Transcript Highlights:

• It requires notice of probate petitions to be provided to the California Department of Child Support
• On the issue of the Labor Commissioner and other departments, absolutely.
• It's not a matter of... The Department of OSHA, and I've had this conversation with them.
• They also charge a $10 insurance fee. They also charge a whole list of fees.
• They also charge a $10 insurance fee. They also charge a whole list of fees.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• A violation of this requirement is subject to disciplinary action by the Department of Licensing.
• Runstad Department of Real Estate.
• The Department of Commerce estimates operating expenditures in the current biennium of $4.4 million.”
• The Department of Commerce estimates operating expenditures in the current biennium of $4.4 million from
• The Department of Commerce estimates operating expenditures in the current biennium of $4.4 million from

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on several bills. SB 6091 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to limited or exclusive groups unless the listing is also marketed to the general public and all brokers, with exceptions for health or safety and private party sales. The sponsor and supporters, including Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, Zillow, the Fair Housing Center, and others, said the bill promotes transparency, competition, and fair housing by preventing “pocket listings” and insider access. Opponents, including Compass representatives and some brokers, argued it would limit homeowner autonomy, harm privacy-sensitive sellers such as seniors, and create legal risk for brokers; the Attorney General’s office said it supported the competitive goal but wanted a different enforcement mechanism than WLAD. The committee later closed testimony on SB 6091 without taking final action in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 6200, which would allow tenants and residents in manufactured home communities to install portable cooling devices, subject to safety, code, and electrical restrictions, and would require landlords to notify tenants of their rights and limitations. The prime sponsor and many public health, tenant, and climate advocates said the bill is needed to prevent heat-related illness and death during extreme heat events, especially for renters in older or low-income housing who lack built-in cooling. Landlord and property management groups supported the idea of portable floor units but raised concerns about window-mounted devices, citing fall hazards, property damage, and insurance issues. Testimony emphasized that the bill includes liability protections for landlords and is intended as a narrow public health measure. The committee then heard SB 6096, which would require cities and towns collecting water and sewer connection charges to offer a deferred payment option for qualifying residential construction until final inspection or certificate of occupancy. The sponsor and builders’ groups said deferral would reduce upfront financing costs and help housing production. Cities and utility districts opposed the bill, arguing it shifts financial risk to utilities and ratepayers, complicates infrastructure planning, and could delay or reduce needed system investments. Finally, the committee heard SB 6153, which would create a senior independent housing ombuds program, require registration of senior independent housing facilities, and make certain landlord-tenant violations subject to Consumer Protection Act enforcement. The sponsor said the bill responds to complaints from seniors in independent living settings who lack an ombuds or other practical recourse, while staff noted the bill carries an estimated $4.4 million biennial fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Commerce.
• And, um, the waiting period—I remember working with the Department of Insurance at the time, and the
• And, um, the waiting period—I remember working with the Department of Insurance at the time, and the
• of the Department of the productivity of the Department of Justice<03:25:47.720><c> it's</c><03:25:47.880
• :35:30.080><c> of</c> appropriated to the Department of appropriated to the Department of Justice<03:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> getting insurance on their books of getting insurance on their books of business<00:15:32.480><c
• We will be filing those with the Department of Insurance in the next few weeks.
• </c><00:21:15.840><c> of</c> be filing those with the department of be filing those with the department
• of insurance that the different amounts of insurance that the HHRF<01:00:05.640><c> provides,</c><01
• mean, of the value of insurance.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the threats of political violence against members of this House sometimes, but also members of the
• House Bill 38, a bill amending sections of the Health Care Purchasing Act and the New Mexico Insurance
• House Bill 38, a bill amending sections of the Health Care Purchasing Act and the New Mexico Insurance
• Of House Bill 60, a bill revising the definition of criminal offense for the purpose of the Victims of
• the State Budget Division of the Department of Finance and Administration and the Director of the Legislative

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lombardo for an audit of Cape Coral's Building Department. Representative G.
• They have returned some of those funds to the building department fund, but that's just one of the areas
• issues, it makes it difficult for the department to be able to provide those levels of service.
• And many of you know me as part of the insurance, property insurance vortex, we'll call it that.
• And many of you know me as part of the insurance, property insurance vortex, we'll call it that.

Summary: The Legislative Auditing Committee heard several local-government audit requests and unanimously approved each one. The first item was Baker County, where county commissioners asked for an operational and financial audit because of repeated late audits, concerns about the finance office, and lack of confidence in county financial reporting. The county clerk supported an audit but argued it should be countywide and include all constitutional officers; she also described a dispute over access to the county finance system and pending litigation. After brief questions, the committee adopted a 9-0 motion directing the Auditor General to perform an operational audit of Baker County’s financial operations and records, with scope to be finalized during the audit. The committee then approved an audit request for the Concord Estates Community Development District in Osceola County. Senator Arrington said residents alleged excessive board compensation, large unexplained spending, missing financial reports, and refusal to provide records or hold open meetings. Residents and a board member testified about rising assessments, deteriorating amenities, and lack of transparency. The committee voted 10-0 to direct an operational audit of the CDD. It also approved, by 10-0 votes, operational audits of the town of Melbourne Beach, based on allegations of fiscal and operational improprieties and lawsuits that had cost the town more than $150,000, and the city of Apalachicola, where Senator Simon said longstanding water utility failures, grant issues, and consent-order problems warranted review. The final request was for a financial and operational audit of Cape Coral’s Building Department. Representative G. Lombardo said building-fee revenues appeared to be transferred for non-building purposes, permit processing was inconsistent, and the department relied heavily on a private firm while the building official had prior ties to that firm. Industry representatives testified that building funds were being diverted, service levels were suffering, and private-provider inspections were not always reflected in fee reductions. The committee adopted the motion 10-0. After completing all agenda items, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , becoming director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and assuming command
• our National Guard, plus the Department of Emergency Management.
• our National Guard, plus the Department of Management, Emergency Management.
• It requires the Department of Child Safety to submit the results of randomly quarterly drug screenings
• Department of Housing.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits the cancellation of residential insurance policies on the basis of providing childcare.
• The amendment relates specifically to the emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Health
• And so I appreciate adding this as a component from require Department of Health curriculum to introduce
• Department of Veterans Affairs, which help support the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who has
• require insurers to credit patient payments for out of the providers towards their deductibles.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:47:42.079><c> of</c> payment system and the department of payment system and the department of
• > in</c> the department of human services in the department of human services in their<00:48:47.760><
• </c><01:04:57.440><c> of</c> For those who believe the Department of For those who believe the Department
• The insurance company. I'm taking care of the insurance company.
• The insurance company. I'm taking care of the insurance company.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, every part of our Department of Workforce Solutions is, in essence, a social service.
• Department of Justice for housing for victims of human trafficking.
• or new it kind of goes down the levels but with division within our department or new it kind of goes
• The Department of Workforce Solutions.
• moved over to the Department of Labor.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The report contains the name of Chavon Harris, nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health Care
• Secretary Harris previously served as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families from 2021
• The report contains the name of Taylor Hatch, nominee for Secretary of the Department of Children and
• Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families.
• And so to address the federal budget shortfall, as of March 1st, the Department of...

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of those pieces of legislation did not come to this committee and so the intent of this legislation
• With the adoption of emergency regulations by the California Department of Public Health in October 2024
• Department of Health and Human Services, under Section 278, addresses this urgent problem by establishing
• That is part of the business model of these companies.
• The Department of Cannabis Control tends to focus on illegal cultivation, local jurisdictions tend to

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Insurance has to send $6,000 to the Treasury, who then sends it to the fireman's association
• The Department of Insurance has to &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• The Department of Insurance has to remember remember remember &gt;&gt; Oh.<00:52:07.920><c> has</c><00
• Together, together, or if the insurance dangle in front of them the amount that this costs. >> We do.
• So, get rid of the question marks and we'll say yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. department or whatever.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 24 and September 27 meetings unanimously. It then reviewed a spreadsheet and draft report tracking the status of various dedicated funds, with members deciding which items should be kept active, removed, or flagged for follow-up next year. Several funds were identified as no longer needing action because they had been repealed, terminated, or were already handled elsewhere, including mosquito-related funding, child care licensing, and the prescription drug affordability board item. In other cases, members agreed to keep the fund on the list but remove question marks and add notes for future review or for another committee to address. A number of funds drew more detailed discussion. Members agreed that the Fish and Game fee increase issue should not be handled by this committee directly, but that staff should notify the relevant sponsor/department that a legislative change would be needed. They also discussed a medical cannabis fund that was running down significantly; the committee agreed to keep it active, note the concern, and send a letter to the department and Representative McDonald suggesting that HHS review whether fees or another revenue source should be changed, with the possibility of a late bill if needed. The lead poisoning prevention fund was also kept, with a note that the department should take action if it wants changes, and the committee discussed a grants-and-aid escrow-related item, concluding it should remain active and be kept on the list. Members also discussed several legacy or special-purpose funds. They agreed to recommend deleting the broodstock reference, to keep the emergency fund while asking for a better explanation of its funding source, and to retain the building maintenance fund as active. The Recovery Monument fund was identified as inactive and likely eligible for transfer of its remaining $1,000 to the addiction treatment and prevention fund. The Matthew Elliott Trust Fund prompted the most extended discussion; members concluded it should not continue as-is and agreed to draft a letter to the Attorney General recommending that the fund be closed through probate court and the remaining $5,657 transferred to Fund 122, or otherwise handled as unclaimed property if appropriate. The committee also discussed a firemen’s association-related transfer and agreed it should remain, while noting that any broader change would require legislation and a sponsor in the relevant policy committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , this amendment specifies that the department simply needs to maintain copies of these documents to
• Establishing a dedicated state office of rural prosperity within the Department of Commerce to connect
• regardless of the source of the insurance, allows physician assistants, in addition to primary care
• regardless of the source of the insurance, allows physician assistants, in addition to primary care
• life of rural communities.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first considered CS/SB 7012 on child welfare, presented by Senator Graal. The bill addressed three areas: child welfare workforce shortages, higher-acuity children in out-of-home care, and services/data for commercially sexually exploited children. It would create a CPI and case manager recruitment program aimed at former public safety and service workers, convene a workforce work group, establish a four-year treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits identified by DCF based on removal and placement data, and require more detailed, extractable child-level data on commercially sexually exploited children along with a bed capacity study and service gap analysis. Two amendments were adopted: one clarified record retention for redacted assessments, and another attached the appropriation. The committee then heard CS/SB 110 on rural communities from Senator Simon. The bill proposed a broad rural development package, including a state office of rural prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for counties with declining populations, increased housing support, major rural road funding, school consortium funding, and additional health care resources for rural facilities and training. A delete-all amendment was adopted that expanded and refined several provisions, including local sales tax trust fund distributions, county connectivity projects, agritourism marketing support, disaster-impacted rural infrastructure eligibility, insurance and provider eligibility changes, and increased funding for critical access hospitals and rural medical education reimbursement. Both bills drew broad support from local government, education, health care, housing, and rural advocacy representatives. Supporters said the rural bill was especially comprehensive and would help small counties, schools, roads, housing, and health care, while one witness cautioned that road expansion should be balanced with protection of agricultural and natural lands. Senator Bradley and Senator Simon emphasized local control and the importance of strengthening rural Florida without imposing mandates. CS/SB 7012 and CS/SB 110 were both reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today we have two reports that the Department of Human Services is going to be reviewing for
• Today we have two reports that the Department of Human Services is going to be reviewing for us.
• </c><00:01:09.920><c> to</c> Department of Human Services pleased to Department of Human Services pleased
• </c> that the insurer kind of has their that the insurer kind of has their definition<00:59:07.480><c
• So we had folks from the Department of Ed, Health and Human Services.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And first up, we have the Department of Education. Department of Education in support.
• </c> representing the Department of Health. representing the Department of Health.
• also</c> the Department of Education to also the Department of Education to also provide<01:37:05.600
• all—hold on one sec. department of health uh as far as how department of health uh as far as how that
• General that she is working with the Department of Health, as well as the Department of Corrections

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• property insurance policies because... ...the insured operates a family or large family child care home
• It provides the definition of the Department of Education as a direct support to authorize it to receive
• It establishes the Florida Endowment for Early Learning within the Department of Education direct support
• My name is Michaela Dallaroo, and I'm a part of the Southwest chapter of Florida Youth SHINE.
• Members, as some of you know, I previously served as a child welfare attorney for the Department of Children

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Other Affairs considered four bills. SB 1690 on early childhood education was amended with a delete-all amendment that would require DCF and local licensing agencies to publicly post inspection reports and annual data on child deaths, injuries, and substantiated abuse in child care facilities, revise notice requirements for certain child care homes, add website disclosure requirements for exempt facilities, address insurance coverage for family and large family child care homes, and create the Florida Endowment for Early Learning. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably, with support noted from United Way of Florida. The committee then heard SB 1022 on children’s initiatives, which would create two new children’s initiatives in Bay County and Pompano in Broward County. The sponsor said the bill would expand local service networks for children in disadvantaged communities with no state fiscal impact. The bill was reported favorably after support was noted from representatives of Florida Children’s Initiative and others. SB 996 on dependent children drew extensive testimony from Florida Youth SHINE members and other foster youth advocates, who supported the bill’s focus on lived experience, regular consultation with youth-serving organizations, public reporting on implementation, and normalcy in foster care, including allowance to help youth learn budgeting. The bill sponsor said it would help make the system more responsive to youth needs. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 1642 on temporary cash assistance eligibility, narrowing a SNAP-related eligibility carve-out to people who were victims of human trafficking at the time of a drug conviction. The sponsor said the change would remove barriers for trafficking survivors while keeping existing program requirements in place. Both SB 996 and the amended SB 1642 were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:01:18.120><c> of</c> favored by the Department of favored by the Department of Environmental<
• </c><01:10:38.400><c> of</c> yurt builders, and the Department of yurt builders, and the Department of
• Insurance Department.
• </c> the Insurance Department. the Insurance Department.
• Insurance of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.<02:10:06.160><c> I'm</c><02:10:06.360><c> here<

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of this bill.
• California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, DFPI.
• Coinbase doesn't want to go through that process because the whole object of much of the leaders of the
• crypto industry is that, Because the whole object of much of the leaders of the crypto industry is that
• of Consumer Affairs, and a number of other entities.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll also see $152 million for revenue legislation implementation to the Department of Revenue that
• the Department of Ecology-approved calculator tool or methodology.
• Two-thirds of our costs are paid by private insurance.
• The Department of Natural Resources has indicated that more than 300 derelict vessels currently need
• The Department of Health has proposed an increase of over 400% in our facility licensing fee, from $731

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.