Transcript Highlights:

• And those mostly come from my neck of the woods, since pecans in California are only grown in the Central
• Valley in West Fresno County and then also down south in Kern County.
• This bill gives local fairs the certainty they need to plan projects, repair infrastructure, and keep
• When funding is delayed, even by a few months, projects are postponed, costs increase, and in some cases
• It allows fair operators to plan, responsibly execute those projects on time, and steward the public

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to Go to Mesilla Valley for inpatient care.
• And in that valley it's a mountain high valley, and they would plant wheat.
• And one of the projects right here. in Ivy Cue.
• But one that started, and I like this project quite a bit.
• in terms of how much did you give to each project?

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Altogether, with this state and tuition revenue combined, CSU's core funding is projected to be about
• There are cuts that are being implemented more at the central office operations management level, i.e
• Humboldt did project it would take a number of years; I don't have their original plan in front of me
• So that I know that there are folks in the Central Valley and rural areas concerned with programs like
• I'm being asked to project up to a 20% reduction, which will impact our students in a slow degree.

Transcript Highlights:

• We live this very closely in San Diego with the crisis in the Tijuana River Valley, and that's how I
• It has kept beaches closed, particularly the Tijuana River Valley problem, and my community has kept
• Valley as well.
• Valley, sure, as well.
• But these projects are often extremely costly.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on guest introductions recognizing visitors, community college delegations, students, caregivers, a retired Assembly staff member, and a championship high school football team. Members also observed an adjournment in memory for Alex Preddy, a VA nurse killed in Minnesota, and later for Kathy Wooten and Rowena Ramos. The chamber then moved through the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. Among the bills taken up, AB 34 on renewable portfolio standard exemptions for publicly owned utilities passed 55-0; AB 35 to accelerate implementation of Proposition 4 climate resilience funds passed 62-0; AB 52 on food and agriculture equity passed 50-6; AB 72 creating an EV economic opportunity zone passed 58-0; AB 96 removing a diploma requirement for Medi-Cal peer support specialists passed 55-0; AB 230 extending Pierce’s disease control programs passed 64-0; AB 277 requiring background checks for behavioral health employees passed 59-0; AB 647 clarifying a county RV disposal pilot passed 54-0; AB 664 authorizing limited bachelor’s programs at Southwestern Community College passed 60-1; AB 673 creating a support grant for unaccompanied homeless youth passed 55-1; AB 710 on dynamic electricity pricing passed 54-0; AB 748 streamlining pre-approved housing plans passed 65-0; AB 767 expanding protections around sexually violent predator placements near schools and daycares passed 65-0; AB 883 protecting officials’ personal information from data brokers passed 66-0; AB 946 expanding 30x30 conservation efforts to urban areas passed 65-0; AB 1054 creating a deferred retirement option program for CHP and Cal Fire passed 61-1; AB 1070 on missing middle housing code simplification passed 66-0; AB 1159 strengthening student data privacy passed 54-4; AB 1204 revising the Local Control Funding Formula passed 54-1; AB 1265 extending the historic building tax credit passed 64-0; AB 1349 banning speculative ticketing passed 61-0; AB 1359 allowing seniors 80+ to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note passed 67-1; AB 643 on organic waste procurement credits passed 48-4; AB 685 creating a small business resiliency fund passed 63-0; AB 714 tightening oversight of commercial driving programs passed 65-1; and AB 805 establishing a youth apprenticeship bridge program passed 66-0. Several other items were passed and retained or continued without debate. Debate on AB 1054 drew the sharpest disagreement, with opponents warning about pension costs and supporters arguing it would help retain experienced CHP officers and firefighters. AB 767 also prompted strong comments about public safety and placement of sexually violent predators in rural communities. On AB 1349, supporters from both parties backed the anti-speculative ticketing bill as consumer protection, while AB 664 drew support from members emphasizing access to higher education in underserved regions. The Assembly then adjourned until January 29, 2026, after announcing upcoming session dates and recording a few vote changes from the dais.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the project director with the CalAsian Chamber.
• Shirley Lam for Insure the Uninsured Project and strong opposition.
• Diana Figueroa, Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative, strong opposition.
• Richard Platt of Mill Valley, strong opposition to this bill.
• We're working on the Middle Mile project and people are stoked.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve had a lot of pedestrian fatalities here in Treasure Valley and even out in Canyon County over the
• We've had a lot of pedestrian fatalities here in Treasure Valley and even out in Canning County over
• The driving environment is very different in the Treasure Valley.
• Specifically where I grew up, we were 30 minutes from Grand Central Station, and my parents worked in
• We were 30 minutes from Grand Central Station, and my parents worked in New York, and the work attitude

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So a very diverse food production operation in the Central Valley.
• I'm hoping that maybe this is potentially a pilot project to see how deep we can go, and whether that
• In the communities like Herupah Valley, which have endured decades of environmental harm at sites such
• I sincerely appreciate that, and I know that the community of Rupert Valley appreciates that as well.
• I sincerely appreciate that and I know that the community of Rupert Valley appreciates that as well.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Valley area from our area. So thank you all so much for your hard work. Members.
• First are the projects in the capital budget rider.
• Economic Index was projected at 4.6% for fiscal year 24.
• It contains one major item, and that's the Hazelwood Database Project.
• Funding to expand the scope of the project.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• The project, known as Project Leo, was originally created in 2016 and operated through the...
• The project, known as Project Leo, was originally created in 2016 and operated through the Centers for
• And I see the growth in Central Florida.
• So it's my understanding that Project 2025 called...
• And we know that the Heritage Foundation is the parent of Project 2025.

Summary: The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative. The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions. Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it came time for her to select a project to earn the highest award in Girl Scouts, she selected
• Houston's, Hidalgo County, Simran River Valley, and Union County.
• But there are a lot of them south of us in Mexico and parts of South Central America.
• Last year, we awarded over 53 million in grants to Main Street projects.
• Private entities are not eligible for Water Trust Board projects. OK, thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we are excited to brainstorm with you and work on this project.
• McKenzie County's centrally assessed properties are over 50% of our total taxable value.
• McKinsey County, our centrally assessed properties are over 50% of our total taxable value.
• And then our centrally assessed property value upload and verification into our software.
• Three counties print their statements in-house: Benson, Foster, and Golden Valley.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met with a quorum to begin its study of whether the content of North Dakota real estate tax statements should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the background for the study, including House Bill 1176, current statutory requirements for tax statements, and recent changes such as separate line items for bonded debt, primary residence credit, and legacy fund-related amounts. The Tax Department then explained the current statement format and noted that the form is prescribed and approved by the tax commissioner, with changes typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual process for preparing budgets, setting levies, calculating taxable values, and issuing notices and tax statements. They said counties spend significant time coordinating with taxing districts, neighboring counties, and software vendors, and that the new budget hearing notices and valuation notices have not generated much public response. Members raised concerns about the usefulness and clarity of certain line items, especially the legislative tax relief calculation and the primary residence credit, and discussed whether the current statement creates confusion rather than transparency. Testimony also addressed the 3% cap, mill levy worksheets, assessment cycles, and the role of county auditors and tax directors in maintaining accurate values. The committee also heard from software vendors CPT and Tyler Technologies about how legislative changes are programmed into tax systems and how online taxpayer portals can provide more detailed breakdowns of tax bills. Vendors said changes required by law are generally absorbed in contracts rather than billed directly to counties, and they demonstrated web tools and pie-chart style breakdowns that show where tax dollars go. NDACO presented a survey of eight counties estimating tax statement preparation and mailing costs, concluding that outsourced printing tends to be cheaper on average and that total statewide tax statement costs may be roughly $600,000, though the estimate was based on limited data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, no, they have phony rail in the Central Valley so they can continue to build federal grants, which
• ever going to see a transportation project out of it.
• And of course, we should immediately suspend the high-speed rail project.
• And of course, we should immediately suspend the high speed rail project.
• I'll give you an example of Valley Fever. We all know that someone shows up with a of Valley Fever.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and prayer, then handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor actions. Members welcomed student groups from Hope International University and Vacaville High School, and later recognized several guests connected to public safety dispatch. The chamber also adopted multiple re-referrals and procedural requests, including moving bills between committees and taking up AB 100 on concurrence from the Senate. A major portion of the session was devoted to ACR 34, designating April 14 as Sylvia Mendez Day. Assembly Member Ta and several colleagues spoke in support of honoring Sylvia Mendez and the Mendez v. Westminster case as a landmark in civil rights and school desegregation. The resolution drew extended partisan debate over the framing of the measure and broader issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it ultimately passed on a roll call vote, with the resolution adopted. The Assembly also recognized Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday through guest introductions and celebratory remarks, then moved through several bills and resolutions. AB 471 on air district board compensation, AB 677 on pupil records and access to screenings for housing-insecure students, ACR 31 designating California Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and AB 1150 on airport customer facility charges all passed. HR 30 recognizing Khmer New Year also was adopted with broad support. The most contentious policy action was AB 100, the early action budget bill. Supporters said it provided funding for wildfire prevention, hospital payments, Medi-Cal, and recovery in Los Angeles fire areas, while opponents criticized the bill for health care spending and high-speed rail. After a failed attempt by Assembly Member DeMaio to amend the bill and an unsuccessful appeal of the chair, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments and sent AB 100 to the Governor. The day ended with consent calendar approvals and adjournments in memory for several community members, including Larkin Carol Wells, Carmen O. Perez, and Oscar B. Ramos.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is for an RFP so that radar companies can come in and bid on this project.
• I am a previous emergency management director for the city of Eden Valley and vice chair of Central Minnesota
• I am a previous emergency management director for the city of Eden Valley and vice chair of Central Minnesota
• I am the previous emergency management director for the city of Eden Valley and vice chair of Central
• Representative Backer, would you say that, you know, we've got a bigger project coming along?

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Government and tribal projects. We have a question. Okay, Senator Woodson.
• It could theoretically be used, but that would be project dependent.
• And then $100 million to the Water Project Fund.
• Senator Brandt mentioned the Castilian Project.
• To support projects, this fund is built to support projects in biotech, medicine, energy, water aerospace

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that was projecting.
• I'm a school board member representing the Central Valley Latino mayors and elected officials, and I'm
• And where I come from the Central Valley, children are underserved and are more likely to delay care
• I represent two groups, the Central Valley and Northern Yemenese Society and Cici Pue de Fresno, Tulare
• The Central Valley is home to some of the highest concentrations of Medi-Cal-enrolled children in California

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• American Health Center and board member of the Central Valley Health Network and a previous board member
• , in Silicon Valley.
• It's a great project.
• other project attributes.
• other project attributes.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, there is FAC-175 by Representative Fey, and this provides for a project.
• It provides funding for the Central Campus Electrification Project at King County Metro, substituting
• funding instead of the South Annex Base Electrification Elements Project at King County Metro.
• They wanted to shift the focus of the electrification project from South Annex to the central campus,
• These are projects that we've long hoped we would be able to complete in Longview and Fruit Valley and

Bills: HB2306 , HB2711

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• The grantee administering the funds in California is a central health access.
• On March 31st, 16 grantees across 22 states, including in California, one on the Central Coast where
• I would say on the Central Coast, specifically... ...and family planning.
• Project.
• My name's Jake Bradley Row, and I'm the executive director of Sunburst Projects.

Summary: The subcommittee held an oversight hearing on federal actions affecting California’s public health and family planning systems, focusing first on the freeze to Title X family planning funds and then on broader CDC/public health grant terminations. Chair and members described the cuts as abrupt, harmful, and likely to create major gaps in disease surveillance, vaccination, contraception, STI testing, and other preventive services, while also criticizing the federal administration’s explanation that the actions were tied to DEI or civil-rights compliance. The chair thanked Attorney General Bonta for legal action and said the hearing was intended to document the real-world impacts and inform state budget responses. Witnesses from Essential Access Health, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, a Central Coast clinic, and other providers said California’s Title X network serves more than half a million low-income patients annually and relies on the funds for staffing, outreach, training, mobile and school-based clinics, and confidential care. They warned that the freeze has already forced reserve spending, delayed services, and could lead to layoffs, reduced hours, longer waits, and fewer appointments, especially for sexual and reproductive health care. Public comment included support for a proposed state backfill of Title X losses, with advocates emphasizing impacts on low-income, LGBTQ+, and communities of color. On the public health side, CDPH, county health officials, and local health officers testified that the CDC’s rescission of $11.4 billion in grants would affect California by an estimated $840 million and threaten lab capacity, immunization programs, health disparities work, and data systems such as CalConnect and vaccine registries. Sacramento County and others described how the grants supported outbreak response, sequencing, community vaccination clinics, and equity-focused partnerships, and said terminations had already led to canceled appointments, stopped contracts, and layoffs. Several speakers urged the Legislature to preserve and expand state “future of public health” funding and to backfill federal losses, while public commenters from HIV, immunization, labor, and county organizations echoed concerns about workforce losses and worsening health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Valley, so I understand what your goal is.
• It's the project as a whole that I have a concern with.
• or is it to happen in the interim of the project?
• So I appreciate what you're trying to do for the Central Valley. I really thank you.
• So I appreciate what you're trying to do for the Central Valley. I really do.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard a series of bills, beginning with AB 431, which would create a statewide framework for advanced air mobility infrastructure and planning. The author and supporters from AUVSI, Joby Aviation, United Airlines, Wisk Aero, the City of Long Beach, and Archer argued the bill would help California lead in eVTOL technology, support jobs, reduce congestion, and improve sustainability. The committee accepted amendments, and AB 431 passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee then considered AB 630, dealing with abandoned and hazardous RVs. The author and supporters, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office, said the bill would help local governments address unsafe RVs, curb “van-lording,” and improve notice and reporting requirements before dismantling certain unclaimed vehicles. Opponents from the Western Center on Law and Poverty and ACLU California Action argued the bill would destroy needed shelter for unhoused people and that the notice and valuation process could harm vulnerable residents. Members discussed the bill’s focus on dismantling rather than towing, and AB 630 passed as amended. Other measures taken up included AB 314 on transit-oriented development around high-speed rail stations, AB 1223 on Sacramento County transportation funding flexibility, AB 1111 on flexibility for zero-emission school bus mandates, AB 1190 on limiting fees charged by DMV online business partners, AB 987 on predatory towing fees, and AB 911 on a narrow exemption from zero-emission fleet rules for telecommunications bucket trucks and sail-on wheels. Testimony generally split between supporters emphasizing affordability, local flexibility, consumer protection, or emergency readiness, and opponents raising concerns about implementation, mandates, or unintended consequences. Several bills were advanced by committee vote, with some members recording no votes or abstentions on measures they said needed further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that grant recipients for projects that would otherwise be major technology projects under
• Until the implementation of the Human Resources Phase 2 sub-project of the One Washington Project is
• of the One Washington Project is complete.
• projects.
• project.

Bills: HB2675 , HB2249 , HB2120 , HB1069 , HB1983 , HB2431 , SB6006 , SB6297 , SB6351 , SB6353 , HB2521 , HB2091 , HB2104 , SB6355 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB5808 , HB1796 , HB1376 , SB6260 , HB2353

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: accounts, finance, business regulation, transparency, audits, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering