Transcript Highlights:

• California. Airbnb and VRBO have grown rapidly, especially in California.
• Matt Leje, with SEIU California, in support.
• Hi, Rachel Mueller, on behalf of the California Coalition for Community Investment, the California Association
• of California, in support.
• Natasha Minsker, Smart Justice California.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to local government, housing, public safety, and data privacy. SB 346 on short-term rental tax collection and enforcement drew the most discussion: the author and local government supporters said platforms should provide listing addresses so cities and counties can verify transient occupancy tax payments and enforce local ordinances, while Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking Holdings argued the bill bypassed existing administrative subpoena procedures and raised due process and privacy concerns. After committee amendments limiting requests and tying audits to platforms that collect the tax, the bill passed 7-0 to Judiciary. SB 635, the Street Vendor Business Protection Act, was presented as a privacy measure to protect street vendors’ personal information from being shared with federal immigration authorities; supporters described raids and fear in immigrant communities, and the bill passed 6-1 to Public Safety. The committee also approved SB 499, which narrows when parks and recreational facilities can qualify for certain fee deferrals by requiring that they be designated in a local safety element or hazard mitigation plan for emergency purposes. Supporters said parks can serve as fire buffers, evacuation sites, and disaster response hubs, while some members questioned the nexus between new development and upfront fee collection; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 358, which modernizes the Mitigation Fee Act to ensure traffic impact fees reflect lower automobile trip generation for walkable, transit-oriented housing, passed 8-0 to Appropriations with support from housing and transit advocates and no formal opposition beyond a few cities in respectful opposition. SB 515, which would improve how local governments collect and report demographic data by using more detailed ethnic categories, passed 7-0 to Appropriations with little debate. Earlier in the hearing, SB 276, presented on behalf of Senator Wiener, passed 9-0 to Public Safety; it would let San Francisco require permits for the sale of commonly stolen goods on sidewalks and add misdemeanor penalties for repeat violations, with supporters saying it targets fencing and organized theft while protecting legitimate vendors. The committee also took up other items and consent calendar bills, with multiple measures moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• our tax code here, but I'd suggest that we As we implement our tax code here, but I'd suggest that we
• Standard deviation...
• Speaker, it does not take that much to build a portfolio, to build a business, to where you all of a
• And so, For the sake of consistency in our tax code, simplification in our tax code, and fairness in
• The standard deduction is one Thank you. The standard deduction is $1 million per individual.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Transcript Highlights:

• California cannot fully reckon with this history without building the infrastructure to respond to it
• This bill helps California build the infrastructure it needs faster and cheaper, showing that California
• By requiring lighters to meet the ASTM International standards, California will improve safety for the
• anyone in this building.
• That makes California better. That makes California stronger.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, observed a moment of silence for John Burton, and proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural motions. Members approved a rule suspension to allow floor amendments on SB 271 and SB 67, and several committee notices and bill referrals were handled. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading file, with many bills passed and a number of items temporarily passed or retained on file. Among the major measures approved were bills on civil rights and public safety (SB 477, SB 19, SB 36, SB 571, SB 580), health care and coverage (SB 257 on pregnancy as a qualifying life event, SB 530 on Medi-Cal access standards, SB 660 on health data exchange, SB 754 on menstrual product contaminant disclosure), housing and disaster recovery (SB 610, SB 655), transportation and climate (SB 533 on EV charging payments, SB 30 on diesel locomotives, SB 71 on CEQA exemptions for transit, SB 263 on tariff impacts), and natural resources/energy (SB 283 on battery storage safety, SB 88 on biomass emissions, SB 427 extending the Habitat Conservation Fund). The Assembly also passed urgency measures including SB 864 on tribal gaming compacts, SB 663 on wildfire-related property tax relief, SB 471 expanding DDS ombudsman authority, and SB 497 on privacy protections for legally protected health services. Several bills drew notable debate. SB 41 on pharmacy benefit managers saw opposition over concerns about moving ahead before broader PBM data and licensing reforms take effect, but it still passed. AB 1340, a concurrence item on gig worker collective bargaining rights, prompted extended debate over labor rights, consumer costs, and union influence. Other concurrence items included AB 671 on restaurant permitting, which passed without opposition. The Assembly also took up SB 640 on direct admission to CSU, SB 702 on demographic reporting for appointees, SB 710 preserving a solar property tax exclusion, and SB 793 on counterfeit lighter safety, all of which passed. The session ended with the Assembly continuing through the file, including concurrence votes and additional bill actions, with most measures approved by substantial margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation brings a spotlight to the crown jewel of the 21st century education code, the California
• Education Code, the California Healthy Youth Act.
• California State Treasurer.
• to field act standards.
• state standards are developed.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do so through promulgating rules in the California Vehicle Code or vehicle code traffic laws.
• So in the state of California, we have codified in the California Vehicle Code the levels of driving
• In California? Yeah, it's a similar approach in California.
• I'm not sure about California.
• They already know this standard.

