Transcript Highlights:

• They are in support. We have Jacob Wernick, individual, in support.
• Ben KPS, Public First Law Center, in support. Peter Fritz, individual, written in support.
• We have Lani Nipo, individual, written in support. And Jenny Yago, each individual, in support.
• They have written in support. We have Stacy Aldri, librarian, written in support.
• individuals all in support.

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any additional witnesses in support of AB 685?
• Any additional witnesses in support?
• Any additional witnesses in support for AB 1581?
• Any additional witnesses in support for AB 2466?
• Is there anyone wishing to testify in support of AB 2178?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to hear 30 measures, all listed as suspense file candidates. The chair noted that AB 1844 and AB 442 were removed from the agenda and would be heard later, and that the Department of Finance had no comments on any of the bills. Members established a quorum, and witnesses were reminded to keep testimony focused on fiscal impacts. Most bills were heard with authors waiving presentation and no opposition testimony or member questions. The committee moved a long list of bills to suspense without objection, including AB 375, AB 431, AB 647, AB 672, AB 767, AB 946, AB 1165, AB 1171, AB 1198, AB 1439, AB 1541, AB 1581, AB 1590, AB 1668, AB 1785, AB 1829, AB 2466, AB 1890, AB 1987, AB 1949, AB 2011, AB 2178, AB 2191, AB 2249, AB 2518, AB 2519, and AB 2706. A few bills drew brief support testimony: AB 685 from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, AB 1581 from Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, AB 2466 from the Association of Regional Center Agencies, and AB 2706 from Niagara Bottling. No bills were voted out of suspense or otherwise acted on beyond being placed on the suspense file, and the meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here in strong support of AB 1621.
• Oh, do we have any other witnesses in support?
• League of California Cities, in support.
• We will be supporting your bill.
• We will be supporting your bill.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 25, 2026, hearing eight bills, with several measures focused on housing, water, and local government administration. AB 1621 by Assemblymember Wilson sought to speed post-entitlement housing permits by setting clearer timelines, limiting repeated plan checks, and restricting field changes that conflict with approved plans. Supporters from the building, apartment, business, and housing sectors said the bill would reduce delays and costs, while county and city representatives opposed it unless amended, warning it could limit local enforcement of building and environmental codes and create problems for incomplete applications. The bill passed after a roll call vote, with the committee noting it would continue working with local government groups on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1712, which would help Santa Fe Springs sell its small, financially strained water system to a larger regulated provider without requiring a municipal election, using a protest process instead. The author and city officials said the system faces contamination, major deferred maintenance, and rate increases that could otherwise triple; water industry representatives supported the bill and no opposition was heard. AB 2080, sponsored by county treasurers, would make county delegations of investment authority to treasurers ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal, with supporters saying it would reduce administrative burden and avoid technical lapses. AB 2640 would allow local governments to offset reductions in reimbursement for disallowed state mandate claims against other unpaid mandate reimbursements; Shasta County testified in support, describing a large audit disallowance and long-delayed state payments. Both bills passed. The committee also approved consent items AB 1622 and AB 1834. AB 2180, which would codify a framework for proportional water rates under Proposition 218 based on the Dreher decision, drew broad support from water agencies and local government groups, but opposition from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and the California Association of Realtors, who argued the bill was premature while the Supreme Court reviews related case law. Despite that opposition, the bill passed on a 6-2 vote, and the remaining bills were advanced with roll calls left open for additional votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also support provider stability and rate reforms so providers can continue serving families and supporting
• days post-go-live support.
• So it's a defined set of roles, so peer support and that care coordination and therapeutic support, right
• So I ask you to support these programs.
• So thank you for having supported that before, and we're hoping that you continue to support it so that

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin Ortee, waving in support. Justin Sipersand, waving in support.
• Martin Ortee, waving in support. Justin Sipersand, waving in support.
• Lison Ellington, waving in support. Veronica Kivalais, waving in support.
• Cheyenne Selesky, waving in support. Brandon Santiago, waving in support.
• Michelle Rodriguez, waving in support. Emily Gorence, waving in support.

Bills: S1080 , S1112 , S1324 , S1338 , S1582 , S1672

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Keywords: traffic safety, school zones, speed detection systems, license plate recognition, yellow signal timing, data privacy, municipal powers, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce, limited liability companies, corporations, principal office, registered agent, Florida Statutes, charitable giving, endowment agreements, donor restrictions

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered several bills. SB 1338 by Senator Burton would strengthen enforcement of written endowment agreements for charitable gifts and require legislative approval for new filing or reporting requirements on charities. The sponsor and Philanthropy Roundtable testified in support, emphasizing donor intent and protections for nonprofits; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1324, which was expected to address principal offices of LLCs, was temporarily postponed. The committee also passed CS/SB 1080 by Senator DeSigley, which directs FDOT to adopt rules allowing direct payments to first-tier subcontractors in specified circumstances. A transportation industry representative supported the measure, saying the situations are rare but need a statutory remedy. CS/SB 1582 by Senator Yarbrough, as amended, requires secondhand dealers, secondary metal recyclers, and pawnbrokers to submit transaction data to FDLE for statewide sharing through systems such as LInX; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably, with one witness from the Florida Recycler’s Association opposing the amendment. Senator McLean’s SB 1672, creating a home buyer workforce tax credit for employer contributions to help employees with first-time Florida home purchases, was reported favorably with support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. SB 1112 by Senator Garcia, relating to the Florida Labor Pool Act, drew extensive testimony from workers, reentry advocates, and supporters who argued it would prohibit placement fees when workers are hired permanently, require annual registration of labor pools, improve accountability, and support stable employment and reentry; the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after recording votes and other closing business.

Transcript Highlights:

• testimony in support.
• . support. support.
• </c> testimony in support. testimony in support.
• </c> testimony in support. testimony in support.
• intent,</c><01:26:42.960><c> support</c> So again, support the intent, support So again, support the

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education resolutions, beginning with HCR 11 and HR 14, which ask the Board of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission to report on improving access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools. The Charter School Commission supported the measure, and OHA also supported it while noting long-standing facility challenges, the lack of a dedicated facilities appropriation, and the strain on charter schools that have had to use operating funds for buildings and temporary structures. Kealakehe Academy, Hawaii Technology Academy, and several individuals also testified in support. The committee then took up HCR 181 and HR 171, which seek a shared decision-making committee to develop an action plan for a K-12 Ka Waihona School in Kapolei. The Department of Education said it has already developed a strategic plan for Kaipuni education, has expanded immersion programs over the past decade, and is addressing growth through interim guidance and a new priority placement process. Community witnesses, including representatives of Ke Alo Ever, strongly supported the resolutions, emphasizing the need for a K-12 pathway, the importance of Hawaiian language and culture, and the role of community voice in planning. They argued that teacher shortages, especially for licensed Hawaiian immersion teachers, remain a major barrier and proposed a kumu recruitment and retention program tied to community, UH, and DOE partnerships. The committee also heard HCR 187 and HR 177, which urge the Department of Education to begin initiatives to address teacher retention statewide. DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education said teacher retention is already being addressed through the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, a five-year plan focused on building capacity, improving satisfaction, and compensation, and a new DOE human resources plan. In response to questions, DOE said it is seeking better school-level data on why teachers leave, is preparing for contract negotiations, and is working with the standards board and DLIR on an apprenticeship-related grant. TECC representatives said the group has been working since the pandemic era, may narrow its focus to retention as the most actionable area, and expects to provide more concrete recommendations in its annual report. The transcript ends as the committee moves on to the next item, HCR 47 and HR 43, without showing any votes or final actions on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• DLNR stands in support as well. Testimony and support from the County of Kauai.
• Support.
• support.
• Support, thank you. Up next is Department of Law Enforcement in support.
• Ched support, thank you. Uh, we also have testimony and support from...

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 1422, which would exempt certain community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier law, drew support from the Department of Transportation, PUC, DLNR, Kauaʻi County, the Hōnaunau Initiative, and others; members asked about narrowing amendments to prevent unintended use, and the bill later advanced with amendments, including a three-year sunset. HB 1162, requiring motorcycle instruction permit applicants to complete a DOT-approved basic rider course, received support from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services; it advanced with amendments to address city and county concerns and to allow more implementation time. HB 1259, which would remove the need for an engineering study when reducing speed limits by up to 10 mph, had mixed testimony and was deferred for further discussion. HB 1260, establishing summer streets pilot programs for counties other than Oʻahu, drew support from DOT, DOH, UH, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, bicycling and public health groups, and individuals; DOH and others asked that Oʻahu be included, but the measure was deferred for later decision-making. HB 177, making civil ID cards free, had opposition from DOT and Honolulu Customer Services and support from health advocates; DOT said the program costs about $1.3 million annually and would need replacement funding, and the bill was deferred. HB 862, authorizing motor coaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services under certain conditions, received broad support from disability advocates, DOE-related entities, neighborhood boards, and private providers, with testimony emphasizing flexibility and accessibility; it was deferred. HB 667, requiring microchip scanning and reporting when deceased cats or dogs are removed from roadways, was supported by DOT, the Hawaiian Humane Society, and many animal groups and individuals, and was passed unamended. HB 960, increasing the cap on certain DOT capital investment contracts, and HB 228, authorizing electronic license plates and banning plate-obscuring devices and flipping devices, were both heard and then deferred. HB 1156, increasing the amount of special facility revenue bonds available for harbor improvements, received support from DOT, the Island Chamber of Commerce, Alakaʻi Energy, and the Harbor Users Group, and was passed unamended to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in support of this resolution.
• We strongly support this bill and hope you vote in support. Thank you so much. Thank you. Dispora.
• I do in concept support this.
• And I fully support this, but I'll be happy when we see some of those outcomes and how... ...support
• We want to fully support this bill. So thank you, Madam Chair. We want to fully support this bill.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we do not support... ...supporting communities on the front lines of climate change.
• shuffle does is it decreases support for impacted communities.
• Many rely on Medicaid funding support. We employ 50 or so caregivers and support staff.
• I have. ...employ 50 or so caregivers and support staff.
• Resume and job support.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee continued its public hearing on House Bill 2289, the fiscal biennial supplemental operating budget appropriations bill. The chair and vice chair explained the hearing process, limited testimony to one minute per person, and then heard extensive public comment from a wide range of advocates, local officials, service providers, and residents. No committee vote was taken during the hearing. Much of the testimony focused on opposition to proposed budget shifts involving Climate Commitment Act revenue, especially the proposed diversion of $569 million to other uses, including the Working Families Tax Credit. Environmental, public health, and local government witnesses argued those funds should remain dedicated to climate pollution reduction, wildfire resilience, clean transportation, natural climate solutions, and affordability programs. Several speakers also urged full funding for wildfire response and forest health, including the HB 1168 commitment, and opposed transfers from the Public Works Assistance Account. Other major topics included Medicaid and long-term care rates, with nursing home and assisted living providers warning that freezing or delaying rate rebasing would worsen staffing shortages and threaten access to care. Public health and health care advocates opposed cuts to foundational public health services, Apple Health expansion, and pharmacy benefit changes, while oral health advocates asked to preserve Medicaid dental funding and support Dentist Link. Testimony also supported or opposed funding for K-12 programs such as special education, the Ninth Grade Success Initiative, and homeless student stability; early learning and child care subsidies; disability services; public defense; housing and homelessness prevention; food assistance; higher education; and immigrant legal services. The committee concluded the hearing and adjourned after public testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yvonne Fernandez, AARP, waves in support. AARP, waves in support.
• James Beasley, ACFS, waves in support. Kim Beasley, AAUW, waves in support.
• Darren Mason, crime survivor, waves in support. Elizabeth Ford waves in support.
• James Beasley, ACFS, waves in support. Kim Beasley, AAU, waves in support.
• Emily Owens, AAUW, waves in support. support. Emily Owens, AAU.W. Waves in support.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements and allow challenges by qualified candidates or political parties. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer; the sponsor and local law enforcement supporters emphasized the Raynor case, while criminal defense lawyers objected to deleting existing force-limit language and to the mandatory life penalty. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills extending or preserving public records exemptions, including CS/SB 7014 on social media platform investigations, SB 7016 on small business loan program records, CS/SB 7012 on Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigations, CS/SB 7000 on emergency shelter recipient information, CS/SB 7002 on Department of Military Affairs records, SB 7004 on conviction integrity unit reinvestigation materials, SB 7006 on Florida Public Service Commission records and meetings, and SB 7008 on Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. Other measures reported favorably included SB 624 allowing optional faith-based activities in batterers’ intervention programs, HB 167 protecting former phosphate mining lands from certain strict-liability claims, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units and housing supply, SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure, SB 292 creating a records exemption for appellate court clerks and families, CS/SB 296 expanding domestic violence safety tools and address confidentiality protections, CS/SB 298 as the public-records companion, SB 386 on farm equipment lemon-law style protections, and SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local governments, advocacy groups, industry groups, and affected families, with some opposition on SB 156 and SB 290. For CS/SB 48, the committee adopted two amendments before reporting the bill favorably. SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was temporarily postponed after the chair allowed public testimony but no final action was taken. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is support. Scott Kaufman, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, in support.
• This is support. Asha Sharma, on behalf of Sierra Club California, in support.
• I support, we support. Thank you very much.
• , and I support the bill.
• Name, organization, and this is support. Christine Smith, Health Access California, in support.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, moving on to— and I forgot to note this on the support side, so we're going to do support first
• And so because I was supportive last year and supportive of the now technical amendments, I'll be supporting
• Commerce and support.
• Strong support. Thank you. Chris Lee on behalf of the Urban Counties of California in support.
• Happy to support the bill.'

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your support.
• We support this bill.
• 29:46.120><c> support</c><00:29:47.120><c> in</c> testimony and support in testimony and support in person
• We have AlohaCare in support.
• Next, we have SFA in person in support. Thank you. We are in support, with comments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Education heard several Department of Education-related bills and received extensive testimony on school meals and veteran diplomas. HB 628 would restore authority for the Department of Education to issue high school diplomas to veterans whose schooling was interrupted by World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The superintendent testified in support, explaining the authority had sunset in 2020 and describing the measure as a way to recognize veterans. No opposition or questions were raised, and the bill was left without further action in the excerpt. The committee also heard HB 1074 and HB 110, both supported by the Department of Education and the School Facilities Authority. HB 1074 was described as a cleanup measure to clarify land-related language and make the statute more consistent across state agencies and DOE. HB 110 concerned benchmarking and the farm-to-school/local food effort; DOE and several supporters, including county councils, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, said the bill would help align metrics and support the 30% local food goal by 2030. Members questioned DOE about progress, and DOE said it was working on menus, procurement, and coordination with distributors and farmers. A Farm to School representative said the current bottleneck was poor communication with farmers and the need to bring them into planning earlier; DOE said it was still figuring out the process and that island-based procurement and separate RFPs were being explored. HB 328, relating to school meals and local resource food and plant-based options, drew the most testimony. DOE testified with comments, and the Attorney General’s office suggested revisions to clarify that the bill would apply to both DOE and charter schools, to separate public and private funds if donations or grants are accepted, and to add standards if nonprofit or private entities receive public money. Supporters included HSTA, the Hawaii Public Health Institute/Farm to School Network, Climate Protection Hawaii, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and numerous individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized healthier school meals, student-requested plant-based options, support for local farms, and the 30% by 2030 goal. Some testimony urged more local purchasing and raised concerns about decentralization, while DOE said it was considering island-based procurement and separate contracts to better support local producers. No votes were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but also you could go somewhere else to get support that was not a proprietary support system.
• I'm proud to support. Thank you.
• I'm supportive also. Thank you, sir. ...request-wise. Okay, thank you. I'm supportive also.
• I'm also going to support Thank you, Senator. I'm also going to support the bill.
• Now we'll turn to any other testimony in support from folks who would like to express support.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several privacy, technology, and public safety bills. SB 898 would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long software support will last and to notify consumers when support is nearing its end; Consumer Reports supported the measure, while members raised concerns about private enforcement, notice mechanics, and replacement obligations for leased devices. The bill was amended and passed 5-1 to Judiciary, with the measure placed on call. SB 1279 would authorize Long Beach to install additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway under the same privacy and equity guardrails as the existing pilot program, including limits on data use, no facial recognition, warning periods, and reduced fees for low-income recipients. Supporters cited severe crashes and fatalities on PCH, while opponents raised civil liberties and due process concerns and questioned how the system identifies the actual driver. The committee approved the bill 6-2 and placed it on call. SB 1111, the Artificial Intelligence Abuse Protection Act, would create civil remedies for non-consensual AI voice, image, and video cloning and digital replicas. Support came from SAG-AFTRA and Common Sense Media, and members discussed concerns about background images and employer liability, including a request to preserve a rebuttable presumption for good-faith employers. The bill passed 7-1 to Public Safety and was placed on call. SB 1217 would create a DOJ-run clearinghouse for survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfakes to request removal from online platforms; survivors and advocacy groups testified in strong support, and members discussed privacy, cybersecurity, funding, and the lack of a private right of action. It passed 8-0 to Public Safety and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1095, which would require fusion centers and participating agencies to adopt MOUs barring use of sensitive personal information for immigration enforcement or racial/identity profiling, require annual reporting, and allow audits and inspections. Supporters argued fusion centers have operated with too little oversight and have been used to circumvent state privacy and immigration laws; some members supported the transparency goals while others raised concerns about operational ambiguity and the bill’s interaction with existing law. The discussion continued, with the author and members debating the scope of permissible information sharing and enforcement consequences for violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Software support and updates.
• But also, you could go somewhere else to get support that was not a proprietary support system.
• Are there any witnesses in support?
• I'm supportive also. Thank you, sir. Okay, thank you. I'm supportive also. Thank you, sir.
• I'm also going to support... Thank you, Senator. I'm also going to support the bill.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, we will have public comment and support if you are here to support. Thank you.
• Do we have any witnesses in support? Sorry, any public comments in support?
• I'm very excited to support it.
• If we have any witnesses in support, please step forward. Any public comment in support?
• If we have any witnesses in support, please step forward. Any public comment in support?

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a lengthy agenda of education-related bills, with quorum established at the start and several measures taken up on consent or special order. The committee also announced that AB 1644, AB 2362, and later AB 2197 were pulled from the hearing. Members reminded the public of hearing rules and limited testimony to two witnesses each in support and opposition. AB 2651, by Assemblymember Bonta, would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd-immunity thresholds. Supporters, including physicians, the California State PTA, public health groups, and school employee organizations, argued that families need timely, school-specific information to protect children and vulnerable community members. Opponents raised concerns about privacy, stigma, and whether school-level snapshots could be misleading. The bill passed the committee 5-1 and later 7-1 on the roll call. AB 2509, by Assemblymember Schultz, would allow districts to use a five-year rolling average for ADA funding calculations; supporters said it would stabilize funding amid attendance declines, while one member noted concerns about masking long-term enrollment problems. It passed 5-1 and later 7-2. The committee also approved AB 2430, which would expand after-school access, especially for high school students, improve funding and transparency, and create a work group on program quality. Testimony emphasized the value of expanded learning for youth development and working families, and members discussed the need to address middle school access as well. AB 2526, focused on special education funding, would expand the low-incidence fund to include students qualifying for the California alternate assessment; supporters said it would better align funding with student need, while some concerns remained about over-identification. AB 2325, the Pathways to Bilingual Teaching Act, would create a grant program to build bilingual teacher pipelines through partnerships among schools, community colleges, and universities; it received strong support and passed unanimously. AB 2460, presented by Assemblymember Pellerin for Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez, would update school mental-health referral protocols to address trauma related to immigration enforcement; it also passed unanimously. AB 2404, which sought to require Central Valley representation on several governor-appointed bodies, drew debate over geographic representation and board composition and ultimately failed on a 2-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any witnesses in support? Sorry, any public comments in support?
• That being said, I will be supporting your bill today, and I reserve the right to possibly not support
• I'm very excited to support it.
• If we have any witnesses in support, please step forward. Any public comment in support?
• If we have any witnesses in support, please step forward. Any public comment in support?

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How many do we have in support? Do we have anyone opposed? All right, first up in support.
• Next up in support.
• We're just very supportive of this legislation and happy to go on record in support. Thank you.
• And I fully support that.
• How many do we have in support? How many do we have opposed? Okay. First up in support.

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in support of this resolution.
• I'm speaking in strong support of H.J.R. 5.
• We strongly support this bill and hope you vote in support. Thank you so much. Thank you. Dispora.
• I do in concept support this.
• We want to fully support this bill. So thank you, Madam Chair. We want to fully support this bill.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard three measures: H.J.R. 5 on legislative compensation, Senate Bill 29 as amended on math instruction, and Senate Bill 37 on literacy instruction. H.J.R. 5 was presented as a constitutional amendment to create a paid legislature tied to New Mexico’s median household income, with supporters arguing it would broaden access to public service, reduce conflicts of interest, and better reflect the realities of modern legislative work. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from advocacy groups, civic organizations, faith groups, and veterans; one member raised concerns about fairness, attendance, and whether outside employment would still be allowed. The committee adopted an amendment to move the ballot question from 2028 to 2026, then approved H.J.R. 5 on a 5-1 vote. Senate Bill 29, endorsed by the Legislative Education Study Committee, would strengthen math instruction by improving teacher preparation, requiring PED to set up statewide math supports, and creating early screening and family engagement for students. Supporters, including educators, business groups, and education nonprofits, said New Mexico’s math outcomes are too low and that early intervention and better teacher preparation are needed. Members asked about teacher licensure requirements, parent support, standardized testing concerns, and district implementation. The committee heard that the bill’s screenings are intended to be developmental rather than high-stakes tests, and that parents would be supported through school-based guidance. The bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 37 would codify a science-of-reading framework, require high-quality instructional materials, add literacy coaches and assessments, and expand support for bilingual and dual-language instruction. Supporters said the bill builds on recent gains in reading proficiency and strengthens teacher preparation and early intervention. Opponents, including tribal leaders, bilingual education scholars, and advocacy groups, argued the bill was too English-dominant, could conflict with existing bilingual and tribal language laws, and did not go far enough to protect indigenous languages and community-based approaches. Sponsors said amendments were being developed to clarify biliteracy, culturally responsive instruction, and protections for native language learning, and the committee advanced the bill on a vote with several members noting their support was contingent on those promised amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We support this. Your time is up, please close. We support this and appreciate the Senator's bill.
• Support witnesses may sit on the support witnesses may. Thank you.
• Support witnesses may sit on the support witnesses may. You each have two minutes. Good morning.
• So I'm supporting the bill today.
• State, billing rates in support. Judy E. State, billing rates in support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on workplace technology, labor protections, and data center oversight. SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, would require human review before automated systems are used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis in the workplace. Labor groups, worker advocates, and privacy organizations supported the bill, arguing AI can be biased and should not make life-changing employment decisions without human judgment. Business groups opposed it, saying it was broader than prior versions, could interfere with workplace safety tools, and should not include a private right of action or cover independent contractors. After discussion about due process and accountability, the bill passed the committee 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay upfront for new transmission or distribution infrastructure, create a separate rate structure so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers, and include skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers, create good construction jobs, and encourage zero-carbon energy development. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings on these issues and warned the bill could single out one industry and discourage investment. The committee members emphasized labor standards and community concerns, and the bill passed 3-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for layoffs caused by AI or automation, require reporting to workers, local government, and EDD, and give displaced workers first consideration for other openings. Supporters said the bill responds to rapid AI-driven layoffs and would provide needed transparency and data. Opponents said the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements too burdensome, and the bill conflicted with existing WARN law; they also objected to the private right of action and inclusion of independent contractors. The committee discussed amendments clarifying that an employee may still be discharged for reasonable and substantiated cause during the notice period. The bill passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1032, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, and SB 1046, which would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards to protect lifeguards and park rangers from transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. SB 1032 drew support from labor and enforcement advocates who said it would help stop staffing fraud, while staffing firms argued the bill was vague and could burden legitimate small businesses; it passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. SB 1046 was supported by park workers and community groups describing health impacts from pollution and passed 4-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent item, which passed 4-0, and then adjourned.