Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Ebeck, this is a gas and electric. I agree with everything my colleague just said.
• Roseville electricity and creating a municipal utility.
• Brandon Ebb, Pacific Gas and Electric, we probably support SB 38 and this bill too. Thank you.
• Jose and Z with San Diego Gas & Electric in support.
• Josie and Z with San Diego Gas & Electric in support.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate. SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments. SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Deputy General Counsel for El Paso Electric Company.
• El Paso Electric serves both Texas. ...projects. El Paso Electric serves both Texas and New Mexico.
• We serve electricity to the eastern part of the state. We strongly support this bill.
• Electricity is a basic human right. We need to support that in every way we can. Thank you.
• Electricity is an essential necessity.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 96, which would reduce local zoning, fee, parking, HOA, and sprinkler-related barriers for child care operators and home-based child care facilities. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill is intended to expand child care access, especially in rural areas and child care deserts, while maintaining safety standards. Firefighters, child care advocates, and other supporters testified in favor, while one member objected to the bill’s limits on local control. The committee asked about “stacking spaces” and parking rules, then approved SB 96 on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 303, as amended, dealing with utility construction and certificate of convenience and necessity timing. Utility representatives from El Paso Electric, Xcel Energy, and PNM, along with consumer and energy groups, supported the bill, saying it would let utilities begin construction before the CCN process is complete, with the utility bearing the risk and no cost recovery if approval is later denied. Members questioned impacts on ratepayers, PRC oversight, co-ops, and the bill’s policy rationale. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 303 as amended unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 6, as substituted, which asked for a study of private equity involvement in critical utilities and whether the state should consider a direct equity stake in utilities. Supporters argued the memorial would provide independent data before major ownership decisions, citing concerns about private equity acquisitions and the need to protect ratepayers and public interests. Opponents, including utility and business representatives, argued the PRC already has authority and expertise, warned about due process and conflict-of-interest concerns, and said the memorial could create uncertainty for investment. After extensive debate, the committee first tabled the committee substitute and then tabled HM 6 itself on an 8-3 vote, ending consideration of the memorial.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:50.960><c> Instead</c> can't afford the electric bill.
• Instead can't afford the electric bill.
• , we're instead going to tax electricity, we're instead going to tax people<01:00:59.760><c> and</c><
• I don't support pay their electric bill.
• </c><01:04:02.880><c> for</c> decrease the cost of electricities for decrease the cost of electricities

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, deferred reading of the journal, and noted there were no messages from the governor or Senate communications. Members then offered several introductions recognizing guests in the gallery, including LifeSmarts awardees, DCCA and LifeSmarts program officials, former Representative Pono Chong and his children, an intern from District 39, a landback advocate, and staff from the Education Committee office. The chamber also marked the close of Education Week 2025 with applause and recognition of the visiting students and supporters. The main floor presentation was House Resolution 211, which congratulated the first- and second-place teams at the 2025 Havi LifeSmarts State Competition and the 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate. Representative Tam presented the resolution, praising the Eolani Raiders for winning first place and wishing them well at the upcoming Chicago competition. Representative Hashimoto recognized Kalanianaole High School’s second-place team, and Representative Woodson honored Wilson Chow of Maui High School for his leadership and service. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the House recessed briefly to allow members to congratulate the honorees. After recess, the House took up a large block of standing committee reports, moving reports 1406 through 1504 with a series of member notations including no votes, reservations, and a few brief explanations. Several members raised concerns about specific measures involving emergency readiness centers, immigration-related legal access, blank votes on ballot questions, electricity costs and Hawaiian Electric, and gambling. Some members spoke in support of measures while noting reservations about cost, process, or policy effects. The full package of reports was ultimately adopted by voice vote. During announcements, Representative Garcia read a statement from Representative Jean Ward announcing her resignation effective at the end of the month due to ongoing health issues, including anemia, sciatica, and pneumonia, after nearly 27 years of service. The House then adjourned by voice vote until 12:00 noon on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to call an electrician to do the electrical components.
• Lawson, electrical work is, you know, life safety, right?
• The electrical verbiage that's in there now is currently in rule, and all we do, and all we The electrical
• So we have electrical—I am not the electrical license holder. I really would defer to.
• We have electrical—I am not the electrical license holder, so I really would defer to Ryan.

Summary: The subcommittee heard and approved four bills focused on reducing or modernizing professional regulation. HB 6015, by Rep. Oliver, repeals the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute to allow businesses more flexibility in container materials; members joked about the possibility of a Home Depot bucket, and the bill passed 16-0. HB 339, by Rep. Abbott, creates an alternative temporary licensure pathway for surveyors and mappers based on employer recommendation and exam passage, but members raised concerns about qualifications, liability, and oversight; Abbott said he was open to amendments, and the bill passed 14-1 with Rep. Overdorf dissenting. HB 139, by Rep. Lopez, allows pawnbrokers to use digital transaction forms instead of only printed forms; a technical amendment added readability and placement requirements for digital forms, and the bill passed unanimously. HB 195, by Rep. Chambliss, lets the Department of Corrections coordinate with DBPR boards so inmates who complete licensure-related classes can receive credit toward professional licensure; supporters framed it as a second-chance and workforce bill, an amendment clarified that DBPR handles professions without boards, and the bill passed favorably 15-0. The committee then received a presentation from DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin on the department’s role overseeing more than 1.7 million businesses and professionals across over 30 fields. She highlighted enforcement and complaint data, including more than 24,000 inspections and complaints handled in the last fiscal year, a preference for education and voluntary compliance over formal discipline, and the department’s alternative dispute resolution program, which returned $2.7 million to consumers and saved $270,000 in costs. Griffin also reviewed recent deregulatory and efficiency efforts, including endorsement/reciprocity reforms, fee waivers, reduced processing times, and shorter call wait times, and said DBPR is continuing to look for ways to cut red tape while protecting public safety. Members questioned Griffin about permitting, continuing education, complaint processing, board vacancies, fraud in cosmetology and construction, coordination with other agencies, and whether schools can block students from taking state exams over unpaid tuition. DBPR staff said complaints are generally processed within 60 days, schools cannot bar graduates from taking the exam because of tuition debt, and the department works with other agencies when issues cross jurisdictional lines. The panel discussion that followed featured industry representatives from landscape architecture, building/code administration, pools, roofing, construction, HVAC/electrical, and hospitality, who generally supported reducing local permitting burdens, standardizing requirements, improving reciprocity and training pathways, and using technology and clearer scopes of work to make licensure and inspections more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• OUT AND BUY ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
• BUT FROM UTILITY GENERATION, FOR ELECTRICAL GENERATION, WE ARE NOT EXEMPTING THAT.
• So how could those actually using more natural gas to generate electricity have much lower electricity
• Generate electricity have much lower electricity prices?
• WHICH EXEMPTS MAJOR ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES FROM ARTICLE 10. WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kota is a combined heat and electricity.
• </c><00:07:39.680><c> Um</c> barley both heat and electricity. Um barley both heat and electricity.
• ,</c> surface, this study compared electric, surface, this study compared electric, gas,<00:53:05.359
• </c><00:54:58.319><c> significantly</c> electric heat pumps. significantly electric heat pumps. significantly
• electric and so uh electricity goes out. electric and so uh electricity goes out.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> separating</c><00:14:17.080><c> generation</c> electric system um separating generation electric
• Requires all electric utilities other than electric cooperatives to provide transparent customer bill
• 28.880><c> with</c> Hawaiian Electric, Nancy Bernal with Hawaiian Electric, Nancy Bernal with comments
• </c> This measure clarifies that for electric This measure clarifies that for electric utilities,<00:
• Hawaiian Electric, Shannon Alivado, comments. >> Hawaiian Electric, Shannon Alivado. >> Thank you. >>

Bills: SB3326

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> same amount of electricity. same amount of electricity.
• </c> every motan who pays an electric bill. every motan who pays an electric bill.
• ><c> you</c> circuit and reduce the electricity you circuit and reduce the electricity you get<01:25:
• </c> John Gouki with Star Power Electric. John Gouki with Star Power Electric.
• ><c> electrical</c><01:30:56.320><c> business</c><01:30:56.560><c> in</c> Electric um small electrical

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:35.399><c> while</c> affordable electricity while affordable electricity while transitioning
• </c><00:37:14.079><c> bills</c> send out notices now our electric bills send out notices now our electric
• </c> internet retail uh electrical heat pumps internet retail uh electrical heat pumps for<01:14:37.679
• that we face. far lower electricity demands is a good far lower electricity demands is a good example
• </c><01:23:35.360><c> demand</c> still don't know what electricity demand still don't know what electricity

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that are not primary electrical that are not primary electrical renewable<00:25:29.679><c> electrical
• </c> was that uh any existing electrical was that uh any existing electrical permit<01:11:57.199><c>
• </c> safety, electrical safety? safety, electrical safety? &gt;&gt; Uh<01:20:25.679><c> yes.
• </c> Parall's question, wouldn't an electric Parall's question, wouldn't an electric car<03:30:19.840
• </c> produce electric energy. produce electric energy.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• co-op, so that whether that's Cootney Electric, Clearwater, Idaho County, Fall River, Lost River, or
• Salmon River Electric, all of those are electric co-ops here in the state.
• By the Public Utilities Commission, because that electric utility has a defined service territory.
• You don't have an option to receive electrical power from another entity.
• The electric utility industry as a whole has been very stable for decades.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Lourdes-A-Jyon with San Diego Gas and Electric.
• California has among the highest electric rates in the country.
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company, opposed. Thank you. Thank you.
• substations, and 17,400 miles of electric distribution lines.
• We have some of the best processes for electricity markets here in California.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our next presentation is "Modeling an Electric Grid Resistance to Wildfire."
• There are a lot of topic areas in our Electric Grid Security Program, all about securing the electric
• Today, I'll focus on wildfire electric grid security.
• This program focuses on wildfire electric grid security.
• The first is mitigating electric grid ignited wildfires.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Electrical design work brings much-needed clarity and consistency to Texas's electrical life cycle.
• I'm a licensed master electrician, electrical contractor, and the owner of James Francis Electric in
• Master electricians have always had the ability to design electrical systems, even prior to the Electrical
• , installing, erecting, repairing, and altering electrical systems and conductors to be used for light
• In closing, for my entire career and over two decades of state electrical licensing, it is the electrical

Bills: HB589 , HB705 , HB1842 , HB1874 , HB2349 , HB2614 , HB2827 , HB3012 , HB3214 , HB3308 , HB3385 , HB3529

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Keywords: cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, charitable raffles, nonprofit, wildlife conservation, ticket sales, fundraising, master electrician, electrical work, occupational licensing, work scope, Texas law, Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC, real estate broker, sales agent

Transcript Highlights:

• Electric utilities face a critical need for new and upgraded infrastructure.
• Our evolving economy and public policy are driving electricity use.
• We are expected to need 30% more electricity in the next 10 years than we're using now.
• Our evolving economy and public policy is driving electricity use.
• We are expected to need 30% more electricity in the next 10 years than we're using now.

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting, the committee will take the public hearing first and then hear our work session on consumer electrical
• So we hope we, by the way, will have electric trucks soon for all that trucking around.
• Code relative to fire risks and electric shock risk and so forth.
• electric shock risk codes...
• On the grid side, on the electric utility side, that's where the IEEE 1547 comes into play.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two producer-responsibility bills and then a work session on consumer electrical equipment. On SB 6271, which would create an extended producer responsibility program for mattresses, staff explained the bill’s requirements for a producer responsibility organization, collection and recycling targets, reporting, and enforcement. Senator Hunt said the measure would reduce landfill burden and illegal dumping while creating recycling jobs. Local governments, a recycler, and environmental advocates testified in support, citing landfill capacity concerns, high disposal costs, and the potential to recover most mattress materials. Retail and industry groups said they support the goal but opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it differs from existing state models and could create unnecessary cost and administrative burden. The hearing closed with 459 signed in support and 172 opposed. The committee then heard SB 6174, a proposed substitute on textile producer responsibility that would first require a needs assessment and the creation of a coordinating organization. Supporters, including the sponsor, environmental advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and a student testifier, described textiles as a fast-growing waste stream with major landfill, pollution, and global labor impacts, and said the needs assessment is an important first step. Opponents from retail, business, apparel, and hospitality groups said they support continued stakeholder work and the needs assessment concept, but raised concerns that the bill still presumes a future EPR program, could impose fees and penalties, and may sweep in retailers and company uniforms in ways that create burdens for small businesses. The hearing closed with 1,253 signed in support and 364 opposed. In the work session, Jeremiah Miller of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory briefed the committee on codes and standards for grid-connected and portable solar equipment. He explained how the National Electrical Code, UL certification standards, and IEEE interconnection standards work together, and described newer supplemental standards such as UL 3141 for power control systems and UL 3700 for portable or plug-in solar. Members asked about safety, certification timing, and how Washington could allow these products while ensuring proper installation and consumer protection. Miller said UL 3700 is very new and not yet widely certified in the market, but that the current code framework can accommodate certified products while standards continue to evolve. The committee took no votes and adjourned after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
• They've already had an electric vehicle.
• Do we know what the average cost is for an electric vehicle?
• Rivian is an all-electric, all-American vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Irvine.
• This crucial funding will accelerate electric vehicle adoption. to California residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission worked with electric utilities and pole attaching entities to receive straw man proposals
• utilities, pole attaching entities, and other interested parties. with investor-owned electric utilities
• After extensive discussions, the pole attachers and electric utilities collaborated to develop a draft
• That group included Idaho's three major investor-owned electric utilities, the Idaho Cable Broadband
• The electric utilities own the poles. I don't see any more questions.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• For new extra high load factor customers, et cetera, exempts the electric public service corporations
• that serve 40,000 connections or less, removes the requirement on public power entities and electric
• Instead, this bill will require electric utilities to do the bare minimum of reporting about new large
• People want action to stop data centers from harming neighborhoods and driving up electric bills, and
• An air-cooled data center uses far more electricity, causes far more noise, and adds far more heat to

Transcript Highlights:

• electric motorcycle.
• An electric sit-on scooter could be used by a commuter and registered as a motorcycle.
• Melissa Coosier with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, PG&E, in strong support.
• The changing policy and economic landscape relating to electric vehicles.
• But that hurdle of getting the electric vehicle is a challenge.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on active transportation, transit, road safety, and local enforcement. SB 569 would restrict removal or downgrading of bikeways built with state General Fund dollars for at least 20 years, require public hearings before major changes, and was supported by bicycle advocates and some local and environmental groups. The City of Encinitas opposed the bill, arguing it could limit needed safety fixes and should apply only to future projects; committee members discussed whether the bill still allowed safety-based modifications. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations. SB 741 would streamline the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program by reducing administrative burden and giving transit agencies more flexibility to use funds for service improvements, fare programs, and other transit needs while maintaining oversight and disadvantaged community requirements. Transit agencies and advocacy groups supported the measure, saying it would help agencies respond to post-pandemic ridership and financial challenges. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1167, which would tighten consumer protections by clarifying that high-powered e-motos and similar motor vehicles are not e-bikes, requiring clearer disclosures and labels, and improving crash reporting. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and improve safety for riders, pedestrians, and parents; the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed unless amended, arguing the term “e-bike” is used broadly and the bill could affect existing businesses. The bill passed to Appropriations. Later, SB 953, dealing with vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through misdemeanor diversion, would add DMV points so fatal conduct remains reflected on driving records; the bill was supported by the victim’s family and safety advocates and passed to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1218, which would let local agencies boot vehicles tied to repeated unpaid illegal dumping citations instead of using DMV enforcement. Oakland officials and community groups supported the bill as a needed deterrent, while the ACLU opposed it as punitive debt collection without a sufficient nexus to the vehicle. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 739 would revise the Clean Miles Standard for rideshare companies by allowing CARB and CPUC to adjust electric vehicle mileage targets in light of current market conditions; Uber and Lyft supported the flexibility, while clean air advocates began raising concerns about weakening climate goals as the transcript cut off.