Transcript Highlights:

• And so right now... ...supplemented through Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
• The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. So that's the administration proposal.
• EBD has already faced multiple cuts, and further reductions risk setting harm for precedent.
• EBD has already faced multiple cuts, and further reductions risk setting harm for precedent.
• EBD has already faced multiple cuts and further reductions risk setting harm for president.

Summary: The committee first heard Issue 1 on trailer bill language to redirect funding for emergency demand-response programs. The Department of Finance proposed using about $26.9 million in General Fund originally set aside for the Distributed Energy Backup Assets program to bolster the Demand-Side Grid Support Program for summer 2026, and using about $70 million in CalCHAP interest to support ratepayer-funded demand response in summers 2027 and 2028. The CEC and CPUC said they are working on a transition from DSGS to ELRP or a successor program, while the LAO noted the General Fund money would otherwise revert to savings. Members pressed the administration on whether demand response remains important, whether DSGS has been successful, and whether the state should keep funding it through the CEC rather than shifting to a ratepayer-funded CPUC program. The CEC and CPUC said the programs are not directly comparable, emphasized different cost structures and enrollment metrics, and said a CPUC rulemaking is underway with a proposed decision expected in Q3 2026. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up Issue 2, a budget proposal tied to SB 254 and the new transmission accelerator. GoBiz and the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank described a five-year, roughly $26 million request to staff and administer the accelerator and manage Proposition 4 and AB 1207 funds for transmission financing. Members asked about state liability, ownership of financed lines, FERC revenue requirements, and whether the program would help underserved regions and offshore wind development. Staff explained that the accelerator would only consider projects already identified through CAISO’s competitive transmission planning process, and that state financing would be a small portion of large projects intended to lower overall costs to ratepayers. The LAO said it had no specific concerns but urged the Legislature to ensure the final language matches its intent. The committee also heard Issue 3 on petroleum market oversight. The CEC and its Division of Petroleum Market Oversight requested additional positions and funding to implement ABX2-1 and continue work on supply stabilization, refinery monitoring, and transportation fuels analysis. Members questioned why the work was funded through the Energy Resources Programs Account, whether existing staff from the paused price-gouging work could be reassigned, and whether the program had produced evidence of price gouging or improved supply conditions. CEC and Finance said the new positions are needed because the workload has expanded, while some existing staff remain on related analysis and reporting duties. The discussion ended without a vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• just one more tool in the toolbox to make sure that California is meeting its long-term landfill reduction
• , methane reduction, and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
• AB 623 Dixon, fuel reduction...
• AB 623 Dixon fuel reduction. AB 623, Dixon, fuel reduction reports, holding committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on January 22, 2026, for its regular order hearing and suspense-file hearing. In regular order, the committee approved consent-calendar bills AB 683, AB 763, AB 1126, and AB 1278 on unanimous due-pass motions, and AB 34 and AB 442 on a second unanimous due-pass motion. The committee then heard and advanced several bills, including AB 35, which would create an APA exemption for Proposition 4-funded programs to speed implementation of water, wildfire, energy-storage, and grid-support projects; AB 748, establishing pre-approved housing programs for local agencies; AB 939, allowing immediate transfer of certain affordable homeownership units to qualified nonprofit housing organizations; AB 643, adding a narrow organic-waste-derived agricultural fertilizer product to SB 1383 procurement options; and AB 96, removing the high school diploma requirement for certified Medi-Cal peer support specialists. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with sponsors and coalition representatives emphasizing reduced delays, lower costs, and improved housing, environmental, or behavioral-health outcomes. The Department of Finance offered general budget comments but no bill-specific positions. The committee voted the bills out, with AB 643 and AB 96 receiving no recorded opposition in the transcript and AB 939 passing with some members noting support and interest in coauthoring. The committee also received a presentation-only discussion of AB 1091, a proposal to authorize eight-letter specialty license plates, which the author said could generate revenue for rural programs such as the Williamson Act; the bill was not acted on at that time. After public comment, the committee moved to the suspense-file hearing on 53 bills. Using a substituted motion for due-pass and due-pass-with-amendments items, the committee held some bills and advanced many others, often with amendments that narrowed scope, deleted provisions, or required reports or studies. Bills held in committee included AB 405, AB 298, AB 333, AB 296, AB 1091, AB 1241, and AB 577, among others. The committee reported moving 43 bills to the Assembly floor, with several on A roll calls and others on B roll calls or with amendments, and noted that amendment language would be posted later online.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there I don't disagree with some forms of harm reduction, but the first line of harm reduction is
• but the first line of of harm reduction but the first line of harm<01:42:27.119> reduction<01
• welcome to provide harm reduction welcome to provide harm reduction services<01:55:33.599> if
• Uh, our harm reduction providers are, you know, harm reduction is absolutely a key, critical piece of
• this bill. uh our harm reduction this bill. uh our harm reduction providers<02:31:21.200> are

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, what rises to the top for many of those emission reduction plans that the communities
• By replacing fossil fuel, mostly diesel engines with hydrogen fuel cells, we projected 43% reduction
• First, we support protecting all greenhouse gas reduction fund dollars previously committed to public
• And then the second one is cost reduction. You heard a little bit about that from SamTrans.
• And then the second one is cost reduction. You heard a little bit about that from SamTrans.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy held an informational hearing on California’s hydrogen leadership, with Chair Bob Archuleta framing hydrogen as a complementary clean-energy pathway for hard-to-electrify sectors and emphasizing the need for balanced policy, community benefits, and strategic use of public funds. The first panel of private-sector witnesses from the California Hydrogen Business Council, Bosch, Hyundai, and Sierra Northern Railway described existing deployments in buses, trucks, rail, ports, and industrial uses, and argued that the technology is commercially ready but needs stable policy, faster permitting, stronger demand signals, and more infrastructure. They highlighted projects such as Hyundai’s NorCal Zero freight trucks, Bosch’s hydrogen components and refueling technology, and Sierra’s hydrogen switcher locomotive, while also noting major cost barriers, especially for fuel and equipment, and the need for continued state incentives and coordinated infrastructure planning. Committee members focused on labor standards, community engagement, and the current scale of hydrogen vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Witnesses said they work with labor groups, building trades, and safety organizations, and that early community involvement and first-responder training are important. In response to questions, panelists estimated roughly 15,000 to 16,000 light-duty fuel cell vehicles in California, around 100 hydrogen trucks, and growing bus deployment, with South Korea cited as having much larger fleets. They also discussed hydrogen fuel costs, with one rail operator saying delivered fuel had fallen from more than $60 per kilogram to about $35 per kilogram but would need to drop below $10 per kilogram for broad commercial viability. CARB’s incentive and regulatory programs, including heavy-duty vehicle subsidies and low-carbon fuel standards, were described as important supports, though federal tax credit changes and uncertainty were said to be slowing progress. The second panel addressed hydrogen’s public-health, air-quality, and climate role. CAPCOA, the Coalition for Clean Air, the building trades, and a UC Berkeley researcher argued that hydrogen should be used selectively in the most polluted, diesel-heavy settings such as ports, freight corridors, rail yards, transit depots, and backup power for data centers. They stressed that fuel cell applications provide zero tailpipe emissions, but cautioned that hydrogen produced from fossil fuels or used in combustion rather than fuel cells reduces the environmental benefit. The UC Berkeley witness presented modeling suggesting large reductions in NOx and particulate exposure, with significant avoided premature deaths and health savings if hydrogen displaces diesel in heavy-duty sectors. Panelists also urged that hydrogen not delay direct electrification, that environmental justice be central to deployment, and that infrastructure and safety planning include community engagement and measurable local benefits. The final panel featured public-sector updates from SamTrans, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Port of Long Beach, and the First Public Hydrogen Authority. SamTrans described its transition of more than 300 buses to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, including a large order of 108 hydrogen buses, but said the loss of expected ARCHES funding created a major gap for fueling infrastructure and that state support is needed for grants, tax exemptions, and axle-weight rule changes. GoBiz said the federal cancellation of ARCHES funding disrupted the market, but that private capital remains available if demand and cost-reduction signals are strong; it pointed to permitting streamlining and targeted state action as key next steps. The Port of Long Beach reported 106 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in port drayage, a $10 million hydrogen truck grant program, and a request for proposals for a public fueling station, while warning that high costs, fuel shortages, and the Colton incident have slowed momentum. First Public Hydrogen Authority described efforts to aggregate municipal demand, support green hydrogen production projects, and create long-term market certainty for suppliers and off-takers. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses on where state funding should go next, with several suggesting that near-term support for transit fleets, fueling infrastructure, and targeted high-impact corridors would be the most effective way to keep hydrogen deployment moving.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a reduction in mental health of $3 million.
• Coming on then on page seven, we've got some reductions there, some slight reductions along some of those
• Some slight reductions along some of those. Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. Yes, ma'am.
• There's a small reduction there, $400,000.

Bills: SB143, SB144, SB145, SB152, SB153, SB154, SB162, SB226, SB146, SB143, SB144, SB145, SB152, SB153, SB154, SB162, SB226, SB146

Keywords: SB143, solid waste, garbage collection, trash fees, refuse collection, municipal fees, county fees, fee exemption, veterans benefits, veteran household, disabled veteran, VA benefits, Social Security exemption, low-income households, poverty level, county commission, municipal governing body, Alabama solid waste law, certificate of exception, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, with a number of insurers that have left our state market and then significant coverage reduction
• I will note that coverage reduction in premium increases coverage reduction in premium increases um<00
• So a one-time reduction in employee contributions. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Tan.
• So a one-time reduction in employee contributions. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Tan.
• <00:30:30.159> in<00:30:31.039> um is actually a reduction in um is actually a reduction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think the reductions that I've done are reasonable. Um, they are doable.
• And I think the reductions that I've done are reasonable.
• reductions.
• And I think the reductions reductions.
• <00:58:10.799> of And that would also put the reduction of And that would also put the reduction

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Start sort of this I mean you keep talking about reductions in population.
• Reductions of kids in placement, reduction of kids on probation, reductions of contact with systems.
• I mean are we talking about just the reductions for the sake of the reductions?
• I mean what are we getting for... for those reductions? Like, why are we seeking those reductions?
• We seek those reductions because that actually leads to. to long-term safety.

Bills: HB31, HB3360

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In our forecast, we are assuming a reduction in the general fund, assuming that those folks will no longer
• is assuming, we are assuming that that would be removed in October of this year, resulting in a reduction
• And then this slide here shows that reduction on staffing costs in areas of resident impact. 65.1% of
• And the final one on this side here is the fiscal cliff for nursing homes on the horizon: reduction in
• This can outweigh the impact of the 2025 session cuts and discussion of future reductions on Living Well

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• seeking to pursue a wide variety of goals: coastal protection, housing, greenhouse gas emissions reduction
• The Legislature should require a 30% cost reduction, as proposed in AB 6 by Assemblymember Ward, and,
• relatedly, by the Governor's pending executive order to EO 224, which just called for general reductions
• Empirical data regarding progress achieving the region's GHG reduction goals underscores this point.
• Every four years, CARB evaluates progress meeting regional GHG emission reduction targets pursuant to

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction
• Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction
• 40.639> tariff technical collaboration through tariff technical collaboration through tariff reduction
• and<00:04:41.840> other<00:04:42.240> trade<00:04:42.639> facilitation reduction
• and other trade facilitation reduction and other trade facilitation measures.<00:04:44.080> And

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just trying to figure out why you accepted such a large reduction for Orleans.
• So the formula was not for a reduction. It was only for an increase. Is that correct? Correct.
• 83 warrants to a reduction from 10 at the least to at most 29.
• Well, I guess my point is, once again, the formula was not for a reduction.
• That was the other reasoning behind the reduction of the 10 warrants in Orleans. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR79, HCR104, HB75, HB410, HB719, HB750, HB944, HB1098, HB1220, HB1252, HB359, HB210, HB468, HB1117, SB382, HB368, HB552, HB732, HB870, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB149, SB208, SB274, SB300, SB312, SB387, SB389, SB401, HR74, HB998, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, SB237, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB258, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB217, SB283, SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this package was again over $120 million in total reductions to state revenues, so a tax cut of over
• This doesn't include any other reductions in federal spending, just Medicaid and SNAP, and New Mexico
• So that could be a temporary reduction in our revenues, personal income tax revenues there.
• But what we weren't counting on is perhaps $1.5 billion in federal budget reductions.
• Then they have spending reductions next on their list for priorities, and then hitting their operating

Transcript Highlights:

• . - Projects helping greenhouse gas reduction strategies. - Increasing electricity grid capacity.
• When the Inflation Reduction Act became law, we began working with our communities to assess what funding
• In the short term, if there is a reduction in federal revenues, this is a source that can be drawn on
• in federal Medicaid funding would result in a reduction of coverage.
• Um, however, in the event that we don't have that type of reduction, then it would follow the regular

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilizing this strategy in Submittal County we've achieved a 29% reduction in overdoses and a 42% reduction
• While we have seen this reduction we know that the hard work still lies ahead.
• And when we look at the significance of the reduction, we're proud about that, I talked about a 29% reduction
• in overdoses or poisonings and a 42% reduction in fatalities.
• Palm Beach County is another county that had a remarkable reduction 40% more or more reduction in fatalities

Keywords: opioid crisis, overdose, naloxone, drug trafficking, law enforcement, treatment, prevention, older adults, Medicaid expansion

Summary: The meeting convened to address the dire opioid crisis affecting communities nationwide, with a particular focus on the alarming rise of opioid use disorder among older adults. Key testimonies highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, treatment, and strict law enforcement actions against drug traffickers. Sheriff Dennis Lima from Seminole County outlined successful strategies implemented in Florida, including increased access to naloxone and legislative changes to hold drug dealers accountable for overdoses. Various members expressed a united front on tackling this multifaceted issue, advocating for the expansion of Medicaid and better access to treatment as essential steps to curbing the epidemic.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state's action will result in staff reductions and will have an impact on student opportunities.
• The state's action will result in staff reductions and will have an impact on student opportunities.
• The state's action will result in staff reductions and will have an impact on student opportunities.
• action will result in staff reductions action will result in staff reductions and<00:19:14.080><
• in specialed funding and reductions in specialed funding and compensatory<00:19:25.440> aid<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• More housing and the reduction of homelessness.
• So I see there a approximately 9% reduction in total budget authorization for the state government to
• the reductions in law enforcement.
• Thought in what these reductions mean to the Department of Fish and Wildlife's ability to meet their
• And so we see a reduction in sales, reduction in revenue, more businesses closing, so we have to act

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• site fund consists of monies allocated to school districts for teacher compensation, class size reduction
• the superintendent of public instruction may offer one-year waivers from the classroom site fund reduction
• They can only get two in a 10-year period, and it's such a significant reduction in the fund.
• Which consists of monies allocated to school districts for teacher compensation, class size reduction
• Which consists of monies allocated to school districts for teacher compensation, class size reduction

Summary: The committee met to review and adopt Legislative Council ballot measure analyses, with members repeatedly reminded that the hearing was limited to the accuracy, clarity, and impartiality of the summaries and not the merits of the underlying proposals. Steve Premack explained the statutory role of the analyses in the publicity pamphlet, and staff presented draft language for several measures. The committee considered and voted on multiple amendments, often debating whether proposed wording was clearer or instead crossed into advocacy or added unnecessary legal detail. For SCR 1004, members debated amendments to more closely mirror the measure’s text and to add language about electric vehicles and mileage, but several proposed changes were rejected. The analysis was ultimately adopted by an 8-6 roll call. HCR 2021 was then adopted without amendment by the same 8-6 margin. For HCR 2055, members debated whether the summary should say the Department of Homeland Security must “do everything” or “use all lawful means available,” and whether to add language about cartels acting “individually or collectively”; both amendments were rejected and the analysis was adopted 8-6. The committee next took up SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems, where members proposed amendments to clarify that the measure would apply to red light cameras, to add “thereafter” regarding recurring voter approval, and to specify that approval would occur at the general election; those amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. On SCR 1032, dealing with instructional expenses and classroom site fund reductions, members debated adding a definition of the Classroom Site Fund and spelling out the waiver process in more detail; both amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. Finally, on HCR 2001 regarding citizenship identification and early voting, members rejected amendments that would have added background on current law, clarified that mail voting would be affected, added severability and revenue-source language, and struck the measure’s short title; the discussion was lengthy and at times contentious, but the transcript ends before a final roll-call vote on that measure is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The differential gives us, on average, about a 13% reduction in property taxes.
• The differential gives us, on average, about a 13% reduction in property taxes.
• The differential gives us, on average, about a 13% reduction in property taxes.
• there's about a $131 million reduction there's about a $131 million reduction on<00:39:10.960>
• seeing the reduction. seeing the reduction.

Bills: SF0061, SF0098, SF0110

Keywords: sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, veteran, property tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, honorable discharge, tax benefits, surviving spouse, military service, property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm on the board with Southside Harm Reduction, which is a mobile syringe service program.
• Finally, I'm chair of the Minnesota Medical Association's subcommittee on harm reduction.
• I'm the harm reduction manager at Native American Community Clinic, or NACC.
• We offer culturally centered health care and harm reduction services, including naloxone distribution
• We see the benefits of a harm reduction approach in that folks who connect with our harm reduction staff

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 22, 2024 minutes and then took up House File 3761, the Safety Through Support Act, with a motion to lay the bill over. Representative Lee Finke said the bill is intended to improve re-entry outcomes and public safety by expanding prison visitation, including mentoring and access for mental health and medical professionals, and by creating a task force to support rehabilitation and re-entry. Testifiers in support included Holly Bot, who described how family visits helped her through incarceration and later into successful re-entry and business ownership, and Zeke Caliguri, who argued that consistent visitation and community connection are essential to humanity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Elliot Bhai of NAMI Minnesota also supported the bill, framing visitation as a form of needed mental health support in prisons. Members raised several concerns and suggestions. Representative Hudson questioned the bill’s strip-search limitation language, asking what would count as a credible, documented security concern, and also worried the task force could create discriminatory access or favor certain viewpoints. Representative Finke said she did not view a conviction as making someone permanently a security risk and said the task force was meant to ensure meaningful visitation for everyone, not to enable discrimination. Representative Hollins and Representative N. supported the bill’s overall goals while suggesting language could be tightened and noting that maintaining outside ties helps people return as productive members of society. Representative Witte asked about the Department of Corrections commissioner’s presence, and the chair said questions for him could wait for a later bill. Representative Mu asked about the fiscal note and the research behind the bill. Staff said a fiscal note had been requested but not yet signed off by the LBO, which was one reason the bill was being laid over. Finke said she could share the visitation study and noted that the bill responds to research linking visitation to lower recidivism; she also said remote visitation data shows value but can be costly. After closing remarks emphasizing that visitation is “medicine” and that most incarcerated people will return to the community, the chair renewed the motion and laid over House File 3761. The committee then moved on to House File 4959, with a motion to re-refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy.