Transcript Highlights:

• discretion to the nonminor dependent by ensuring the legal rights of a nonminor dependent are fully respected
• And so AB373 is really about giving our youth the respect they deserve as emerging adults, because youth
• the respect they deserve as emerging adults because protection without empowerment can actually be harmful
• It requires me, as their attorney, to respect that and not substitute my judgment for theirs.
• It requires me, as their attorney, to respect that and not substitute my judgment for theirs.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard and advanced a series of foster care, benefits, housing, and poverty-related bills. AB 373 would require appointed counsel for nonminor dependents in dependency proceedings to represent the young adult’s expressed wishes rather than substitute counsel’s judgment; supporters said it would respect autonomy for foster youth ages 18 to 21, and the bill passed 4-0, later updated to 6-0 and then 7-0 as absent members were added. AB 42 would exempt merit-based scholarships, grants, loans, and fellowships from income calculations for CalWORKs and CalFresh and align the two programs’ exclusions; student and anti-poverty advocates said it would prevent students from losing benefits when they pursue education, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 534 would encourage transitional housing providers serving foster youth to move from leasing to owning properties by extending contract terms and improving access to financing; witnesses said ownership would improve stability and reduce landlord barriers, and it passed 4-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 562 would require counties below the state average for family placements to use a family-finding checklist and best-practice support; supporters emphasized family-first placements for foster youth, and it passed 6-0, later updated to 7-0. AB 661 would direct the Department of Social Services to develop an implementation plan for a permanent statewide guaranteed basic income program; supporters described positive results from pilot programs and the bill passed 5-2, later updated to 7-0. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:29:12.439><c> and</c> I have worked hard to gain respect and I have worked hard to gain respect
• Again, I would respect—have you be respectful of us human beings.
• </c> I would respect have you be respectful I would respect have you be respectful of<03:00:12.080><c
• Again, I would respect—have you be respectful of us human beings.
• </c><04:34:08.520><c> and</c> 1871 I have the greatest respect and 1871 I have the greatest respect and

