Transcript Highlights:

• It's reasonable to, we do want to lay out those parameters. Okay, thank you.
• I think it's experiencing serious issues for a number of reasons, including policies that have passed
• The reason for that is it's withheld because the public interest served by not disclosing the schedule
• I do want to just ask whether you have any insights into the kind of technical safeguards that would
• Health Access supports safeguarding the full amount of California's Health Care Affordability Reserve

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> access</c><00:04:46.160><c> for</c> Pain parity safeguards equal access for Pain parity safeguards
• So, we want to for an unknown reason.
• The reason I'd have to fight that is The reason I'd have to fight that is because because because Kentucky
• It'll give us the answer we reasonable.
• </c> And there's a reason for that. And there's a reason for that.

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• we are here I believe is but the reason we are here I believe is because<00:16:17.800><c> we</c><00:
• Can you get computers to do reasoning and planning? Can you make complex plans?
• </c><00:26:27.200><c> and</c> you get computers to do reasoning and you get computers to do reasoning
• it does quite a bit as well as as reason it does quite a bit as well as as you<00:40:42.599><c> see<
• </c> officials who are trying to safeguard officials who are trying to safeguard Minnesota<01:14:59.000

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I yield back. give him a reasonable quality of life, a give him a reasonable quality of life, a shot<
• ><c> Voter</c> HR22, the Safeguard American Voter HR22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility<02:22
• For this reason, at the thing.
• </c> government from overreach and safeguard government from overreach and safeguard our<06:51:41.200
• And of responsibly and reasonably.

Transcript Highlights:

• SEIU California is committed to safeguarding the right to vote, a right that is currently under active
• Building on prior election safeguarding bills, SB 259, Wahab, and AB 282, Building on prior election
• safeguarding bills, SB 259, Wahab, and AB 282, the election protection legislative package ensures Californians
• In closing, we stand with the Legislature in creating new protections and safeguards to guarantee a free

Bills: SB259

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: online pricing, consumer protection, data privacy, Fair Online Pricing Act, geolocation data, input data regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee approach provides a more reasonable impact zone that uses systems the insurers and CDI
• For these reasons, we respectfully oppose AB 1576 and support the trailer bill. Thank you.
• For these reasons, we respect to we oppose the AP 1576 and support the trailer bell. Thank you.
• We are simply asking for them to be capped at a reasonable amount.
• safeguards and financial accountability.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• method determined by the department I'm happy to respond to questions a letter or another reasonable
• But striking workers may reasonably believe the benefits they received were final.
• So for those reasons, we would stand opposed to the amendment.
• So for those reasons, we would stand opposed to the amendment.
• And so I see no reason to oppose it, so I'll be asking for a yes as well. Thank you.

Bills: SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6188

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: unemployment insurance, UI benefits, striking workers, strike, labor dispute, retroactive wages, overpayment assessment, overpayment recovery, Employment Security Department, ESD, claimant notice, benefit recoupment, Washington unemployment law, worker notice, federal unemployment tax credit, state unemployment fund, workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, that we all know the reason why.
• There’s no reason we should even be having this conversation right now.
• </c><02:59:25.640><c> and</c> to me this bill will safeguard and to me this bill will safeguard and uphold
• </c><05:12:49.798><c> the</c> from the point of view of safeguards the from the point of view of safeguards
• Look, one of the reasons I'm here today is I'm trying to sell a concept.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason I object so strenuously is because it absolutely does not have to be this way.
• </c><00:46:07.440><c> I</c> and for that reason I am opposed. I and for that reason I am opposed.
• They also want<00:47:33.680><c> to</c><00:47:33.760><c> remove</c><00:47:34.079><c> safeguards</c><00
• :47:34.560><c> that</c><00:47:34.800><c> we</c> want to remove safeguards that we want to remove safeguards
• Safeguards against what? programs. Safeguards against what?

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, when we're talking about workforce, which is the reason I rise to ask a question today, when
• Can you talk to us about the reasoning for us expanding who is eligible for these funds versus compared
• Further to that question, making sure that we've got safeguards around the use of this $200 million:
• What safeguards are put in place in the structure of this fund so that we don't... ...in the structure
• And the reason I'm pointing to this, you said that nothing a legislature can do can bind the hands of

Bills: SB1290 , SB1530 , SB1847 , HR1050 , SB169 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1778 , SB1579 , SB1992 , SB3 , SB2028 , SB1928 , SB2127 , SB2117 , SB1439 , SB1930 , SB330 , SB1191 , SB2110 , SB2134 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1613 , SB1246 , SB1976 , SB1346 , SB1509 , SB2071 , SB259 , SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• It feels like this is within the bounds of what's reasonable given the state's immediate fiscal position
• The DFPI is committed to safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring financial stability across the state
• consumers in California while promoting fair and transparent markets. ...can meet its mission to safeguard
• So that is part of the reason why there was an additional challenge in getting that first round of annual
• don't always like to talk about, but sometimes you get complaints because people are upset for other reasons

