Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, our fees support all of our positions.
• It really supports critical activities and services.
• We strongly support...
• We urge your support. Thank you.
• We urge your support. Thank you.

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss budget issues related to vacant positions across several natural resources and environmental departments, with no votes taken and all items held open for a future hearing. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance explained the administration’s proposal to eliminate about 6,000 vacant positions statewide, including roughly 293 positions in the departments before the committee, as a way to capture salary savings and reduce flexible funding tied up in vacancies. The LAO recommended retaining special-funded positions, while noting that eliminating General Fund positions would reduce savings. Finance argued that vacancy levels have remained steady statewide, that departments need flexibility to manage operations and hard-to-fill jobs, and that some vacant positions can be reclassified to higher-priority work. Members raised concerns that many of the proposed eliminations would affect core public-safety, permitting, and environmental-protection functions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said the cuts would affect permitting, environmental protection, and law enforcement, while State Parks said its proposed ranger reductions were chosen from historically vacant, hard-to-fill positions and would still leave many vacancies to fill through the academy. The Coastal Commission said its positions supported sea-level rise planning under SB 272. The Department of Pesticide Regulation and DTSC said the reductions would affect multiple program areas, though Finance said the special funds involved were not in structural deficit and the cuts could help avoid future fee increases. The State Water Resources Control Board said its proposed reductions were spread across programs, with public-health functions protected as much as possible. The committee then heard an overview from the State Water Resources Control Board on its responsibilities for water quality, water rights, drinking water, and funding for water infrastructure. Chair Joaquin Esquivel described ongoing work on the Bay-Delta Plan update, the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes voluntary agreements, and the need to actively administer water rights. Members also discussed the board’s response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, which narrowed federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. The board requested $2.6 million and 12 permanent positions to address resulting permitting and enforcement gaps; the LAO said the request met its high bar for new proposals and was supported by the board’s data and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So I'm hopeful that you'll all support So I'm hopeful that you'll all support this this this amendment
• Supporting this pay attention to this.
• Okay, I fully support that. All right.
• </c><00:35:22.960><c> Senate</c> fully support that. All right. Senate fully support that.
• </c><00:53:44.000><c> for</c> uh is there support for uh is there support for this?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up several Senate messages on House bills. It recommended non-concurrence and a committee conference on HB 428 after Representative Pearson raised a constitutional concern about a retroactive provision in the building code bill. It also recommended non-concurrence on HB 156, which had been rewritten by the Senate to create a permanent subcommittee related to food/procurement; members said they did not want to create a permanent subcommittee and preferred to let the issue return next year if needed. On HB 85, concerning temporary student licenses for respiratory therapists, the committee concurred with a Senate rewrite that added restrictions but preserved the bill’s main purpose. On HB 82, a cleanup bill for occupational licensing, the committee concurred with a Senate amendment explicitly allowing the electricians board to create subcommittees, with members noting they did not think the authority was necessary but that it would not do harm. The committee then considered SB 178 on laboratory water testing. Representative Leyon offered amendment 2025-1743H to clarify how fees would be deposited and to direct a portion of certain fees and grants into a non-lapsing lab equipment and replacement fund rather than the general fund. Members said the amendment made the bill’s fiscal flow easier to understand. The amendment passed unanimously, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended on SB 178, also unanimously, and placed it on consent. For SB 180, dealing with Coos County distressed-area designation, the committee adopted amendment 1748H to remove a provision requiring commissioners to give extra consideration to Coos County and to add a 20-year sunset on the designation. The amendment passed 14-2, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended 15-1; Representative Schmidt said he would file a minority report because he viewed the provision as unenforceable rather than objectionable. The committee also voted to retain SB 185, which concerned OPLC-related issues, so the agency could continue working on a policy and report back later; that motion passed 16-0. Finally, the committee voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 198, establishing New Hampshire Service Dog Week, after debate over whether the recognition should be statutory or left to a gubernatorial proclamation. Supporters argued the bill would raise awareness and help promote service dogs, while opponents said the effort could continue without a statute and that special-day statutes often lose attention once enacted. The committee also voted inexpedient to legislate on SB 182 after extensive discussion of proposed changes to the maternal mortality review process. Opponents argued the bill would broaden access to personally identifiable information, change panel structure, and affect data comparability; supporters said it was a housekeeping update requested by DHS that would add DCYF and Corrections and improve review of maternal deaths. The ITL motion passed 10-6, and Representative Long said he would file a minority report and explain the committee’s reasoning to the bill’s sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current certification framework supports that work.
• I support what C-CID has done over the years, and I hope you will support them also.
• I support what CID has. at this time in my career.
• I support what C-CID has done over the years, and I hope you will support them also.
• So those support staff, those support assistants that are educated and trained is what audiology really

Summary: The joint sunset oversight hearing reviewed five California regulatory entities: the Respiratory Care Board, the California Council for Interior Design Certification, the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board, the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine. Each agency described its mission, recent modernization or enforcement work, and requested continuation of its authority. Committee members focused on access to care, workforce impacts, fee structures, transparency, and whether proposed changes would improve public protection without creating unnecessary barriers. For the Respiratory Care Board, the main issues were a possible move from an associate to a bachelor’s degree for entry-level licensure, fee cleanup changes, and ongoing work on the role of LVNs in respiratory tasks. Board representatives said the degree change would better align with national trends and could support future reimbursement and professional advancement, while public commenters and some legislators warned it could worsen shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas. Much of the public testimony centered on families and facilities relying on LVNs for trach and ventilator care in congregate living health facilities, with requests to preserve or expand exemptions. The board also discussed its reserve cap and efforts to modernize licensing and enforcement systems. The interior design item drew the most debate. CCIDC leaders argued the current voluntary certification/title-act model works, that complaints have not shown public harm, and that licensure would disrupt the workforce and create barriers for experienced designers. Committee members questioned the lack of enforcement authority, transparency, and whether the model provides enough accountability or consistent plan acceptance by local jurisdictions. Public testimony was split between supporters who said the current system is flexible and effective, and critics who said the private structure lacks accountability and creates confusion, especially for commercial work and plan check acceptance. The Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board reported major modernization gains, including online licensure processing, faster application times, new continuing education audits, and updated supervision and advertising rules. Members and stakeholders discussed a proposed audiology assistant license, which the board and the California Academy of Audiology supported as a way to improve access to care and reduce workload pressures. The Occupational Therapy Board described strong enforcement and licensing performance, a new strategic plan, and a request for additional fee authority to address rising costs and reserve concerns; public testimony largely supported the board and a proposed reduction in advanced practice hand therapy training hours. The Naturopathic Medicine Board emphasized consumer protection, unlicensed practice enforcement, and consumer confusion over titles, saying most of its enforcement workload involves unlicensed activity and that stronger title protection and clearer statutory authority are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• But with that, I will be not supporting the substitute motion, and I will support the original.
• So I will not be supporting the substitute motion and will support to send this to the floor.
• And so I will not be supporting the substitute motion. I will be supporting the original motion.
• I will be supporting the due pass.
• I do not support this motion. There are more than one... I do not support this motion.

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 and March 10 minutes, then introduced RS 33592C1, a proposal for a state pilot program to study psychedelic substances for PTSD and traumatic brain injury, with the sponsor saying no state funding was requested. The committee also heard and advanced Senate Bill 1255, which would add tribal health care facilities and tribal police officers to Idaho’s involuntary commitment process so tribal members in mental health crises can be evaluated and held more quickly; tribal representatives and the sponsor said it would improve coordination without changing state funding or the underlying commitment standards. The bill was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1257 on foster care visitation and permanency. The bill would clarify that visitation can include in-person, video, phone, and written contact, limit in-person visitation after substantiated serious physical or sexual abuse unless a court finds it is in the child’s best interest, and allow courts to consider a parent’s likely long-term incarceration when deciding permanency and termination. Department officials, foster parents, adoptees, and child welfare advocates testified that the bill would protect children from re-traumatization and give courts clearer statutory guidance. Some members raised due process and parental-rights concerns, arguing the bill could expand agency power or reduce protections, but after a failed motion to hold the bill in committee, the committee approved it on a roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also resumed testimony on House Bill 808, which would expand the Medical Freedom Act. County, hospital, city, business, and public health witnesses opposed the bill, saying it would create conflicts with federal health and accreditation rules, weaken school and child care immunization protections, reduce the usefulness of the IRIS immunization registry, and interfere with employer and public-safety decisions. Supporters argued the bill would strengthen bodily autonomy and parental choice and reduce coercion around vaccines. The sponsor closed by saying the bill was about protecting private medical decisions, but no final action on HB 808 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strongly support this bill.
• Strongly support this bill.
• I am excited to support this legislation.
• I'm here to strongly support SB 5436.
• I support SB 5067. Hi, my name is Joshua Jackman. I support SB 5067.

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So Caltrans, in the last year, has supported the Northern California JPAs in...
• We used that grant to support students, all students in Southern California, with free rides.
• We were able to use that grant to support our operations as we tried to grow back.
• We had member agency support of about 51% of our operating budget.
• commensurate level of support from the Orange County side of the line.

Summary: The Senate Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency held an informational hearing focused on the corridor’s financial stability, service reliability, governance, capital planning, and long-term resiliency. Chair Lackey opened by criticizing the unfinished SB 1098 report and the underwhelming Transit Transformation Task Force work, arguing that the corridor remains at a crossroads with weak ridership recovery, poor on-time performance, and major capital projects that are not moving quickly enough. Senator Archuleta emphasized safety, maintenance, and the need to avoid state subsidy if ridership and revenues can support service. CalSTA and Caltrans described major state investments and ongoing planning efforts, including $125 million for San Clemente resiliency work, additional leveraged federal and state funds, more than $25 billion in funded projects in the pipeline, and the development of a corridor project database and service-planning tool under SB 1098. Caltrans also reported restoring Surfliner service to 13 weekday round trips between Los Angeles and San Diego, piloting expanded service to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, and reorganizing internally to elevate transit and rail oversight. On zero-emission strategy, officials said hydrogen fuel-cell trains are being procured for longer-distance service while electrification remains the long-term ideal and battery-electric options are being explored for shorter routes. The committee then heard from Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle and Caltrain representative Jason Baker. Metrolink described its shift to “regional passenger rail,” with schedule changes aimed at all-day service, better transfers, and growth in student and weekend ridership, but warned of a fiscal cliff because member agencies now cover most operating costs while fare revenue remains low. Kettle said the agency has not reached consensus among its five county partners on a dedicated revenue solution and warned that service cuts may be unavoidable without new funding. Caltrain reported strong post-electrification ridership gains, improved customer satisfaction, and expanded service, but also warned of a large annual operating deficit that could force reductions in frequency, weekend service, stations, and evening operations if stable funding is not found. Members also discussed public safety, marketing, station placemaking, parking and concession revenue, and hydrogen fuel-cell technology. Senators urged stronger promotion of rail service, safer and cleaner stations, and more ambitious planning to match the state’s investments. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational, with officials asked to continue reporting back on SB 1098, San Clemente planning, service performance, and funding solutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m just here today in support of this bill.
• And while I do support the cause, Don't take lightly.
• Do you support them when they need you?
• You have a public community that supports it. The entire northern part of Arizona supports it.
• But, as much as I am very supportive of...

Bills: HB2207 , HB2225 , HB2602 , HB2641

Committee: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• Please help us support this. Our students. I respectfully urge your support for this bill.
• Chairman, thank you for your support in maximizing safety and supporting the transport of Texas school
• We've got local support.
• I'm in support of Senate Bill 1841.
• The Camp County Commissioner's Court fully supports this designation and adopted a resolution in support

Bills: SB249 , SB546 , SB744 , SB927 , SB1227 , SB1229 , SB1353 , SB1365 , SB1366 , SB1394 , SB1464 , SB1709 , SB1729 , SB1733 , SB1744 , SB1745 , SB1746 , SB1772 , SB1816 , SB1841 , SB1939

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: memorial markers, law enforcement, officer memorials, killed in the line of duty, highway signage, school bus, school district, student transportation, child safety, seat belts, three-point seat belt, two-point seat belt, bus retrofit, bus warranty, Texas Education Agency, TEA, transportation code, school activity bus, multifunction school activity bus, school-chartered bus

Transcript Highlights:

• Brittany Jackson, Florida Medical Association, waiving in support.
• Todd Lewis, Florida Chiropractic Association, waiving in support.
• I ask for your favorable support. Representative Barnaby, ... I ask for your favorable support.
• So happy to be here and support it again.
• So I'd appreciate your support on this bill. Thank you.

Summary: The subcommittee considered a long agenda of civil justice and claims measures. HB 1173, relating to the Florida Trust Code, was presented as a clarification of standing in trust litigation after recent case law; after questions about who may sue, an amendment was adopted clarifying that an expressly named charity retains standing, and the bill passed 14-2. HB 1437, on attorney’s fees in motor vehicle PIP disputes, drew testimony from insurers and reform groups opposing a return to fee-driven litigation and from medical groups supporting fee recovery for prevailing parties; it passed 17-0. CS/HB 147, addressing prohibited debt-collection communications during nighttime and early morning hours, was described as a clarification of an outdated statute in light of modern communications, with support from business groups and no opposition in the vote; it passed 18-0. The committee then heard several claims bills against the Department of Children and Families. HB 6511, for relief of L.P., described severe injuries to a child after DCF allegedly failed to act on warning signs; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill passed 18-0. HB 6515, for relief of Michael Barnett, involved DCF’s alleged failure to investigate domestic violence that preceded the killing of three children and injury of a fourth; members asked about the settlement amount and the case’s circumstances, and the bill also passed 18-0. HB 1517, expanding wrongful death law to allow parents of an unborn child to recover for the child’s death, generated the most extensive debate. The sponsor said it aligns civil law with existing criminal definitions and excludes claims against mothers and providers of lawful medical care, including IVF; opponents warned it could be used to target reproductive care, support networks, and domestic violence survivors, while supporters framed it as a justice measure for families. An amendment clarifying damages rules for minors and unborn children was adopted, and the bill passed 13-4. Finally, HB 947, on evidence of medical damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, sought to allow broader evidence at trial and to change “shall” to “may”; supporters said it would improve fairness and transparency, while opponents argued it would weaken post-2023 tort reforms and reintroduce inflated medical damages. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then taken up with additional opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I we support it. It the hospital. So I we support it.
• Um we do support state.
• I speak in support of this bill.
• </c> speak in support of this bill. speak in support of this bill.
• </c> to we ought to support the federal laws. to we ought to support the federal laws.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:23.559><c> Industries</c> positioned with supporting Industries positioned with supporting
• I'm very much in support of this bill, and I hope that you will all support the recommendations of the
• This bill supports kids and farmers, so hopefully we'll have unanimous support.
• Senate</c> we'll have unanimous support um Senate we'll have unanimous support um Senate file<01:35:
• </c><01:35:58.080><c> positive</c> for their well-being supports positive for their well-being supports

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome. support us in being able to do support us in being able to do that<00:15:56.160><c> Mahalo</
• </c><00:19:07.799><c> their</c> native Hawaiians and support their native Hawaiians and support their
• But I support this bill. Mahalo.
• Yes, I support this.
• I'm in support of HB 871.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you for your support and your work in the Washington Avenue Bridge last year and this
• So on behalf of SAVE, thank you and we support this unconditionally. >> Thank you sir.
• </c><00:02:44.800><c> this</c> thank you and we support this thank you and we support this unconditionally
• We're currently building support policy.
• So, in supporting House File 3169, I applaud you if you do.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're here in support of SB 193. Association, and we're here in support of SB 193.
• And we therefore urge you to support this legislation. Thank you.
• And I respectfully ask you to support this bill.
• I respectfully ask you to support this. Thank you very much. Thank you.
• I hope we can support this bill. Thank you very much. I hope we can support this bill.

Bills: SB193

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tripp Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.
• Cameron Fink, Associated Industries of Florida, waving in support.
• Gene Adams, Feed Florida Association, waving in support. Lena Juarez, waving in support.
• Feed Florida Association, waving in support.
• , waving in support.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say that I am rising in support of this bill. This is an act of solidarity.
• So I ask, please, please support this bill. Stand up for our iron workers.
• , it supports the entire state.
• supporting a region, and when we lose the miners because there's not...
• How can we make sure to keep supporting that? And that's what this chamber is going to do.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, thank you, and we ask for your support on AB 238. Thank you.
• Are there any additional witnesses in support in the room?
• Matt LeJay on behalf of SEIU California in support.
• Yesenia Jimenez on behalf of End Child Poverty in California here in support.
• Any witnesses in support? Any witnesses in the room in opposition?

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> inspiring</c> supporting his coalition's inspiring supporting his coalition's inspiring advocacy.<
• You can seek support.
• </c><00:27:21.360><c> After</c> why stronger support matters. After why stronger support matters.
• </c> support and President Trump once again. support and President Trump once again.
• </c> urge my colleagues to support the rule. urge my colleagues to support the rule.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I I I do support um two. I I I do support um section<00:59:55.640><c> one.
• So, I support this bill. that. So, I support this bill.
• </c> therefore I support this bill. therefore I support this bill.
• </c> just cannot support this amendment. just cannot support this amendment.
• </c> did not support House Bill 1526. did not support House Bill 1526.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for uh supporting veterans in publicly for uh supporting veterans in our<00:18:41.280><c> state.
• </c> opportunity to show their public support opportunity to show their public support if<00:18:52.160
• </c> because it is uh supporting veterans. because it is uh supporting veterans.
• She wasn't able to make it today, but she didn't express support or non-support, but just categorized
• </c><00:41:08.400><c> or</c><00:41:09.040><c> non-support,</c> didn't express support or non-support,

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all