Transcript Highlights:

• Resolution Number 86. >> Senate Resolution Number 86.
• Senate resolution number 85 prevails.
• A Senate Senate resolution number 86.
• Senators Murphy, Johnson, and Champion introduce Senate Resolution Number 87, a Senate resolution commemorating
• resolutions, I'mma call on Senator resolutions, I'mma call on Senator Murphy<00:33:29.760> to

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened under call, received a prayer and pledge, and then proceeded through routine business including roll call, quorum, and messages from the House. The chamber concurred in House amendments to Senate File 3210, a human rights bill concerning disability accommodations, and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 42-22. The Senate also received several House messages on conference committees and returned bills, including SF 4476, SF 4612, and SF 4760, and agreed to conference committees on House File 3426 (Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund appropriations) and House File 4252 (higher education student aid reporting). The Senate adopted committee reports and moved several bills through second reading and introduction stages. In motions and resolutions, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which governs Senate business during the interim between sessions; the sponsor explained that most changes were cleanup and modernization, with one substantive change allowing the Secretary of the Senate to appoint someone to fill a vacancy in an elected officer position for the remainder of the interim. The resolution passed 57-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 87, commemorating deceased senators Bruce Anderson, Carrie Dietick, Alice Johnson, Bob Kurlin, Don Samuelson, James Yuland, and Ray Vander, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then took up confirmations of three Minnesota Tax Court judges: Jane Bowman, Bradford Deopena, and Beverly Luther Quest. Supporters cited their combined public- and private-sector tax law experience, and the appointments were confirmed. Later, the chamber designated special orders and debated Senate File 3891, which would allow eggs to be donated up to 30 days past their quality assurance date to food shelves; supporters emphasized food insecurity, food waste reduction, and the bill’s support from food shelves and retailers. The bill passed 65-0. The Senate also considered House File 4240 on election administration, adopting an amendment that replaced House language with Senate language, including polling-place requirements for certain school district elections, a ban on candidates betting on their own elections, and an effective date for Three Rivers Park District reporting; the bill then passed 36-28. The chamber then began consideration of House File 4239, another elections-related bill, taking it from the table and offering an A5 amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, 10:00 a.m., and we are in 1200 Minnesota Senate Building.
• Article 2 of the Senate language. Article 2 of the Senate language.
• <00:09:22.200> changes Senate language makes technical changes Senate language makes technical
• Article 3 Senate language Section 1. Mr. Article 3 Senate language Section 1. Mr. Hudalla.
• <00:10:08.560> language move to adopt Article 3 Senate language move to adopt Article 3 Senate

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up H.F. 4188, the Commerce and Consumer Protection Policy Omnibus, and moved through a series of agreed-upon motions to adopt various House and Senate language articles and sections. The adopted provisions covered a wide range of topics, including residential mortgage loan servicing standards, student loan borrower protections, rental home marketplace guarantees, group coverage cancellation, limited lines travel insurance, insurance lead generators, collection agency and credit services organization definitions, proof of identification requirements, scrap metal copper licensing, technical changes to ASTM references and report filings, securities-related provisions, unclaimed property issues involving virtual currency and funeral prepayment funds, repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, reinsurance program changes, and health insurance reporting and oversight provisions. Most motions were adopted without opposition after brief staff explanations and member encouragements to vote yes. In the health-related sections, the committee adopted language requiring insurers and nonprofit health service plan corporations to notify the Commissioner of Commerce about significant enrollment increases, expanding access to all-payer claims data for oversight, and requiring the sharing of PBM annual transparency reports with the Commissioner of Health. The committee also adopted language on artificial intelligence in utilization review, initially defining AI and prohibiting exclusive reliance on AI for adverse coverage determinations. Representative Elkins then offered an amendment to remove the specific AI definition and replace it with broader language referring to automated processing, arguing that technology-neutral drafting is more durable and that a human must remain in the loop for coverage denials; the amendment was adopted. After the agreed-upon items were completed, members indicated the chairs would huddle to work on the remaining issues and return after recess. The meeting then recessed to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:07:23.040> Friends.<00:07:23.760> Yes. Senator Friends. Yes.
• Chair, uh representative uh Senator Chair, uh representative uh Senator Sieber.
• <00:09:25.000> Senator<00:09:25.280> French. Senator Duckworth. Yes.
• Senator French. Senator Duckworth. Yes. Senator French. Yes. Yes. Yes.
• Senator Franzen. Yes. Yes, please. Senator Franzen. Yes. Co-Chair<00:12:34.560> Kagel.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of conference amendments to House File 4188. The A24 amendment, described by nonpartisan staff as a technical change to data-sharing language, was modified on the floor to delete everything after the reference to section 295.52, then adopted. The A17 amendment, which adjusted effective dates in a previously enacted liquor bill so several provisions would take effect July 1 instead of August 1, was also adopted after staff noted it affected the happy hour provision and two other liquor-related sections involving coolers/nonalcoholic beverages and resorts. The A20 amendment, which changed notification language and directed penalties into a victim’s crime account, and the A22 amendment, a set of technical corrections requested by the Department of Commerce on reinsurance administration, were both adopted. The A23 amendment, adding residential mortgage originators and servicers into chapter 58, was likewise adopted. The committee then considered several Senate provisions. A motion to adopt Senate Article 4, sections 8 through 12, which would prohibit the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores with a grandfather for existing businesses, was debated and failed on a roll call because it did not receive enough House-side votes. A separate motion to adopt Senate Article 4, section 35, dealing with paddle wheel prizes and the maximum value of merchandise prizes for paddle tickets, also failed for lack of sufficient House-side support. Another Senate motion to adopt Article 4, sections 13 through 14, which would restrict minors’ access to chat bots and create Attorney General enforcement and a transition period, was discussed at length. Supporters framed it as a consumer protection measure, while Chair O'Driscoll raised concerns about enforceability and broader AI-related policy needs; the motion failed on a roll call. After the failed motions, the committee recessed to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Duckworth. Yes. Senator<00:01:46.960> Franzen.<00:01:47.480> Yes.
• Senator Franzen. Yes. Senator Franzen. Yes. Co-Chair<00:01:49.000> Keagle.
• Senator<00:03:42.840> O'Driscoll. Senator O'Driscoll. Senator O'Driscoll.
• <00:03:54.960> So, Senate I either. So, Senate I either.
• Senator Senator Senator Representative<00:09:46.600> Driscoll.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of amendments to the bill. Representative Keagle’s A21 amendment, which would have prohibited online sweepstakes games, raised the paddle wheel prize value, and added Hessian pepper as a social skill game, was discussed with support cited from a broad coalition of organizations, but it failed on a roll call vote. The A27 amendment, directing the Department of Commerce to perform a 62J evaluation of home care nursing services, was then adopted after members described it as a temporary step toward a longer-term solution for disability home care issues. Senator French’s A11 amendment, which raises the cap on deposits into the consumer protection restitution account and changes how those funds are distributed to eligible consumers, was also adopted. Representative O’Driscoll then offered the H.F. 4188 A22 amendment, described by counsel as incorporating language from House File 4333 on short-term and long-term home care insurance; members supported it as a way to expand private insurance options, and it was adopted. Finally, Representative Keagle moved Article 3, Section 11, a provision to reimburse clinical trainees providing mental health services at full rates, and that motion was adopted as well. Afterward, the committee authorized nonpartisan staff to make technical or necessary corrections to the bill, noted that the bill would not be wrapped up that day, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The quorum consists of three Senate members. No, four Senate members. Four Senate members.
• The way it's structured is that the Senate language, because this is a Senate file, the Senate language
• Senate. Senate.
• Senator<00:41:33.520> Kunesh. Senator Kunesh. Senator Kunesh.
