Transcript Highlights:

• And with me is... ...Sarah Bridge, a vice president of the Association of California Health Care Districts
• Sarah Bridge with the Association of California Health Care Districts here in strong support of AB 533

Summary: The Local Government Committee met on March 26 and heard four bills, beginning as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The chair opened with housekeeping rules, including that testimony would be in person only and that disruptive conduct would not be tolerated. AB 59 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry was heard first; it would remove the sunset on Reclamation District 108’s authority to participate in hydropower projects. The author, Colusa County representatives, and water district officials said the change would support long-term financing, lower energy costs, and help the district continue water stewardship. No opposition was presented, and the bill was later reported out 7-0. AB 417 by Assembly Member Carrillo was then presented as a measure to streamline and clarify laws governing enhanced infrastructure financing districts (EIFDs) and community revitalization and investment authorities (CRIAs). Supporters, including the sponsor and planning, city, and flood control representatives, said the bill would improve local governments’ ability to fund affordable housing, climate adaptation, transit, fire mitigation, and other infrastructure without raising taxes. One opponent objected to the CRIA provisions, arguing that CRIAs retain eminent domain authority and asked for an amendment to remove that authority. The bill was passed after quorum was established, with the chair noting it would improve functionality while preserving transparency and public participation. AB 533 by Assembly Member Flora reauthorized health care districts that own or operate hospitals or clinics to use the design-build process for construction projects after the prior authority sunset on January 1, 2025. The author and supporters from the Association of California Health Care Districts, the Design-Build Institute of America, and engineering and hospital groups said the measure would restore a useful financing and construction tool without changing public contracting requirements. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0. The committee also approved AB 1030 on the consent calendar, and after roll calls on the remaining items, all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the waterproofing project is also an ADA project, and it includes elevators on each corner and bridge
• Many of you walk over on the bridge, right, but if you go down below, you see that parking lot as well

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to receive an overview and tour of Capitol complex construction projects funded through the Department of Management Services (DMS). Deputy Secretary Tom Berger gave a historical and project-by-project presentation on the Capitol campus, explaining the evolution of the historic Capitol and the current tower complex, and describing major ongoing work including the Waller Park west entry/ADA and waterproofing project, the east entry security screening area, Cabinet meeting room modernization, historic Capitol re-roofing, the large Capitol HVAC replacement, window replacement, Memorial Park improvements, the Holocaust Memorial, the North Loading Zone, and Knott Plaza upgrades. He noted that the Capitol windows and HVAC work are intended to address aging systems and improve resilience, security, and accessibility, and said the broader Capitol window project will continue over several years. Members asked questions about the African-American memorial, the old bank/archives building with water damage, the roofing material and expected lifespan, the legal definition of the Capitol complex, and the history of early legislative meetings in Pensacola and St. Augustine. Berger said the African-American memorial base is built and the installation should be completed in March or April, while the archives building is owned and managed by the Department of State. He also explained that the roof uses a slate-like material designed for a 50-year life cycle, though major storms could still damage it, and clarified that the Capitol complex can be defined differently in statute versus operationally. Chair Lopez and other members requested follow-up information, including a rendering of the African-American memorial and a table summarizing the Capitol investments and when the facilities were last updated, so members can better explain the spending to constituents. Berger said he would provide the requested information, and the committee then concluded the presentation and proceeded to the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• Money comes in from roads and bridges; they have to use it for roads and bridges.
• </c><02:28:02.800><c> Money</c> We do it for roads and bridges.
• Money We do it for roads and bridges.
• ,</c><02:28:04.080><c> they</c> comes in from roads and bridges, they comes in from roads and bridges
• </c> have to use it for roads and bridges. have to use it for roads and bridges.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate bill relative to the dissolution of the Junior Bridge, House No. 5503. Mr.
• the dissolution of the Holmes Park Water District, Senate No. 316; and an act designating a certain bridge
• Bridge, House No. 5503. Question comes on ordering the bills to a third reading.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Delaware, First Street, PLC, also, I believe, in Delaware for legal compliance, and then a Chain Bridge
• Chain Bridge Bank in Virginia. Is that where the monies are residing?
• I'm familiar with Chain Bridge Bank. They do a number of political activities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-10, House Bill 5002, titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,” which would repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis legalization framework. Chairs Brendan Crighton and Kate Hogan outlined the Article 48 initiative process and explained that the committee is gathering testimony for a report to the legislature. The hearing was organized into expert, proponent, opponent, and public testimony, with written testimony accepted through March 27. The first witness, Jessica Trow of MassBudget, testified in opposition to repeal and focused on cannabis-related revenue and social equity. She said legalization has generated nearly $2 billion statewide since adult-use sales began, with revenue flowing through the Marijuana Regulation Fund, the state sales tax, and local taxes and fees. She emphasized that funds support public health, the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity work, the Cannabis Social Equity Fund, and municipal budgets, and argued that legalization has created pathways for communities harmed by prohibition. The petition’s spokesperson, Wendy Wakeman, argued in favor of repeal, saying legalization has worsened public health, safety, and quality of life, citing higher potency, addiction, youth use, impaired driving, workplace positives, and black-market concerns. Committee members questioned her about the data sources, the will of the voters, the role of paid signature gatherers, and the petition’s funding, including out-of-state and dark-money concerns. Opponents of the initiative then testified that repeal would harm a regulated industry that has created jobs, tax revenue, and social equity opportunities. Caroline Pino of STEM, Kristen Rogers of Levia, Judith Ledbetter of Project De-Stigmatized Healthcare, and Armani White of Firehouse Dispensary/EON described their businesses, community investments, and personal reliance on cannabis, and warned that repeal would push consumers back to the illicit market and undermine equity programs. In public testimony, Lucas Thayer of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition and Jeff Rawson, a chemist and consumer protection advocate, also opposed the measure, arguing that regulated cannabis is safer than unregulated products and that repeal would damage investments and public safety. The hearing ended after the public testimony, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in opposition.
• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in strong opposition
• On behalf of CMTA, my name is Sarah Bridges, and we are in strong support. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to consider a large suspense-file agenda, noting that 122 measures met suspense criteria and that several bills listed in the daily file were postponed to the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills. After establishing a quorum, the committee proceeded through the agenda, with most authors waiving presentation and public testimony limited to fiscal issues. Most measures were moved to the suspense file without objection after brief or no testimony. A number of bills drew support or opposition from outside groups on fiscal grounds, including SB 951, SB 947, SB 954, SB 1031, SB 1291, and SB 1368. Testimony highlighted concerns such as ongoing state or departmental costs, General Fund impacts, broadband and compliance burdens for small mutual water companies, and implementation costs for education, health, and transportation-related proposals. Supporters of some bills argued they would save money over time, such as SB 1067 on early math remediation and SB 1089 on obesity treatment and CalRx partnerships. The committee also heard an author presentation on SB 1089 by Senator Richardson, who said the bill would reduce CalPERS and broader health costs by expanding access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for eligible public employees and directing CalRx to pursue production or acquisition of a GLP-1 medication. No committee questions were raised on that measure, and it too was sent to suspense. The hearing concluded with all items heard being moved to the suspense file and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in opposition.
• Sarah Bridges, on behalf of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, in strong opposition
• On behalf of CMTA, my name is Sarah Bridges, and we are in strong support. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met to consider a large suspense-file agenda, noting that 122 measures met suspense criteria and that several bills listed in the daily file were rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. After establishing a quorum, the committee repeatedly took public testimony on each item, with most authors waiving presentation and most bills drawing no questions or comments from members. A few measures drew substantive testimony. SB 951 and SB 947 received opposition from the Society for Human Resource Management, the California Restaurant Association, and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, with opponents citing policy concerns, ongoing department and General Fund costs, and submitted amendments. SB 1067 was supported by EdVoice, which argued that early math remediation would save state costs and noted an implementation budget request. SB 1291 drew strong opposition from mutual water company representatives, who said the bill would create significant ongoing costs, duplicate existing state efforts, and impose internet and teleconferencing mandates on small systems in areas with limited broadband access. SB 1368 received support from hearing health care providers, who asked for technical amendments to align state law with federal hearing-aid definitions and education-provider recognition. Senator Richardson presented SB 1089, explaining that it would help reduce CalPERS and broader health costs by expanding access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs for eligible state employees and directing CalRx partnerships to produce or acquire at least one GLP-1 medication. The committee took no action other than moving each suspense-file candidate, including SB 1089, to the suspense file without objection. The hearing then adjourned after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2377 are Will Oliver, president and CEO of Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, and Sarah Bridges
• My name is Sarah Bridges with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, representing Sarah
• Bridges with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, representing 45,000 companies

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard a series of bills focused on nonprofit tax status, housing, tribal land return, tax relief, economic development, journalism, reparations, manufacturing investment, and pawned property sales tax. The chair explained the committee’s suspense file process and noted that only AB 2270 and AB 2641 were eligible for immediate votes; other measures were referred to suspense after presentation. AB 2084 (Bauer-Kahan) would give the Franchise Tax Board discretion to delay or review revocation of state nonprofit tax-exempt status when federal status is revoked, and AB 2167 (Macedo) would clarify that tribally chartered corporations are eligible for existing tribal conservation land return tax exemptions. Both drew support from nonprofit and tribal representatives and were sent to suspense. AB 2270 (Arambula) sought to improve farmworker housing access to low-income housing tax credits by adjusting scoring criteria to reflect rural agricultural realities. Supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages projects near farmland; the bill passed the committee 4-1 and was sent to Housing and Community Development. AB 2336 proposed excluding the first $25,000 of overtime pay and pension income from taxation; supporters framed it as affordability relief, while an opponent warned of major General Fund losses and a member raised the lack of an income cap. AB 2205 would reinstate the New Employment Credit to encourage hiring in high-unemployment areas, and AB 2222 would create refundable tax credits for local news organizations hiring journalists; both received strong support from business, labor, and media advocates and were referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 2186, which would exclude future reparations payments from state income tax, with supporters arguing reparations should not be reduced by taxation; it was sent to suspense. AB 2377 would accelerate depreciation deductions for manufacturing equipment, with a larger benefit in high-need areas, and AB 2641 would extend the sales tax exemption for people repurchasing their own property from pawnbrokers, with the author agreeing to a five-year sunset amendment. AB 2641 passed 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. After taking up the remaining roll calls for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Court, whatever the case may be, for clarification for the committee, the issue that we're trying to bridge
• So we're trying to bridge that gap, and that is the issue that Mr.
• So we're trying to bridge that gap, and that is the issue that Mr.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second piece of it, we have a local bridge inspection program in Idaho that's essentially came around
• was required by the federal government for ITD to be the checkoff and to go out and inspect local bridge
• ITD to be the checkoff and to go out and inspect local bridge condition.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, March 3, and March 5, 2026. It then heard Senate Bill 1379, which would raise the Idaho State Police “Project Choice” registration fee from $3 to $8 to generate about $10 million for trooper pay. Senator Woodward and ISP Director Bill Gardner said the agency is struggling to recruit and retain troopers, with vacant positions, smaller academy classes, and staffing shortages in places like Lewiston and Idaho Falls. Testimony from the Idaho State Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police, and other troopers emphasized burnout, lost experience, and public safety concerns. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Senator Kohl opposed the motion, citing concerns about fee increases and downstream pressure on local law enforcement budgets. The committee also advanced House Bill 742, which modernizes vehicle titling by expanding electronic records and shortening lien-release timelines for Idaho dealers to 10 business days after verified funds are received. It was described as a negotiated update supported by auto dealers, banks, and credit unions, and the committee sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 664, sponsored by Representative Pickett, would address speed differentials on highways and was supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau; the committee sent it to the floor despite concerns from Senator Rabe about safety and higher truck speeds. House Bill 716, brought by ITD, would clean up gas-tax distribution language after the Idaho State Police moved fully to the general fund and would increase funding for the local bridge inspection program from $175,000 to $300,000; it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 825 would replace a mandatory 50-cent license plate fee for the Idaho Heritage Trust with a voluntary specialty plate, and the committee sent it to the 14th order for possible amendment. Finally, the committee reconsidered House Bill 629 and agreed to move it to the 14th order for possible amendment so that electronic vehicle registration could be paired with a required printed copy, addressing law enforcement concerns while preserving ITD’s planned cost savings. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's really important is that in the past couple years, they've been engaged in the Idaho bridging
• system for kinship families, They've been engaged in the Idaho bridging system for kinship families initiative
• a provision regarding fees on electric and hybrid vehicles, to revise a distribution to the local bridge

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the March 10 journal as corrected. The body then moved through committee reports and messages from the House, including referrals of several House bills and memorials. It also introduced and referred Senate Joint Memorial 115 and Senate Resolution 120 to Judiciary and Rules for printing, and received multiple committee reports on bills being printed, enrolled, or sent to the governor. The main floor action centered on several resolutions and memorials. Senate Concurrent Resolution 121, on modernizing Idaho’s public school funding formula, was adopted after debate emphasizing the need to update a 1994-era system, shift toward student-centered funding, and give school leaders more flexibility. Senate Concurrent Resolution 123, declaring support for rangelands and pastoralists, was adopted with discussion of Idaho’s ranching heritage, grazing lands, and land-management challenges. Senate Resolution 118, calling for a state plan for kinship caregivers, was adopted after testimony about the Idaho Caregiver Alliance and the number of children being raised by relatives. Senate Concurrent Resolution 124, supporting wildlife crossings, was adopted on the grounds of reducing vehicle collisions and protecting wildlife migration. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 119, approving certain temporary and pending administrative rules from the Department of Agriculture and Idaho Hops Growers Commission, with one seed-production rule subsection not approved. Senate Joint Memorial 114, urging Congress to address college athletics name, image, and likeness issues and protect athletes and competitive balance, was adopted after debate about fairness, agent conduct, and the financial pressures on schools. Senate Bill 1350, providing for cash rounding in the absence of pennies, passed 24-9 after debate over retailer guidance and concerns about cash use. Senate Bill 1373, the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for economic development and related agencies, passed 26-7 after extended debate over budget reductions, especially the impact on the state public defender and constitutional obligations, versus arguments for fiscal restraint and balancing the budget. The Senate also handled first- and second-reading referrals for numerous House bills and Senate Bill 1386, held some bills on the calendar, and advanced to miscellaneous business. Announcements included an upcoming presentation by the Pacific Legal Foundation and a minority caucus meeting. The Senate adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• tragic losses, and more workers can keep building Washington's future: the affordable homes, roads, bridges
• .program to make you more well-rounded in other areas, and he said, no, I was busy learning about bridges
• we need to do, whether it's in our buildings, our built environment for water, sewer, roads, and bridges

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1916, HB2264, HB1078, HB1687, HB1701, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2088, HB2091, HB2107, HB2109, HB2110, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2152, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2228, HB2229, HB2230, HB2235, HB2238, HB2242, HB2245, HB2249, HB2253, HB2254, HB2269, HB2272, HB2283, HB2304, HB2317, HB2340, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2445, HB2452, HB2472, HB2492, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB2664

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members also announced caucus breaks and a reminder that Seahawks apparel would be permitted on the floor the next day. The chamber then moved through second- and third-reading business on a series of bills, with several committee substitutes and amendments adopted by voice vote before final passage votes were taken by roll call. House Bill 1155, dealing with non-compete agreements, drew the most debate. Supporters said it would ban non-competes, improve worker mobility, and promote entrepreneurship; opponents raised concerns about contract freedom and, in one failed amendment, sought to exempt high earners and senior executives. Other adopted amendments clarified tribal worker relationships, defined patients in place of customers, and required notice that existing non-competes would be void. The bill ultimately passed 65-29. House Bill 1002, concerning PTSD eligibility for coroners and medical examiners, failed an amendment that would have limited costs to the relevant risk class, then passed 70-24 after supporters argued the measure would help a small group of workers exposed to traumatic scenes. House Bill 2264, on unemployment benefits for workers who voluntarily participate in layoffs, passed unanimously 94-0. The House also passed House Bill 2110, allowing nurses to accompany inter-facility ambulance transports without EMT licensure, after an amendment requiring training on ambulance equipment; House Bill 2272, a technical update to ski equipment terminology; House Bill 2238, creating a statewide food security strategy and narrowing agency scope through amendment; House Bill 2445, aimed at stopping profiteering in probate cases involving unclaimed estates; House Bill 2109, allowing covered transport of certain vehicle loads to reduce roadway debris; House Bill 2492, requiring behavioral and mental health training for construction and trades workers despite objections about added costs; House Bill 2472, strengthening licensing enforcement for fire sprinkler work; House Bill 288, joining the dietician licensure compact; and House Bill 2229, updating the Professional Engineers Registration Act and requiring board members to have practiced in Washington for at least five years. Final votes on these bills ranged from near-unanimous to more divided, with each receiving the constitutional majority needed to pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• tragic losses, and more workers can keep building Washington's future: the affordable homes, roads, bridges
• .program to make you more well-rounded in other areas, and he said, no, I was busy learning about bridges
• we need to do, whether it's in our buildings, our built environment for water, sewer, roads, and bridges

Bills: HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1002, HB1065, HB1155, HB1916, HB2264, HB1078, HB1687, HB1701, HB1717, HB1795, HB1859, HB2088, HB2091, HB2107, HB2109, HB2110, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2133, HB2134, HB2140, HB2151, HB2152, HB2155, HB2165, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2228, HB2229, HB2230, HB2235, HB2238, HB2242, HB2245, HB2249, HB2253, HB2254, HB2269, HB2272, HB2283, HB2304, HB2317, HB2340, HB2343, HB2385, HB2406, HB2417, HB2426, HB2445, HB2452, HB2472, HB2492, HB2501, HB2531, HB2574, HB2606, HB2664

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer. Members approved the prior day’s minutes, referred introduction-sheet bills, and later took up several second- and third-reading bills. Early in the day, the chamber also announced that members could wear Seahawks apparel during floor action the next day. The House passed House Bill 1155, which bans non-compete agreements, after adopting amendments clarifying tribal worker relationships, replacing references to “customer” with “patient” in certain contexts, and requiring notice to current and some former employees that non-competes are void. An amendment to exempt senior executives earning over $350,000 was rejected. The bill passed 65-29. The House also passed House Bill 1002, allowing certain coroners and medical examiners to seek workers’ compensation for PTSD; an amendment to isolate costs to their own risk class was rejected, and the bill passed 70-24. House Bill 2264, clarifying unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who voluntarily participate in layoffs, passed unanimously 94-0. Later measures included House Bill 2110, allowing nurses to accompany inter-facility ambulance transports without also holding EMT licenses, which passed 94-0 after an amendment clarifying training; House Bill 2272, a technical update to ski equipment terminology, which passed 94-0; House Bill 2238, creating a statewide food security strategy, which passed 83-12 after a technical amendment narrowing agency scope; and House Bill 2445, aimed at preventing profiteering in probate estates, which passed 67-28 after a technical amendment. The House also passed House Bill 2109 on securing vehicle loads (95-0), House Bill 2492 requiring behavioral and mental health training for construction workers and apprentices (79-16), House Bill 2472 on licensed contractors for fire sprinkler work (92-3), House Bill 288 joining the dietician licensure compact (93-1), and House Bill 2229 updating the Professional Engineers Registration Act and requiring five years of Washington practice for board members after an amendment (68-26).

Transcript Highlights:

• That will also connect the sky bridge to the VA hospital.
• So, if you're in Tulsa now, you're going to see for the next couple of years this bridge that sticks
• So, somebody's going to come up with the, you know, people are going to be asking the bridge to nowhere

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eight friends of mine, classmates from college, died when the Skyway Bridge...
• Eight friends of mine, classmates from college, died when the Skyway Bridge collapsed.
• That was a second incident where a big boat ran into the Skyway Bridge or the boys or whatever back about

Summary: The committee first took up a local beverage-license bill for the World Equestrian Center in Marion County. The sponsor described the facility’s size, economic impact, and rapid expansion, and explained that the bill would direct DBPR to issue a special license for qualifying equestrian sports facilities. After questions about whether the carve-out would set a precedent for other businesses, the sponsor said the unique facts of the facility justified the bill. An amendment narrowed the off-premises alcohol authority so the license would allow beer and wine only for off-premises sales, while still allowing on-premises sales of all alcoholic beverages and a standalone bar on the premises. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-1, with Representative Rayner voting no. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1461, a broad regulatory-reform bill that would repeal continuing education requirements for certain licensed professionals, eliminate several boards/councils/commissions at DBPR and DACS, remove some secondary licenses, and expand licensure pathways. The sponsors argued that most complaints are already handled administratively, that the boards create bureaucracy and cost, and that the bill would improve efficiency without changing initial licensure standards. Members raised concerns about whether DBPR has the subject-matter expertise to replace professional boards, especially for engineering, harbor pilots, electrical work, home inspection, architecture, interior design, and related fields, and about whether removing continuing education could weaken public safety and code compliance. Public testimony on the PCS was mixed but leaned strongly against the bill from affected professions. Opponents from architecture, electrical contracting, home inspection, geology, interior design, real estate, and related groups argued that the boards provide technical expertise, discipline, and updated knowledge tied to changing building codes and safety standards, and that continuing education is important for public protection. Some supporters, including representatives of CPAs and landscape architects, said they appreciated efforts to streamline licensing and reduce anti-competitive barriers but still had concerns about specific provisions. The committee adopted two amendments: one requiring 30 days’ notice for an address change for a prescription sales business, and a second technical amendment. No final vote on the PCS was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bridge has been taken out, and there is a new bridge over here now to the south of the old bridge

Bills: HB471, HB473

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our council was formed to bridge the gap between community voices and policy development.
• Black health navigators, mental health navigators, will serve as trusted bridges trained in assessment
• emergency service in California, preventing anyone from being denied care when they need it most, and bridging

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on March 25, 2025, with Chair Mia Bonta presiding and initially operating as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The committee heard several health-related bills, including AB 73 on creating a Black Mental Health Navigator certification, AB 499 on lowering the state reimbursement trigger for the Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan, AB 843 on aligning California health insurance language-access rules with federal standards, AB 257 on a specialty care network using telehealth and virtual services for Medi-Cal and underserved communities, AB 64 on allowing diacritical marks on vital records, AB 315 on the Home and Community-Based Alternatives waiver, and AB 40 on clarifying that emergency services include reproductive health services such as abortion. Testimony generally emphasized disparities in access, culturally competent care, language access, rural provider shortages, and the importance of preserving or expanding programs that help vulnerable populations. Supporters included authors, state and local health organizations, advocacy groups, and affected individuals. AB 73 was backed as a way to address stigma, mistrust, and culturally competent mental health access for Black Californians. AB 499 was described as helping keep a self-insured farmworker health plan operational while maintaining a low-cost, labor-management model. AB 843 was supported as a way to prevent children and families from having to translate sensitive medical and insurance information and to protect limited-English-proficient Californians. AB 257 drew support as a demonstration project to improve specialty care access through California-based clinicians and virtual care, with examples of reduced wait times and costs. AB 64 received emotional testimony from the author, a child and his family, and others about the importance of accurately recording names with accents and other marks. AB 315 was presented as a cost-neutral or cost-saving way to expand home- and community-based care for medically fragile people, with strong support from disability, health, and provider groups. AB 40 drew support from reproductive health and medical organizations, while one opposition witness argued it could conflict with emergency care standards and overburden emergency departments. The committee took roll-call votes and advanced AB 499, AB 73, AB 843, AB 257, AB 64, AB 315, and AB 40 to Appropriations, with AB 40 receiving some no votes. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved a consent calendar that included AB 225, AB 304, AB 403, AB 688, and AB 951. Several measures were initially placed on call and later lifted and recorded as passing out of committee before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you know Los Angeles, you know that my district is often thought of as the bridge between historic
• It's an incredibly powerful bridge.
• a better place, to root out hate and bigotry, discrimination. district is often thought of as the bridge
• It's an incredibly powerful bridge.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, well-paid union workers are busy rebuilding our roads and bridges, repairing our fire stations
• </c><00:42:29.280><c> and</c> are busy rebuilding our roads and are busy rebuilding our roads and bridges
• 30.560><c> our</c><00:42:30.680><c> fire</c><00:42:31.040><c> stations</c><00:42:31.520><c> and</c> bridges
• , repairing our fire stations and bridges, repairing our fire stations and water<00:42:31.880><c> treatment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it comes to improving public safety, you might not think about infrastructure, but well-maintained bridges
• 34.959><c> well-maintained</c> infrastructure, but well-maintained infrastructure, but well-maintained bridges
• c> roads</c><00:03:36.560><c> can</c><00:03:36.799><c> prevent</c><00:03:37.120><c> accidents</c> bridges
• and roads can prevent accidents bridges and roads can prevent accidents and<00:03:38.080><c> help</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all