Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve always been a proud supporter of unions. It’s my day.
• We would just like you to support this bill.
• In support of Senate Bill 1300 and House 2094.
• I'm here in support of H. 2093 and S. 1343.
• receive the support that we need through our roles.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several labor-related bills, especially proposals to give legislative employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, close a prevailing wage loophole for off-site prefabrication work, and strengthen enforcement against wage theft. Committee chairs opened the hearing by explaining the hybrid format and asking witnesses to keep testimony brief. Multiple legislators testified in support of the legislative staff union bill, saying staff deserve the same bargaining rights as other public employees and that unionization would improve pay, benefits, retention, and workplace dignity. Witnesses also discussed how the bill would likely be structured, with separate House and Senate bargaining arrangements or locals, and emphasized that it would only create the option to unionize, not require it. A second major topic was the prevailing wage bill addressing off-site fabrication and prefabrication in construction. Union leaders, contractors, and workers described how more work is being shifted from job sites into shops, especially in sheet metal, HVAC, electrical, and pipefitting work, and argued that the law should treat that work the same as on-site construction when it is part of a public project. They said the current loophole lets some contractors underbid by paying lower wages off-site, while responsible contractors already pay prevailing wages in their shops. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers, preserve apprenticeship and training standards, improve safety and quality, and make enforcement easier through certified payroll and clearer definitions. The committee also heard testimony on wage theft legislation. Representative Dan Donahue, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, AFL-CIO representatives, and carpenters’ union witnesses described wage theft, misclassification, labor brokers, and tax fraud as widespread problems that hurt workers, honest contractors, and public revenues. They supported giving the Attorney General stronger enforcement tools, adding contractor accountability up the subcontracting chain, and protecting workers from retaliation and from delays that can cause claims to expire. A separate witness supported a bill to extend the statute of limitations for Wage Act cases while AG investigations are pending, and another supported changes to help hospital workers enforce timely payment rights. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support of SB 177.
• The bill received broad bipartisan support and enthusiastic support of our Governor.
• The bill received broad bipartisan support and enthusiastic support of our governor.
• I rise in support of SB 163.
• SB 1344 addresses delays in building affordable housing and supportive behavioral health housing by discouraging

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this bill.
• I ask you to support this bill.
• I just meant we have room for one more in support. Are you in support, sir? I'm with you.
• We need your support, and we need all the community support to help us with this. Thank you.
• A unanimous support for this.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'd be supporting his amendment.
• So, I'd be supporting his amendment. Representative Solomon, sir. Thank you.
• So we just want to be on our best behavior. Enjoy lunch, talk about the Red Sox.
• Enjoy lunch, talk on our best behavior.
• So, um, I will not be supporting the amendment. Chair: Okay.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise in support of SB 170.
• I rise in support of SB 177.
• The bill received broad bipartisan support and enthusiastic support of our Governor.
• The bill received broad bipartisan support and enthusiastic support of our governor.
• SB 1344 addresses delays in building affordable housing and supportive behavioral health housing by discouraging

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• better support them.
• CANP is here in support of the BRN sunset.
• Along with the support that we have for the APRN-to-RN regulation, we also support any move that California
• Issue 13 is what we want your support on.
• I strongly support the California Board of Registered Nursing, particularly around supporting the nursing

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are functioning efficiently. BRN leadership reported major process improvements since the last sunset review, including faster license processing, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, and growth in nursing education enrollment. Members questioned the board extensively about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, online nursing programs and clinical placements, military pathways, the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, and retention of new graduates. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, clinical hour standards, and its role in approving programs and assigning nursing education consultants. Public testimony on the BRN was mixed: nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist groups largely supported the sunset report and especially the proposed APRN-to-RN delegation language, while physician and hospital stakeholders raised concerns about out-of-state NP practice, specialty delegation, ratios, and the need for regulatory parity and clearer standards. Higher education representatives urged reduced duplication in documentation, more flexible clinical placement rules, and better coordination to address bottlenecks in placements and faculty hiring. The committee did not take a vote during the excerpted BRN discussion. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California, where the board’s president began an overview of the board’s mission, structure, vacancies, and public-protection role under the Physical Therapy Practice Act. The transcript excerpt ends before substantive questioning, testimony, or any action on the physical therapy item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So urge your support.
• So urge your support.
• We support the Golden Gate project.
• We support the DSGS program staying at the CEC, and of course support the DIBO funds coming over to support
• We support the DSGS program staying at the CEC and of course support the Diba funds coming over to support

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to ensure that they have the support.
• better support them.
• CANP is here in support of the BRN sunset. The BRN.
• Along with the support that we have for the APRN-to-RN regulation, we also support any move that California
• Issue 13 is what we want our support on.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with opening remarks emphasizing legislative oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are efficient and effective. BRN leaders reported progress since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, expanded nursing program enrollment, and new statewide data collection on faculty. Committee members then questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, English proficiency, online nursing education and clinical placements, military and veteran pathways, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, the LVN-to-RN 30-unit option, and the role of the board’s RN executive officer. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, the 500-hour direct patient care clinical requirement, and its use of nursing education consultants and board-approved programs to oversee schools and placements. Members also discussed retention problems, especially for new graduates, and the board said shortages are often driven by burnout, lack of support, and employers’ reduced use of new-grad training programs. Public comment largely centered on proposed BRN sunset issues affecting advanced practice nursing, education oversight, and workforce development. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthesiology groups generally supported the BRN sunset report but asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, support for APRN-to-RN delegation authority, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and protection of the current population-focus model. The California Medical Association raised concerns about out-of-state nurse practitioners practicing independently without California transition-to-practice requirements, specialty delegation, ratios, and data collection. Higher education representatives from UC, CSU, private nonprofit colleges, and nursing associations urged the board to reduce duplicative documentation, modernize clinical placement rules, improve parity between in-state and out-of-state programs, and address bottlenecks in securing clinical sites. An online nursing school argued that California should create a pathway for distance-learning programs so students can complete clinicals in-state rather than traveling out of state. Several speakers also highlighted the need to expand access for rural and underserved communities, support diverse and nontraditional students, and preserve affordable pathways into nursing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to ensure that they have the support.
• better support them.
• So supporting them so they don’t... Being mostly female, how do you support that?
• Along with the support that we have for the APRN to RN regulation, we also support any move that California
• Issue 13 is what we want our support on.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it did affect them, then the unions supporting this bill wouldn't be supporting it.
• If it did affect them, then the unions supporting this bill wouldn't be supporting it.
• And I ask you to support this bill. It's not one and done. It is, yes.
• But that is why I'm supporting this bill. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• </c><01:23:04.400><c> this</c> But that is why I'm supporting this But that is why I'm supporting this

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 6, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also want to ensure that they have the support.
• better support them.
• CANP is here in support of the BRN sunset. The BRN...
• Along with the support that we have for the APRN to RN regulation, we also support any move that California
• Issue 13 is what we want your support on.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure that they have to support.
• better support them.
• CANP is here in support of the BRN sunset.
• Along with the support that we have for the APRN to RN regulation, we also support any move that California
• Issue 13 is what we want our support on.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with committee chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and economic mobility. BRN leaders reported improvements since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, higher consumer satisfaction, growth in pre-licensure enrollment, and expanded data collection. Members questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international and military pathways to licensure, online nursing education and clinical requirements, rural workforce shortages, and the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option. BRN staff explained California’s tiered advanced practice system, the NCLEX and certification requirements, English proficiency rules, clinical hour standards, and the board’s role in approving programs and supporting schools through nursing education consultants. Several members and the board president also discussed the need to retain new graduates, improve diversity in the workforce, and better support nontraditional students and rural placements. Public comment on the BRN sunset review was extensive and largely supportive of the board, while also urging policy changes. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing education groups generally supported the BRN report and especially backed clarification of APRN-to-RN delegation authority under issue 13. Other commenters asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, more flexibility for clinical nurse specialists, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and changes to federal loan limits affecting graduate nursing education. Higher education representatives and private nursing schools raised concerns about duplicative BRN documentation, clinical placement bottlenecks, and barriers faced by out-of-state and online programs seeking to serve California students. The California Medical Association and some physician groups opposed easing transition-to-practice requirements for out-of-state nurse practitioners and cautioned against changes to specialty and delegation rules, while the California Nurses Association and others stressed the importance of community college pathways, new graduate support, and workforce retention. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Board leadership reported that the board oversees more than 41,000 active licensees, has seen about 15% growth since 2021, and continues to maintain high exam pass rates among California physical therapy and physical therapist assistant programs. The board described its mission as consumer protection through licensing, enforcement, continuing competency oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The vice president’s remote testimony encountered technical problems, so the executive officer continued with a brief overview of the board’s work and its commitment to efficient service and public protection. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• HAP is one of the very few funding sources that supports our...
• that supports operations, not just capital.
• And our county HAP is support.
• We are here to voice our strong support for the $1 billion...
• So we're really asking for support for that program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We strongly encourage the committee to support this bill.
• </c><00:12:10.880><c> this</c> work the council has supported this work the council has supported this
• </c><00:13:04.440><c> victim</c> for funds to support victim for funds to support victim Services<00:
• </c><00:23:25.600><c> the</c> need if we could support the need if we could support the organizations
• </c> ALS absolutely support ALS absolutely support and and and uh<00:36:30.800><c> they</c><00:36:30.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Service providers are able to provide supports for those distinct needs.
• Other community supports.
• that supports operations, not just capital.
• We are here to voice our strong support for the $1 billion...
• So we're really asking for support for that program.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee 4 met to hear an oversight discussion focused on homelessness, including the state of homelessness in California, state data systems, and the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HAP) program. In opening remarks, the chair emphasized accountability and the need to focus on families and people at the bottom rung, while the vice chair argued that homelessness and affordability problems stem from policy choices and the state should give counties more flexibility rather than top-down mandates. The committee also announced that the one scheduled vote would be postponed and public comment would be taken later. Dr. Ryan Finnegan of UC Berkeley’s Turner Center presented recent homelessness data, saying California’s homelessness remains high at about 187,000 people in the 2024 point-in-time count, with most still unsheltered, though the unsheltered share has declined somewhat. He explained differences between point-in-time counts and the state’s Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS), noted progress in shelter, permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and interim housing capacity, and highlighted declines in youth and veteran homelessness. He also described persistent racial disparities, the large number of chronically homeless people, and risks from federal changes and possible reductions to programs such as Emergency Housing Vouchers and Continuum of Care funding. Members questioned the causes of recent trends, the role of Housing First, Proposition 47, Martin v. Boise, and how funding streams such as HAP and CalAIM are layered together. The California Interagency Council on Homelessness then outlined its data systems and AB 799 implementation. Staff explained that HDIS aggregates HMIS data from all 44 continuums of care and is used to measure outcomes, disparities, and program effectiveness statewide. They said HAP 4 was cost-effective under the State Auditor’s methodology, and that new AB 799 dashboards will provide more public-facing fiscal and outcome reporting by June 2027. Members asked whether the system can better distinguish which interventions work, how self-sufficiency will be measured, how fraud is detected, and whether the council can meet the auditor’s concerns on time. Cal ICH said it has met prior statutory deadlines, that program outcome data already exist, and that fiscal reporting will be built through a web-based tool and aligned with existing departmental reporting systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shared IT services are very popular, something we're happy to support.
• Okay, I'm just that we're supportive of creating hybrid opportunities for... Okay.
• I know it is, and I want to support them. Understood, Mayor. Thank you.
• to your support as well.
• So I fully support... We're not in compliance. What are you supposed to do?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on Governor Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll’s Municipal Empowerment Act, with administration officials and municipal leaders broadly supporting the bill as a package of tools to help cities and towns manage rising costs, staffing shortages, and service demands. The administration highlighted procurement reforms, including raising Chapter 30B advertising thresholds, clarifying cooperative purchasing, and removing the Commbuys notice requirement; permanent authority to amortize emergency-related deficits over three years; expanded authority and enforcement for removing double poles; continued flexibility for hybrid and remote public meetings; regionalization options such as regional boards of assessors and intermunicipal agreements; cybersecurity reporting to EOTSS; and several local revenue options and other municipal finance changes. They said the bill was shaped by listening sessions with municipal officials and was intended to increase flexibility, efficiency, and stability without imposing broad mandates. Committee members asked about regionalization, cybersecurity costs, Commbuys, hybrid meetings, and double poles. Administration witnesses said cybersecurity reporting would help the state target resources and that existing Community Compact and capital grant programs, including IT and municipal fiber funding, could support local needs; they said EOTSS would absorb reporting within existing resources. On procurement, they said the Commbuys notice change would be optional and that other public notice methods would remain available. On hybrid meetings, they emphasized flexibility for different types of boards and the burdens a one-size-fits-all mandate could create for small towns and volunteer boards. On double poles, they said the bill’s main change from last session was to give utilities more time and improve the removal process while keeping enforcement mechanisms aimed at speeding removal rather than raising revenue. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and multiple mayors and town managers testified in support. They described the bill as a practical modernization measure that would help local governments operate more efficiently and respond to fiscal pressure. Witnesses from Northampton, Lynn, Gardner, Cambridge, Franklin, North Andover, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Ashland praised the hybrid meeting provisions, procurement changes, regional service-sharing, and emergency deficit amortization. Several also urged adoption of local revenue tools, including meals and lodging tax options and other local fees, as ways to preserve services and staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our office supports partnerships with a wide range of external partners.
• </c><00:04:57.199><c> the</c> the University system in supporting the the University system in supporting
• </c> Minnesota our office supports Minnesota our office supports Partnerships<00:05:12.880><c> with</
• </c><00:07:36.319><c> or</c> additional letters of support or additional letters of support or articles
• </c><00:09:38.399><c> of</c> aligns with institution support of aligns with institution support of community

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To the legislature for your support over the years.
• I appreciate the support on that program.
• support those Air races.
• Again, thank you for the support there.
• So there has been support in the LFC recommendation.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in opposition, I mean, in support of House Bill 253. Anyone in support of House Bill 253?
• So if you're not in support, please lower your hand. Thank you. Other support.
• So we're only on support. So I have one labeled at. Thank you. We're only on support.
• support.
• And now one of those was a support, not one. Now, one of those was a support. Not one. Not one.

Bills: HB2 , SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 253, as substituted, which would create a framework for full-time virtual/distance learning programs in New Mexico. Sponsors and agency witnesses said the bill is intended to preserve virtual options while adding approval, reporting, and compliance requirements, including definitions for distance learning programs, annual reporting, renewal every three to five years, and a pause on new programs while existing ones are grandfathered for a period. They also said the bill addresses budget concerns by limiting enrollment growth units and excluding distance-learning students from certain funding calculations, including rural population units, to prevent unexpected losses in the state equalization guarantee. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters included district superintendents and education officials who said the bill is needed to protect school funding, improve accountability, and gather basic data that the state currently lacks. Opponents included parents, students, teachers, charter-school representatives, and business and advocacy voices who argued virtual education has been lifesaving for medically fragile, bullied, rural, neurodivergent, and working students, and that the bill’s caps, geographic limits, and approval authority would reduce school choice and could eliminate some programs. Several witnesses stressed that virtual charter schools such as Pecos Cyber Academy and New Mexico Connections would not be affected, while others said the bill still reaches too broadly. Committee members raised extensive questions about the 10% enrollment cap, the adjacent-district requirement, the denial-and-appeal process, the treatment of charter schools versus district programs, and the effect on rural or small districts. Witnesses explained that the bill is meant to be temporary, with an interim study in 2026 to develop longer-term policy, but some members said they remained concerned about overreach and unintended consequences. No final vote or action on the bill was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the state we strongly urge your support the state we strongly urge your support of<00:32:22.960>
• We strongly urge the committee to support this bill and preserve the affordability of the market.
• We strongly urge the committee to support this bill and preserve the affordability of the market.
• This substitution is supported and used by other states and is also supported by the Minnesota Mortgage
• ><00:49:01.480><c> by</c> impacted States and is also supported by impacted States and is also supported

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all