Transcript Highlights:

• </c> evolving fields not only cyber security evolving fields not only cyber security and<00:14:01.240
• </c> Metro State in terms of cyber security Metro State in terms of cyber security so<00:15:35.519><c
• <00:29:45.880><c> artificial</c> security artificial security artificial intelligence<00:29:47.960><c
• </c> the complex IRS Federal and Securities the complex IRS Federal and Securities and<00:39:44.520><
• </c><01:08:22.560><c> by</c> and advancing our protein security by and advancing our protein security

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• What about food security?
• These are secure voting ballots.
• It increases the security of our elections. If you don't want secure elections, what do you want?
• Number one, if you want somebody to be security, that should be their only job: security.
• And if we actually care about security, we're going to hire people whose only job is security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clore, Kentucky Nonprofit Danielle Clore, Kentucky Nonprofit Network.
• </c> Consulting for the Kentucky Nonprofit Consulting for the Kentucky Nonprofit Network.<00:01:48.040
• It's a very simple nonprofit bill.
• They need their simple nonprofit bill.
• </c> nonprofits. We really do in this state. nonprofits. We really do in this state.

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• I I'm just kind of curious nonprofit?
• Folks that um nonprofit folks, right?
• </c> help attract and secure these events. help attract and secure these events.
• </c> to this particular nonprofit to this particular nonprofit organization<01:31:51.600><c> is</c><01
• private businesses, and nonprofits are private businesses, and nonprofits are doing<01:45:31.200><c>

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This created confusion for agencies and nonprofits.
• </c><00:10:41.320><c> would</c> fund capital grants to nonprofits would fund capital grants to nonprofits
• This created confusion for agencies<00:10:55.680><c> and</c><00:10:55.800><c> nonprofits.
• </c><00:10:56.920><c> The</c><00:10:57.040><c> change</c> agencies and nonprofits.
• The change agencies and nonprofits.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they are doing in the cyber security they are doing in the cyber security field<00:45:01.000><c>
• </c> recognized by the National Security recognized by the National Security Agency<00:46:44.960><c>
• </c><00:51:39.760><c> The</c> for cyber security workforce. The for cyber security workforce.
• </c> applied doctorate in cyber security. applied doctorate in cyber security.
• </c> security and what's currently going on. security and what's currently going on.

Bills: HF2634 , HF2241 , HF2649 , HF2520 , HF2610

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• We are an environmental nonprofit based in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and our mission is to
• This bill represents a critical step forward in securing a clean, affordable, and sustainable energy
• Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment and support ...and nonprofit customers.
• We're a mission-driven trade group organization and nonprofit working to advance the just, equitable,
• We are a national trade association of about 120 community solar companies and nonprofits working to

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of energy bills, with much of the discussion focused on offshore wind, battery storage, solar, nuclear study proposals, and a bill to redefine clean energy. Several Barnstable-area legislators and witnesses raised concerns about offshore wind transmission infrastructure near neighborhoods, beaches, and drinking water supplies, and supported bills to create a special commission and increase local input and oversight. In contrast, environmental, consumer, labor, and clean energy groups strongly backed offshore wind expansion bills, arguing that offshore wind lowers long-term costs, improves winter reliability, reduces fossil fuel dependence, supports jobs and local supply chains, and should include wildlife protections, labor standards, and community benefits. Some witnesses and committee members noted that parts of the offshore wind legislation overlap with the Governor’s energy affordability bill, and asked for clarification on which provisions were new versus duplicative. The committee also heard testimony on battery storage and solar legislation. Two student witnesses and several industry representatives supported a bill to study grid battery storage, saying storage can reduce outages, lower peak prices, and improve grid resilience during extreme weather. Witnesses from solar and storage companies supported a broader clean energy transition bill that would expand storage procurement, create a retail-style storage program for distributed batteries, set a 10-gigawatt solar target by 2035, and streamline siting and interconnection. Committee members pressed witnesses on whether these provisions were already included in the Governor’s affordability bill and asked for a section-by-section breakdown of what was new. One witness also urged allowing developers to bond interconnection payments to reduce financing costs. Another major topic was a bill defining clean energy, especially whether existing pumped-storage hydropower should qualify for subsidies or be excluded. Supporters of the bill argued that existing pumped storage should not receive additional ratepayer subsidies because it is already built, can have environmental impacts on rivers and ecosystems, and could cost ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Opponents said pumped storage is an important reliability resource and should remain eligible. The committee also heard testimony on nuclear-energy study bills: some witnesses supported creating a commission to examine nuclear power as a reliable, carbon-free option, while others opposed nuclear study bills and argued that nuclear is costly, unsafe, and inconsistent with the state’s clean energy goals. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of times on the spur of the moment because of overcrowding issues to stay under our numbers, to security
• If you have two inmates or rivalry inmates or gangs, we have to move them for security purposes.
• And also please know, as Representative Fulio stated, we are not the only nonprofit organization who
• They should let the security team know that's what they're doing it for.
• But I can work with Capitol security on putting something out there where it's, hey, let us know.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 24, 2026, and heard a series of bills, with members generally expressing support for measures aimed at public safety, corrections, and criminal procedure. The committee first amended and reported HB 957, which removes the 72-hour advance notice requirement for sheriffs transferring prisoners, while adding notice to the prosecuting authority as well as the court. Testimony from the Louisiana Sheriffs Association said the change would help with overcrowding and security-related inmate moves, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then heard HB 106, which prohibits giving children non-prescription melatonin without parental consent. After debate over whether consent should be written, the committee rejected an amendment requiring prior written consent, but adopted a broader amendment making the bill apply to any person rather than only child care centers. Testimony from Gretna Police Chief Brett Lawson described a case involving a nanny and a one-year-old child, and child care representatives said licensed centers already require parental consent forms. HB 106 was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 111, which adds associate’s degrees to the existing sentence-reduction credits for incarcerated people who complete higher education programs; DOC said the programs are accredited and monitored, and supporters framed the bill as part of workforce reentry. Several other bills were advanced. HB 64 clarifies that judges may recall arrest warrants and requires notice to law enforcement when a warrant is recalled; former Rep. Joe Marino testified in support, describing problems with old or mistaken warrants remaining active. HB 53 adds certain gambling offenses as predicate acts under Louisiana’s racketeering law, with the Attorney General’s office citing illegal gambling operations and prison-based gambling rings. HB 152 updates the state controlled dangerous substances schedules to match federal changes, adding 13 opioids. HB 102 creates second-degree cruelty to elderly persons and persons with infirmities, with amendments adding the offense as a predicate felony and refining the penalty and affirmative-defense language; the bill drew emotional testimony from advocates and family members describing abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults, and it was reported favorably as amended. The committee also reported HB 137, which strengthens penalties for threats against schools and adds a civil cost component for false threats; the Speaker Pro Tem said the bill is meant to deter school threats and reduce disruption and emergency response costs. HB 57 was reported favorably to clarify that courts may consider criminal histories in ex parte temporary restraining order proceedings. HB 337 increases from two to four the number of special charitable bingo events allowed each year for licensed nonprofits. Finally, HB 100 was substantially amended so that driving 100 mph or more is treated as reckless operation rather than a new felony speeding offense, and HB 155 expands the prohibition on unlawful drone use to additional Capitol grounds locations; both were reported favorably as amended. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures favorably, with several bills supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups and a few receiving limited opposition or informational cards.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> student loan debt, and 82% secure student loan debt, and 82% secure employment<00:04:02.720><c>
• :11.200><c> theirs</c><00:43:11.680><c> are</c> right now nonprofits like theirs are right now nonprofits
• :47:08.480><c> experiencing</c> nonprofit serving families experiencing nonprofit serving families experiencing
• So Haven Housing's housing was another nonprofit. They gifted us St.
• So Haven Housing's housing was another nonprofit. They gifted us St.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:25.320><c> community</c><00:31:25.679><c> development</c> nonprofit community development nonprofit
• NCF is a nonprofit organization based in St.
• Next on the list is security deposits.
• HJC is a nonprofit public interest advocacy organization and legal nonprofit whose primary mission is
• </c><01:08:38.040><c> public</c> Center uh HJC is a nonprofit public Center uh HJC is a nonprofit public

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is important because as we've engaged with our security colleagues, they continue to remind
• As I mentioned, we're a public-private partnership with a nonprofit foundation.
• Over the years, we've been able to build a really strong and significant nonprofit...
• Over the years, we've been able to build a really strong and significant nonprofit foundation, which,
• Honestly, the nonprofit will lag a little bit because it takes us time to build getting contributions

Transcript Highlights:

• So we appreciate you. um cyber security threat. um as um um cyber security threat. um as um technology
• Do you think that it's adequate as far as the security and the cyber security, the physical security?
• </c> wondering about maybe the the security wondering about maybe the the security there<00:58:15.920
• and the cyber as far as the the security and the cyber security<00:58:22.480><c> the</c><00:58:23.359
• ,</c><01:20:20.400><c> and</c><01:20:20.640><c> we</c> nonprofit, as Rebecca mentioned, and we nonprofit

Summary: The committee met to adopt the minutes of the second meeting by voice vote, then heard an update focused on disaster preparedness, resiliency, response, and coordination among state agencies and partners. The chair emphasized avoiding duplication of resources and highlighted the importance of agriculture-related response issues, including animal evacuation, feed distribution, and the role of extension services during disasters. The Department for Public Health was invited to explain its role in emergency planning and response. Public Health described its Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch as the lead coordinating agency for Emergency Support Function 8, covering health and medical services under Kentucky’s emergency operations framework. Testimony outlined its broad responsibilities, including support for hospitals, morgues, local health departments, behavioral health, crisis counseling, suspicious package testing, disease outbreaks, and coordination with emergency management, EMS, transportation, and nonprofit and private partners. Officials also described the agency’s risk-assessment process, training and exercise programs, and deployed assets such as PPE caches, deployable communications, a federal medical station, a mobile treatment center, and alternate care support used in events like the eastern Kentucky floods and COVID-19. The agency also discussed funding through federal cooperative agreements for public health emergency preparedness and hospital preparedness, noting that these programs have evolved since 9/11 and have been shaped by major disasters and emerging threats. Officials said Kentucky’s funding has declined over time and that current awards are partially funded for the first time in the program’s history. They expressed support for efficiency if federal programs are consolidated, but cautioned that combining programs could risk further funding losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an economic study done for the nonprofit arts and culture a few years ago, and the state has
• I worked for a nonprofit, and one of the roles I had was to secure funding for our children and our families
• I worked for a nonprofit, and one of the roles I had was to secure funding and to secure funding for
• So the nonprofit I worked for did access some of those grants for for did access some of those grants
• We're a statewide nonprofit organization.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee heard the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s FY 2027 budget request as part of House Bill 12. Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger said he generally agreed with the governor’s proposed core budget, but asked for restoration of prior cuts and funding for a statutory senior advocate role in his office. Members questioned the office about staffing levels, prior lapse in spending, and whether the office could tighten its own budget further. Wasinger and Chief of Staff Katie Ashcroft said the office had been operating leanly with five full-time employees and a part-time general counsel, and that the senior advocate function had been picked up by the office’s counsel after the statute was brought to their attention. Several members pressed for data on senior calls and for more detail on how the office would use any additional FTEs, while others supported the senior advocate position but objected to broader office expansion. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Missouri Arts Council, which Wasinger oversees. Michael Donovan testified that the governor’s recommendation would cut the council’s transfer by nearly half, reducing grants to communities and schools statewide. He said the council’s work supports arts education, community resilience, tourism, workforce readiness, and economic activity, citing a statewide economic impact study and examples from districts around Missouri. Members from both parties described local arts programs, festivals, and school partnerships that had benefited from grants, and several urged restoration of the funding. Questions also addressed the statutory distribution of nonresident athletes and entertainers tax revenue, the council’s unspent spending authority, and how cuts would affect grantmaking; Donovan said the council would likely have to reduce or scale back grants proportionally. The committee then heard from Missouri Humanities Executive Director Ashley Beard Foss, who described grants and public programs in local history, cultural heritage, veterans writing workshops, traveling exhibits, and digital humanities. She said the proposed 50% reduction to the humanities transfer would force staffing and program cuts and reduce regrants, including pass-through support for organizations such as the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City Urban League, and the Griot Museum. Members asked about those pass-throughs and the effect of the cuts, and the lieutenant governor said the office stood by the budget it had submitted. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chair noting follow-up materials would be distributed and announcing possible schedule changes for upcoming hearings because of weather.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is about fairness, dignity, and economic security.
• The consequences are significant for nonprofits.
• And she has. ...of cases around this issue for our nonprofits.
• A user might move data from a secure platform like Facebook to a legacy service with lesser security,
• Secure open protocols that operate at this scale do not yet exist.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on privacy, accessibility, labor, and public safety. AB 1798 by Assemblymember Wilson would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer test results, in underwriting. Supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage genetic testing, while insurers opposed it as unnecessary and said genetic data should be treated like other predictive health information. The bill passed the committee on a 7-0 vote and was held open for absent members. AB 2190 by Assemblymember Wallace would create website accessibility standards based on WCAG guidelines and add affirmative defenses intended to reduce serial litigation while improving access for people with disabilities. Disability advocates supported the measure as a needed civil-rights update, while business groups warned it could increase liability and create unclear compliance obligations. The bill passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2721 by Assemblymember Carrillo would require hotels to post notice when they know or should know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE are using the premises, with supporters saying workers and guests deserve transparency and safety. Hotel and business groups opposed it, citing privacy, liability, and concerns about interfering with federal operations. The committee voted 6-2 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2027 by Assemblymember Ward would restrict employers from using worker data to train AI systems that replace workers and limit sharing of worker data for automation; labor groups supported it and business and public-sector groups opposed it as too broad. The bill passed 7-2 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The committee also heard AB 1837 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, which would extend and tighten privacy rules for transit agencies’ use of forward-facing cameras to enforce bus-lane violations; supporters said the cameras improve transit flow and safety, and the bill was presented with amendments, though no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Count-Nprofits represents 10,000 nonprofit organizations as a policy alliance.
• Count-on-profits represents 10,000 nonprofit organizations as a policy alliance.
• Count-Nprofits represents 10,000 nonprofit organizations as a policy alliance.
• So I just think it's an opportunity for, number one, nonprofits to make sure they're applying for these
• I do hear the speaker who is just concerned that it's benefiting the nonprofits.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Summary: The committee met without an initial quorum and began as a subcommittee to hear several measures before the Assembly session. AB 770 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would authorize the City of Los Angeles to use a flexible signage framework at the Los Angeles Convention Center to generate revenue for renovation and modernization tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Support came from labor, business, and SEIU representatives, who said it would create construction and permanent jobs and help finance the project without taxpayer burden; there was no opposition. Members asked about the revenue estimate and how it would be used, and the bill later passed on concurrence. SB 451 was heard next and would clarify the law to allow a 50-50 charitable raffle at a championship game held at a designated venue where an affiliated sports team plays home games, addressing a Super Bowl-related loophole. Supporters from the bill’s author, the 49ers, and the NFL said it would preserve charitable fundraising and maintain existing audit and transparency rules. CalNonprofits did not take a formal opposition position but raised concerns about fairness compared with other nonprofit raffles and about expanding gambling. The committee discussed how raffle proceeds are distributed to charities, and the bill passed with 12 votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 831 by Assembly Member Valencia would make dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos unlawful in California while preserving lawful social sweepstakes that do not award cash prizes. Supporters, including several tribal nations, labor, business groups, and the Sports Betting Alliance, argued the bill closes a loophole, protects consumers and vulnerable populations, and defends tribal gaming sovereignty and revenues. Opponents, including sweepstakes and gaming industry representatives and many members of the Kletsel-Dehe Wintun Nation and allied tribes, argued the bill would eliminate a legal industry, reduce economic opportunity for smaller or geographically disadvantaged tribes, and should instead be regulated and taxed. Members debated consumer protection, tribal exclusivity, and the lack of consumer-group testimony; the committee ultimately passed AB 831 on concurrence, and the meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program at CSIS, which is a nonprofit think tank operating in national security... ...a nonprofit think
• food and water security.
• While food security is a cornerstone of human development, economic development, and national security
• of consumers and the economic security of farmers.
• Like, it's a national security issue, but it's national security for every nation.