• Senator<01:04:57.320> Dibble. Senator Dibble. Senator Dibble.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• This afternoon, we're joined by Senator Jackson, member_7056, and Senator Zellner, member_23623, as well
• as Senator Mattera, member_7107, and, as always, our Ranking Member, Senator Rhoads, member_7142.
• Next is Senate Bill 5623 by Senator Ryan, member_21252: an act to amend the labor law in relation to
• We have been joined by Senator Ryan, member_21252, Senator Scarcella-Spanton, member_7144, and Senator
• Senator Mayer, you're just in time for Senate Bill 7999 by Senator Mayer, member_6946: an act to amend

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor met for its ninth meeting of the 2026 session, chaired by Senator Jessica Ramos, with several members present including Senators Jackson, Zellner, Mattera, Rhoads, Ryan, Scarcella-Spanton, and Mayer. The committee considered five bills covering workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits for employees of certain educational institutions, creation of an Office of Special Investigation for work-related matters, establishment of a wage data clearinghouse, and a requirement that employers obtain written acknowledgements of sexual harassment prevention policies and programs in English and an employee’s primary language. Each bill was moved by committee members and approved without recorded opposition. Senate Bills 3948, 5623, 7999, and 9141 were reported to Finance, while Senate Bill 10057 was reported to the calendar. No testimony or substantive debate was included in the transcript beyond brief bill descriptions and motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution No.
• >> SENATE RESOLUTION NO.
• Secretary: Senate Resolution No.
• >> THANK YOU, SENATOR PERSAUD. Senator Webb on the resolution. Senator Webb: Thank you, Mr.
• President. >> Thank you, Senator Webb. Senator Cleare on the resolution. >> Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, approved the prior journal, and received several motions to discharge identical Assembly bills from committee and substitute corresponding Senate bills. Members also offered brief recognitions for visitors, including Yemeni American community advocates and Cheri Davis, who was honored for her Alzheimer’s advocacy and support work. The chamber then took up several previously adopted resolutions, including Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Period Poverty Awareness Week, and Nurses Week, with senators speaking in support of each measure’s purpose and importance. The body then moved through a long calendar of bills, passing a wide range of measures on education, public health, correction law, environmental conservation, municipal law, agriculture, and consumer protection. Notable floor discussion included Senator Ramos explaining her support for a bill requiring salons and similar businesses to display multilingual domestic violence resource information, and Senator Gianaris and Senator Borrello debating a bill to prohibit electronic shelf labeling in stores over concerns about surveillance, dynamic pricing, and impacts on brick-and-mortar retailers. Senator May and Senator Skoufis also spoke on an environmental conservation bill concerning American eel management, with May supporting the species protections and Skoufis objecting to the bill’s structure. Most bills were adopted by wide margins, though several drew recorded negative votes. The Senate passed the domestic violence information bill, the electronic shelf-labeling bill, and multiple other measures, including bills on eviction notice procedures, surrogate court procedure, and environmental conservation. After completing the calendar, the Senate reported no further business and adjourned until the next day at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have vote sheets from Senator Baskin, Senator Serrano, Senator Stavisky, Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick
• , and Senator Weik.
• Okay, for the record, we have Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is an AWR. Allow it, Senator Baskin.
• Senator Baskin is an AWR, along with Senator Serrano.
• Senator Stavisky and myself have an I, and we have a NAY from Senator Weik. Okay, thank you.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Women’s Issues Committee met on May 13 at 9:34 a.m. with a quorum present and several members voting by sheet. The committee first considered S-845, which would prohibit drug, cannabis, or alcohol testing and screening of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns without informed consent. Supporters emphasized that the bill is about requiring written or oral consent and addressing disproportionate impacts on Black and brown mothers. The bill was reported to the Committee on Alcoholism, with Senator Weik voting no and several members recorded as aye without recommendation or in favor. The committee then advanced several public health measures. S-2121, on education and outreach related to home visiting programs, and a bill directing the Department of Health to create an informational pamphlet about liposcopic power motion surgery technique both moved to first reading. S-3576A, establishing a statewide fibroid study program, was approved and referred to finance. S-8584, requiring two EBT cards for certain WIC households, and S-9084, creating a maternal health monitoring pilot program, were also approved and referred to finance, with Senator Weik recorded as without recommendation on both and one opposition noted on S-9084. The final bill, S-9733, would require maternal mortality review boards to share annual information with New York City and county health departments, including patterns, best practices, and data related to maternal mortality and morbidity. It was approved and referred to health, again with Senator Weik recorded as without recommendation. The meeting ended at 9:49 a.m., and the chair noted another Women’s Issues Committee meeting would be held the following week with bills and a guest speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm State Senator Kevin Parker, the Chairman of the Standing Committee, the Senate Committee on Energy
• I am joined by my colleagues here: Senator Mario Mattera, who is the raker on the committee; Senator
• Thomas O'Mara; Senator Christopher Ryan; Senator Rachel May; Senator Michelle Hinchey; and Senator Kristen
• Senator, we'll take the other question.
• Senator May, this bill will move to third reading.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, met to consider a series of energy, utility, housing, and labor-related bills. The committee discussed Senator Parker’s clean hydrogen bill authorizing NYSERDA to administer programs to fund clean hydrogen projects, with members debating how it would be financed through NYSERDA’s system benefit charge and RGGI funds and whether there should be a fiscal estimate. Despite concerns from some members about cost transparency and the use of ratepayer-supported funds, the bill advanced to the Finance Committee with three without-recommendation votes. The committee also advanced Senator Parker’s bill directing NYSERDA to study hydrogen feasibility, Senator Gonzalez’s Green Affordable Pre-Electrification Program bill, Senator Hinchey’s natural carbon sequestration research program bill, Senator Gineris’s bill increasing penalties for utility annual report failures, Senator Comrie’s EV charging fee transparency bill, and Senator Parker’s battery energy storage workforce and labor standards bill. Senator Comrie’s outage hotline bill moved to third reading, while Senator Parker’s renewable hydrogen center program bill advanced despite a technical objection that a deadline in the bill had already passed, and the battery storage bill was referred to the Labor Committee. Several bills drew specific concerns. On the outage hotline bill, members questioned whether small municipal electric and water systems should be exempted rather than required to petition for an exemption, and one member said they would not support the bill without a carve-out. On the annual report penalty bill, members asked about the lack of documentation for the penalty increase and whether municipal utilities would be affected; the sponsor explained the penalty was updated from a 1900-era statute to reflect inflation and that municipal utilities file with the PSC. On the EV charging transparency bill, a member suggested the bill should also require credit card payment options, not just prohibit mobile-device-only payment. On the battery storage labor bill, members asked whether remote operations would count as on-site work and whether out-of-state remote monitoring would be covered; the sponsor said that was the intent and would follow up with labor counsel on residency questions. The committee concluded by adjourning after moving the listed bills forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we've just got one agenda item, and that is a proposal, Senate File 4696, Senator Maye Quade.
• Senator Maye Quade, seeing no questions, Senator Limmer moves that the provisions of Senate Concurrent
• Resolution Number Six be suspended for all further proceedings on Senate File 4696 and that the previous
• Madam Chair, Senator Pappas, I just wanted to say I thought Senator Erin Maye Quade did an excellent
• Thank you, Senator Pappas. And I'll second Senator Limmer's motion. Any further questions?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction of Senate Resolution.
• Senate Resolution No. 124 by Senator Foyle is a resolution to express the sincere condolences of the
• Senate resolutions on second reading. Senate Resolution No. 116 by Senator Kleinpeter.
• Senate Resolution No. 116 by Senator Kleinpeter is a resolution to express the sincere condolences of
• Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 68 by Senator Fesi.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Brodeur, I understand that you have an offer for the House. Yes, sir, Mr.
• , on the back of the bill, and the implementing bill. ...have an offer from the Senate on the budget
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator Brodeur, for your offer.
• So, Senator Brodeur, do you have any other further comments? Nope. Is there any further comment?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Senator Fateh votes aye. >> Senator Senator Fateh votes aye.
• Senator<00:11:30.600> Kunesh. Senator Kunesh. Senator Kunesh.
• Senator Hoffman votes I. Senator Fateh votes I. Senator Latz votes I. Senator Muhammad votes I.
• Senator Fateh votes I. Senator Latz votes I. Senator Muhammad votes I. Senator Wicklund votes I.
• Senator Abeler votes I. Senator Coleman votes I. Senator Coleman votes aye. Senator Lasky votes no.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Rules Committee will come to order. The Senate Rules Committee will come to order.
• Good afternoon, members of the Senate.
• Oh, sorry, Senator. Good afternoon.
• Senator Lerner, Senator Grove. Thank you. Welcome.
• Thank you, Senator Laird. Thank you. Senator Laird.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid and Student Athletic commissions. The committee also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. It then heard testimony from Julia Montgomery, nominated as General Counsel to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her long career serving agricultural workers and said the ALRB’s mission is to protect workers’ rights, support fair bargaining, and ensure access to information and resources. Questions to Montgomery focused on card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to farmworkers, and enforcement of make-whole orders. Senator Grove raised concerns about workers being pressured or not knowing what they signed, while Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be filed and investigated, though the office does not independently verify signatures unless there is an allegation. Senator Reyes pressed on delays in collecting make-whole awards, including the Tri-Fanucchi case; Montgomery said appeals, bankruptcies, and employer closures often delay relief, but the agency seeks settlements and enforcement when possible. The committee voted 3-2 to advance Montgomery’s appointment to the full Senate. The committee then considered three State Board of Education nominees: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In their testimony, all three emphasized long careers in education, support for students and teachers, and the importance of early learning, community schools, professional development, and aligning instructional materials with standards. Members questioned them about math achievement, the 2023 mathematics framework and Algebra I access, the state’s low national rankings, transitional kindergarten access, and a proposed change to education governance. The nominees said they support flexibility for students ready for Algebra I, believe recent instructional materials and professional learning will help improve outcomes, and had not been involved in governance-structure discussions. Public witnesses from school and child-serving organizations spoke in strong support. The committee then advanced Glover Woods and Gonzalez on 3-1 votes and Lewis on a 4-1 vote for full Senate confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Gonzales.
• Good afternoon, Senator Allen and Senators on the committee.
• Good afternoon, Senator Allen and Senators on committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The hearing focused on Los Angeles’ preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with an emphasis on infrastructure, transportation, sustainability, community benefits, and legacy planning. Members and witnesses discussed venue readiness, state and local coordination, public safety, accessibility, and how the Games can leave behind lasting improvements such as transit upgrades, streetscape work, energy and utility improvements, and potentially permanent community assets. LA28 also highlighted its broader planning goals, including a transit-first, no-new-permanent-build approach and the use of temporary venues that could later serve communities. LA28’s Joey Freeman reported on ticket sales, volunteer interest, sponsorships, and recent legislative wins, including laws to support the games route network, temporary infrastructure, medical staffing, and out-of-state EMS deployment. He said LA28 has reached $2.5 billion in corporate sponsorships, sold more than 4 million tickets in the first drop, and launched a local presale with roughly half a million $28 tickets and a community ticketing program. However, several senators sharply criticized the ticketing rollout, saying low-cost tickets were too limited and that the committee lacked basic data on how many tickets were available, sold, or priced affordably. Members also raised concerns about ensuring access for low-income residents, schools, nonprofits, and the broader Los Angeles community. Mayor Karen Bass said the city’s theme is “Games for All” and described efforts to prepare small businesses, improve infrastructure, and create a citywide Cultural Olympiad and fan-fest style viewing sites modeled partly on Paris. She asked for state help with permitting, mutual aid for law enforcement, and cleanup of state-owned corridors and highways, and said the city wants local businesses prioritized over a broader Southern California definition of “local.” Other witnesses from Exposition Park and the Rose Bowl described major venue-specific needs, including accessibility, traffic and safety upgrades, utility replacement, site improvements, and legacy investments. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, but members requested follow-up meetings and additional information on ticketing, community access, procurement, cultural programming, and infrastructure plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Senator Bob Archuleta and the Chair, and Senator Roger Niello here to my left.
• Senator Doraso.
• Good afternoon, Senator Archuleta, Senator Cortese, Senator Niello.
• Thank you, Senator.
• We have Senator Bob Hertzberg, retired Senator Bob Hertzberg.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• This joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water and the Senate Committee on
• Good morning, Senator Becker, Senator Stern, Senator Serato, Senator Perez, thank you for having me today
• Yeah, you want to go to Senator Perez? Senator Perez, go ahead.
• Senator Rubio? Aye. Senator Rubio. Hi. You know, thank you.
• There needs to be something and Senator Stern, you use the word cover acreage. each one of the And Senator

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate hearing of the Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Emergency Management Committee focused on wildfire resilience, with members discussing the SB 254 report on enhancing California’s response to natural catastrophes. Opening remarks emphasized the scale of wildfire damage, the need for prevention and preparedness, and concerns about the affordability and insurability crisis. Senators repeatedly contrasted the relatively small share of funding going to community hardening with the much larger amounts spent on utility wildfire mitigation and landscape-scale projects, and several members raised concerns about CEQA delays, one-time funding, and the need for more sustainable, ongoing financing. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview showing about $4.7 billion in state wildfire resilience appropriations from 2018-19 through 2025-26, with funding shifting from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to the General Fund and then to Proposition 4. LAO noted that only about $65 million had been specifically targeted to community hardening, while most funding went to forest health, fuels, research, and related programs. LAO also said one-time funding will decline in coming years and that future GGRF support is uncertain, though General Fund use is not legally precluded. Members asked about maintenance costs, polluter-pays ideas, and whether performance metrics should focus more on property and community risk reduction than acres treated. Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation. He said roughly 4 million homes are in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern fire-resistant standards, and argued that the state must move from response to prevention. He said Cal Fire is incorporating the SB 254 recommendations into its updated action plan, has streamlined some fuel-reduction projects under a recent executive proclamation, and is shifting some grant funding toward maintenance of existing treatments. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying the pilot helped build tools and standards for home hardening but that federal approval delays remain a major barrier; the agency reported 155 hardened properties, 19 under construction, and 370 assessed and waiting. The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said it has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, is moving toward regional block grants and better data-driven prioritization, and is developing separate community and landscape strategies. The hearing ended with discussion of modeling, data gaps, utility coordination, contractor capacity, and possible legislative or budget changes to better align funding and metrics with community safety outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Brew, no. Senator Beck, yes. Senator Benson, no. Senator Ber, no. Senator Brennan, yes.
• Senator Guling, no. Senator Hardy, no. Senator Harrison, no. Senator Hashim, no.
• Senator Hefern, yes. Senator Engel, yes. Senator Lion, no. Senator Major, no. Senator Matoss, yes.
• Senator Bohosski, no. Senator Watson, no. Senator Week, yes. Senator Weston, yes.
• ><01:28:36.000> Senator The senator from Washington, Senator The senator from Washington, Senator

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and subsequently passed in the Senate and subsequently passed in the Senate Omnibus<00:25:40.000
• Please include the language in Senate Please include the language in Senate file<00:30:44.840>
• >> Thank you, Senator. Any other questions? >> Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Jeske? I heard.
• Senate. Uh we will meet at 10:00 a.m. or Senate.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.