Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just suggestion on on your part.
• I mean, those that's across the parts.
• And um important part of this process.
• He has held down a part-time job through high school.
• </c><03:12:15.120><c> Um,</c> part of the discussion today. Um, part of the discussion today.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent District 92, which is parts of South St. Louis County.
• He said black bears are starting to move toward the northern part of the state, though they are mostly
• still in the southern part.
• He added that bears are part of nature, and that he hunts and, when bears are harvested, every part of
• He said he appreciates the bill and also wants to bring awareness because bears are part of Missouri's

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources met in executive session and first considered House Bill 3193. The committee adopted a House Committee amendment adding broader exceptions for health, safety, and compelling human need, then rolled the amendment into a substitute and passed the House Committee substitute by an 8-3 roll call vote. Members discussed the bill’s effect on plastic water bottles in state parks, with supporters saying it would reduce plastic waste in parks and waterways while preserving access to water through alternative means. The committee then heard House Bill 3366, which would establish Missouri Black Bear Awareness Day. Representative Michael Burton presented the bill and described the growth of Missouri’s black bear population, the history of bear reintroduction in the region, and the need to educate the public on avoiding conflicts with bears, including not feeding them and using precautions such as bear bells, bear spray, and proper food storage. Members asked lighthearted questions about bear behavior and safety, and several expressed support for public education and bear conservation. No testimony was offered in opposition or for informational purposes on HB 3366, and the hearing concluded without a vote on that bill. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the last part of it says causes the minor to commit an offense in violation of state and federal
• And I think in the recent past, we have seen what I believe to be a very unhealthy pattern within part
• But the last part of this part that says causes the minor to commit an offense in violation of state
• And so I'll let you speak, but that's, I think this really potentially creates an avenue where that part
• of our judicial system could be used... ...essentially creates an avenue where that part of our judicial

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The Crime and Public Safety Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session. In that session, members adopted a House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87 and voted it do pass by an 8-0 roll call. The committee also adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1868 and 3257, which were combined into one bill string, and voted that substitute do pass 8-2. House Bill 3017 was then voted do pass 8-2 as well. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bill 2808, which would create a new offense for an adult who knowingly permits, encourages, aids, or causes a minor to commit an offense. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address adults exploiting minors to commit crimes such as car theft, burglary, and theft, with penalties ranging from a class C misdemeanor if the minor commits a misdemeanor to a class A misdemeanor if the minor commits a felony, along with possible restitution. Members asked about whether the bill could reach parents at teen gatherings, how it would apply beyond parents to other adults or guardians, and how prosecutors would prove encouragement or causation. The sponsor responded that existing laws already cover some conduct like providing alcohol to minors, that the bill is meant to apply to any adult who encourages a minor, and that proof would rely on ordinary criminal standards such as text messages, emails, witness testimony, and other circumstantial evidence. One member raised concern that the language could be used to overreach against parents or be weaponized in investigations; the sponsor said the bill would only apply after the minor is adjudicated guilty and would be a secondary review of whether an adult caused the offense. No one signed up to testify in support, opposition, or for informational purposes, and the hearing on HB 2808 concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the intervening time, that part of my family came to the United States and established themselves
• As part of that trip, I was welcomed back to the had been a university professor at the University of
• But in the intervening time, that part of my family came to the United States, established. time, that
• part of my family came to the United States, established themselves, bought a house, raised my father
• And I had always felt like this part of me nobody else shared.

Summary: The Senate met in a pro forma session and first suspended Rule 46 so committees could continue meeting during the session. The journal was approved, and the chamber moved through introductions and referrals, including first reading of Senate Bill 6314 and a referral adjustment sending Senate Bill 6321, which would establish the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement, to the Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. The main floor item was Senate Resolution 8670 recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The resolution recounted the history of the Holocaust, the liberation of Auschwitz, and the ongoing problem of anti-Semitism, including a cited rise in incidents in Washington State. Senator Solomon spoke at length in support, sharing personal family history tied to Nazi persecution and warning about rising anti-Semitism and the need for vigilance, remembrance, and community support. Senator Short also spoke in support, emphasizing responsibility to prevent such atrocities and the value of education and open-mindedness. Senator Hasegawa moved that the sponsor’s remarks be spread across the journal, and the Senate agreed without objection. The resolution was then adopted by voice vote. The President recognized guests from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Holocaust Center for Humanity in the gallery. The Senate then adjourned until 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Toyota was part of a coalition that was left out of the negotiation process last year and had some concerns
• And certainly, I think part of the motivation has been.
• law firms that might specialize in this weren't very happy with the outcome with 1755 because a big part
• of the outcome is to try to expedite and clear out some of these cases that are being... ...big part
• He represents part of my district. He did.