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair framed alternative proteins as meat, dairy, and eggs made from plants, fermentation, or cell cultivation, and emphasized California’s prior $5 million public investment in UC research, the state’s large concentration of alternative protein companies, and plans for future site visits and hearings around the state. The first panel focused on the climate, environmental, food security, and national security rationale for alternative proteins. Representatives from the Good Food Institute and CSIS argued that alternative proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, methane, antimicrobial resistance, and supply-chain vulnerabilities tied to conventional animal agriculture. Members asked about pharmaceutical and disease risks in livestock systems, and witnesses said intensification of animal agriculture increases antibiotic use and disease transmission risks. The chair also raised the relationship between alternative proteins and traditional farming, and witnesses described the sector as complementary, with opportunities for California farmers to supply inputs such as nuts, legumes, and commodity crop side streams. The second panel featured industry leaders from Beyond Meat, Upside Foods, and Wildtype. They described plant-based, cultivated meat, and cultivated seafood products, argued that the products can match conventional foods on taste while improving health and environmental outcomes, and said misinformation and labeling battles have hurt public perception. They also discussed scaling challenges, the need for grants, low-interest loans, manufacturing support, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or other revenue-generating programs. The chair highlighted tasting events and efforts to educate legislators and staff, and noted that schools, hospitals, and prisons are important markets for healthier food options. The final panel featured UCLA and UC Santa Cruz researchers who described university-led advances in cultivated fat, publicly available datasets, and workforce development programs supported by state funding. They said the UC system is well positioned to provide foundational research, open-access data, student training, and extension support for farmers. The hearing ended with the chair saying the committee will continue its work through additional hearings, tours, and possible budget or legislative proposals, while acknowledging that the current budget climate makes additional funding uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the first capital, we received We are in partnership with the local nonprofit.
• have special events, making sure that in those facilities where we have overnight lodging, we have secure
• making sure, and then those facilities where we have overnight lodging, making sure that we have secure
• That would be able to secure additional land in the core battlefield and be able, either through direct
• We are lacking in making sure that we have security systems on site to really kind of oversee and monitor

Summary: The joint budget hearing focused on the Texas Historical Commission’s legislative appropriations request and its priorities heading into the Texas bicentennial. Agency officials said prior appropriations from the 89th Legislature have been fully expended or committed, and emphasized ongoing work with the General Land Office and Alamo partners to prepare revolutionary-era sites for increased visitation and interpretation. They highlighted major preservation and development efforts at Presidio La Bahía, Washington-on-the-Brazos, San Felipe de Austin, the First Capital, Monument Hill, and other Republic-era sites, along with continued work on the Texas Holocaust and Genocide, Anti-Semitism Advisory Commission. A large portion of the discussion centered on specific funding requests and project costs, including an $85 million request for the San Jacinto Monument and battlefield restoration, $16 million for phase two improvements at Washington-on-the-Brazos, and additional funding for Presidio La Bahía/Fannin Monument, the National Museum of the Pacific War, Caddo Mounds, Eisenhower Birthplace, Iwo Jima, and Palmito Ranch Battlefield. Officials also described a $100 million courthouse restoration program already underway, a request to address rising operating costs, staff compensation, and technology upgrades for connectivity, ticketing, reservations, e-commerce, and public access to records. They said visitation to historic sites is growing about 10 percent, with strong interest in revolutionary sites and archaeology. Members questioned the agency about the San Jacinto project costs, the IT request, visitation trends, and use of the Historic Infrastructure Sustainability Trust Fund. Officials explained that the trust fund provides about $11 million annually, split between historic sites and courthouses, and has supported projects such as Levi Jordan, Port Isabel Lighthouse, Washington-on-the-Brazos, the Goodnight properties, McGuffin Home, Fort Martin Scott, Eisenhower Birthplace, and several courthouses. No votes were taken; after questions and a brief opportunity for public testimony, no witnesses came forward and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Across our for-profit and nonprofit members, despite many differences, they were unanimous in urging
• Chair and members, Mark Smith, on behalf of the Secured Finance Network, also a tweener.
• Lopez told the salesperson that his sole income was Social Security. Mr.
• We are a nonprofit.
• Mark Smith, on behalf of the Secured Finance Network, in opposition for the reasons just stated.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills focused on consumer and small business financial protections. SB 97, by Senator Grayson, would update and clarify California’s digital financial assets law; supporters from the blockchain industry and consumer groups said it would improve compliance clarity while preserving room to align with possible federal action. The committee passed SB 97 on a due-pass motion to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee, with the roll left open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 362, which would strengthen disclosure rules for small business financing by requiring clearer pricing information throughout the marketing process. Supporters said the bill would help small businesses compare offers and avoid harmful financing, while some industry groups objected to the bill’s treatment of communications and APR disclosures during negotiations. After discussion, the committee passed SB 362 to the Judiciary Committee, with several members voting aye and the roll left open. SB 784, a bill addressing predatory home-improvement and solar financing practices, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters described scams targeting seniors, low-income homeowners, and non-English speakers, and said the bill would add safeguards such as confirmation calls, document access, fee transparency, and longer cancellation periods. Solar industry groups moved to neutral after amendments, while banks and other lenders raised concerns about overbreadth and impacts on legitimate lending. The committee passed SB 784 to Judiciary, with some members not voting or changing votes during the roll call. Finally, SB 825 sought to give the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation clearer authority to enforce existing consumer financial protection laws against its licensees, especially in light of reduced federal CFPB enforcement. Supporters argued California needs independent state enforcement tools, while banking and mortgage groups opposed the bill as duplicative and unnecessary, urging coordination with federal regulators and proposing narrower amendments. The committee passed SB 825 to Appropriations on a due-pass vote, and then adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So requiring MST to secure support from each city is burdensome and unnecessary, especially given that
• And finally, just to put a point on it, we still have to go to the voters and secure two-thirds of those
• Establishing a grant program that allows companies, the nonprofits, and individuals to support research
• AB 474 will incentivize nonprofit home sharing by AB 474 will incentivize nonprofit home sharing by exempting
• Nonprofit home share programs help to mitigate some of these challenges.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with members explaining that measures with significant fiscal impacts would be held for suspense or taken up later. AB 761 would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than needing approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would preserve transit funding for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while an opponent argued it would make it easier to raise a regressive tax. The bill was voted out 5-2 after being called for absent members. AB 1253, which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction beyond substantial equivalence, drew support from the Los Angeles County Assessor and the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8, dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration of hemp cannabinoids into the cannabis supply chain and tax system, drew strong support from cannabis operators and labor groups and opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates concerned about supply, tax revenue, and voter intent; it was also sent to suspense. The committee then heard AB 1138, a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program. Supporters, including entertainment unions, workers, studios, and local officials, said the bill would help keep production and jobs in California amid competition from other states and countries; opponents criticized it as picking winners and losers and argued broader business costs were the real problem. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 829, which would create a California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program to support research and services, received unanimous support from advocates and was approved 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 would exempt rental income from nonprofit home-sharing programs for low-income homeowners from state income tax and protect participants’ eligibility for certain benefits; supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address housing shortages, and the bill was sent to suspense after members asked for clarification on the fiscal estimate. The committee also heard AB 376, which would exempt wildfire settlement payments from state income tax for certain disaster survivors; supporters from rural counties said the money is meant to help victims rebuild and should not be taxed, and the bill was referred to suspense. Finally, AB 480 would allow developers using low-income housing tax credits to switch from allocated to certificated state credits after an award, with supporters saying it would maximize private investment and stretch housing dollars further; it too was sent to suspense. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly emphasized the need to balance policy goals with fiscal impacts, and several bills were held or referred to suspense rather than voted out immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• So requiring MST to secure support from each city is burdensome and unnecessary, especially given that
• And finally, just to put a point on it, we still have to go to the voters and secure two-thirds of those
• AB 474 will incentivize nonprofit home sharing by exempting rental income earned by low-income homeowners
• Nonprofit home share programs help to mitigate some of these challenges.
• Home providers and home seekers reported benefits including a stronger sense of safety and security,

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met first as a subcommittee and then took up several bills, with the chair explaining that measures with large fiscal impacts would be held on suspense and that tax levy bills would return at a later hearing. AB 761 (Addis) would let the Monterey-Salinas Transit District place a local sales tax measure on the ballot with approval from two-thirds of its board rather than separate approval from each member jurisdiction; supporters said it would help preserve transit services for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities, while one member objected to making it easier to raise regressive sales taxes. The bill was voted out 5-2 after a call of absent members. AB 1253 (Schultz), which would clarify property tax treatment for wildfire reconstruction done under emergency permits, received support from the California Assessors Association but was sent to suspense. AB 8 (Aguiar-Curry), dealing with hemp enforcement, intoxicating hemp products, and integration into the cannabis supply chain, drew strong support from cannabis businesses, labor, and local government groups, but opposition from small cultivators and public health advocates who warned about tax losses and conflicts with Proposition 64; it was also sent to suspense. AB 1138 (Zabur/Quirk-Silva), a major expansion and modernization of the film and television tax credit program, drew extensive support from entertainment unions, studios, and workers who said the industry is losing jobs to other states and countries, while opponents argued the state should not keep using targeted tax credits; the bill was sent to suspense. AB 829 (Sharp Collins), creating a Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund and voluntary tax contribution program, passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 474 (Ward), which would exempt certain nonprofit home-sharing income for low-income homeowners and protect eligibility for benefits, was also sent to suspense after supporters said it could help older adults age in place and address homelessness. AB 376 (Tangipa), exempting wildfire settlement payments from state income tax, was sent to suspense with support from rural counties. AB 480 (Quirk-Silva), allowing developers to convert allocated low-income housing tax credits to certificated credits to maximize value, was likewise sent to suspense.