Transcript Highlights:

• This bill pertains to the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.
• HB 3134 by Cook relating to advanced air mobility. The Chair recognizes Mr.
• But what HB 3134 does is it supports the advanced air mobility industry by requiring TxDOT to create
• This amends current law to allow employees of spaceflight companies to waive their right to bring claims

Bills: HJR175, HJR88, HB21, HB49, HB216, HB346, HB573, HB565, HB954, HB1953, HB2686, HB1441, HB2734, HB1650, HB3161, HB2876, HB3185, HB3388, HB2761, HB3233, HB 1186, HB1534, HB5506, HB5129, HB3619, HB778, HB2867, HB3221, HB3672, HB2434, HB4903, HB3687, HB3675, HB4609, HB4582, HB4921, HB3866, HB3901, HB4534, HB2446, HB3984, HB700, HB4012, HB4491, HB4088, HB229, HB4234, HB722, HB4136, HB4105, HB4413, HB170, HB551, HB2858, HB3053, HB3142, HB3180, HB3722, HB2200, HB1794, HB1784, HB1581, HB2530, HB4308, HB1896, HB2974, HB3359, HB4580, HB2458, HB2215, HB3332, HB2278, HB3015, HB3151, HB1368, HCR9, HCR40, HB5138, SB17, HB4944, HB2284, HB3421, SB1569, SB2420, SB1968, SB2351, SB2544, SB1490, SB1349, SB1568, SB2776, HB3531, HB2149, HB4327, HB3158, HB3717, HB4520, SB888, SB552, HB3138, HB3704, HB2921, HB4853, HB4506, HB3892, HJR161, HJR175, HJR88, HB1937, HB3334, HB5444, HB5137, HB361, HB321, HB5447, HB464, HB678, HB2294, HB4172, HB3225, HB1769, HB5394, HB1837, HB1787, HB2271, HB2440, HB5134, HB5149, HB2151, HB2073, HB2186, HB2025, HB1936, HB1777, HB1663, HB 1306, HB 1290, HB1527, HB4802, HB3462, HB2963, HB2462, HB2560, HB644, HB2725, HB2621, HB2588, HB1443, HB1403, HB3032, HB1557, HB1664, HB2811, HB2088, HB2598, HB3062, HB3134, HB3940, HB4027, HB4097, HB4862, HB4170, HB4157, HB4205, HB4279, HB4377, HB4838, HB5424, HB5294, HB4870, HB4763, HB5639, HB4112, HB2275, HB1677, HB5014, HB3848, HB3797, HB3727, HB3709, HB3177, HB3057, HB4176, HB4202, HB2180, HB3528, HB3658, HB21, HB49, HB216, HB346, HB573, HB565, HB954, HB1953, HB2686, HB1441, HB2734, HB1650, HB3161, HB2876, HB3185, HB3388, HB2761, HB3233, HB 1186, HB1534, HB5506, HB5129, HB3619, HB778, HB2867, HB3221, HB3672, HB2434, HB4903, HB3687, HB3675, HB4609, HB4582, HB4921, HB3866, HB3901, HB4534, HB2446, HB3984, HB700, HB4012, HB4491, HB4088, HB229, HB4234, HB722, HB4136, HB4105, HB4413, HB170, HB551, HB2858, HB3053, HB3142, HB3180, HB3722, HB2200, HB1794, HB1784, HB1581, HB2530, HB4308, HB1896, HB2974, HB3359, HB4580, HB2458, HB2215, HB3332, HB2278, HB3015, HB3151, HB1368, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40

Keywords: constitutional amendment, medium of exchange, currency rights, digital currency, financial autonomy, tax exemption, rainwater harvesting, graywater system, local government, ad valorem taxation, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, audit requirements, affordable housing, development bonds, oil waste, gas waste, liability, treatment processes

Transcript Highlights:

• Classified school employee positions are especially vulnerable to being contracted out.
• Classified school employee positions are especially vulnerable to being contracted out.
• 250,000 classified public school employees throughout the state.
• So I want to make that point because all of our employees would have to do that, and all the employees
• Naphne-Purrier, on behalf of the California School Employees Association, in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to renters and mobile home occupants' ability to install portable... Last line.
• When I think about this bill, I think about knocking on doors in my district in the summer and mobile
• and transportation issues who was also living in a mobile home.
• But it's a bill that helps make sure that those folks in mobile home parks and across our state can do
• The title of the bill relates to securing timely notification and benefits for laid-off employees.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5467, SB5820, SCR8406, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5995, SB6278, SB5831, SB5915, SB5963, SB6025, SB6046, SB6084, SB6134, SB6136, SB6137, SB6188, SB6291, HB2689, SB5922, SB5944, SB5957, SB5988, SB5994, SB6011, SB6065, SB6103, SB6151, SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this summer, the Army introduced employment incentives for child and youth service employees
• For the first time after working for two plus years, we were able to get mobile food vans onto JBLM.
• And these are all military families through the mobile food service van.
• I mentioned earlier, Joe Base, Louis McCord, is now having mobile food units come on to base to serve
• The threat of layoffs and the risk of furloughed employees not getting the back pay they rely on was

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a TSA employee for over 18 years and a member of the American Federation of Government Employees.
• You know, you show up as a number here, a number of employees here.
• Twenty-five percent of our employees are union employees, primarily coming from our large national chains
• Twenty-five percent of our employees are union employees, primarily coming from our large national chains
• Twenty-five percent of our employees are union employees, primarily coming from our large national chains

Summary: The Senate Labor and Public Employment Committee held an oversight hearing on federal policy impacts on California’s labor market. In opening remarks, the chair argued that federal actions, including immigration enforcement, tariffs, and cuts to safety-net programs, are harming workers, employers, and communities, and said the committee wanted to document impacts and identify state responses. The first panel featured economist Enrique Lopez Lira of UC Berkeley, who described slow job growth, wage pressures, high housing and care costs, and the large share of California workers in low-wage jobs. He said federal cuts to Medi-Cal and SNAP/CalFresh and increased immigration enforcement would worsen insecurity, especially in health care, retail, hospitality, agriculture, and care work. The chair asked about recession indicators, middle-wage stagnation, and which sectors rely most on safety-net programs, and Lopez Lira said worker organizing and unions were a source of hope. A second panel focused on federal immigration enforcement. UC Merced’s Edward Orozco Flores presented research finding that private-sector employment in enforcement-targeted states fell during escalated enforcement periods, with California experiencing unprecedented declines in 2025. He urged policymakers to consider wage-replacement or stimulus-style support for affected workers, including excluded workers who cannot access unemployment insurance. Shannon Sedgwick of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation said undocumented workers are deeply embedded in the county economy, generating substantial economic activity and supporting over a million jobs. She reported that intensified enforcement in Los Angeles County was associated with business disruptions, reduced sales and customer traffic, workforce instability, lower transit ridership in vulnerable areas, and losses from the downtown curfew. Committee members asked about impacts on small businesses, tax revenue, and recovery, and witnesses pointed to local resiliency funds, business toolkits, and know-your-rights efforts as partial responses. The hearing then heard from worker representatives. Flore Melendres of the Clean Car Wash Worker Center said car washes have been heavily targeted by federal agents, with hundreds of workers taken from workplaces, many businesses disrupted or closed, and workers living in fear; she urged support for AB 2271 to provide financial benefits to families who lost income because of DHS activity. California Nurses Association president Michelle Gutierrez-Vos said H.R. 1’s Medi-Cal and Covered California cuts threaten hospital finances, jobs, and patient care, and she backed CalCare (AB 1900), a hospital closure moratorium, and more support for nursing education. UAW 4811 president Rafael Jaime said federal research cuts are putting UC research funding and postdoctoral jobs at risk and endorsed SB 895, a proposed bond measure for health and scientific research. AFGE representatives Wallace Wade and Kendrick Roberson described the strain on federal workers during shutdowns, unpaid work, staffing losses, and the effects on TSA, Social Security, VA services, and worker housing stability; they supported SB 1155 to protect federal workers from eviction. Committee members thanked the witnesses and said the testimony showed both the human and economic consequences of federal policy. In the final panel, employer groups began responding to the same federal pressures. California Retailers Association president Rachel Michelin said retail is a major private-sector employer and a key entry point for young workers, and that retailers are seeing the effects of rising costs, supply-chain shifts, and consumer pressure at the checkout counter. The hearing continued with additional employer testimony beyond the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the impacts of systemic racism and economic injustice on child care employees, among other factors
• In addition, the non-state employee board members The non-state employee board members would be compensated
• It's a prerequisite for economic mobility.
• Employers want to be transparent with employees, and many already are.
• For example, as a state, we have a ton of employees.

Bills: HB1316, HB2401, HB2557, HB2720, HB1073, HB2685, HB2640, HB2403

Keywords: postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, commission, gender equity, boys, men, advocacy, state policy, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1797 by BC relating to the drug testing and prescription drug policies for employees and independent
• HB 1843 by GEHA relating to the requirements regarding the employees' normal weekly hours of work under
• HB 1880 by Simmons relating to requiring certain employees to provide paid sick leave to employees providing
• Linked to school district employees' right to preserve a grievance under the district's employee policy
• Use of mobile tracking device on a vehicle by an authorized peace officer referred to the Committee on

Transcript Highlights:

• mobile food vendors to exempt mobile food food vendors to exempt mobile food food vendors to exempt
• to access their that allow employees to access their that allow employees to access their earned but
• for example, um Mobile was Mobile for example, um Mobile was Mobile for example, um Mobile was charging
• You know, and and in Mobile, beliefs? You know, and and in Mobile, beliefs?
• Jefferson County and Mobile Counties, Jefferson County and Mobile Counties, Jefferson County and Mobile

Bills: SJR 12, SCR 39, SB 27, SB 29, SB 241, SB 406, SB 414, SB 464, SB 568, SB 578, SB 609, SB 660, SB 689, SB 693, SB 785, SB 857, SB 879, SB 921, SB 922, SB 955, SB 985, SB 993, SB 996, SB 1008, SB 1035, SB 1036, SB 1059, SB 1098, SB 1120, SB 1122, SB 1147, SB 1188, SB 1197, SB 1209, SB 1227, SB 1245, SB 1267, SB 1307, SB 1321, SB 1332, SB 1386, SB 1396, SB 1453, SB 1484, SB 1494, SB 1536, SB 1537, SB 1596, SB 1610, SB 1664, SB 1741, SB 1814, SB 1822, SB 1841, SB 1948, SB 2065, SB 2155, SB 2188, SB 2230, SB 2406, SB 2407, SJR 36, SJR 12, SJR 81, SJR 50, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 39, SB 406, SB 689, SB 765, SB 62, SB 666, SB 888, SB 687, SB 847, SB 1248, SB 504, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 241, SB 304, SB 1023, SB 204, SB 609, SB 670, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 1539, SB 447, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 1215, SB 1302, SB 583, SB 673, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 955, SB 957, SB 1120, SB 541, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 53, SB 1352, SB 785, SB 1450, SB 1502, SB 1566, SB 414, SB 1062, SB 711, SB 746, SB 1404, SB 1448, SB 507, SB 1026, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1433, SB 1434, SB 1596, SB 1403, SB 667, SB 1059, SB 1567, SB 310, SB 311, SB 505, SB 1209, SB 1210, SB 1470, SB 264, SB 1029, SB 1358, SB 1364, SB 1569, SB 1376, SB 1228, SB 519, SB 1350, SB 462, SB 827, SB 1585, SB 1396, SB 1484, SB 1273, SB 1741, SB 927, SB 1227, SB 1229, SB 1353, SB 1464, SB 1709, SB 1729, SB 1733, SB 1744, SB 1772, SB 1841, SB 2188, SB 1147, SB 879, SB 1008, SB 1536, SB 2016, SB 1453, SB 1173, SB 1163, SB 996, SB 27, SB 568, SB 1370, SB 1321, SB 1101, SB 860, SB 993, SB 693, SB 1610, SB 1537, SB 1332, SB 1307, SB 963, SB 493, SB 922, SB 984, SB 619, SB 1098, SB 1122, SB 455, SB 522, SB 1057, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1877, SB 464, SB 1277, SB 32, SB 732, SB 660, SB 731, SB 921, SB 268, SB 1822, SB 1188, SB 1589, SB 397, SB 2230, SB 1058, SB 1036, SB 1267, SB 2112, SB 1930, SB 532, SB 1035, SB 2155, SB 508, SB 29, SB 292, SB 291, SB 901, SB 1333, SB 1436, SB 1494, SB 964, SB 779, SB 1378, SB 2312, SB 1719, SB 1386, SB 287, SB 2143, SB 1245, SB 261, SB 1247, SB 1948, SB 2406, SB 2407, SB 1882, SB 1197, SB 1814, SB 618, SB 38, SB 393, SB 2065, SB 1371, SB 1394, SB 1365, SB 2243, SB 2226, SB 2039, SB 1919, SB 1895, SB 1598, SB 1493, SB 1810, SB 1791, SB 1706, SB 1644, SB 1238, SB 783, SB 458, SB 22, SB 651, SB 897, SB 1809, SB 1080, SB 745, SB 826, SB 989, SB 1320, SB 1437, SB 2320, SB 2289, SB 1171, SB 664, SB 1637, SB 27, SB 29, SB 857, SB 879, SB 922, SB 1098, SB 1453, SB 1536, SB 1741, SB 2188, SB 2230, SB 406, SB 689, SJR 12, SR 358, SR 361, SR 362, SR 368, SJR 74, SJR 76, SB 2408, SB 2409, SB 2461, SB 2462, SB 2463, SB 2464, SB 2465, SB 2466, SB 2467, SB 2468, SB 2469, SB 2470, SB 2471, SB 2472, SB 2473, SB 2474, SB 2475, SB 2476, SB 2477, SB 2478, SB 2479, SB 2480, SB 2481, SB 2482, SB 2483, SB 2484, SB 2485, SB 2486, SB 2487, SB 2488, SB 2489, SB 2490, SB 2491, SB 2492, SB 2493, SB 2494, SB 2495, SB 2496, SB 2497, SB 2498, SB 2499, SB 2500, SB 2501, SB 2502, SB 2503, SB 2504, SB 2505, SB 2506, SB 2507, SB 2508, SB 2509, SB 2510, SB 2511, SB 2512, SB 2513, SB 2514, SB 2515, SB 2516, SB 2517, SB 2518, SB 2519, SB 2520, SB 2521, SB 2522, SB 2523, SB 2524, SB 2525, SB 2526, SB 2527, SB 2528, SB 2529, SB 2530, SB 2531, SB 2532, SB 2533, SB 2534, SB 2535, SB 2536, SB 2537, SB 2538, SB 2539, SB 2540, SB 2541, SB 2542, SB 2543, SB 2544, SB 2545, SB 2546, SB 2547, SB 2548, SB 2549, SB 2550, SB 2551, SB 2552, SB 2553, SB 2554, SB 2555, SB 2556, SB 2557, SB 2558, SB 2560, SB 2561, SB 2562, SB 2563, SB 2565, SB 2566, SB 2567, SB 2568, SB 2569, SB 2570, SB 2571, SB 2572, SB 2573, SB 2574, SB 2575, SB 2576, SB 2577, SB 2578, SB 2579, SB 2580, SB 2581, SB 2582, SB 2583, SB 2584, SB 2585, SB 2586, SB 2587, SB 2588, SB 2589, SB 2590, SB 2591, SB 2592, SB 2593, SB 2594, SB 2595, SB 2596, SB 2597, SB 2598, SB 2599, SB 2600, SB 2601, SB 2602, SB 2603, SB 2604, SB 2605, SB 2606, SB 2607, SB 2608, SB 2609, SB 2610, SB 2611, SB 2612, SB 2613, SB 2614, SB 2615, SB 2616, SB 2617, SB 2618, SB 2619, SB 2620, SB 2621, SB 2622, SB 2625, SB 2626, SB 2627, SB 2628, SB 2629, SB 2630, SB 2631, SB 2632, SB 2633, SB 2634, SB 2635, SB 2636, SB 2637, SB 2638, SB 2639, SB 2640, SB 2641, SB 2642, SB 2643, SB 2644, SB 2645, SB 2646, SB 2647, SB 2648, SB 2649, SB 2650, SB 2651, SB 2652, SB 2653, SB 2654, SB 2655, SB 2656, SB 2657, SB 2658, SB 2659, SB 2660, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2663, SB 2664, SB 2665, SB 2666, SB 2667, SB 2668, SB 2669, SB 2670, SB 2671, SB 2672, SB 2673, SB 2674, SB 2675, SB 2676, SB 2677, SB 2678, SB 2679, SB 2680, SB 2681, SB 2682, SB 2683, SB 2684, SB 2685, SB 2686, SB 2687, SB 2688, SB 2689, SB 2690, SB 2691, SB 2692, SB 2693, SB 2694, SB 2695, SB 2696, SB 2697, SB 2698, SB 2699, SB 2700, SB 2701, SB 2702, SB 2703, SB 2704, SB 2705, SB 2706, SB 2707, SB 2708, SB 2709, SB 2710, SB 2711, SB 2712, SB 2713, SB 2714, SB 2715, SB 2716, SB 2717, SB 2718, SB 2719, SB 2720, SB 2721, SB 2723, SB 2724, SB 2725, SB 2726, SB 2727, SB 2728, SB 2729, SB 2730, SB 2731, SB 2732, SB 2733, SB 2734, SB 2735, SB 2736, SB 2737, SB 2738, SB 2739, SB 2740, SB 2741, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2744, SB 2745, SB 2746, SB 2747, SB 2748, SB 2749, SB 2750, SB 2751, SB 2752, SB 2753, SB 2754, SB 2755, SB 2756, SB 2757, SB 2758, SB 2759, SB 2760, SB 2761, SB 2762, SB 2763, SB 2764, SB 2765, SB 2766, SB 2767, SB 2768, SB 2769, SB 2770, SB 2771, SB 2772, SB 2773, SB 2774, SB 2775, SB 2776, SB 2777, SB 2778, SB 2779, SB 2780, SB 2781, SB 2782, SB 2783, SB 2784, SB 2785, SB 2786, SB 2787, SB 2788, SB 2789, SB 2790, SB 2791, SB 2792, SB 2793, SB 2794, SB 2795, SB 2796, SB 2797, SB 2798, SB 2799, SB 2800, SB 2967, SB 3034, HJR 1, HJR 4, HB 9, HB 13, HB 22, HB 135, HB 143, HB 195, HB 908, HB 1392, SB 861, SB 1013, SJR 74, SJR 76, SB 2408, SB 2409, SB 2461, SB 2462, SB 2463, SB 2464, SB 2465, SB 2466, SB 2467, SB 2468, SB 2469, SB 2470, SB 2471, SB 2472, SB 2473, SB 2474, SB 2475, SB 2476, SB 2477, SB 2478, SB 2479, SB 2480, SB 2481, SB 2482, SB 2483, SB 2484, SB 2485, SB 2486, SB 2487, SB 2488, SB 2489, SB 2490, SB 2491, SB 2492, SB 2493, SB 2494, SB 2495, SB 2496, SB 2497, SB 2498, SB 2499, SB 2500, SB 2501, SB 2502, SB 2503, SB 2504, SB 2505, SB 2506, SB 2507, SB 2508, SB 2509, SB 2510, SB 2511, SB 2512, SB 2513, SB 2514, SB 2515, SB 2516, SB 2517, SB 2518, SB 2519, SB 2520, SB 2521, SB 2522, SB 2523, SB 2524, SB 2525, SB 2526, SB 2527, SB 2528, SB 2529, SB 2530, SB 2531, SB 2532, SB 2533, SB 2534, SB 2535, SB 2536, SB 2537, SB 2538, SB 2539, SB 2540, SB 2541, SB 2542, SB 2543, SB 2544, SB 2545, SB 2546, SB 2547, SB 2548, SB 2549, SB 2550, SB 2551, SB 2552, SB 2553, SB 2554, SB 2555, SB 2556, SB 2557, SB 2558, SB 2560, SB 2561, SB 2562, SB 2563, SB 2565, SB 2566, SB 2567, SB 2568, SB 2569, SB 2570, SB 2571, SB 2572, SB 2573, SB 2574, SB 2575, SB 2576, SB 2577, SB 2578, SB 2579, SB 2580, SB 2581, SB 2582, SB 2583, SB 2584, SB 2585, SB 2586, SB 2587, SB 2588, SB 2589, SB 2590, SB 2591, SB 2592, SB 2593, SB 2594, SB 2595, SB 2596, SB 2597, SB 2598, SB 2599, SB 2600, SB 2601, SB 2602, SB 2603, SB 2604, SB 2605, SB 2606, SB 2607, SB 2608, SB 2609, SB 2610, SB 2611, SB 2612, SB 2613, SB 2614, SB 2615, SB 2616, SB 2617, SB 2618, SB 2619, SB 2620, SB 2621, SB 2622, SB 2625, SB 2626, SB 2627, SB 2628, SB 2629, SB 2630, SB 2631, SB 2632, SB 2633, SB 2634, SB 2635, SB 2636, SB 2637, SB 2638, SB 2639, SB 2640, SB 2641, SB 2642, SB 2643, SB 2644, SB 2645, SB 2646, SB 2647, SB 2648, SB 2649, SB 2650, SB 2651, SB 2652, SB 2653, SB 2654, SB 2655, SB 2656, SB 2657, SB 2658, SB 2659, SB 2660, SB 2661, SB 2662, SB 2663, SB 2664, SB 2665, SB 2666, SB 2667, SB 2668, SB 2669, SB 2670, SB 2671, SB 2672, SB 2673, SB 2674, SB 2675, SB 2676, SB 2677, SB 2678, SB 2679, SB 2680, SB 2681, SB 2682, SB 2683, SB 2684, SB 2685, SB 2686, SB 2687, SB 2688, SB 2689, SB 2690, SB 2691, SB 2692, SB 2693, SB 2694, SB 2695, SB 2696, SB 2697, SB 2698, SB 2699, SB 2700, SB 2701, SB 2702, SB 2703, SB 2704, SB 2705, SB 2706, SB 2707, SB 2708, SB 2709, SB 2710, SB 2711, SB 2712, SB 2713, SB 2714, SB 2715, SB 2716, SB 2717, SB 2718, SB 2719, SB 2720, SB 2721, SB 2723, SB 2724, SB 2725, SB 2726, SB 2727, SB 2728, SB 2729, SB 2730, SB 2731, SB 2732, SB 2733, SB 2734, SB 2735, SB 2736, SB 2737, SB 2738, SB 2739, SB 2740, SB 2741, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2744, SB 2745, SB 2746, SB 2747, SB 2748, SB 2749, SB 2750, SB 2751, SB 2752, SB 2753, SB 2754, SB 2755, SB 2756, SB 2757, SB 2758, SB 2759, SB 2760, SB 2761, SB 2762, SB 2763, SB 2764, SB 2765, SB 2766, SB 2767, SB 2768, SB 2769, SB 2770, SB 2771, SB 2772, SB 2773, SB 2774, SB 2775, SB 2776, SB 2777, SB 2778, SB 2779, SB 2780, SB 2781, SB 2782, SB 2783, SB 2784, SB 2785, SB 2786, SB 2787, SB 2788, SB 2789, SB 2790, SB 2791, SB 2792, SB 2793, SB 2794, SB 2795, SB 2796, SB 2797, SB 2798, SB 2799, SB 2800, SB 2967, SB 3034, HJR 1, HJR 4, HB 9, HB 13, HB 22, HB 135, HB 143, HB 195, HB 908, HB 1392, SB 861, SB 1013

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Transcript Highlights:

• Mobile crisis services. There's been a lot of talk about that.
• I'm looking at something here that includes BHSA and mobile crisis services.
• I'm looking at something here that includes BHSA and mobile crisis services.
• through a 988 contact and then transferred to a mobile crisis service.
• and then transferred to a mobile crisis service.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Americans are the least mobile Americans are the least mobile uh<00:42:58.800><c> as</c><00:42:59.040
• So our focus truly is the employers, not the employees.
• operation with close to 100 employees in Kentucky and an additional 100 employees at our facility in
• </c><01:13:25.920><c> in</c> operation with close to 100 employees in operation with close to 100 employees
• </c> Kentucky and an additional 100 employees Kentucky and an additional 100 employees at<01:13:28.719

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:58 Putting Young Kentuckians to Work: First Year Update 00:04:06 Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative 00:21:59 Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership 00:57:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October minutes, and heard first a progress report on the state-funded “Putting Young Kentuckians to Work” initiative. Workforce leaders from Cumberland Workforce Development Board and Kentucky Works said the HB 1 funding has allowed them to contract with all 10 workforce boards and build new pipelines with high schools, area technology centers, school districts, and community and technical colleges. They reported an end-of-year goal of 3,600 job placements, with 218 placements reported as of October 2025 and enrollment numbers continuing to rise. Testimony emphasized that the program is aimed at disconnected youth and high school seniors, that federal WIOA funds are too limited to support this work alone, and that the flexible state funding has enabled short-term training and placements in fields such as welding, CDL, and CNA. Members asked about barriers to implementation, wage levels, and services for students with disabilities; presenters said the main challenge was building school relationships and that wage growth should improve as students gain more skills and credentials. The committee then received an update on the Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington explained that the General Assembly previously provided $250,000 for a consultant to develop a statewide talent attraction and retention strategy, and that more than 13 organizations across the state support the effort. Development Counsellors International described its research process, including statewide stakeholder engagement, and said the goal is to create a Kentucky talent value proposition that combines job opportunities with quality-of-place messaging. They reported that Kentucky faces a shrinking labor force and a projected national worker shortfall, while internal research found 47% of working-age respondents could consider leaving the state within two years because they are not confident in career opportunities. At the same time, they said 96% of surveyed higher education students would stay if offered a full-time job, and 72% of employers expect to expand staffing in the next two years. The presenters said they are moving from research into messaging and an action plan, and that the strategy should be customized and measurable rather than one-size-fits-all.

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, as children get older and more mobile, more curious, and more adventurous, they continue
• Furthermore, as children get older and more mobile, more curious, and more adventurous, they continue
• to be at risk. more mobile, more curious, and more adventurous, they continue to be at risk, particularly
• And it took regulation for that safety device to actually be required and used by the employees.
• Have you seen any similar legislation or regulation in other states like the Mobile Act, whereby the

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those of you that watch the Super Bowl, we actually had a commercial with T-Mobile where your
• So for those of you that watch the Super Bowl, we actually had a commercial with T-Mobile where your
• cell phone, We actually had a commercial with T-Mobile where your cell phone now will have the ability
• And this is not a commercial, but it's free if you sign up, no matter if you have AT&T, T-Mobile, or
• Through fortifying relationships with academia and universities, long before students become employees

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on Florida’s space economy and related infrastructure. SpaceX Vice President Kiko Donchev described the company’s Florida operations, launch cadence, reusable rocket program, Starlink service, and plans for future Starship activity at the Cape. Senators asked about Florida employment, expansion plans, satellite lifetimes, disaster-relief uses of Starlink, and recreational connectivity; members also praised SpaceX’s hurricane response and broader public benefits. Donchev said SpaceX’s Florida workforce has grown to about 1,600 and that the company hopes to add Starship pads and continue expanding in the state. The committee then recognized Commander Dennis Baker for his military service and veteran advocacy, including his leadership of the Florida Veterans Foundation, grant work, the Walk of Honor, and the Gadsden Flag license plate program. Members highlighted that revenue from the plate helps fund veterans’ dental care and noted upcoming dental services for veterans in Volusia County. Baker received a flag flown over the Capitol and a framed gubernatorial proclamation. Newview CEO Clint Grumman presented the company’s commercial satellite LiDAR mapping system, describing its Lake Nona headquarters, Florida ownership, planned jobs, and applications for infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. He said the company’s satellite data could improve accuracy and lower costs, and noted partnerships including a Department of Defense contract and a European Space Agency moon-mapping effort. Space Florida then outlined its role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority, emphasizing its pipeline of projects, spaceport improvement program, workforce academy, and efforts to address infrastructure constraints and seek tax-exempt bond authority for spaceports. NASA’s Kelvin Manning closed with an update on Kennedy Space Center, highlighting Artemis progress, rising launch demand, commercial partnerships, economic impact, and the Florida University Space Research Consortium. No bills were voted on, and the meeting adjourned after comments from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 391 by Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez and act relating to mobile homes.
• AB 391 would allow the mobile home residency law, or MRL, to be electronically delivered to mobile home
• SB 513 ensures that qualified employee training records are comprehensive of all training, useful in
• For example, the Phillips 66 Refinery notified their employees that they would be laid off in December
• Employers are in control, and employees have no other way to require their employers to provide them

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed visiting students from De La Salle High School and a guest for Assembly Member Kalra, and then moved through a lengthy concurrence and third-reading agenda. Early actions included concurrence on ACR 21 honoring fallen Galt Police Officer Herminda Grewal, followed by a series of mostly noncontroversial bills on utilities, reclamation districts, housing, wildfire relief, mobile homes, environmental quality, health care coverage, and local government. Several measures were presented as technical, clarifying, or urgency bills, and many passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; notable items included AB 238 (wildfire mortgage forbearance), AB 571 (Southern California Veterans Cemetery permitting/CEQA exemption), AB 574 (health care coverage), AB 696 (lithium-ion battery safety advisory group), AB 1150 (airport car rental facility maintenance), AB 1154 (ADU parking standards), and SB 499 (impact fee deferrals for emergency-related parkland and utility infrastructure). SB 499 drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing disaster resilience and dual-use parkland and an opponent arguing it would worsen housing-related fee burdens; it ultimately passed after a call was lifted. The chamber also adopted SJR 4 urging restoration of NIH funding, and passed SB 230 expanding workers’ compensation presumptions to additional firefighters, SB 92 tightening density bonus law to curb loopholes, SB 782 creating disaster relief financing districts, SB 40 capping insulin copays at $35 and limiting step therapy, SB 362 strengthening small-business financing disclosures, SB 513 requiring workers access to training records, SB 489 requiring public agencies involved in housing approvals to post requirements online, SB 31 promoting recycled water use, SB 551 introducing normalization and dynamic security concepts in corrections, SB 639 extending flood-protection deadlines for Sacramento/Yuba projects, SB 653 defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management, AB 652 on air pollution, and SB 221 updating stalking law to include threats to pets. Several bills received recorded opposition or split votes, including SB 551, SB 439, SB 782, and SB 499, but most measures passed comfortably. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments on AB 516 and AB 1523, and later lifted the call on SB 499 to complete passage. The session included an adjournment in memory of Rick Bryson of Long Beach, with Assembly Member Lowenthal highlighting Bryson’s athletic, business, and civic contributions. The day ended with reminders to secure floor managers for pending bills, a notice of the next day’s 10 a.m. floor session, and adjournment until Thursday, September 4th.

Transcript Highlights:

• me for 10 years, has driven that vehicle for 10 years as an employee?
• I'm talking about mobile homes. I'm talking about mobile homes.
• Any used mobile home can be sold with no taxes.
• They've got one employee. There is no way that one employee can go mark the...
• They've got one employee. There is no way that one employee can go mark those lines. Correct.

Bills: HR94, HR95, HR96, HR97, HR98, HR99, HR100, HR101, HR102, HR103, HR104, HR105, HR106, HR107, HR108, HR109, HR110, HR111, HCR45, HCR46, HCR47, HCR48, HCR49, HCR50, HR92, HR93, HCR44, SB11, SB72, SB78, SB151, SB207, SB210, SB219, SB241, SB286, SB324, SB351, SB376, SB409, SB411, HR74, HCR26, HB4, HB98, HB108, HB131, HB151, HB161, HB244, HB288, HB294, HB305, HB310, HB320, HB336, HB380, HB392, HB403, HB420, HB459, HB476, HB513, HB540, HB596, HB608, HB615, HB631, HB637, HB648, HB665, HB682, HB789, HB813, HB815, HB835, HB870, HB905, HB915, HB933, HB938, HB944, HB971, HB987, HB1040, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HCR6, HCR19, HCR10, HB81, HB134, HB154, HB163, HB170, HB194, HB217, HB220, HB254, HB259, HB290, HB308, HB311, HB360, HB382, HB401, HB410, HB417, HB463, HB575, HB592, HB718, HB723, HB750, HB755, HB776, HB812, HB844, HB882, HB888, HB961, HB966, HB980, HB54, HB67, HB73, HB125, HB133, HB158, HB168, HB169, HB191, HB195, HB245, HB280, HB283, HB296, HB319, HB339, HB399, HB407, HB448, HB550, HB591, HB826, HB995, HB1085, HB1086, HB722, HB140, HB468, HB546, HB746, HB842, HB923, HB166, HB349, HB352, HB429, HB436, HB588, HB747, HB780, HB782, HB911, HB827, HB953, HB796, HB901, HB9, HB52, HB58, HB193, HB284, HB400, HB570, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB733, HB735, HB868, HB952

Keywords: Sanfilippo Syndrome, awareness, genetic disorder, cognitive impairment, Louisiana, Alzheimer's, dementia, caregivers, public health, health education, civil bench warrants, judgment debtors, notification process, judgment debtor examination, Louisiana State Law Institute, Knock Knock Children's Museum, early childhood education, economic development, community engagement, Louisiana legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• God, leadership here in Mobile, Alabama.
• Uh, ..." employees who don't donate organs, and a employees who don't donate organs, and a tax<01:06:
• You know, that's a bill employees.
• </c> lady from Mobile. lady from Mobile.
• </c> in Mobile. in Mobile.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what they'll do, they'll take a mobile unit.
• The mobile unit, is that 24-7?” “Yes, ma’am, that’s correct.”
• state employee pay plan.
• were not included in the state employee pay plan.
• Checking, you guys have about 1,500 employees in you of AI.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 925, Addis, mobile home parks: hold in committee.
• AB 845, Arambula, agricultural employees: do pass on an A roll call.
• AB 1247, Garcia, classified contracted employees: holding committee.
• AB 1233, Hoover, classified employee database: holding committee.
• AB 465, Zbur, Local Employee MOUs: holding committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he’s dedicated to mobilizing the power of volunteers by recruiting and mentoring new highly skilled
• AND HE'S DEDICATED TO MOBILIZING THE POWER OF VOLUNTEERS, BY RECRUITING AND MENTORING NEW HIGH LE-SKILLED
• He is a dedicated volunteer, mobilizing the powers of many other volunteers to support the...
• Thank you to the Public Employees Federation and, of course, our Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
• Small business owners are managing employees, advocating for new customers, serving customers, doing

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• who in his 70s is still out there in the field pulling wires and drilling holes. alongside his two employees
• behavioral remedies like banning Google from being the pain to be the default search provider on mobile
• We are the second largest search engine on mobile devices in the United States and third largest overall
• market, both use the same anti-competitive tactics in mobile, self-preferencing to exclude competitors
• , clear, and enforceable rules to promote competition. strengthen consumer protections within the mobile

Keywords: antitrust, competition policy, digital advertising, monopoly, America Act, big tech, consumer rights

Summary: The meeting, titled 'Big Fixes, Big Tech', marked the first hearing of the Senate antitrust competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Chairman Lee opened the session focusing on the urgent need for effective solutions regarding anti-competitive behavior among major tech firms like Google and Facebook, highlighting several ongoing court cases regarding monopolistic practices in the digital advertising and search markets. Key discussions included the limitations imposed on small businesses and innovation due to the dominance of these tech giants, with many testimonies advocating for stronger legislative measures, including the America Act. The act aims to disrupt the monopolistic capabilities of these firms and restore competitive integrity in the marketplace, which has suffered under their oppressive market control.

Transcript Highlights:

• At least one option must include an employer-paid program to offset the state cost for their employees
• who receive Medi-Cal for companies with at least 250 employees.
• mobile crisis benefit.
• On behalf of Inclusive Action for the City, along with our Economic Mobility for All coalition, we'd
• Cap Brackman with the California School Employees Association.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.