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget proposals, beginning with Exposition Park. Park leadership described the 160-acre state property’s historic role, growing visitation, and major upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup fan fest and the 2028 Olympics. The governor’s proposal sought $96.5 million for utility replacement, site improvements, code compliance, accessibility, and public safety/traffic systems, plus $1.698 million for operational sustainability. The LAO said the proposals had merit but suggested the Legislature could consider downscaling some work given the budget condition. Members generally supported the requests, emphasizing deferred maintenance, public access, and the park’s statewide importance; both Exposition Park items were held open. The California Science Center requested funding to open and operate the new Air and Space Center, a major expansion featuring the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The LAO supported the proposal but suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as admission fees, higher parking fees, or private funds. Members debated whether the state should continue to fund operations without charging admission, with the Science Center explaining its public-private funding model and warning that fees could sharply reduce attendance, especially for underserved communities. The item was held open. The committee also reviewed continuation funding for the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation’s consumer protection and debt collection programs. DFPI and Finance said the requests would extend existing expenditure authority and were not General Fund asks. The LAO supported limited-term funding but urged cumulative reporting or a sunset-style review before permanent funding. Members pressed DFPI on outcomes, workload, and the high cost of the debt collection licensing program, noting that the number of licensees was far below early estimates and that assessments on the industry were substantial. Public commenters from the debt collection industry echoed those concerns, while others supported DFPI’s consumer protection work. The committee then heard a Board of Registered Nursing request for $1.4 million to fund eight special investigators. The board said complaint volume has risen with licensee growth and more complex cases, and members asked about complaint outcomes, regional caseloads, med spa oversight, viral complaints, and bias-related complaints. The board explained its investigation, probation, and intervention processes and said most cases reaching the Attorney General result in discipline. That item was also held open. After public comment on additional agenda items, the committee voted on several vote-only items. Items 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17 were approved 4-0. Items 7, 9, and 14 were also approved, with the chair correcting the tally to 4-0. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce to move funds from one category to another, if there isn't sufficient demand, could be safeguard
• For some reason, you're signed up remotely, Arlen. I don't know why, but I definitely see you.
• For some reason, you're signed up remotely, Arlen. I don't know why, but I definitely see you.
• That said, the main reason WFPA is here today is that wildfires are an issue of statewide importance,
• That said, the main reason WFPA is other today is that wildfires are an issue of statewide importance

Bills: SB6003 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB1983

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning, construction costs, inflation adjustment, capital facilities, project review, allotments, lease approval

Transcript Highlights:

• There are Safeguards in the bill against conflict of interest.
• We asked you to support Senate Bill 13 for a number of reasons.
• And for these reasons, Mr.
• And for this reason and all the reasons. Already provided, we urge you to vote do pass. Thank you.
• So for that reason alone, I will not be able to vote for the bill tonight.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So the proposals are about protecting access for Californians, safeguarding data, and ensuring DMV can
• Are accessing the data for nefarious reasons.
• time to fix versus not a reasonable time.
• We find them to be reasonable.
• Namely, the Attorney General has sued the City of Elkhazone for this very reason.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, to ensure that House members have a reasonable amount of time to review impeachment materials
• Texas can and must do better, particularly when it comes to safeguarding the interests of our children
• Women and young girls deserve to have their privacy and dignity safeguarded. in spaces where they may
• But one of the reasons this bill didn't pass previously is they lobbied against it.
• And it has a reasonable.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, to ensure that House members have a reasonable amount of time to review impeachment materials
• Texas can and must do better, particularly when it comes to safeguarding the interests of our children
• Women and young girls deserve to have their privacy and dignity safeguarded. in spaces where they may
• But one of the reasons this bill didn't pass previously is they lobbied against it.
• And it has a reasonable. reporting mechanism that parents need, clear defined ways to report.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hearing from quite a few... ...a bit more around the reasoning for this decision in particular.
• For these reasons, we oppose Section 160... ...from the public record.
• For these reasons, I respectfully ask for your support of Section 1... set the bar higher.
• For these reasons, I respectfully ask for your support of Section 106 of H. 5527 as written.
• I'd like to be able to say, well, first of all, the exam is flawed for these reasons.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Transcript Highlights:

• For those reasons, we respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• So that's probably the reason why, you know, literally the check was in the mail. Okay, thank you.
• And for these reasons, we respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you for your testimony.
• stated so well by the author and all the reasons that we hear about frequently from our members along
• For these reasons, we respectfully request your aye vote. Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a long slate of education bills, beginning with SB 685 on nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Senator Cortese and the California Department of Education described the bill as a response to the Ninth Circuit’s Laughman decision, removing the obsolete “non-sectarian” requirement while preserving secular use of public funds, nondiscrimination protections, background checks, credentialing, and incident reporting. There was no opposition, and the bill later passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1181, a pilot grant program for violence prevention, student wellness, and school safety in Central Valley and other schools. Supporters framed it as a prevention measure, while opponents from EFF, ACLU Cal Action, and community advocates warned it could increase law enforcement involvement, surveillance, and use of fusion centers; despite those concerns, it ultimately passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1067, which would create a statewide framework for annual K-2 math assessments starting in 2028-29 to identify students needing early intervention. The author and supporters argued California faces a serious math achievement crisis and that early assessment would help close gaps, while CTA and several educators and administrators sought additional clarity and amendments to ensure alignment with existing diagnostic practices and limits on high-stakes use. The bill drew broad support from educators, parents, and advocacy groups and passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1107, a school shade-structure bill, would expand eligible shade projects and allow bundling through design-build to reduce costs; it received support from LAUSD, school boards, and climate-focused groups and passed 7-0. SB 1128, on take-home devices and screen time for kindergarteners, was presented as a modest first step to give families more flexibility and reduce early screen exposure, with support from early childhood advocates and no opposition, and it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1048, creating a voluntary State Seal of Climate Literacy for students who complete climate coursework and hands-on projects. Supporters, including Ten Strands, students, teachers, and county offices, said it would recognize real-world climate learning and green career readiness; it passed 7-0. SB 1140, sponsored by CFT, would require LEA construction contractors to follow campus security provisions during school projects to reduce unauthorized access; it drew support from labor and gun violence prevention groups and passed 7-0. SB 930, requiring end-to-end encryption for proctoring companies handling K-12 exam data, was presented as a student privacy measure in response to cybersecurity risks and passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1083 was introduced by Senator Perez as a follow-up to last year’s Safe Learning Environments Act, with extensive committee amendments to refine the statewide misconduct data system, disclosure rules, contractor fingerprinting, and access requirements; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full hearing and vote are shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those reasons, we respectfully request your aye vote.
• For those reasons, we respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• So that's probably the reason why, you know, literally the check was in the mail. Okay, thank you.
• And for these reasons, we respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• And for these reasons, we respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you for your testimony.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason for doing that was because we are going to provide facilities for other...
• That standard exists for a reason.
• It is a safeguard that ensures our sentencing scheme remains constitutional.
• For these reasons, I am urging you all to understand this issue and to oppose not only the amendment,
• We desperately want to get a bill passed, but this bill, as it is written, as for the reasons that my

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 12 and took up a series of bills, mostly on juvenile justice, gaming-related background checks, bail/electronic bonds, and corrections policy. Early in the meeting, the committee reported favorably SB 258 on juvenile traffic violations, SB 321 on electronic bonds, SB 134 on limiting certain child sexual abuse material offenses for juveniles under 17 in specific circumstances, HB 75 on promotional play for racetracks as amended, and SB 422 on unsupervised probation for certain fourth-offense impaired driving cases. Later, the committee also advanced SB 440 on the Renaissance District board membership, SB 393 on explosives regulation, SB 487 on charitable gaming rental arrangements, SB 339 and SB 288 on criminal background check procedures in the gaming and related regulatory systems, and SB 325 on excluding certain persons from sports wagering. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 201, which would change juvenile homicide sentencing procedures, including first- and second-degree murder cases, and how reviewing courts consider parole eligibility and prior death sentences converted to life. Supporters said the bill aligns sentencing with existing Supreme Court precedent and gives courts clearer guidance; opponents from children’s rights and civil liberties groups argued it weakens the “rarest and uncommon” safeguard for juvenile life-without-parole sentences and could expand harsh sentencing beyond constitutional limits. After debate and testimony, the committee adopted an amendment and reported SB 201 favorably by a 7-3 vote, with Representatives Adams, Knox, Moore, and others voting no. The committee also heard SB 523 on clemency and sentencing considerations for defendants who are victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or sexual assault. Survivors’ advocates and domestic violence organizations supported the bill’s overall purpose but objected to the mandatory pre-sentence investigation language, warning it could introduce biased information and harm survivors; the Board of Pardons and Parole said its staff and trauma-informed victim assistance coordinators are trained to handle these cases. The committee adopted an amendment narrowing the bill and then reported SB 523 favorably. Finally, SB 320 on DNA detection and crime lab reporting was advanced without opposition, and SB 470 on pregnant women in custody passed after testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and discussion of pregnancy testing, bonding options, and prohibiting shackling during delivery and postpartum periods.