Summary: The committee held a work session on autonomous vehicles, beginning with an overview from the Washington State Transportation Commission on the state’s five-year AV work group. The commission described its 2018 legislative mandate, the 35-member executive committee and seven subcommittees, and the resulting 29 recommendations and “roadmap to the future.” The presentation emphasized six policy “building blocks” for Washington: agency readiness, public outreach, equity, safety, testing and pilots, and a path to deployment. It also noted current Washington law requires AV testing companies to self-certify with the Department of Licensing, carry $5 million in liability insurance, report collisions and violations, and notify local law enforcement before testing; three companies are currently certified. State regulators from California and Arizona then outlined their AV frameworks. California described its long-running permit system for testing with and without a safety driver and for commercial deployment, its current rulemaking to expand use cases to heavy-duty trucks and passenger shuttles, and new requirements for mileage, operational assessments, and more detailed crash and incident reporting. California also said it is creating a new enforcement tool allowing citations to be issued to manufacturers for moving violations by AVs. Arizona described its executive-order-based approach, later codified by statute, which allows testing and driverless operations through self-certification, law enforcement interaction plans, quarterly meetings with companies, and reporting of crashes or near misses; Arizona also said it tracks crashes monthly and has not recorded fatalities attributed to AVs. Industry representatives from Waymo, Zoox, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association argued that AVs can improve safety, accessibility, and mobility while creating jobs. They described extensive sensor systems, community outreach, first-responder engagement, and current operations in multiple cities. Waymo cited more than 127 million rider-only miles and said its data show large reductions in injury-causing and pedestrian crashes; Zoox said it operates in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Seattle and stressed its purpose-built electric robotaxi and local jobs; AVIA said its members have driven more than 145 million autonomous miles and that 26 states now expressly authorize driverless operations. Members asked about public education, crash and fatality tracking, enforcement, weather, school zones, first-responder interactions, and labor impacts. Labor and public-safety witnesses from the Teamsters, firefighters, and driver unions opposed commercial AV deployment without stronger safeguards. They argued Washington should not be an unregulated testing ground, especially for heavy trucks and hazardous materials, and warned of job losses for drivers, taxi and rideshare workers, and related occupations. Firefighters and driver representatives raised concerns about AVs interfering with emergency scenes, blocking responders, and creating risks in dynamic roadway incidents. Committee members also asked for comparisons to human-driven vehicles, data on citations and crashes, and more information on how AVs interact with pedestrians, first responders, and workers.

Transcript Highlights:

• collecting the debt in California.
• Dennis Albion: We have the California Grain and Feed Association, California Seed Association, and California
• California Seed Association and the California Warehouse Association.
• students in California.
• for that code.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• So OEHHA serves that same role within California.
• But welcome to California. Thank you.
• You know, the argument at the time was when we get to this air standard, 1990 air standard, you know,
• You know, the argument at the time was when we get to this air standard, 1990 air standard, you know,
• In California.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first handled several routine items, approving three gubernatorial appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. It also approved referral of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators questioned him extensively about rural and financially distressed hospitals, Medi-Cal reimbursement, eligibility redeterminations, work requirements, fraud controls, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s evaluation. He said DHCS is working on expedited payments, hospital monitoring, county technical assistance, targeted audits, and community supports such as medically tailored meals. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Dr. Chris Thayer, nominated to lead the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and risk communication to inform other agencies and policymakers. Senators focused on the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and how OEHHA communicates risk to the public. Thayer said the office relies on a mix of data sources where direct evidence is limited, is updating CalEnviroScreen, and is working to reduce Prop 65 over-warning through guidance and outreach. The discussion did not reach a final vote on his appointment in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are held to the same licensing standards as everybody in California.
• Licensing standard.
• However, we know the vastness of California, so if that student is staying in California...
• , become nurses in California, and stay in California.
• California.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are Southern California, Central Valley, and kind of far north, Northern California.
• These are Southern California, Central Valley, and kind of far north, Northern California.
• As the CPUC, we have the responsibility to implement what is statutory code on Public Utilities Code.
• here in the state of California.
• I'm going to ask you not to Nevada your California. I don't California my Nevada.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to see a standardized program administered in a standardized way, perhaps between the state
• Administered in a standardized way, perhaps between the state and the counties, with a standard benefit
• California cannot absorb these cuts.
• counties in California.
• California is on the brink...

Transcript Highlights:

• In California, we have redundant alert and warning systems.
• In addition to these redundant systems, and to ensure California is prepared, California has a dedicated
• Is it by zip code? Is it by area code? How are the lines determined?
• Zip codes aren't going to work because in major metropolitan communities, as well as area codes, that
• And what we do is we build kind of a readiness profile of the alerting authorities.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s emergency alert and warning systems, especially in light of recent Southern California wildfires and the January 9 evacuation alert that was mistakenly sent to millions of residents. Opening remarks emphasized the loss of life, the strain on first responders, the importance of timely warnings, and concerns that public trust in alerts has been undermined by delays, confusion, and over-alerting. Members repeatedly raised questions about how to improve speed, accuracy, coordination across jurisdictions, and public understanding of the difference between evacuation warnings and orders. Cal OES staff described the state’s alert and warning framework, including SEMS, the State Warning Center, IPAWS, WEA, and EAS, and said local governments retain primary responsibility for issuing alerts because they know local roads, shelters, and hazards best. They said Cal OES supports local agencies with training, technical assistance, testing, and backup alerting help when requested, and that local alerting authorities must test their systems every 30 days and complete FEMA-required training. Members pressed Cal OES on gaps in smaller or under-resourced jurisdictions, the lack of a statewide unified system, compliance monitoring, redundancy for people without reliable technology, and whether the state should take a more active role. Cal OES said it could assist smaller jurisdictions and step in during emergencies, but that a statewide system would require further analysis and funding. Sheriff Eric Taylor of San Benito County emphasized that local control is essential because counties differ widely in structure, geography, and alerting responsibilities, and he described the challenges of rural areas, limited cell coverage, and multiple platforms such as Nixle, Reverse 911, and social media. Nick Russell of Watch Duty said the nonprofit fills gaps by providing fast, geospatially detailed wildfire information from volunteers and public data, and argued that context and redundancy are critical because official alerts often arrive too late or lack enough detail. Members praised Watch Duty’s usefulness and asked about incorporating similar capabilities into state systems. Public commenters also raised the need for broader redundancy, including earthquake-warning partnerships, and wildfire survivors urged the committee to address the confusing patchwork of alerts and to honor prior compensation commitments to PG&E fire survivors. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only and adjourned after member questions and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Southwest California Legislative Council, the California Police Chiefs Association, and more than
• Under current law, we have the California Penal Code, call it a 602 letter, which is the written request
• Pover about a chargey with Housing California.
• Instead, this bill adds to the list of offenses under California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section
• 707B, ...of offenses under California Welfare and Institutions Code, Section 707B, exposing youth to

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Building Code Chapter 7A, California Fire Code Chapter 49 on requirements for wildland-urban interface
• California.
• Steve Cruz, on behalf of the California Building Industry Association.
• Member, Steve Cruz, on behalf of the California Building Industry Association, we have been an opposed
• I'm from San Ramon, California. My name is Lakshmi Rao.

Summary: The committee met to hear seven Senate bills, first approving two consent items, SB 352 and SB 804, on motions to do pass to Appropriations. SB 542 (Limón) would require public notice and comment before issuing a financial responsibility certificate for an oil pipeline and require hydrostatic testing before restarting pipelines idle for five years or more; it was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity and passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 616 (Rubio) would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to coordinate wildfire mitigation and insurance-related recommendations; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and several local and industry groups, while water agencies, special districts, and the building industry raised concerns about water infrastructure standards, and it passed on a due-pass motion to Insurance. SB 429 (Cortese), which would establish a public wildfire catastrophe model and related university-based research and education program, received support from the Department of Insurance and outside groups and passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 256 (Perez) would strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency response by expanding planning, improving PSPS communication, requiring utility coordination with emergency centers, and directing removal of permanently abandoned electrical facilities; utilities and business groups were generally neutral after amendments, while the author emphasized the bill’s connection to recent wildfire losses, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 509 (Caballero) would require specialized training for local law enforcement on transnational repression targeting diaspora communities; it received support from the California Police Chiefs Association and immigrant-rights advocates, but drew extensive opposition from Hindu and civil-rights organizations concerned about bias, implementation, and First Amendment issues. Committee members discussed amendments to clarify cultural competency, diversity, and constitutional protections, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. After the hearing, the committee took final roll-call votes on the bills, with the consent items and SB 429, SB 256, and SB 509 moving forward, while SB 542 and SB 616 were also reported out on earlier motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Action, in strong support.
• We need to build, you know, millions of homes in California, and we need to do more as a state to reduce
• codes that may impede rebuilding efforts.
• codes that may impede rebuilding efforts.
• Standards Code Commission all to collaborate all four times on separate reports.

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• standards around pre-construction deposits are the number one reason that they don't build condos here
• The U.S. building code is full of standards not required by our global peers that drive up costs.
• U.S. building codes outside New York prohibit more space-efficient scissor-stair configurations used
• Other states have started to pursue building code reforms that reduce costs while maintaining high standards
• You heard the previous speaker speak to some of the challenges of building those in terms of codes and

Transcript Highlights:

• You were working to build housing for Minnesotans, and you still are, and we thank you for your work.
• </c> building a robust Safe Harbor program. building a robust Safe Harbor program.
• </c><00:43:18.520><c> that</c><00:43:18.640><c> funds</c><00:43:18.920><c> the</c> for a fair tax code
• that funds the for a fair tax code that funds the public<00:43:19.280><c> services</c><00:43:19.760>
• IRS code.

Bills: HF4234 , HF3697 , HF1183 , HF4738

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:19.440><c> current</c><00:43:19.760><c> buildings</c> of their buildings current buildings
• of their buildings current buildings um<00:43:21.760><c> even</c><00:43:22.280><c> as</c><00:43:22.840
• <00:43:52.840><c> these</c> build these build these uh uh uh facilities<00:43:54.920><c> that</c><00:
• </c> accreditation standards. accreditation standards.
• ,</c> uh renew its buildings, uh renew its buildings, to to to construct<01:48:34.000><c> new</c><01:

Bills: HF4234 , HF3697 , HF1183 , HF4738

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:43.800><c> or</c> big business or big buildings or big business or big buildings or whatever
• Code 42, section 4955.
• </c> standard notice. standard notice.
• We are currently building six larger homes designed for multi-generational living.
• This program has helped us increase our capacity to build right here on the Iron Range.

Bills: HF3127 , HF3816 , HF3814 , HF3815 , HF3817

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, corporate franchise tax, individual income tax, research expenditures, federal compliance, Minnesota Statutes, income tax, corporate tax, section 179, federal conformity, HF3815, Minnesota taxes, tax conformity, Internal Revenue Code, IRC conformity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Got got a motion from Representative &gt;&gt; Got got a motion from Representative Standards
• c> A</c><00:09:58.480><c> second</c><00:09:58.800><c> by</c><00:09:58.959><c> Representative</c> Standards
• A second by Representative Standards.

Bills: HB55 , HB104 , HB55 , HB104

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: mortgage, payments, financial institutions, borrowers, principal, escrow, homeownership, abandoned property, digital assets, state treasurer, unclaimed property, liquidation, finders, contracts, electronic reporting, fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama

Transcript Highlights:

• In the coming years, you're going to see unprecedented infrastructure building.
• Section 402.031 in Chapter 21 of the Texas Property Code.
• Section 402.031 in Chapter 21 of the Texas Property Code.
• That's the reason that you all are sent to this building each year.
• That's the reason that y'all are sent to this building every two years.

Bills: HB5489 , HB5695 , HB5699 , SB291 , SB292

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: impact fee, moratorium, local government, Texas legislation, infrastructure funding, municipal utility district, eminent domain, bonds, assessments, infrastructure, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Harris County, Municipal Utility District, territory exclusion, debt service taxes, property taxation, condemnation, property acquisition, real property, appraisal reports