Transcript Highlights:

• remotely from wherever they can whenever their schedule allows it.
• access to observers.
• Providing remote access is the simplest way that the CSU and UC can recognize the work of all their employees
• Providing remote access is the simplest way that the CSU and UC can recognize the work of all their employees
• The UC refuses to allow remote observer access, which is disrespectful to residents who work 60 to 80

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public employment. AB 1601, by Assemblymember Rogers, would give Sonoma County flexibility to work with its retirement board and actuaries on a possible retiree cost-of-living adjustment; supporters said Sonoma is the only 1937 Act county system without an automatic COLA and that retirees have gone since 2008 without an increase, while no opposition testified. The bill passed on a do-pass vote and was placed on the floor. AB 1729, by Assemblymember Lee, would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans, adding more structure before return-to-office decisions, and restoring public reporting on telework savings. Supporters, including SEIU Local 1000, the Association of California State Supervisors, and many state workers, argued telework improves productivity, reduces emissions and commute costs, and could save the state about $225 million annually; there was no opposition. The committee approved the bill 6-0 and re-referred it to Appropriations. AB 1630, by Assemblymember Colosa, would allow union representatives to invite bargaining-unit members to observe meet-and-confer sessions, including remotely, to increase transparency and engagement. UC and CSU opposed the measure, saying observer rules should be negotiated at the table and warning the bill lacked clear limits on the number of observers and could create logistical and security problems. The bill passed 5-0 with one member not voting and was sent to Appropriations. AB 1750, also by Assemblymember Colosa, would require school employees who exhaust sick leave and are absent due to illness or injury to receive full salary for an additional five months. CTA supported the bill as a needed safety net for teachers and classified staff, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, staffing, and student stability concerns, saying it could encourage longer absences and strain already tight budgets. The committee passed the bill 5-0 and sent it to Higher Education. AB 1896, by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public employment, with supporters framing it as a response to ICE and Border Patrol actions and opponents warning it was overbroad and could exclude otherwise qualified applicants from law enforcement jobs; the bill passed 5-1 and was referred to Public Safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• remotely from wherever they can whenever their schedule allows it.
• The CSU and UC allow in-person observers, but they have refused to provide remote access to observers
• Providing remote access is the simplest way that the CSU and UC can recognize the work of all their employees
• Providing remote access is the simplest way that the UC and CSU can recognize the work of all their employees
• The UC refuses to allow remote observer access, which is disrespectful to residents who work 60 to 80

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Aubrey Dirkson, who is also remote. two minutes.
• Um, are remote and some are in person.
• . remote. remote.
• </c> testify is Nathan Ryan, who is remote. testify is Nathan Ryan, who is remote.
• This remotely or in person and testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have four remote. So Stephanie and then Sean and then Jonathan and then Anne.
• All right, again, the order for this remote panel is Dave, Cain, Marty, and then James.
• And the last remote, that's James.
• All right, remote. We have Charlie and then Jacob.
• Consumers need access to safe cookware. Lead does not belong in our homes.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two main bills. ESSB 5975 dealt with lead limits in cookware and a proposed striker that would shift more of the standard-setting and testing process to the Department of Ecology under Safer Products for Washington. Supporters, including industry groups, Ecology, the Department of Health, and environmental advocates, said the striker would provide clearer, science-based, and more workable standards while still reducing lead exposure. Some witnesses, including environmental groups, argued the bill should remain stronger, while others said the striker was an acceptable compromise. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 5360, which would create tiered criminal penalties for violations of the Water Pollution Control Act, Clean Air Act, and Hazardous Waste Management Act, including felony penalties for knowing or negligent conduct in certain circumstances. The prime sponsor and Attorney General’s Office said the bill targets egregious polluters, adds whistleblower and worker protections, and responds to serious environmental harm cases. Tribal, environmental, and advocacy witnesses supported the bill as a way to hold repeat polluters accountable. Labor, business, industry, county, utility, and forestry representatives opposed it, warning that the language could expose workers and permit holders to criminal liability for mistakes or routine operations and that the bill needed more stakeholder work. At the end of the meeting, the committee took executive action on Substitute Senate Bill 6269, which updates the Motor Fuel Quality Act by modernizing the definition of motor fuel and folding alternative fuels into that definition. The bill passed the committee on a 19-0 vote, with two members excused, and was reported out with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It strengthens employee access. It requires annual compliance audits.
• It strengthens employee access. It requires annual compliance audits.
• It was not just the inappropriate access to ALPR data.
• But remote workers can only do so much.
• malfunctioning AV without waiting for remote assistance.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Electric bicycles are the only reliably growing segment of the bicycle market, and they expand access
• Protecting the integrity of what qualifies as a legal electric bike and access to them is essential.
• This bill removes barriers so disabled veterans can access care and maintain their quality of life.
• For many veterans, access to parking benefits is not a minor inconvenience.
• To standardize these remote operations, SB 1246 requires remote drivers and assistance to be based in

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on local transportation funding, roadway safety, e-bike regulation, veterans’ parking access, high-speed rail reporting, autonomous vehicle oversight, and wildlife-vehicle collision planning. SB 1408 would authorize Contra Costa County to place a countywide transportation sales tax measure on the ballot; supporters said it would continue funding highways, transit, bike/pedestrian projects, and paratransit, while CalTax opposed it over affordability and tax burden concerns. SB 990 would allow targeted Caltrans business-logo signage for Ridgecrest along Highway 395; supporters framed it as a rural safety and economic access measure, and there was no opposition. SB 1167 would tighten consumer protections by clarifying what qualifies as a legal e-bike and requiring clearer labeling and disclosures; supporters included bicycle advocates, medical groups, local governments, and auto clubs, while no opposition testified. SB 1034 would make it easier for disabled veterans rated permanent and total by the VA to obtain disabled parking placards, with strong support from veterans’ organizations and no opposition. SB 1177 would require the High-Speed Rail Project Update report to continue including additional information on revenue options, timelines, and international comparisons; the City of Burbank opposed, while the sponsor argued the bill preserves a historical record and transparency. SB 1246 would impose new remote-operations, response-time, and manual override requirements on autonomous vehicles; first responders and labor groups supported it, industry and business groups opposed it as duplicative of recently enacted law and DMV rules, and the committee discussed possible amendments and coordination issues. The committee also considered SB 1279, which would extend Long Beach’s speed camera pilot to Pacific Coast Highway; supporters cited fatal crash data and pedestrian safety, while the CHP association moved from opposition to neutral after discussions. The committee then took up SB 1250, a planning bill to integrate wildlife-vehicle collision mitigation into transportation planning, with the author emphasizing targeted crossings and fencing at known hotspots. Several consent items were approved on a 10-0 vote, and SB 1246 was reported out 7-2, while other bills were held on call pending quorum or later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill also ensures that the public has access to translation services and culturally appropriate
• Every month, millions of Californians pay for dental insurance but still struggle to access the care
• Upfront costs while waiting for reimbursement and make dental care more accessible and affordable for
• AB 1738 looks to address this issue and help alleviate the housing crisis by requiring remote virtual
• Requiring remote virtual inspections for simple renovations will speed up the process for homeowners

Transcript Highlights:

• They are remote: Omni Romero. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. We'll give Mr.
• Passing SB 6183 ensures that people living with HIV can access medication properly.
• The third panel will be remote: Trevilia, Lori Taylor, and Sarah Abbott.
• This would have increased carrier participation in low-access counties.
• The next in-person is Lisa Thatcher, Chris Bandoli, and remotely Jennifer Munn. Great.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and advanced Senate Bills 6102 and 6103 with due-pass recommendations to the Rules Committee, and referred Senate Bill 6194 to the Ways and Means Committee without recommendation. SB 6102 would align the Ambulance Transport Fund quality assurance fee with federal regulations, SB 6103 would make payments for rural emergency hospital services subject to appropriation, and SB 6194 would allow cost-based Medicaid payments for rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations under specified conditions. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. SB 6183 would require health plans, beginning in 2027, to cover FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with one therapeutic-equivalent exception for prevention drugs. The prime sponsor and one testifier supported the bill as a way to reduce barriers to timely HIV treatment and prevention; sign-in testimony showed 53 pro, 58 con, and one other. SB 5985 would create an online endometriosis resource center, require Department of Health training modules, and direct OSPI to include menstrual health and endometriosis awareness in school standards. The sponsor and multiple patients and clinicians testified in support, emphasizing long diagnostic delays and the need for earlier education; sign-in testimony showed 36 pro, 56 con, and 92 not testifying. SB 6019 would revise home care rate statutes to clarify how Medicaid home care agency rates are set, cap administrative portions at 20%, and require verification that funds are spent as required. The sponsor, labor, and provider representatives supported it as a technical fix to preserve pay parity, while sign-in testimony showed 46 pro and 57 con. SB 6161 would direct the Department of Health to include dementia risk-reduction information in public and provider materials when appropriate and to consult experts; supporters said it could help reduce cognitive decline and align with the state Alzheimer’s plan, while sign-in testimony showed 61 pro and 62 con. Finally, SB 6210 would authorize the Health Benefit Exchange to add a new certification criterion for marketplace plans to address affordability and access, including possible requirements tied to county availability, plan differentiation, and metal-level offerings. The prime sponsor, the Exchange, AARP, and patient advocates supported it as a response to rising premiums and limited choices, especially in rural or single-carrier counties; insurers, brokers, and some carriers opposed it, warning it could reduce competition, create uncertainty, and raise costs. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill with a requested amendment to avoid premature disclosure of proposed rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:13.039><c> for</c><00:18:13.280><c> all</c> and access for all and access for all youth<00
• </c><01:11:50.960><c> we</c> have a few people that are remote we have a few people that are remote we
• </c><01:15:08.000><c> testifier</c> that we have another remote testifier that we have another remote
• </c><01:18:05.040><c> last</c><01:18:05.400><c> remote</c> we need to next up on remote last remote we
• need to next up on remote last remote testifier<01:18:06.679><c> Dr</c><01:18:07.520><c> Gil</c><01:

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• These obstacles don't just affect health care access, but academic access and academic success and their
• What's central to this bill is access.
• making on-campus access even more critical.
• That kind of access changes what is possible.
• That kind of access changes what is possible. That kind of access changes what is possible.

Summary: The Workforce Development Committee heard public testimony on several higher education bills. Senate Bill 5954 would expand veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility to better align state law with federal DEA benefits, allowing eligible children and surviving spouses/domestic partners to use the waiver outside current age and time limits. The sponsor and veteran advocates said the change would help families access earned benefits; no opposition was heard, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5826, which would require public postsecondary institutions to provide access to medication abortion through student health centers or referrals and web-based information by the 2027-28 academic year. Supporters, including students and reproductive health advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers, travel burdens, and stigma and help students stay enrolled. Opponents, including clergy, Catholic Conference representatives, and other individuals, argued the bill promoted abortion, raised safety and moral concerns, and was outside the mission of colleges. The public hearing was closed after extensive testimony. Senate Bill 5828 would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students attending private not-for-profit four-year institutions, using the average award at public institutions rather than the reduced formula adopted last session. The sponsor and many students, private college leaders, and business and workforce groups supported the bill as a matter of fairness, access, and student choice, while public university faculty and representatives opposed it, saying state aid should prioritize public institutions and that the bill would deepen funding inequities. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5909, which would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and potentially discontinue low-enrollment degree programs; supporters framed it as a transparency and efficiency measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as too blunt and potentially harmful to smaller, specialized, or equity-focused programs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the other access bills that are outside of FOIA.
• the details of that information in a consistent fashion, instead of some localities granting access
• And now that's not how you access information. It's not really what the fees are about now.
• That's not how you access information. It's not how you do it.
• Access to the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have four people in person and two remote. We have four people in person and two remote.
• Oh, sorry, remotely. We're going with Adam Glickman and Bree Gin Silt.
• We'll stick with remote testifiers.
• We will ask Laurie Lane, who is remote.
• access.

Bills: HJR4209 , HB2260 , HB2259

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: redistricting, congressional representation, census, state law, legislative boundaries, ballot measures, petitioners, signature gatherers, voting rights, election integrity, initiative process, referendum, signature gathering, ballot measure, citizen actions, support demonstration

Transcript Highlights:

• Galle, medical interventions, provides relative to definitions and prohibits certain conditioning of access
• Galle, medical interventions, provides relative to definitions and prohibits certain conditioning of access

Bills: HR159 , HR160 , HR161 , HR162 , HR163 , HR164 , HCR60 , HCR61 , HCR62 , HCR63 , HCR64 , HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , SB124 , SB399 , SB441 , SB447 , SB460 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB175 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB628 , HB786 , HB909 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1052 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1154 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1231 , HB1241 , SB244 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB750 , HB911 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB193 , HB310 , HB635 , HB690 , HB961 , HB1003 , HB1146 , HB864 , HB977 , HB181 , HB31 , HB664 , HB615 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113 , HB1234 , HB1236

Keywords: occupational therapy, healthcare, medical professionals, recognition, professional day, property transfer, public records doctrine, bad faith, Louisiana State Law Institute, real estate law, Black Maternal Health Week, maternal health, racial disparities, healthcare access, culturally competent care, Louisiana, community health, motorcycle safety, awareness month, motorcyclists education

Bills: HB145 , HR1 , HB80 , SB29 , SB37 , HB206 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB153 , HB195 , HB234 , HB248 , HB255 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , HB309 , HB371 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds

Bills: HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is hosting its fourth annual Broadband Day at
• They also have several down payment assistance programs that many folks have accessed. Mr.
• Here we do have restrictions, right, of who can access this assistance. Mr.
• This is a program that would be accessible to any county. Mr. Speaker and gentlelady, no.
• This is a program that would be accessible to any county. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, gentlelady.

Bills: HB111 , HB108 , HB145 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB63 , HB64 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HB4 , HB7 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB88 , HB96 , HB166 , HB285 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• No family should be denied access to an air conditioning system that best meets their health, safety,
• AB 1684 goes beyond just ensuring that people have access to cooling systems.
• AB 1738 looks to address this issue and help alleviate the housing crisis by requiring remote virtual
• Remote inspections are a proven and practical solution endorsed by...
• Remote inspections are a proven and practical solution endorsed by HUD, the National Fire Protection

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and move to our remote testimony.
• We'll move over to our remote testimony. Great. Thank you so much.
• We're going to go ahead and hold questions until we get through all of the remote testimony, and then
• We're going to be setting up another remote panel: Mark Ozias with Clallam County, David Bingham with
• We are going to go ahead and move to remote testimony from Danielle. I saw you come on camera.

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> and their proven safety, accessibility, and their proven safety, accessibility, and<00:18:14.480
• </c> infrastructure communication, remote infrastructure communication, remote fleet<00:34:50.879><c>
• </c> the system work better, improving access the system work better, improving access for<00:52:59.599
• Uh, when we're talking about remote operators, that is different than remote assistance.
• We only have remote to control that.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have four people in person and two remote. We have four people in person and two remote.
• Oh, sorry, remotely. We're going with Adam Glickman and Bree Gin Sild.
• We'll stick with remote testifiers.
• We will ask Laurie Lane, who is remote.
• access.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2260, House Joint Resolution 4209, and House Bill 2259, with testimony and questions on each. HB 2260 would require petition signature gatherers to sign and date each petition sheet, provide their address and county, and require voters’ residence addresses for signature verification; supporters said this would improve accountability and help prevent fraud or duplicate signatures, while opponents argued it would burden volunteers, risk disenfranchising voters who move or use incomplete addresses, and add unnecessary penalties. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State opposed the bill, saying existing verification methods are effective and that the measure could create costly, unintended barriers. HB 2259 would require 1,000 registered-voter signatures before filing an initiative or referendum and prohibit pay-per-signature compensation, with civil penalties and a private right of action; supporters said it would reduce frivolous filings, title shopping, and fraud incentives, while opponents said it would chill initiative activity, especially for rural communities and referenda with tight timelines. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State also opposed HB 2259, saying the initiative process should remain accessible and that the bill would add barriers and workload. House Joint Resolution 4209 would amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to modify congressional districts mid-decade by simple majority if another state adopts a new congressional map absent a court order. The prime sponsor argued Washington should not unilaterally stay passive if other states engage in partisan mid-decade redistricting, while opponents said the proposal would weaken Washington’s bipartisan redistricting system, set a bad precedent, and invite retaliation. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided, with supporters warning that partisan redistricting elsewhere threatens fair representation and opponents saying Washington should preserve its existing commission-based process rather than respond in kind. The hearing on HJR 4209 was concluded after testimony. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt. The chair suspended and reopened hearings as planned, and testimony was taken on all three measures, with HB 2260 and HB 2259 drawing extensive public comment and questions about fraud, access, and administrative burden.