Transcript Highlights:

• you know, in the past we used to send staff into the lounges to help you guys file your financial disclosures
• Torrance County a lot of. interaction that we had just on the surface as they would come to our affiliate

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• identity issues as it potentially prevents an adoptee from knowing their race, heritage, and cultural affiliation
• To ensure adopted adults are treated equally under the law, SB 381 authorizes the disclosure of an original

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would set deadlines for DHCS to investigate complaints about unlicensed sober living or recovery homes and require follow-up site visits; if the department cannot act within those timelines, counties and cities could request to assist with enforcement. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve public safety and close enforcement gaps. County behavioral health representatives opposed the measure, arguing counties lack jurisdiction over private unlicensed residences, could face liability, and would absorb an unfunded workload increase. After extensive questioning about jurisdiction, local pressure, and whether the bill creates a mandate, the committee voted 8-0 to pass SB 490 to Appropriations and placed it on call. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees and descendants to obtain original birth certificates, create a contact preference form for birth parents, and stop omitting certain birth information from the amended certificate. The author and many adoptees and birth parents testified that access to original records is important for identity, dignity, and medical history, and that the bill would reduce the need for invasive searches through DNA and informal records. Several members raised concerns about privacy, the possibility of unwanted contact, and the mental health impacts on birth parents who expected confidentiality, while others emphasized the health benefits and the fact that most modern adoptions are open. The discussion focused heavily on proposed amendments to the contact form and whether the bill should require opt-in or opt-out contact preferences, but the transcript does not show a final vote on SB 381.

Transcript Highlights:

• election... a test will be conducted, the schedule for all of the CCS meetings, the names and party affiliations
• Essentially, it is not subject to... ...disclosure under Chapter 552 of the Government Code.

Bills: HB376 , HB817 , HB 1297 , HB1478 , HB1661 , HB1783

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• analysis reports that only 16% said they had a physician and 25.5% said they had a registered nurse affiliated
• So I am glad that those services were offered to me from a place of honor and integrity, disclosure,

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe my career and the disclosure. made to the Senate would back up the fact that my entire career
• reassigning or firing career attorneys in the division based on their political and ideological affiliations

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Department of Justice, nominations, Assistant Attorney General, civil rights, enforcement, committee discussion

Summary: The meeting covered important discussions surrounding key nominations in the Department of Justice, specifically for the roles of Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights and the Office of Legal Policy. Various committee members took turns to express their views on the nominees, emphasizing the implications of their potential confirmation on civil rights enforcement in the country. Alongside the committee discussion, the nominees provided insights into their professional backgrounds and how their experiences align with the responsibilities of the positions for which they have been nominated.

Transcript Highlights:

• And full disclosure and disclaimer: I filed a bill to help rectify this problem.
• And we partner with the Department of Education and local affiliates to wrap around families who, if

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee held an introductory meeting focused largely on member introductions and “homework” reports about education issues in each district. Members raised a wide range of concerns and priorities, including early childhood care and VPK access, school choice and school closures, teacher recruitment and retention, conflict resolution and school safety, early literacy and preparedness, technology and AI/STEM instruction, attendance and mental health, ESE services, dual enrollment and career/technical education, caregiving youth, and real-time student enrollment/funding tracking. Several members also emphasized local challenges such as housing-driven teacher turnover, disaster-related attendance problems, and funding inequities across counties. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Florida’s early learning system from Chancellor Carrie Miller of the Department of Education’s Division of Early Learning. She outlined the structure and funding of School Readiness, VPK, and the Gold Seal Quality Care program, the role of early learning coalitions and DCF, and the state’s quality and accountability measures. She highlighted the importance of kindergarten readiness, teacher quality, and the new School Readiness Plus program, which helps families transition off subsidy more gradually. Additional panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, and a Tallahassee child care provider discussed workforce shortages, low wages, provider turnover, the TEACH scholarship program, Help Me Grow, local coalition operations, and the need for more providers and more consistent regulation. During questions, members asked about wait lists, special needs services, teacher retention, provider onboarding, and DCF regulation. The panel said Miami-Dade’s wait list was about 4,000 children and described priority categories for service; they also said children with disabilities are screened and referred for support, though not given a separate priority category. Panelists reported that TEACH has helped reduce turnover through education support and service commitments, but said wages and career pathways remain major issues. Members also pressed for clearer, more consistent licensing standards and more support for new providers entering the field. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That disclosure would be made quarterly.
• </c><00:12:22.320><c> That</c><00:12:22.560><c> disclosure</c><00:12:23.040><c> would</c><00:12:23.200
• That disclosure would be of $50,000. That disclosure would be made<00:12:23.600><c> quarterly.
• </c><00:26:18.400><c> of</c><00:26:18.559><c> a</c><00:26:18.720><c> foreign</c> subsidiary or affiliate
• of a foreign subsidiary or affiliate of a foreign legal<00:26:19.279><c> entity</c><00:26:19.679><c>

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Symphony Barbie on behalf of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California in support. Thank you.
• We established an evidentiary privilege to prohibit the disclosure of confidential communications between
• Privilege is an exclusionary rule of evidence that protects certain classes of communications from disclosure
• privilege between workers and union representatives, we can help ensure the safe, private, and full disclosure
• And members must trust that their disclosures to the representatives are going to be confidential for

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we see disclosure and prioritizing the safety of workers and guests alike as the best practice
• California has a long history of record disclosure in the public interest, from Prop 65 warnings to real
• I think that this is a very simple bill about disclosures at hotels.
• Specifically, amendments that will take immediately narrow the scope of the disclosure portion of the
• Secondly, the disclosure requirements, I believe, are still onerous and definitely need to be worked

Transcript Highlights:

• If it’s not though, if it’s not an affiliate, they’re going to sell cheap. >> If it’s not affiliated,
• If there’s no affiliation, they can’t do it.
• If it’s an affiliate, they can sell it cheaper to a uh cannot sell it cheaper to the affiliate than they
• </c><05:37:40.558><c> Let</c> the price for an affiliate pharmacy.
• Let the price for an affiliate pharmacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• to say that you all would listen to them, but what they’re actually doing is messaging to party-affiliated
• And what this report found was that solar inverters largely come from state- and military-affiliated
• Just for context, I think last session, less than 10 of us out of 150, 180, had military affiliation,
• But I would just say to the industry, there's got to be a better job of public disclosure to both the
• Full disclosure, you and I have sat down and talked about y'all's water strategy before.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• emerged stronger, such as our Lake Chelan Habitat affiliate.
• I mean, how does that work with your affiliates?
• Yes, most Habitat affiliates are all independent legal entities.
• That's imposed, our Habitat affiliates will meet.
• And just with staff turnover, we would have Habitat affiliates...

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on September 22, 2025, with five voting members present and a quorum. The commission first approved the August 6, 2025 meeting minutes by unanimous vote. The main purpose of the meeting was public testimony on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Two witnesses testified. Joey Halverson of Tote Maritime Alaska spoke in support of maintaining the tax preference for natural gas used as a transportation fuel, emphasizing LNG’s role as a cleaner marine fuel, the company’s investments in vessel conversions and fueling infrastructure, and the resulting reductions in greenhouse gases and other emissions. Commissioner Forsyth recused himself for this testimony. Michelle Preston, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testified in support of the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers, saying the exemption helps Habitat affiliates advance homeownership and remain financially sustainable, while also noting reporting inconsistencies and the need for clearer, more collectible metrics. Commissioners asked questions about affiliate accounting, the distinction between benefits to nonprofits versus homebuyers, and whether a shorter renewal/reporting cycle might be more workable. JLARC staff then outlined the process for adopting commission comments on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Voting members will receive a web-based comment form to indicate whether they endorse each recommendation and whether they wish to add comments or recuse themselves, with responses due September 30. The chair will compile the responses for consideration at the October 21, 2025 meeting. The commission also noted that individual members may submit minority reports, and the meeting adjourned after reminders about submitting written testimony and the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• You mean like on the disclosure?
• You mean like on the disclosure? disclosure? disclosure?
• </c> I think our disclosure is really good. I think our disclosure is really good.
• disclosure requirements, and disclosure disclosure requirements, and providing<00:57:31.440><c> a</c
• </c><04:35:55.439><c> Thank</c> disclosure. It's same thing. Okay. Thank disclosure.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Name and affiliation, please. Good evening.
• Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please. Good evening, chairs. Thank you. Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please.

Summary: The committee took up issue number seven, Child Care Rate Reform Transition Plan, and heard a presentation from the LAO on an eight-part transition plan for the period before implementation of the alternative methodology-based child care rate system. The plan would provide interim rate increases to existing regional market rates and standard reimbursement rates beginning January 1 of the budget year, keep the higher of SRR or ARMR as the single rate, annualize cost-of-care supplements, update hold-harmless language, eliminate the private market cap, authorize one-time systems transition funding with JLBC approval, and require annual reporting on parent co-pays. Members asked about the timeline and public/legislative feedback process, and administration staff said they were working toward the July 1, 2025 deadline while continuing stakeholder engagement through the rate and quality advisory process. Public comment was overwhelmingly focused on child care and early learning funding. Providers, county offices, advocacy groups, and education organizations urged the Legislature to move quickly on the alternative rate methodology, provide interim relief through a cost-of-living adjustment, reimburse based on enrollment rather than attendance, and preserve health and retirement benefits and workforce stability. Many speakers also pressed for funding to expand the promised 200,000 child care slots, warning that waitlists remain long and providers are under financial strain. Several commenters supported maintaining or extending grants and technical assistance for transitional kindergarten, inclusive early education, and mixed-delivery early learning programs. A separate set of comments addressed the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program, with Sacramento County education officials and others urging a statewide plan that would extend support to the 20 counties not currently receiving grants, especially rural areas. Other speakers raised concerns about facilities and staffing impacts from TK expansion, the need for consistent eligibility rules across subsidized programs, and the importance of statewide systems-level funding. The chair thanked the LAO, administration, and public commenters, said the item would remain open until after the May Revision, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please. John Foote. Name and affiliation, please.
• Name and affiliation, please. My name is Guillermo. Name and affiliation, please.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• that were struggling and eventually emerged stronger, such as our Lake Chelan Habitat affiliate.
• I mean, how does that work with your affiliates?
• Yes, most Habitat affiliates are all independent legal entities.
• I think any renewal period that's imposed, our Habitat affiliates will meet.
• Habitat affiliates who didn't even know that they were enrolled in the tax exemption.

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on September 22, 2025, confirmed a quorum, and unanimously approved the August 6, 2025 meeting minutes. The main business of the meeting was public testimony on the 2025 tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself for the first witness, Joey Halverson of Tote Maritime Alaska, who testified in support of the tax preference for natural gas as a transportation fuel. He argued that LNG has enabled major emissions reductions, supported infrastructure at the Port of Tacoma, and should continue to receive tax preferences to encourage further clean maritime fuel adoption. The second witness, Michelle Preston of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testified in support of the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers. She said the preference helps Habitat affiliates advance homeownership and sustain operations, but noted that reporting has been inconsistent across independent affiliates and that JLARC’s metrics may not fully capture the program’s benefits. Commissioners asked questions about affiliate accounting, the distinction between benefits to nonprofits versus homebuyers, and whether the reporting/renewal period should be shorter than the current seven years; Preston said the preference benefits the nonprofit developer, not the homebuyer, and suggested shorter renewal periods might improve compliance and awareness. JLARC staff then outlined the process for the commission’s upcoming comments on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Commissioners will receive a web-based comment form, with responses due September 30, the chair will compile consolidated comments, and those materials will be distributed for the October 21, 2025 meeting. The chair noted that only voting members will complete the comment forms, though individual members may also submit minority reports. The meeting ended with a reminder that written testimony could still be submitted to JLARC and that the next commission meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have independent members<01:56:39.760><c> not</c><01:56:40.080><c> affiliated</c><01:56:40.719><
• c> with</c><01:56:41.040><c> either</c><01:56:41.440><c> party</c> members not affiliated with either
• party members not affiliated with either party and<01:56:42.639><c> both</c><01:56:43.040><c> Michigan
• And in fact, I believe there are federal laws that restrict or regulate the disclosure...
• </c> That restrict or regulate the disclosure of those pieces of information, but I don't believe there's

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• You will have an aye recommendation, and in full disclosure, I believe I'm on this bill as a co-author
• I fear that people may come after me and/or my family because of my affiliation with this effort through
• It also authorizes the AG to intervene to prevent the improper disclosure...
• It also authorizes the AG to intervene to prevent the improper disclosure of such information.
• AB 1930 provides our office the opportunity to intervene and prevent disclosures from happening in order

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Habitat for Humanity affiliates across California increasingly build townhomes and other multifamily
• Habitat for Humanity affiliates across California increasingly build townhomes and other multifamily
• So why not rely on voluntary disclosures?
• First, this is a permitting bill, not a disclosure bill.

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, coastal, and infrastructure bills. AB 306 would create a statewide appeal and code-interpretation process for building code issues at the California Building Standards Commission; supporters said it would reduce inconsistent local interpretations and speed housing delivery, while no opposition testified, and it was moved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 956 would clarify ADU law to allow up to two detached ADUs on a property and address ADUs in HOAs/common interest developments; supporters framed it as a flexibility and housing-supply measure, while local government and county groups raised concerns about ministerial approval, parking, density, and impacts on neighborhood character. After committee questions, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the bill remaining on call. Members also considered AB 1751, which would create a ministerial approval path for qualifying townhome projects and allow local inclusionary ordinances for larger projects. Supporters said it would expand attainable homeownership and help produce missing-middle housing, while cities and counties objected to reduced density, by-right approval, and potential housing-element net-loss issues. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and remained on call. AB 912, which would revise the governance structure of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board, drew unanimous support from the district, city, and county; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1710, aimed at preserving housing project entitlements from later regulatory changes, also advanced on a 4-0 do-pass-as-amended vote after opponents said they were awaiting the committee amendments. The committee also heard AB 2080, which would make county treasurer investment authority delegations ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal; supporters said it would reduce technical noncompliance and administrative burden without reducing oversight, and it was moved to the Senate Floor. AB 1740, a coastal bill for Santa Monica, would set timelines and reporting for a local coastal program and create an expedited Coastal Commission process for bike, transit, and pedestrian projects; supporters said it reflected a negotiated path forward with the city and commission, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2181, backed by Unite Here, would limit use of hypothetical density bonus value in hotel and motel appraisals; supporters said it would protect hospitality jobs from speculative lease-rent increases, and it was moved to the Senate Floor on a 4-0 vote. Finally, AB 2469 on data centers and water use drew the most extended debate. The bill would require water supply and water use assessments before approval, and shift infrastructure costs to project proponents; supporters said it would improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure local governments have information before approving water-intensive facilities. Opponents, including business, city, county, and tech groups, argued existing law already covers water assessments and fees, warned the bill could create a separate permitting regime, and raised concerns about privacy, security, and investment impacts. The committee had not yet taken final action on AB 2469 when the transcript ended, and members were still asking technical questions about data center cooling and water reuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it requires disclosures when outside entities, especially those with foreign connections, fund
• It will fix it in a small way by providing disclosures of who's financing the litigation through the
• authorizes the Department of Health and Senior Services to contract with the designated Missouri affiliate
• The department and the designated affiliate must provide a report to the General Assembly as stated in