Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Mason Section 491, subsection 6, she further moved to suspend Senate Rules 5-4 and 6-1 and
• </c><01:41:48.560><c> shall</c><01:41:48.880><c> be</c> subsection D of this section shall be subsection
• D of this section shall be made<01:41:49.280><c> from</c><01:41:49.440><c> the</c><01:41:49.600><c>
• </c><01:41:52.480><c> D</c><01:41:52.719><c> of</c><01:41:52.880><c> this</c><01:41:53.040><c> section
• </c> specified in section D of this section. specified in section D of this section.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may bring an action to enforce a violation of this section
• action to enforce a violation<00:02:31.280><c> of</c><00:02:31.440><c> this</c><00:02:31.760><c> section
• </c><00:02:32.640><c> and</c><00:02:32.879><c> adopting</c> violation of this section and adopting violation
• of this section and adopting recommended<00:02:33.920><c> amendments</c><00:02:34.319><c> from</c><00
• </c><01:30:00.080><c> for</c> licensing system uh sections for licensing system uh sections for testing

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want us to be prescriptive, we can certainly include sections that address standards, quality
• If you want us to be prescriptive, we can certainly include sections that address standards, quality
• If you want us to be prescriptive, we can certainly include sections that address standards, quality
• Uh, along that line at the bottom of the page, section subsection four down there.
• Uh, along that line at the bottom of the page, section subsection four down there.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're still working on finishing up some of those sections, and we will be creating an implementation
• section, and in our most recent discussions, we have talked about having a protection plan draft for
• I want to begin here from Stakeholders that there were potential bills that had little sections here
• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the trail when these sections are completed.
• We've seen efforts out of Washington to sell off big sections of our public lands I want to applaud the

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 30 needs to be amended. Thank you.
• I oppose as written section 30 needs to be amended. Thank you.
• Unified School District as well, we oppose as written and request that Section 30 be amended.
• It's for the TK-12 section of the bill at issue in this committee.
• There's a requirement that it has to align with various other sections of law.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard AB 84, a charter school accountability measure focused on non-classroom-based charter schools and fraud prevention. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to respond to the A3 charter fraud case and related scandals by strengthening audits, transparency, authorizer oversight, and funding determination rules, while ensuring public education dollars are used for public education. Supporters included FCMAT, CSEA, CTA, and CSBA, who argued the bill would improve oversight and protect taxpayers. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, Green Dot, many charter parents, educators, and charter operators, said the bill was too broad, would impose major new costs and bureaucracy on all charter schools, and could reduce options for families, especially those using flexible, homeschool, or special-needs charter programs. After extensive testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 5-1 vote and was sent to Appropriations, with the item left open for additional votes. The committee then approved a consent calendar of 11 education bills, including AB 542, AB 563, AB 731, AB 753, AB 784, AB 964, AB 988, AB 1034, AB 1233, AB 1255, and AB 1381, all moving to Appropriations. The consent calendar passed unanimously. Later, the committee heard AB 1454, a literacy and reading instruction bill authored by Assembly Members Rubio and Revis. The bill would require the state to create professional development resources for evidence-based literacy instruction, update English language arts and English language development instructional materials, and revise administrator preparation standards to include literacy training. The authors and a broad coalition of supporters, including CTA, EdVoice, Families in Schools, Decoding Dyslexia, school administrators, and parent advocates, described the measure as a compromise aimed at improving reading outcomes and addressing California’s literacy crisis. There was no opposition testimony at the hearing, and members voiced strong support for the bill and its collaborative approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• 14.879><c> services,</c><00:04:15.200><c> and</c> [No additional transcript text provided in this section
• Chair, since you raised that question, that in the assumptions section of the fiscal note there is an
• And then in the trans mind<01:00:52.880><c> section</c><01:00:53.040><c> of</c><01:00:53.200><c> the<
• fiscal note, um mind section of the fiscal note, um there<01:00:54.799><c> was</c><01:00:54.960><c>
• in mind section of the fiscal<01:01:06.160><c> note</c><01:01:06.480><c> there</c><01:01:06.640><c>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, Minnesota Statute section 12.41 establishes hours of instruction requirements for students
• For example, Minnesota Statute section 12.41 establishes hours of instruction requirements for students
• For example, Minnesota Statute section 12.41 establishes hours of instruction requirements for students
• For example, Minnesota Statute section 12.41 establishes hours of instruction requirements for students
• 12 .41 establishes hours statute section 12 .41 establishes hours of<01:12:27.440><c> instruction</c

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• request from the committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means to evaluate the statutory amendment in section
• the statutory means to evaluate the statutory amendment<00:14:27.760><c> in</c><00:14:28.079><c> section
• </c><00:14:29.600><c> Uh</c><00:14:30.079><c> in</c> amendment in section three.
• Uh in amendment in section three.
• as it relates covered under this section as it relates to<00:33:51.440><c> teleaalth</c><00:33:52.080

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• With regard to the grant program and the separate section of the Department of Health, there's a need
• We will need a separate section of the Department of Health to monitor and administer all of the program
• 00:24:42.480><c> separate</c> future we will need uh a separate future we will need uh a separate section
• of the Department of Health to section of the Department of Health to monitor<00:24:45.240><c> the</
• <01:24:37.120><c> six</c><01:24:37.600><c> lines</c> section six lines section six lines 9-13<01:24:39.840

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on environmental protection and wastewater management. HB 26 HD 2, relating to environmental protection, drew support from the Department of Health, Reworld, and Energy Justice Network. Supporters said it would preserve existing standards for waste-to-energy facilities, including H-Power, even if federal EPA rules are weakened, while Energy Justice Network urged the state to go further and require stronger pollution controls on older burners at the plant. HB 734 and HB 735, both relating to wastewater systems, received broad support from state agencies, county representatives, realtors, environmental groups, and others. Testimony emphasized reducing the cost of cesspool upgrades, updating rules, and improving coordination between the Department of Health, counties, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Members raised concerns about whether some areas, such as Ewa, should be treated differently if they are not near aquifers or the ocean, but the department said the existing prioritization process already considered statewide conditions and that cesspools generally still affect water resources. On HB 735, the committee discussed the current bedroom-based limits for individual wastewater systems and whether the bill would allow more flexibility for housing configurations, with the department explaining the limits are tied to density and system capacity. HB 879, relating to cesspool conversions, was also supported by the Department of Health, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and several advocacy groups. Testimony said the bill would help low- and moderate-income homeowners in priority areas by increasing grant assistance for cesspool upgrades, but the Department of Health noted it would need three full-time positions to administer the program. Members asked for clarification on the grant amount and staffing costs, and the department indicated the grant cap should remain at $20,000 unless changed. HB 918, relating to labeling of non-flushable wipes, drew support from wastewater and industry groups, including the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, which said similar laws have passed in other states and that the bill reflects cooperation between manufacturers and wastewater officials. The Department of Health and county officials supported the concept but said enforcement and outreach would require additional staff, and senators questioned whether the state could effectively enforce the labeling requirement without a national standard.

Transcript Highlights:

• We submit our comments concerning different effective dates for sections three and four of the bill.
• The liquor departments are fully aware of how that operates, and the legislation sits in section 281-
• We're going to take out the entire section about goals, that's section two of the bill, and we're going
• </c><01:28:02.320><c> about</c> to take out the entire section about to take out the entire section about
• goals<01:28:04.199><c> um</c><01:28:05.199><c> that's</c><01:28:05.440><c> section</c><01:28:05.760>

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 252 on invasive species, which would broaden the Department of Agriculture’s authority to inspect items moved into or within Hawaii, prohibit the sale of pest-infested merchandise, and allow quarantine, treatment, or destruction of affected materials with clarified penalties. Testifiers from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Farmers Union, and many others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing gaps in current inspection authority and the need to address high-risk non-agricultural commodities such as outdoor furniture and other cargo that can carry pests like red imported fire ants. Members raised concerns about staffing, inspection capacity, commerce impacts, and whether better manifest descriptions or scanners could help target higher-risk shipments. The chairs recommended passage with Department of Agriculture and technical amendments, and the committees adopted the recommendation. The joint CPN/EDT hearing then took up SB 148 on combat sports, which would create a Hawaii Combat Sports Commission and regulate combat sports while prohibiting no-rules contests. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments on effective dates and later said other jurisdictions generally use a single commission for boxing and MMA. Supporters, including a professional fighter and a longtime advocate, argued the bill would help revive the sport in Hawaii, improve local opportunities, and reduce costs associated with separate commissions; one testifier initially appeared opposed but clarified he was actually in support. Committee members asked about safety, medical coverage, staffing, vacancies, and whether separate commissions could share staff. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including an Attorney General effective-date amendment, amendments from the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses to increase health-care coverage at fights, and DCCA’s recommendation to unify boxing and MMA under one commission; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. A later joint CPN/Housing agenda began with SB 69 on deposits of public funds, which would require the Director of Finance to consider the benefits of using in-state depositories, including favorable lending terms for affordable housing. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Hawaii Bankers Association offered comments, and no other testimony or questions were noted before the discussion moved on. The next measure introduced was SB 24 on limited profit housing associations, which would create a regulatory framework and a limited profit housing council; the transcript cuts off as testimony on that bill was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• does not meet the established criteria does not meet the established criteria in<00:27:26.679><c> section
• </c><00:27:27.159><c> 37-52</c> in section 37-52 in section 37-52 .3<00:27:30.159><c> uh</c><00:27:30.480
• to try to have alignment so that there's no conflict between a bona fide farmer definition in one section
• to try to have alignment so that there's no conflict between a bona fide farmer definition in one section
• to try to have alignment so that there's no conflict between a bona fide farmer definition in one section

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a couple of sections out take you to is on page four.
• It's become pretty large over the last couple of years—few hundred sections, which is a lot.
• I do remember the good old days when there could be 10 or 12 sections, but it has grown over time.
• But there will be sections in policy other bills and in House Bill 2 that may impact revenues.
• Any general fund appropriation through a section requires that language.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:09.160><c> of</c><00:38:09.319><c> the</c> perceived violations of sections of the perceived
• violations of sections of the immigration<00:38:09.920><c> and</c><00:38:10.119><c> nationality</c><
• That entire section of the bill is likely unconstitutional.
• That entire section of the bill is likely unconstitutional.
• That entire section of the bill is likely unconstitutional.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:50:08.560><c> that's</c> that we have a little section that's that we have a little section that's
• </c> the effective date of this this section. the effective date of this this section.
• </c> of section two, correct? of section two, correct? &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.
• </c> section one with the following. section one with the following.
• </c> section two is removed. section two is removed. is<03:10:45.920><c> taken</c><03:10:46.240><c> out

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means are a one section school.
• Article 6 is our health and nutrition section.
• Article 6 is our health and nutrition section.
• Um which health and nutrition section.
• Um, and is I I really like this section.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, no, it's chapter 159, I believe that section applies to it.
• That would be disappearing if we simply repeal this section. Felonies.
• In 2003, the state enacted RSA 159, section 26, the preemption statute.
• In 2003, the state enacted RSA 159, section 26, the preemption statute.
• </c><06:13:16.958><c> if</c> saying you could expand that section if saying you could expand that section

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 89, concurrent resolution directing the President pursuant to section 5(c
• c><00:51:32.720><c> 5C</c><00:51:33.200><c> of</c><00:51:33.359><c> the</c> president pursuant to section
• the speaker's appointment<02:23:07.120><c> pursuant</c><02:23:07.600><c> to</c><02:23:07.760><c> section
• </c><02:23:08.240><c> 4A</c><02:23:08.720><c> of</c> appointment pursuant to section 4A of appointment
• pursuant to section 4A of House<02:23:09.120><c> Resolution</c><02:23:09.760><c> 5,</c><02:23:10.240

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In section two, it established some independence for the Public Service Commission.
• in section one now provides<00:34:44.600><c> five</c><00:34:44.919><c> commissioners</c><00:34:45.560
• In<00:36:09.360><c> section</c><00:36:09.880><c> two,</c><00:36:10.880><c> um,</c><00:36:12.160><c> it
• </c> In section two, um, it In section two, um, it established<00:36:14.720><c> some</c><00:36:15.200
• I think the rest of that whole section is more or less about the procurement process, and it allows me

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Suppose someone was Section 35 on the streets, which I'm not a big fan of, because often I think that
• But the direct question is: if you were Section 35 and brought into a jail, would you be forced into
• When you're Section 35, and we don't do much of that, sir.
• Section 35? Is it not? Saying, is the pending lawsuit still in effect? And so I kind of steer...
• And so I kind of steer away from that, you know, but also because of what's built into Section 35.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can just exempt this section from that piece, which will be easy to do.
• We want to think through some of the potential unintended consequences for other sections of the bill
• AEDC, there could be similar, but maybe not identical, sections of law sort of existing out there.
• So we want to understand if there's a plan to maybe align those two sections.
• So we want to understand if there's a plan to maybe align those two sections.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require AI companion chatbots to respond to credible self-harm or violence-related crisis expressions by displaying the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, warning users, and pausing the chat for human review after repeated crisis signals. The author and supporters said the bill is a measured safety standard to redirect vulnerable users to human help, citing research and cases where chatbots worsened suicidal ideation or violent behavior. Support came from crisis and medical advocates, while no opposition testimony was offered. The chair and members expressed strong support, and the bill was held pending quorum before later action on the agenda. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for users to create or maintain accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and would create an E-Safety Advisory Commission in the Attorney General’s office. The author argued the bill targets product design, not speech, and is intended to curb compulsive features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds while allowing safer or non-addictive platforms to remain available. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, compulsive use, and mental health harms; opponents, including EFF, ACLU-Cal Action, TechNet, and youth advocacy groups, warned about privacy, First Amendment, and access-to-community concerns, especially for LGBTQ youth and other marginalized groups. Committee members debated whether the bill is a ban or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the proposal would be effective or could push youth to less safe spaces. Several members said they would support the bill as a first step, while others raised concerns about enforceability, privacy, and constitutional issues. The author emphasized that the bill is limited to specific harmful design features, not content or general internet access, and that the new commission would monitor evolving technology and recommend future updates. No final vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.