Transcript Highlights:

• Not on the agenda is a request from Assembly Member Ward to get an update from DGS on the Hillcrest DMV
• Ward. Okay. Sorry. And welcome to our esteemed guests here. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I'll just go down Assemblymember Ward and then Ortega. Thank you. Thank you, Ms.
• whatever we can do to support you as this moves forward thank you I'll just go down assembly member Ward
• as you can imagine, like most state departments, are also aging, and it's, you know, Assemblymember Ward

Summary: The hearing began with a vote-only agenda and then focused first on San Mateo County’s request to restore in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) funding. County officials, city leaders, labor representatives, nonprofits, and public safety advocates argued that the loss of roughly $157 million would force major cuts to homelessness services, housing assistance, mental health programs, libraries, parks, fire and police staffing, and other local services. They described the current formula as outdated and unfair, tied to school funding and basic-aid dynamics that no longer work for San Mateo County, and urged both an immediate budget restoration and a permanent legislative fix. The Department of Finance said the payments are discretionary, not statutorily required, and noted the administration does not view the expenditure as sustainable in the current fiscal climate. Committee members expressed sympathy, questioned the formula, and said they would keep the issue under consideration; the committee later voted to move the two vote-only items on the agenda. The committee then received an update from the Department of General Services on state property redevelopment, including the Hillcrest DMV site in San Diego, the Fell Street DMV site in San Francisco, and other state-owned properties. DGS explained that Hillcrest is not currently an active project, while the Fell Street project shifted from an integrated DMV-housing plan to a more feasible relocation of the DMV into leased commercial space, with a budget change proposal pending. Members pressed DGS on the slow pace of redevelopment, the potential for housing on state sites, and the costs and feasibility of adaptive reuse. DGS said many state buildings are aging and that adaptive reuse depends heavily on building design, floorplate depth, light, and risk from unknown conditions behind walls. The Government Operations portion then turned to the California Education Learning Lab, which supports intersegmental higher education innovation grants. The Lab asked for permanent restoration of $4 million in ongoing funding and a move of its home agency from the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps, along with technical trailer bill changes. Supporters said the program has funded more than 120 projects reaching thousands of faculty and hundreds of thousands of students, including work on generative AI in higher education. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the restoration and continuing the wind-down, citing the state’s projected deficit and suggesting the California Education Interagency Council could pursue non-state-funded grant opportunities instead. The committee held the item open. Finally, GovOps presented the new California Education Interagency Council staffing request, seeking four ongoing positions to support the council, with funding already included in last year’s budget. The department said the governor has appointed Debbie Cochran as executive officer and that the remaining positions are being recruited. Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee began questions about how the council will be staffed and organized.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward and Mr. Carrillo.
• Ward now. Thank you. Before Mr.
• Ward begins, I just received notice that our session start time has been pushed back to 2 p.m., and so
• Ward. It looks like we might be going later tonight then. Thank you Mr. Chair and members.
• As Assembly Member Ward has mentioned, government operations, I believe we're receiving agency is one

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, excused. Mr. Woodson, excused. Mr. Yamashita. Madam Speaker, here.
• Ward, excused. Mr. Woodson, excused. Mr. Yamashita. Madam Speaker, here.
• Mr.<00:16:09.839><c> Ward.</c> Mr. Ward. Mr. Ward. Excused.<00:16:12.560><c> Mr.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Chris Ward, Assembly Member Koloza, who added to the conversation, were there and were
• Thank you so much. participated fully, Assembly Member Chris Ward, Assembly Member Koloza, who added
• Ward would like to go, so let's go in that order, and others can get my attention if they want to go
• Ward. I'm going to start with Mr. Ward. Thank you, Ms. Bonta. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• We would like to thank Assembly Member Ward and Assembly Member Petrie-Norris specifically for their

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Ward. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Director, good to see you here as well.
• So you will either see Assembly Member Kaloza or Assembly Member Ward handling this as we all go in and
• Assemblymember Ward? Thank you. I feel it's a little like Price Is Right.
• I know myself and Assembly Member Ward have to be going to different committees, so we will have our
• I want to express my gratitude to Assemblymember Ward for championing these budget asks, the Chair for

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard two housing-related trailer bill items tied to the Governor’s reorganization plan. The first item would codify the creation of a new Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency structure; the second would further streamline the state housing finance system by creating a Housing Development and Finance Committee and reserving most private activity bond capacity for affordable housing. Administration officials said the changes are intended to reduce duplication, speed awards to construction, and make housing funding more predictable and efficient. Agency leaders described recent housing investments and implementation steps, including work groups, coordination with Finance, the Controller, and the Treasurer’s Office, and development of new guidelines and staffing. Members raised concerns about limited funding, the need for better program-by-program outcome data, youth homelessness, excess sites, and fraud prevention. The Interagency Council on Homelessness presented new three-year action plan metrics, including goals to increase exits from unsheltered homelessness to 70% and move more people into permanent housing, while also noting current performance data and quarterly public reporting. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said it had no concerns with the first trailer bill, but supported the general concept of the second while recommending changes, including removing or revising the proposed 50% bond-cap floor for the new committee and adding attention to 9% and state tax credits. Public commenters, including local governments, nonprofit developers, housing authorities, and advocacy groups, largely supported the reorganization and streamlining goals, but several urged stronger protections for deeply affordable housing, earlier reallocation of unused bond authority, continued access to 9% credits, and more funding for housing programs. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair closed item one and moved to item two after member and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Ward. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Director, good to see you here as well.
• So you will either see Assembly Member Kaloza or Assembly Member Ward handling this as we all go in and
• Assembly Member Ward? Thank you. I feel it's a little like Price Is Right.
• I know myself and Assemblymember Ward have to be going to different committees, so we will have our favorite
• I want to express my gratitude to Assemblymember Ward for championing these budget asks, the Chair for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> To secure and place a P-51, and an F-4, and an F-16 to complement that submarine out there, the Ward
• So just briefly, a few things that we're doing there... ...with World War II and the Ward from St.
• You're going to hear that and feel that gun go off, that Ward gun. You're going to feel it.
• That is the narrative arc: theirs to share with us. and feel that gun go off, that ward gun. and feel
• that gun go off, that ward gun.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Tinderholt, Representative Lambert, Representative Leilani, Representative Perez, here, Representative Ward
• Representative Ward Johnson.
• Uh, Representative Ward Johnson mentioned the, uh, uh, uh, transfer of credits to, uh, universities.
• Thank you, Admirals Ward Johnson. I'm asking everybody the same question, um.
• Thank you, Chancellor, and without me looking over there, I'm going to call Representative Ward Johnson

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Gene Ward, excused. Representative Justin Woodson, excused.
• Representative Gene Ward, excused. Representative Justin Woodson, excused.
• Representative Gene Ward, excused. Representative Justin Woodson, excused.
• Representative Gene Ward, excused. Representative Justin Woodson, excused.
• Todd Mr Ward excused Mr Woodson Todd Mr Ward excused Mr Woodson excused<00:11:28.360><c> Mr</c><00:11

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Senate District 18, which is Manchester Wards 5-9 and the town of Litchfield.
• I represent Senate District 18, which is Manchester Wards 5-9 and the town of Litchfield.
• more articulated is more registered voters who voted in that election with respect to Manchester 12 Wards
• :43:00.599><c> I</c><00:43:00.720><c> didn't</c><00:43:00.920><c> vote</c><00:43:01.119><c> in</c> Wards
• So if I change that to any city ward or town... ...ward or town. Sure.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The use of the term 'property boundary line' to describe what was described multiple times in the bill
• However, that's generally considered to be the boundary line.
• Most division fences are recognized as the boundary.
• If a boundary fence is there for a certain number of years, you have adverse possession, even if it's
• not on the boundary line.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met in executive session and considered three bills. House Bill 2297, the fencing enclosure bill, was amended with a House committee substitute and then reported do pass after discussion focused on wording changes from “division line” to “property boundary line” and liability language tied to trespass and injury. House Bill 2713 was also amended, with members adopting a committee amendment and rolling it into a new committee substitute before voting it do pass; the substitute clarified tax credit language and restored sunset provisions after discussion about a negotiated compromise with the Senate and industry stakeholders. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1885, which would change the makeup of the Clean Water Commission. The bill would allow at least one member knowledgeable about publicly owned wastewater treatment works, remove a two-year cooling-off period for commission members with industry income, and require the commission to adopt conflict-of-interest rules for recusals. The sponsor and supporters from municipal utilities and wastewater interests argued the changes would help the state retain experienced professionals and ensure more technically informed decision-making, while members raised concerns about conflicts of interest and whether the commission should set its own recusal standards. No opposition testimony was presented, and the hearing concluded without a vote on HB 1885.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know it sounds like... ...to what Assembly Member Ward already raised.
• Ward has before this committee, the $70 million public media stabilization fund that would be created
• So many member Ward. Great. Thank you for that presentation.
• Ward. Thank you.
• Assemblymember Ward, I think we had the same reaction.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward will be joining us, and the other senators will be in and out as they need to be.
• It also enables, if you have a very active committee in your ward or town, you can hold caucuses to identify
• There apparently is an additional letter taking Ward off and putting Avart on.
• 00.799><c> additional</c><01:03:01.640><c> letter</c><01:03:02.640><c> taking</c><01:03:03.119><c> Ward
• letter taking Ward off and putting<01:03:05.599><c> Avart</c> putting Avart putting Avart on.<01:03:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But nevertheless, there are still boundary review boards throughout the state.
• Just an aside: there is no process in state law to change county boundaries.
• There are many statutes related to annexation and changing municipal boundaries.
• Chapter 35.16 and 35A.16 relate to reducing city boundaries. Some call that de-annexation.
• Finally, Chapter 36.93 RCW relates to the boundary review boards.

Summary: The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings. The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers. A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• then we'll briefly, once we get the introductions, we're going to introduce Town Administrator Mike Ward
• going to be a little late, but without further ado, I'd like to welcome up Town Administrator Mike Ward
• And thank you, Mike Ward, for all of your service to the town of Clinton and the community.
• Just on that point of inequities, one of the presentations later today looks at maternity wards in the
• Just on that point of inequities, one of the presentations later today looks at maternity wards in the

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:09:33.680><c> member</c><00:09:33.920><c> from</c><00:09:34.079><c> my</c><00:09:34.279><c> ward
• </c> former council member from my ward former council member from my ward admitted<00:09:35.079><c>
• </c><00:10:38.560><c> turnout</c> here is that in w three my ward turnout here is that in w three my
• ward turnout increased<00:10:39.440><c> from</c><00:10:39.720><c> 17%</c><00:10:40.519><c> in</c><00:
• </c><00:11:04.519><c> neighbors</c> conversations with more Ward neighbors conversations with more Ward

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• battle already happened here where we took the provision that has to do with taking children to the Boundary
• /c><00:18:59.200><c> the</c> to do with taking children to the to do with taking children to the Boundary
• :00.240><c> So</c><00:19:00.799><c> it's</c><00:19:01.039><c> very</c><00:19:01.440><c> very</c> Boundary
• So it's very very Boundary Waters.
• We lost the taking youth to Boundary Waters provision, but the battles here and even though we have a

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the census data, and that's how we come up with the population estimates for your particular PAT boundary
• We did have I believe there were 4 or 5 PSAT boundary changes related to annexation and deannexations
• change form that will be used by PAPs to expand or reduce their PAT boundary call taking area.
• The Piece at boundary change at any time.
• Those checks start in July, and they will not change it based upon any PAT boundary changes between now

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did have, I believe, four or five PSAP boundary changes related to annexations and deannexations,
• And I believe we had all but three PSAPs that submitted a confirmation of their PSAP boundary along with
• And vote to approve the public safety answering point, PSAP, call-taking boundary change form that will
• be used by PSAPs to expand or reduce their PSAP boundary call-taking area.
• Those checks start in July, and they will not change it based upon any PSAP boundary changes between

Summary: The Oklahoma 911 Management Authority met with a quorum and approved the minutes from the February 5 regular meeting and the March 9 special meeting, along with the January 2026 financial report. The authority also recognized the Emergency Telecommunicator of the Quarter, Claire Gutierrez of the Pott County Sheriff’s Office, for her work during a fast-moving wildfire incident, and the Emergency Technologist of the Quarter, Jason White of the City of Shawnee, for his support of the 911 center’s technology needs. Members approved the City of Norman’s in-person 40-hour telecommunicator training program as a vetted training option. They also approved Washington County 911’s request to submit an amended hardship application for a radio console grant match waiver, rather than granting the waiver outright. In addition, the authority approved the annual land area and population percentages used to determine 911 telephone fee distributions for fiscal year 2027, and approved a new PSAP call-taking boundary change form for future boundary adjustments. The authority approved three grant requests: Creek County for APCO/Telecom training, the City of El Reno for ADA and facility improvements to its dispatch center, and the City of Moore for ADA furniture and a larger dispatch setup. Committee and staff reports covered audit completion, boundary verification and population model work, recruitment website updates, upcoming 911 Day at the Capitol, NG9-1-1 and GIS progress, cybersecurity training planning, 988 integration efforts, and ongoing concerns about TCPR policy and liability. The legislative report noted House Bill 2710 passed the House after amendments removing 911-related language and was sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The meeting ended with public comments, a brief new business item wishing member Brent Hawkinson well after surgery, and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the documentation that was gathered by Senator Smith's team, the proper boundary of New
• According to the documentation that was gathered by Senator Smith's team, the proper boundary of New
• According to the documentation that was gathered by Senator Smith's team, the proper boundary of New
• The Supreme Court never decided the boundary between Maine and New Hampshire.
• There is no boundary from the mouth of Portsmouth Harbor up the river ever established by Congress.

Keywords: 1189, house, all