Transcript Highlights:

• There's a proposed committee substitute.
• There's a proposed committee substituted.
• My name is Jim Ward. I represent... Sure. Thank you, Senator Nichols. My name is Jim Ward.
• proposal.
• There's currently no limitation of number times taxing unit may propose a previously rejected proposal

Bills: SB467 , SB325 , SB867 , SB994 , SB1052 , SB1237 , SB1449 , SB1531 , SB2063 , SB2172 , SB2173 , SB2520 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2541 , SJR46 , SJR84

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward Engelking, welcome to committee.
• Janie Ward Engel King, District 18, Senator, and good morning.
• Thank you, Janie Ward Engel King, District 18, Senator, and good morning, Chairman and Committee.
• Senator Ward Engelking: Mr. Chairman and Senator, I've spoken to individuals.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chairman Ward and committee members.
• Ward. Present. Lackey. [questionable: Elhori]. Gonzalez. Here. McKenna. Here. Ortega. Here.
• Ward? Aye. Ward, aye. Lackey? Aye. Lackey, aye. Elhori? Aye. Elhori, aye. Gonzalez? Aye.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Tam, Representative Tarnas, Representative Templo, Representative Todd, Representative Ward
• Taris M Tempo<00:12:51.480><c> Mr</c> Tempo Mr Tempo Mr Todd<00:12:53.480><c> Mr</c><00:12:53.760><c> Ward
• </c><00:12:54.920><c> excuse</c><00:12:55.920><c> Mr</c> Todd Mr Ward excuse Mr Todd Mr Ward excuse Mr

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is entirely feasible that the proposed bill may be used against non-citizens and naturalized citizens
• Hi, I'm Don Ward. I'm from Plasterville, and I'm just turned. Thank you. Hi, I'm Don Ward.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with AB 928 on cockfighting drawing the most extensive debate. The author and supporters said the bill targets large-scale illegal trafficking of fighting birds by creating civil penalties for properties with more than 25 individually tethered or caged roosters, while exempting legitimate poultry, hobby, educational, and religious operations. Supporters, including animal control and veterinary witnesses, described cockfighting investigations and the burdens on local agencies. Opponents argued the measure could profile immigrant, rural, Latino, Asian, and Hmong communities and create unnecessary law enforcement and immigration consequences. After questions about exemptions, enforcement, and local ordinances, the committee approved the bill on a due pass motion, with some no votes and the bill placed on call. The committee also advanced AB 1199, which would align California hospital credentialing law with federal standards by allowing recredentialing and reappointment of medical staff every three years instead of every two. Supporters from the California Hospital Association said the change would reduce administrative burden while preserving patient safety oversight. The bill passed unanimously and was placed on call. AB 2537, a cannabis enforcement bill, was presented as a way to prioritize Department of Cannabis Control resources toward the most serious public health and safety violations rather than technical infractions. Supporters said it would improve enforcement efficiency without weakening authority; members asked about rulemaking and whether the bill focused on the legal market. The committee passed the measure on a due pass motion, with the bill also placed on call. AB 1349, dealing with speculative ticketing, would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to tickets before listing them for resale. Supporters from independent venues and the music industry said speculative ticketing deceives consumers and harms artists and small venues, while opponents warned about effects on the secondary market and ongoing antitrust litigation. After late amendments and additional discussion, the committee moved the bill forward on a due pass motion, placing it on call. The committee also heard AB 1693 on speeding retail tenant-improvement permits through a qualified professional certifier process and shorter local review deadlines; members questioned whether the bill allowed self-certification, and the author said the city would still review the plans. That bill passed and was placed on call. Later, AB 1826, a cannabis due-process bill requiring more timely disclosure and procedures when products are embargoed or recalled, also passed after discussion about giving businesses a meaningful chance to respond. AB 2166, a factory-built housing bill creating a state financial backstop to help modular housing factories obtain insurance and stay in business, advanced despite concerns about whether the market risk was too high for state involvement. Finally, AB 2667 on deceptive vape products began testimony, with the author describing youth vaping and devices disguised as everyday items, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 260 is an important proposal to protect and safeguard safe and legal reproductive health care here
• Ward up next Mr.
• Ward you are presenting a b930 You can begin when you're ready Thank You madam chair members 8930 is

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do appreciate what the carpenters have proposed.
• No housing project is proposed or approved.
• Our bill proposes a solution that is narrowly tailored.
• File item 6, AB 1070, Ward. Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye.
• Ward. File item 6, AB 1070, Ward. Senator Padilla, aye. AB 1070 is out on a vote of 10 to 0.

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, O'Connor, Ricks, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward-Engelking
• Ward-Engelking? Aye. Wintrow? Woodward? Zito? Ziderveld? Den Hartog? Foreman? Robbie? Woodward?
• Ward-Engelking. Wintrow. Woodward. Zito, aye. Zuiderveld, aye. Thank you. Cedar? Aye. Ciderfeld?
• Ward Engel King? Wintrow, aye. Woodward? Cedo? Siderveld, aye. Den Hartog? Lend? Robbie? Robbie?
• Ward Engel King? King? Wintrow? Thank you. Mr. President for 60 seconds? Mr.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that Senator Ward-Engelking? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Ward-Engelking. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman, Senator Ward-Engelking. Mr.
• So was that you or was it Ward-Engelking? She was first. But, okay. No, you go ahead. Okay.
• Senator Ward-Engelking, okay. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1227, which would direct the State Board of Education to develop a statewide framework for generative AI in K-12 schools and require local districts to adopt related policies. Senator Cook said the bill is meant to promote AI literacy, transparency, privacy, and human oversight without mandating AI use, replacing teachers, or collecting new student data. Committee members asked about facial recognition, student data, parental opt-out, and age-appropriate use; Cook and supportive witnesses said existing privacy law covers data concerns, local districts would handle opt-out questions, and the framework is intended to start early with age-appropriate instruction. Testimony in support came from the Workforce Development Council, Idaho Education Technology Association, St. Luke’s Health System, Idaho PTA, and others, who said the bill would help prepare students for future jobs while protecting privacy and keeping humans in charge. The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1227 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then received a budget briefing from Joint Finance Appropriations Committee staff on public school support and higher education. Analysts explained that the public school budget is driven largely by support units and the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and that the governor’s FY27 recommendation is about $152 million below the agency request, with reductions tied to statutory population adjustments, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, virtual school transportation, and supplemental learning funds. They also noted recent enrollment declines and discussed how policy changes affect school funding. In higher education, staff outlined a combined $753 million request for colleges and universities, with the governor recommending about $11.5 million in rescissions across the institutions, plus separate health education programs totaling $30.4 million and recommended enhancements for 15 GME residents and fellows, including family medicine and psychiatry. JFAC staff also reviewed the state’s broader fiscal picture, saying ongoing revenues are not keeping pace with ongoing appropriations and that the legislature may need to rely on one-time money or policy changes to restore structural balance. They discussed the impact of tax conformity legislation, revenue forecast changes, and the growth of major budget areas such as public schools and Medicaid over the past decade. Committee members asked follow-up questions about enrollment trends, university enrollment weighting, rescissions, Medicaid expansion costs, and the effect of prior tax policy decisions. No votes were taken on the budget presentations, and the meeting adjourned after the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lowenthal here, Macedo here, McKinnor here, Ortega here, Patterson here, Pellerin here, Petrie-Norris, Ward
• Ward, aye. Wicks, aye. That bill has 10 votes. We will leave it on call for the absent members.
• Ward. Ward. Aye. Wicks. Aye. Petry Norris. Ward. Wicks. That bill has 10 votes.
• Ward. Aye. Wicks. Aye. Okay. Thank you. Eleven votes. We'll leave it open for absent members.
• Ward. Aye. Wicks. Wicks. I. Wicks. Aye. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. 11th time. Yeah.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Represented by Vincent Fettus, who recently offered an analysis indicating what the proposed map would
• Under this proposal, a Hispanic Texan has one-third the political value of an Anglo-Texan.
• Under this map, under the map that's being proposed for us to vote on right now.
• So when you propose a redraw of CD18...
• It fractures neighborhoods like the 3rd Ward, Acres Homes, and 5th Ward—communities that deserve fair

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB4 , HB1 , HB3 , HB20 , HB22 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB4 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's go ahead and hear from our first author, Assembly Member Ward.
• And before they start, Assembly Member Ward, you couldn't pick a better time to present this bill.
• And Assembly Member Ward, would you like to close?
• So I thank you, Assembly Member Ward, for your presentation.
• And Senator Ward, I've Assembly Member Ward, we thank you once again for bringing it forward.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met on June 22 with several members initially absent, so the committee began as a subcommittee and later established a quorum. The committee first heard AB 1775, which would provide California support for transgender service members and veterans affected by a federal executive order requiring their separation from service. The author and witnesses described the policy as discriminatory and destabilizing, and supporters from civil rights and LGBTQ+ organizations urged passage. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair and members expressed support for helping affected veterans with discharge upgrades, housing assistance, and expedited professional licensing. The committee then heard AB 2022, which expands the disabled veterans property tax exemption by creating a full exemption for certain totally disabled veterans meeting income limits and a 50% exemption for others, while preserving existing benefits. The author, a disabled Marine veteran, and multiple veterans’ organizations testified that the measure would help veterans remain in their homes and keep them in California; a Gold Star spouse also spoke in support. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Committee on Appropriations, with the roll held open until additional members arrived, and the consent calendar was later approved 4-0. Next, the committee heard AB 2054, which updates the definition of covered active duty for paid family leave purposes so military families can qualify when service members are deployed, activated for emergencies such as wildfires, or sent to extended training. Supporters, including Department of Defense and veterans’ representatives, said the bill reflects modern military service and protects families during disruptions. The committee also heard AB 2531, which would expand an existing uncompensated care grant program so veterans denied abortion care through the federal VA system can access support, and would add abortion resource information to CalVet materials. Support came from Planned Parenthood, the California Medical Association, the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and others; one member of the public raised concerns about coercion but did not clearly oppose the bill. All three bills were advanced on due pass motions to Appropriations, and the meeting adjourned after the final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Tam, Representative Tarnas, Representative Templo, Representative Todd, Representative Ward
• Representative Tam, Representative Tarnas, Representative Templo, Representative Todd, Representative Ward
• Representative Tam, Representative Tarnas, Representative Templo excused, Representative Todd, Representative Ward
• 00:15:09.320><c> their</c><00:15:09.639><c> advisers</c><00:15:10.480><c> Miss</c><00:15:10.759><c> Ward
• </c><00:15:11.199><c> and</c> they have their advisers Miss Ward and they have their advisers Miss Ward

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened with a roll call showing 48 members present and three excused, then deferred reading of the journal. There were no messages from the Governor or Senate communications. The session featured numerous introductions recognizing the annual secondary student conference, with members welcoming more than 150 students from 28 public schools, along with teachers, advisers, and other visitors from schools across the state. Under reports of standing committees, Representative Todd moved to adopt standing committee reports Nos. 23 through 29 and advance the accompanying House bills to second reading and referral to the designated committees; Representative Moriwaki seconded, and the motion carried. Members then offered brief positions on several bills, including one dealing with evidence preservation and parental notification, and another prohibiting fines, fees, or court costs against people adjudicated for offenses committed as minors. Testimony and comments reflected both support and opposition, with some members reserving their position and others opposing the measures; concerns raised included the need for clearer parental-notification standards and objections to eliminating penalties for juvenile offenses. The House also considered a bill limiting court-ordered community service for minors to no more than 72 hours, with some members reserving and others opposing. After discussion, the motion on the committee reports was carried by voice vote. There were no resolutions for action, and all other resolutions were referred to print. The House then adjourned until 12:00 noon Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, do you want to sit down for a moment, or are you ready to introduce yourself?
• My name is Karen Turner Ward, and I'm from Hampton, Virginia. We're glad to have you.
• Ward, have you breathed a little? You ready? Okay, correct.
• Yes, as I said, I'm Karen Turner Ward, and I'm from Hampton, Virginia, the Hampton University, and I
• Delegate Carr, Kurt Schroeder, Louise Lockett, Gordon, Karen Turner, Ward, and then now Senator Pukoski

Keywords: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we're going to go to the budget change proposals.
• We're going to start with the menopause proposal."
• We're going to start with the menopause proposal.
• And finally, the proposal..." "...related to menopause beginning July 1, 2027, and finally the proposal
• about our PBM proposals.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health heard updates on five health-related budget items. First, members reviewed state support for distressed hospitals and health facilities. The California Health Facilities Financing Authority and HCAI described the Distressed Hospital Loan Program as a lifeline for 16 hospitals, many of which remain financially strained and are expected to seek loan forgiveness rather than repayment. Speakers cited reduced contract labor, new service lines, strategic partnerships, and the reopening of Madera Hospital as signs of progress, but also warned that federal policy changes under H.R. 1 will likely increase uncompensated care and pressure emergency departments. Public commenters from hospital, dental, and consumer groups supported additional funding, including a request to refresh the program with another $300 million. The committee then heard HCAI’s update on the California Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year federal initiative funded at $233.6 million for California. HCAI said the program will focus on rural care models, workforce development, and health technology, with grants to be rolled out on a fast timeline and all funds obligated by October 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about rural provider capacity to apply for grants, and HCAI said it will use a third-party administrator, a technical assistance center, webinars, and other supports to help applicants. HCAI also presented its budget request for the health care payments database, seeking ongoing non-General Fund support to continue operations and expand data, including pharmacy benefit manager data. The Emergency Medical Services Authority presented three budget change proposals: funding to replace disaster medical services fleet vehicles, funding for IT security work, and additional positions for HR, enforcement, and legal workload. A member also raised concern that EMSA has not yet completed the annual ambulance rate reporting required by AB 716, and EMSA said it remains committed to the requirement but lost prior funding through later budget reductions. Covered California reported that it is still finalizing its own budget, but expects a lower operating budget due to efforts to reduce baseline costs and align spending with actual expenditures; it also projected enrollment declines tied to the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, H.R. 1, and federal rule changes, while noting that revenues may still rise because premiums are expected to increase. Finally, the Department of Managed Health Care outlined budget proposals tied to menopause coverage and education, PBM licensure and enforcement under AB 116 and SB 41, credentialing reforms under AB 1041, and prior authorization reporting under SB 306. Public testimony generally supported the menopause and PBM proposals, while also urging clearer language and attention to Medi-Cal parity. The hearing concluded after public comment, including additional advocacy for sickle cell services and rural health workforce funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward Engelking. Thank you, Mr.
• Second from Senator Ward Engel King. Go ahead. Thank you, Chairman, and to speak to this.
• Second from Senator Ward Engel King. Go ahead. Thank you, Chairman, and to speak to this.
• made it crystal clear that there is an expectation that there is an expectation that there's Senator Ward

Summary: The committee met to discuss funding for behavioral health programs, focusing on the ACT program and peer support, while noting that healthy connections was not included in the day’s action. The chair explained that the proposal would use one-time funding from the Millennium Fund, with a 2027 request of $6 million from the Millennium Fund and $5.8 million from the opioid settlement fund, and that the programs had previously been cut because there was no statutory authority to continue them. Members discussed whether the ACT program could still be funded if the opioid settlement money did not materialize, and the chair indicated that ACT could be prioritized, but not the full package of programs. Several members supported ensuring ACT was funded even if the opioid settlement dollars were unavailable, citing the importance of the program and the need to address deaths and vulnerable populations. The chair also disclosed a personal connection to the ACT program and stated he would still vote. Representative Green moved to support the 2027 $6 million one-time Millennium Fund request with intent language prioritizing ACT if the opioid settlement funds were not received; Senator Ward Engelking seconded. Senator Semmelroth raised the possibility of amending the motion to address peer support, but Medicaid Director Sasha O’Connell cautioned that peer support is a larger Medicaid item and that Medicaid’s entitlement structure limits the ability to set aside a fixed amount for it if funding is incomplete. Representative Green then chose to stick with the original motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The chair closed the meeting, directing members to review the green mission-statement language for possible future policy bill language and to provide input later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robbie, Ricks, Ruckty, Semaroff, Shippy, Taylor, Taves, Van Orden, Ward Engelking, Wintrow, Woodward,
• Guthrie, Lent, Ruttee, Ward Engelking, Cedo.
• I recognize you, Senator Ward Engelking, at this order of business as well.
• Ward Engel King? Woodward? Aye. Zido? Siderveld? Rutty?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal from the previous day. The chamber then received gubernatorial appointment messages for several boards and commissions, including the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board, Idaho Commission on Human Rights, Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, State Board of Education, and Commission of Pardons and Parole. Those appointments were referred to the appropriate committees for confirmation review. The Senate also received and signed Enrolled House Concurrent Resolution 20. In the motions and resolutions portion, the chamber considered a motion to elect a list of legislative attaches and staff to constitutionally and statutorily provided offices. The list was approved by roll call vote, 33 in favor with two absent and excused, and the attaches were then sworn in by the Sergeant-at-Arms. During first reading, the Senate introduced Senate Bills 1221, 1222, and 1223, all from the Resources and Environment Committee, dealing respectively with employee definition technical corrections, domestic wells, and water district budgets and administrative fees tied to property transfers. The bills were referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. The session ended with announcements, including ice cream provided by the Idaho Farm Bureau and notice of an optional security training for members, followed by adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That proposed budget will be taken to our board in May for public discussion.
• We're going to start with the menopause proposal.
• We're going to start with the menopause proposal.
• . $391,000 ongoing to address the requirements of the menopause proposal.
• Katie Pan Dines for Health Oxygen. proposals. Thank you. Good evening.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I do appreciate what the carpenters have proposed.
• No housing project is proposed or approved.
• Our bill proposes a solution that is narrowly tailored.
• File item 6, AB 1070, Ward. Chair voting aye. Vice Chair voting aye.
• File item 6, AB 1070, Ward. File item 6, AB 1070, Ward. Senator Padilla? Aye.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and operated briefly as a subcommittee while the chair outlined public comment procedures and the consent calendar. The first major item was AB 1751, a townhome/homeownership measure by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Wicks. The author accepted amendments to strike the bill’s wage provision and to limit unit size and project size, but declined other proposed amendments on downzoning, demolition protections, and site restrictions. Supporters, including the New California Coalition and California Conference of Carpenters, argued the bill would expand attainable homeownership and create more townhome sites; opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about renter protections, demolition/displacement, density impacts, and local control. Several labor groups and local government representatives were neutral or supportive of the amended bill, while the committee members discussed the tension between housing production and worker protections. The committee ultimately passed AB 1751 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. The committee then heard AB 750, which expands HCD’s Portfolio Reinvestment Program to more at-risk affordable housing developments needing rehabilitation. The author and supporters from the California Housing Consortium and California Housing Partnership said the bill would help preserve deed-restricted housing facing expiring affordability restrictions and disrepair, especially when paired with anticipated bond funding. Members asked about the program’s prior funding and how it works to keep units affordable through rehabilitation rather than state takeover; the author emphasized the goal was preservation of existing affordable housing stock. AB 750 passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a roll call vote and was held on call for absent senators. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Next, the committee heard AB 306, which would create a more workable statewide appeals and code-interpretation process at the California Building Standards Commission for local building code decisions. The author and supporters from AIA California and the Housing Action Coalition said the bill would reduce inconsistent interpretations across 540 jurisdictions, improve transparency, and support housing innovation while preserving local authority over local matters. Members discussed how the bill would interact with local amendments and alternative methods and means, and the committee moved the bill to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote. AB 2612, directing HCD and the Building Standards Commission to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems in new construction, also advanced to Appropriations after supportive testimony and brief questions about safety standards and stakeholder consultation. AB 1070, which orders a study on allowing 3- to 10-unit missing-middle housing under the Residential Code and requires a one-time report on code-related cost pressures, passed to Appropriations after building officials removed opposition. Later, AB 2181, a narrow bill concerning hotel and motel valuation and density bonus potential, passed to Local Government after testimony from Unite Here and others about protecting hospitality jobs and preventing speculative appraisals. Finally, AB 1237, clarifying safety rules for private in-unit pools in hotels and condominiums, passed to Health after the author described added safety measures such as pool covers, alarms, emergency devices, certified operators, and AEDs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is House Bill 2741, and, and this is not a new proposal.
• Chair calls Ward Tisdale.
• Chairman, members, my name is Ward Tisdale.
• Chair calls Ward Tisdale.
• Ward, we have you registered as Ward Tisdale National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

Committee: House Insurance