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, which Rep. Jim Kofalt said is the same language as last year’s HB 396, vetoed by the governor. He described the bill as allowing, but not requiring, separation by biological sex in three areas: bathrooms and locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions. Kofalt argued the bill would give local school boards and other policymakers discretion to set practical rules, citing concerns about safety, privacy, and a Milford incident involving a biological male in girls’ locker rooms. Committee members pressed him on the lack of a definition of “biological sex,” and he said he did not think one was necessary because males and females are commonly understood. He also said the bill was meant to address situations where outside groups threaten lawsuits and leave local boards with no latitude. Testimony then split sharply. Supporters, including Executive Counselor Karen Hill and several others, said HB 148 would roll back anti-discrimination protections, contradict New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” values, and harm transgender and non-binary people. Opponents described the bill as discriminatory and unnecessary, arguing that existing bathroom and sports policies already work and that the bill would invite harassment, invasive enforcement, and legal conflict. Several speakers, including trans residents and parents of trans children, said they had used public restrooms without incident and warned that enforcement would be impractical or abusive. One supporter argued the bill was needed to protect girls’ privacy and safety and cited school sports disputes and a concern about a sex offender at a game as examples of why sex-segregated rules should be restored. Committee members asked questions about how biological sex would be defined, whether the bill was responding to real incidents in New Hampshire, and how any restrictions would be enforced. Kofalt said he was aware of issues in several school districts and at the State House, but did not have detailed documentation for every case. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the chair instead moved through public testimony under a strict two-minute limit and noted that follow-up questions would be limited so the committee could hear multiple bills that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• With respect to the state court facilities construction fund proposal, given the improved revenues into
• With respect to the state and local cybersecurity grant program, that is federal.
• With respect to state and local cybersecurity grant program, that is federal. Thank you.
• With respect to our recommended modifications, we present four for your consideration.
• With respect to our recommended modifications, we present four for your consideration.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the judicial branch, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget remains structurally imbalanced and urged the Legislature to avoid new ongoing spending unless offset by reductions elsewhere. In the judicial branch discussion, the Judicial Council highlighted language access funding, appellate court security, a backfill for the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation room mandate; Finance supported most items but suggested reporting language on interpreter costs and reducing the General Fund backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial vacancies, long-term salary freezes, remote hearings, and the lack of progress on court staffing in some counties. For the Board of State and Community Corrections, the administration proposed $10 million one-time each for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People grant program and a human trafficking vertical prosecution grant program. The LAO said both should be weighed against other priorities and suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and asked whether ongoing support would be considered. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said BSC was a good fit because of its grant administration experience and prior vertical prosecution work, while legislators asked why the program was not placed with the Office of Emergency Services as originally contemplated in prior legislation. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse staffing, completion of organized retail criminal enterprise cases, and trailer bill language for a continuous appropriation from the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO supported the antitrust account use but questioned the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s ability to cover the full request without General Fund repayment, and recommended against a continuous appropriation for the restitution fund in favor of a more limited mechanism with legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. In the CDCR portion, the largest discussion centered on the Boston Consulting Group efficiency review and sharply reduced savings estimates; LAO said the department had not fully explained the proposed position eliminations or future $100 million savings target, while Finance said the work reflected deeper analysis and ongoing efforts to find savings. Members repeatedly pressed CDCR and Finance on the gap between earlier promised savings and the revised figures. CDCR also outlined population projections showing continued declines in prison and parole populations, while LAO again urged the state to close an additional prison to save ongoing costs. The department then walked through several May Revision items, including workers’ compensation funding, a Corcoran honor housing dorm, incarcerated firefighter pay implementation, an incarcerated menopause program, mental health receiver staffing, mental health resource teams and crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing changes, and AI note-taking for the electronic health record. LAO generally recommended limiting-term funding and more reporting for many of these proposals, while Finance defended them as necessary ongoing investments or court-ordered obligations. Members questioned the cost of workers’ compensation, the need for more prison closures, the lack of funding for women’s facility violence prevention, and the timing and transparency of the BCG savings process. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is no respect to person. We understand exactly because we've walked it, we lived it.
• Aaron Raiden, on behalf of Consumer Brands Association, in respectful opposition.
• Eric Will, on behalf of rural county representatives of California, in respectful opposition.
• The Northern California Water Association, in respectful opposition. Thank you. Good afternoon.
• The Northern California Water Association and Respectful Opposition. Thank you. Good afternoon.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• If you notice, interact with these kids and the parents, they are so respectful.
• They had respect for their professors.
• their</c><00:22:09.040><c> uh</c> They had respect for their uh They had respect for their uh professors
• It's why I rise in opposition to this bill with great respect to the sponsors, with great respect to
• great respect to the patients with great respect to the patients who<00:51:01.400><c> are</c><00:51:02.160

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journal, and then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026, as Home Education Day in Colorado. Senator Pelton spoke in strong support of home education, describing it as a parent-led choice that benefits students and families. The resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, and the current roll was added as co-sponsors. The chamber then took up the consent calendar and passed House Bill 1229, House Bill 1244, and Senate Bill 153. HB 1229, which concerns the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health, drew three no votes from Senators Pelton, Zamora Wilson, and Baeza; the other two measures passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over third reading of bills until Friday, April 10. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered Senate Bill 72, which increases criminal penalties for assaultive conduct involving a motor vehicle and adds causing death with a motor vehicle to criminally negligent homicide. The committee adopted the report and advanced the bill on second reading. Later, the chamber laid over Senate Bill 134 and House Bill 1084 until April 10, and then took up Senate Bill 140, which would exempt certain rare disease and plasma therapies from review by the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Sponsors and supporters argued the bill protects access for patients with rare diseases and prevents harm to treatment development, while opponents said it would weaken the PDAB’s affordability work and was too broad. Senators Weisman and Gonzales spoke against the bill, with Weisman citing concerns about the federal definition used and Gonzales defending the PDAB’s role in lowering drug costs; the debate continued in the transcript without a final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, with respect to actions generally taken within the transmission planning process, the
• And of course with respect to actions generally, 24th, 2025 transmission plan.
• And of course, with respect to actions generally taken within the transmission planning process, the
• So, first of all, with respect to the budget, that is ongoing with DOF.
• With respect to commercial entities, it's more complicated.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Christina Coriari on behalf of ARMA, here in respectful opposition.
• So with that, with all due respect to Representative Powell, I'm going to have to vote no today.
• With all due respect, Mr.
• Um, so back in 2004, and we'll do all respect to Mr.
• the claimants' bar and we stand in respectful opposition to House Bill 2813 and the amendments.

Bills: HB2211 , HB2229 , HB2389 , HB2403 , HB2445 , HB2502 , HB2620 , HB2813 , HB2872 , HB2889 , HB2960 , HB4028 , HCR2007

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: contractors, subcontractors, resident preference, public contracts, materials supply, Arizona Revised Statutes, local businesses, pregnancy resource center, pregnancy center, crisis pregnancy center, DHS, Arizona Department of Health Services, state appropriation, general fund, nonprofit grant, women's health, maternal health, reproductive health, abortion funding, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• We can take a look at why policies and practices respect to zero tolerance, because they should try to
• With respect to Hava, I just talked to the warden because when Christian brought this up to me about
• to the 194 transferred. um with respect to the 194 halava<00:49:26.000><c> I'll</c><00:49:26.160><c>
• With respect to the staffing, I want to make it clear, as the coordinator indicated and Mark indicated
• Um, I think I covered Oh, with respect<00:51:46.480><c> to</c><00:51:46.720><c> CIP,</c><00:51:47.280

Transcript Highlights:

• discussions, helping students navigate complex social issues with a sense of responsibility and a respect
• discussions, helping students navigate complex social issues with a sense of responsibility and a respect
• discussions, helping students navigate complex social issues with a sense of responsibility and a respect
• discussions, helping students navigate complex social issues with a sense of responsibility and a respect
• discussions, helping students navigate complex social issues with a sense of responsibility and a respect

Transcript Highlights:

• Just had a question, uh, with respect to minimum defensible space as we've had it come up in discussions
• <00:07:02.560><c> question</c><00:07:03.199><c> uh</c><00:07:03.400><c> with</c><00:07:03.560><c> respect
• Sure, like I said, the policies for all the respective agencies have been disseminated to all the board
• Sure, like I said, the policies for all the respective agencies have been disseminated to all the board
• Um, on 277... ...the policies for all the respective agencies have been disseminated to all the board

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on House Bill 1064, which would implement recommendations from the Fire Safety Research Institute’s Maui wildfire report, clarify the role of the State Fire Marshal, and appropriate funds. Testimony was generally supportive from DLNR, the Climate Advisory Team, the State Fire Council, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Attorney General’s office, the Honu Fire Department, AARP, the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council, and others. Governor Green’s office said it supported the bill but wanted the office of the State Fire Marshal placed under the Department of Defense rather than the governor’s office, citing constitutional and administrative concerns. Members also questioned the State Fire Council about the selection process for the fire marshal and about defensible space and wildfire resilience in different communities. After discussion, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1064 to Friday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 225 for the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, with the same recommendation from the other committee. The hearing then moved to House Bill 697, which would expand who may review automated speed enforcement images. HDOT supported the bill but said it would prefer funding from the Highway Special Fund or the automated speed enforcement special fund rather than general revenues. Opposition testimony from the ACLU raised privacy concerns, argued the bill blurs the line between law enforcement and infrastructure management, and said DOT staff lack the mandate and expertise for the task. Judiciary said it would need additional capacity to process citations and hearings, and noted the program’s likely workload and costs were still uncertain. The committees then took up House Bill 277 on vehicular pursuit policy. The Attorney General and the Law Enforcement Standards Board urged the committees to defer the bill and let the board develop policy first, while Hawaii County Police opposed the measure as unnecessary, confusing, and too restrictive of officer discretion. Honolulu Police Department and the Policing Project supported the bill, arguing that clearer statewide standards and transparency are needed because pursuits can cause serious injuries or deaths and existing policies are inconsistent or not public. The Policing Project said the bill could be improved with amendments on serious crimes, but supported legislative action to set statewide standards while still involving the board. No final vote or action on HB 277 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You led this chamber with respect for the institution and respect for the people who serve in it.
• And I never did it again either because I respected her as the chair.
• Deep respect for this institution.
• You're so respectful of the minority party, truly.
• You have always respected the rights of others.

Summary: The Senate first handled a large batch of executive appointments reported by the Ethics and Elections Committee. Senators debated several nominees, with some members objecting to particular appointees over their views or past conduct. The report on the first group of appointments was adopted 31-0, and Jeffrey Aaron’s separate confirmation to the Public Employee Relations Commission was approved 26-10 after extended debate centered on his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations that he helped facilitate the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds into political activity. The chamber then considered Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. Supporters praised her work on Medicaid directed payments and hospital funding, while opponents criticized her prior tenure at the Department of Children and Families, citing problems with Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage, Hope Florida oversight, and a women’s shelter case. The Senate adopted her confirmation report 32-5. Next, Taylor Hatch’s confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families was taken up; the committee report noted ongoing concerns about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and Hope Florida, but recommended confirmation based on her stated commitments to reform. After debate over DCF’s performance and accountability, the Senate adopted her confirmation report 33-4. After a brief recess, the Senate held a recognition ceremony for outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered lengthy remarks praising her leadership, diligence, humor, and support for members, often recalling personal interactions and her role in shaping legislation and mentoring newer senators. The ceremony emphasized her service as Senate President and continued leadership as Rules Chair, and included a presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:27.520><c> to</c><00:19:28.160><c> uh</c> other types of land with respect to uh other types
• of land with respect to uh allowing<00:19:29.280><c> my</c><00:19:29.520><c> good</c><00:19:29.760><
• with respect to raising cows and uh<00:21:07.840><c> putting</c><00:21:08.159><c> up</c><00:21:08.720
• </c><00:26:59.200><c> to</c><00:26:59.360><c> institutional</c><00:27:00.000><c> land</c> with respect
• to institutional land with respect to institutional land around<00:27:00.480><c> the</c><00:27:00.640

Transcript Highlights:

• It's where they're able to show decency and respect for the time of these free world visitors instead
• It's where they're able to show decency and respect for the time of these free world visitors instead
• It's where they're able to show decency and respect for the time of these free world visitors instead
• It's where they're able to show decency and respect for the time of these free world visitors instead
• </c> backed off from that in in some respects backed off from that in in some respects um<00:47:35.440

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This in part deals with the delay in implementation of some of the guidance out to auto dealers with respect
• deals with kind of the delay and implementation of some of the guidance out to auto dealers with respect
• But with respect to the state agency, in this case, charging these fees to customers, we're not seeing
• both the luxury vehicle tax and the recreational vessel tax brings in $18.1 million and $138,000, respectively
• both the luxury vehicle tax and the recreational vessel tax brings in $18.1 million and $138,000, respectively

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session on Gross Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources measure, after a staff walkthrough of the Senate striking amendment S-5820.4. Staff explained that the striker largely replaced the bill with provisions from Senate Bill 6352 and related transportation revenue and policy changes, including updates to mobile driver’s licenses, account interest provisions, recreational vessel and luxury vehicle tax clarifications, peer-to-peer tax administration changes, fuel tax timing changes, aircraft fuel tax and account changes, bicycle education grants, ferry payment-card fee authority, traffic safety camera revenue and rebuttable presumption rules, online driver education regulation, transit annexation tax/liability clarification, Sound Transit 75-year bond authority limits, stolen copper protections for light rail and DOT communications infrastructure, and a highway contracting threshold change. Staff also reviewed fiscal impacts, including revenue gains from trade-in value clarifications and aircraft fuel changes, and losses from the diesel tax delay, motorhome exemption, and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax. Members asked several clarifying questions, including the luxury RV tax threshold, how trade-in value is treated under the luxury vehicle tax, whether ferry debit-card fees are authorized, and the legality of passing card-processing fees to customers. Staff and counsel said the luxury vehicle tax applies to value over $100,000, trade-in value is added back for the luxury tax calculation, and the ferry provision is intended to clarify that both credit and debit card surcharges may be passed through. On the traffic safety camera section, staff described a revised approach that would require stronger proof from registered owners to rebut presumed responsibility, and on Sound Transit bonds, staff clarified that bonds over 40 years would be limited to federal transportation loan purposes and would affect eligibility for certain state grants. After caucus, the committee returned to executive session, waived the amendment posting deadline under Senate Rule 45, adopted the striking amendment, and then voted to advance ESHB 2711 as amended with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The motion carried, and the chair thanked staff before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about respect, remembrance, and recognition.
• It's about respect, remembrance, and recognition.
• </c><00:13:56.480><c> It's</c><00:13:56.800><c> about</c><00:13:57.120><c> respect,</c> about politics
• It's about respect, about politics.
• It's about respect, remembrance,<00:13:58.720><c> and</c><00:13:58.959><c> recognition.

