Transcript Highlights:

• , not a mandated requirement, but the authority, the option to divest itself of these $22 million of
• ...any day now if we get in a war with them.
• Senate Bill 1025 authorized $300,000 in funding for this.
• , so they are not encouraging people to deny prior authorization.
• They also clarified written procedures needed when obtaining prior authorizations.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• It reunified us after the Civil War. There was an intent and a purpose behind it.
• It creates a timeline for the appeals process for eligibility determinations and authorizes...
• And finally, senators, it restores local authority... ...rebuilding after a storm.
• We don't get into any more wars. We're on the brink of another war.
• End of the Palestinian-Israeli war.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Neal, representing the Orange County Fire Authority, also in support. Thank you.
• All right, we've got another author. And we do have another author.
• Emergency powers are a lot like war powers, where, when the disaster hits, you need them.
• We're going to take a brief recess and await our final author and a quorum.
• I equate it to the earthquake authority.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties and direct future funding toward areas with the greatest wildfire risk and social vulnerability; supporters included CSAC and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a permanent fire innovation unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew support from Megafire Action, fire agencies, and several advocacy groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open gubernatorial states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting emergency powers; the LAO provided technical assistance on the bill. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help finance home hardening and defensible space improvements, with broad support from state, local, environmental, and credit union interests. Testimony on the bills emphasized wildfire risk, the need for broader home hardening access, and the value of innovation and oversight in emergency management. Supporters of SB 894 said grants alone cannot meet the scale of needed mitigation and that low-cost financing could leverage private capital. Supporters of SB 1079 argued California needs a more formal system to connect firefighters with innovators and scale proven technologies. On SB 1020, the author and committee discussed balancing executive emergency authority with transparency and accountability. There was no recorded opposition to the measures during testimony. After discussion, the committee accepted amendments on the bills and voted to pass SB 894, SB 973, SB 1020, SB 1270, and SB 1079 as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The transcript shows multiple roll calls as quorum was established and absent members were called; each bill ultimately received unanimous support from members present and was reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, assuming the legislature specifically authorizes this. Thank you very much.
• Again, assuming the legislature specifically authorizes this. Thank you very much.
• What this committee striker does is it authorizes the Department of Licensing to adopt rules, setting
• Authorized Sound Transit to issue bonds with terms up to 75 years.
• The Star Wars. 4th, yeah, yeah, yeah. The Star Wars one is in two months. Yeah, yeah.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, assuming the legislature specifically authorizes this. Thank you very much.
• What this committee striker does is authorize the Department of Licensing to adopt rules setting price
• What this committee striker does is authorize the Department of Licensing to adopt rules setting price
• Sound Transit would still be authorized to issue bonds with terms up to 75 years.
• The Star Wars... The Star Wars one is in two months.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session on Gross Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources measure, after a staff walkthrough of the Senate striking amendment S-5820.4. Staff explained that the striker largely replaced the bill with provisions from Senate Bill 6352 and related transportation revenue and policy changes, including updates to mobile driver’s licenses, account interest provisions, recreational vessel and luxury vehicle tax clarifications, peer-to-peer tax administration changes, fuel tax timing changes, aircraft fuel tax and account changes, bicycle education grants, ferry payment-card fee authority, traffic safety camera revenue and rebuttable presumption rules, online driver education regulation, transit annexation tax/liability clarification, Sound Transit 75-year bond authority limits, stolen copper protections for light rail and DOT communications infrastructure, and a highway contracting threshold change. Staff also reviewed fiscal impacts, including revenue gains from trade-in value clarifications and aircraft fuel changes, and losses from the diesel tax delay, motorhome exemption, and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax. Members asked several clarifying questions, including the luxury RV tax threshold, how trade-in value is treated under the luxury vehicle tax, whether ferry debit-card fees are authorized, and the legality of passing card-processing fees to customers. Staff and counsel said the luxury vehicle tax applies to value over $100,000, trade-in value is added back for the luxury tax calculation, and the ferry provision is intended to clarify that both credit and debit card surcharges may be passed through. On the traffic safety camera section, staff described a revised approach that would require stronger proof from registered owners to rebut presumed responsibility, and on Sound Transit bonds, staff clarified that bonds over 40 years would be limited to federal transportation loan purposes and would affect eligibility for certain state grants. After caucus, the committee returned to executive session, waived the amendment posting deadline under Senate Rule 45, adopted the striking amendment, and then voted to advance ESHB 2711 as amended with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The motion carried, and the chair thanked staff before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• He voted against authorizing the war in Iraq, not once, but twice.
• </c> Trump's trade war with the entire world. Trump's trade war with the entire world.
• </c> He's at war with the entire world. He's at war with the entire world.
• </c><04:41:16.958><c> stronger</c> waiverss that authorize stronger waiverss that authorize stronger
• </c> initiative. as it is clearly authorized initiative. as it is clearly authorized to<05:46:49.920>

Bills: HJR89 , HJR87 , HJR88

Keywords: EPA, pollution control, California emissions standards, NOX regulation, congressional disapproval, HJR87, H.J.Res. 87, Congressional Review Act, CRA, EPA waiver, California waiver, preemption, vehicle emissions, heavy-duty trucks, engine emissions, Advanced Clean Trucks, zero-emission vehicles, ZEV, zero-emission airport shuttle, powertrain certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Neal, representing the Orange County Fire Authority, also in support. Thank you.
• All right, we've got another author. And we do have another author.
• We're going to take a brief recess and await our final author and a quorum.
• I equate it to the earthquake authority.
• So I commend you, and I want to be a co-author. Thank you. Awesome. All righty.

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard five wildfire- and emergency-related bills. SB 1270 by Senator Richardson would expand the California Wildfire Mitigation Program to more counties based on wildfire risk and social vulnerability, with the author and county representatives saying the program should better target home-hardening assistance where need is greatest. SB 1079 by Senator Stern would create a Fire Innovation Unit within Cal Fire to identify operational needs, test new wildfire technologies, and speed deployment of successful tools; it drew broad support from fire, environmental, local government, and industry groups. SB 1020 by Senator Niello would require annual reporting on open states of emergency, including spending and lessons learned, to increase legislative oversight without limiting the governor’s emergency powers. SB 894 by Senator Allen would establish a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on the state’s Go Green financing platform to help homeowners afford wildfire hardening and defensible-space improvements; supporters included the State Treasurer’s office, counties, fire-safety groups, local governments, and credit unions. There was no opposition testimony on any of the bills. Committee members generally expressed support, with comments emphasizing wildfire risk, the need for home hardening, innovation, and accountability in emergency powers. Senator Rubio asked to be a coauthor on SB 894, and the chair noted the bill’s importance for making mitigation more affordable at scale. All five measures were approved by the committee on motions for “do pass as amended to appropriations,” with roll calls taken over several quorum interruptions. The bills were advanced out of committee, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jeff Neal representing the Orange County Fire Authority, also in support. Thank you.
• All right, we've got another author. And we do have another author.
• We're going to take a brief recess and await our final author and a quorum.
• I equate it to the earthquake authority.
• So I commend you, and I want to be a co-author. Thank you. Awesome. All righty.

Committee: Senate Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:18.680><c> various</c> to liquor, authorizing various to liquor, authorizing various municipalities
• Would the author stand for a question? >> Senator Klein, do you yield?
• ,</c> Uh I'm grateful for my co-authors, Uh I'm grateful for my co-authors, Senator<00:08:59.240><c>
• </c> of war and deceased veterans. of war and deceased veterans.
• ><c> on</c><00:30:27.160><c> that</c> myself, I think I'm a co-author on that myself, I think I'm a co-author

Transcript Highlights:

• of tanks and other equipment to Iraq to fight that war.
• </c><01:01:38.240><c> would</c> set of ships that in time of War would set of ships that in time of War
• </c> logistical support in peace and in war logistical support in peace and in war simply<01:13:33.239
• </c><01:46:25.400><c> act</c> National Defense authorization act National Defense authorization act because
• I co-authored a study with Plymouth State University peers where we looked at that.

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And our author is not here yet, so can you call the author, please?
• And our author is not here yet, so can you call the author, please?
• Veterans of Foreign Wars. Thank you. And principal opposition? Testify?
• The organization of Veterans of Foreign Wars...
• The organization of Veterans of Foreign Wars has teams of people that are authorized under the umbrella

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met with a quorum and first approved its consent calendar, including AJR 15, SB 56, SB 296, and SB 855, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee then heard SB 694 by Senator Archuleta, which would require VA accreditation for veterans’ claims representatives and prohibit unaccredited persons from charging fees or otherwise handling VA claims, with the author and supporters arguing the bill would protect veterans from predatory “claims shark” businesses and restore accountability. Support came from county veterans service officers, veterans organizations, National Guard representatives, and several individual veterans, who said accredited public services are free and that unaccredited firms often charge large fees, delay claims, or use questionable practices. Opposition testimony came from a veterans advocate and representatives of private claims companies, who argued that some for-profit consultants provide useful, performance-based assistance, that veterans need choice, and that the bill could eliminate access for those who cannot get timely help from public or nonprofit providers. Committee members debated whether the bill would unlawfully restrict services already operating in a gray area under federal law, whether there is enough data on the impact of private claims assistance, and whether amendments could preserve “good actors” while targeting bad practices. The author and supporters responded that federal law already bars the conduct, that the state lacks oversight over these companies, and that the bill is a first step toward stronger protections. SB 694 was ultimately passed out of committee on a 6-0 vote and referred to the Committee on Judiciary; the consent calendar also passed with eight votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and all the authors of this bill.
• Many thanks to Chair Kelly Moller and the author, Representative Canuteson, and all the authors of this
• </c> communication between local authorities communication between local authorities and<00:32:39.039
• Pay attention to this important matter. authorities and immigrant authorities and immigrant communities
• </c><01:37:34.760><c> um</c> did worse than my Republican author um did worse than my Republican author

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Hawaii Parrolling Authority. the Hawaii Parrolling Authority.
• </c><01:32:33.280><c> if</c> hoping with this parole authority if hoping with this parole authority if
• Authority is trained and equipped every Authority is trained and equipped every day<02:03:44.639><c>
• </c><02:10:28.159><c> Ren</c> Pluraling Authority or Mr. Ren Pluraling Authority or Mr.
• </c> administrator Hawaii Port Authority. administrator Hawaii Port Authority.

Bills: HB1531

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1913, which would create a mental health coordinator position within the Office of Veteran Services for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home and appropriate funds for it. Supporters said veterans, especially on the neighbor islands, need more mental health access and coordination. Several witnesses, including Sean Sonatada and Tom Driscoll, supported the intent but urged amendments to broaden the position beyond one facility and make it a statewide resource. Committee members questioned whether the bill would duplicate existing services at the veterans home and whether the position would be reimbursable through federal VA funding; testimony indicated the state would appropriate the money, while existing home services are already covered through current staff and federal reimbursement structures. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 9, which would designate Hawaii as a Purple Heart state. Testifiers generally supported the measure as a way to honor wounded veterans and their families, though one member asked what benefits the designation would confer. Witnesses clarified that the bill was mainly symbolic and did not appear to create new benefits, and one testifier noted Honolulu County had already adopted a similar Purple Heart designation. The committee then took up House Bill 1628, which would establish a compassionate release protocol for certain seriously ill or debilitated incarcerated persons. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Hawaii Paroling Authority opposed the bill, arguing that an existing administrative process already works, that the bill could improperly extend eligibility to people serving life without parole or mandatory minimum sentences, and that it lacked victim and family input and sufficient resources. In contrast, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission strongly supported the bill, saying it would reduce the high cost of incarcerating people with complex medical needs, ease burdens on staff and the prison population, and better reflect human dignity. The commission described having seen severe suffering and deaths in custody and said compassionate release is warranted in some cases. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• After the war, Dr.
• After the war, Dr.
• After the war, Dr.
• After the war, Dr.
• After the war, Dr.

Transcript Highlights:

• You might not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you.
• It was like being in a war. It fundamentally changed me.
• America's future is Sharia law if we don't fight Islam tooth and nail, and every small... being in a war
• NGOs are legally authorized to associate with is unclear.
• Chair, I think both of us have the ribbon global war on terrorism.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee convened with roll call, member and staff introductions, and a review of amendment deadlines and decorum rules. Members also suspended the committee rule on late-distributed amendments to allow consideration of a Kolodin amendment. The chair then moved to the agenda bills, beginning with HCM 2001, a memorial urging Congress and the President to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and asking Arizona agencies to monitor related organizations. Testimony on HCM 2001 was sharply divided, with supporters arguing the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR are linked to terrorism and Sharia law, and opponents calling the memorial discriminatory, unsupported by evidence, and an attack on Muslim civil rights organizations and free speech. The committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2001 out of committee. The committee then heard HCM 2002, which urges a federal review of CAIR for possible foreign terrorist organization designation and supports related congressional action. Testimony again split along similar lines: opponents, including CAIR representatives, a veteran, and community members, said the measure was scapegoating, lacked legal basis, and would stigmatize Muslim communities; supporters cited the Holy Land Foundation case, FBI concerns, and alleged ties between CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Hamas. After debate, the committee voted 4-3 to pass HCM 2002 out of committee. Following a brief recess, the committee took up HB 2009, which would prohibit committees primarily organized to influence constitutional amendments from accepting foreign national contributions and require disclosure of out-of-state funding. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve transparency and keep constitutional initiatives focused on Arizona voters; members discussed whether the measure should apply to all ballot initiatives and how donor verification would work. HB 2009 was also approved 4-3. The committee then began HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election procedures, including citizenship requirements for voting, limits on foreign contributions to candidate and ballot measure campaigns, government-issued ID requirements, and changes to early voting and mail ballot rules. The committee adopted a late amendment after procedural discussion, and the sponsor described the resolution as a broad election-security reform modeled on Florida. Members raised concerns that the proposal could reduce access, increase lines, and create confusion for mail voters, while the sponsor argued it would improve security and voter confidence. The transcript cuts off during this bill’s discussion, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General will appoint a director and may authorize investigations and litigation as needed
• It's like, so you can read the first chapter of War and Peace.
• It's like, so you can read the first chapter of War and Peace.

Committee: House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Summary: The Science and Technology Committee considered Senate Bill 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office within the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud cases involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also establishes a Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund, includes a $500,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27, and directs any fund balance above $10 million at year-end to the Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund. Staff explained that the office would support investigations and litigation, with delayed repeal dates included in the measure. A representative of State Armor and a local attorney testified in support, arguing the bill would protect consumers and state systems from products with undisclosed security vulnerabilities, citing examples involving cameras and routers allegedly linked to foreign adversary entities. They said the initial appropriation would serve as seed money for enforcement actions that could generate settlements or judgments, and that the resulting proceeds could help replace vulnerable technology in critical infrastructure. Committee members asked about how the rip-and-replace fund would be used, who would identify critical infrastructure, and the effects on government purchasing; the witness said the Department of Homeland Security would identify critical infrastructure and administer the funds. After discussion, a member moved Senate Bill 1308 be returned with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion on an 8-0 vote, with one member absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about the war in Iran. We are, yes.
• I recognize there's a war in the Middle East. I get that.
• So I've not seen any materials that the authors of the materials that you just quoted have.
• On behalf of the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority, those LCTOP dollars are critical.
• On behalf of the Livermore, Amateur Valley Transit Authority, those LC top dollars are critical.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> which grants broad rulemaking authority which grants broad rulemaking authority and<03:26:36.319
• </c><03:27:30.000><c> Thank</c> authority and pass this amendment.
• Thank authority and pass this amendment. Thank you. you. you.
• It allows us a measure of War.
• The wall will travel from the old war.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Judiciary have discretionary Authority Judiciary have discretionary Authority built<01:39:14.239
• He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. He was a postmaster and he was a surveyor.
• <04:25:27.359><c> he</c><04:25:27.479><c> was</c><04:25:27.640><c> a</c> War he was a War he was a postmaster
• But by the time the war was over, there were still about a half a million slaves in the U.S.
• But by the time the war was over, there were still about a half a million slaves in the U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• haven't even mentioned the penny-wise, pound-foolish divestment in our health research and science, the war
• vaccines and evidence penny-wise, pound-foolish divestment in our health research and science, the war
• The law essentially eliminates CMS's authority to waive financial penalties, even if the state is making
• Under current law, states are authorized and sometimes required to provide coverage to various groups
• These are folks who actually fled wars and genocide to come to the state of California.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.