Transcript Highlights:

• CalVet also has a role in the new Home Key Plus program resulting from the Behavioral Health Services
• challenges, some behavioral health challenges.
• Some mental health challenges, some behavioral health challenges.
• The illicit market continues to operate in the state.
• operators to thrive undermine that vision every day.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center led by Dr.
• 24% of all health-related degrees in Texas.
• H.R. 518 by Onshia, recognizing March 12th, 2025 as Children's Health Health ECMO Day at the State Capitol
• Refer to the committee on public health.
• And the state referred to the committee on public health.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As was mentioned, $82 million for forest health.
• State operations of up to 7.5%.
• That's actually how fund investing operates.
• There are improvements in firefighter health and wellness.
• Just three quick items under issue one, the forest health program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CCUS is also currently operating on ethanol plants in the Midwest.
• MLRA currently operates as the stewardship organization in Vermont and Maine.
• Yet protecting human and environmental health is equally critical for us.
• Sustaining trained staff and daily operations year after year is another.
• And it's going to protect the consumer's health.

Summary: The committee held an interim work session focused first on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS), then on hazardous waste and extended producer responsibility (EPR). On the CCUS topic, industry and nonprofit presenters described point-source capture, direct air capture, mineralization, and geologic sequestration, emphasizing Washington’s basalt formations and state trust lands as strong candidates for storage. They argued that CCUS can help hard-to-abate industrial sectors, support jobs and investment, and provide a pathway for compliance, while also noting the need for clearer permitting, subsurface rights, pipeline authority, and storage infrastructure. Ecology and Commerce staff explained current state policy touchpoints, including Cap-and-Invest offsets and exemptions for permanently stored CO2, the public comment process underway to define “thousand-year” permanence, and how CCUS might fit within the Clean Energy Transformation Act without counting emitting generation as non-emitting. Some presenters supported more state action and primacy over federal permitting, while others warned about costs, energy use, uncertain capture performance, and the need to ensure real net greenhouse gas reductions and long-term liability protections. Members asked about public meetings, whether mineralized carbon would qualify as exempt under the Climate Commitment Act, the timeline for Ecology guidance, aquifer and water-quality concerns, energy intensity of capture systems, and liability if storage later proves problematic. Responses said Ecology’s guidance process is already underway, public meetings will be virtual, mineralized carbon would likely qualify if it meets the permanence standard, and EPA rules require storage in deep saline formations below drinking water aquifers. Industry speakers said capture energy use varies by source and concentration, and one presenter noted that some states use trust funds funded by injectors to address long-term liability. The second half of the session shifted to hazardous waste and EPR. Ecology staff reviewed existing product stewardship programs for electronics, paint, batteries, and mercury lights, and described moderate risk waste and household hazardous waste management in Washington. They highlighted that E-Cycle and PaintCare are producer-funded, that the battery stewardship program will begin in 2027, and that the mercury lamp program is in transition after its prior stewardship organization exited, prompting enforcement notices and a pending replacement plan. Ecology recommended best practices for future EPR programs, including clear producer and product definitions, full producer funding, convenience standards, annual reporting, and strong agency enforcement and plan approval authority. Local government speakers from King County and Douglas County described rising collection costs, equity and access barriers, rural travel distances, and the need for stable funding and flexible local implementation. King County said it collected over 3 million pounds of hazardous products in 2025 and supports EPR as a way to shift costs from ratepayers to producers, while Douglas County emphasized that rural residents will participate when services are accessible and that future systems should account for geography and local infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• That operates its own multidisciplinary response team through its local health jurisdiction.
• public health.
• with my public health staff.
• We could also have our public health nurses work with the mental health staff to help us with contact
• Health information, like, I don't want to be contacted, but here's some medical health information.

