Transcript Highlights:

• Standards of today. Today. Training administration standards, standards of today.
• By standardizing electronic record...
• I'll start if I can turn to my technical assistant here.
• That is not a technical issue.
• Division of Apprenticeship Standards explains.

Summary: The committee heard and later voted on six labor-related bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current workforce training practices, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would make permanent 2017 refinery process safety protections, including worker participation in safety reviews and stop-work authority; refinery workers and unions supported it as a safeguard against rollback, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it, arguing it conflicted with a settlement and could be preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters who give birth and require return to the prior position; supporters said it would improve retention and equity in a male-dominated profession, and there was no opposition. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft and workplace safety enforcement by allowing renewal of labor commissioner liens, limiting employers’ late use of records, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers collect judgments and address long backlogs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 4-0 on call before the full committee vote. SB 1185 would apply skilled-and-trained workforce requirements to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance; supporters from the building trades said these projects require specialized precision to protect public health and supply chains, while contractors opposed the bill as an unnecessary expansion of public-work-style mandates into private projects. Finally, SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into Department of Industrial Relations enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and the Labor Commissioner’s office, to address staffing shortages and backlogs. The author and supporters said apprenticeships could help fill vacancies while preserving the civil service merit principle and creating opportunities for displaced workers; there was no opposition. After discussion and roll calls, the committee reported all six bills out of committee, with SB 966, SB 1024, SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227 sent to Appropriations, and SB 1316 sent to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• It just does a technical correction.
• First, the carbon-free standard is technically neutral with no specific inclusion of any technology,
• First, the carbon-free standard is technically neutral with no specific inclusion of any technology,
• First, the carbon-free standard is technically neutral with no specific inclusion of any technology,
• First, the carbon-free standard is technically neutral with no specific inclusion of any technology,

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• Designed to be connected to the building's electrical system through a standard 120-volt alternating
• It makes a technical edit to the definition of emerging large energy use facility tariff or policy.
• It is a technical fix. All in—asking for a yes vote. All in favor say aye. I oppose nay.
• It is a technical fix. All in asking for a yes vote. All in favor say aye. I oppose nay.
• This is merely some technical fixes. All in favor say aye. Aye. I oppose nay. The ayes have it.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Second Substitute House Bill 1906 concerning water systems, focusing on a striking amendment that would require more notice to customers and relevant entities before ownership changes, require certain planning documents to be submitted, and direct the UTC to consider cost of capital, external funding, rate smoothing, notice, and planning compliance when setting rates for private water companies. Testifiers from the Washington PUD Association, Northwest Natural, Thurston PUD, and Washington Water Service generally supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency for customers, help avoid failed systems ending up in receivership, and better inform customers about future costs; one senator asked about PFAS contamination, receivership, and the removal of a right of first refusal, and staff explained the bill’s intent was to improve front-end notice rather than change the back-end takeover process. The committee then moved into executive session and received briefings on several bills and proposed striking amendments, including measures on distributed energy resources (HB 2296), emerging large energy use facilities (HB 2115), AI disclosures (HB 1170), waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (HB 2416), low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), environmentally sustainable urban design (HB 1742), and the Spark Act AI grant program (HB 1833). Members discussed issues such as utility worker installation authority, data center load and ratepayer protections, AI provenance and disclosure requirements, waste-to-energy allowance timing, reimbursement mechanics for energy assistance, and safeguards for an AI regulatory sandbox. The committee adopted striking amendments and passed HB 2296, HB 2115, HB 1170, HB 2416, HB 1906, HB 1903, and HB 1833 out of committee, generally with due-pass recommendations and referral to Ways and Means where applicable. The committee did not take action on HB 1742. The meeting concluded with members and staff offering personal thanks and farewell remarks to the chair, who was noted to be leaving the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just want to point that out: that a pure blend from a NOx standard could be problematic.
• There are built-in safety standards.
• We also have Bill Brooks from Brooks Engineering here as a technical witness if technical questions come
• And once those standards get set and we have those clear standards to which these devices will adhere
• I represent a district that's 85% renters, and so I have a couple of technical questions.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, clean energy, and consumer access. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection and accountability measure, while utilities and industry groups raised concerns about municipalization language and data-request procedures. After discussion about the scope of the bill and existing guardrails from prior legislation, the committee voted SB 327 out on a due pass as amended basis to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later updated to 12-2. SB 1350, a hydrogen bill, would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen in turbines. The author and supporters said it would help California meet clean energy goals, support the Lancaster hydrogen project, and create jobs, while opponents, especially environmental groups, warned about NOx emissions, the risk of paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on feedstocks and delivery. Members discussed amendments already taken and the need for continued work on environmental protections; the committee passed the bill 14-0 to Natural Resources. SB 868 would create a framework for plug-in or balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar, with safety standards and a cap on system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar, while utilities and some others raised safety and backfeed concerns and asked for more review through existing interconnection processes. The author and witnesses said the devices are small, non-exporting, and covered by safety certifications; the committee approved the bill 17-0, later updated to 18-0, and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1233 would require additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related information in existing reports to help inform rates and affordability. Utilities opposed the measure as duplicative of existing proceedings and potentially delay-inducing, while supporters said it would improve transparency for ratepayers. The committee passed SB 1233 10-3 to Appropriations. The committee also dispensed with the consent calendar, passing the remaining consent items, including SB 925, SB 667, SB 952, SB 742, SB 929, SB 943, and SB 1138, and noted that SB 905 had been pulled from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just want to point that out: a pure blend from a NOx standard could be problematic.
• There are built-in safety standards.
• We also have Bill Brooks from Brooks Engineering here as a technical witness if technical questions come
• Once those standards get set and we have those clear standards to which these devices will adhere, that
• But that technical review by the utility...

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm saying technically anything.
• I'm saying technically anything.
• Most of them are just standard technical corrections within this, and this is something that we probably
• Most of them are just standard technical corrections within this, and this is something that we probably
• Most of them are just standard technical corrections within this, and this is something that we probably

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Another issue he picked up on was the statewide standardization protocols.
• And we provide technical assistance.
• The other question I had is that your office gives technical assistance, and when your office gives technical
• The other question I had is that your office gives technical assistance, and when your office gives technical
• We provide technical training and technical assistance to seven grantees who are serving Native populations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Zoom chat function will allow you to chat only with technical staff, and the chat is only for technical
• Uh if you're only for technical issues.
• </c><00:26:34.720><c> to</c><00:26:34.960><c> not</c> of a double standard to not of a double standard
• > to</c><00:38:30.000><c> the</c> provide technical assistance to the provide technical assistance to
• </c> We're going to make some technical We're going to make some technical amendments<01:16:53.199><c

Bills: HB644 , HB1802 , HB1569 , HB1619 , HB1620 , HB1730 , HB1749

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• develop international standards for various fields: the International Organization for Standardization
• The standards are high. Maybe the test exonerates somebody.
• That's just a technical fix. The third thing is a little bit bigger.
• Clear standards protect the... Transparency is not anti-safety.
• Just getting some technicalities going. Good evening. Good morning.

Summary: The committee began with introductions and then heard Senate Bill 5865, which would repeal statutory garnishment answer forms and require use of Washington Pattern Forms Committee forms instead. Staff, the prime sponsor, and judges’ association witnesses said the bill is a technical fix that would make garnishment calculations more accurate and efficient without changing substantive law. A collectors’ association witness said the current statutory form can be used if needed until new forms are available and raised concerns about the timeliness of pattern form updates, but was open to working on language. The public hearing on SB 5865 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5880, which would allow blood and breath toxicology results to be admissible if tested by an ISO/IEC 17025-certified or accredited forensic lab. The sponsor and supporters, including the Seattle city attorney and traffic safety experts, described severe backlogs at the state toxicology lab, with some DUI blood results taking many months or longer and cases expiring before charges can be filed. Counties, prosecutors, sheriffs, and defense representatives generally agreed the backlog is a serious problem, but several warned the bill could shift costs to local governments, create uneven access to private testing, and raise due process concerns unless discovery cooperation is required. The committee then closed the hearing on SB 5880. Senate Bill 5912 would reinstate the indigent defense task force to study Washington’s public defense system and report recommendations by 2028. Supporters from counties, cities, public defense offices, and tribal interests said the statewide shortage of defense attorneys and rising costs are straining local budgets and delaying access to counsel, especially in rural and eastern Washington. Some witnesses urged the bill be amended to add more stakeholder representation, including clients and practitioners, and cautioned that the task force should not delay immediate action on funding and caseload standards. The hearing on SB 5912 was then closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5837, a broad update to guardianship, conservatorship, and protective arrangement procedures. The bill would lower the minimum age for a proposed guardian from 21 to 18, expand notice options, clarify appointment of counsel, and streamline service and hearing procedures. Testimony was largely supportive, especially from kinship caregivers, legal aid, and estate-law practitioners who said the bill would reduce costly publication requirements and improve access to justice, though some witnesses requested amendments on notice, waiver language, emergency procedures, and counsel provisions. The committee reported 40 pro and 70 con sign-ins on the bill, then moved on. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 5855, which would prohibit law enforcement officers, including federal agents, from wearing facial coverings during public interactions except in limited circumstances such as undercover work, SWAT operations, or health and safety needs. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to increase transparency, accountability, and trust, especially for immigrant and marginalized communities, while opponents argued it could endanger officers, conflict with federal authority, and is tied to ongoing litigation over similar California legislation. Testimony was sharply divided, with some witnesses emphasizing public fear and trauma from masked officers and others arguing the bill would make officers more vulnerable and create constitutional problems. The hearing continued with additional public testimony after the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are technical amendments.
• This is a technical change.
• This is a technical change.
• This is a technical change.
• This is a technical change.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want evidence-based standards.
• We want evidence-based standards.
• We want evidence-based standards.
• We want evidence-based standards.
• </c> clarifying some technical items in HCBS. clarifying some technical items in HCBS.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• There is also the ability to earn a standard diploma.
• Also included are career certificate programs that Florida Colleges and District Technical Colleges as
• We have 19 of our technical colleges here in the state.
• So we have a very regular cadence around technical assistance and professional learning.
• They have what's considered to be a gold standard them there, too.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1650 is a straight forward step toward standards.
• The amendments are technical in nature.
• or enforcing building standards that exceed the state minimum building standards on factory-built housing
• or enforcing building standards that exceed the state minimum building standards on factory-built housing
• AB 1815 creates the standardization or creates standardization for factory built housing needs by prohibiting

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:44.000><c> and</c> have two ways through our standards and have two ways through our standards
• 00.400><c> would</c><00:25:00.559><c> be</c> performance standards, they would be performance standards
• ,</c><00:27:03.520><c> what</c> meeting the operational standards, what meeting the operational standards
• </c><00:29:20.720><c> and</c> collect the performance standards and collect the performance standards
• meeting the standards?

Committee: Joint Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Amendment number one is technical. Amendment number one is technical.
• The first is technical.
• </c> didn't have that technical amendment. didn't have that technical amendment.
• One is technical.
• One is technical.

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes technical corrections to the account distribution formula as well.
• One of the things this bill does have built in is a $1 million standard deduction.
• The amount of the standard deduction is $7,500 per person.
• The amount of the standard deduction is $7,500 per person.
• There are so many technical corrections. I love this. 76 pages, 26 sections.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Ask him to just explain; he's our technical expert this morning.
• complex regulatory standards.
• Right now, those standards don't exist in New Mexico.
• To a clean brine standard.
• It does not seem technically challenging to make water for cement.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill updates and standard 1998 is back on concurrence.
• Amendments taken in the Senate were technical. Child Welfare Act.
• Senate amendments are clarifying and technical in nature.
• Senate amendments made one technical change.
• This bill does not weaken standards.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and heard a prayer and pledge before moving through a long concurrence calendar and later Senate bill items. Early procedural actions included rereferrals of several bills to committees, approval of journal dispensation and adjournment-memory requests, and multiple unanimous-consent motions. The chamber also took up a brief moment of silence honoring Dolly Parton before returning to business after caucus recesses and a vote change on AB 1775. On concurrence, members acted on a wide range of Assembly bills covering housing, health, education, environmental regulation, elections, corrections, wildfire relief, tribal issues, alcohol regulation, and consumer protections. Many were described as technical, clarifying, or support measures and passed overwhelmingly or unanimously, including bills on behavioral health licensing, common course numbering, medical supervision sunsets, tribal child welfare, wildfire mortgage relief, Prop 65 oversight, water quality, and tied-house alcohol rules. A few measures drew some opposition, such as AB 1645, AB 1775, and AB 2348, but still concurred. The Assembly also adopted an urgency measure on AB 2663 to extend the Cocktails to Go program in time for New Year’s Eve. The chamber then considered numerous Senate bills. These included SB 608 on youth sexual health and contraceptive access, SB 633 on recycled plastic verification, SB 675 restructuring the Imperial County Air Pollution Control District, SB 747 on civil rights accountability against government officials, SB 772 on housing infrastructure grants, SB 891 and SB 1379 on missing and murdered Indigenous people and custody-death transparency, SB 1077 on CalFresh shutdown contingency planning, SB 1105 on limits for joint law-enforcement operations, SB 1114 on protecting sensitive state data, SB 1125 on water rate assistance, SB 1208 on returning stolen cryptocurrency to victims, SB 1213 on zero-emission vehicle pricing transparency, SB 1237 on pay data enforcement, SB 1276 on child sexual exploitation and AI-generated content, SB 1322 on tribal housing grants, SB 1388 on affordable housing insurance, SB 1393 on fisheries management, SB 329 on drug treatment facility complaint timelines, SB 758 on nitrous oxide sales restrictions, SB 828 on fireworks licensing disclosures, SB 909 on public works enforcement fees, and SB 920 on gambling fee transparency. Most passed with strong margins; some drew notable opposition, including SB 675, SB 747’s urgency vote, SB 1105, SB 1114, SB 1125, SB 1237, SB 1379, and SB 1388. The transcript ends amid debate on SB 920, with Assembly Member DeMaio raising budget concerns before the record cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• driver's licenses and standard identification cards as well.
• I'm concerned about the technical issues.
• the preponderance of evidence standard.
• I think it's a higher standard.
• I think it's a higher standard.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Standards of today. Today. Training administration standards, standards of today.
• By standardizing electronic record Participating in the ETP program by standardizing electronic record-keeping
• I'll start if I can turn to my technical assistant here.
• That is not a technical issue.
• Division of Apprenticeship Standards explains.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement