Transcript Highlights:

• , so it would be at whatever standard match rate you would have.
• It goes, first of all, you're expanding health care... ...the savings goes beyond that.
• So those savings are also things that we need to consider.
• The proposed substitute includes To life-saving, life-changing treatment.
• So I'm going to save my remarks for the House floor, but I am encouraging a yes today.

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on four bills and then took executive action on three measures. HB 2555 would require the Health Care Authority to apply for a Medicaid waiver to cover traditional health care practices provided through Indian Health Service, tribal, and urban Indian facilities. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, tribal health leaders, and the Health Care Authority, said the bill would recognize traditional medicine, expand access, and leverage federal funding, though HCA noted the July 1, 2026 waiver deadline and urban Indian reimbursement questions may be difficult to resolve. HB 2685 would codify tribal data sovereignty principles for state agencies, require reporting of notifiable conditions to tribal health jurisdictions, and exempt certain tribal data from public disclosure. Tribal representatives supported the bill as necessary for access, governance, and better public health planning, while the Washington Coalition for Open Government and HCA raised concerns about the breadth of the PRA exemption, undefined ownership interests, and implementation details. HB 2658 would require health carriers to submit standardized public data on behavioral health and other coverage and access metrics, with the Insurance Commissioner posting the information on a public dashboard. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency about mental health parity and help families, employers, and policymakers compare plans; opponents argued it duplicates or complicates recent parity reforms and could be misinterpreted. HB 2683 would shorten carrier credentialing timelines from 90 days to 30 days and require carriers to post billing and coverage information online. Supporters said it would reduce delays for providers and patients, while opponents warned the shorter timeline could be hard to meet and that posting information without login protections could raise privacy concerns. In executive session, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2168, which concerns overdose mapping data, then reported the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 16-1. It rejected an amendment to HB 2196 that would have extended PANDAS/PANS coverage to public and school employee plans, then advanced the substitute bill with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 15-2. Finally, the committee passed HB 2545, which would allow ambulatory surgical facilities to perform elective percutaneous coronary interventions, by a vote of 13-4, after members discussed safety, access, and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• As amended, my bill uses a health plan assessment to leverage federal matching funds, and by using a
• rate also differs for medical assistance enrollees and commercial enrollees to maximize federal matching
• funds and by using a federally matching funds and by using a federally allowed<00:04:02.079><c> Medicaid
• </c> collaborative care saves collaborative care saves $6.50<01:36:09.639><c> in</c><01:36:09.800><c>
• </c><01:36:50.320><c> and</c> health outcomes cost savings and health outcomes cost savings and sustainable

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• School districts phased into matching that 3%, and retired teachers under the age of 65 began paying
• taxpayers a lot of teachers and save taxpayers a lot of money.<00:09:00.240><c> So</c><00:09:00.480>
• Can you explain the impacts of the $47.2 million SEEK state match of teachers' contributions?
• </c><00:13:32.880><c> Deficit</c> match of teachers contributions?
• Deficit match of teachers contributions?

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments. Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts. Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, and then they'll be able to build up a reserve so that they can't just take the savings
• that they make for the... ...build up a reserve so that they can't just take the savings that they make
• We created Amber Alerts because we understood that speed saves lives.
• Let no other father wonder whether faster action could have saved.
• So this bill would save us some money and just have it rolling from here on out.

Bills: HB302 , HB371 , HB597 , HB1097 , HB1190 , SB34 , SB164 , SB208 , SB232 , SB317 , SB357 , SB421 , SB510

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about cutting energy costs and reducing emissions by updating our rules to match the realities
• </c><00:05:22.000><c> the</c> updating our rules to match the updating our rules to match the realities
• It would be an enormous tragedy to limit these cost-saving, pollution-reducing benefits to just those
• It would be an enormous tragedy to limit these cost-saving, pollution-reducing benefits to just those
• It would be an enormous tragedy to limit these cost-saving, pollution-reducing benefits to just those

