Transcript Highlights:

• The other change we made is that we changed all of the mobile food unit, food service establishment to
• this bill does, a lot of stakeholder input on this, basically aligns speed standards with existing technology

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session with a quorum present and took up three bills. House Bill 3262 was moved do pass and approved by a roll call vote of 15 ayes and 0 noes. House Bill 3157 was then considered with a House Committee substitute; the sponsor explained changes intended to clarify mobile food vendor licensing and inspections, including tying the definition of food to existing law, standardizing terminology, requiring one license per vehicle, extending the licensing timeline to 30 days, and preserving local/county inspection roles through collaborative agreements and state reimbursement. Members asked about inspection standards, local control, and concerns raised by counties and Kansas City, and the substitute was adopted before the bill was approved 15 ayes, 0 noes, with 2 present. The committee next took up House Bill 2886 with a House Committee substitute. The sponsor said the substitute aligned broadband speed standards with current technology, adjusted eligibility language for middle-mile and related federal programs, clarified treatment of second-place finishers in auctions, and removed a restriction on other forms of service. After brief questions and comments about stakeholder input, the substitute was adopted and the bill was voted do pass by 17 ayes and 0 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That technology is not available currently. how um so I I like that what I what I how um so I I like
• So it's... the technology is available for a low-voltage charger to monitor.
• So that's what I was going to say is the technology for us to do without an extra meter.
• </c><00:24:35.279><c> for</c> was going to say is the technology for was going to say is the technology
• Go ahead. >> Greg Loper, Driver and Vehicle Services.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• replace all the housing that's impacted by the project, and requiring that the city provide legal services
• We haven't even concluded his memorial services yet.
• Don Capkey on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, also opposed.
• The barrier is not the technology.
• It's, you know, we are home to AI and technology in Silicon Valley.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to environmental quality, housing, transportation, and waste policy. SB 1375, by Senator Cortese, would create a narrow CEQA exemption category for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive environmental review. Supporters, including VTA, the City of San Jose, BART, Caltrain, MTC, and Climate Reality Silicon Valley, said it would reduce duplicative review and speed projects like the Diridon Station modernization. Committee members emphasized added amendments requiring displacement, construction-impact, and natural resources plans, and the bill passed 5-0 as amended to Transportation. The committee then took up SB 1031 on compostable plastics labeling. The author and supporters such as Californians Against Waste and the California Compost Coalition argued the bill would reduce consumer confusion, curb contamination in compost and recycling streams, and direct OEHHA to study health and environmental impacts. Opponents including manufacturers, BPI, retailers, and other industry groups said the bill would effectively ban compostable products in California, harm businesses, and fail to fix the underlying National Organics Program issue. After extensive discussion about labeling, composting capacity, and costs, the bill passed 2-2 on call to Appropriations. SB 958, relating to the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, was presented next; supporters said it would help move forward a large housing and mixed-use project on city-owned land after years of review and voter approval, and it passed 3-0 on call to Local Government. SB 1075, the Clean Air Promise, drew the most extensive debate. The bill would strengthen implementation and enforcement of AB 617 community emissions reduction plans and local plans in overburdened communities. Environmental justice advocates and youth supporters backed the measure, while local governments, business groups, air district representatives, and industry groups warned it would create uncertainty, add land-use constraints, and act as a housing and cost driver. The author accepted several committee amendments and said the bill was still being worked on, but the motion to pass it to Local Government resulted in a 2-2 tie and the bill remained on call. SB 1064, by Senator Dahle, would reduce clean truck check testing frequency for low-use heavy-duty vehicles and equipment from twice a year to once a year. Agricultural and trucking witnesses supported it as a practical, cost-saving change, while air quality advocates opposed weakening a program they said prevents excess emissions and protects public health. The bill passed 4-0 on call to Transportation. Finally, SB 1258 was presented as a revised measure on remediation of hazardous waste sites on the Cortese list. The author said the committee amendments replaced the bill’s original approach, but he continued to argue that remediation should be aligned with housing development so contaminated infill sites can be cleaned up and built on more efficiently. Developers and environmental consultants supported the concept, saying current timing rules create risk and leave sites idle, while the committee continued to hear testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• replace all the housing that's impacted by the project, and requiring that the city provide legal services
• We haven't even concluded his memorial services yet.
• Dawn Kepke, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in respectful opposition
• Don Capkey on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, also opposed.
• The barrier is not the technology.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1375 by Senator Cortese, which would streamline environmental review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive prior review. Supporters, including VTA, San Jose transportation staff, BART, Caltrain, MTC, and Climate Reality Silicon Valley, said the bill would reduce duplicative analysis, save time and money, and help advance projects like the Diridon Station modernization in San Jose. Committee members emphasized the bill’s narrow scope and the added amendments requiring displacement planning, legal services for displaced residents, construction-impact mitigation, and natural resources planning. The bill was approved on a 5-0 vote and sent to Transportation as amended. The committee also took up SB 1031 on compostable plastics labeling and waste-stream impacts. The author and supporters such as Californians Against Waste argued the bill would reduce greenwashing, clarify labeling, cut contamination in compost and recycling streams, and direct OEHHA to study health and environmental effects. Opposition from manufacturers, BPI, retailers, and others focused on concerns that the bill would effectively ban compostable products in California, create costs, and fail to fix a separate federal/NOP labeling problem. After extensive discussion about composting capacity, labeling clarity, and costs, the bill passed 3-2 to Appropriations. SB 958 by Senator Weber Pierson addressed the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego. The bill, as amended, would no longer create a full CEQA exemption but instead clarify CEQA treatment of building-height impacts in the project’s future EIR. Supporters said the project would deliver thousands of housing units, including affordable housing, along with parks, a new arena, and economic benefits on underused city land. The committee voiced support for the project’s housing and revitalization goals, and the bill passed 3-0 to Local Government as amended. The committee also heard SB 1075 on strengthening AB 617 community air protection plans, with environmental justice supporters backing stronger enforcement and local implementation while local governments, business groups, and air district representatives warned it could create uncertainty, raise costs, and function as a land-use mandate; the bill was held on a 2-2 vote after the author accepted several amendments and continued negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• replace all the housing that's impacted by the project, and requiring that the city provide legal services
• We haven't even concluded his memorial services yet. ...so I'm sure in a world where he could be proud
• Hi there, Don Capkey on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, also opposed
• The barrier is not the technology.
• It's, you know, we are home to AI and technology in Silicon Valley.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medina, if you could identify yourself for the record, and then when we have technology on our side,
• c><00:12:58.000><c> when</c><00:12:58.240><c> we</c><00:12:58.399><c> have</c><00:12:58.639><c> technology
• </c> record and then when we have technology record and then when we have technology on<00:12:59.360>
• It is something that is offered as a service because typically the industry doesn't want this.
• It is something that is offered as a service because typically the industry doesn't want this.

Bills: HF858 , HF2577 , HF2576

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a $48,000 fiscal note on it that we can absorb and make that technology change.
• /c><00:07:01.039><c> that</c> that we can absorb and make that that we can absorb and make that technology
• Um so we fully technology change.
• I mean, similar to the Internal Revenue Service, if you file a late tax return, you get penalized at
• I mean, similar to the Internal Revenue Service, if you file a late tax return, you get penalized at

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is the Human Services trailer bill. Thank you, Madam President.
• This bill is the Human Services trailer bill.
• It extends the authorization for certain developmental services to be delivered remotely.
• to provide parity with in-home support services overtime pay requirements.
• It rejects reductions to In-Home Supportive Services.

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.

Transcript Highlights:

• watching his growth throughout his career and look forward to supporting his next step in public service
• As I was going through your paperwork and I saw that you're from Westwood College of Technology there
• I know there are other institutions that provide services, but I hope that commitment continues from

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• hoping to have it big enough so that the the the income that we get from it will help us provide services
• So we're paying the, the MCOs to do the service, but they're pushing it back onto the state to do.
• Oh, it's science technology. Thank you. Yeah, so.

Committee: House Tobacco Settlement Revenue Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• have invited Tom Berger, Deputy Secretary of Business Operations for the Department of Management Services
• I'm very pleased to present to you Tom Berger, the Department of Management Services.
• We are currently completing modernization with upgraded technology and furnishings for the Cabinet meeting

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to receive an overview and tour of Capitol complex construction projects funded through the Department of Management Services (DMS). Deputy Secretary Tom Berger gave a historical and project-by-project presentation on the Capitol campus, explaining the evolution of the historic Capitol and the current tower complex, and describing major ongoing work including the Waller Park west entry/ADA and waterproofing project, the east entry security screening area, Cabinet meeting room modernization, historic Capitol re-roofing, the large Capitol HVAC replacement, window replacement, Memorial Park improvements, the Holocaust Memorial, the North Loading Zone, and Knott Plaza upgrades. He noted that the Capitol windows and HVAC work are intended to address aging systems and improve resilience, security, and accessibility, and said the broader Capitol window project will continue over several years. Members asked questions about the African-American memorial, the old bank/archives building with water damage, the roofing material and expected lifespan, the legal definition of the Capitol complex, and the history of early legislative meetings in Pensacola and St. Augustine. Berger said the African-American memorial base is built and the installation should be completed in March or April, while the archives building is owned and managed by the Department of State. He also explained that the roof uses a slate-like material designed for a 50-year life cycle, though major storms could still damage it, and clarified that the Capitol complex can be defined differently in statute versus operationally. Chair Lopez and other members requested follow-up information, including a rendering of the African-American memorial and a table summarizing the Capitol investments and when the facilities were last updated, so members can better explain the spending to constituents. Berger said he would provide the requested information, and the committee then concluded the presentation and proceeded to the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the Department of Health and Human<00:14:28.959><c> Services</c><00:14:29.360><c> shall</c><00:14:
• </c> program or voluntary service program or voluntary service documentation.<00:31:01.760><c> Verification
• </c><00:36:10.960><c> in</c> everybody's provided that service in everybody's provided that service in
• Just want to make service or or working.
• </c><00:59:02.240><c> technology</c> we also have to perfect that. technology we also have to perfect

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see most of it is in protection services.
• , which is our food safety inspection, FDA, EPA, but also like Forest Service.
• works</c><00:08:10.400><c> with</c><00:08:10.560><c> the</c> services, APHUS which works with the services
• I would also like to thank Representative Vang for her past service on our board.
• </c> representative bank for her past service representative bank for her past service at<01:23:07.600

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human Services so<00:04:34.919>
• So we have Adult Protective Service workers, we have child protective service workers, and we have JPOs
• </c> prevention we do the client services prevention we do the client services delivery<00:09:23.560>
• workers we have child Protective Service workers we have child protective<00:09:30.680><c> service</
• c><00:09:31.000><c> workers</c> protective service workers protective service workers jpos<00:09:33.120

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to thank you for your service to the state, the service you've done to PBLO.
• I greatly appreciate your service.
• The demands of this service can be hard. The demands of this service can be hard.
• , important services to our...
• And I'm just grateful for Senator Rodriguez's service.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the claim itself and the damage that has resulted on the property results in a change of services
• And the reason why providers are incentivized to do that is they get paid on the date of service, and
• There are protections: If you cannot submit a claim for services that are not covered, that are elective
• This is the Division of Veterans Services. Essentially what this is, it's a 2027 enhancement.
• House Environment, Energy and Technology Committee will not meet Friday, March 20th.

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. The chamber then received messages from the Governor and Senate, including notice of several House bills signed by the Governor, Senate bills and resolutions transmitted for signature or first reading, and committee reports advancing a number of measures. The House also referred Senate Concurrent Resolution 122 to State Affairs and introduced several new bills, including House Bills 936 and 937, and Senate Bills 1297 and 1352, all of which were sent to committee. On third reading, the House passed House Bills 873, 890, 900, 928, 929, 930, 932, 879, 898, 896, 895, 856, and 911, along with Senate Bills 1321, 1224 as amended, 1347, 1380, 1381, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, and House Resolution 28. The bills covered election deadlines, surplus state property, insurance claims on state facilities, a merit-based health care/DEI restriction bill, patient-negotiated medical discounts, campaign finance reporting, an advisory ballot question on an official state gun, industrial hemp regulation, historic preservation office reorganization, enforcement of compliance with state law, data center water use, protection of human remains, large-load utility ratepayer protections, and several appropriations or enhancement budgets. Most passed by comfortable margins, though House Bill 928 drew the most debate and passed 56-14, and House Bill 930 passed narrowly 36-34. Several measures drew notable testimony or opposition. Supporters of House Bill 928 argued it would remove DEI-related practices from Medicaid health care and replace them with merit-based standards; opponents warned it would block anti-racism and implicit-bias training and could worsen health disparities. House Bill 896 prompted concerns that it politicized enforcement of the law by allowing selected officials to refer alleged violations to the Attorney General, while supporters said it created a needed compliance mechanism with a cure period. House Bill 895 on data centers, House Bill 911 on large-load utility protections, and House Bill 856 on human remains all emphasized transparency, resource management, or closing loopholes. The House also returned some bills to committee, sent others to general orders, made announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• These teams are largely made up of highly trained volunteers who stand ready at all hours, putting service
• this work even more difficult and the emotional toll even greater, underscoring the depth of their service
• Their extraordinary service to Nevada County and to the state of California reminds us all of the power
• She brings over 30 years of Canadian government experience, including service as Canada's ambassador
• Canada and California not only share deep ties across trade, technology, climate, and beyond, but there

