Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will now advance to the Second Order of Business: Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.
• The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is coming, so let us remember the courage of
• Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board... ...you that Gregory Donica of Eagle, Idaho, was reappointed
• Karen Cabell of Post Falls, Idaho, was appointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to serve
• of the Department of Finance, to serve a term commencing December 18, 2025.

Summary: The Senate convened with all 35 members present, approved the prior day’s journal as corrected, and then moved through prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The prayer reflected on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and asked for guidance for the Senate and the nation. The body then received gubernatorial messages announcing several appointments and reappointments, including to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, the Commission on Human Rights, the Board of Environmental Quality, the Commission of Pardons and Parole, the Department of Finance, and the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board. These appointments were referred to the appropriate committees for confirmation review: Commerce and Human Resources, State Affairs, Health and Welfare, and Judiciary and Rules. During miscellaneous business, senators made announcements about the Boise Metro Chamber lunch and introduced a constituent guest. The Senate also noted plans to swear in attachés the following day. No legislation was debated or voted on, and the chamber adjourned by motion until 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have to comply with huge governmental regulations like the New Mexico Department of Transportation
• Director of the Department of Health and Human Services and Deputy Director for Health and Behavioral
• is hampered by medical malpractice insurance costs, which are nearly double those of our neighboring
• This is a free month of approval organized by the FOIA State Department.
• Does Section G of the Division of International Trade of the Economic Development Department shall provide

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• department of safety. Um we get department of safety.
• bills, to being fully insured as a way of taking advantage of federal money.
• Some of that back to being self-insured.
• , not lots of insurances, right?
• of insurances, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a handout comparing House Bill 2 to current retirement law and walked through the bill section by section with staff from the retirement system. The discussion focused on vesting, earnable compensation, average final compensation, compensation-over-base limits, special duty pay, normal retirement age, re-retirement, and maximum benefit rules for Group 2/Tier B members. Staff explained that some provisions would restore pre-2011 rules, including counting certain end-of-career payments such as unused sick and vacation time in earnable compensation and reducing the AFC averaging period from five years back to three. They also described how the bill would eliminate the current cap on compensation over base, which mainly affects overtime, and noted that the actuarial cost of the AFC-related changes is interrelated rather than easily broken out by feature. A separate discussion covered the special duty pay limitation, which currently applies to Tier A and would be removed under the governor’s bill for both Tier A and Tier B members after their vested buy date. Staff said the actuary estimated that removing the special duty limitation would increase costs by about $13.9 million. Members also asked about the practical difference between overtime and special duty, with staff explaining that special duty generally involves work for a private third party, often police detail work, while overtime depends more on staffing and scheduling. The committee also reviewed the normal retirement age changes for Tier B and the possibility that some members would need to work longer to reach the new vested buy date. Members raised concerns about an ambiguity in the bill that could allow already-retired Tier B members to return to work, then re-retire and claim the higher benefits, or allow vested deferred members to stop working and wait for the new vested buy date. Staff said the governor’s office did not intend to allow that result and requested clarifying language, noting that the bill as drafted does not expressly prohibit it. The committee also discussed part-time and seasonal work after retirement, with staff explaining that such work generally does not restore membership unless the person takes a full-time position requiring enrollment. Finally, the committee reviewed the maximum benefit provisions and noted that HB 2 in the current year does not change the maximum benefit date or include the 1.5% annual escalator that had been part of the 2023 proposal, making the current bill more costly than the earlier version.

Transcript Highlights:

• It directs the Department of Health and Senior Services to send a list of deceased voters to the Secretary
• That would give the Secretary of State's office, once they receive their list from the Department of
• It's very important, I think, that the Department of Health and the Secretary of State and the election
• Speaker, I added a portion to this bill that was recommended from the Department of Commerce and Insurance
• The addition of the API from the department was Last year, and that is in this version.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:57:58.240><c> have</c> the department of human services have the department of human services have
• <01:08:46.400><c> of</c> Department of Department of Education.<01:08:48.159><c> Okay.
• </c><01:22:16.159><c> of</c> is is the since the department of is is the since the department of education
• </c><01:48:12.800><c> and</c> um department of human services and um department of human services and
• of Education and the Department of Education and the Department<01:53:30.080><c> of</c><01:53:30.320

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, House Bill 97 is an appropriation to the Department of Health to provide training and education to
• Chair, Representative Herndon, Department of Workforce Solutions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chair, Representative Duncan, there is currently a list online put out by the Department of Workforce
• In other states, they have not had a compensation Department of Education Fund.
• of the General Services Department.

Bills: HB97 , HB280 , HB183 , HB151 , HB202

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: Shaken Baby Syndrome, abusive head trauma, child safety, training and education, healthcare funding, youth internships, workforce development, education, grant funding, employment, drinking water, water quality, environment, public health, water filtration, private well testing, federal funding, childhood sexual abuse, time limitations, civil actions

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of this bill is to make sure that those homeowners do stay in control of their insurance
• a lot of problems and can result in the loss of the homeowner to interact with the insurance company,
• For the record, I am Rory Payne Donovan, here on behalf of the Office of Insurance Commissioner, and
• the committee for the record I am Rory Payne Donovan here on behalf of the Office of Insurance Commissioner
• Any other questions for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner? No questions.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, was explained by staff as creating safe harbors so certain mortgage modifications would not alter lien priority or require re-recording; the prime sponsor said it would reduce uncertainty and legal costs. No one testified on the bill. SB 6091, concerning real estate brokers marketing residential properties to exclusive groups, was described as requiring concurrent public marketing when brokers market to limited groups, while allowing private marketing so long as the public also has access; the sponsor and supporters said it would promote fair, open housing markets and reduce pocket listings that can reinforce exclusion. SB 6178, prohibiting post-loss assignment of benefits in property insurance, was presented as protecting homeowners after disasters from signing away policy rights to contractors; the sponsor, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Washington State Association for Justice supported the bill, while discussion focused on whether the $50,000 penalty should distinguish between intentional and unintentional violations. For SB 6178, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said it has seen more complaints about policyholders being pressured to sign documents before contacting insurers and said the bill would help keep homeowners in control of claims. Testifiers emphasized that contractors play an important role in repairs but should not take over first-party insurance claims, and one witness noted the bill would not prevent direct payment arrangements to contractors. Committee members asked about penalties and whether a cooling-off period or other alternatives might address concerns about good-faith contractors. For SB 6091, supporters including Zillow, Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and the Fair Housing Center of Washington argued that exclusive or pocket listings can reduce transparency, limit competition, and worsen housing inequities. They said the bill still allows private marketing and open houses, but requires public availability as well, and does not force owners to allow access to their property. A rental housing representative asked for an amendment to remove a reference to leases, saying the bill should not unintentionally apply to rental providers who are not brokers. The committee closed public hearings on all three bills and ended the meeting with birthday recognition for two members.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that kind of legislation. that kind of legislation.
• They're doing a lot of work. mapping. They're doing a lot of work.
• Your bipartisan bill, Senate File 75, allowed the Department of Transportation to research and evaluate
• research</c> Department of Transportation to research Department of Transportation to research and<00
• /c><00:28:00.160><c> people,</c> are outside of the will of the people, are outside of the will of the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For DEP, the Department of Citrus, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Fish and Wildlife,
• , the Department of Citrus, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
• and Professional Regulation, the Department of Lottery, the Department of Financial Services, including
• the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Office of Financial Regulation, the Department of Management
• the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Office of Financial Regulation, the Department of Management

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably. Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage. The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was an Department of Justice.
• </c><00:14:29.760><c> of</c> representative from the Department of representative from the Department
• with the commissioner of the department of<00:49:12.319><c> insurance</c><00:49:12.960><c> and</c><00
• </c><00:50:43.200><c> of</c><00:50:43.280><c> insurance,</c><00:50:43.760><c> probably</c> it's department
• of insurance, probably it's department of insurance, probably not<00:50:44.079><c> DHS</c><00:50:44.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee met to accept prior minutes and receive updates on ongoing audits. Audit staff reported progress on three education-related reviews: special education (34 of 71 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), education freedom accounts (22 of 41 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), and the doorway program (5 of 13 observations completed, draft expected by the end of February and final by April or May). No committee questions were raised on the audit status update. The committee then discussed possible future oversight topics, beginning with SNAP and concerns about fraud and work requirements. Members suggested inviting DHS officials and contract administrators to explain program operations and compliance, and also discussed whether the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit or other experienced officials could provide useful context. Members noted New Hampshire’s existing oversight layers, including the Executive Council and the joint HHS oversight committee, while also expressing interest in hearing more directly from department staff about staffing and contract management capacity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on whether to pursue an audit of special education at the local school level. Members debated whether to wait for the ongoing statewide special education review and a legislative study commission report, or to begin scoping a local audit now so work could start sooner. Supporters argued that local-level spending, identification rates, and effectiveness vary widely by district and that an audit should examine both costs and outcomes; others cautioned that the scope would need to be manageable given limited audit staff and that the statewide report may help narrow the focus. The committee also briefly discussed a potential audit of the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, but no decision was made on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• friends at the LAO and the Department of Finance, who helped to ground those conversations in facts
• of when.
• Lisa Rosenzweig with the Department of Finance.
• money, and adds unemployment insurance fund loans to that list of eligible debts.
• Terms of responsibilities to the citizens of California who are paying higher insurance costs because

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight heard ACA 20, the Safe for California Futures Act, a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund). The authors, Assembly Members Gabriel and Valencia, said the measure would raise the reserve cap from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, change how reserve deposits are treated under the Gann limit so deposits would not count against the spending cap until withdrawn, and update eligible debt repayments to include items such as budget loans, Proposition 98 settle-up obligations, and unemployment insurance debt. They emphasized that the proposal was intended to protect schools and core public services and to help California better withstand revenue volatility and future downturns. Committee discussion focused heavily on the technical effects of the measure, especially its interaction with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit. LAO and Department of Finance staff explained that Prop. 98 funding would not be changed directly, that the reserve deposits would be treated as exclusions from the appropriations limit, and that withdrawals would count when spent. Members asked about current reserve levels, mandatory deposits, and whether the measure would create more room for discretionary spending; supporters argued it would simply allow the state to save more in good years, while one member expressed concern that it could function as a slush fund and expand spending opportunities. Several members cited recent budget volatility, record revenues, and the need for stronger reserves, while others stressed that the measure should be understood as a future-oriented savings reform rather than a response to this year’s budget choices. Public testimony was uniformly supportive. California Forward, Elevate California, and the California Chamber of Commerce all backed the proposal, with the Chamber noting support for the policy and highlighting the importance of addressing unemployment insurance debt for small businesses. The chair concluded by thanking the authors, staff, and witnesses, and said ACA 20 was expected to move to the Assembly floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, HB 2142 establishes the School Safety Center within the Department of Education
• for each range of total admitted assets that is paid by insurers in Arizona.
• for each range of total admitted assets that is paid by insurers in Arizona.
• for each range of total admitted assets that is paid by insurers in Arizona.
• It allows the Department of Water Resources to assess and collect a penalty of $150 from any person who

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioner that will oversee the Department of Education and require Senate confirmation.
• It includes statutory changes related to procurement processes and efficiencies at the Department of
• And it requires the Department of Finance to present options to the Legislature by March 1, 2027, for
• the health insurance of large corporations that use Medi-Cal as their health insurance for their employees
• The Department of Motor Vehicles took corrective action, but to no avail.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• my colleagues at the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• my colleagues at the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• This often requires the experience of a broader range of the department.
• I mean, some of our departments have eight deputies.

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This data comes from the Department of Finance.
• Good morning Chair and members of the committee. Mary Halterman, Department of Finance.
• The California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, which is budgeted a total of $17.6 billion of
• Department of Energy National Laboratories.
• I'm Mary Halterman, Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has been approved by the Department of Licensing, or DOL, or has been certified by an employer as having
• secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation, or the secretary's designee, the executive
• The Department of Licensing estimates that the doubling of the commercial vehicle safety enforcement
• So you do have a fiscal note in your books from the Department of Revenue, and it shows you the effect
• the Department of Transportation, in at least one location, if not more.

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on House Bill 2410, which would establish a commercial truck safety and education council, increase the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32, and direct the new revenue to a dedicated account for truck safety and training programs. Committee staff outlined the bill’s CDL and training requirements, council structure, confidentiality provisions, and fiscal impacts. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to improve truck safety through industry-led education and noted that a substitute was expected because details still needed work. Testimony from the Washington Trucking Associations, insurers, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission was generally supportive of the safety goals, though the commission said operational details and agency roles still needed clarification. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2347, which would repeal the recently enacted luxury aircraft tax on non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000. Staff explained that the tax is scheduled to take effect April 1 and that repeal would reduce revenue to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel account. Representative Dent, the sponsor, argued the tax is harming business aviation, emergency services, wildfire response, agricultural operations, and rural access, and said aircraft and related jobs were already leaving the state. Most public testimony came from aviation businesses, airport operators, industry associations, and related employers, all urging repeal and warning of aircraft departures, lost hangar tenants, reduced fuel sales, and job losses. One witness from the Port of Seattle supported addressing the tax’s impact but urged working toward a narrower fix rather than full repeal so sustainable aviation fuel funding would remain stable. After closing the hearing on HB 2347, the committee received a work session on tolling technology. Transportation Commission staff presented the results of a pilot using a smartphone app to support toll collection, explaining that the current tolling system remains accurate but that new technologies could reduce costs and improve flexibility over time. The pilot found high accuracy when the app was paired to a vehicle by Bluetooth, lower accuracy without pairing, strong customer satisfaction, and some privacy concerns. The commission recommended keeping the current system in place for now, conducting a more fully operational smartphone-based pilot in the near term, and eventually developing a broader technology marketplace for future tolling systems. Members asked about the role of tags versus apps, video tolling accuracy, and the timeline for replacing existing tolling methods. The meeting ended with adjournment for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• We always say not Medicaid, kind of like Medicaid, but it is our children's health insurance product.
• Some of them are monthly, some of them a quarterly. Some of them are annual.
• Well, because of the denials, which then cost the insurance companies more money for patients, arts,
• So as the administrative body, the department maintains rigorous oversight of these efforts through various
• Many of you may have heard of fact, Florida search of community treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• my colleagues at the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• my colleagues at the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• This often requires the experience of a broader range of the department.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of those pieces of legislation did not come to this committee, and so the intent of this legislation
• Many of those pieces of legislation did not come to this committee, and so the intent of this legislation
• Despite the adoption of emergency regulations by the California Department of Public Health in October
• the business model of these companies incidental that is part of the business model of these companies
• And in fact, there was a sort of survey done of some of these products that you could buy online, and

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, including SB 402 by Senator Valadares, which would move existing qualification requirements for qualified autism service providers and related professionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code into the Business and Professions Code without changing the standards. Supporters said it was a technical cleanup that would improve consistency and legislative oversight, while an opponent argued the bill was unnecessary and could create access issues; another witness urged inclusion of the QABA credentialing board. The committee approved SB 402 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health. The committee also heard SB 378 by Senator Wiener, aimed at online platforms that facilitate sales of illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp products. Supporters, including labor, local government, and cannabis industry representatives, said the bill would help protect consumers, minors, legal businesses, and tax revenue by creating accountability for online marketplaces. Opponents from the hemp industry and TechNet argued the bill was overly broad, could sweep in legitimate platforms and payment services, and should better distinguish bad actors from compliant hemp businesses; members discussed implementation, enforcement through a private right of action, and coordination with AB 8. The committee passed SB 378 to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. Senator Arreguín presented SB 779, which would establish minimum enforcement fines for Contractors State License Board citations where minimums are currently very low or absent, and would raise the board’s reserve cap from six months to 12 months. The sponsor said the changes would better match penalties to violations and help support consumer protection and board operations during economic downturns. There was no opposition, and the committee approved SB 779 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, which included SB 344 and AB 652, both sent to Appropriations. SB 508 was not heard because it had been pulled by the author.

Transcript Highlights:

• Game of Thrones.
• Of that, 52% goes to our fire and police department.
• County League of Cities.
• of cities.
• All of the following members of the public are waiving in opposition.