Transcript Highlights:

• This is natural disaster repairs to campus buildings.
• This is for emergency property damage mitigation, and they are requesting the ability to develop a qualified
• This is for emergency property damage mitigation, and they are requesting the ability to develop a qualified
• This is for emergency property damage mitigation, and they are requesting the ability to develop a qualified
• And also, ADFA has stated in both of their letters that they have taken measures to mitigate this happening

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• However, with first responders protected Charles Chapman: by paper on this bill, it leads to disaster
• A growing need in many communities is resilience, disaster preparedness and recovery.
• The biggest complaint I had from residents following Hurricane Helene and Milton was the need for disaster
• Representative Eskamani: already spoke to this, public libraries, Meals on Wheels, of course even just flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• So Congress had appropriated extra money in contingency funds in case there's a natural disaster or other
• A natural disaster is a really important one.
• Maybe they didn't meet all the regular low-income qualifications, but they did meet other disaster qualifications
• So are there things that can be done technologically or otherwise to help mitigate those reduced enrollments

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• testing, they've made planned design changes and other policy adjustments along the way to better mitigate
• It had a disaster component where it was also a reserve of money that would count towards what they had
• in reserve in case of a natural disaster.
• aside while still having it available for emergencies, such as an economic downturn or a natural disaster

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds generated by this bill will support erosion control and much-needed wildfire mitigations across
• The funds generated by this bill will support erosion control and much-needed wildfire mitigations across
• forests, native plants and animals, aquatic resources, coastal lands, and freshwater resources, to mitigate
• We made great strides in increasing the disaster resilience of our communities.
• res resilience of our disaster res resilience of our communities.<01:37:00.400><c> We</c><01:37:00.800

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a key tool in our work toward mitigating this housing crisis, and I urge my colleagues to support
• groups it's a key tool in our work groups it's a key tool in our work towards<00:24:42.360><c> mitigating
• this housing crisis towards mitigating this housing crisis and<00:24:43.960><c> I</c><00:24:44.080><
• mitigation and air quality<00:48:08.040><c> Grant</c><00:48:09.040><c> uh</c><00:48:09.559><c> to</c
• </c><00:51:15.880><c> the</c> they need it which mitigates the they need it which mitigates the longterm

Transcript Highlights:

• disaster money.
• Page 140, this is $830 million of federal disaster funding.
• There are, I think, a significant number of open disasters still, I think about 51 open disasters.
• But this is where we would receive those federal disaster funds.
• Louis tornado disaster relief.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• It also mandates a statewide study to assess nature-based flood mitigation, economic and environmental
• Senator Garcia: We can react to disasters or prepare for them.
• Senate Bill 150, a bill to be entitled an Act related to abandoning restrained animals during natural disasters
• Bill 150, a bill to be entitled an Act relating to abandoning restrained animals during natural disasters
• We are unprepared for large-scale disaster where we may be unable to receive additional support from

Transcript Highlights:

• competency and behavioral health needs of parties. experienced an unprecedented amount of natural disasters
• This special session is a critical first step to mitigate the harms facing New Mexicans.
• Thankfully, our state is in a position to help New Mexicans mitigate the impact of these federal cuts

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:20:52.800><c> fund</c><00:20:53.040><c> for</c><00:20:53.160><c> fiscal</c> into the major disaster
• fund for fiscal into the major disaster fund for fiscal year<00:20:53.600><c> '26,</c><00:20:54.840>
• In a letter from our congressional delegation requesting a presidential disaster declaration, damages
• That is why this budget also includes an additional $50 million deposit into the major disaster fund
• </c> mitigate some of that. Thank you, Mr. mitigate some of that. Thank you, Mr. President.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, natural disasters are becoming more commonplace.
• You know, natural disasters are becoming more commonplace, and as people may not recognize the whole
• scope of a natural disaster and may take it upon themselves to drive around these barricades, they're
• So $50 million from mitigation of the effects of climate change on tribes, including moving them out
• It says changes in CCA fund distribution for capital projects requires at least $50 million for mitigation

Bills: HB2604 , HB2436 , SB6354 , SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• Landscape architects design parks, campuses, streetscapes, stormwater, and flood mitigation systems Their
• helps organizations and communities across our region assess their weather risk and develop hazard mitigation
• Because in training decision makers, firefighters, and emergency managers to be prepared for disasters
• , it's hard to know what we may have saved by mitigating a disaster or lessening a fire impact.
• It's a livestock Forage program, livestock forage program, so that's what gives disaster drought assistance

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, one hiccup whether it's natural Um, one hiccup, whether it's a natural disaster or a man-made one
• programs and projects that increase tree canopy coverage and install shade trees in urban areas to mitigate
• in<00:27:10.640><c> urban</c><00:27:10.880><c> areas</c><00:27:11.240><c> to</c><00:27:11.320><c> mitigate
• </c><00:27:11.720><c> the</c><00:27:11.840><c> effects</c> in urban areas to mitigate the effects in
• urban areas to mitigate the effects of<00:27:12.360><c> urban</c><00:27:12.640><c> heat</c><00:27:12.840

Bills: HCR206

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committees met on several concurrent resolutions focused on energy, agriculture, water, and food security. Testimony on HCR 206 HD1 concerned the Hawaii State Energy Office and data centers, with comments submitted by the PUC, the Energy Office, and others; the measure was recommended for passage without amendment, though one committee deferred formal action until a later meeting because of quorum issues. HCR 31, recognizing 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, received strong support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, which emphasized managed grazing, groundwater infiltration, and food production; it was recommended and adopted as passed unamended. HCR 33, on the Pua Kōloa sewage project, was amended to add UH Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, monitoring, and technical assistance, then recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also heard and advanced a series of resolutions on environmental and land-use issues. HCR 36 establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, HCR 19 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 162 creating an arts and data mapping task force, HCR 61 on reforestation investment, HCR 106 endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and HCR 178 urging a Maui water set-aside were all recommended for passage as is and adopted. HCR 14, authorizing a perpetual non-exclusive easement for drainage purposes, was recommended for passage with technical, non-substantive amendments. HCR 179, addressing the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, was amended to create a working group with legislative, Aha Moku, DLNR, and OHA representation to report back for the 2027 session, and was recommended for passage with amendments. In the agriculture and environment hearing, HCR 117 on statewide food security drew testimony from a high school student and others stressing Hawaii’s vulnerability to supply disruptions and the need for local food resilience; it was passed as is. HCR 103, supporting expanded tree canopy and shade trees to reduce urban heat islands, also passed as is after a member noted storm damage concerns and suggested careful plant selection. HCR 180, urging the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to explore co-locating renewable energy projects with agricultural reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure, received strong support from Molokai Clean Energy Hui and others describing the Kalaupapa Reservoir floating solar project and its community planning process; it was passed as is. HCR 144 HD2, calling for a comprehensive statewide food security strategy, was also recommended and adopted without amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• support the Coexisting with Wildlife Initiative at the Department of Fish and Wildlife to proactively mitigate
• support the coexisting with Wildlife Initiative at the Department of Fish and Wildlife to proactively mitigate
• The CPUC has established the goal of having statewide service for full-time 24/7 211 in disasters, and
• is full coverage in our region and expand rural access to health and social services and reliable disaster
• allocation for statewide 211 services to ensure that California continues to have access to critical disaster

Transcript Highlights:

• the provisions of that bill that impact CDSS programs directly in whatever ways we possibly can to mitigate
• provisions of that bill that impacts CDSS programs directly in whatever ways we possibly can to mitigate
• Fourth, we need to improve support for providers who are working in areas facing emergencies or disasters
• I'm personally liable for $36,000 a month in rent and my COVID emergency disaster loans.
• But one thing that has proven to be even more important right now is natural disasters and supports for

Summary: The California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its first hearing to examine the state of child care access, affordability, and provider compensation. Chair Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and other members described child care as essential infrastructure for working families and the economy, noting that costs are unaffordable for many households and that providers are underpaid. Early testimony came from a San Francisco parent, Quinn Chung, who described the difficulty of finding safe care and the financial and career sacrifices caused by lack of child care, and from Tuolumne County provider Anita Viscini, who detailed her monthly costs, low margins, and the need to work weekends and teach CPR classes to make ends meet. Assemblymembers also emphasized the crisis in rural communities and the need for a long-term strategy. The first policy panel featured Jennifer Troia of the California Department of Social Services, Laura Pryor of the California Budget and Policy Center, and Alexa Frankenberg of Child Care Providers United. Troia said the state has nearly doubled child care funding in five years, expanded subsidy slots, and reached a new tentative three-year agreement with providers that includes cost-of-living adjustments, stabilization payments, and continued work on an alternative rate methodology and single rate structure. Pryor argued that despite funding gains, child care remains too expensive, only a fraction of eligible children receive subsidies, and provider wages remain far below comparable jobs, worsening racial and gender inequities. Frankenberg said the tentative agreement is progress but not enough, calling for a true cost-of-care system, fair wages, paid time off, better support for emergency and nontraditional care, and stronger integration of family child care into the mixed-delivery system. Members asked about why the crisis persists, how the alternative methodology will work, how family fees and sliding-scale help are being used, and why middle-income families still struggle. The panel said the problem reflects long-term underinvestment, a broken market, and a system that still leaves many families without access. The committee also heard an economic panel from Ashley Hoffman of the California Chamber of Commerce and Sarah Bone of the Public Policy Institute of California. Hoffman described employer child care benefits and public-private partnership models in other states, including shared-cost programs and local chamber efforts. Bone said child care costs reduce family financial security and labor force participation, especially for mothers of young children, and estimated that if mothers of young children worked at the same rate as mothers of older children, more than 80,000 additional women could be in the workforce each year. In the final panel, parent and provider advocates, including Jennifer Greppie and Black Californians United for Early Care and Education co-founder Keisha Doyle, argued for fully funding child care, ending waiting lists, protecting culturally affirming care, and addressing racial inequities and private equity’s role in the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• the provisions of that bill that impact CDSS programs directly in whatever ways we possibly can to mitigate
• provisions of that bill that impacts CDSS programs directly in whatever ways we possibly can to mitigate
• Fourth, we need to improve support for providers who are working in areas facing emergencies or disasters
• I'm personally liable for $36,000 a month in rent and my COVID emergency disaster loans.
• But one thing that has proven to be even more of importance right now is there for natural disasters

Summary: The hearing focused on California child care costs, access, and provider pay, opening with remarks from committee co-chairs and members describing child care as essential infrastructure for working families and the state economy. Early testimony from a parent and a rural family child care provider illustrated the personal and financial strain of limited care options, long waitlists, and low reimbursement rates. The provider detailed monthly expenses and income, explaining that even with a full roster of subsidized children, her margins are extremely thin and she relies on weekend work and training jobs to cover gaps. State and policy witnesses described recent progress, including a major increase in child care funding, growth in the number of subsidized slots, reforms to family fees, and a new tentative three-year agreement with Child Care Providers United that includes cost-of-living adjustments, stabilization payments, and continued work on an alternative rate methodology. The Department of Social Services also discussed efforts to unify reimbursement structures and improve CalWORKs child care coordination, while noting that federal cuts to safety-net programs could indirectly worsen child care stability and state budget pressures. Legislative members asked about the slow pace of slot expansion, the middle-income “cliff,” regional variation in costs, and how the alternative methodology will be implemented and include providers. Researchers from the California Budget and Policy Center and PPIC emphasized that child care remains unaffordable for many families, that only a fraction of eligible children receive subsidies, and that low wages continue to drive workforce shortages. PPIC highlighted the labor-force impact, estimating that tens of thousands more mothers could work if child care access improved, while the Budget Center stressed persistent racial and gender inequities in both access and pay. An employer-focused witness from the California Chamber of Commerce described survey results showing that child care benefits can improve retention, and outlined public-private partnership models from other states and local chambers. The final panel, including Parent Voices and Black Californians United for Early Care and Education, called for fully funding the system, confronting private equity involvement, and addressing racial inequities and culturally affirming care. No formal votes were taken; the hearing ended with commitments to continue work on rate reform, slot expansion, and broader child care investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also in this same paragraph, you're talking about coordinated disaster response planning.
• How do you see those disaster planning meetings going? What does that look like to you?
• Line 9-11 states reasonable visual mitigation measures.
• Reasonable visual mitigation measures—what does that mean, and how is visual mitigation related to structural

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 750 by Rep. Cox, the “Click to Cancel Act,” regulating automatic renewal contracts. After adopting technical and substantive amendments, members discussed easier cancellation methods, reduced notice requirements, shorter record-retention periods, a 30-day cure period, small-business exemptions, and limiting damages to actual damages. The bill drew support from consumer advocates and opposition cards from industry groups, and it was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 259 by Rep. DeWitt addressed damage to underground infrastructure during BEAD-funded broadband excavation projects, requiring notice before digging and making contractors repair or pay for damage before final payment is released. An amendment added pre-construction coordination, a point of contact, and fault-based liability language. Members discussed rural utility damage, broadband buildout, and the need to protect small water systems; the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 220 by Rep. Schlegel, which requires covered platforms to maintain an easy-to-use reporting mechanism for child sexual abuse material and exploitation. After technical and clarifying amendments, the sponsor and members discussed scope, nonprofit and small-business exclusions, AG enforcement discretion, and concerns about clear-and-conspicuous placement. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Next, HB 830 by Rep. Wright required proxy advisors to disclose when anti-management recommendations are not based on written financial analysis and to provide that analysis when it exists. After amendments excluding certain affiliates and 501(c)(3) charities, the sponsor and a witness argued the bill was about transparency and fiduciary duty, while LASERS testified in opposition, saying the measure could make proxy advice unavailable and create a hardship for its internally managed portfolio. The bill was nonetheless reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced HB 463 by Rep. McMakin, which raises the maximum local 9-1-1 service charge from $1.25 to $2.00, with an amendment requiring annual reporting and local governing authority approval; testimony explained the funding need for Next Generation 9-1-1, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee began HB 536 by Rep. Coates on wireless communication facilities near schools. After adopting technical and then lengthy substantive amendments narrowing the school proximity zone, adjusting setbacks, adding co-location and permit timing provisions, and clarifying uniform application, members raised concerns about whether the bill duplicated existing safety standards, could delay deployment, and whether it would apply only to new towers. The sponsor and a parent witness emphasized school safety and emergency planning, but discussion remained ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• State-level mitigation strategies may be necessary to stabilize providers and protect families while
• You can certainly appreciate what the natural disasters, the fires, and the ICE invasion on our county
• State level mitigation strategies may be necessary. isolated incidents elsewhere, state-level mitigation
• You can certainly appreciate what the natural disasters, the fires, the ice invasion on our county have

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on the Trump administration’s freeze of federal child care and social services funding and its potential impact on California. The chair opened by emphasizing that child care is economic infrastructure and warning that the freeze could destabilize California’s $10 billion child care system. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Social Services explained that California child care programs rely on roughly $1.4 billion in federal CCDF and TANF funds, which are blended with state dollars and support hundreds of thousands of children and families. CDSS said the state and four other Democratic-led states quickly sued, obtaining a temporary restraining order that has kept the funds flowing for now. Witnesses including Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, child care provider Amisha Griffin, and parent advocate Mara Linda Bustamante described the practical consequences of a funding interruption: providers could lose reimbursement, close centers, cut enrollment, or lay off staff; parents could lose child care, jobs, or school opportunities; and counties could not backfill the lost federal dollars. Several speakers stressed that child care centers also provide wraparound supports such as nutrition, developmental screening, and referrals, especially in rural and low-income communities. Mitchell and others argued that the freeze would worsen child care deserts and disproportionately harm women, single parents, and communities of color. Members repeatedly challenged the federal rationale of “waste, fraud, and abuse,” asking for oversight details. CDSS said providers face extensive audits, fraud policies, monitoring, and recoupment procedures, and that identified fraud amounts to about $7 million over two years compared with roughly $6.5 billion in annual child care spending. Several members said the fraud rate is under 1 percent and criticized the freeze as politically motivated and illegal. They also discussed the need for a state “bridge plan” to protect families if federal funds remain disrupted, and some members referenced prior legislation to modernize CalWORKs and child care eligibility. During public comment, parents, providers, county representatives, and advocacy groups echoed the same concerns, citing waiting lists, workforce losses, and the risk of families falling back into homelessness or poverty. No formal vote was taken; the hearing concluded with broad bipartisan expressions of support for child care funding and a commitment to continue working on state protections and federal advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• State-level mitigation strategies may be necessary to stabilize providers and protect families while
• You can certainly appreciate what the natural disasters, the fires, and the ICE invasion on our county
• State level mitigation strategies may be necessary. isolated incidents elsewhere, state-level mitigation
• You can certainly appreciate what the natural disasters, the fires, the ice invasion on our county have

Transcript Highlights:

• The feds have their disaster unemployment. We are going to be hit by disasters. We have seen them.
• relief and disaster rebuild.
• relief and disaster rebuild.
• Each one has a unique role in this disaster.
• We learned from our last disaster.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.