Bills: SB2671 , SB2902

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process. SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems. After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hopefully saves me a little bit of heat.
• Hopefully saves me a little bit of heat. I'm just going to walk through in plain language.
• I thought to myself, I can see the benefit, which is we're saving a lot of people hassle.
• Pringle didn't mention is we're really moving the lump sum law to match Plan 2 to match what is already
• Pringle didn't mention is we're really moving the lump sum law to match Plan 2 to match what is already

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee heard staff briefings and testimony on four bills. House Bill 2124, a Department of Retirement Systems request, would raise the minimum monthly pension benefit that can be paid as a lump sum from $50 to $250, with future inflation adjustments by the director; staff said it would cost about $11,000 in administrative changes and have no actuarial impact on the pension funds. House Bill 2125 would remove a biennial restriction on using pension fund interest earnings for certain administrative and compliance expenses that protect the funds; DRS said it would have no fiscal impact and would continue existing practice. Seth Miller of DRS supported both bills as efforts to reduce complexity and improve consistency across retirement systems. House Bill 2179 would create a retroactive exemption from PERS membership for certain port district employees who are instead covered by federal railroad retirement or union-sponsored defined benefit plans. Staff said audits found a small number of affected employees, with a one-time administrative cost of about $18,000, and noted possible legal concerns because retroactive changes can implicate vested retirement rights. Testimony from the Washington Public Ports Association and the Port of Ponderay supported the bill as a narrow clarification needed to avoid dual coverage and large retroactive liabilities; the Port of Vancouver also supported it as a fix for building trades workers covered by union plans. House Bill 2160 would change SEBB eligibility rules for school employees, creating a presumption of coverage on day one for returning employees who previously worked 630 hours in prior years, effectively shortening the lookback period and extending it across SEBB employers. Supporters, including substitute teachers, WEA, SEIU, and other school workers, said the bill would reduce disruptive gaps in coverage, help workers and families maintain continuous insurance, and improve recruitment and retention. Opponents, including school administrators, business officials, and school directors, argued it would be an unfunded mandate that could significantly increase district costs and administrative complexity, especially because districts would have to track hours and rebut presumptive eligibility. The Health Care Authority explained that eligibility is determined by local benefits administrators using worksheets and appeals, that the current two-year presumption was built from earlier benefit rules, and that the bill could increase costs and create issues for retirees who currently manage hours to stay below the 630-hour threshold. The committee took no votes and adjourned after public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Day, when nearly 100% of our medical students were matched, and more than 60% matched right here in
• She said they truly save lives.
• But this issue doesn't end at graduation. 87% of American adults don't have enough savings to cover a
• Your retirement account or your family's college savings plan.
• We're looking for ways to save money.

Bills: HJR4 , HJR6 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of this, the hospital where the girls were transfused often didn't have the blood that matched
• Blessed by his blood matches known donors and recipients throughout the United States.
• They found out I have harder blood to match than my sister.
• One time they gave me... ...bad blood that didn't match exactly and I had a bad reaction.
• We save lives. We make a transition possible. That's all. Thank you. Members, any other questions?

Bills: SB 53 , SB53 , SB125 , SB315 , SB379 , SB457 , SB541 , SB599 , SB896 , SB921 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1084 , SB1330 , SB1461

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• When I heard the testimony, I heard when I walked in the door, it's like it just didn't match up with
• Uh, one of which is a one-to-one minimum matching ratio.
• </c> which is a one:1 minimum matching ratio. which is a one:1 minimum matching ratio.
• Chairman, to do away, I think, save our time if you all have read it, think...
• </c> &gt;&gt; Mr. chairman to uh do away I think save &gt;&gt; Mr. chairman to uh do away I think save

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, every time we have a matching grant, we can match 10%, we can get 90% of federal government to match
• Um every time we<00:08:41.360><c> have</c><00:08:41.440><c> a</c><00:08:41.599><c> matching</c><00:08
• :42.000><c> grant,</c><00:08:42.959><c> we</c><00:08:43.200><c> can</c><00:08:43.279><c> match</c> we
• have a matching grant, we can match we have a matching grant, we can match 10%<00:08:44.080><c> we</
• We think that to to match that grant.