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee met in a subcommittee setting to hear SB 26, a follow-on bill to last year’s AB 1755 dealing with California’s Song-Beverly “Lemon Law” process. Senator Umberg explained that the measure is intended to preserve the compromise reached last year while allowing automakers to opt out of the new framework and return to the prior law, with the goal of speeding up discovery and helping consumers resolve claims more quickly. Committee members and the author also noted the bill’s connection to concerns about court congestion and the need to revisit the law as vehicle technology evolves. Support came from Consumer Attorneys of California, Toyota, and several automakers and manufacturers, including General Motors, Rivian, Honda, Hyundai, Lucid, Tesla, Kia, Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes. Toyota said the bill gives automakers a five-year opt-in choice and reflects the negotiated deal. In soft opposition, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety said it preferred more manufacturers opt out, but remained concerned about AB 1755’s reduced statute of limitations and repose, negative equity deductions, and the broader impact on consumers with defective vehicles. After quorum was established, the committee took up the motion and passed SB 26 on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye. The chair thanked the stakeholders for reaching a compromise and indicated the bill would move forward, with immediate referral anticipated after floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• trust, there are any number of professions and vocations that we could make an argument need to be part
• And the onset and my family's struggles were not due to personal failings on our part.
• Due to personal failings on our part. I needed professional help and medication.
• Um, the leader Qualls is also part of this panel. The Nita, are you with us? Jamie Osborne. Okay.
• He's a local guy from this part of the state, a little bit.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held a public hearing on 17 bills focused on behavioral health workforce shortages, studies, and commissions. Chairs Mindy Domb and Senator John Velis opened by emphasizing the severity of the Commonwealth’s mental and behavioral health workforce crisis, the resulting gaps in access to care, and the legislature’s ongoing use of loan repayment programs, studies, and commissions to address these issues. They outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be limited to three minutes, with written testimony also accepted. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to expand the primary care workforce, including H. 2205/S. 1385, which would broaden eligibility for the Mass RePay loan repayment program. Testimony from the Massachusetts Medical Society, Senator Jo Comerford, and Dr. Kate Atkinson described severe primary care shortages, long wait times, physician burnout, high debt burdens, and the need to recruit and retain physicians in more practice settings and regions. Committee members asked about the likely impact of loan repayment, the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and how to prioritize limited funding. Witnesses argued that primary care investment improves access and outcomes and that the bill would help sustain community-based practices. Another large block of testimony supported H. 2208/S. 1411, the proposed perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund, often referred to as the Moms Matter Act. March of Dimes, perinatal mental health advocates, doulas, clinicians, parents, and organizations such as the Boston Public Health Commission and Empty Arms Bereavement Support testified that postpartum depression, anxiety, substance use, and grief are widespread, often untreated, and worsened by long waitlists and a shortage of trained, culturally competent providers. Speakers repeatedly stressed that screening alone is not enough without a workforce to provide timely treatment, and several shared personal stories of postpartum illness, loss, and difficulty accessing care. The bill was also framed as a needed complement to the Commonwealth’s recent maternal health law, which increased screening and therefore increased demand for treatment. The committee also heard support for the Bridge Act, H. 2207/S. 1388, which would create mental health capacity grants for organizations serving communities at high risk of hate crimes or hate incidents. Testimony from the Jewish Community Relations Council and the bill’s sponsor described the mental health harms of hate, including anxiety, trauma, isolation, and loss of trust, and argued that community organizations need resources to build resilience and provide support. In addition, the committee heard from the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association on H. 2218/S. 1380, which would update job classifications to explicitly include licensed mental health counselors and licensed supervised mental health counselors in state behavioral health roles. Witnesses said the change would modernize hiring, expand access, and better reflect current licensure and scope of practice. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the session ended with a motion to adjourn after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in part because we in the legislature have taken steps to strengthen the program in recent legislative
• It is now an integral part of our plan to reduce emissions.
• That's a big part of what we do because everyone needs to get paid to continue to employ people.
• But certainly the fuel savings are a big part of cost-effectiveness these days, too.
• But certainly the fuel savings are a big part of cost-effectiveness these days, too, as well.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the value of Mass Save, with opening remarks emphasizing that despite past criticisms the program has delivered major energy, cost, climate, and equity benefits. The chair cited large avoided system costs, strong benefit-cost ratios, and recent legislative changes that set emissions goals, restricted fossil-fuel equipment incentives, and increased focus on low- and moderate-income households. Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney testified that Mass Save has weatherized hundreds of thousands of homes, reduced bills, avoided emissions, and that the current plan includes budget controls after the DPU ordered $500 million removed from the approved budget. She said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer the program was intended to reduce administrative costs and align with current implementation trends. Members questioned Mahoney about what counts as marketing and administration, and she said the category includes traditional advertising as well as community-based outreach, customer resource centers, and other customer engagement work, much of it in low- and moderate-income communities. She said administrative and marketing costs are under 5% of the budget, while more than 80% goes to incentives and direct program delivery. Several witnesses then focused on workforce and contractor impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, creates careers, and supports thousands of jobs; both warned that budget cuts would reduce hiring, training, and work in homes and businesses. They also described a broad ecosystem of suppliers, trainers, and service providers that depends on stable program funding. Other witnesses addressed cost-effectiveness, affordability, and emissions. Anna Johnson of ACEEE said Massachusetts remains a national leader, with Mass Save returning about $2.80 per dollar invested, reducing peak demand, and lowering bills for participants, especially through weatherization and heat pumps. Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said the program is statutorily required to be cost-effective and has avoided billions in supply and infrastructure costs for all ratepayers, including nonparticipants, by lowering overall demand and peak prices. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that efficiency is the cheapest way to meet climate targets and that cutting the budget would force more expensive power generation. The hearing also featured testimony on equity and housing: Mary Wampo described historic under-service to renter-heavy and lower-income communities and said recent reforms, including designated equity communities and performance incentives tied to equity, are helping correct that imbalance; Brian Biot and James Collins of LEAN/ABCD described low-income delivery systems and wraparound services; Barney Heath and John Nannari said Mass Save incentives are essential to affordable housing, passive house construction, and keeping projects on time and on budget. The final witnesses highlighted Connected Solutions and electrification: Sunrun’s Bronte Payne said the virtual power plant program saved more than it cost and helps avoid peaker plants and grid upgrades, and Highland Electric Fleets’ Ben Sondaga said electric school buses can provide similar grid benefits while lowering transportation costs for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• , We understand that SB 1023 is intended to help providers with certain parts of administration.
• We want to be sure to be excluding controlled substances as part of this bill.
• We know that scientific research is just part of California's DNA.
• It is part of our economy and a central part of our economy.
• I'm part of the Parkinson's Association of Northern California.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in part because we in the legislature have taken steps to strengthen the program in recent legislative
• It is now an integral part of our plan to reduce emissions.
• That's a big part of what we do because everyone needs to get paid to continue to employ people.
• But certainly the fuel savings are a big part of cost-effectiveness these days, too, as well.
• But certainly the fuel savings are a big part of cost-effectiveness these days, too, as well.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Summary: The hearing focused on the value of Mass Save, with committee members and witnesses largely emphasizing that the program lowers energy bills, reduces peak demand, supports climate goals, and delivers benefits beyond direct participants. The chair opened by noting Mass Save’s long-term savings, its role in weatherization and heat pump deployment, and recent statutory changes directing the program toward emissions reductions, low- and moderate-income households, and fossil-fuel restrictions. Elizabeth Mahoney of the Department of Energy Resources said the program has evolved to broaden access and control costs, citing large weatherization totals, heat pump installations, avoided emissions, and budget controls that removed $500 million from the approved plan. She also said the governor’s proposal to have only electric utilities administer Mass Save was intended to reduce administrative and procurement costs, and she explained that outreach to low- and moderate-income communities is counted within marketing spending. Several witnesses addressed the program’s workforce and business impacts. Dave Betcher of Abode Energy Management and Rick Taglienti of Rogers Insulation said Mass Save sustains small businesses, contractors, and thousands of jobs by creating stable demand for energy-efficiency work, while warning that sharp budget cuts would lead to layoffs and discourage investment in training, equipment, and hiring. Committee members pressed them on who administers the program, and both said the program administrators and utilities collaborate, with day-to-day contractor oversight and customer work largely delegated to private vendors and community partners. Other witnesses, including Brian Biot and James Collins of the low-income network, described the “quarterbacking” model used for income-eligible customers, where community action agencies provide full project management, technical support, and wraparound services to help households access fuel assistance, discount rates, weatherization, and electrification measures. A major theme was cost-effectiveness and system-wide savings. Anna Johnson of ACEEE and Kyle Murray of Acadia Center said Mass Save returns more than it costs, reduces peak demand, and lowers prices for all ratepayers, including those who do not participate directly. They cited avoided costs in the billions, strong state rankings, and examples of peak-hour savings that avoid expensive generation and infrastructure. Amy Boyd-Rabin of the Environmental League of Massachusetts argued that energy efficiency is the cheapest way to achieve greenhouse gas reductions and that cutting the program would force more expensive power plants to run. Bronte Payne of Sunrun and Ben Sondaga of Highland Electric Fleets highlighted Connected Solutions, a Mass Save-funded virtual power plant program, saying it saves ratepayers money and can use home batteries and electric school buses to reduce peak demand and support grid reliability. Equity and affordable housing witnesses, including Mary Wampo and Barney Heath, said Mass Save has become more responsive to renters, low-income households, and designated equity communities, while also helping affordable housing projects meet passive house and electrification standards; no votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's the other part, is the completion aspect.
• So that campaign will be part of the solution here. All right. Thank you. Thank, Representative.
• So that campaign will be part of the solution here. All right. Thank you. Thank, Representative.
• So the doctor gets more money as part of that, which I think is part of the conversation and kind of
• So the fiscal note and bias part.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, still part-time, still my practice at home and other things that I do.
• Well, it’s actually part of a larger effort.
• </c> money, which is legendary now, The part money, which is legendary now, The part of<00:09:38.600>
• And part of the benefit of bipartisan work is you have better work.
• So, just part of our state history.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our hearing is part of the Speaker's initiative to provide more oversight on the legislation we work
• And then the last part is collections is so, so hard.
• We're part of the rural strategic enforcement and also CWOP. So I see a lot of workers every day.
• No, we do not take, the state doesn't take any part of the owed wages.
• And that is part of the right direction, the tool that we have that the legislature has given us.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment held a review hearing on SB 588, focused on wage theft enforcement and whether the law’s tools are working as intended. Committee members emphasized that wage theft is a major and under-enforced form of theft in California, citing large backlogs in wage claims and long delays that can leave workers waiting years for payment. The hearing was framed as oversight of the Labor Commissioner’s enforcement authority and a discussion of whether additional tools or funding are needed to improve collections and deter bad actors. Witnesses from UCLA, worker advocacy organizations, and legal aid described SB 588’s main enforcement mechanisms, including liens, levies, stop-work orders, successor and individual liability, and the ability to pursue upstream entities in fissured industries. They argued these tools have improved settlement leverage and recovery rates, especially in janitorial and property services cases, and gave examples involving Tesla, Cheesecake Factory, Optum, and grocery and care-home employers. At the same time, they said the law is less effective in industries like residential care, where employers often transfer assets or change ownership before judgments are collected, and they urged changes such as broader prejudgment lien authority, more license-revocation power, and additional staffing for the Judgment Enforcement Unit. Worker testimony highlighted the human impact of delayed or unpaid wages. A care worker described being underpaid, denied pay for breaks and off-the-clock work, and facing intimidation when filing claims. Marta Lepe Martinez said she was owed more than $300,000, waited more than three years for a hearing, and still had not recovered any money despite a judgment and a lien on property. Another worker advocate explained that SB 588 helped identify responsible individuals and businesses earlier, increasing the chance of recovery, but said more resources and faster enforcement are still needed. Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower said SB 588 has significantly improved collections, reporting that the Judgment Enforcement Unit has recovered $125 million since enactment and that first-year recovery rates have risen from 17% to 46%. She said the agency is using liens, levies, stop orders, and individual liability more aggressively, but acknowledged that the tools are limited when employers are undercapitalized, hide assets, or transfer property before judgment. She supported the need for more staff and continued legislative investment. Public comment from SEIU California also backed SB 588’s framework and encouraged focusing enforcement on bad actors and expanding the law’s reach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our hearing is part of the Speaker's initiative to provide more oversight on the legislation we work
• And then the last part is collections is so, so hard.
• We're part of the rural strategic enforcement and also CWOP. So I see a lot of workers every day.
• It has proven an incredibly effective and essential part of the wage claim process.
• No, we do not take any part of the owed wages.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .but for the most part, things in here either went through committee with large bipartisan support.
• And I think that's part of the legislative process.
• Um, and I think that's part of the legislative process.
• Kansas City is on the western part of the central time zone, and we're more in the central part of the
• Kansas City is on the western part of the central time zone, and we're more in the central part of the

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and a long series of introductions recognizing student groups, interns, FCCLA and FBLA participants, a Missouri Rural Water Association delegation, medical students, family guests, and legislative assistants. Members also highlighted the Tipton Lady Cardinals girls basketball state championship team and several job-shadowing students from across the state. Announcements included committee meetings and a Missouri Department of Conservation Earth Day tree-seedling giveaway in the rotunda. On legislation, the House received committee reports recommending passage of several measures, then took up House substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bills 3068 and 3049. Members discussed the bill as a vehicle for multiple bipartisan provisions, including public safety, AI, trafficking training, and other topics; opponents raised concerns about anti-trans language and the bill’s breadth, while others defended it as a package of widely supported items. The House passed the measure 117-10 with 17 present. The chamber also truly agreed to and finally passed Senate Bill 914, dealing with soil analysis/perk test issues, by 108-34 with one present, and Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1142, a Secretary of State business filing measure for series LLC certificates of good standing, by 142-0 with one present. The most extended debate was on House Bill 1758, a daylight savings time trigger bill. The sponsor argued Missouri should lock in daylight savings time if the federal government authorizes a nationwide change, to avoid neighboring states forcing Missouri into standard time and to support tourism, safety, and economic activity. Supporters cited health, mental health, family, and business benefits, while opponents argued for standard time, raised concerns about children, circadian rhythms, and prior failed experiments, and questioned the federal-state authority issues. After extensive discussion and a point of order, the House ordered House Bill 1758 perfected and printed. The session ended with announcements and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But an important part of it for folks who are dealing with these vehicles.
• Parts from defunct manufacturers like American Motors and Oldsmobile are no longer available.
• So trying to get a part called OEM, which means original manufacturer's parts, they're not out there.
• And if you got to get a used part from an auto wrecker, I mean, we're not going to fix the...
• I think autos and classic cars are part of our culture here in California.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, to calculate damages, would this area of financial injury be part of what the Attorney General might
• I'm sure we'd be happy to look into that as part of the working...
• I'm sure we'd be happy to look into that as part of the working group. Okay, thank you.
• as part of the working Okay,<00:31:19.920><c> thank</c><00:31:20.160><c> you.
• , you're not part of the task<00:34:10.679><c> force</c><00:34:10.879><c> itself.

