Transcript Highlights:

• Are they exposed, are they have liability exposure?
• Yeah, if you touch a patient in the state, no matter who you are, you've got liability exposure.
• We can't claim to know what youth want if we don't have youth. That notion of representation.
• We can't claim to know what youth want if we don't have youth in the room.
• however, willingly put our lives at risk of cancers and occupational conditions through the daily exposures

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 130, which would require heart calcium scans for people over 50, allow pharmacists to manage related screening and medication, and eliminate cost-sharing barriers for the testing and treatment. The sponsor argued the bill could prevent coronary artery disease deaths and reduce long-term health costs, while an industry lobbyist questioned whether it would actually save patients money and raised concerns about the substitute language. After questions about costs, rural access, pharmacist training, liability, and the effect of treatment, the committee adopted a due pass recommendation on the committee substitute by a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 31, the EMS personnel licensure interstate compact. Supporters from the Chamber of Commerce, Think New Mexico, the Health Care Authority, and an autism advocacy group said the compact would help address EMS shortages, improve emergency response, and support rural health workforce needs. One opponent warned about out-of-state personnel practicing under unfamiliar standards and possible retention problems. The committee adopted an immunity-related amendment and then gave the bill a 9-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 33, the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact, was also heard and amended with a similar immunity change. Supporters said it would expand telehealth and behavioral health access, while some members questioned data on workforce shortages, standards, and how the compact would affect New Mexico’s oversight. The committee approved the amended bill 8-0. House Bill 43, a cleanup bill for PERA disability and survivor pension provisions, was presented as a technical measure to clarify statutes, update the disability earnings cap to match Social Security, and reduce ambiguity without changing benefits or liabilities. Members asked about double-dipping, survivor provisions, and fiscal impact, and the bill received a 9-0 do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Memorial 22, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to study how CYFD-administered state and federal funds support domestic violence services. Sponsors and advocates said funding has been flat or reduced despite rising need, and that providers need clearer, more transparent data; committee members expressed concern that the state lacks a clear accounting of where the money goes. The memorial passed on a 9-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• choose clinics, myself included, specifically because they prioritize infection control and limit exposure
• 2027, and annually thereafter, health care insurers to report prescribed aggregated data relating to claims
• Consumers can compare premiums and deductibles, but they cannot compare how often plans deny claims,
• This bill simply requires insurers to report standardized Arizona-specific data on how they process claims
• I want to address the claims that there are certain segments and certain groups that are covered.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then took up a large agenda of health-related bills. SB 1214, the Arizona Stem Cell Therapy Act, drew extensive testimony from supporters who said it would create guardrails for regenerative medicine, protect patients, and encourage biotech investment, while opponents argued it was tied to abortion politics and imposed harsh penalties. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. SB 1194, which would prohibit health professionals and institutions from denying care based on vaccination status, also passed 4-3 after testimony from supporters framing it as an access-to-care and religious-freedom measure and opponents warning it would interfere with private practice policies and parental choice. SB 1814, creating a study committee on substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight, passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1602, increasing stipends for kinship foster parents, passed as amended 7-0, and SB 1603, expanding child-only cash assistance eligibility, also passed as amended 7-0. The committee then considered several bills focused on gender-related care and public funding. SB 1177, which bars public monies from funding gender transition procedures and makes intentional violations a felony, passed 4-3 amid testimony that it protects taxpayers and counterarguments that it is discriminatory and unsupported by evidence. SB 1014, requiring insurance coverage for detransition procedures when transition care is covered and directing data reporting on transition and detransition, passed 4-3 after supporters said it would help detransitioners and collect needed data, while opponents argued it would chill providers and target transgender patients. SB 1094, creating civil liability for physicians who perform irreversible gender reassignment surgery on minors, was heard with testimony from supporters citing malpractice concerns and detransitioner harms and from opponents saying it would create a hostile environment for providers and treat trans patients differently; the transcript cuts off before the vote is shown. SB 1752, which classifies commercial harvesting or sale of mescaline as a felony while preserving bona fide religious use defenses, passed unanimously 7-0. Later, SB 1628, requiring insurers to report claims-denial and prior-authorization data and DIFI to publish standardized reports, passed unanimously 7-0 after supporters emphasized transparency and opponents called it redundant to federal reporting. SB 1629, requiring AHCCCS managed care organizations to give advance notice and network-adequacy documentation before terminating high-volume providers without cause, also passed 7-0; supporters said it would prevent patients from losing access to behavioral health care, while health plans and Access said existing oversight already covers much of this and warned the bill could slow necessary network changes. Throughout the meeting, the committee repeatedly adopted motions for due-pass recommendations and, where applicable, amendments, with several bills passing on party-line or near-party-line votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• school response to objection, Materials and State Board of Education Oversight, contrary to inaccurate claims
• As an educator, I can say that this bill could interfere with my professional responsibilities, exposure
• to with my professional responsibilities, exposure to the various diverse stories.
• Horse man himself claim the education is the great equalizer.
• Despite claims about book Bans, 0 books have been banned. >> Thank you, Matthew Girl Shun as you are

