Transcript Highlights:

• This bill aims to add health insurance rate reviews and an affordability focus.
• We're in the process of reviewing the amendments that the Senator just outlined.
• I don't have that designation right now.
• Yeah, I mean, that would be a part of the rate review process.
• Care Court was designed to intervene before someone becomes gravely disabled.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• So ready to go out for public review.
• </c><00:07:34.960><c> project</c> council spend ample time review project council spend ample time review
• </c> accomplishment plans will be reviewed accomplishment plans will be reviewed and<00:15:44.240><c>
• </c> management plan and through the design management plan and through the design process<00:30:09.840
• </c><00:31:59.919><c> and</c> the time for them to have a design and the time for them to have a design

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will review the Administration's Spending Plan for Extreme Heat Mitigation and Outdoor Access
• going to design the delivery differently, and we're going to design recycling differently as it goes
• CalRecycle may establish, review, or adjust performance by March 1, 2032. Sorry, 2032.
• These reforms were designed to increase revenues this year and into the future.
• Because the studies were used to inform design, and the design kept evolving as we were trying to work

Transcript Highlights:

• > do</c><00:01:28.720><c> the</c> I think one of the things that I learned during this prepayment review
• Background studies are required when mandated by federal law or when a provider is designated as moderate
• high risk that re provider is designated high risk that re that<00:10:06.800><c> revalidation</c><00
• Those accreditations required rigorous review of our clinical services, billing practices, governance
• of our clinical services, billing review of our clinical services, billing practices,<00:15:25.600><

Transcript Highlights:

• Local accountability and looking at the overall layered review.
• So, a layered review, in my opinion, is red tape, a lot of red tape, and a lot of different reviews,
• Safety design standards for office surgery suites.
• The amendment also provides for Local government planning and zoning review and county commission review
• That is state and regional reviews of the projects.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The tool we're using right now is not originally designed to indicate an initial security classification
• The tool we're using right now is not originally designed to indicate an initial security classification
• We're an extensive review just to make sure eyes are dotted, T's are crossed, because we recognize this
• So additional JR capacity funding in the governor’s proposed budget was $15 million for pre-design, design
• The staff-to-child ratio and group size designated for the youngest child in the mixed group must be

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1544, which would require DCYF to study and improve the risk assessment tool used in child abuse and neglect investigations, including better identifying family strengths and needs, substance use-related risk, and service needs, and to certify the tool every three years. Staff explained the bill and noted it had passed the committee unanimously in substitute form last year. The prime sponsor, Representative Rule, said the tool would help reduce bias and support better decisions about child safety. Members raised questions about whether the bill would require new data systems or create a fiscal impact, and DCYF testified that the recertification process would focus on evidence-based literature and fidelity to the tool, though the agency acknowledged limitations in its data system. Support testimony from Partners for Our Children and DCYF emphasized that the current tool is not evidence-based and that the department is piloting the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale. The hearing on HB 1544 was then closed. The committee then received a lengthy work session from DCYF on juvenile rehabilitation. Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redman and security classification administrator Jeff Endermark described a growing JR population that is older, serving more adult-sentence youth, and projected to rise to about 481 by 2031. They said Green Hill School remains crowded, Harbor Heights is being brought online as a short-term option, and Echo Glen is near safe operational capacity. They explained JR’s classification system, behavior management process, and the role of multidisciplinary teams in placement decisions, as well as the expansion of community transition services (CTS), which uses electronic home monitoring for eligible youth. Staff described CTS eligibility, supervision expectations, and examples of successful placements, but also said the program needs more after-hours staffing and community supports. Members questioned the validity and equity of the risk tools, the availability of community resources, the impact of behavior policies and escapes, the use of single bunking, and broader concerns about lawsuits and sexual abuse in the system. JR reported an escape rate increase from 1.78 per 100 youth in 2001 to 3.92 in 2025 and said additional capacity and staffing are still needed. The committee then heard House Bill 2219, which would allow child care centers more flexibility in mixed-age grouping during parts of the day and waive repeated DCYF pre-service orientation for people who have already completed it. The prime sponsor, Representative Ortiz-Self, said the bill is meant to ease burdens on small providers. Testifiers from SEIU 925, a family child care provider, the Washington Child Care Centers Association, a child care center director, and the Children’s Campaign Fund supported the bill as a practical way to improve staffing flexibility and reduce duplicative licensing requirements, though one association asked that the bill’s daily time caps on mixed-age grouping be revised or removed. The committee then heard House Bill 2253, an agency-request technical corrections bill for DCYF licensing. Staff said it would allow child-specific licenses for certain relatives under interstate placements, exempt kinship caregivers from blood-borne pathogen training, remove licensing exemptions for physicians and lawyers, allow termination of inactive licenses, revise crisis residential center staffing ratios, and eliminate state monitoring requirements for the Washington School for the Deaf residential program. Members asked about how inactivity would be defined and whether the School for the Deaf inspections had historically produced savings. DCYF said the bill would help right-size licensing workloads after budget cuts and would let the agency work with stakeholders to define inactivity in rule. Testimony from DCYF, Community Youth Services, and Partners for Our Children supported the bill, especially the staffing ratio fix for crisis residential centers and the child-specific licensing changes for relatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• on that. and a review on that.
• So, feel free to review that.
• And then, I wanted to review that.
• The design builder is a joint Investors.
• to be changes to the design.

Summary: The committee first approved the April 27 minutes and then received several informational reports, including University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s use of $200 million in Ever funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt issuances, UK’s planned use of construction manager-at-risk delivery on five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects under House Bill 6, and 14 UK lease improvements. Members were told the House Bill 6 item was also being discussed in the Information Technology Oversight Committee and could return later if needed. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request to approve a $600 million public-private partnership for central plants and utility infrastructure tied to the Chandler expansion. UK said it would shift $200 million from previously authorized restricted funds into the P3, leaving the project financed through private equity and nonprofit debt with no UK or Commonwealth debt. UK representatives said the project is necessary to support 24/7 hospital operations, expand and modernize utility systems, improve redundancy and efficiency, and reduce long-term operating risk. Members asked about the source of the availability payments, which UK said would come from UK Healthcare revenues, and the committee approved the P3 agreement unanimously. The committee also approved a UK lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine annex near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease costs $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports medical education expansion in the region, including growth from 120 to 160 students over four years. Members voiced support for the local impact, and the lease passed unanimously. Later, the committee approved a Transportation Cabinet aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport, funded by $1,153,000 in federal money and $950,000 from the Aviation Economic Development Fund, which is supported by a 6% jet fuel tax with a $1 million annual cap per company. Members asked about the fund balance, the cap, and airport revenue sources, and staff said the airport also receives entitlement and federal infrastructure funds and earns revenue from hangar rent and fuel sales. The committee then approved two Finance and Administration Cabinet pool projects: a roof and skylight replacement at the Libraries and Archives building and exterior repairs at several state buildings. Finally, the committee approved six Kentucky Infrastructure Authority action items after hearing about one loan increase for the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant and five grant reallocations tied to Cleaner Water Program and county allocation pool funds. Members asked why one project approved in 2024 was only now increasing, and KIA explained that design, water division review, environmental review, and bidding can take one to two years. KIA also reported additional no-action items, including a Brandenburg water grant split among two projects and 17 Kentucky Waters projects provided for information. The meeting ended with approval of the action items and no further action on the informational grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are Today, we are going to have the second of our outcomes review hearing.
• That outcomes review process can allow us to look back and then also kind of look forward to examine
• We can activate more sites near fire hazard zones where the buildings can be designed to be resilient
• All the contracts come to them for review and oversight.
• That is why discussions like today's review of AB 457 are so important.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• They're subject to internal review, the governor's review, and ultimately review by other commissioners
• It has come to light during these reviews, known as an en banc review, that there is a need to provide
• based on when the review was requested.
• We will review the amendments. We'll likely still be opposed, but we will review and consider.
• This result appears to be by design.

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing several bills on public safety, parole, criminal justice oversight, Proposition 36 implementation, behavioral health, gang database reform, cargo theft, and nonconsensual intimate images. The chair explained hearing procedures and noted that SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Several measures were heard but not voted on because quorum was lacking. SB 1446, a committee bill, would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make en banc votes public record, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluation of certain incarcerated people serving determinate or indeterminate terms. Support came from the California District Attorneys Association; opposition came from the Ella Baker Center, Uncommon Law, public defenders, and others who argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The author said the bill was intended to clarify review standards and improve transparency. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual/one-strike offenders from elderly parole eligibility. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office and California District Attorneys Association supported it, citing cases such as Gregory Vogelsang and David Funston; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and others argued elderly parole is already highly restrictive, evidence-based, and cost-effective. Vice Chair Seyarto strongly supported SB 1278, emphasizing victim justice and public safety. SB 1354 would bar out-of-state military personnel not operating under Title 10 from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission; a committee amendment removed a criminal penalty and left enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for Proposition 36 implementation, with committee amendments deleting a specific appropriation and shifting funding decisions to the budget process; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and administration, while opponents criticized the bill as fiscally reckless and duplicative. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer statewide standards for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, especially ABA services for children; supporters said it would improve patient safety and program integrity. SB 1210 would extend CalGang-style oversight, notice, appeal, and DOJ regulation to all gang databases, not just shared ones; supporters described harms from inaccurate, unregulated local databases, while police chiefs opposed applying the CalGang framework to all local investigative files. The committee also heard SB 1019, which would create a DOJ cargo theft task force and add reporting requirements; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, ports, and law enforcement said organized cargo theft is harming supply chains and worker safety, and no opposition was presented. Finally, SB 1217 would create a DOJ clearinghouse to help victims remove nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated deepfakes, from covered platforms; amendments narrowed the bill’s scope and clarified law enforcement’s role. The author and survivor witnesses described ongoing trauma from repeated reposting of exploitative images and argued the bill would provide a centralized removal process. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1217, with no final votes taken on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• measure should have to go through the legislative process and have a separate branch, the governor, review
• We really want to get the best constitutional design possible in terms of the ratification process of
• Chair, I did have another one, and I'm going through my, I was reviewing the bill language.
• The entities to be submitted to the Arizona Board of Regents for review and approval.
• This amendment is designed to allow the Board of Regents, This is designed to allow the Board of Regents

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

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2908, which would impose criminal penalties on faithless Arizona Article 5 constitutional convention delegates, require delegates to take an oath, and direct legislative and gubernatorial ratification of any approved amendment. The sponsor argued the bill adds guardrails to any future convention, while Common Cause Arizona opposed it, saying it would not meaningfully reduce the risk of a runaway convention and that any punishment scheme would be difficult to enforce. After discussion, the committee approved HB 2908 on a 5-2 vote for a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2608, a military transitional housing grant program with a $7 million General Fund appropriation in FY 2027 and changes to the military transitional housing fund. Testimony from Vets to Gov and the sponsor emphasized veteran-led management, new construction rather than motel/hotel use, and the need for housing support for transitioning service members. Several members raised concerns about similarities to prior versions and unresolved language changes, and the bill was ultimately laid on the table by vote. Next, the committee considered HB 2805, which creates a secure online portal for nomination petitions for local governing board candidates and sets related Secretary of State responsibilities. An amendment was adopted to require candidates to designate party alignment or lack thereof for portal purposes and to limit Secretary of State modification of the act. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would modernize petitioning and reflect the partisan reality of local races, while some members raised concerns about school board implications and nonpartisan races. HB 2805, as amended, passed the committee on a 5-2 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2775, which would bar state entities from using state assets or money to implement or enforce international organization rules, taxes, or policies, with an amendment adding restrictions on Arizona public universities’ foreign-funded agreements and creating Board of Regents oversight. Members and the sponsor discussed concerns about foreign adversary funding, especially from Chinese entities, and debated whether the oversight mechanism should be created by rule or statute. The committee decided to hold HB 2775 for further work on the language, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just reviewed one from a major city in Southern California yesterday.
• The company reviews it and provides the information. Okay.
• The misdemeanor is designed to avoid immigration consequences.
• And then second, we propose a judicial review process.
• So there is nothing in this bill that prevents performance review, regular performance review.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to local government, housing, public safety, and data privacy. SB 346 on short-term rental tax collection and enforcement drew the most discussion: the author and local government supporters said platforms should provide listing addresses so cities and counties can verify transient occupancy tax payments and enforce local ordinances, while Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking Holdings argued the bill bypassed existing administrative subpoena procedures and raised due process and privacy concerns. After committee amendments limiting requests and tying audits to platforms that collect the tax, the bill passed 7-0 to Judiciary. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, was presented as a privacy measure to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared with federal immigration authorities; supporters described raids and fear in immigrant communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. The committee also approved SB 499, which narrows when parks and recreational facilities can qualify for certain fee deferrals by requiring that they be designated in a local safety element or hazard mitigation plan for emergency purposes. Supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and disaster response hubs, while some members questioned the nexus between new development and upfront fee collection; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which modernizes the Mitigation Fee Act to ensure traffic impact fees reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, passed 8-0 to Appropriations with support from housing and transit advocates and no formal opposition beyond a few cities in respectful opposition. SB 515, which would improve how local governments collect and report demographic data by using more detailed ethnic categories, passed 7-0 to Appropriations with little debate. Earlier in the hearing, SB 276, presented on behalf of Senator Wiener, passed 9-0 to Public Safety; it would let San Francisco require permits for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks and add misdemeanor penalties for repeat violations, with supporters saying it targets fencing and organized theft while protecting legitimate vendors. The committee also took up other items and consent calendar bills, with multiple measures moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5244 modifies the circumstances under which school nurses and designated trained
• It removes the authorization for school nurses and designated trained school personnel to administer
• It also removes the requirement that when a school nurse or designated trained school personnel administers
• the ongoing review of approved teacher and principal preparation programs.
• Yes, this bill requires the Professional Educator Standards Board's ongoing review of approved teacher

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session to consider several Senate bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5242 concerning anaphylaxis medication in schools, staff described the underlying bill as expanding school authority to administer epinephrine and related protections, and a striking amendment by Representative Marshall was adopted after a technical correction to fix an albuterol reference. Members spoke in support of broader access to life-saving epinephrine in schools, and the bill was reported out with a do pass as amended recommendation by a 19-0 vote. The committee also advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5346 on student use of mobile devices in public schools. An amendment sponsored by Representative Santos was adopted to update terminology, adjust reporting timelines, and clarify that districts may limit possession and use of mobile devices during instructional hours while considering OSPI research and recommendations. Supporters said the bill balances local flexibility with guidance to reduce classroom disruption and bullying; it passed 17-1 and was reported out as amended. Substitute Senate Bill 5841, which strengthens high school and beyond plan requirements related to financial aid information, was amended to add College Bound Scholarship identification and more explicit review of financial aid application completion. Members supporting the bill said it would help students understand scholarship and grant opportunities and improve college-going rates, though one member noted the added burden on school counselors. The committee also passed Substitute Senate Bill 6268, requiring OSPI to keep a freely accessible 20-year online record of final special education complaint decisions, and Senate Bill 6278, which codifies ongoing review of teacher and principal preparation programs by the Professional Educator Standards Board. Both bills were reported out unanimously, and the committee adjourned after reminding members about amendment deadlines for future executive sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• that threshold, it wouldn't trigger a commission review, like a re-review.
• These rules were reviewed without objection by Joint Public Health and are ready for your review.
• Gilmore members any questions all right see none this is considered reviewed without objection it's reviewed
• There was some concern about subjectivity in review, and so we have asked, About subjectivity in review
• But that's considered a review.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• And so now we are breaking out the pre-construction phase, anything that's in planning and design.
• on the final design.
• But combined, we're about 38% through the program, and about 25% on the final design.
• We are progressing very well in the pre-construction design. Late April.
• All right, we're going to move to item number four to review and receive public comment...

Summary: The Senate Joint Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee received an update from DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet and Deputy Secretary Bo Black on the department’s transformation efforts. DOTD highlighted its new project delivery dashboard, key performance indicators, and litter abatement work, including nearly $15 million spent on litter pickup and a new highway sponsorship pilot. Members also received updates on LTIF 1.0 and 2.0, with officials reporting that most LTIF 1.0 work is complete and that LTIF 2.0 is progressing under budget. The committee also heard updates on the Office of Highway Construction’s bridge bundling program, the Calcasieu River Bridge project, and the Cameron Ferry boat replacement and privatization solicitation process. The committee reviewed the draft 2026-2027 highway priority program, which DOTD said includes $913 million for construction and about $1.2 billion across 302 projects. Members discussed the public roadshow comments, project acceleration, and corridor planning, including the I-12 corridor and the Calcasieu River Bridge environmental review and public meetings. No vote was taken on the highway priority program at this meeting. The statewide flood control program presented six recommended projects for fiscal year 2026-2027, including projects in Gretna, St. John, St. James, Mandeville, and two Lafourche-area projects, with officials saying the projects meet benefit-cost criteria and would reduce flood damage. The airport construction and development priority program was also reviewed, with 31 air carrier projects and 99 general aviation projects recommended. The rail program reported no new projects but said it expects a $13 million request and has 19 projects in the queue, while the port program presented three unfunded projects for future consideration. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research presented crash data focused on impaired driving. They said 2024 saw 753 traffic fatalities, with impaired driving accounting for about one-third of fatal crashes, and estimated the economic cost of impaired driving at roughly $700 million. Members discussed youth driving, marijuana and alcohol trends, ignition interlock, DWI courts, and enforcement challenges on waterways. The meeting concluded with no formal votes or final actions on the major program items presented.

Transcript Highlights:

• review.
• Um that's through the municipal review.
• </c> you you need to do for septic design. you you need to do for septic design.
• /c><00:31:19.600><c> you</c> some designs that say you some designs that say you can't<00:31:21.760><
• And this was clarifying language. board review. I think this was raised board review.

Summary: The subcommittee opened discussion on SP 170 and worked through the bill section by section, focusing first on housing discrimination language and then on land-use and development provisions. On the housing section, members discussed adding “school enrollment status” or a similar term as a protected class to prevent municipalities from steering students into specific zones, especially in Durham. Some members questioned whether “status” was too vague and suggested “enrollment status” or “school enrollment status” for clarity. Public testimony raised concerns that adding a new protected class could have broader implications beyond this bill and could affect municipal zoning authority, while supporters argued the language was needed to prevent discrimination against students in housing access. The committee then heard testimony on provisions limiting municipal authority over septic test pits and well-siting requirements. DEES officials and a builder testified that state standards are already protective of groundwater and surface water and that some local requirements are more stringent than the state’s, adding cost and delay to housing projects. Supporters said uniform state standards would make housing development faster and more predictable. Opponents warned that local rules can protect aquifers, wellhead areas, and drinking water in specific communities, and that removing municipal flexibility could weaken those protections. The subcommittee appeared comfortable keeping these sections, though members discussed whether to clarify the language and whether some local review authority should remain. The meeting also covered road-length limits, caps on the number of lots on dead-end roads, and subdivision design rules. Members generally supported prohibiting municipalities from using maximum road length or lot caps to block development, with one amendment suggested to allow such limits where adequate water and sewer capacity is lacking. The committee also discussed allowing utilities and infrastructure such as septic systems, wells, electric systems, drainage structures, and shared leach fields to be placed in subdivision open space or perimeter buffers when those areas are not protected wetlands or shoreland. Finally, the committee reviewed a provision requiring municipalities to stamp and accept plan changes within three days after initial review, with members explaining that the goal is to prevent repeated, incremental changes from dragging out the approval process. No final votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but members indicated general comfort with several sections as amended or clarified.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can review them, and I'm happy to go over calculations and follow up if folks have questions about
• These are the five projects that have been selected through a competitive process that we co-designed
• We co-designed a transportation electrification strategy that we delivered to you in February of 2024
• We then review those applications with the Electric Vehicle Coordination Council, DES leadership, and
• Most of the others are in active design and permitting, which is where you'd want them to be at this

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• But Benji's case was designated a low priority.
• The low-priority designation did cost Benji his life. We are not talking about accidents.
• Home without a required safety review.
• There's a timely review and that someone lays eyes on that baby.
• "After an in-depth report, the department must review the case within 12 hours.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes a judicial review if the property owner wants one.
• review and also clogging up local government with their limited resources.
• The bill merely requires the adoption of pre-approved designs.
• It'll be like a catalog, a catalog of designs, catalogs of designs that might include like Craftsman,
• So we need to have our special counsel review that just to confirm that's an issue.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda focused heavily on housing, local government, Brown Act teleconferencing, and public agency administration. Early bills included AB 39, which would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning for EV charging and building decarbonization; AB 76, which clarifies Chula Vista’s university innovation district housing requirements; AB 259, AB 409, and AB 467, which extend or modernize Brown Act teleconferencing provisions for local agencies, community college student bodies, and Los Angeles neighborhood councils; and AB 428, which would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance. Supporters emphasized climate planning, housing access, public participation, safety, and cost savings, while several bills were amended to address stakeholder concerns. Most of these measures advanced on bipartisan votes, generally 6-1 or 7-0, and were left open for additional members to add on later. The committee also heard AB 632, which would strengthen local enforcement tools for serious code violations, fire hazards, illegal cannabis operations, and unsafe housing by allowing unpaid administrative fines to be converted into money judgments and liens. Local government and code enforcement groups supported the bill as a way to improve compliance and reduce costly litigation. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element reporting and require broader reporting of demolitions and replacement housing compliance; supporters argued preservation is essential because many unsubsidized affordable homes are at risk. AB 761 would allow Monterey-Salinas Transit to place a future sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board, rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction, to preserve transit funding for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. These measures also moved forward, with the committee noting amendments and sending them to the next committees of referral. Another major item was AB 810, which would require special districts and joint powers authorities to migrate public-facing websites and email addresses to .gov or CA.gov domains by 2031. The author argued the change would reduce fraud and improve public trust, especially after emergency-related scams, while opponents from special districts and IT organizations said the transition would be costly and difficult for smaller agencies. Several school-related opponents withdrew after amendments, and committee members discussed possible aliases and tribal-government language. The bill passed 7-1 to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. Finally, AB 1206 proposed a pre-approved design catalog for single-family homes and small multifamily developments, modeled on a prior ADU bill, to speed rebuilding and reduce design costs; supporters from Habitat for Humanity and housing advocates said it would help both wildfire recovery and broader housing production, and the bill drew at least one opposed-unless-amended position as the committee moved into further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Portfolio Reinvestment Program was designed to decrease the risk...
• The local historic district must also have been designated prior to 2000.
• It doesn't change zoning, objective design standards, AB 2601 is a process bill.
• We know local governments value orderly review, and this bill honors that.
• Local agencies still review every map and every permit.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and operated briefly as a subcommittee while the chair outlined public comment procedures and the consent calendar. The first major item was AB 1751, a townhome/homeownership measure by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Wicks. The author accepted amendments to strike the bill’s wage provision and to limit unit size and project size, but declined other proposed amendments on downzoning, demolition protections, and site restrictions. Supporters, including the New California Coalition and California Conference of Carpenters, argued the bill would expand attainable homeownership and create more townhome sites; opponents and “opposed unless amended” witnesses raised concerns about renter protections, demolition/displacement, density impacts, and local control. Several labor groups and local government representatives were neutral or supportive of the amended bill, while the committee members discussed the tension between housing production and worker protections. The committee ultimately passed AB 1751 as amended to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote, with the bill held on call for absent members. The committee then heard AB 750, which expands HCD’s Portfolio Reinvestment Program to more at-risk affordable housing developments needing rehabilitation. The author and supporters from the California Housing Consortium and California Housing Partnership said the bill would help preserve deed-restricted housing facing expiring affordability restrictions and disrepair, especially when paired with anticipated bond funding. Members asked about the program’s prior funding and how it works to keep units affordable through rehabilitation rather than state takeover; the author emphasized the goal was preservation of existing affordable housing stock. AB 750 passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on a roll call vote and was held on call for absent senators. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Next, the committee heard AB 306, which would create a more workable statewide appeals and code-interpretation process at the California Building Standards Commission for local building code decisions. The author and supporters from AIA California and the Housing Action Coalition said the bill would reduce inconsistent interpretations across 540 jurisdictions, improve transparency, and support housing innovation while preserving local authority over local matters. Members discussed how the bill would interact with local amendments and alternative methods and means, and the committee moved the bill to the Senate Committee on Local Government on a roll call vote. AB 2612, directing HCD and the Building Standards Commission to develop standards for plug-in photovoltaic systems in new construction, also advanced to Appropriations after supportive testimony and brief questions about safety standards and stakeholder consultation. AB 1070, which orders a study on allowing 3- to 10-unit missing-middle housing under the Residential Code and requires a one-time report on code-related cost pressures, passed to Appropriations after building officials removed opposition. Later, AB 2181, a narrow bill concerning hotel and motel valuation and density bonus potential, passed to Local Government after testimony from Unite Here and others about protecting hospitality jobs and preventing speculative appraisals. Finally, AB 1237, clarifying safety rules for private in-unit pools in hotels and condominiums, passed to Health after the author described added safety measures such as pool covers, alarms, emergency devices, certified operators, and AEDs.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 650 is really designed to streamline and improve California's housing element review process, something
• This exaction was never disclosed to HCD during the housing element review.
• It is how you design a community, and when cities are designing communities, they're allowing certain
• ... ...you design a community, and when cities are designing communities, they're allowing certain widths
• Review Article 3 in its entirety.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long slate of bills, with the chair opening by outlining hearing rules, noting in-person testimony only, and identifying several bills for the consent calendar. The committee repeatedly operated without a quorum for much of the hearing, so several authors closed with requests for aye votes before formal action could be taken. AB 407 (Jackson) was heard first and would broaden eligibility in state loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades; it drew support from the Treasurer’s office and no opposition. AB 93 (Papan) would require state and local agencies to develop best practices and reporting around data center water use; supporters emphasized water scarcity and transparency, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it as overly restrictive and potentially burdensome. The League of California Cities and water agencies were generally supportive or neutral with amendments. The committee also heard several housing-related bills. AB 650 (Papan) would give cities earlier RHNA information and require HCD to provide clearer, more actionable housing element feedback; it received broad support from cities, planning groups, and housing advocates, with no opposition. AB 507 (Haney) would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns, and AB 1294 (Haney) would create a more standardized housing application process; both drew strong support from housing and business groups, while local government groups raised concerns about one-size-fits-all mandates and local discretion. AB 610 (Alvarez) would strengthen housing element transparency and limit new local housing constraints and fees after certification; supporters said it would improve certainty, while legal aid and city groups opposed it as too rigid and potentially harmful to inclusionary housing and local fee authority. AB 610 ultimately received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. Other measures included AB 1044 (Macedo), which would create a new groundwater sustainability agency structure for Tulare County to help the region comply with SGMA; it was backed by county and agricultural water representatives and had no opposition. AB 523 (Irwin) would allow proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board, with support from several water districts and no opposition. AB 1112 (Wallace) would repeal an outdated property tax carve-out affecting Rancho Mirage; the city supported it as restoring equity, and the committee called the roll after reaching quorum, then moved the bill do pass as amended to Appropriations by a 6-0 vote with the roll left open. Finally, AB 698 (Wicks) would require analysis of the housing, market-rate, and property tax impacts before a local transfer tax is adopted; supporters said it would inform local decision-making, while opponents, including a coalition tied to Los Angeles’ Measure ULA, argued it could undermine local revenue tools and housing funding. The committee discussed that the bill was forward-looking and not retroactive, and then moved it forward as amended.