Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to start by accepting the committee amendments and thank the committee staff for their work
• Despite these guardrails, private equity has continued to find loopholes by creatively restructuring
• In response, AB 2305 takes a broader approach and blanket-prohibits private equity firms, hedge funds
• here, the committee staff, as well as with opposition.
• I also want to thank the committee staff for their work with my office on this.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the equity that we know that obviously CDFA has supported in the variety of different programs
• They manage staff, facilities, budgets, and marketing.
• Well, are we looking to solve this equity? ...like this different pace, like a pay scale.
• Well, is this bill looking to solve this equity and pay people for livable wages? Yeah, exactly.
• I know how hard our fairgrounds work and our staff. And those are minimal.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture heard three bills. SB 18 by Senator Rubio would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at CDFA to help open or improve grocery stores in food desert communities. Supporters said it would improve access to healthy food, create jobs, and help underserved neighborhoods; opponents argued it could favor large chains, lacked community input and accountability, and should better prioritize tribal, BIPOC-owned, and community-led retail. Committee members raised concerns about population thresholds, community engagement, and long-term commitments, and the author said the bill could be strengthened with guardrails. SB 18 passed 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations. SB 312 by Senator Umberg would require out-of-state shippers of dogs to electronically submit health certificates to CDFA and make them available to buyers and enforcement agencies, aiming to improve consumer protection and traceability in the puppy import pipeline. Supporters from animal welfare and humane organizations said the bill would help stop sick or misrepresented puppies from entering California and give investigators a central record. Members asked about privacy and enforcement, and the author indicated amendments could address consumer privacy concerns. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. SB 493 by Senator Becker would change how compensation is set for secretary managers of district agricultural associations and fairgrounds, shifting salary-setting authority to CDFA and requiring periodic salary surveys. Supporters said fairgrounds are critical emergency-response and community facilities and that the bill would help recruit and retain qualified leaders with fairer pay. Some members expressed concern about local control and appointment delays, but clarified the bill only addressed salary, not appointments. SB 493 also passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also advocate for Cal Grant equity reform.
• I know you uplifted Cal Grant equity reform.
• Drake said, for the faculty's salaries and staff salaries that we must maintain as well.
• Higher education is supported by amazing faculty and staff. You can't replicate that.
• Not to mention the salaries of our faculty and staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're staff to J-LARC. Today we'll present the 2025 tax preference performance reviews.
• Banks hold capital in reserve, and they can lend as a multiple of that equity.
• Their primary goal is for that long-term rate of return because they're able to go into equities.
• Okay, I guess we need a staff briefing. I haven’t done this in a little while.”
• Sam Brown, committee staff.

Summary: The committee first received a JLARC work session on the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences and recommending legislative action on eight. JLARC reviewed natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, and several shorter reviews including senior center property tax relief, a disabled veteran adapted housing remittance, trade convention nexus treatment, wholesale sales of fertilizer/pesticides/seed, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and three energy-related preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally recommended continuing preferences that met stated or inferred objectives, modifying some to improve reporting or performance metrics, and allowing the unused silicon smelter preferences to expire. The Citizen Commission endorsed JLARC’s recommendations, and committee members asked a few clarifying questions, including about trends in travel agent/tour operator beneficiaries and the housing exemption’s performance metric and data issues. The committee then heard a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. A presentation from California public banking advocates and the Bank of North Dakota described public banks as government-owned financial institutions intended to keep public funds working locally, support lending for housing, infrastructure, and community development, and partner with community banks and credit unions. Committee questions focused on leverage, liquidity, constitutional issues, and how the model would interact with existing state investment and debt structures. Staff summarized the bill’s structure, including activation conditions, governance, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting the fiscal note was largely indeterminate and startup costs could be significant. Public testimony on SB 5754 was divided. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor, educators, community advocates, and residents, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, improve access to capital, keep public money in Washington, and help finance infrastructure, housing, and disaster resilience. Opponents included community bankers and county treasurers, who warned about risks to safety and liquidity of public funds, questioned the need for a new institution given existing programs, and argued the proposal lacked a proven track record in Washington. The hearing concluded with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• And number five is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• I'm just curious about the title of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grants.
• The Secretary is still working with her staff to bring those dollars down to the state level.
• I'm just familiar with the programs for lower education staff.
• Okay, ask your staff to get on ball. Here, so she was coming. I'm just kidding.

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of this report is to assess the activity of what I might colloquially call private equity
• The purpose of this report is to assess the activity of what I might colloquially call private equity
• The purpose of this report is to assess the activity of what I might colloquially call private equity
• </c> colloquially call private equity colloquially call private equity investment<00:14:47.360><c> in
• The Senate also expanded language under the large load service equity contracts.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And birthing justice and equity.
• I have my chief of staff covering the call, Derek Silver. You can see them in the chat.
• I have my chief of staff covering the call, Derek Silver. You can see them in the chat.
• We always think about equity and also power, so I was going to try to let the non-electeds go first.
• And then we have on April 15th, the Center for Maternal Health Equity convening has a series of events

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission on Postpartum Depression met to reopen its work for the year, confirm attendance, and note several membership transitions, including the departure of Beth Buxton, Nekah Hall, and Dr. Lisa Scarfo. Senator Miranda stepped down as co-chair, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Both outgoing and incoming leaders spoke about the importance of the commission’s work, the need for continued advocacy on maternal mental health, and personal losses that have shaped their commitment to the issue. Members discussed priorities for the coming year, including implementation of the maternal health omnibus law, publicizing upcoming maternal health events, and improving information-sharing through a biweekly digest. Several commissioners raised concerns about the closure of birthing centers and inpatient obstetric units, workforce shortages in obstetrics and midwifery, and the need to preserve or expand training slots and federal matching opportunities. Others emphasized the need to strengthen community-based perinatal mental health supports, including Moms Do Care and First Steps Together, and to increase funding beyond the $220,000 appropriated for community organizations. The commission also heard updates from the Division of Insurance and the Department of Public Health about regulatory and reimbursement issues, including a new community of learning for payers, mental health exam reimbursement guidance, and concerns about sustainability of birth centers and midwifery reimbursement. Commissioners stressed the importance of better coordination among OB-GYN, pediatric, infant mental health, home visiting, and clinical providers, with some suggesting a stronger role for clinicians and perinatal mental health organizations such as PSI of Massachusetts. The meeting ended with a motion and vote to create a biweekly information digest, with urgent items to be shared by email, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We added the definition of targeted market equity increase to distinguish legislatively authorized equity
• programs from standard equity adjustments.
• We added the definition of targeted market equity increase to distinguish legislatively authorized equity
• programs from standard equity adjustments.
• Also, in Section 407.015, the equity increase, we added a new subsection defining targeted market equity

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• They end up selling to private equity or leaving the state.
• I wanted to develop a staff that also helped to support my patient care.
• We know that private equity and big corporations incorporate greed.
• Also, hospitals and their staffs have been excluded from the panel review.
• Four out of five hospitals in Las Cruces are owned by private equity.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sought to reduce the portfolio's reliance on equity markets alone.
• MOSERS has historically had less equity and less equity-driven risk and more diversified risk sources
• Lower equity exposure can lag in very strong equity markets, but also provide more downside protection
• About 12.7% less in public equity exposure relative to peers.
• We've all watched the U.S. equity market. We know how strong the U.S. equity markets performed.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , thank you to your staff, my staff.
• I want to thank the author, the author staff, sponsors, and committee staff for their diligent work on
• Like single-family homeowners, owners of manufactured homes put equity into that house.
• So I understand we're trying to go on the equity front.
• So I understand we're trying to go on the equity front.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This brings equity.
• And thank the staff for working closely with us.
• This bill is a smart, equity-driven investment.
• I want to thank the Assembly Member and her staff, and your staff, Ms.
• Layoffs for these staff are therefore neither exigent nor likely.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'd like to thank you, Madam Chair, as well as your committee staff.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members, and staff.
• I just want to say we've been working with the author and staff.
• Yeah, I mean, the attacks on equity from the federal government are the point, right?
• Yeah, I mean, the attacks on equity from the federal government are the point, right?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're staff to J-LARC. Today we'll present the 2025 tax preference performance reviews.
• Banks hold capital in reserve, and they can lend as a multiple of that equity.
• Sam Brown, committee staff.
• As staff said, we have 80 programs in this state that provide... I don't have much time.
• As staff said, we have 80 programs in this state that provide... ...with the mortgage.

Bills: SB5754

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just a little recap about the Office of Equity for you.
• Our first staff were hired in 2021, and we have a pretty big mandate to meet.
• Our first staff were hired in 2021, and we have a pretty big mandate to meet.
• And so how can we do that when we're feeling this, that equity is not something... ...equity is not something
• And then the Office of Equity, we're really coordinating better.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then the other part to this is adding to the staff.
• Kelly, I think you will help lead us through the staff briefing.
• Coming to members, I'm Danny Masters and committee staff.
• Members of the committee, Brandon Popovac, staff to the committee.
• Yes, committee members, again, Kelly Simpson, committee staff.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met for a work session and public hearing on February 19, 2026. In the work session, Switch Maritime presented a proposal for hydrogen fuel cell ferries for Washington State, including a budget proviso directing the Joint Transportation Committee to study hydrogen propulsion and a lease model for future Washington State Ferries procurement. The company described its Sea Change vessel, said the design could be adapted for Washington routes such as San Juan Islands–Anacortes, and emphasized that hydrogen fueling could be delivered through a mobile supply chain without new charging infrastructure. Senators asked about vessel flexibility, size, hydrogen availability, and terminal compatibility. The committee also received an update from WSDOT on the new public-private partnership program authorized in 2025. Staff said the agency is developing a four-phase implementation process, including consultant selection, a steering committee, a program manual, stakeholder engagement, and candidate project identification, with a report due to the transportation committees on September 1, 2026 and program launch targeted for January 1, 2027. The presentation stressed that the program manual will provide flexibility within the statute and that legislative input is being sought on engagement and project timing. The public hearing was on Senate Bill 6352, an omnibus transportation resources bill that revises and expands provisions from last year’s ESSB 5801. Staff outlined sections covering a mobile driver’s license and ID card program, a reduced-fee ID card for older drivers, changes to alternative fuel and aviation taxes and fees, revised sales tax distributions for ferry and multimodal funding, transit and bicycle education grants, fish passage permitting, clean energy siting on WSDOT right-of-way, toll notice procedures, older driver safety outreach, traffic safety camera revenue sharing, and a delay to the tow-truck indigent impound reimbursement program. The prime sponsor highlighted two priorities: digital driver’s licenses and dedicated ferry funding. Testimony was mixed. Supporters included airlines and aviation groups backing mobile ID and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax, transit and bicycle safety advocates supporting grant flexibility and continued bike education funding, and ferry advocates supporting dedicated ferry revenue. Local governments, including Bellevue, Kenmore, and Tacoma, raised concerns about the traffic camera revenue change, saying the shift from net to gross revenue would reduce local safety funding and could discourage new camera programs. The Association of Washington Cities also warned about unintended consequences in the fish passage and traffic camera provisions. RV dealers sought a delay to the luxury vehicle tax, and peer-to-peer car-sharing platform Turo asked for clarification on documentation requirements. The committee took no final vote and announced it would consider executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have enough staff to do this.
• If we've asked these departments, we're Staff.
• These two staff positions are part of the EJ equity office, and they make the EJAC's work possible.
• These two staff positions are part of the EJ equity office, and they make the EJAC's work possible.
• and our internal staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For this to be happening in our state, where we pride ourselves on education, healthcare, and equity,
• Equity and dignity in every Senate district represented here today.
• And supporting METCO is a direct investment in equity and access and student success.
• I always talk about equity and equality in this chamber. Equality is equal parts for everyone.
• Equity is the word that I use, not equality.

Summary: The Senate considered a supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments focused on education, health, transportation, and tax administration. Senator Kennedy spoke in support of increasing funding for DTA caseworkers to improve SNAP access and reduce errors, citing food insecurity and staffing shortages, but then withdrew the amendment by unanimous consent. Senator O’Connor’s amendment providing $500,000 for Free Period to supply menstrual products in public schools was adopted, as was Senator Miranda’s $1 million METCO transportation and student support amendment. Senator Collins withdrew an amendment to extend paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers. Other adopted amendments included funding for Bridgewater Middle School water filtration, Randolph High School restroom improvements, Uffum’s Corner Health Center, and NeighborHealth’s student pharmacy technician program. Several amendments were debated and rejected after standing votes. Senator Tarr proposed oversight and reporting requirements for the Group Insurance Commission and the MBTA deficiency fund, as well as a 90-day notice requirement for tax-code decoupling with major fiscal impacts; all were opposed and not adopted. Senator Rodrigues and Senator Crighton argued that the GIC and MBTA already have oversight mechanisms and need flexibility, while Tarr argued the measures would improve transparency and fiscal discipline. Senator DiDomenico withdrew a Chapter 70 education funding amendment after speaking about declining enrollment, school funding losses, and the need to protect gateway city districts; he also used the opportunity to reaffirm support for gender-affirming care funding. Senators Collins and others echoed concerns about school funding inequities and the need for future action. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, a former Quincy mayor, state representative, state senator, and longtime clerk magistrate of Quincy District Court, with a detailed tribute to his public service and military record. After all amendments were resolved, the Senate substituted the new draft, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed House No. 5280 to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The chamber then agreed to adjourn until the following Monday at 11 a.m., with the clerk directed not to print a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the House bill providing for fairness and equity
• Second reading of the bill: An act providing for fairness and equity for Massachusetts Water Resources
• I thank the committee staff on the Joint Committee on Election Laws.
• I'd like to thank the Speaker and his staff, the gentleman from the North End and his staff, and the
• gentleman from Dorchester and his staff for all the work that went into drafting this bill.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eligibility is based on property equity and ability. Without the use of public funds.
• I would also like to thank committee staff for working with us on these amendments.
• Staff of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, sponsor of the measure.
• with the EQ staff and my staff and staff of the City of San Diego.
• I also want to acknowledge the Senator's personal staff and committee staff for their time and expertise

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government authority. SB 911 would require notification to fire agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold under an agreement to complete defensible space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 would bar local officials from entering nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed 4-0 as amended. The consent calendar, including SB 958 and several other bills, was also adopted 4-0. The committee then took up SB 1041, which would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements statewide and add consumer protections, hardship provisions, and reporting requirements. Supporters, including Renew Financial and Cal Fire Local 2881, argued it would help homeowners finance fire-resistant roofs, vents, and other upgrades. Opponents, including homeowner advocates, county tax collectors, mortgage lenders, and consumer groups, warned that PACE has a history of contractor abuse, high costs, liens that survive bankruptcy, and risks to vulnerable homeowners. After extended debate, the bill advanced 3-2 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1075 would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality impacts and community emissions reduction plans when approving certain commercial and industrial projects. Environmental justice supporters said the bill would help implement long-promised pollution reductions in heavily burdened communities, while business, local government, planning, and industry groups argued it duplicated CEQA and existing permitting processes, created litigation risk, and could deter investment and jobs. The bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958, relating to the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, was presented as a path for a long-planned housing and entertainment project with at least 4,250 homes, including 2,000 affordable units, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1182 would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas. The author said the bill responds to rising insurance costs and the Fair Plan’s growth, while supporters said it would better align land-use decisions with wildfire risk. Opponents and some committee members argued the bill was too vague, could burden cities, and would not solve the underlying insurance market problem. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.