Transcript Highlights:

• that is affordable and accessible in California.
• We have had extra priority put on GHG reduction, looking at housing production and affordability that
• housing and other socioeconomic issues.
• housing and housing supply and VMT, you know, you're balancing all these things when you're trying to
• housing and housing supply and VMT, you know, you're balancing all these things when you're trying to

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a balanced approach that protects patients while supporting affordability.
• Unfortunately, the in-print version of AB 2000 goes in the ...and affordable medications.
• To afford this, Mary had to give up basic living necessities, including food.
• It really needs to be something that... ...can afford it.
• We are representing nonprofit providers of care services for affordable housing for older adults, including

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in Hearing Room 60 in the great state of Oregon for the House Interim Committee on Health Care.
• Per our House Bill 4039 commitment, we are providing that to CCOs a week early.
• Some basics on the structure of the Affordable Care Act.
• Some sort of basics on the structure of the Affordable Care Act.
• what is deemed affordable.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing focused first on Oregon Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO) finances and rate setting. Oregon Health Authority staff explained how 2025 CCO financial results will inform 2027 capitation rates, including reserve requirements, subcapitation arrangements, and major cost drivers such as behavioral health, pharmacy, rural hospital costs, and dental directed payments. They said the Legislature’s added 2025 funding materially improved CCO margins and that, without it, the program would have been negative overall. Members asked about retained earnings, subcapitation, behavioral health utilization, ABA therapy, and whether outcomes are being evaluated; OHA said rate setting is actuarial and that CCOs, OHA, and other partners all play roles in monitoring efficacy and access. OHA also reviewed House Bill 4039 changes intended to increase transparency and give CCOs earlier access to rate information and reconciliation exhibits. CCO representatives then testified that the system is under significant financial pressure and that behavioral health state-directed payments, benefit changes, and federal uncertainty from H.R. 1 are reducing flexibility. CareOregon said it has lost more than $500 million over the last couple of years and is now making provider terminations and other network changes to align spending with available funding, while emphasizing that CCOs must make hard decisions about which services and providers can be sustained. Eastern Oregon CCO said rural and frontier factors, cost-based hospitals, air ambulance needs, and statewide efficiency adjustments are not fully reflected in rates, and that dental funding is especially strained. Trillium similarly warned that state-directed payments and benefit expansion pressures are constraining the global budget model and that H.R. 1 could worsen acuity and volatility. Members pressed the witnesses on who is responsible for evaluating treatment effectiveness, especially for ABA and psychotherapy, and on how utilization limits and reimbursement changes are being used to control costs. The committee then shifted to an overview of the Affordable Care Act and Oregon’s commercial insurance market. Department of Consumer and Business Services staff explained actuarial value, metal tiers, premium tax credits, medical loss ratio rules, and the main drivers of premium rates: cost trend, utilization trend, and administrative costs. They said mandates have likely added only a limited amount to premiums over the past decade, though the exact effect is difficult to isolate, and they gave examples of how high-cost, low-volume services versus broad, high-utilization services can affect rates differently. Staff also noted that Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Health Plans are withdrawing from the individual market, though consumers should still have at least three insurer options in every county and may have four in many counties. The division said it is in the middle of reviewing proposed 2027 rates and will continue its public rate review process, including hearings and written comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill addresses housing affordability and I move to final passage. Mr.
• In Comptroller Hager's 2024 study on the housing affordability challenge, Texas was 306,000 houses short
• We do have a housing affordability crisis, and one of the biggest costs of housing is the cost of the
• More affordable housing, and the thing is, when you do build the house, it does help increase the revenue
• because they can't afford to buy the same house at today's interest rate.

Bills: SB15 , SB35 , SB290 , SB1365 , SB2568 , SB18 , SB427 , SB1860 , SB1864 , SB2675 , SB596 , SB2858 , SB3058 , SB816 , SB1163 , SB1484 , SB1898 , SB1777 , SB1802 , SB2692 , SB315 , SB1585 , SB1626 , SB2058 , SB2050 , SB2105 , SB2245 , SB2764 , SB2611 , SB2497 , SB2452 , SB2243 , SB1705 , SB1244 , SB1361 , SB438 , SB578 , SB584 , SB2690 , SB2521 , SB2487 , SB2342 , SB2063 , SB125 , SB2041 , SB1962 , SB1413 , SB6 , SB2878 , SB13 , SB30 , SJR87 , SB7 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB57 , SB512 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB552 , SB646 , SJR1 , SB15 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB973 , SB974 , SB865 , SB506 , SB781 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB505 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3073 , SB2920 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB2460 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB2595 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SB35 , SB290 , SB1365 , SB2568 , SB18 , SB427 , SB1860 , SB1864 , SB2675 , SB596 , SB2858 , SB3058 , SB816 , SB1163 , SB1484 , SB1898 , SB1777 , SB1802 , SB2692 , SB315 , SB1585 , SB1626 , SB2058 , SB2050 , SB2105 , SB2245 , SB2764 , SB2611 , SB2497 , SB2452 , SB2243 , SB1705 , SB1244 , SB1361 , SB438 , SB578 , SB584 , SB2690 , SB2521 , SB2487 , SB2342 , SB2063 , SB125 , SB2041 , SB1962 , SB1413 , SCR9 , SB21 , SB1198 , SB1405 , SB2601 , SB2778 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB1584 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB171 , HB143 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB5246 , HB2 , HB2011 , SB17

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill up is House File 3579. I will move House File 3579. And welcome, Representative Myers.
• One in five Minnesotans cannot afford the food that they need.
• </c><00:05:11.039><c> This</c> consistent or affordable source.
• This consistent or affordable source.
• This is a very affordable protein that people can have access to. So thank you for this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• and then other areas where we didn't allow for denser housing.
• I have a mom who's elderly that rents an apartment in Eagle because she can't afford to buy a house.
• Across Idaho, we are hearing the same message: We need more housing choices.
• housing.
• housing that typically does not require government affordable-housing subsidies like you see with large

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• And we will now move to House Bill 3496, sponsored by Representative Reedy.
• I'm presenting House Bill 3496 for the record. I'm Rodger Reedy.
• They do whatever they can according to what their county can afford.
• Next person in favor of House Bill 3496. Thank you. Next person in favor of House Bill 3496?
• Is there anyone here for informational purposes only on House Bill 3496?

Summary: The Committee on Local Government first took up Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which concerns community paramedic/mobile integrated health services and related jurisdictional issues. Supporters, including ambulance and EMS leaders from Caldwell County and Cox Health, said the bill would help expand community paramedicine in rural and regional areas, improve patient care, reduce unnecessary emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs. One witness described a successful program that cut Medicaid charges dramatically, while another said the bill would help ambulance districts merge and operate more efficiently. An opponent representing the Missouri State Council of Firefighters said the group supported the underlying bill but was concerned about the Senate-added jurisdictional language affecting community paramedic services and wanted those issues resolved. The committee heard testimony but took no vote before closing testimony on the bill. The committee then heard House Bill 3496, sponsored by Rep. Rodger Reedy, which would update county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges that have not been revised in decades. Reedy and the Missouri Association of Counties said the bill is intended to modernize minimum salary schedules while preserving local control through county salary commissions, with a growth factor designed to account for changing assessed valuations over time. Committee members asked about how the bill interacts with other salary legislation and whether counties could use alternative training or salary arrangements approved by their associations. Supporters said the proposal was developed through a multi-year task force process involving county officials and related associations. The Missouri Association of Counties and Warren County officials testified in favor, saying the bill reflects a broad consensus and better matches current county finances. No one testified in opposition to House Bill 3496, and the chair closed the public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, before we start this house rules, we just having a public.
• My colleagues in the House, there were 98 yes votes for this bill out of 103 current House members.
• Thank you for the opportunity to share some comments on House Bill 477.
• In the House public hearing a couple of weeks ago, House public hearing a couple of weeks ago, and even
• We can't afford the increased cost and inputs as other industries can.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, it would be an affordable housing provider, and for CHC, we are concerned that right now
• the contractor does something wrong even though the affordable housing provider does nothing wrong,
• the contractor does something wrong even though the affordable housing provider does nothing wrong,
• You know, and like you, some of them, I consider affordable housing developers to be the best actors,
• And so, from our perspective, if an affordable housing provider is waiting for that payment, and again

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its rules, and approved the consent calendar before hearing several bills. AB 538, by Assemblymember Berman, would require awarding bodies on public works projects to make a timely attempt to obtain certified payroll records from contractors when the public requests them, rather than simply saying they do not have the records. Supporters said it would clarify existing prevailing wage enforcement; county, city, special district, and housing groups opposed it over workload, privacy, and potential funding risks. The bill passed the committee on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 485, authored by Chair Ortega, which would direct state agencies to deny or renew business licenses for employers with outstanding wage theft judgments unless the judgments are satisfied or bonded. Supporters, including labor groups and a caregiver who described delayed recovery of unpaid wages, said the bill would give workers meaningful leverage to collect judgments. The California Hospital Association opposed it, warning that license action could threaten patient access to care. The bill passed on a do-pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 596, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would codify workers’ right to wear a face covering or respirator at work unless it creates a direct safety hazard. Supporters said the measure would protect workers from illness, wildfire smoke, and employer restrictions after prior Cal/OSHA protections expired; the Chamber of Commerce opposed it narrowly, asking for an exception where masks are infeasible for certain tasks. The committee supported the bill and sent it to Appropriations. The hearing concluded with the roll kept open for absent members and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they don't earn nearly enough to afford they don't earn nearly enough to afford the<00:14:45.160
• . affordability. affordability.
• </c> college affordability in our nation. college affordability in our nation.
• </c> DoubleTree Hotel into student housing DoubleTree Hotel into student housing and<00:54:52.080><c>
• This is a centralized academic house.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• for people's housing.
• So while California is already facing a severe housing affordability crisis, sudden HOA assessment increases
• So while California is already facing a severe housing affordability crisis, sudden HOA assessment increases
• Mobile homes are the largest source of unsubsidized affordable housing in the country.
• Mobile homes are the largest source of unsubsidized affordable housing in the country.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will they be able to afford that academic journey?
• College can be affordable. That helps as well, right?
• We navigate what we can afford today.
• A third of them are housing insecure.
• and acquire housing at their respective campus.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Will they be able to afford that academic journey?
• Will they be able to afford that academic journey?
• We navigate what we can afford today.
• We know that our students are housed.
• A third of them are housing insecure.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on the impact of federal actions on California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing shared governance, student access, and the importance of protecting California’s public systems. The first panel included leaders from CSU, UC, California Community Colleges, and the University of the Pacific, who described major disruptions from federal policy changes, including grant terminations, changes to Pell and loan programs, the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, tighter loan limits, and uncertainty around immigration, CalFresh/SNAP, and Medicaid-related rules. UC and CSU leaders said federal research and student-support cuts threaten research capacity, workforce pipelines, and services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and international students, while the community colleges highlighted uncertainty around TRIO, HSI/MSI/AANAPISI grants and the need to preserve student services and economic mobility. Members asked about the scale of funding losses, intersegmental partnerships, workforce impacts, indirect cost caps, H-1B hiring costs, and the effect of federal changes on health care and research. Witnesses said the federal environment has created instability, delayed planning, and could reduce access to graduate and professional education, especially in health fields and other high-need professions. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to support research bonds, housing and capital outlay, and continued state investment to offset federal retrenchment. The committee also discussed how cuts could affect student debt, food insecurity, and the diversity of future cohorts, with witnesses warning that the changes could narrow access and weaken California’s workforce pipeline for years. The second panel focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, the Golden State Teacher Grant, and a proposed state FAFSA alternative for students who cannot access federal aid, while urging reforms to Cal Grant, better integration with CalFresh, and more support for foster youth and adult learners. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy uncertainty are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and putting basic needs, transfer support, and workforce programs at risk. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities said federal loan caps, research cuts, and attacks on DEI and HSI funding are harming access and retention, especially for first-generation and low-income students, and called for stronger state support, including transfer aid and a state-backed loan option. The CSU Academic Senate also testified that abrupt federal changes to MSI and related programs have disrupted student research, summer programs, and equity-focused initiatives, with one campus example losing $2.7 million in student-centered funding on short notice.

Transcript Highlights:

• housed.
• Family housing, including affordable housing, is proven to be a very complicated issue, and so we're
• Between our challenge and workforce housing program, we will be able to build more than 400 new affordable
• Accessible, affordable, sustainable, and equitable housing.
• of both supportive housing and very low-income housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the past 25 years, our organization has been dedicated to providing affordable housing options.
• Minnesota faces a shortage of housing that is affordable to the local workforce.
• of existing affordable housing, new workforce housing, and new homeownership opportunities, especially
• > preservation of existing affordable preservation of existing affordable housing, housing, housing,
• That's why I think affordable housing.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, these are providers that offer housing with affordable rents and pairs the housing with important
• Uh, these are providers that offer housing with affordable rents and pairs the housing with important
• :58.720><c> the</c><00:47:59.040><c> housing</c> affordable rents and pairs the housing affordable rents
• He said there is certainly more work we need to do to make housing more affordable, starting with passing
• housing more affordable uh to do to make housing more affordable uh starting<00:58:23.680><c> with</c

Transcript Highlights:

• On House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 371. Senate bill.
• And I've also learned, especially in the arena of housing, which housing to me is also a public good,
• I move to table the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee substitute for House Memorial 6
• Move to table the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee for House Memorial 6. Sorry.
• I move to table the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee substitute for House Memorial 6

Summary: The committee first took up SB 96, which would reduce local zoning, fee, parking, HOA, and sprinkler-related barriers for child care operators and home-based child care facilities. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill is intended to expand child care access, especially in rural areas and child care deserts, while maintaining safety standards. Firefighters, child care advocates, and other supporters testified in favor, while one member objected to the bill’s limits on local control. The committee asked about “stacking spaces” and parking rules, then approved SB 96 on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 303, as amended, dealing with utility construction and certificate of convenience and necessity timing. Utility representatives from El Paso Electric, Xcel Energy, and PNM, along with consumer and energy groups, supported the bill, saying it would let utilities begin construction before the CCN process is complete, with the utility bearing the risk and no cost recovery if approval is later denied. Members questioned impacts on ratepayers, PRC oversight, co-ops, and the bill’s policy rationale. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 303 as amended unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 6, as substituted, which asked for a study of private equity involvement in critical utilities and whether the state should consider a direct equity stake in utilities. Supporters argued the memorial would provide independent data before major ownership decisions, citing concerns about private equity acquisitions and the need to protect ratepayers and public interests. Opponents, including utility and business representatives, argued the PRC already has authority and expertise, warned about due process and conflict-of-interest concerns, and said the memorial could create uncertainty for investment. After extensive debate, the committee first tabled the committee substitute and then tabled HM 6 itself on an 8-3 vote, ending consideration of the memorial.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 40. Representative Burkel, House File 40, once again requiring fencing requirements.
• I'd move House File 40. Thank you, Mr. Chair. House File 40 for to be laid over. Thank you, Mr.
• House File 40 is to be laid over.
• How can we afford this fence?
• How can we afford this fence?

Summary: House File 40, authored by Representative Burkel, was heard and laid over. The bill would remove the statutory requirement that farmed deer/elk facilities maintain a physical barrier preventing contact with wild deer, and it would also strike language allowing revocation of registration and seizure/destruction of animals for fencing or escape violations. Burkel argued the current law is unfair to deer farmers, treats them differently than other livestock producers, and amounts to a regulatory taking of a legal agricultural enterprise. Supporters from the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association and Minnesota Deer Farmers Association said the 2023 secondary-fence requirement is expensive, difficult to implement on long-established properties, and has pushed some breeders out of the industry. They described costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, said the DNR’s guidance is case-by-case and unclear, and argued that the penalty structure is too harsh for what they view as minor or unavoidable escape incidents. One testifier said the industry is being driven out of business and that the state should help pay for the fencing if it remains required. The DNR opposed the bill. Its enforcement representative said the physical-contact barrier is intended to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease transmission and that removing penalties would leave little incentive for compliance. He said the agency continues to work with the roughly 10 noncompliant whitetail farms and that the DNR provides case-by-case review because farm topography varies. In committee questions, members discussed whether wild deer commonly travel along fence lines, whether ear-tagged deer have been found, and whether there is a standard approved fence design; the DNR said there is no single standard fence, only suggestions and review. Representative Burkel closed by reiterating his support for the bill and the committee then laid it over.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's our goal, speaking from the House position.
• those projects to make it affordable?
• You clearly can't afford the cost share percentage.
• How our program looks at affordability.
• And there's affordability criteria that come into play, as well as other affordability criteria that

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't afford the water.
• AB 1732 closes that gap by extending an existing exemption that applies to affordable housing.
• So by reducing unnecessary procedural barriers for university housing projects, AB 1732 serves as a housing
• infill affordable housing in Assemblymember Alvarez's earlier bill, AB 1449.
• The motion is do pass to Housing Committee. The motion is do pass to Housing Committee.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1603, which would restrict new PFAS pesticides from being registered in California and add transparency requirements for pesticide use reporting. The author and supporters argued PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and food, and said the bill would reduce future contamination and public health costs. Supporters included environmental and public health groups, water agencies, nurses, teachers, and local governments. Agricultural and chemical industry groups opposed the bill’s registration ban, arguing California already has strong pesticide review, that the measure could limit future safer formulations, and that it could raise costs and reduce farmers’ access to pest-control tools. Committee members raised questions about affordability, water contamination, and the role of state versus federal regulators; the author said the bill was needed because existing regulation is too slow and incomplete. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 2635, the Just Transition for Landscapers Act, which would create voucher programs and other support for landscapers transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, while limiting penalties and adding privacy protections. The author and supporters said many landscapers are low-wage immigrant workers who cannot afford the upfront cost of electric equipment and should not be punished for complying with local air-quality rules. Air district representatives and other opponents said the bill could be too prescriptive, could divert limited air district resources, and could create administrative and language-assistance burdens; one air district moved to neutral after amendments. Committee members discussed the health benefits of electric equipment and the need to avoid placing penalties on workers. The bill was held pending a quorum. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would extend CEQA streamlining to public university and community college housing projects. The author, UC student representatives, and the University of California said the bill would help address student housing insecurity and speed construction on already planned campus sites. There was no opposition. The committee then took up AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as reef safe or reef friendly from containing certain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems. The author said the bill is a transparency measure, not a ban, and the committee expressed support; no opposition appeared. Additional bills discussed included AB 2152, which would streamline CEQA review for fire station projects and was supported by firefighters and local governments but opposed by contractors over a project labor agreement requirement; AB 2231, which would streamline two hospital projects in Santa Clara and Emeryville and drew broad support with no opposition; AB 2410, which would create temporary CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions for wildfire fuel-reduction projects and drew support from counties, cities, utilities, and fire officials but opposition from Sierra Club California over the breadth of the exemptions; and AB 2234, which would update geothermal exploratory project rules to reflect newer technologies, supported by clean power advocates and opposed or opposed-unless-amended by utility groups concerned about impacts on existing geothermal operations. Several of these measures were discussed with amendments, but votes were deferred where a quorum was not yet present.