Transcript Highlights:

• We come to Senate Bill 767, which relates to motor vehicles, windshield glass repair and replacement

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the time that happened, we will be much more successful in adding millions of more electric vehicles

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several measures focused on conservation, wildlife access, and coastal protection. SB 1108 would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in Merced County to coordinate land, water, habitat, and wildlife corridor protection in the largest remaining wetland/grassland complex west of the Mississippi. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District and Audubon California, emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, groundwater sustainability, and voluntary conservation easements; there was no opposition. The committee members generally praised the bill’s regional coordination and ecological significance. The committee also heard SB 1021, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a program allowing youth with physician-certified life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities under structured supervision. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate, tightly limited program with conservation safeguards, hunter education requirements, reporting, and a sunset. There was no opposition, and members expressed support for the bill’s intent. SB 949 would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with an emphasis on biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, working lands, and collaboration with tribes and private landowners. Support came from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, and several local and conservation organizations; no opposition was heard. The committee also considered SJR 12, which urges the federal government to remove California from proposed offshore oil and gas leasing plans and calls for stronger environmental review and public engagement. Supporters cited spill risks, coastal economic harm, and prior local and state opposition to offshore drilling. All measures were approved by the committee, with the bills and resolution moving forward on recorded votes, and the consent calendar items were also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• And by the time that happened, we will be much more successful in adding millions of more electric vehicles

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee heard several conservation and wildlife-related measures. SB 1108 by Senator Caballero would create the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the California Natural Resources Agency to coordinate protection and restoration of the Grasslands Ecological Area in Merced County. Supporters, including the Grasslands Water District, Audubon California, Defenders of Wildlife, California Waterfowl Association, The Nature Conservancy, and others, said the area is a major wetland and wildlife corridor facing groundwater-driven land retirement and needs a coordinated, voluntary, incentive-based framework. Senator Laird noted the bill followed prior conservancy models and moved it forward. The committee later approved SB 1108 on a 7-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1021 by Senator Choi, which would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create a narrowly tailored program expanding hunting and fishing opportunities for youth with life-threatening illnesses. The author and supporters from Field of Dreams and the Angling Hunting Conservation Coalition described it as a compassionate, supervised program that would create meaningful experiences for families while maintaining hunter education and conservation safeguards. No opposition was presented, and the bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 949 by Senator Becker would designate the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance, with supporters from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Sempervirens Fund, Green Foothills, and others citing biodiversity, watershed protection, wildfire resilience, public access, and coordination across public and private lands. Some committee members raised questions about working lands, property rights, and fire responsibility, but the bill was moved forward and passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee also adopted SJR 12 by Senator Laird, which opposes the federal offshore oil and gas leasing plan for California waters; supporters emphasized spill risks, coastal economic impacts, and public opposition, and the resolution passed 5-1. File item 3, SB 1085, was pulled, and the remaining consent calendar items were adopted 7-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a big feat, but I appreciate Senator Dunn for allowing us to use his bill as a vehicle for

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs heard four measures and advanced each on a do pass recommendation. SB 1199 was amended to require the Arizona Department of Agriculture to post the Salt River horse herd agreement on its website. Supporters said the change would improve public transparency and access to the agreement governing the Salt River wild horse herd; the department said it was neutral and noted the agreement is already on the state procurement website. The bill passed 6-3 after members debated whether the requirement should be in statute or handled administratively. SB 1761 appropriates General Fund money to the University of Arizona for the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Experiment Station over multiple fiscal years. Senator Tim Dunn and supporters from the Arizona Farm Bureau said the funding would strengthen agricultural research, extension services, rural counties, and water and crop-related innovation. Several members said the bill was important to Arizona agriculture even though the amounts would still be subject to budget negotiations; it passed 6-1 with one present vote. SB 1198, as amended, continued the Arizona Beef Council and the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for eight years. Testimony from the Beef Council and veterinary board emphasized that both entities are industry-funded or self-funded and provide ongoing services without taxpayer dollars. Some members objected to combining the two continuations and to the eight-year term, but the bill passed 4-3 with one present vote. SB 1683 expanded restrictions on land ownership and related transactions involving foreign adversary nations and agents, especially near critical infrastructure and military installations. Supporters, including representatives tied to Luke Air Force Base and the bill sponsor, argued it would address national security risks and protect training and mission security. Opponents said the bill broadened the scope of prior law too far without enough justification. It passed 5-3 and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a big feat, but I appreciate Senator Dunn for allowing us to use his bill as a vehicle for

Bills: SB1198 , SB1199 , SB1286 , SB1683 , SB1761

Committee: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Keywords: Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing, commodity council, livestock, cattle industry, ranching, rural affairs, self-financed program, sunset extension, continuation bill, market development, beef products, Arizona agriculture, Title 41, Title 3, sunset review, marketing order, producer assessment, Salt River horse herd

Transcript Highlights:

• for contributions, and this is money that they really needed to have in their operations and their vehicles

Committee: House Retirement

Summary: The Retirement Committee met on March 19, 2026, adopted prior meeting minutes without objection, and then heard a series of retirement-system bills. Representative Wiley presented three bills for the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Pension and Relief Fund: HB 33 would expand the back deferred retirement option program from four to five years for members with 35 years of service; HB 34 would allow certain members to retire at age 50 with an actuarially reduced benefit instead of waiting until 55; and HB 35 would allow up to 3% of employer contributions to be credited to the fund’s deposit account to help manage future costs and benefit increases. Witnesses for the sheriffs’ fund described its strong financial condition, including assets over $6 billion and a funded ratio above 90%, and said the bills were intended to reward long service, aid recruitment and retention, and provide flexibility in managing the fund. All three measures were reported favorably without objection. Representative Baralt presented HB 15 and HB 47 for the Assessor’s Retirement Fund. HB 15 sets procedures for correcting administrative errors in benefit payments, including interest on underpayments and repayment terms for overpayments. HB 47 revises the fund’s cost-of-living increase rules and funding deposit account provisions; Baralt noted the system has no unfunded liability and that the changes are tied to pre-funded COLAs. Both bills were reported favorably without objection. Representative Ilg presented HB 17, HB 18, and HB 19 for the District Attorneys’ Retirement System. HB 17 adds the Louisiana District Attorneys Association to the definition of employer and addresses reemployed retirees, with amendments removing a local funding restriction, requiring reporting of reemployed retirees, and adding a sunset in 2031. HB 18 staggers trustee elections so no more than two board seats are up in a year, and HB 19 removes references to the State Medical Disability Board because the system now works directly with physicians. All three bills were amended where applicable and then reported favorably. Representative Bacala presented HB 8, HB 48, and HB 22. HB 8 allows legislative staff designated by the committee to attend executive sessions of state and statewide retirement boards for a term-based authorization. HB 48 allows Louisiana Supreme Court court criers commissioned with the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to participate in the Sheriffs’ Pension and Relief Fund, with amendments allowing an election between systems and clarifying employer responsibilities. HB 22 revises the Clerks of Court Retirement and Relief Fund’s COLA rules, raising the maximum COLA to 3% under certain funding conditions and tying increases to the fund’s deposit account; a technical amendment adjusted the timing language. All three bills were adopted favorably, with amendments where offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• for contributions, and this is money that they really needed to have in their operations and their vehicles

Committee: House Retirement

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties, and imposes a sales and use tax of 1.4%, an annual 1.1% motor vehicle

Bills: SB6148

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: regional transit authority, RTA, transit bonds, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, bond maturity, debt limit, 25-year cap, regional mobility grant program, public transit financing, transportation funding, Washington RCW, bond issuance, municipal finance, infrastructure finance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the least expensive way to get your vehicle across the stream, other than just making your own

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the least expensive way to get your vehicle across the stream, other than just making your own

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a work session on fish passage and barrier prioritization. Tom Jameson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed members on the state salmon recovery framework, the types and prevalence of fish passage barriers, and the many existing barrier-removal programs. He explained that culverts are the most common barrier, but levees, tidegates, dams, and other structures also affect salmon and steelhead. He also described the state’s fish passage database, the assessment criteria used to determine whether a structure is a barrier, and the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board’s role in funding projects. Jameson reviewed the history of the board and its grant pathways, noting that the Legislature has funded 199 projects totaling nearly $225 million over five biennia, including significant federal support in the last biennium. He then focused on the new statewide prioritization strategy directed by the Legislature in 2020. A science panel recommended using an optimization model and then scoring and ranking barriers, but Jameson said the model depends on better stream mapping and ongoing “snapping” of stream layers to known barrier locations. He said the strategy is intended to produce watershed-based priority lists rather than a single statewide ranking. Members asked about how barriers are assessed during fish migration periods, how private land access affects inventory work, how local governments can report completed corrections, and how the prioritization criteria weight Chinook salmon and southern resident orca recovery. Jameson said urban areas with downstream barriers or heavily altered streams may be less recoverable, while rural watersheds may offer greater benefit. He also explained the federal culvert injunction, including ongoing obligations for state agencies and DOT’s 2030 target, and said the injunction never fully ends because new barriers are continually discovered and must be addressed over time. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• ESD canines can locate these devices within residences, vehicles, underwater, and in the ground.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• little bit of a problem because there's not transparency into the fund that uses the residence as a vehicle

Bills: SB238 , HJR1 , SM21 , SM22

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Keywords: Governor's Residence, management committee, government administration, New Mexico, advisory, commission, general services, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, overdose prevention centers, harm reduction, drug overdose, opioid crisis, substance use disorder, public health, addiction treatment, naloxone

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they going to be on twin tracks, or is one in the vehicle? Yeah, so I'll speak to the Senate.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders announced and defended a new “Millionaire’s Tax” bill, saying it is intended to raise revenue from the highest earners while reducing reliance on sales tax and B&O tax and funding education, health care, community safety, and other state needs. They said the proposal is a starting point and will likely change as they continue talks with the governor, business groups, local governments, and other stakeholders. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate hearing is scheduled first in Ways and Means, with the House expected to follow after the Senate version moves over. The leaders described the bill as narrowly targeted at roughly 30,000 individual payers, with the first $1 million of income taxed at zero and the rate matching the state capital gains tax above that level. They argued the measure is not a broad income tax and rejected claims that it creates a marriage penalty, saying the structure mirrors the capital gains tax and uses Washington’s capital gains definitions. They also said the bill includes credits and deductions to address pass-through businesses, including dollar-for-dollar credits for B&O and public utilities taxes and an election allowing some businesses to pay the tax at the entity level. A major part of the discussion focused on how the bill would use revenue. Leaders said about 5% would go to counties for public defense costs tied to a new Supreme Court mandate, while the rest would support tax relief and new spending. They said the package would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, increase the small business credit, end the B&O surcharge a year early, and exempt some hygiene and grooming products from sales tax, with the tax-relief share estimated in the 20% range. They also said the necessity clause is needed because of structural budget problems and federal policy changes, and they expressed confidence that voters and lawmakers have become more open to taxing high earners, citing the capital gains tax vote and broader public concern about inequality and federal cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they going to be on twin tracks, or is one in the vehicle? Yeah, so I'll speak to the Senate.

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders, joined by Speaker Laurie Jinkins and House Finance Chair April Berg, introduced a “Millionaire’s Tax” proposal and framed it as a way to reduce Washington’s reliance on sales tax and B&O tax while raising revenue from the state’s highest earners. They said the bill is a starting point and will continue to change through negotiations with the governor, business groups, local governments, and lawmakers. The leaders also said the proposal is intended to support education, health care, public safety, and tax relief measures such as sales tax exemptions on hygiene products, an expanded working families tax credit, a larger small business tax credit, and an early end to the B&O surcharge. The governor had already said he could not support the bill in its current form, which the sponsors said surprised them because they had spoken positively with him the day before. They said the bill will not be the same by the time it reaches his desk and that they expect continued talks to address his concerns, including more money for small business relief and the working families tax credit. They also defended the bill’s structure, saying it mirrors the state capital gains tax, uses Washington’s capital gains definition, and includes credits intended to prevent double taxation for pass-through businesses and others already paying B&O or related taxes. Much of the discussion focused on criticism from Republicans and outside groups that the proposal amounts to a marriage penalty or could drive away high earners and tech businesses. Democratic leaders rejected those concerns, saying the tax applies only to income above $1 million, that the first million is taxed at zero, and that the state would still compare favorably with other income-tax states. They said about 30,000 taxpayers would be affected and estimated the bill would raise roughly $3.5 billion, with about 5% dedicated to county public defense costs. They also said the bill is not subject to cutoff because it affects state revenue, and that the Senate public hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Ways and Means, with the House expected to hear the Senate version later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our enthusiasm for motor vehicles was a little bit different.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and began with a floor introduction honoring guests from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, including President Jeffrey Armstrong, students, and student leaders. Senator Laird highlighted Cal Poly’s 125th anniversary, its statewide impact, and student achievements, including Rose Parade and design-build competition awards. The body then took up two Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 111 by Senator Niello commemorated the 125th anniversary of the certified public accountant profession in California and recognized the California Board of Accountancy and the California Society of CPAs; it passed on a roll call and was later adopted 38-0 after the call was lifted. SCR 109 by Senator Grove proclaimed January 2026 as National Mentoring Month and recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California for its long-standing youth mentorship work; it also passed on a roll call and was adopted 39-0 after the call was lifted. The Senate also concurred in Assembly amendments to SB 25 by Senator Umberg, which streamlines California’s merger process and aligns it with the federal process; the vote was 33-0. Members then approved a motion by Senator Laird to give second reading and move forward bills reported from the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee on February 4, 2026, despite objections from Senator Niello; the motion passed 29-10. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjourn-in-memory tributes for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, Barry Del Bono, Professor Alan Stewart Hammond, and journalist Jeb Bing, with multiple senators offering personal recollections and condolences to their families and communities. The Senate concluded by announcing the next floor session and recessing until later that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They insure their own vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• the monetary penalty for traffic infractions related to speed restrictions or infractions with a vehicle

Bills: HB2228 , HB2273 , HB2381 , HB2418 , HB2388 , HB2183 , HB2224 , HB2267 , HB2174 , HB1529

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, performance-based codes, building regulations, residential construction, energy efficiency, sustainable design, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development

Transcript Highlights:

• the monetary penalty for traffic infractions related to speed restrictions or infractions with a vehicle

Summary: The committee met in executive session on a series of local government and building-related bills, with HB 2267 and HB 2388 removed from consideration and HB 1529 later pulled due to a technical issue. Staff briefed measures on scissor stairs in the building code (HB 2228), embodied carbon emissions in buildings (HB 2273), performance-based code pathways for low-rise residential buildings (HB 2381), permit review processes (HB 2418), county extreme heat response plans (HB 2183), fire protection districts (HB 2224), crash prevention zones (HB 2174), and city use of county road resources (HB 1529). The discussion focused on code modernization, housing production, permitting timelines, climate and emergency preparedness, fire district financing, and traffic safety. HB 2228 was advanced as Substitute HB 3079.2 after members supported creating a technical advisory group to recommend code changes allowing scissors stairs, with language clarifying fire-resistance separation; it passed 7-0. HB 2273, which would direct the State Building Code Council and Commerce to adopt embodied-carbon reduction rules and reporting, was reported out 4-3 after supporters emphasized emissions reductions and opponents said industry was not yet ready. HB 2381 advanced as amended Substitute HB 3125.1 after the committee adopted an amendment making the appendix optional and another clarifying performance-based compliance options; it passed 4-3. HB 2418 advanced as amended Substitute HB 3143.1 after the committee removed vesting provisions, clarified completeness standards, and allowed applicants to waive deadlines or refunds; it passed 7-0. HB 2183, requiring county extreme heat response plans, was amended to reference L&I rules, address grid reliability, remove some subsidy language, and shift plan adoption to county legislative authorities; it passed 4-3. HB 2224, concerning fire protection districts and levy adjustments, was advanced as amended Substitute HB 3142.1 after stakeholder-driven changes; it passed 6-1. HB 2174 was advanced as amended Substitute HB 3144.1, changing the concept from accident risk zones to crash prevention zones and setting a $73 penalty structure; it passed 6-1. The committee adjourned after reporting the bills out with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We collect personal property tax on vehicles because we drive them on our county roads.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ANOTHER SOURCE OF LABOR SAVING, AND BEING ABLE TO DO CERTAIN OPERATIONS WITHOUT HAVING SOMEONE IN THE VEHICLE