SB1018 , SB1037 , SB1568 , SB1687 , SB1825 , SCR1001

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Keywords: foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway

Transcript Highlights:

• companies, they pay into what's called the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, the research
• to model, but we're getting to a point now through this research, a multi-year, multi-phase project,
• we're now able to determine... ...now through this research, a multi-year, multi-phase project, we're
• OECD research shows that after major catastrophes, insurance markets typically take three to five years
• It is producing research, hosting listening sessions, and informing state and federal policy.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> know,</c><00:23:41.200><c> for</c><00:23:41.440><c> sure</c><00:23:41.760><c> and</c> So, the research
• The research institutions, the flagships, are different than most of our regional schools.
• The research institutions, the flagships, are different than most of our regional schools.
• The research institutions, the flagships, are different than most of our regional schools.
• First one deals with research, uh, clarifying research institutions. Is there— Um, Mr.

Bills: SB344 , SB344

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity