Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Ashley Leach, um, State Board of Finance here on behalf of Secretary Pro.
• So SB 48 established the Community Benefit Fund and it'll be administered by DFA, Department of Finance
• the support and sustainable transportation through EV infrastructure, and EV purchases, electric vehicle
• the cost of upgrading from diesel fueled vehicles to electric school buses, and that expenditure is
• It, I mean, this involves, let's say, Finance Committee, the SFA, the SCOC, all three of those.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Another patient traveled across the state to Yakima with no reliable vehicle, no family support, and
• purchases and fund vehicle replacement.
• These payments vary by vehicle type based on a state price quote and the type of vehicle's lifespan.
• vehicle levies, grant funding, or other sources.
• The adjustment must reduce the quote for that category of vehicle by the amount of the grant or rebate

Bills: HB2747

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:33.519><c> to</c> public policy that we allow vehicles to public policy that we allow vehicles
• Um and that turns out on your vehicle.
• Would I be required to get that on both my vehicles or just my primary vehicle?
• Would I be required to get that on both my vehicles or just my primary vehicle?
• </c> and other uh passengers within vehicles and other uh passengers within vehicles deaths<00:41:44.319

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vehicle dealers, Representative Blanton. vehicle dealers, Representative Blanton.
• </c> vehicles doing 70 mph. vehicles doing 70 mph.
• </c><00:18:16.280><c> It</c> front and the rear of the vehicle.
• It front and the rear of the vehicle.
• </c><00:25:23.960><c> Gentleman</c> vehicle. Representative Kline. Gentleman vehicle.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here with the Department of Finance.
• Jennifer Louis with the Department of Finance.
• Nate Williams, Department of Finance.
• Teresa Calvert, Department of Finance.
• Shalina Norali with the Department of Finance.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, that is what vehicle in the state?
• <00:42:01.360><c> Registry</c> Vehicle Registry Vehicle Registry and<00:42:02.760><c> driver's</c><00
• campaign finance rules already followed<01:12:33.000><c> by</c><01:12:33.160><c> those.
• But if we did, would it current finance.
• </c> governed by local campaign finance governed by local campaign finance rules,<01:38:32.240><c> too

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• "Solar-charged batteries, electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, and other customer devices are networked
• , enabling software... ...including energy efficiency, solar, wind, energy storage, electric vehicles
• Kai Klausen, on behalf of the Electric Vehicle Charging Association, similarly to Tesla, we have voiced
• to remain reliable during emergencies and natural disasters, as we will have more electric vehicles
• The San Diego Housing Commission develops, finances, and oversees affordable housing across San Diego

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 674, Connolly, vehicle incentives: hold in committee.
• AB 620, Jackson, rental vehicles: do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 620, Jackson, rental vehicles: do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 1022, Caller, vehicle removal: holding committee.
• AB 1022, Caller, vehicle removal: holding committee.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held its May 23, 2025 suspense hearing and opened by emphasizing the difficult budget environment, rising costs for constituents, and the need to make tough choices. The chair said many bills would be held, amended to reduce costs, or made two-year bills because the state could not afford broad program expansions this year. The committee also noted the agenda was organized alphabetically by author and that results would be posted later that day. The committee then acted on a large suspense file, taking up hundreds of Assembly bills across topics including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, climate, water, transportation, elections, and technology. Many bills were held in committee, while many others were approved with cost-saving, clarifying, or author’s amendments. Examples included measures on CalABLE, Covered California enrollment, wildfire and insurance issues, reproductive health, school and college programs, prison and juvenile justice matters, AI and data privacy, and local government and utility regulation. Several bills were converted to two-year bills to continue discussion. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly voted on bills by A roll call or B roll call, often with Republicans not voting on amended measures. Some bills were advanced with notable amendments, such as narrowing scope, removing appropriations, delaying implementation, or striking costly provisions. The committee also approved a number of committee bills and omnibus measures, including emergency management, judiciary, insurance, and water-related bills. At the end of the hearing, the chair stated that the committee had moved 435 bills to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass as amended, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our vehicle miles traveled has been increasing, but I did want to point out that our vehicle miles
• </c><01:25:37.199><c> are</c><01:25:37.840><c> our</c> Vehicles so light duty vehicles are our Vehicles
• </c> what's called our vehicle miles traveled what's called our vehicle miles traveled so<01:25:51.320
• </c> considers things like electric vehicles considers things like electric vehicles but<01:26:03.320
• </c><01:51:44.679><c> or</c> the bus or to get an electric vehicle or the bus or to get an electric vehicle

Transcript Highlights:

• If we decide to go forward with this amendment, it's going to go to finance, and finance might say, no
• </c><00:36:54.119><c> and</c> amendment is going to go to finance and amendment is going to go to finance
• to go to house finance and house finance<00:47:14.960><c> will</c><00:47:15.960><c> probably</c><00:
• The vehicle gets towed to a shop.
• </c><02:15:01.760><c> and</c> determine a totaling of a vehicle and determine a totaling of a vehicle

Summary: The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process. Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund. Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you flip over to page 10, we've separated it by means of finance.
• And if you flip over to page 10, we've separated it by means of finance.
• So this first slide looks at means of finance substitutions that we made.
• Most of the increases are due to the means of finance substitutions we mentioned earlier.
• As we go through finance hearings and everything, let's quantify that.

Summary: The committee first took up the fiscal status statement, certification of the state surplus, and the five-year baseline budget. Officials from the Office of Planning and Budget and the Division of Administration said the January fiscal status statement had no changes, and the commissioner certified a surplus of $577,073,871. They also reviewed the baseline outlook, noting projected imbalances in later years driven by declining revenue, including the redirection of motor vehicle sales tax, and rising costs such as inflation and Medicaid-related expenses. The fiscal status statement was approved without objection. The governor’s executive budget was then presented as a third consecutive standstill budget, with administration officials emphasizing efficiency savings, no reduction in services, and no reduction in state workforce. They said the budget relies on prior savings efforts and incorporates agency-level cuts and reorganization, while also addressing higher costs in corrections, DCFS, and health care. Major items highlighted included funding for LA GATOR, the high-impact jobs program, DCFS modernization, corrections population and overtime needs, nursing home and managed care adjustments at LDH, and additional support for the MJ Foster Scholarship Program. Members asked about the impact of inflation, the use of federal versus state funds, the future of voucher and GATOR funding, and whether more support should go to DCFS and the Hero Fund. The committee also received the calculation of the FY27 expenditure limit, set at $20.1 billion, and the annual comprehensive financial report for FY2025, which received a clean audit opinion. Members approved a BA-7 increasing federal funds for an executive office transportation grant, approved additions to the Act 751 higher education deferred maintenance project list and a Baton Rouge Community College project combination, and approved contract amendments for CPRA with Coastal Estuary Services and Access Sciences. The committee also corrected a legislative intent item naming the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation. Finally, the judiciary presented a weighted caseload study for district and appellate courts, explaining it as an updated tool to assess judicial workload and potential judgeship needs; members discussed its limits, the role of specialty courts and commissioners, and the need for further legislative-judicial collaboration before any changes are made.

Transcript Highlights:

• religious institutions chair table services; SB 1547, alternative fuel tax; SB 1549, ultraviolet vehicles
• SB 1617, campaign finance penalties suspensions terminations; SB 1619, municipal zoning maximum density
• SB 1626, slow vehicles in the left lane.
• SB 1626, slow vehicles in the left lane, violation.
• Finance Committee will meet at 9 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do y'all buy your vehicles through like a buy board or something like that?
• The fund is intended to finance projects that create new water supply.
• Agency vehicles, we have ten agency vehicles that have outlasted or exceeded. mileage thresholds, so
• that $442,000 would be for replacement of those vehicles.
• From the department, non-law enforcement capital transportation vehicles on page four.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• Mary Ellen Shea, California Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, in support.
• Mary Ellen Shea, California Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, in support.
• And we know that low-income Californians want electric vehicles.
• And I would love to see more working families have access to those electric vehicles.
• They may be able to receive financing for their projects or financing for their factories, but there's

Summary: The committee heard a long housing agenda with several bills presented before quorum was established. AB 1725, as amended, would require disclosure of nearby oil wells and methane monitoring issues in a specific district; the author and community witnesses described serious health and safety risks in Vista Hermosa Heights, while the California Apartment Association, California Building Industry Association, and California Chamber of Commerce opposed, arguing the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead fix abandoned wells directly. AB 2110, a local finance tool to create tax increment districts for workforce housing for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, drew no witnesses in support or opposition and was presented as a way to help workers live closer to jobs. AB 1732 would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects; UC and several housing and labor groups supported it, while housing advocates raised concerns about amendments affecting existing 100% affordable housing exemptions. AB 1771, amended into a study bill, would direct HCD to report on the long-standing resident manager requirement for apartment buildings with 16 or more units; the rental housing industry supported studying the issue, while the chair emphasized the need to consider tenant protections and the impact on current resident managers before changing the law. The committee also heard AB 2185, which would direct state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better support factory-built housing; it drew broad support from housing, labor, technology, and local government groups, with no opposition. AB 2748 would delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing developments, keeping the prior 40% standard through 2035; supporters said the higher standard would add significant costs and threaten project feasibility, while clean air and transportation advocates argued the code changes are modest, important for equity, and should not be rolled back. Members split along those lines, with some emphasizing housing production and others urging more public subsidy for EV infrastructure rather than delaying the code. SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot, received extensive support from housing organizations, local governments, labor, and business groups, but Habitat for Humanity and the Los Angeles mayor’s office asked for specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing; the bill was ultimately moved to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, with members noting ongoing negotiations over funding priorities. Finally, AB 1740 would create an urban multimodal community designation for Santa Monica, allowing local approval of certain low-impact coastal-zone activities—such as some housing, bike and bus lanes, outdoor dining, and building changes—without Coastal Commission review. The author and Santa Monica officials said the bill would reduce delays and uncertainty for infill housing and local economic recovery while preserving protections for sensitive coastal resources; supporters included housing, business, and city groups. The Coastal Commission and environmental organizations opposed, saying the bill would carve out broad exemptions, weaken public access and appeal rights, and bypass the local coastal program process that Santa Monica has not completed. Committee members debated the Commission’s role, with some criticizing it for opposing legislation and others arguing the bill was a common-sense way to modernize coastal permitting. A motion and second were made on AB 1740, and the bill was left pending with the committee’s action to be taken when appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the House Finance Division II recommended changes to House Bill 1 and 2.
• The next document is the House Finance Division II agency House Bill 2 draft requests.
• </c> the top of your piles the house finance the top of your piles the house finance recommended<00:12
• Oh, right, sorry, I forgot we have the full finance committee session, Mr.
• </c> 48 okay I will um declare the finance 48 okay I will um declare the finance division<01:50:23.440

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on organizing the committee’s remaining budget work and reviewing a set of recommended changes to House Bills 1 and 2. Mr. Landrian explained the committee’s tracking sheets and draft amendment package, noted that the division was being asked to find roughly $200 million in reductions, and said the governor’s lottery proposal in House Bill 2 could help offset part of that target. Members also discussed how revenue estimates tied to fee changes would be handled, with the chair saying the committee could seek Ways and Means input but would ultimately decide the estimates itself. The committee then considered four mostly technical amendments to House Bill 2. It voted unanimously to delete Section 81, which duplicated CCSNH dual and concurrent enrollment language already moving in House Bill 192; to delete Sections 143 and 144, which duplicated police standards and training extra-duty language already in House Bill 778; to adopt a correction to Section 151 that removed an inadvertently repeated sentence; and to delete Section 178 because the same Lottery Commission language already appears in House Bill 1. The committee also agreed to approve Section 4 of House Bill 1, the Lottery Commission boilerplate language, while deferring action on Section 2 of House Bill 1 until the university and community college budget is settled. A substantial portion of the meeting was spent planning upcoming work sessions and discussing possible revenue measures. The committee planned to invite Fish and Game on Monday to review a large set of follow-up materials and to discuss a possible amendment requiring hunters and trappers to pay the license fee before taking free training classes, with a second chance to retake the class if needed. Members also discussed possible fee adjustments for Safety and Fish and Game, including using dedicated-fund fees to reduce reliance on general funds and help stabilize the Highway Fund and Fish and Game Fund. The chair emphasized that all actions were recommendations until the committee’s final deadline and encouraged members to review draft language carefully before voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• [music] >> Ladies and gentlemen, the Senate Finance Committee will please come to order.
• And uh, we had discussion in Finance and on the floor with this bill.
• This is the vehicle bill then, we think, for the GO bond, Senator Pappas.
• Is this the No, it's the vehicle. time. Is this the No, it's the vehicle.
• Arnison, welcome to the Senate Finance<00:32:42.440><c> Committee.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 655, relating to Motor Vehicles.
• </c> agenda HB 655 relating to Motor Vehicles agenda HB 655 relating to Motor Vehicles this<00:05:19.080
• </c><00:05:23.080><c> taxes</c> of certain unpaid motor vehicle taxes of certain unpaid motor vehicle
• </c><00:05:53.120><c> and</c> relating to abandoned vehicles and relating to abandoned vehicles and helping
• </c> it it doesn't only impact older vehicles it it doesn't only impact older vehicles we<00:09:45.079

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We could have bought them a brand new vehicle.
• And if you want an electric vehicle, buy them a brand new electric vehicle.
• Conductors, solar batteries, and zero-emission vehicles.
• The addition to the vehicle license fee of the same amount would be deductible from federal taxes.
• And the largest, most obvious first example for us was the purchase of vehicles, which is obviously a

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee heard several tax and revenue measures. SB 1277, by Senator Grove, proposed a California Cost of Living Tax Credit modeled on the 2022 middle-class tax refund to provide direct relief to low- and middle-income Californians facing high housing, gas, energy, and general living costs. Supporters said it would help working families, farmworkers, teachers, and others; opponents, including the California Tax Reform Association and the California Teachers Association, argued California already has a progressive tax system, that refundable credits are costly and can be difficult to administer, and that the bill would reduce General Fund revenues and Proposition 98 funding. The bill was held on call after extensive debate and no motion was made at that time. The committee then heard SB 1287, which would create a targeted tax credit to encourage private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure. The author and rail industry witnesses said the credit would support safety, bridge and track upgrades, emissions reductions, freight efficiency, and rural and agricultural supply chains, while opponents argued a direct grant program would be preferable to a tax credit. The bill was accepted with committee amendments and placed on call after a motion to move it forward. SB 1407 would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits from state income tax, with the author, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and veterans’ groups arguing it would help retain veterans in California, support second careers, and keep federal retirement dollars in the state. The California Teachers Association and California Tax Reform Association opposed it as another tax expenditure that would reduce General Fund revenue. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, with several members voting aye and others not voting, and the bill was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1349, which directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major tax expenditures and evaluate their costs, beneficiaries, and effectiveness. Supporters, including CTA, AFSCME, cities, counties, and many teachers, said the state needs more accountability for roughly $94 billion in annual tax expenditures and their impact on schools and the budget. The bill was moved with committee amendments and placed on call. Additional measures discussed included SB 1078, authorizing Santa Cruz County to seek voter approval for a temporary local sales tax increase to fund health care and safety-net services; SB 1120, extending the California Competes Tax Credit through 2035 and making it refundable for certain strategic industries; and SB 1275, which would convert the state sales tax on vehicle purchases into a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden. SB 1120 and SB 1275 both received support from business and industry witnesses, with no opposition testimony noted, and were moved on call or with a due pass as amended vote as the committee continued through the file.

Transcript Highlights:

• when the vehicle is speeding, and can Equipment to notify operators when another vehicle is detected,
• They drive some zero-emission vehicles, but our snow and ice operation typically deals with diesel vehicles
• We're not the ones making the vehicles, so we rely heavily on where those vehicles are being made.
• We're not the ones making the vehicles, so we rely heavily on where those vehicles are being made, and
• be zero-emission vehicles.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> notified the secretary of the finance notified the secretary of the finance administration<00:02
• The school to finance new projects.
• Um and financially the financing term.
• Secretary of the Cabinet of Finance.
• </c> PR5683 for the Department of Vehicle PR5683 for the Department of Vehicle Regulation<00:20:24.400

Summary: The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University. The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity. Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.