Bills: HB9 , SB2723

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 9 HD1, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart State, and SB 2723, relating to State Sheriff’s Day. On HB 9 HD1, Takumi Abby of Purple Heart Chapter 483 testified in strong support, saying the bill would recognize the service and sacrifice of combat-wounded veterans and honor Purple Heart recipients and their families. Additional support was noted from the Office of Veterans Services, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and CARES, whose representative Angela Melody Young described related veteran-honoring efforts in Honolulu and across Oahu and said the state designation would extend that recognition statewide. Members then moved to decision-making on HB 9 HD1. One member briefly commented on family military service and the importance of remembering Purple Heart recipients. The committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendation to pass the measure as is, with all members present voting aye. For SB 2723, the chair indicated the committee would further defer the date, while also recommending passage with amendments. The committee voted on the amended version and adopted the chair’s recommendation with no objections or reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• how we can best accommodate these requests that providers have or concerns that providers have with respect
• And so one of the first items that they bring up is with respect... ...And so one of the first items
• that they bring up is with respect to 24/7 entry.
• The last question that was asked here is with respect to the licensing of the facility, Madam Chair..
• The last question that was asked here is with respect to the licensing of the facility, Madam Chair,

Summary: The House Health and Human Services Committee heard SB 266, as amended, a bill concerning licensing and inspection of massage therapy establishments. The sponsor said the measure was intended to give the state more oversight over massage therapy facilities, both to protect public health and to help identify possible human trafficking. Melissa Salazar of the Regulation and Licensing Department testified that the bill would create establishment oversight under RLD, with inspectors hired by RLD and future details left to board rulemaking. A representative of the New Mexico chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association said the group was neutral but urged careful rulemaking on inspections and licensure. Most of the discussion focused on privacy and enforcement concerns. Several members questioned whether inspectors could enter during active sessions or into treatment rooms, whether the bill effectively made RLD a law-enforcement tool, and whether the statute was too broad because it left key standards to future rules. Salazar said other boards already use rules to limit inspections to posted business hours or to reschedule when a client is being treated, and that similar rules could be adopted here. The sponsor acknowledged the bill was intentionally broad so the board could set specifics, and said no amendment had been offered to narrow the inspection language. Members also asked about the bill’s history, whether acupuncture was included, how inspectors would be trained, and whether establishment fees could cover the new costs. The sponsor and witness said acupuncture was not included, inspectors would be trained by RLD, and fees would likely be set by the board. After debate, the committee moved a due pass motion and approved the bill 5-4. Several members said they supported the bill’s intent but wanted amendments or clearer privacy protections before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is that spirit of public service and passion for the positive change that I will always respect and
• But he was always respectful to everybody, even if he disagreed with you, he'd come up to this row over
• Let us also as individuals seek to create a legacy of respect, a legacy of working together.
• We have shared stories about your dad, how much He loved and respected the way that they keep this institution
• Regardless of their title, their race, their socioeconomic status, he treated everyone with love, respect

Bills: HR34 , HR36 , HR38 , HR39 , HR41 , HR42 , HR43 , HR67 , HR68 , HR73 , HR77 , HR81 , HR104 , HR166 , HR201 , HR202 , HR223 , HR226 , HR233 , HR234 , HR246 , HR264 , HR266 , HR268 , HR271 , HR280 , HR282 , HR286 , HR291 , HR292 , HR296 , HR298 , HR319 , HR326 , HR329 , HR348 , HR354 , HR373 , HR376 , HR381 , HR385 , HR386 , HR387 , HR391 , HR394 , HR395 , HR396 , HR399 , HR400 , HR402 , HR403 , HR404 , HR408 , HR409 , HR410 , HR413 , HR414 , HR417 , HR418 , HR419 , HR422 , HR424 , HR429 , HR435 , HR439 , HR440 , HR22 , HR88 , HR94 , HR136 , HR194 , HR231 , HR302 , HR397 , HR416 , HR420 , HR421 , HR423 , HR430 , HR431

Keywords: Ramadan, Islam, Muslim community, spiritual observance, cultural recognition, Eid al-Fitr, celebration, Texas legislation, Mother's Day, family, women, honor, Father's Day, gratefulness, recognition, Diwali, festival of lights, Hinduism, unity, Veterans Day

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:11.440><c> Um</c><00:52:11.680><c> so</c> respect to their risk level.
• Um so respect to their risk level.
• With respect to the to that question.
• With respect to general um and his team.
• 28:51.280><c> thoughtful</c> appreciate the respectful and thoughtful appreciate the respectful and thoughtful

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Arseneau, on behalf of TechNet, in respectful opposition. Thank you.
• We too have a respectful position of opposed unless amended and would align our comments with TechNet
• Sarah to get on behalf of the Rural County Representatives of California, in respectful opposition.
• Jacob Brent, with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition. Thank you.
• Jacob Brent, with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition. Thank you.

Summary: The committee began as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum and heard several privacy- and technology-related measures. The first item was H.R. 117, a resolution urging Congress to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The author and supporters argued the law is outdated and shields platforms from accountability for harms such as harassment, exploitation, scams, and other online abuse. Witnesses, including a survivor parent and a gender justice advocate, described harms to children, women, and LGBTQ people and urged a two-year sunset to force federal reform. Some members supported the resolution as a call for federal action, while one member said he could not support it because the resolution was too general and lacked specificity about the reforms being sought. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard SB 898, which would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long they will support the software and to notify consumers when products approach end of life. The author said consumers deserve transparency about security updates and continued functionality, and supporters from Consumer Reports and PIRG emphasized cybersecurity risks, consumer confusion, and electronic waste from unsupported devices. Opponents, including business and industry groups, raised concerns about enforcement through the unfair competition law, notice burdens, labeling issues, and compliance challenges, especially for products with long support windows or third-party dependencies. One member expressed support, noting the cybersecurity risks of end-of-life devices, but again no vote was taken because there was no quorum. The committee also heard SB 435, which would narrow the CCPA definition of publicly available information to limit how businesses classify data as public. The author and supporters said the bill would close a loophole that allows data brokers and others to monetize personal information without meaningful consent and could help prevent surveillance and misuse of data, including by government agencies. Opponents argued the bill would upset the balance between privacy and the free flow of information, create compliance uncertainty, and retroactively reclassify information that businesses reasonably believed was public. Some members said they supported the goal of stronger privacy protections, while others said the bill was too broad. The committee again could not vote due to the lack of a quorum. Later, the committee heard SB 923, which would expand Californians’ right to delete personal information to cover data obtained from third parties and require online businesses to offer a web form or similar method for deletion requests. Supporters, including the California Privacy Protection Agency and consumer advocates, said the bill would make deletion rights meaningful and better address data broker practices. Opponents sought an opt-out-of-processing alternative and raised operational and legal concerns, but supporters said deletion is not the same as retention or processing limits. Members largely spoke in favor of the bill’s privacy goals, but no action was taken. The committee also heard SB 947, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” which would require human review for certain automated employment decisions and limit predictive analysis in workplace discipline and termination. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or erroneous AI-driven decisions, while business, public employer, and local government groups opposed it as overbroad and burdensome. Members voiced support for human oversight in employment decisions, but the item was not voted on because the committee still lacked a quorum. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1114, the SOGI Data Privacy Act, which would restrict disclosure of sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex data to federal agencies absent a court order or legal requirement; the author and witness framed it as a response to federal efforts to obtain sensitive LGBTQ-related data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Arseneau, on behalf of TechNet, in respectful opposition. Thank you.
• We too have a respectful position of opposed unless amended and would align our comments with TechNet
• Sarah to get on behalf of the rural county representatives of California, in respectful opposition.
• Jacob Brent, with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition. Thank you.
• Jacob Brent, with the California Retailers Association, in respectful opposition. Thank you.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection