Transcript Highlights:

• We have to phone a friend. Oh, it doesn't work? All right, that's awesome.
• I would have to get you a finite number.
• And so, again, happy to sit down and talk numbers.
• So that's question number one.
• I phoned now.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Senator Mayfield explained that current law only allows pre-tax contributions, and the bill would let the Department of Financial Services and local governments offer post-tax Roth options. The bill had one support appearance card, no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended “Floridians First” budget, totaling $117.4 billion and $53.2 billion in general revenue. The presentation highlighted reserves, debt paydown, tax relief, and proposed reductions and efficiencies, along with major spending areas in education, health care, public safety, corrections, transportation, and economic development. Key proposals included higher K-12 funding, teacher salary increases, funding for Everglades and water quality projects, emergency preparedness, corrections staffing and facility funding, cybersecurity, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserves, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and spending, the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and federal reimbursement, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, animal abuse hotline funding, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and teacher pay. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV medication program, with senators and a public witness expressing concern about access to life-saving medications and possible misuse or redirection of funds. The committee did not take further action on the budget presentation, and the meeting ended after additional comments supporting the budget and the corrections funding, with SB 7010 already approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and I got my wife, I charged my phone, and I got lunch<00:22:09.200><c> in</c><00:22:09.760><c> the
• charged, talking to his wife, and phone charged, talking to his wife, and going<00:27:38.320><c> to<
• of closing arguments, it's a number of closing arguments, it's a Danish<00:37:38.800><c> proverb.
• We all know how little time we have throughout the day to eat, uh use the facilities, um make a phone
• call, meet with a make a phone call, meet with a constituent. constituent. constituent.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , work phone and home phone numbers, work and personal email addresses, mailing address, job title, rate
• , work phone and home phone numbers of the employee, work and personal email addresses and mailing address
• So no other contact info, no work site location, duty station, or phone number, or office number.
• For the same number of sessions, five minutes per death to work through in therapy.
• And what if your employee speaks Korean, which is number six on the list?

Bills: HB2091, HB2105, HB2218, HB2107, HB2137, HB2243, HB2264

Keywords: public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, immigrant worker protections, immigrant rights, worker protections, I-9 audit, Form I-9, employment eligibility verification, workplace raid, federal immigration inspection, employer notice, anti-retaliation, retaliation, Attorney General enforcement, private right of action, labor law, workplace rights

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills, deferring action on HB 2091 and HB 2243 and advancing HB 2264. HB 2264 would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to receive unemployment insurance benefits if their separation results from the plan. Supporters said it would remove confusing language and help laid-off workers access benefits; a member noted similar confusion from past layoffs. The committee voted 9-0 to report HB 2264 out of committee with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2091, which would extend existing collective bargaining information-sharing requirements to state agencies and certain other public employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act. The bill would require those employers to provide unions with employee contact and job information, including personal email addresses, so unions can communicate with represented workers. The prime sponsor and union witnesses said the change would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication; there was no opposition testimony in the excerpt, and action on the bill was deferred. The bulk of the meeting focused on HB 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers about their right to choose providers, limit employer steering, allow deviation from treatment guidelines when medically appropriate, speed utilization review, expand continued treatment and reopening options for certain claims, and require written notice and appeal rights when providers are removed from the network. Supporters, including labor, injured-worker advocates, firefighters, and physicians, said the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries warned the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, increase costs, and create vague new penalties. No vote was taken on HB 2218 in the excerpt. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2105, as proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice, share inspection results, post worker-rights notices, and limit voluntary disclosure of worker records without a subpoena or warrant, with enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters framed the bill as a due-process and worker-protection measure for immigrant workers and mixed-status families, while business and county representatives argued the notice and record-sharing requirements, short timelines, and penalties were too burdensome and could conflict with federal enforcement or discourage hiring. No final action on HB 2105 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every time we engage on our phones, I think the backgrounder did a really good job of this.
• We engage with smart devices, our phones, we walk past cameras that are in our neighbors' homes, and
• In addition, the near ubiquity of cell phones and smartphones, combined with the rise of location-based
• In addition, the near ubiquity of cell phones and smartphones, combined with the rise of location-based
• I have to use a two-factor identification process where they send a code to my phone.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on California privacy in the age of mass surveillance, with members framing the issue as urgent in light of AI, data brokers, workplace monitoring, and government access to commercially collected data. Opening remarks emphasized California’s long-standing privacy tradition and concern for impacts on Latino, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable communities. The committee heard from experts from UC Law San Francisco, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and a worker-organizer from Amazon, followed by a journalist from 404 Media. Nicole Ozer reviewed the history of California’s constitutional right to privacy, tracing it to the 1972 ballot measure and arguing that lawmakers should use that right more fully to operationalize stronger protections against surveillance. Deirdre Mulligan described how surveillance capitalism has expanded through physical-world instrumentation, biometrics, connected devices, and AI, and argued that notice-and-consent models are inadequate because people cannot meaningfully understand or control how data is collected, inferred, shared, and used. Ari Waldman focused on disparate harms to marginalized communities, including queer people, survivors of domestic violence, and people seeking reproductive care, and called for stronger regulation, limits on data collection and sharing, and greater accountability for companies and government access to data. Josh Black testified about Amazon’s workplace surveillance, including handheld devices, time-off-task monitoring, hidden cameras, and driver-facing AI cameras, saying the system pressures workers to skip breaks, rush safety training, and discourages organizing. He said the surveillance is used to increase productivity and suppress union activity. Committee members asked about data retention, injury reporting, cash as a privacy-protective payment option, and whether workers truly consent to surveillance as a condition of employment. Jason Kebler described how police departments adopt commercial surveillance tools through pilot programs and vendor relationships, often without public debate, citing license plate readers and networked camera systems that can spread data across jurisdictions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with discussion of the need for clearer definitions, stronger enforcement, and continued legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like a phone.
• Those numbers are pulled in...
• I can get you the exact number.
• So they answer the phones.
• So that's number two on page nine. Number three is really about governing the plan.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to move file item number 24 to the enacted file. Desk will note.
• I want to highlight that we are also going to be honoring a number of individuals, but I respectfully
• Well, his power, his leadership — Pro Tem Burton picked up the phone.
• I saw his name up here on my phone, and the conversation began, What the F is wrong with you?
• He didn't have to pick up the phone and call.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Assembly has experienced a number of disruptions to committee and floor proceedings in the last few
• Undocumented Californians are not the only people who may not have a Social Security number.
• Undocumented Californians are not the only people who may not have a social security number.
• California phone lines and uses no state dollars.
• First, it makes clear that Social Security numbers are not required for Lifeline, but still...

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:57.280><c> on</c><00:09:57.440><c> what</c> uh future uh realistic numbers on what uh future
• uh realistic numbers on what we're<00:09:57.760><c> dealing</c><00:09:58.160><c> with,</c><00:09:58.480
• And your phone, if it heats up, if you start feeling that heat on your phone, that's a lithium battery
• And your phone, if it heats batteries.
• </c> your phone, that's a lithium battery. your phone, that's a lithium battery.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:00 SB 100 Discussion 02:09 SB 100 Roll Call Vote 10:50 SB 8 Discussion 11:46 SB 8 Roll Call Vote 15:44 SB 49 Discussion 16:32 SB 49 Roll Call Vote 25:43 SB 222 Discussion 28:23 SB 222 Roll Call Vote 29:48, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He also said that if the website lists a home phone number, a cell phone number would be easier to use
• > email</c> another phone number or another email another phone number or another email address<00:23
• </c><00:24:24.440><c> number</c> some of you there was no phone number some of you there was no phone
• </c><00:24:30.880><c> number</c> website it lists your home phone number website it lists your home phone
• </c><01:29:54.920><c> numbers</c> introduced um are these phone numbers introduced um are these phone

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting of the new session with opening remarks, member introductions, and a discussion of committee logistics. Members described their backgrounds and priorities, including criminal justice, right-to-know and privacy issues, domestic violence, death-with-dignity legislation, abortion, firearms, landlord-tenant policy, housing, and technology/privacy concerns. The chair noted there were already 34 bills assigned to the committee and expected more, and said the committee would likely continue to have a heavy workload this session. The chair also outlined how the committee would operate: meetings would generally be on Wednesdays, with possible Mondays as needed; hearings would not require a quorum, but executive sessions would; and members were asked to provide updated phone numbers and email addresses, especially cell numbers. He explained that the committee would continue its practice of seating members in a mixed partisan arrangement to encourage communication, and that the new clerk had joined the committee. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procedures for executive sessions and meeting times. The chair said the committee would follow the traditional rule allowing executive sessions on bills heard that day if proper notice was given, but he would avoid taking up controversial matters without full attendance. Members then discussed whether meetings should start at 9, 9:30, or 10 a.m., with concerns raised about long commutes, evening obligations, and winter driving after dark. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the chair indicated he would try to accommodate the committee’s preference while balancing the workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's how you got to the $34 million total number. Okay, thank you. $34 million total number.
• I'm not familiar with those numbers.
• I'm not familiar with those numbers.
• I've looked at numbers before.
• Moving now to number nine, 1274. Mr.

Summary: The committee took up several appropriations, transportation, naming, and education measures. It first approved SB 1035, which provides a FY27 General Fund appropriation for a 5% salary increase for Arizona Department of Corrections sworn officers and civilian employees; an amendment set the appropriation at $34 million and extended the raise to private prison employees under contract. Testimony from corrections advocates emphasized severe staffing shortages and pay gaps with other law enforcement employers, while some senators objected to including private prisons. The bill passed 6-3. The committee then approved SCM 102 and SCM 1006, which rename stretches of highway in honor of L.F. Quinn and PFC Michael Nolan, respectively, after emotional testimony from family members and local supporters; both memorial measures passed 9-1. SB 1065, appropriating $3.64 million for the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund, also passed 6-4 after supporters described HBOT as a promising, drug-free treatment for veterans, while opponents questioned the evidence and FDA approval for the claimed uses. SB 1248, which clarifies funding and attendance rules for county jail and juvenile detention education programs, passed unanimously 10-0 after county school officials said it would prevent double-counting students and separate funding streams properly. The committee also advanced transportation bills focused on the fast-growing West Valley corridor. SB 1204 appropriates $5.5 million to ADOT to design and conduct environmental analysis for interchange improvements at U.S. 60 and SR 303; supporters from the City of Surprise described severe congestion, safety risks, and economic impacts, while some senators argued the project should be funded through HURF rather than the General Fund. It passed 8-1, and the chair invited members to discuss broader HURF funding issues later. SB 1207, a smaller $150,000 study bill to examine financing mechanisms for development tied to U.S. 60/SR 303 infrastructure, also passed 7-1 after local officials said it would help align growth with transportation funding. SB 1274, creating a Police Foundation specialty license plate and fund for Phoenix Police Foundation programs, passed 6-2; the foundation said proceeds would support officer wellness, remembrance, and community/youth outreach. Finally, SB 1001, a $1 million appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, passed 9-0 after blind seniors and advocates testified that the services preserve independence and prevent more costly institutional care. The committee also heard SB 1161, which would make non-lapsing a prior $750,000 DPS appropriation for the Yuma County Family Advocacy Center, with the sponsor explaining it was intended to allow the funds to be spent over multiple years; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the latest numbers, it's about 16,300 miles of centerline highways.
• I don't have the exact number, but we have quite a large system. 73,700 bridges.
• I don't have the exact number, but we have quite a large system, larger than our population base can
• We did expand that earlier this year to— Those cameras can detect cell phone use, and they do that by
• Tourism and those things have become our number one source of revenue, and we want to make sure we're

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• service, but you have to rely on somebody else driving by to stop and offer to make a phone call as
• down, it's bad enough, but you have to rely on somebody else driving by to stop and offer to make a phone
• down, it's bad enough, but you have to rely on somebody else driving by to stop and offer to make a phone
• , please. ...service, but you have to rely on somebody else driving by to stop and offer to make a phone
• Seeing none, that for the record, I will state that except for the House bill number, and it may be one

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on several House bills and first took up HB 181, which would have made the state responsible for maintaining Opticon systems for fire and emergency on state roads. Members noted that a system already exists and that towns are generally responsible for maintenance once they choose a system, so the committee voted ITL/OTL-style recommendation by a unanimous 18-0 roll call and discussed placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then considered HB 7113, concerning mile markers along Route 112/Kancamagus Highway. Supporters argued the markers would improve safety and help locate stranded motorists in a rural area with poor cell service, while another member noted the bill’s language should be clarified to refer specifically to the Kancamagus and to DOT’s usual 0.2-mile spacing. The committee voted 18-0 to recommend OTP with a fiscal note, and because it was a money bill it would not go on the consent calendar. HB 300, directing DOT to seek proposals on the Conway Branch rail line and creating a rail study committee, was recommended ITL after members said the issue had already been studied and the corridor had already been designated for rail trail; that vote was unanimous and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 375, allowing municipalities to designate sections of state and local highways for all-terrain vehicles, was also recommended ITL. Members said there is already a process for towns to authorize such use and expressed concern about a blanket approach and possible local conflicts; the motion passed unanimously and was sent to the consent calendar. HB 578, relating to a sound barrier along the F.E. Everett Turnpike, drew more discussion: some members said the project should go through the 10-year plan and environmental review process, while others cited local impacts and the need for some barrier or privacy protection. The committee ultimately voted 16-2 to recommend ITL, and it was not placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee took up HB 561, concerning transfer of state-owned real property to municipalities. Members voted to retain the bill, with supporters saying they wanted more information, including a site visit to Merrimack’s Continental Boulevard and further discussion of how state roads are handled in other towns. The retain motion passed unanimously 18-0, and members noted that retained bills do not go on a calendar. The chair then announced the committee’s next full meeting would be on February 24 at 10:30 a.m., with a briefing on the capital budget process and a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have to keep an eye on how those numbers are revised, but it does appear that those numbers are
• That’s just a number, though.
• Number at all, do you think, and if so, when, Mr. Chair? Mr.
• of fatalities, you're showing us numbers of accidents.
• Given the number of years from FY18 to FY24, seven years, the number of statements for, and the number

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to phone a friend. Oh, it doesn't work? All right, that's awesome.
• I would have to get you a finite number.
• And so, again, happy to sit down and talk numbers.
• So that's question number one.
• And then my last one is on the slide number 21. It's the Sadowski Trust Fund.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize post-tax Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, instead of limiting them to pre-tax contributions. After a brief presentation and one waived appearance in support, the bill was rolled and reported favorably. Later, members also recorded affirmative votes on SB 7010 before adjournment. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to the Governor’s proposed “Floridians First” budget, presented by Lita Kelly of the Office of Policy and Budget. She outlined a $117.4 billion spending plan with $53.2 billion in general revenue, emphasizing reserves, debt reduction, trust fund sweeps, and targeted reductions in agency positions. Major priorities included K-12 and higher education funding, teacher salary support, school hardening, Everglades and water-quality projects, cancer and behavioral health initiatives, emergency preparedness, law enforcement, corrections staffing and facilities, cybersecurity, transportation, affordable housing, and economic development. Members asked extensive questions about teacher pay, corrections staffing, emergency response reserves, the proposed federal reimbursement for the Everglades detention facility, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, the animal abuse hotline, and the absence of a specific Hope Florida line item. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV/AIDS drug assistance program, with public testimony warning that the changes could cut off access to medications for thousands of Floridians and alleging misuse of federal funds. Kelly said she would follow up on several details, including litigation costs, teacher pay comparisons, and ADAP funding questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also thought it was important that, for I know we have a number of newer members to the committee and
• From 5:30 to 7 p.m. is leisure time, phone calls, recreation group, and check-out.
• From 7 to 9 p.m. is showers, hygiene, phone calls, and cleanup of their rooms in preparation for the
• Okay, so what we're saying is, would we be expected to leave our phones in the cars?
• You won't take phones in? We could put them in an office, Mr. Chair, if you need to.

Transcript Highlights:

• has</c><00:02:23.959><c> the</c><00:02:24.160><c> a</c><00:02:25.080><c> what</c><00:02:25.319><c> number
• </c> Committee and he has the a what number Committee and he has the a what number did<00:02:25.720><
• Turning next to line 17.2, I made sure to write down the line number so I could get there quickly.
• </c> mean now where everybody has a a phone mean now where everybody has a a phone um<01:16:16.239><c
• Oh, there is, yeah. the property of if it's your cell phone the property of if it's your cell phone or

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So those numbers do track and are fairly steady.
• Excavators must provide the company name. the excavation location, company field, phone number, and contact
• Echo is the number one piece of equipment that is involved in a damage. Number two is a shovel.
• That's why we have that number.
• That's the number one mission of everybody.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize you for Amendment Number 928604. You memorized that. Thank you.
• We had that number, and we are now going to limit it to just schools.
• one and number 16.
• Second, we took your phone.
• Don’t hug the phone.” “I do agree.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 124, which updates Florida Virtual School’s statute to remove outdated language and clarify its service population, funding, governance, reporting, and coordination with districts without changing day-to-day operations. Florida Virtual School appeared in support, members praised the program, and the bill passed unanimously after a roll call vote. The committee then took up CS for SB 206 on students with autism spectrum disorder. Senator Harrell said the bill would require autism and neurodevelopmental-disability training in educator preparation programs, require ESE-certified teachers to complete an autism microcredential, create an Autism Education Loan Forgiveness Program, provide salary supplements for autism endorsements, and require district professional development to include autism-specific training. Testimony overwhelmingly supported the bill, especially from teachers, students, parents, and advocacy groups, while several speakers stressed that the program must be fully funded, high quality, and implemented with guardrails so it does not become an unfunded mandate. Members discussed the shortage of special education teachers and the need for better training and retention. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 420 on patriotic displays in classrooms, which originally would have required portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in classrooms but was amended to limit the display to one prominent place in each school and to make the requirement subject to state appropriation. The sponsor framed the bill as a modest civics measure, while many speakers opposed it as symbolic, unnecessary, or a misuse of resources, arguing that curriculum and teacher training would be more effective. Some supporters said the portraits could spark civic conversations and historical reflection, and debate focused on whether the bill would promote patriotism or impose an unwanted mandate. The amendment was adopted, and the committee continued debate on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the genesis of this was actually over the last good number of years, but particularly during the
• of years, but over the last good number of years, but particularly<00:04:39.919><c> during</c><00:04
• of years, you've been able to number of years, you've been able to just<00:05:18.639><c> go</c><00:05
• You have somebody that's got five or six..." "...that have to actually come out to their phone.
• Uh it would they would have to be phone.

Bills: SB85, SB85

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Transcript Highlights:

• We have item number 9, SB 1004 by Senator Scott Wiener. That's been pulled by the author.
• And since implementation, excuse me, prison phone call minutes have increased from 500 million a year
• While SB 1008 removed the financial burden of traditional phone calls, families continue to face high
• Again, through the chair, those policies address a number of things, right? So the impacts...
• Those policies address a number of things, right? So the impacts of body cameras, right?

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on criminal justice, public safety, and detention-related issues. SB 498 by Senator Becker would make electronic messaging free for incarcerated people in CDCR facilities and end 15-minute limits on voice calls; the author and supporters argued it would strengthen family ties and rehabilitation, while no opposition testified. SB 953 by Senator Niello would require two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even when diversion is granted; victims’ family members and law enforcement groups supported it as an accountability measure, while the ACLU and Debt-Free Justice California opposed it, arguing diversion should remain an incentive for rehabilitation and safer roads. The committee also heard SB 1306 by Senator Cortese, which would align state law with federal exemptions for certain GBL-containing chemical mixtures used in semiconductor manufacturing; the author and SEMI said it would reduce unnecessary regulation and protect California’s semiconductor industry, and there was no opposition testimony. Members also considered SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost. The author and supporters described high prices for basic necessities and poor conditions in private detention centers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 691 by Senator Wahab would require law enforcement body-camera policies to include a process for EMS personnel to request redaction of recordings before public release when patients are receiving medical treatment; supporters said it would protect patient privacy, while the Sheriff’s Association opposed it as duplicative and potentially confusing. SB 562 by Senator Ashby would allow partial refunds of bail bond premiums when charges are not filed or are dropped early; supporters framed it as a fairness measure for low-income families, while bail industry representatives and victims’ advocates warned it could discourage bail agents from posting bonds and could affect domestic violence cases. The committee also took up several additional measures on consent or with no opposition testimony, including AB 2796, SB 891, SB 1012, and SB 1143. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 953, SB 1306, and SB 941, and to move SB 498, SB 691, and SB 562 forward as well, with some votes initially held open for absent members. Several bills were pulled by their authors and not heard, including SB 1004, SB 1208, SB 1338, and SB 1401. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning until the following week.