Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm really looking forward to the May revise next week, which I'm sure we'll have more to talk about
• we will be having hearings on the May revise.
• And I suspect the May revise will address this.
• Until May revise and willing to wait to that hearing, and I'll certainly be present.
• Well, they don't usually announce what's in the May revise until they announce the May revise.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would have to be not-for-profit, have less than 10 days cash on hand, show best efforts to exhaust other financing, and have a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients; the bill also gives HCAI expedited contracting and rulemaking authority. Members and the LAO noted the proposal is intended as a short-term bridge until July 1, while broader hospital support is expected in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Much of the discussion focused on whether $25 million is enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day cash threshold is too narrow. Several senators argued the administration had not provided enough data or a clear methodology, and raised concerns about fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, which used broader criteria and provided loans rather than grants. Members also raised broader policy issues affecting hospital finances, including Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal funding changes, and the need for better data and more immediate assessment of hospital distress. The LAO said the current proposal is narrower than the prior loan program and emphasized the need for better reporting and analysis going forward. Public commenters, including the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county officials, supported the bill and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. The chair and several members said the bill is a short-term emergency measure for a small number of hospitals at risk of imminent closure, while broader solutions will be addressed later in the budget process. AB 108 was then moved and passed out of committee on an 18-0 vote, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it a matter of statewide concern?
• If it's not a matter of statewide concern, why is legislative intervention necessary?
• If it's not a matter of statewide concern, why is legislative intervention necessary?
• But again, we're bringing you something that is impacting you statewide.
• The state as a whole have enacted statewide bills that have been more robust.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025 session and focused on an overview of county and municipal home rule powers and state preemption. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Alex Rizzo and Vice Chair Griff Griffiths explained the constitutional and statutory basis for local self-government, the distinction between charter and non-charter counties, and how express and implied preemption limit local authority. Griffiths emphasized that home rule gives local governments broad power to address community needs, but the Legislature can override that authority through clear preemption, with courts ultimately deciding disputes. Representatives Holcomb and LaMarca added that local issues should generally be addressed locally first, but statewide standards can be appropriate when uniformity is needed or local action is ineffective. The committee then heard from a panel representing counties, cities, business, and construction interests: Ginger Delegal of the Florida Association of Counties, Carolyn Johnson of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Rebecca O'Hara of the Florida League of Cities, and Carol Bowen of Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Delegal and O'Hara argued that home rule is rooted in local autonomy, policy experimentation, and accountability to voters, and warned against broad or “vacuum” preemptions that remove local authority without replacing it with state regulation. Johnson and Bowen supported preemption when local rules create a patchwork that hurts statewide competitiveness, raises costs, or complicates business operations, citing examples such as labor rules, heat safety, permitting, and procurement preferences. The panel also discussed the 2023 local ordinances law, which requires business impact estimates and provides attorney’s fees in certain challenges, as a mechanism to resolve disputes locally before resorting to preemption. Members questioned the panel about the 2024 heat-safety preemption and how to protect workers in the absence of local ordinances. Business representatives said existing OSHA duties and industry best practices already require employers to provide safe conditions, while local governments and the state should avoid inconsistent standards across jurisdictions. Another discussion centered on construction permitting, licensing, and local boards that may slow projects and increase costs; Bowen suggested eliminating redundant local fees and barriers while preserving statewide licensing and enforcement against bad actors. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with the chair inviting continued discussion on when preemption is appropriate versus when local governments should retain authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another question: So the statewide dance program, you're asking for $1.2 million.
• And so now we've kind of evolved into having statewide contracts.
• So our latest RFP, we have three statewide contracts. Four? We have four.
• We have a statewide voter registration database and election management system.
• The other three came in after as a revised request.

Bills: HB1

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• These proposals came to the legislature at the May revision when there was very limited time for thoughtful
• There's been years of revisions, And you'll probably hear a little bit about that today, but some of
• those revisions have actually muddied the data because it's duplicating, it's asking the same question
• Could use some additional revision, especially the language, person-centered thinking language.
• Carl is a statewide advocate. He helped develop the master plan for developmental services.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on several Department of Developmental Services proposals, with no votes taken. The first item focused on equitable access to intake and services for regional center clients, including standardizing eligibility assessments and modernizing the strengths-and-needs evaluation used to inform individual program plans. DDS said the changes would create a more consistent, equitable, and evidence-based process statewide, while the LAO explained the proposals as a response to disparities and inconsistent regional center practices. Advocates and regional center representatives were divided: Disability Rights California, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and some providers supported modernization but urged clearer safeguards, more community co-design, and stronger legislative review; others, including some regional center leaders and family advocates, warned against replacing the CEDER too quickly and stressed the need to preserve the person-centered IPP process. Committee members emphasized fair process, fidelity, and the need for a validated tool, while also noting that the proposals would not change eligibility definitions or replace IPPs. The second major item addressed state-operated transitional and rehabilitative services, including proposed time limits for stays at Porterville Developmental Center and Canyon Springs, plus the merger of the Community Placement Program and Community Resource Development Program. DDS argued that people should not remain in locked facilities for years and that the proposal would create urgency, clearer transition planning, a right of return, and a more efficient single program for community resource development. Supporters, including Disability Rights California, the State Council, the Public Defenders Association, and some service providers, said the proposals align with Olmstead and the Lanterman Act, reduce overreliance on institutions, and should be paired with stronger mental health supports, oversight, and notice to counsel. Opponents, including a district attorney representative, argued that a blanket 24-month limit could endanger public safety and that some individuals require longer, case-by-case commitments. Committee members said they wanted a more comprehensive plan showing that community placements and supports will be ready before people are moved, and they questioned whether an arbitrary timeline could work for such a complex population. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that any implementation must be fair, transparent, and backed by valid tools, adequate community capacity, and public input. DDS said both sets of proposals would require legislative approval and that the department is still open to changes in trailer bill language and further stakeholder consultation. The hearing ended with the committee indicating it would continue reviewing the proposals and hear public comment, but no formal action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm really looking forward to the May revise next week, which I'm sure we'll have more to talk about
• But the important thing that is responsive to your question is that we will have the May revise next.
• we will be having hearings on the May revise.
• But... ...until May revise and willing to wait to that hearing, and I'll certainly be present.
• Well, they don't usually announce what's in the May revise until they announce the May revise.

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress, along with a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing options, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status, with expedited contracting and rulemaking exemptions so funds could be distributed quickly. Members repeatedly questioned whether $25 million was enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day threshold was too narrow, while also raising broader concerns about hospital reimbursement rates, seismic compliance costs, federal policy changes, and the need for more up-to-date data and a longer-term solution. Several members and the LAO noted that the bill was intended as a short-term bridge to keep a very small number of hospitals open until July 1, while the larger distressed-hospital discussion would continue in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Some members argued the state should consider grants rather than loans more broadly, and others emphasized that hospitals serving Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, including safety-net facilities like MLK Community Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, face structural pressures. Public comment was uniformly supportive of the bill, with the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, counties, and CHLA all backing the proposal and urging additional funding for distressed hospitals in the coming budget. The committee approved AB 108 on a roll call vote of 18-0 and held the roll open briefly to secure remaining votes before formally reporting the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2016 amending section 42-1125(A), Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to tax administration
• House Bill 2328, amending Section 9-511, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to municipal utilities.
• House Bill 2351, amending the Arizona Revised Statutes, was read for the third time.
• House Bill 2381, amending Section 15-503, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to school employees.
• House Bill 2666, amending section 13-1404, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to sexual offenses.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Victoria Tannenbaum as Doctor of the Day, Lutheran Day at the Legislature, a veterans treatment court judge, and Adrian Ace Stubbs Day. Attendance was recorded at 56 present, one absent, and three excused. The chamber then moved through communications, committee reports, and first/second readings before beginning a long third-reading calendar. Members considered and voted on a wide range of bills covering tax administration, groundwater and water rights, licensing timeframes, homicide, school employee transparency, mining, retirement system cleanup, utility regulation, AI and digital privacy, sexual extortion, adult protective services, salvage vehicles, veterinary board changes, geological survey reorganization, court fees, real estate licensing, probation, and several education-related appropriations and policy measures. Many bills passed on largely party-line votes, while others passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. Several members explained votes on issues such as superintendent contract transparency, ESA administration funding, mining reclamation, water supply and drought policy, motorcycle safety, AI and adult-content verification, and abortion-pill coercion. The House also passed multiple concurrent resolutions and memorials, including measures on election administration, Judea and Samaria, Route 66, and a memorial to rename State Route 69. Election-related debate was especially pointed, with supporters arguing for precinct-based voting and opponents warning of cost, reduced access, and logistical burdens. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to begin consideration of measures on Calendar No. 1, starting with HB 2174 and related amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The strategy must define statewide food security in terms of food access, agricultural viability, and
• The strategy must define statewide food security in terms of food access, agricultural viability, and
• The Environmental Priorities Coalition is made up of 26 statewide environmental organizations.
• I and the attorneys in my firm represent real estate and business co-ops statewide.
• We anticipate this could cost over a million dollars statewide to implement.

Bills: HB2521 , HB2249 , HB1796

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• Here are a few highlights of the statewide issues, and then we will ask each committee chair to provide
• million to combat opioid addiction through expanded treatment, prevention, and recovery efforts statewide
• And now that it's gone outside of those two Medicaid regions to statewide, I believe that they've had
• And now that it's gone outside of those two Medicaid regions to statewide, I believe that they've had
• Specifically, the amendment revises health care, Medicaid, developmental disability, long-term care,

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Statewide retirement system boards and committees, authorization, retirement favorably.
• House Bill 142 by Representative Muscarello provides relative to continuous revisions of the Code of
• House Bill 142 by Representative Muscarello provides relative to continuous revisions of the Code of
• So this is simply an addition to the revised statute that provides a safety valve where if the teacher
• At this time, Representative Turner moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of submitting a revised

Bills: HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened in prayer, and received official notice from the Secretary of State certifying Dana Henry and Paul Sawyer to fill vacancies in the chamber. Both members were sworn in. The House also received Senate messages on several concurrent resolutions and a large slate of Senate bills, and it adopted a number of House resolutions recognizing groups and individuals, including agriculture, athletic trainers, GoFar Louisiana, homeschooling families, veterans, and several community honorees. Committee reports and bill referrals were also announced throughout the morning hour. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to floor action on House bills, many of them memorial highway designations and policy measures. The House gave final passage to bills naming roadways and bridges for Officer Trevor Abney, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, and American Legion Post No. 14, and it also passed bills extending Tax Commission assessment fees, creating a transfer-on-death securities registration act, increasing lender origination fees, expanding assessor certification committee membership, and strengthening protections for eligible adults against financial exploitation. Other bills passed included measures on teacher certification appeals, removing Evangeline Parish from a juvenile justice district, re-creating the Department of Education, and repealing a $25 impaired-driving fine. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 68, which would create a new offense for disturbing worship services and impose a mandatory 30-day jail term for certain misdemeanor conduct, with higher penalties for related offenses. Supporters argued the bill was intended to deter disruptions and reduce the risk of escalation in houses of worship, citing heightened security concerns and incidents in churches nationwide. Opponents questioned the bill’s vagueness, the mandatory minimum sentence, the distinction between misdemeanor and felony treatment, and whether existing law already covered the conduct. The bill remained under discussion as members continued to raise constitutional, enforcement, and policy concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE AMENDMENT CLARIFIES REVISIONS REGARDING THE SELECTION OF A CERTAIN DESIGN BUILD FIRM FOR PHASE 2
• PLEASE REMOVE THIS PROVISION OR REVISE IT IN A WAY THAT WILL NOT STIFLE STUDENT LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
• IT DOES NOT CREATE A STATEWIDE INVESTIGATION.
• THIS LEGISLATURE WOULD PROTECT AND REINFORCE OUR RIGHT TO PETITION, REVISE OUR PETITION NOT OVER REGULATE
• USE USED TO BE ABLE TO GATHER STATEWIDE NOW YOU HAVE A DISTRICT REQUIREMENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1127, amending sections 1336 and 15514, Arizona Revised Statutes.
• Amending section 43-107, Arizona Revised Statutes, emitting Title 43, Chapter 3, Article 2, Arizona Revised
• I'm honestly think it's a statewide concern, and I really appreciate all of the towing bills.
• I think they're a serious concern that need a statewide solution.
• We already have our statewide elections. We have all of our elections on there.

Transcript Highlights:

• more resilient, more affordable, and more clean, the original Community Solar Garden Program was revised
• The revised law required that at least 30% of solar capacity go to low- and moderate-income household
• The revised law required that at least 30% of solar capacity go to low- and moderate-income household
• Based on our most recent data, approximately 30% of retail fueling sites—roughly 500 locations statewide—still
• Based on our most recent data, approximately 30% of retail fueling sites—roughly 500 locations statewide—still

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• are traditionally, uh, put forth at this meeting, um, one is to allow the pro tem and speaker to revise
• Let's go to the first one, motion to allow the pro tem and myself to revise and make appointments as
• develop, and make recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committees on a comprehensive statewide
• Chair, we have, um, there are contractors on statewide price agreements who are of very high reputation
• Just, just for you all to know, um, by the end of 2026, we have to come up with a revision to the compact

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• DeCeglie: HOUSE BILL 5501 REVISES STAMP TAX AND THERE IS >> Sen.
• DeCeglie: HOUSE BILL 5501 REVISES STAMP TAX AND THERE IS A DELETE ALL AMENDMENT. >> Chair Hooper: YOU
• ENHANCING PARTNERSHIPS WITH SMALL BUSINESS, ENSURES UNIFORM TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT ADHERES TO STATEWIDE
• IT REVISES AND APPROVES PRIORITIZATION OF STUDENTS BECAUSE OF FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL ACCEPTS ALL STUDENTS
• CODIFIES FLORIDA STATUTE STATEWIDE OFFICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LED BY THE CHIEF MANUFACTURING

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got revised estimates there. That's... Rerunning that.
• So we've got revised estimates there.
• So the revisions made... And local tax deduction, a minor impact there.
• So the revisions made it look less impactful than previously estimated.
• Our statewide construction manager.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to give you a few highlights of statewide issues and then I will ask each committee chair
• Additionally, $3.5 million is allocated for the statewide law enforcement radio system.
• Senator Brodeur: This revises distributions from the Gaming Compact and includes the following changes
• For the dental student loan payment program prior to beginning employment, revises the Cancer Connect
• Senate Bill 7028 revises several aspects of the Casey DeSantis Cancer Reach for Research Program and

Transcript Highlights:

• Census Bureau, it was revised upward across all years a little bit.
• And I think a lot of that has to do with revisions to the age structure that they've made in the 2025
• which I don't have the ability... ...yet to peek under the hood and see what those age structure revisions
• And that's statewide. Next slide.
• And so, as Jesse mentioned, for our statewide housing plan, A Home for Everyone, HLC created those three

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census heard presentations on Massachusetts population trends and how they affect state housing planning. Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute reviewed recent Census Bureau estimates, saying Massachusetts grew strongly over the last decade but that growth has slowed sharply in the newest estimates, largely because net international migration has fallen from a post-pandemic surge. She also described the four components of population change—births, deaths, domestic migration, and international migration—along with aging trends, declining fertility, the importance of the millennial cohort, and the role of foreign-born residents in births and the labor force. Committee members asked about college students in group quarters and about counting incarcerated people, and Strait explained the Census Bureau’s current methods and noted that some issues remain under discussion. Jesse Guerrero of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council then explained how MAPC uses UMass Donahue population projections to build household and local land-use forecasts for MassDOT and the statewide housing plan. He said the earlier transportation projections anticipated slower statewide growth and regional decline in western Massachusetts and on the Cape, with more growth in eastern Massachusetts. He also described how household formation, development patterns, zoning, and affordability are modeled, and noted that newer housing-plan scenarios use updated Census data and different assumptions about migration. Senator Miranda raised concerns about Cape Cod population loss and whether seasonal residents are being counted, and Guerrero and Strait said the projections focus on permanent residents, not seasonal populations. Tim Reardon of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities tied the demographic forecasts to the statewide housing plan, saying housing demand exists even under low-growth or slight-decline scenarios. He said the plan estimates about 115,000 homes are needed to address existing shortages, including doubled-up households, shelter families, seasonal conversion losses, and the need for healthier vacancy rates, plus additional units tied to future household formation. He added that the state’s total housing target is about 222,000 units, or as high as 262,000 under a higher-growth scenario. Senators pressed him on whether the scenarios are now too high given the recent drop in immigration, on affordability and out-migration, and on whether the housing plan adequately reflects homelessness and overcrowding in Boston and elsewhere. Reardon said the plan includes production, rental assistance, shelter prevention, and preservation strategies, and noted that HLC is also using grant programs and MBTA Communities-related infrastructure funding to support housing production statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather than rely on federal action, the legislature directed California Law Revision Commission to study
• today, to provide background on the bill is Sarah Huchel, Deputy Director of the California Law Revision
• My name is Sarah Huckle, and I'm the Chief Deputy Director of the California Law Revision Commission.
• The pilot has proved successful; however, more testing is needed before it can be implemented statewide
• CFI is a statewide labor union for court interpreters, and we are the sponsors of this legislation.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met without a quorum and proceeded as a subcommittee while hearing a long consent calendar and several Assembly bills. Early testimony focused on AB 1744, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as “reef safe” or similar from containing chemical UV filters; the author and student supporters said the bill is a truth-in-labeling measure to protect marine ecosystems, and there was no opposition. Committee members praised the student witnesses and the author asked for an aye vote, but no vote was taken because of the lack of quorum. The committee then heard AB 713, which would allow undocumented students at UC, CSU, and community colleges to access campus jobs. Supporters, including a UCLA law professor and a large coalition of student, labor, immigrant-rights, and education groups, argued the bill would reduce exploitation and improve affordability and retention; opponents argued it would conflict with federal law. Members expressed strong support, and the author closed by emphasizing that students simply want the chance to work, but again no vote occurred due to the subcommittee status. The committee also heard AB 1359, allowing people age 80 and older to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and LeadingAge California and no opposition. Additional measures included AB 2563, which would standardize California’s definition of sex discrimination across state codes to align with equal-rights principles; it drew strong support from women’s rights and labor groups and strong opposition from anti-trans advocates. AB 1705 would require websites to verify consent before hosting sexually explicit images of people, with supporters framing it as a response to nonconsensual pornography and opponents warning it could sweep in sites that prohibit such content. AB 1940 would explicitly name menopause in workplace protections, with supporters citing workforce equity and opponents saying existing accommodation law already covers it. The committee also heard AB 1824 and AB 2115 on Native American child welfare and a formal legislative apology for historic harms, both backed by tribal representatives and allies, as well as AB 2076 on nitrous oxide sales to minors and AB 2783 on court reporter licensing and remote reporting; all drew support and no recorded opposition. Several members praised the bills and indicated they would move them when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not going to see some of the major aspects until the May revise.
• And so how will you engage with the Legislature in the next few months before the May revise?
• I'm interested in finding why we eliminated the statewide Medi-Cal mobile crisis benefit.
• before the May Revise?
• I think it's time for a statewide discussion about how to even out this volatility.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget, which the chair described as roughly balanced in the budget year but still facing large out-year structural deficits. The vice chair criticized the revenue assumptions as overly optimistic and stressed the need to review recent program expansions and address the state’s $20 billion federal unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance said the budget is a “workload” plan with about $350 billion in total spending, $23 billion in reserves, a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit, and out-year gaps above $20 billion, while the LAO warned of downside revenue risk tied to stock market volatility and urged earlier action on the structural deficit rather than waiting for May. Finance and the LAO discussed major budget components, including Proposition 98 funding, higher education base increases for UC and CSU, climate and wildfire spending, a new ZEV incentive, child care COLAs, and tax proposals involving marketplace facilitators, renewable aviation fuel, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. Members raised concerns about proposed Medi-Cal and CalFresh changes tied to federal HR1 impacts, the MCO tax extension, hospital finances, county costs, and the decision not to backfill all federal funding losses. Finance said the administration is not in a position to replace all lost federal funds, but wants to work with the Legislature on priorities and timing before the May Revision. Several senators used the hearing to preview subcommittee priorities and request more detail on spending growth, reserves, and program cuts. Topics included homelessness funding, Care Court throughput, wildfire and climate investments, AB 617, data centers, the judicial branch’s facilities backlog, displaced workers, transit funding, and preparations for the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. No budget action or vote was taken at this hearing; the committee mainly received presentations and member questions, with public comment scheduled later.

Transcript Highlights:

• The text of the revised bill ethnicity.
• But the revised bill possible.
• I just wanted to give my perspective as somebody who conducts know-your-rights trainings statewide.
• Our coalition alone serves 500,000-plus residents statewide every single year.
• </c> residents statewide every single year. residents statewide every single year.

Bills: HB1977 , HB1764 , HB1934 , HB2533 , HB1790 , HB2181 , HB1870 , HB2140 , HB2468 , HB2358 , HB1588 , HB1688 , HB1986 , HB2030 , HB2195 , HB1949 , HB1695 , HB1950 , HB2094 , HB2115 , HB2297 , HB2336 , HB2416 , HB2049

Committee: House Finance