Transcript Highlights:

• for when it's safe to return to a home covered in WUI fire ash, every home safety assessment is a negotiation
• The new language usurps that ongoing work of CDI and subsequent policy negotiations by inappropriately
• when it's safe to return to a home covered in WUI, fire ash, every home safety assessment is a negotiation
• , not a scientific determination. assessment is a negotiation, not a scientific determination.
• The new language usurps that ongoing work of CDI and subsequent policy negotiations by inappropriately

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Each set of rules you'll be hearing underwent the traditional negotiated rulemaking process, where the
• The commission then directed the department to move forward with implementation through the negotiated
• Negotiated rulemaking included one statewide in-person and virtual meeting, two public comment periods
• Of those 2,002 resident submissions, specific to the negotiated rulemaking process, 75% were opposed
• So you will see in your redlines that, due to the negotiated rulemaking, the prohibition window was shortened

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• What I can tell you is that we negotiate our managed care contracts and our structure in three- or four-year
• then to the extent that there's growth, we roll that facility into something that's already been negotiated
• then to the extent that there's growth, we roll that facility into something that's already been negotiated
• So traditional Medicare publishes their fee schedule for physicians and hospitals, and you don't negotiate
• in June, there was a hearing over MU Health System and an issue that they had with Anthem in a negotiation

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 1714, adopting an amendment that clarified the bill would not apply to hunting dogs or animals not under direct control of the hunter and would not affect a specified section of law. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass, with the roll call showing passage. The committee then heard House Bill 317, which would authorize MU Health Care to collaborate with hospitals and providers in a 25-county area and seek state-action antitrust immunity for those transactions. The sponsor and MU Health Care testified that the bill is intended to help preserve rural hospitals and keep care local, citing multiple hospital closures in Missouri and examples from Alabama and other states. Supporters from MU Health Care, rural hospitals, and local business and health leaders described the bill as a way to stabilize struggling facilities, maintain emergency access, and protect rural economies. Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and the Missouri Health Plan Association, warned that the bill could codify monopoly power, raise prices, and reduce competition, and argued that the language was too broad and not limited to distressed hospitals. Some committee members also raised concerns about antitrust immunity, facility fees, market share, and whether the bill should be tightened to ensure voluntary participation and clearer limits. No vote was taken on House Bill 317 before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to negotiate on the front end...
• Um, is there a way to negotiate and say, "Well, what if you watered only two acres of those pecan trees
• We're pretty sure that little piece right there is not going to be a negotiated piece.
• What the state is committed to do in those negotiations is to make sure that any Recognition of their
• adjudication for other water rights. ...users, and Director Rice-Lewitt mentioned we're going to be negotiating

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm impressed with the negotiation of both Chair Vang and Chair McDonald.
• I'm impressed with the negotiation of both Chair Vang and Chair McDonald.
• Um, I'm impressed<00:08:19.759><c> with</c><00:08:20.240><c> the</c><00:08:20.560><c> negotiation</c>
• <00:08:21.120><c> of</c><00:08:21.360><c> both</c> impressed with the negotiation of both impressed with
• the negotiation of both Chair<00:08:21.840><c> Vang</c><00:08:22.240><c> and</c><00:08:22.400><c> Chair

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would note that the P101B was negotiated between the Speaker and the Speaker of Mera and agreed
• 00:04:31.639><c> uh</c> would note that the p P 101b was uh would note that the p P 101b was uh negotiated
• 32.960><c> the</c><00:04:33.120><c> speaker</c><00:04:33.479><c> and</c><00:04:33.639><c> the</c> negotiated
• between the speaker and the negotiated between the speaker and the speaker<00:04:34.160><c> Mera</c>
• Representative Schultz, yes, and that was a negotiation point between the Speaker and the Speaker Emerita

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• have it as a blank appropriation that is Of course, it will be adjusted by our two co-chairs once negotiations
• Our districts will have less money to negotiate contracts with educators. money to negotiate contracts
• So with that, I heard in here that one of the ideas behind the transportation is to allow LEAs to negotiate
• Well, why don't we allow them to negotiate locally by moving all of their funds?

Bills: HF2430 , HF2433

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• grant has been awarded... ...the project grant agreement was often taking more than a year to be negotiated
• agreements were signed, but money had not been obligated, or the grant agreements were still under negotiation
• also calls on D.O.T. staff to unilaterally amend existing grant agreements that have already been negotiated
• This is exactly the type of project which those of us who negotiated the bipartisan infrastructure law
• The EPW Committee has a long tradition of negotiating and passing bipartisan infrastructure legislation

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, IIJA, bipartisan infrastructure, funding flexibility, NEPA, environmental reviews, bureaucratic delays, federal funding, infrastructure investment

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, discussing the ongoing implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Chairman Capito highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the necessity of refining existing provisions to ensure effective delivery of transportation projects. Notable emphasis was placed on the need for flexibility in funding to address inflation impacts and delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles, especially relating to environmental reviews under NEPA. Witnesses from state transportation agencies provided valuable insights into real-world challenges faced in project execution, ultimately underscoring the importance of continuous federal support for infrastructure development. The discussion also touched on the broader implications of federal funding freezes by the previous administration, which have reportedly hindered several ongoing and planned projects. This issue raised significant concern among committee members, who urged the need for reliable funding and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that could cause delays in project implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the members to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth path forward for critical infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, members, this is a great bill that was negotiated with bipartisan agreement.
• But I understand why this is something that's negotiated.
• Um it's even between that's negotiated.
• This isn't some sort of win through negotiation skills. It's a mistake.
• This is a through wy negotiation skills.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was some negotiations that were a little delicate, and I think we made it through that, so I certainly
• “I also want to acknowledge that after months of work and good-faith negotiations on all sides, we took
• We thank them for negotiating with us in good faith and removing their opposition, and strengthening
• So I have a really hard time with this bill because of the negotiations that we did for so long.
• I think the agricultural interest was added at the request of the negotiations that we have with the

Summary: The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed. SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support. SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained. SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was some negotiations that were a little delicate, and I think we made it through that, so I certainly
• “I also want to acknowledge that after months of work and good-faith negotiations on all sides, we took
• We thank them for negotiating with us in good faith and removing their opposition and strengthening the
• So I have a really hard time with this bill because of the negotiations that we did for so long.
• I think the agricultural interest was added at the request of the negotiations that we have with the

Committee: House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• And I appreciate the time and effort the chair has given me to negotiate that number, and I do appreciate
• Chair, for allowing me to make that adjustment in our negotiations.
• Let's give them the entire amount that we've negotiated, the $80,000.
• It is our turn to keep them... ...that we've negotiated, the $80,000.
• I certainly appreciate your willingness to negotiate.

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• nothing more important to the state right now than a successful conclusion of the Colorado River negotiations
• Because if they are not successfully negotiated and we wind up losing as much as has been suggested by
• work as we have been to strengthen and support our state's position in the lower basin in these negotiations
• much insecurity with regard to what's going to happen in the near future with the Colorado River negotiations
• much insecurity with regard to what's going to happen in the near future with the Colorado River negotiations

Bills: HB2026 , HB2027 , HB2028 , HB2031 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2101 , HB2102 , HB2103 , HB2260 , HB2278 , HB2827 , HB2932 , HB2933 , HB2934 , HB2986 , HCM2009 , HCR2038

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply, written commitment of water service, groundwater savings credits, gray water reuse, replenishment district, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to correct some historical record, I was involved in the negotiation of the bail reform.
• What I see is there being able to be more negotiations on the certain facts of the case.
• Because when you have a first degree felony, and then you More negotiations on the certain facts of the
• Finish second-degree murderers more appropriately and allow more negotiations between first and seconds
• I think we will Negotiate and victims to what they feel is a fair resolution.

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been a lot of talks, a lot of negotiations on this.
• Well, I hope it is the administration's priority to continue negotiating about the Bay Area bridge loans
• It’s a very present, I think, violation of trust coming after the June negotiation that it’s not here
• We have just completed our negotiations with the state, and this is very similar to what has already
• We have just completed our negotiations with the state, and this is very similar to what has already

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes. Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity. The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is the hard-negotiated conclusion of our bipartisan, bicameral agreement between myself and
• We went into the Senate, and when we got into negotiations, we had $22 million and $4.5 million in the
• , we had 22 into got into negotiations, we had 22 million<00:04:27.199><c> and</c><00:04:27.919><c> 4.5
• I think we negotiated the actual bill almost entirely in good faith, which is pretty good for this place
• I think we negotiated the actual bill almost entirely in good faith, which is pretty good for this place

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill fails to fund Title I charter schools, and I'm hoping that in the future or in negotiations
• This bill fails to fund Title I charter schools, and I'm hoping that in the future or in negotiations
• This bill fails to fund Title I charter schools, and I'm hoping that in the future or in negotiations
• This bill fails to fund Title I charter schools, and I'm hoping that in the future or in negotiations
• during this session that somehow, or in negotiations during this session that somehow that can come

Transcript Highlights:

• Cal Cities worked diligently with Senator Adkins to negotiate in good faith on protecting our historic
• So we can negotiate as a state where do we want to, what kind of things do we want to mandate on local
• Maybe splitting, because it was part of the negotiations a few years ago, that historic districts were
• landmark and I think that that in and of itself could potentially be a bill by itself so we can negotiate
• but I'm not sure I'm on board with taking away something that was very you know was part of the negotiation

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy housing-focused agenda with several bills advancing on mostly bipartisan votes. AB 249 addressed youth homelessness by requiring youth-specific coordinated entry assessments rather than relying on adult vulnerability tools; supporters said the change would better identify young people at risk and prevent them from aging into chronic homelessness. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force and coordinator to speed housing recovery after disasters, with broad support from housing, local government, and nonprofit groups. AB 1206 would authorize local pre-approval programs for small housing projects, including single-family homes and developments of up to 10 units, to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing staffing and local variation concerns, but the bill still passed. AB 57 would reserve at least 10% of CalHFA home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people as part of the reparations package; supporters framed it as reparative justice, while opponents raised constitutional and Prop. 209 concerns. AB 282 would allow housing providers to prefer voucher holders in tenant selection, with supporters arguing it would help families actually use housing vouchers and improve affordable housing stability. AB 1229 would shift the adult reentry grant program to HCD and focus more on permanent housing for people leaving prison; supporters emphasized the link between housing, reduced homelessness, and lower recidivism. All of these bills received favorable committee votes and were held open for absent members. The committee also took up several bills on housing preservation and homelessness system accountability. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element progress and require more complete reporting of demolitions and replacement/relocation compliance; supporters said this would help prevent displacement and improve enforcement. The bill passed on a unanimous vote. The committee then began discussion of AB 750, which would strengthen oversight of state-funded homeless shelters after a prior reporting law was found to have very low compliance; the author said the bill responds to a CalMatters investigation showing only a handful of counties and cities submitted required reports. The transcript cuts off before AB 750’s testimony and vote were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• or contracting process, they may negotiate rates with CBAS providers.
• Managed care plans, again, use the Medi-Cal fee schedule rate as a benchmark in their negotiations, but
• We preserve the cost-sharing ratio for locally negotiated wage increases as 65% paid by the state and
• Consumers are also aware of issues that are not often considered negotiable items that might improve
• Actual costs would depend on negotiated wages, specifically for potential increases in benefits, as well

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been negotiating with ASU and the Board of Regents, and they've not negotiated in good faith,
• We have been negotiating with ASU and the Board of Regents, and they've not negotiated in good faith.
• This was their response to these negotiations.
• Now, I wish ASU and ABOR would have negotiated honestly because they did not.
• They're reluctant to negotiate.

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

Summary: The committee heard an extended presentation and discussion on Arizona higher education research security, focused heavily on Arizona State University’s foreign funding, international partnerships, and alleged ties to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research collaborations, especially those involving the Chinese “Seven Sons” universities, and said the committee would pursue a congressional referral and other federal review. A strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 was described but then withdrawn; the underlying SB 1327 was then taken up as a companion measure requiring ABOR to adopt university research security policies and submit annual reports on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000. The committee heard testimony in support from Marina Macklin, who said the bill would help protect dual-use and defense-relevant research from being funneled to China’s military ecosystem, and she answered questions about biosecurity, semiconductors, AI model theft, and election systems. After debate, SB 1327 was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Delos Santos and Marquez voting no and Colloden, Powell, and the chair voting yes; the chair stated his support was to keep missile, armor, guidance, and other technology safe from the Chinese government. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans’ consumer-protection bill regulating private companies that help veterans file disability claims. The bill would prohibit unaccredited persons from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting veterans’ benefits matters, require service agreements to be filed with the Attorney General, cap compensation, ban certain practices such as overseas call centers and in-house doctors, and create consumer-fraud enforcement authority. Sponsor Sen. Gallin said the measure was intended to add guardrails for veterans and prevent bad actors from taking excessive fees or misleading claimants. Testimony from Veterans Guardian representatives supported the bill as a way to create transparency and preserve veterans’ choice while regulating the industry; they said many veterans seek private help after unsuccessful attempts with free services and that the bill would not eliminate competition. Opponents and skeptical members questioned whether the bill would effectively legalize one business model while restricting others, whether the contingent-fee structure was consumer-friendly, and whether the companies were engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The discussion also referenced prior federal and state litigation involving similar laws and the possibility of future federal accreditation reform. The transcript ends during continued questioning on SB 1803, before a final vote is shown.