Transcript Highlights:

• These were moderate and low wildfire risks that burned in these fires mostly.
• These were moderate and low wildfire risks that burned in these fires mostly.
• Did you have burn in your yard versus your neighbor?
• Did you have burn in your yard versus your neighbor's yard?
• that will not burn.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Fair Plan, focused on the plan’s rapid growth, financial condition, depopulation efforts, and response to the January Southern California wildfires. Fair Plan officials explained that the plan was created in 1968 as an insurer of last resort, is a private not-for-profit association of admitted insurers, and is intended to be a temporary safety net until policyholders can return to the voluntary market. They said the market has deteriorated so much that many consumers are now coming to the Fair Plan first, including in lower-wildfire-risk areas where the plan is sometimes cheaper than private-market options. Officials said the plan’s exposure has grown sharply, reaching about 575,000 policies and nearly $600 billion in exposure by the end of March, with especially fast growth in low-risk areas. They described the plan’s depopulation challenges, the clearinghouse process, and pending or recent policy expansions such as coverage for farmers, higher commercial coverage limits, and proposed bills affecting grace periods and manufactured-home replacement coverage. They also discussed rates, saying premiums have risen from about $1,839 in 2021 to about $2,800 in 2025, while average policy limits have increased to over $1 million, and that the plan is working with the Department of Insurance on a new dwelling filing to move toward actuarially sound rates. A major portion of the hearing addressed the January fires and the Fair Plan’s finances. Officials said the plan paid more than $2.9 billion in claims so far and expects total losses near $4 billion, with over 5,500 claims filed and more than half already closed. Because of the losses, the plan sought and received a $1 billion assessment from member insurers, the first such assessment in 30 years, and also described its reinsurance tower and the role of reinsurance in covering catastrophic losses. They said the plan is supporting AB 226, which would give it access to a line of credit and potential bond financing to reduce reliance on assessments. Members raised concerns about solvency, non-renewals, smoke-claim standards, and the growth of the plan in non-wildfire areas; public commenters from the building industry and insurance brokers said the Fair Plan’s growth reflects a weak voluntary market and urged stronger rates and depopulation tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a due pass from Senator Burns. Second from Senator Jett. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Burns, Senator Devers, Senator Jett, Senator Nice, Senator Stewart, Senator Bergstrom, aye.
• Senator Burns? Senator Devers? Senator Jett? Senator Nice? Senator Stewart? Senator Bergstrom?
• Senator Burns: Aye. Senator Devers? Senator Jett: Aye. Senator Nice? Senator Prieto?
• Senator Burns? Senator Devers? Senator Jett? Senator Nice? Senator Prieto: Aye. Senator Stewart?

Bills: SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086

Committee: Senate Administrative Rules

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Joint Resolution 49, as amended, which revokes an Oklahoma Wildlife Department rule requiring oil and gas companies to post a surety bond. Senator Murdoch explained that the change was intended to eliminate what he described as duplicate regulation, since the Corporation Commission already requires security bonds, and said the Wildlife Department had agreed to the revision. Senator Merritt’s amendment narrowing the resolution to the surety bond provision was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 6-0. The committee then heard House Bill 3281, described by Senator Bergstrom as the same measure previously passed as Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act. It was advanced without questions or debate and passed 6-0. House Bill 4319 followed, requiring agencies to have explicit statutory authority for each rule and to inventory existing rules within three years so noncompliant rules would be automatically repealed by January 1, 2030; it passed 7-0 after a due-pass motion. Finally, House Joint Resolution 1086 was approved, which ratifies rules from the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety, the State Fire Marshal Commission, and the State Board of Licensed Social Workers. Senator Bergstrom said committee concerns had already been addressed in prior hearings, and the resolution passed 7-0. The chair then announced a meeting for the following Wednesday at 11:30, urged members to continue reviewing rules and raising concerns promptly, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burns, Burns. Senator Coleman, Coleman here. Senator Daniels, Daniels.
• Senator Burns here. Senator Burns here. Senator Green here. Senator Nice here. Senator Boran here.
• Senator Burns here. Senator Green here. Senator Hicks here. Senator Wingard here.

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Summary: The Senate convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. Senator Darrell Weaver delivered the opening prayer, speaking about unity, humility, and Christian service in public office. The body then approved, by unanimous consent, the standing committees and their members for the second regular session of the 60th Legislature. The chamber also recognized the week one pages, who introduced themselves and described their schools, hometowns, sponsors, and future plans. Several senators then introduced interns and guests on the floor, including students from Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma, as well as a homeschool student from Blair. During announcements, Senator Hamilton noted the Local and County Government Committee would meet later that day in Room 2.30. Members were also informed that devotions would begin the following Wednesday. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn, and the chamber stood adjourned until Wednesday, February 4th at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burns is here. Senator Coleman is here. Senator Daniels is here. Senator Deers is here.
• Senator Burns, Senator Daniels, chair is preparing to close.
• Senator Ice, Senator Burns, the chair is preparing to close. Close the roll.
• Senators Hicks, Burns, and Ye, the chair is preparing to close.
• Senator Boren, Senator Brooks, Senator Hicks, minority leader Kirt, Senator Burns.

Bills: HJR1032 , SB1314 , SB1257 , SB1326 , SB1365 , SB1932 , SB169 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB1204 , SB1339 , SB182 , SB1847 , SB1360 , SB1346

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Burns? Mr. Burns? Mr. Bush? Present. Mr. Carson? Mr. Carson? Mr. Carson, present. Mr.
• Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr. Bush. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr.
• Burns. Yes. Mrs. Berry? Yes. Ms. Bolden? Yes. Mr. Burns? Yes. Mr. Burns? No. Mr. Bush? No. Mr.
• Burns, yes. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr. Carson, yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr. Carson, yes. Mr.
• Burns. Yes. Mr. Burns, yes. Mr. Bush. Yes. Mr. Bush. Yes. Mr. Bush, yes. Mr. Bush. Yes. Mr.

Summary: The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request. The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then all it did was burned that one vehicle and not the others.
• The one in Miami was stored properly in a bunker and it didn't burn anything.
• The vehicle burned for 8 hours. The fire department was there for 12.
• at about 1700 degrees, an EV vehicle burns at 5,000 degrees.
• You can store them inside because we don't want to burn the building down. Right?

Transcript Highlights:

• If you get a major burn, you want to go to HCMC. If you get shot by a gun, you want to go to HCMC.
• with plans for admission to the burn unit.
• </c> transferred to HCMC for specialized burn transferred to HCMC for specialized burn care<01:11:59.000
• By the time that we arrived, burn unit.
• </c> constant demands of emergency and burn constant demands of emergency and burn care,<01:14:06.680

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services

Transcript Highlights:

• They are literally switching over from burning fuel and burn a chip tires, which they've been burning
• So they are, you know, helping clean up our missions by moving over to natural gas from literally burning
• We we burn what we have transportation for about 3.2 bcf a day of gas.
• And when you're not running the gas units at full capacity, obviously burning less fuel and that fuel
• So we're doing a lot better things for the environment in a clean, clean-burning fuel.

Transcript Highlights:

• could stand to be recognized along with the youth director, LSE Chiron, and youth administrator Karine Burns
• They literally went the extra nautical mile to prevent burned, sunken vessels from polluting our ocean
• truly grateful. to a building I used to work at that had to a building I used to work at that had burned
• They were there working burned down.
• , sunken vessels from polluting burned, sunken vessels from polluting our<00:35:46.079><c> ocean</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• Our home burned down last year in the Palisades Fire.
• Our home burned down last year in the Palisades fire. But the space is cleaned.
• That home burned. That’s again on us. We had insurance.” “That land. That home burned.
• Otherwise, it would get a massive windfall from having had the park burn down.
• And I’d be curious in terms of some of the mobile home parks that have burned in other regions.

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The committee heard AB 736, a proposed $10 billion Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, with Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and numerous housing, local government, labor, and advocacy groups testifying in strong support. Supporters said the bond would fund multifamily housing, permanent supportive housing, homeownership, preservation, farmworker, tribal, and other programs, and argued that the state needs new capital because prior bond funds are exhausted and many shovel-ready projects are waiting. Habitat for Humanity California opposed the bill unless it was amended to dedicate 10% of bond proceeds to Cal Home for affordable homeownership, and several senators said they supported the bond but wanted Cal Home strengthened. The committee voted do pass to Senate Appropriations, with the measure placed on call for absent members. The committee also heard SB 1361 by Senator Durazo, which would limit local governments from using SB 79 transit-oriented housing requirements as a reason to stall or condition planned transit projects. Los Angeles Metro, the Building Trades, and several cities and advocacy groups supported the bill, saying it would protect transit investments, jobs, and federal funding from opposition tied to future density around transit stops. Several groups that had initially opposed or been concerned about the bill, including West Hollywood, Streets for All, Greenbelt Alliance, California YIMBY, and the Bay Area Council, withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. The committee approved the bill as amended to Senate Local Government, with the measure also placed on call. Senator Grayson presented SB 1003, creating an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infrastructure needed for infill housing, and SB 1014, which would require local agencies to provide early, good-faith estimates and itemized lists of required on-site and off-site improvements for housing projects. Both bills were supported by housing advocates, Habitat for Humanity, SPUR, and industry groups, who said the measures would reduce uncertainty, late fees, and project delays. The committee advanced both bills as amended to Senate Appropriations, placing them on call. The committee also took up SB 908, which streamlines energy-code-compliant window replacement and limits aesthetic review, especially for residential replacements; it passed as amended to Appropriations after support from affordable housing and green building groups and no opposition. Later, Senator Allen presented SB 1092 and SB 1093 on mobile home park preservation and post-disaster protections. SB 1092 would give residents notice and an opportunity to make a competing bid when a park owner intends to sell, with supporters arguing it would help preserve unsubsidized affordable housing and protect displaced residents, while park owner representatives argued it would devalue properties, create litigation risk, and interfere with market transactions. SB 1093 would require more communication, access, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after disasters, and would restore certain resident reimbursement rights; supporters cited the Palisades fire and survey data showing residents lacked information and access, while opponents said the bill imposed onerous timelines, liability issues, and penalties and could force owners into rebuilding or compensation assumptions they disputed. Both bills were discussed at length, but the transcript ends before final recorded votes on them.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner Sergeant Burns, do you have a different answer? I don't.
• Commissioner Sergeant Burns, do you have a different answer? I don't.
• Senator, I concur with Commissioner Weiss and Thornton and Sergeant Burns.
• Commissioner Sergeant Burns, what do you say to someone?
• Next is Rosalind Sargent Burns. Can we please call the roll? Jones? No. Jones, no. 3-2.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• They go out and they burn wood, they burn fuels, they burn whatever they can to get heat.
• They go out and they burn wood, they burn fuels, they burn whatever they can to get heat.
• We had a nuclear plant to burn that fuel and a storage facility which was proposed in southeast New Mexico
• Is there anyone else who is just burning to speak for another two minutes?
• Is there anyone else who is just burning to speak for another two minutes? Okay.

Bills: SB78 , SB235 , SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner Sergeant Burns, do you have a different answer? I don't.
• Senator, I concur with Commissioner Weiss and Thornton and Sergeant Burns.
• Commissioner Sergeant Burns, what do you say to someone?
• Commissioner Sergeant Burns, what do you say to someone?
• Next is Rosalind Sargent Burns. Can we please call the roll? Jones? No. Jones, no. 3-2.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee established quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors and the State Mining and Geology Board, with one mining board appointment passing 3-2 and the others passing 5-0. The committee also approved a rule waiver request from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee to allow budget subcommittees to meet during the blackout period, and it referred ACA 7 (Jackson) to the committees listed on the agenda after rejecting a motion to add Labor, Public Employment and Retirement as an additional referral. The committee then heard testimony from five appointees to the Board of Parole Hearings: William Munis, Michael Ruff, Rosalind Sergeant Burns, Mary Thornton, and Jack Weiss. In opening remarks, the appointees emphasized their corrections, legal, and public safety backgrounds and described parole work as evidence-based, collaborative, and focused on current risk rather than the original offense alone. Senators, especially Senator Jones, pressed them on recent high-profile parole grants involving child sex offenders, the extent of commissioner discretion, the use of coping mechanisms and risk assessments, transparency in en banc review votes, and whether the board’s decisions adequately protect public safety. The appointees said they must follow the law, rely on structured risk tools and expert assessments, and treat each case individually; several said they would defer to the Legislature on whether en banc votes should be made public. Members also questioned the board about use of MAT/drug-treatment records, commutation review, institutional behavior and write-ups, victim participation, elderly parole, and the role of community support and rehabilitation. The commissioners said treatment records are considered only in context with other reliable evidence, that reconsideration hearings and recidivism data help evaluate whether tools are working, and that victim and family members are given respectful accommodations and opportunities to participate. Senator Jones said he was not satisfied with the answers on discretion and accountability and stated he would not support Jack Weiss’s reappointment, citing ongoing concerns about professionalism. Public testimony at the end was overwhelmingly supportive of the five commissioners, with several advocates, formerly incarcerated people, and anti-recidivism coalition members praising the board’s rigor and the role of rehabilitation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, those forests are mismanaged and they're burning to the ground.
• I believe we had County Manager Burns and, yeah, Manager Burns, go ahead. Good. H-A-F-C on hold.
• I believe we had County Manager Burns and yeah. Manager Burns, go ahead. Good, H-A-F-C on hold.
• They used to lop and scatter, which made it burn just a little bit harder.
• , a controlled burn, and that sort of thing.

Bills: HB2 , SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• but take out all the burnable fuels and see what can be done with solving things without having to burn
• but take out all the burnable fuels and see what can be done with solving things without having to burn
• </c> solving things without having to burn solving things without having to burn stuff<00:19:33.760><
• </c><00:19:46.200><c> anything</c> storage without having to burn anything storage without having to
• burn anything and<00:19:47.440><c> cost</c><00:19:48.200><c> effectively</c><00:19:49.200><c> and</c>

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Land met on March 21, 2025, and considered several resolutions related to water resources, coastal management, and energy planning. On SCR 42/SR 27, which urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine ponds, DLNR supported the measure and suggested a technical correction changing a reference from the Division of Agriculture to the Division of Aquatic Resources. Testimony from Hā‘ena Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and individuals was in support. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. The committee also heard SCR 54/SR 36, which would create a desalination planning task force to study whether large-scale desalination for potable water is feasible. DLNR and CWRM said the proposal was a large undertaking and raised capacity concerns, noting the Board of Water Supply was already moving forward with its own desalination planning. BWS testified in support, saying its project was still in planning and design, with construction not expected until late 2027 or 2028, and that the project would produce about 1.7 million gallons per day to supplement Ewa’s water supply. Members discussed whether the task force might duplicate existing work and noted the measure focused on consumption rather than other desalination uses. The committee ultimately recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. For SCR 59/SR 43, which asked DLNR, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to work together on maintaining the Kihei ramp, DLNR reported ongoing collaboration and listed prior improvements including paving, washdown work, dredging, and a retaining wall. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. On SCR 106/SR 87, which requested a study of which energy sector could be most quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through public investment in combustion-free alternatives, OPSD said the State Energy Office had already completed a decarbonization study under Act 238 (2022) and a follow-up alternative fuels analysis, and suggested the resolution duplicated existing work. Energy Justice Network testified in support, arguing the proposal would build on prior studies by focusing on non-combustion options such as wind, solar, and storage. Despite support from several organizations and individuals, the committee deferred the measure indefinitely. The committee also passed SR 18 as is, passed SC 51/SR 33 as is, deferred SC 47, and passed SC 76/SR 59 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Burns, Burns here. Senator Coleman, Coleman here. Senator Daniels. Senator Devers, Devers.
• Senator Burns changes from a no to an aye. Senator Sacchieri changes from a no to an aye.
• Senator Burns, Senator Jett, Senator Sacchieri, Senator Bullard, Senator Murdoch, Senator Greene.
• Senator Burns from a no to an aye.
• Senator Hicks, Senator Burns, Senator Jett, Senator Wingard, Senator Bullard, Senator Bullard, Senator

Bills: HB1937 , HB2153 , HB3674 , HB2978 , HB3885 , HB3671 , HB3261 , HB3021 , HB3029 , HB4274 , HB3701 , HB3076 , HB2299 , HB3852 , HB3244 , HB3345 , HB3114 , HB3764 , HB4144 , HB3304 , HB2939 , HB4227 , HB3262 , HB2941 , HB3498 , HB4343 , HB4425 , HB3386 , HB3087 , HB3062 , HB3431 , HB4141 , HB3581 , HB4237 , HB2960 , HB3645 , HB3648 , HB3974 , HB3045 , SCR18 , HCR1024 , SJR39 , SJR49 , HB4486 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142 , HB1823 , HB4476 , HB3378 , HB3880 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3429 , HB3657 , HB4215 , HB3624 , HB1170

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the daily prayer, and recognized a series of guests and special introductions, including Langston University Day, Moore Public Schools cheer and pom squads, a student shadow, former Senator Connie Johnson, Brazilian missionaries, and a long-serving mental health employee. The chamber also heard introductions from the day’s pages. The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, recognizing April 21, 2026, as National Lineman Appreciation Day, and House Concurrent Resolution 1024, designating Route 66 Day at the Capitol and honoring the highway’s centennial. Senators then advanced Senate Joint Resolution 49, which revokes a Wildlife Department rule requiring oil and gas companies to post a surety bond, after discussion clarified the measure was intended to eliminate duplicative regulation; the resolution advanced on a 42-3 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 4486, authorizing the State Capitol Preservation Commission to arrange a privately funded Gold Star Family Monument near the Capitol Square Arch, and approved several appropriations measures tied to ARPA interest or excess funds. These included Senate Bill 1130 for the University of Oklahoma Hospital Trust Authority’s Child Behavioral Health Project, Senate Bill 1131 for the Office of Juvenile Affairs’ Youth Services Program, Senate Bill 1132 for the Rural Hospital Rebuild Program, Senate Bill 1133 for Griffin Memorial Hospital replacement capacity, Senate Bill 1134 for the Human Performance Project and Pharmaceutical Expansion Project, and Senate Bill 1142 for grants to the Boys & Girls Club and YWCA. Most of these bills were adopted with emergency clauses after roll-call votes, with some members changing votes before final emergency passage. The Senate then announced committee meetings and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• if I opened a fireworks shop and I sold it during a time that I'm not supposed to say there's a, a burn
• looks like there are certain things that are, that are required by subject to a county enacting a burn
• I also want to tell you that the burn ban that you hear when somebody says there's a burn ban does not
• There can be a burn ban and you can still sell fireworks, um.
• The burn ban only says you can't shoot them off.

Bills: HB1845 , HB2192 , HB2438 , HB2529 , HB2607 , HB2658 , HB3348 , HB3505 , HB3305

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: rural prosecution, salary assistance, staffing grant, legal support, criminal justice, fireworks, permit requirements, sale, county regulations, public safety, hospital district, administration, elections, director qualifications, public contracts, salary supplement, county judges, judicial functions, state law, government compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• My tuner had 75 clients whose pianos burned.
• Our garage burned down along with 77 houses within 250 yards around us.
• My children's school also burned down. My children's school also burned down. Excuse me.
• My neighborhood around the golf course burned in the middle of the night and also burned in the morning
• That house burned up on Poppyfield's Drive. That was my wife's whole life.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anybody's home burning down is as if their neighbor's home catches on fire.
• If you remember, the Park Fire burned over 400,000 acres, starting in Chico and burning all the way through
• burns that spend money, get people all ready to go, and then get canceled within the last 24 hours.
• However, it burned right up to the edge of the community that we have begun to harden in Lake County.
• Burns versus hardening, etc. What are the criteria?

Transcript Highlights:

• How many acres did it burn? About 15, I think, was the total. Just total 15 acres total. Yes sir.
• Currently, 136 counties have enacted burn bans.
• And Chairman, we talked about burning 1.2 million acres in the panhandle.
• to the ground in these fires, but a lot of them that did burn down.
• In 2024, Oregon burned more than 800,000 acres.

Committee: House State Affairs