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have we ever seen in statute kind of a matching design for local or county funds?
• So, let's just say we're going to match up to X number Say we're going to match up to X number of dollars
• , but it's a one-to-one match, where if a county wants to put in five bucks, we'll put in five bucks.
• Through our PBM, our pharmacy benefit manager, what we're spending and what we're saving.
• So, that's a $37 million savings.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our special appropriations requests is for matching funds to match DARPA's investment in New Mexico
• The four-year agreement, and again, we would be matching federal dollars coming into the state of up
• I think that ask is really around the DARPA match that we're looking at.
• But I haven't seen the division of agencies result in the cost savings that are pitched.
• If you want to get into that, I'm trying to save John. like to regulate.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is to make us match other states.
• We have to have matching credentials. Or follow up, Senator Kirk. Thank you, Mr. President, Mr.
• That we would recognize their credentials when they match exactly what's in Oklahoma.
• sometimes the consequences of what we do in this building, but I can almost guarantee that this will save
• teacher herself, but even though the teaching of what we're passing today just quite possibly will save

Bills: SB540 , HB1085 , HB1484

Keywords: dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage, mobility, compact privilege, state licensing board, public health, public safety, military spouse, telehealth dentistry, reciprocity, Title 59, occupational licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:50.880><c> our</c> make sure that we are matching our make sure that we are matching our budget
• <01:04:55.440><c> actual</c><01:04:55.960><c> experience</c> matching actual experience matching actual
• that with our budget that we're matching that with our budget request<01:05:02.960><c> uh</c><01:05:
• And there were actual savings with that. So it's an actuarially sound account.
• And there were actual savings with that. So it's an actuarially sound account.

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• How will this be matched with federal funds?
• I think part of the hope is that most of this money will be used as matching funds.
• We talk about local matches on the state and federal level.
• We can get some general fund savings here to try and balance the overall budget.
• Savings that the budget architecture was built around.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't doesn't include savings.
• And this letter says, no, let's put it in permanent savings. I want to put it in permanent savings.
• </c> continue to invest in permanent savings continue to invest in permanent savings and<01:44:49.440
• </c> request for additional energy matching request for additional energy matching funds,<01:58:39.840
• </c> study, they did so in a way that saved study, they did so in a way that saved the<03:16:30.000><

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So this also saves us money as a state in the long run.
• So this also saves us money as a state in the long run.
• We believe this bill is going to save lives.
• And these platforms, and I'm going to, if you're on any of the Match properties, because Match owns like
• You mentioned Match; they do represent a lot of different thousands, hundreds of apps.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, juvenile justice, mental health, and criminal procedure. SB 1157 by Senator Archuleta would create a framework for less restrictive juvenile placements in the probation setting, with Judicial Council rules on issues such as insurance, staffing, background checks, notice, and zoning. Supporters said the bill would add needed safeguards for youth still serving custodial terms, while opponents argued it would impose rigid standards on a diverse continuum of placements and that the Judicial Council is the wrong entity to set substantive program rules. Members generally supported the goal of accountability, but the bill was not moved because quorum was not yet established at that point in the hearing. SB 1012 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, the Fire Camp to Career Act, would require CDCR to connect California Conservation Camp participants to state-approved apprenticeships and require apprenticeship programs to consider prior fire camp training. Supporters, including labor organizations, formerly incarcerated workers, and fire-training advocates, said the bill recognizes real skills gained in fire camps and creates a path to stable employment after release. Committee members largely supported the measure, with one noting that certification still must reflect demonstrated competency. SB 1012 was presented favorably, though the transcript does not show a final roll-call vote before the meeting moved on. SB 1306 by Senator Cortese would align California law with federal exemptions for certain low-concentration GBL chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing and research. Supporters said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens without affecting pure GBL or public safety, and committee members expressed support. SB 1401 by Senator Stern would align felony incompetent-to-stand-trial procedures with existing misdemeanor procedures, including timelines, information-sharing, and conservatorship referral tools. Supporters said it would prevent people from falling through gaps in the mental health system, while opponents warned it could expand court control and weaken confidentiality and due process. The committee passed SB 1401 to Appropriations on a roll-call vote, with members voting aye and the bill held on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1027 by Senator Strickland, which would create a task force to study street prostitution, human trafficking, victim services, and community impacts. Supporters from law enforcement, cities, and district attorneys said the bill would help identify victims and develop better statewide responses; some opponents remained opposed to the bill as introduced but said they would review the amendments. Members praised the amended version, and the committee passed SB 1027 as amended to the Governmental Organization Committee on a roll-call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. SB 1307 by Senator Jones, dealing with fraudulent or forged real estate documents and clouded titles, was also heard; after opposition withdrew, members supported the measure and moved it forward as amended, held on call for absent members. The transcript then shifted to SB 1276 by Senator Rubio, which would clarify that knowingly viewing livestreamed or AI-generated child sexual exploitation is criminalized; the author and witnesses described it as a needed update to keep pace with technology and close loopholes protecting predators from accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for saving the best for last this morning. Hopefully I can do that position justice.
• On page 21, you'll see that the state match requirements are set to begin in October 2027.
• The federal match will be 25%, or $18.9 million.
• , so the 50-50 match to the 75 is another impact of about 57 million.
• Do you think I should save that question? Ms. King, are you still online?

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to start on a positive note, which is I appreciate that CARB is trying to find a way to match
• That concept is an appropriate economic principle that tries to accurately match the cost of producing
• And we're able to match fees with the polluters, you know, causing the problem.
• You know, enforce this regulation, enforce this regulation, and they keep drawing that down, matching
• , eliminating vacant positions and finding operational savings as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I said we need matching...
• When I said we need matching funds from shareholders—$9 billion to match every dollar of ratepayer contributions—they
• We very much support that because of the cost savings to ratepayers.
• We already have evidence of cost savings from expanded markets.
• This will also unlock significant savings for California.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy first heard SB 254, a major utility affordability and wildfire-liability package authored by Senator Becker and coauthored by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris. The bill combines wildfire mitigation oversight, $6 billion in securitized financing for future fire-mitigation capital work, a public ownership/transmission accelerator program, tighter scrutiny of utility profits, clean energy permitting streamlining, and a successor wildfire fund to replace the current fund after the January Southern California fires. Supporters, including the Governor’s office, TURN, labor, clean energy groups, utilities, and fire victim advocates, said the measure would lower bills, stabilize utilities, protect victims, and speed grid upgrades. Opponents from large energy users and agricultural interests argued the bill did not go far enough on affordability and that the wildfire fund’s volumetric charge would disproportionately burden business customers; counties also raised local-control concerns about permitting provisions. Committee members focused heavily on the wildfire fund structure, the role of ratepayers versus shareholders, and whether the bill creates enough incentive for utilities to reduce future wildfire risk. Authors and supporters said California’s inverse condemnation framework leaves ratepayers exposed without a fund, that the new continuation account would be split roughly 50/50 between ratepayers and shareholders, and that the bill includes a report on long-term sustainability. Members also discussed the clean energy permitting provisions and local consultation, with authors emphasizing that local land-use review and consultation remain in place. The committee then voted 16-0 to pass SB 254 to the floor. The hearing then shifted to an informational hearing on AB 825, which would enable California to participate in a West-wide electricity market. The authors and supporters said the regional market could save ratepayers up to $1 billion annually, improve reliability by widening access to wind and solar across the West, reduce curtailment, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Support came from environmental groups, labor, utilities, community choice aggregators, large energy users, and business groups. TURN opposed the measure, warning that last-minute changes removed safeguards against California ratepayers subsidizing out-of-state coal plants and other costly fossil generation. Committee discussion on AB 825 centered on governance, exit rights, and legislative oversight. The authors described safeguards including market rules protecting California policies, consumer advocacy and market monitoring requirements, annual reporting to the Legislature, a delayed 2028 start date, and the ability for California or other members to exit without penalties. Members also raised concerns about the CPUC’s constitutional independence and local consultation, but the authors said the bill preserves local input and gives the Legislature ongoing oversight. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only.