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 479 would let Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; the author and a Berkeley official said current state confidentiality rules prevent effective coordination, and the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 46 would bar a person who has served two terms as President from appearing on the California ballot for a third term; supporters argued California has authority to enforce constitutional qualifications, while Senator Niello questioned whether the bill was needed, and it passed 6-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 99 would improve coordination between civilian and military authorities on military protective orders and restraining orders; the Department of Defense supported it, the ACLU raised due process concerns about MPOs, and the bill passed 6-0 as amended to Senate Appropriations. SB 719 would extend the sunset on Department of Technology reporting on state agency use of high-risk automated decision systems from 2029 to 2032; there was no opposition and it passed 6-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also took up SB 300, which would strengthen California’s new AI chatbot law by requiring operators to prevent minors from being exposed to sexually explicit material or facilitation of such content. Supporters said new evidence shows current protections are insufficient and that the bill is needed now to address harms to children; industry groups opposed the bill as premature, arguing SB 243 had just taken effect and that the new standard could create strict-liability-like exposure and uncertainty. After extensive questioning, the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 381 would give adult adoptees and descendants access to original birth certificates and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents; many adoptees and birth parents testified in support, while some members raised privacy concerns for birth parents. The bill passed 13-0 to the Senate Health Committee, with the author noting amendments would be taken in Health rather than Judiciary. At the end of the hearing, the committee shifted chairs and began SB 33, which would eliminate the sunset on the existing public works contractor claim-resolution process so agencies must continue to respond to claims, pay undisputed amounts, and use early dispute resolution. The author and sponsor said the process has reduced litigation and helped contractors and workers, and the bill was just being introduced when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, Florida has 184 problem-solving courts in operation with over 4,000... operating across the
• , with most counties having multiple programs of operation.
• Most, if not all, of them rely on multiple funding sources to operate.
• We have mental health court and juvenile drug court.
• Mental health issues and drug usage overlap.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mitzi Hoheiser, Louisiana Department of Health Deputy Director. Sorry.
• I do have the Department of Health with me here today, and I have, Mr.
• Chair, an amendment set... ...of Health with me here today. And I have, Mr.
• Everything operates around the district attorney.
• They don't get retirement or health care benefits.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 513 by Representative Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness activity for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a task force and sets guardrails such as parental consent and prohibited NIL categories. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then heard several Senate bills from Senator Mizell and Senator Cloud. Senate Bill 233 would create a statewide data exchange compact to allow state agencies to share information more efficiently; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300 would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and procurement process clarifications; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 would allow executive branch agencies to buy or share technology solutions with other states and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411, removing a 20-year lease limitation for certain Orleans Parish state property, was also reported favorably. The committee spent substantial time on House Bill 660 and House Bill 719, both dealing with district attorney funding and staffing. HB 660 would raise the state warrant amount for assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000, with supporters arguing it is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors; an opposition witness argued the state should fund both prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. HB 719 would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; it too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. House Bill 596, which would have created an inactive well-feet assessment credit for oil and gas operators, was voluntarily deferred after concerns that it could reduce funding for the oil field site restoration fund. Later, the committee reported favorably as amended House Bill 802, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood restoration work in the Amite River Basin, and House Bill 940, which creates a task force and rules framework for law enforcement responses to unlawful drone activity. It also reported favorably House Bill 76 on coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications, House Bill 950 on consumer protection materials for seniors, and began discussion of House Bill 1028, which would require higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's more of the agriculture operation.
• ,</c> cervids, so within a farming operation, cervids, so within a farming operation, to<00:10:35.600
• aspects and animal health aspects, so we’re working together on that.
• aspects and animal health aspects, so we’re working together on that.
• aspects and animal health aspects, so we’re working together on that.

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:02 Attendance Roll Call 00:24 SB 73 Discussion 02:40 SB 73 Roll Call Vote 05:05 SB 155 Discussion 06:48 SB 155 Roll Call Vote 14:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• at the Department of Public Health.
• at the Department of Public Health.
• Prior to this position, she served as Chief Operations Officer for United Indian Health Services.
• It may happen in other local health jurisdictions.
• Senate Bill 490 by Senator Umberg, an act relating to public health. Senator.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guest delegations, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures approved included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on prompt payment for public works contractors, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 strengthening protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 expanding support for community land trusts, SB 479 authorizing city-based homeless response multidisciplinary teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 limiting forfeiture when a contractor’s license lapses, SB 490 allowing local inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities with state approval, SB 828 requiring permit-data verification for fireworks and explosives facilities, SB 849 barring physicians who committed sexual misconduct from license renewal, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electric lines in response to the Altadena fire, SB 96 regulating amplified advertising on streaming and related platforms, and SB 58 updating hydrogen sulfide monitoring and response standards. Most passed unanimously; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some opposition, and SB 222 passed 38-3. A major floor debate centered on SB 694, which would restrict unaccredited private firms from charging fees to assist veterans with VA benefits claims and align state law with federal accreditation rules. Supporters argued the bill would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and preserve access through accredited providers, while opponents said it would limit veterans’ choice and could reduce access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 by a 39-0 vote. The session ended with unanimous approval of the consent calendar items and adjournment until January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Health and Human Services oversees our nation's largest health care programs, providing
• On other health care matters, from abortion to universal health care, Mr.
• Department of Health.
• Health care is a human right. Is health care a human right? In the way that free...
• health results or health care on the reservations.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• use to grow the next generation of health care professionals.
• It hurts retention and recruitment for bus operators.
• We're a medium-sized transit operator.
• We're a medium-sized transit operator.
• We know that these chemical exposures are harmful to our health, resulting in adverse health effects.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, as amended by the Health and Human Services Committee, House Bill 2050 modifies
• The grant is to train health care providers on dementia care and best practices.
• The grant is to train health care providers on dementia care and best practices.
• The county health department is.
• inspections, health regulations.