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen some sensational claims over the last 48 hours on what this bill would do.
• I've seen big claims about this in the last two days. Supremacy clause violation.
• I've seen some sensational claims over the last 48 hours on what this bill would do.
• I've seen big claims<00:08:36.080><c> about</c><00:08:36.320><c> this</c><00:08:36.479><c> in</c><00:
• </c> claims about this in the last two days. claims about this in the last two days.

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• But they don't have the substance to back up their claims.
• ,</c> individuals are a lot of claims, individuals are a lot of claims, fear-mongering<01:00:07.760><
• </c> substance to back up their claims. substance to back up their claims.
• But the evidence does not support that claim.
• Many developed nations maintain claim.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• My wife went to Virginia and all I got back was exposure to COVID.
• And this is another chart that illustrates the exposure within the state budget to federal uh uh budget
• um, as you all are, are likely already familiar with, Health and Human Services has the biggest exposure
• So the, the way we piggyback leaves us with more exposure to federal changes than maybe other states,
• Madam Chair, and absolutely, I think a lot of the ones that were eliminated were ones that were not claimed

Committee: House Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• IS, GRANTED THAT YOU HAVE ONLY BEEN A TRUSTEE FOR FOUR MONTHS AND YOU HAVE HAD, YOU KNOW, LIMITED EXPOSURE
• BUT SOME EXPOSURE OBVIOUSLY HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE CAMPUS AND MET WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTIES AND DEANS
• HAVE YOU DRAWN ANY CONCLUSIONS BASED ON YOUR FOUR MONTHS OF EXPOSURE?
• AS YOU LOOK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA THEY HAVE HAD SUBSTANTIAL EXPOSURE TO SOME ASPECTS OF THE
• THE CLAIMS THAT HE WANTS TO PRIVATIZE UW AFTER SOME TIME DESTROY THE G.I. BILL ARE LAUGHABLE.

Transcript Highlights:

• ask the cities in the dialogues and the stakeholder meetings we've had to bring to us any notice-of-claim
• we want to make sure that our eyes are on that gas line to make sure that there are no leaks, no exposure
• to the residents, because those types of exposures don't just affect that house.
• Those types of exposures don't just affect that house; they affect the surrounding houses as well.
• Look at that increased liability exposure for the state, local governments, and vehicle owners, and lead

Summary: The committee first considered the reappointment of Troy L. Campbell to the Arizona State Liquor Board. Campbell described his nearly 10 years of service, his role as chair since 2019, and his focus on fairness, public safety, and applying the law consistently. He answered questions about the board’s workload and authority, noting it hears roughly 40 to 50 cases a year and does not issue fines. With no public testimony, the committee voted 6-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard several liquor and consumer-related bills. SB 1478, an annual liquor-policy cleanup bill, made technical changes to liquor statutes, including conforming the definition of cider to federal tax law and clarifying other terminology. The bill drew support from industry stakeholders and neutral testimony from the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control; the committee adopted a clarifying amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. SB 1108 would require Swedish rounding of cash transactions when pennies are unavailable, with signage and enforcement provisions; an amendment removed an individual-item exemption and clarified tax calculations, and the bill passed as amended with support from business groups. SB 1205 would regulate private-property vehicle booting by setting signage, notice, fee, and recordkeeping requirements and making violations a misdemeanor; members raised concerns about appeals and signage on non-parking property, but the committee adopted a technical amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. The committee also took up SB 1241, which would allow private permitting providers to conduct plan reviews and inspections for single-trade residential projects without municipal or county approval. Supporters argued it would reduce delays and costs for homeowners and help cities focus on higher-priority work, while cities and counties opposed the bill on public-safety and local-control grounds, warning about private incentives and inspection quality. After adopting an amendment granting immunity to municipalities that rely on private providers, the committee recommended the bill do pass as amended by a 5-2 vote, with some members explaining their votes and asking for further stakeholder work. Finally, the committee heard SB 1366, which creates a Public Property Towing and Impound Practices Study Committee to review towing fees, standards, insurance, background checks, and related DPS policies, and to report recommendations by the end of 2026. Supporters said the study would help address inconsistent standards and consumer concerns before permanent changes are made. Some members objected that the study committee did not include minority-party appointments, but the sponsor said that could be addressed later. The committee adopted a strike-everything amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. The committee then began SB 1431, a housing-design bill limiting municipal design standards and restrictions on certain shared features, but the transcript cuts off during extended debate and no final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Independent agents and brokers do not set premiums, do not control claims costs, and do not negotiate
• unlock mandatory six-month delays, extendable up to a year or more, by filing a sworn affidavit claiming
• An owner with little incentive to fix a known problem could claim the exemption, forcing agencies to
• review, contest, or litigate each claim before enforcement can proceed.
• The Attorney General will pay eight specific claims against the state.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on August 5, 2026, and first approved a large consent calendar of bills, then heard and voted on a long series of measures covering health care, housing, energy, labor, public safety, insurance, and immigration-related issues. Several bills were moved on roll call with no or limited opposition, including SB 999 on delaying the Health Minimum Essential Coverage report deadline, SB 931 on Diablo Canyon’s mitigation fund, SB 952 on State Water Project clean energy procurement, SB 1288 on nonprobate asset beneficiary notification, SB 1371 on solid waste labor-dispute contract clauses, SB 1014 on housing development fee estimates, SB 1283 on EV charging station permitting, SB 1209 and SB 1244 on insurance enforcement and broker compensation disclosure, SB 1359 on gas utility infrastructure oversight, SB 677 and SB 908 on housing streamlining, SB 1323 on medical facility procedures for people in immigration custody, SB 938 on peace officer training waivers for former federal immigration officers, SB 1272 on code-violation enforcement timelines for new homeowners, SB 1117 on ADU impact fees, SB 1196 on utility hookups for small energy projects, SB 1299 on sprinkler fitter certification, and AB 2597 appropriating funds for state legal settlements. The committee also approved its suspense calendar and later lifted SB 1359 from call with an added aye vote. Testimony generally followed the bills’ themes. Supporters argued that the measures would improve transparency, reduce costs, streamline housing and energy projects, protect consumers, and strengthen public safety or worker protections. Opponents or “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about implementation burdens, disclosure mandates, labor and compliance issues, local government costs, and the scope of some proposals. Notable points of contention included SB 869, where restaurant groups objected to the on-menu sugar warning approach and urged more flexible disclosure methods, and SB 1244, where insurance industry representatives argued the bill would impose unworkable disclosure obligations on brokers and agents. SB 1272 drew opposition from code enforcement and county groups who warned it could delay health-and-safety enforcement, while SB 1117 drew opposition from special districts, counties, and fire-related groups concerned about reduced fee revenue for infrastructure. The committee also heard public comment on several bills not presented that day, including opposition to wildfire mitigation/CEQA-related legislation, staffing regulation fees, and education and demographic-data bills. Overall, the hearing was dominated by fiscal and policy debates over housing affordability, energy infrastructure, consumer transparency, and the balance between regulatory streamlining and local or industry compliance costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill will limit exposure to new gas infrastructure. It will protect people. moving.
• So this bill will limit exposure to new gas infrastructure. It will protect people.
• Will limit exposure to new gas infrastructure.
• It will protect people against numerous health ailments that are linked to gas exposure.
• This approach ensures that contaminated soil is covered as a third-party claim if oil trapped in soil

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of late-file energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on battery storage siting, gas system expansion, propane consumer protections, gas workforce safety, and a Taunton home-rule petition on water rates for manufactured housing communities. Representative Sweeney urged support for H. 4689 and H. 4690, which would impose a moratorium and setback requirements for lithium battery storage facilities, citing fire risk, proximity to homes, and environmental concerns. Several local officials and residents from Oakham, Tewksbury, and other communities described proposed battery projects near homes, schools, wetlands, and conservation land, while industry and clean-energy advocates argued the bills would effectively block storage development and conflict with state energy goals and existing fire-safety standards. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2290/H. 3547, a bill to prevent gas expansion near environmental justice communities, from environmental justice advocates, municipal officials, and clean-energy groups. Testimony emphasized rising gas bills, the cost of new pipelines, methane and health impacts, and the need to avoid locking in long-term gas infrastructure costs. Witnesses also discussed related bills on gas workforce safety, gas shut-off valves, and gas meter replacement plans, with labor representatives supporting safety-focused measures and opposing changes they said would weaken inspections, while consumer and environmental advocates argued that some utility replacement practices are unnecessarily expensive and should be reined in to reduce ratepayer costs. Other testimony included support for H. 3518 on propane gas ratepayer protections, with the witness arguing for clearer contract terms and website price disclosure, and support for S. 2652, which would authorize Taunton to create a separate water billing rate for manufactured housing communities because residents there are effectively paying higher water costs through rent due to a single master meter. No committee votes or final actions were taken during the hearing, and members mostly asked brief clarifying questions or made no comment after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, meaning even extremely small exposures
• It also documents that fentanyl exposure in very young children—infants—frequently occurs in homes where
• because fentanyl is And because fentanyl is now a leading driver of preventable child deaths and exposure
• These are parents and grandparents who never imagined that a single exposure could take their child's
• I can imagine that a single exposure could take their child's life or their grandchild's life, often

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Exposure: Yes, if you touch a patient in the state, no matter who you are, you have liability exposure
• We can't claim to know what youth want if we don't have youth in the room, so it's easy to say and make
• however, willingly put our lives at risk of cancers and occupational conditions through the daily exposures
• In this time, I have been exposed to countless carcinogens from exposure to structure fires, wildland
• fires, hazardous materials, biohazards, and other hidden exposures we cannot see.

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• You actually have to own the copyright to have a claim here.
• You actually have to own the copyright to have a claim here.
• And we are not claiming that AI is not going to be beneficial for children.
• Staff suffered workplace injuries and exposure to zoonotic diseases.
• There just is no data to back up that claim.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Responders' exposure increases as crews are forced to operate in unstable environments because someone
• presumption of negligence and presumption of guilt are slightly different legal concepts for tort claims
• roadway users is a shared priority, but this bill creates significant and unnecessary liability exposure
• Instead, this bill expands exposure.
• Ultimately, the driver's insurance accepted liability for the claim, but there's a world where I was

Bills: HB2543

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation

Transcript Highlights:

• gone particularly to schools directly for grant programs: the full $2 million that was allocated was claimed
• And we know that the more exposure students have, the better that they can successfully enter into the
• their first time being on a ferry or a boat at all, and we really found that just a little bit of exposure
• And while we're not trying to make a causal claim—we don't have a design that allows us to do that—we're
• When I think about what I just heard in the previous presentation for the maritime industry and the exposure

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee heard status reports on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s implementation of 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, a Core Plus Maritime update, and a longitudinal study from Education Northwest on CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described work with health agencies and employers to develop allied health bridge programs such as home care aide to nursing assistant, update curriculum and equivalency frameworks, align CIP codes, and support schools with guidance and grants. The agency also reported strong results from nursing simulation investments, including a 97% first-time pass rate for nursing assistant certification among skill center recipients, and said the task force created by later legislation has expanded membership, is meeting remotely, and is due to report recommendations by November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession commissions, rural district access, employer partnerships, and data updates; OSPI said outreach is ongoing and that local program variation reflects regional labor markets. Core Plus Maritime presenters said the program is expanding from traditional maritime and manufacturing pathways into middle school and marine transportation, using low-cost ROV curriculum, ferry and Sea Scout experiences, and teacher training in marine safety. Employer representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group said the maritime sector needs a strong workforce pipeline, supports family-wage jobs, and is investing in student opportunities, including career fairs, materials for school shops, and a planned student welding competition. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said Core Plus Maritime gives students a clear pathway into maritime careers and has helped connect students to jobs and further training. The committee briefly discussed water safety instruction, and presenters said students are also encouraged to earn boater education cards. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented findings from a statewide longitudinal study of roughly 750,000 students from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found that CTE participation is very high and has grown over time, with nearly all students earning at least some CTE credit and about 45% earning two or more credits in a single pathway. Access to pathways is uneven: suburban, higher-income, and larger schools offer more pathways than rural, lower-income, and smaller schools. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within a single pathway, were more likely to graduate on time and, in several clusters such as manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and architecture/construction, had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and higher earnings years later. Riggs said the data suggest CTE is especially beneficial for male students and that the state should examine barriers to deeper participation and consider whether the graduation requirement should better encourage pathway depth while preserving flexibility and exploration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Full $2 million that was allocated was claimed and expended.
• And we know that the more exposure students have, the better that they can successfully enter into the
• their first time being on a ferry or a boat at all, and we really found that just a little bit of exposure
• And while we're not trying to make a causal claim—we don't have a design that allows us to do that—we're
• when I think about what I just heard in the previous presentation for the maritime industry and the exposure

Summary: The House Education Committee received status updates on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s work under 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, an update from Core Plus Maritime, and findings from an Education Northwest longitudinal study of Washington CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described development of allied health guidance such as a home care aide to nursing assistant bridge, model curricula, updated course equivalency frameworks, and coordination with health agencies and employers. It also reviewed Core Plus framework work, task force expansion under later legislation, and the timeline for recommendations due in November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession outreach, equitable access for rural districts, data updates, and employer support for local programs; OSPI said it continues to work with agency and industry partners and that local labor-market alignment varies by region. Core Plus Maritime presenters described expanding maritime career exploration into middle school through low-cost ROV curriculum, student visits to ferries and vessels, Sea Scouts partnerships, and ship-based safety and welding experiences. Industry representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group emphasized the maritime sector’s economic importance, aging workforce, and need for hands-on training to build the pipeline for family-wage jobs. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said the program gives students a clear pathway and has helped connect them to careers in shipyards, fishing, and related trades. Vigor also noted support for a student welding competition and equipment donations for a Rainier Beach shop. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented a longitudinal study using state data from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found CTE access has been relatively steady statewide, but offerings vary by school size, locale, and income, with rural and lower-income schools generally offering fewer pathways. Participation is high: nearly all students earn at least some CTE credit, and more students are accumulating multiple credits over time, though fewer go deep within a single pathway. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within pathways such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, were more likely to graduate on time and later had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and earnings. Riggs recommended addressing local barriers to participation, considering whether the CTE graduation requirement should better encourage depth while preserving flexibility, and aligning offerings more closely with labor-market needs. Committee members asked about COVID-era trends, student motivation, early workforce entry, delivery settings such as skill centers, and how to interpret the comparison groups used in the analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:28:12.239><c> have</c><03:28:12.479><c> previously</c><03:28:13.120><c> claimed</c><03:28:13.439>
• <c> that</c><03:28:13.760><c> bail</c> claim have previously claimed that bail claim have previously
• claimed that bail funds<03:28:15.920><c> operate</c><03:28:16.399><c> in</c><03:28:16.640><c> the</c>
• </c><03:54:23.520><c> that</c> hadn't even pretended to claim that hadn't even pretended to claim that
• It provides an advanced appropriation for the toxic exposure fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• risk brings about a predictable result: higher premiums, higher employer costs, higher taxpayer exposure
• the health care insurer must include the reasoning and descriptions of how and why the request or claim
• the health care insurer must include the reasoning and descriptions of how and why the request or claim
• Some of that burn pit exposure is actually turning into some of that prostate cancer.
• So we're talking about age, family history, genetic markers, environmental and occupational exposure,

Bills: HB2176 , HB2333 , HB2435 , HB2447 , HB2617 , HB2683 , HB2686 , HB2725 , HB2726 , HB2906 , HB2953 , HB2958

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: health care, licensure, complaints, investigation, safety, patient care, regulatory compliance, prosthetics, orthotics, health insurance, Medicare, medical necessity, disability rights, coverage, reimbursement, internationally trained physicians, medical board, clinical training, provisional license, healthcare workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• And we use claims data south of I-10 in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally.
• The study used claims data south of I-10 in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, a Category 2 storm that
• They also far exceeded our expectations in terms of claim frequency, claim severity, and loss ratio.
• In fact, we also found that most of the claims on the fortified roofs were not about wind blowing the
• Despite zero insurance claims to date, they saw a 450% increase in insurance premiums from last year

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met to consider several bills focused on California’s insurance market, wildfire resilience, and consumer protections. AB 888, the California Safe Homes Act, was heard first. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler testified in support, describing state grant programs that help homeowners harden roofs and create defensible space, with the goal of reducing losses and improving insurance affordability and availability. Supporters from the insurance industry, local government, and the Rebuild Paradise Foundation also backed the bill, and committee members emphasized the need for more incentives for mitigation. The bill passed the committee on a do pass motion and was sent to Appropriations. AB 290, by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, would require the FAIR Plan to offer automatic payments and address non-renewal grace-period issues. The author described her own experience being forced onto the FAIR Plan and facing a large premium increase, while Consumer Federation of California called the bill common-sense consumer protection. The FAIR Plan opposed unless amended, saying it was already handling major wildfire claims and other operational demands and requested more time and changes to the non-renewal grace-period language. Members across the committee supported the bill as a needed modernization measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 1339, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would direct the Department of Insurance to study insurance availability and pricing for affordable housing providers and report policy recommendations. Supporters from affordable housing organizations said rising premiums were forcing providers to cut services, defer maintenance, and use reserves, threatening housing stability for low-income residents. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 646, by Assemblymember Wallace, also passed to Appropriations; it concerns disclosure related to motor vehicle protection products and catalytic converter theft deterrence, with support from auto dealers and industry groups. The committee also approved AB 1531 on consent. Members later added on to the record in support of the bills, and the hearing concluded without recorded opposition votes on the measures that advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know, and research has indicated, that early career exposure, skill development, and work experience
• people, and many people can't do it because they've been here since 2010 and they no longer have a claim
• So they can make an appointment and get a consultation with a lawyer, and if they have an asylum claim
• , the lawyer will take on the asylum application process for them. ...have an asylum claim, the lawyer
• So that claim gets completed.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means