Bills: SCR118 , SCR173

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: climate change, insurance affordability, working group, disaster recovery, fossil fuel companies, insurance stability, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, ticket scalping, task force, consumer protection, event accessibility, local economy, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection heard two resolutions. SCR 118 SD1 would urge the Insurance Division and the Attorney General to convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division deferred to written testimony, while the Attorney General opposed the measure because of an ongoing lawsuit, asking that references to legal recovery and the AG’s role in convening the group be removed. Members questioned how the resolution might relate to the state’s climate damages litigation and whether it could inform damages calculations. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including removing the Attorney General as co-convener and changing certain membership references to board chairs; the motion passed unanimously with one excused member. The committee also heard SCR 173 SD1, which would create a task force on event ticket scalping. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the concept but asked to be added as a task force member and said the draft left its role unclear. Supporters, including the National Independent Venue Association and D-BAT, described high resale prices, fraudulent or speculative tickets, and harm to consumers and local businesses. StubHub and the Ticket Policy Forum supported the task force but urged broader scope to include the primary ticket market and ticket sellers, and StubHub also sought inclusion on the task force. Members discussed whether the task force should focus on the secondary market or the broader ticketing ecosystem, and whether the Office of Consumer Protection should be part of the task force or only consulted. The vice chair recommended passage with amendments adding the Office of Consumer Protection as a member and clarifying the consultation language, and the committee adopted that recommendation unanimously with one excused member.

Transcript Highlights:

• only allows for states to authorize permanent standard time or to utilize daylight saving time for part
• We are the softest part of the Southern California grid in We are the softest part of the Southern California
• We are the softest part of the Southern California grid in We are the softest part of the Southern California
• So I think that's your first part of your question. Here's the second part of the question.
• On the second part, homeowners and businesses, it's very hands-off for them. They agree.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, telecommunications, and regulatory bills. SB 929 would require the California Energy Commission chair to appear annually and report to the Legislature on the commission’s activities, plans, and outreach; the author said it would improve oversight without raising rates or fees. SB 1138 would let load-serving entities trade hourly resource adequacy obligations to reduce overprocurement and lower ratepayer costs; supporters said it could save hundreds of millions, while questions focused on CPUC concerns, grid reliability, and whether savings would reach customers. SB 913 would expand participation of customer-sited distributed energy resources, such as home batteries and smart thermostats, in the resource adequacy market; supporters said it would unlock existing clean capacity and reduce costs, and members asked about reliability, opt-in participation, compensation, and how to handle partially charged batteries. SB 1197 would move California to permanent standard time, with the author and a sleep medicine witness arguing it would improve health and safety, while opponents from the golf industry raised concerns about economic, recreational, and public safety impacts and whether voter approval would be required. SB 1191 would extend the California High Cost Fund A and B programs for rural telephone service through 2033, with supporters emphasizing affordability and emergency access in rural areas. SB 1265 would codify and expand the Go Green financing program under the Treasurer and CAFA, and SB 1337 would create a working group to coordinate fuel-transition policy and refinery-related issues across state and local agencies. Members generally supported the bills, though several raised implementation and coordination questions. Concerns included whether SB 1197 would require another vote of the people, whether SB 1138 could create unintended market or reliability problems, whether SB 913 could affect local generation needs or depend on customer readiness, and whether SB 1337 would duplicate existing fuel-transition bodies. Authors and witnesses responded that amendments and existing safeguards would address many of those issues, and that the measures were intended to improve efficiency, affordability, and coordination. The committee ultimately voted to advance all seven bills, with each receiving a do pass recommendation, some as amended and some to different policy committees or Appropriations. Final recorded votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with SB 1197 receiving one no vote and SB 1265 receiving one no vote; the other measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously. All bills were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it have anything to do with the annexing part of Oregon? Not at this point.
• The FCC is an integral part of a lot of what we do.
• The other part is our non-business... ...as well as obviously the subject matter of the initiative.
• And I think in part it's because churches have become disengaged.
• And part of that is because the church's income, their donations, all those things, are tax deductible

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began by approving the March 11 and March 13, 2026 minutes and then advanced the gubernatorial reappointment of Bud Tracy to the State Building Authority to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard House Bill 650, a federalism-related measure described by the sponsor and Idaho Farm Bureau testimony as reaffirming constitutional limits on federal and state power; it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after brief discussion and no opposition. The committee next took up House Bill 674, which would streamline telecom service discontinuance by relying on the FCC process rather than duplicating review at the Idaho PUC. Lumen representative Rick Gutierrez testified that the FCC process already requires customer notice, identification of alternatives, public comment, and review of whether service can be discontinued without leaving customers without options; supporters argued the bill removes duplication, while opponents said it shifts final decision-making away from Idaho and could weaken state oversight. After debate over state sovereignty, consumer protection, and whether the FCC or PUC should be the final decision-maker, the bill passed 6-3 and was sent to the floor. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1365, which would exempt certain religious organizations from donor-disclosure requirements when they participate in ballot-measure advocacy, so long as related spending stays under 10% of prior-year receipts. The sponsor, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, and several pastors argued the current rules chill church participation and force disclosure of unrelated donors; opponents raised concerns about transparency, enforcement, and the possibility of churches becoming vehicles for political spending. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order failed, and a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee passed 5-4. Finally, Senate Bill 1411, expanding disclosure rules to paid in-person canvassing and related political activity, was introduced as a transparency measure aimed at paid campaign efforts; it was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senators Toews and Shippy recorded in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does it have anything to do with the annexing part of Oregon? Not at this point.
• The FCC is an integral part of a lot of what we do.
• The other part is our non-business... As well as obviously the subject matter of the initiative.
• And I think in part it's that churches have become disengaged. They're no longer directly involved.
• I think the incidental part would be like if you bought them lunch or those kind of things.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was sitting here thinking that Breathitt County, part of my district, had a gentleman as long as I
• I'm going to turn it over to them and let them tell about the different parts that they've requested.
• He said he was very pleased to see that part in there and commended the efforts. Senator Tichenor.
• </c><00:19:32.080><c> So,</c><00:19:33.040><c> commend</c> to see that part in there.
• So, commend to see that part in there. So, commend the<00:19:33.440><c> efforts.

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all