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of House bills across health, commerce, education, elections, government, and veterans issues, with many measures described as consent-calendar items. In health and human services, members discussed updates to radiology technology standards, a tribal Medicaid waiver bill, an emergency medicine study committee, fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements, a physician assistant licensure compact, dementia care telemonitoring funding, and SNAP error-rate reduction and eligibility oversight. Sponsors generally framed these bills as technical updates, workforce or access improvements, cost savings, or support for families and vulnerable populations, while some bills drew brief questions about implementation or opposition. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendor licensing, earned wage access services, CPA certification, cash acceptance by retail businesses, unmanned aircraft regulation, timeshare salesperson licensing, social credit score restrictions for lending, and a ban on state assistance to the International Criminal Court. Sponsors emphasized reduced regulation, consumer protections, transparency, and state sovereignty. The committee also considered tax and retirement-related measures, including conformity with the Internal Revenue Code, ASRS technical changes, and a 529 plan update that also addressed Roth IRA rollovers. Education and school governance bills focused heavily on school district oversight and transparency. Members discussed patriotic youth group presentations in schools, school board term limits and mandatory training, bond-advisor requirements, restrictions on school districts buying operating charter or private schools to affect funding formulas, conflicts of interest on the School Facilities Oversight Board, public meeting and travel disclosure rules, limits on long-term school property leases, job-order contracting caps, and a computer science proficiency seal. Sponsors repeatedly argued these bills would improve accountability, prevent misuse of public funds, and increase public access to school board decisions. The meeting also included elections, veterans, government, and other administrative measures. These included changes to sample-ballot mailing deadlines, a requirement that courts ask about veteran status at first appearance, a veterans awareness study, broader military leave protections, SAVE database verification for voter registration and licensing, U.S.-sourced election equipment requirements, Electoral College affirmation, justice court due-process protections, library trustee reporting deadlines, adult protective services reporting cleanup, and procurement transparency. No final floor votes were taken in the excerpt, and most items were presented for questions or moved through consent with brief sponsor explanations and occasional opposition noted in committee testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We operate 24 hours a day, 7 prisons.
• I'm the chief operating officer for direct care and treatment with operation services.
• </c> operation services. operation services.
• DCT is a highly specialized, state-operated behavioral health care system.
• care</c><00:50:22.640><c> systems,</c> Like all other health care systems, Like all other health care

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F.
• Uh, keep in mind that Texas Health Commission does have a plan.
• And as we have heard today that Health or Health and Human Services, uh, issued the, uh, declaration
• So we'd be glad to work with the animal health department.
• It's very easy to to operate. The other one is a cylinder.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• Children with health care needs, substance abuse services, mental health services, Women and Children's
• Health Services, Public Health, the list goes on and on.
• Does TEA have the same problem as health and human?
• for health and human services.
• That's not necessarily reported as part of Operation Lone Star.

Bills: SB825

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just not the way the real world operates.
• in which they operate.
• I'm the president of the Sierra Northern Railway, a freight-operating short-line with operations throughout
• Many of these lines that the short lines operate were acquired from Class I operators after years of
• This is a practical adjustment in the health...

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been operating there for 30+ years to.
• of operation season, so things like the operation of the kitchen, the training of the staffers, which
• And during the operating season, and some of those might not be operating by the end of the season when
• That enabled more camps to operate in Texas than any other place.
• So having the ability to have camp cooler is good for kids' health.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• What I mean by that is they still utilize travel agents and tour operators.
• /c> disability behavioral health disability behavioral health developmental<00:12:01.360><c> and</c><
• The next items on the pulled list are with behavioral health and developmental, the behavioral health
• I'm the director for the Division of Mental Health within the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental
• ,</c> department for behavioral health, department for behavioral health, developmental,<00:19:42.480

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just happens pursuant to the operation of statute.
• Sometimes that may mean behavioral health services are needed.
• They're doing health work.
• and a decrease in mental health hospitalization.
• We run an evidence-based program for mental health recovery.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Basin, also the extraction workers and pipeline operators.
• How do you collect against a company that's no longer operating?
• Public health and maintaining a secure medical supply chain.
• The companies operating in the space are doing extraordinary work.
• Basin, as well as extraction workers and pipeline operators.

Summary: The committee heard and later voted on six labor-related bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current workforce training practices, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would make permanent 2017 refinery process safety protections, including worker participation in safety reviews and stop-work authority; refinery workers and unions supported it as a safeguard against rollback, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it, arguing it conflicted with a settlement and could be preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters who give birth and require return to the prior position; supporters said it would improve retention and equity in a male-dominated profession, and there was no opposition. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft and workplace safety enforcement by allowing renewal of labor commissioner liens, limiting employers’ late use of records, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers collect judgments and address long backlogs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 on call before the full committee vote. SB 1185 would apply skilled-and-trained workforce requirements to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance; supporters from the building trades said these projects require specialized precision to protect public health and supply chains, while contractors opposed the bill as an unnecessary expansion of public-work-style mandates into private projects. Finally, SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into Department of Industrial Relations enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s office, to address staffing shortages and backlogs. The author and supporters said apprenticeships could help fill vacancies while preserving the civil service merit principle and creating opportunities for displaced workers; there was no opposition. After discussion and roll calls, the committee reported all six bills out of committee, with SB 966, SB 1024, SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227 sent to Appropriations, and SB 1316 sent to Judiciary.