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, with opening prayer and pledge, followed by a series of guest introductions recognizing Nevada County search and rescue volunteers, a Canadian delegation, Oakland High School Public Health Academy students, Claremont McKenna College students, St. Edward’s Parish School students, and others. The body also approved several procedural motions, including re-referrals of bills to committees and permission for committees to notice bills pending re-referral. On the floor file, the Assembly adopted ACR 152 designating March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with remarks praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood supply, and training work. It also adopted HR 90 celebrating No-Ruz, the Persian New Year, with members noting its themes of renewal and resilience amid conflict affecting Iranian communities. Later, ACR 141 recognizing Visak Day was adopted, honoring the Buddha’s birth and teachings on peace, compassion, and balance. Each of these resolutions received numerous co-authors before voice vote adoption. The Assembly also passed AB 1844, which updates the Judges’ Retirement System 2 to allow judges to designate non-spouse beneficiaries for survivor retirement benefits and extend protections to vested judges. On the consent calendar, AB 1948 relating to firearms and several resolutions, including HR 94 on Major League Baseball Opening Day 2026 and Senate concurrent resolutions, were adopted, with AB 1948 passing 60-0. The session concluded with an adjournment in memory of Caitlin Katie Mardellett and a motion to adjourn for spring recess until April 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• This growth will lead to an increased demand for health services. is expected to continue growing.
• This growth will lead to an increased demand for health services, and whereas the CDC reported that 44.2%
• I'm appointing Senator QVee to the Committee on Health and Human Services to temporarily replace Senator
• We have put our faith in the development of new technologies for putting people to death and debated
• Committee announcements for Thursday, March 19th: the Health and Human Services Committee will meet at

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, electronic roll call, and several guest introductions, including recognition of Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The President also made temporary committee appointments for the day and announced the day’s calendar of bills and committee referrals. The chamber then took up third-reading votes on several measures. Senate Bill 1014, relating to health insurance, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1016, on employment practices and religious exemptions, also passed 17-9 after debate about workplace safety and public health. Senate Bill 1050, concerning state parks and veteran access, passed 19-9, with supporters citing benefits for disabled and retired veterans and opponents warning about impacts on park fees. Senate Bill 1054, relating to referendum power and emergency measures, passed 16-10 amid debate over local emergency authority. Senate Bill 1177, relating to public monies and health care services, passed 17-9 after sharp partisan debate over transgender-related medical restrictions. Senate Bill 1194, also on health care services and vaccination-related medical decisions, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1398, relating to AHCCCS, passed 17-9. Senate Bill 1751, relating to capital punishment, passed 16-9. The Senate also passed SCR 1049, a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment on capital punishment, by a 16-9 vote. Throughout the floor debate, members offered explanations of vote focused on public health, religious liberty, veterans’ benefits, emergency powers, transgender rights, vaccination policy, and the death penalty. The Senate then announced a Health and Human Services Committee meeting for the following day and adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Economic Development Committee, or the EDC, is looking for an industry, while Amazon Web Services
• My Amazon Web Services, or AWS, was looking for some more developed up.
• is for community taxes to be lowered because the data centers will be paying so much to our public service
• Will your emergency services—fire, police, and ambulance—be able to handle the size of the structure
• So, there are more simple little things that will affect your area with services and employment, and

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met with 11 members present and heard no bills for public hearing or executive action. Instead, the committee received a presentation from the Montgomery County R-2 FFA ag issues team on proposed data centers in their county, framed as a mock town hall discussion. The students and panel discussed the project’s scale, including roughly 1,760 acres across two sites, and debated concerns about eminent domain, noise, light pollution, water use, electricity demand, soil and wildlife impacts, recycling of equipment, and tax abatements versus projected school district revenue. The presentation featured sharply divided viewpoints: a county/economic development perspective emphasizing jobs, utility planning, and major tax revenue for schools; a community and environmental perspective raising concerns about farmland loss, groundwater and well impacts, property values, and long-term ecological effects; and a farmer’s perspective opposing the project to protect agricultural land and rural life. The panel cited figures such as about 50 million gallons of water annually, potential school district revenue of about $11 million in the first year of the initial phase and roughly $43 million annually when fully built out, and discussed PILOT payments and the Powering Missouri Growth Plan as ways to offset costs. Committee members then praised the students’ preparation and public speaking, and several offered policy and practical suggestions, including considering local construction labor, emergency service capacity, backup generator noise, and clearer context for water-usage numbers. One member asked what legislation could help, and the students suggested setting environmental-use limits such as water or light-pollution restrictions. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peer support services are recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• AB 1359 Arreguín, jury service exemption, due pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1359 Arreguín, jury service exemption, due pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1359 errands, jury service exemption, due pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 375, Nguyen, qualified autism service paraprofessionals, do pass out on an A roll call.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.