Transcript Highlights:

• The average citizen has no idea that a settlement for disasters and destruction of their home would be
• We're trying our best to get in the forests and mitigate that as much as possible.
• We're trying our best to get in the forests and mitigate that as much as possible.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the Governor's Innovation Fellows to develop a knowledge bank of some of these, like CEQA and mitigation
• wildfire... ...sometimes from the legislature, we've told the IOUs to prioritize, you know, wildfire mitigation
• So I just wanted to stress that point that really making sure that wildfire mitigation plans are integrated
• standpoint in terms of ratepayers and what they're going to be on the hook for, but also from a wildfire mitigation
• So climate disasters are dangerous. They're also incredibly expensive.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• In California, composting is already authorized in emergencies such as extreme heat or natural disasters
• Finally, composting can be used for predator mitigation.
• Finally, composting can be used for predator mitigation.
• By cracking down on these, California can mitigate the risk of further outbreaks and protect animal and
• cockfighting is completely reprehensible, this bill fails to propose any solution that would empirically mitigate

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• They've shown time and time again that during disasters their collection and distribution networks are
• <00:11:38.320><c> their</c><00:11:38.560><c> collection</c><00:11:38.959><c> and</c> disasters their
• collection and disasters their collection and distribution<00:11:39.639><c> networks</c><00:11:40.120
• </c> their need during any natural disaster their need during any natural disaster or<00:29:17.640><c
• And the cat community organizes efforts to assist with mitigating this concern, which is a statewide

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• support the Coexisting with Wildlife Initiative at the Department of Fish and Wildlife to proactively mitigate
• The CPUC has established the goal of having statewide service for full-time 24-7-211 in disasters, and
• The CPUC has established the goal of having statewide service for full-time 24-7 211 in disasters, and
• is full coverage in our region and expand rural access to health and social services and reliable disaster
• information. ...and expand rural access to health and social services and reliable disaster information

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the May Revision from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, focused on resources, environmental protection, energy, and related budget issues. Finance said the May Revision keeps the budget balanced in 2026-27 and 2027-28, narrows the structural deficit, and proposes major investments in natural resources, including Proposition 4 bond funding for the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, wildlife refuge and wetland projects, Fort Ord Dunes campground operations, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, wildfire-human coexistence, and beverage container recycling. The LAO praised stronger-than-expected revenues but argued the state still has a structural deficit and is relying too heavily on reserves, recommending more reserve deposits and fewer new discretionary expenditures. Members questioned several proposals, especially the Golden Gate Fields purchase and the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program. Agency officials said the Golden Gate Fields site is a time-limited opportunity, would be remediated by the current owner, transferred to East Bay Regional Park District after closing, and restricted to park/open-space uses rather than commercial development. On Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, Finance and the Natural Resources Agency said the $25 million request would help launch year one of the program, support scientific monitoring, and maintain commitments to environmental flows and habitat restoration; the LAO said the request was premature because the Bay-Delta plan has not yet been formally adopted and the state’s total funding commitment remains unclear. Officials also discussed water storage, subsidence, and the need for ongoing investments in aquifer recharge, aqueduct repairs, and recycling. The committee also reviewed a proposed $1 million shift for the Coexisting with Wildlife Initiative. Fish and Wildlife and the Cattlemen’s Association said the money would support limited-term staffing, deterrence tools, and livestock-loss compensation, while acknowledging the amount is modest compared with the need. Members emphasized the growing human-wildlife conflict problem and the importance of nonlethal deterrence and public education. The discussion then turned to greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues and transit; members warned that lower auction revenues and possible CARB rule changes could leave little or nothing for Tier 3 programs such as transit, clean water, and air-quality programs. Finance and the LAO said the Legislature should plan for multiple revenue scenarios and consider whether the existing cap-and-invest spending framework still matches current revenue expectations and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would it be the state of emergency for the national disaster? OR WOULD THIS TAKE PRIORITY? >> Rep.
• Obviously, when we have natural disasters, they are awful and they don't discriminate against private
• Would it be the natural disaster or the current state of emergency?
• These are the same folks that told us passing E-Verify would somehow lead to an economic disaster in
• Aggravating and mitigating that a jury could weigh in making a determination.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675 , HB2426 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675 , HB2426 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675 , HB2426 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate considered and passed several House bills. HB 2624, relating to consumer protections for unsolicited real estate transactions for public purposes, was amended with a striking amendment from the Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and then passed 30-18, with Senator Dozier voting no and saying the bill still needed work. HB 2104, which makes permanent aviation assurance funding for wildfire response by removing a sunset clause, passed 47-0 with two excused after Senator Short urged support based on its wildfire-fighting value. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Substitute HB 2334, which addresses cash transactions and rounding to eliminate the need for pennies, adding language that customers with exact change must be able to pay exact change. The bill passed 45-2, with Senator Frame describing it as permissive guidance for businesses and Senator Dozier supporting it humorously; Senator Gainer voted no. HB 2436, concerning requirements for oil tankers operating in restricted waters and clarifying tugboat horsepower standards to match current practice, passed 46-1 after support from Senator Lovelett and Senator King. Finally, Engrossed HB 2575, reducing certain reporting obligations under environmental or energy laws, passed 47-0 with two excused. Senator Schumaker said it would save administrative costs for the Department of Commerce and utilities and free up money for low-income energy assistance. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Bills: HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Bills: SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB 1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB9 , HJR1

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disaster to help neighborhoods recover. disaster to help neighborhoods recover.
• the consequences of such an and mitigate the consequences of such an attack.<04:42:22.718><c> By</c>
• By identifying security gaps before<04:42:24.878><c> disaster</c><04:42:25.440><c> strikes,</c><04:42
• :26.000><c> we</c><04:42:26.240><c> can</c><04:42:26.400><c> enhance</c> before disaster strikes, we
• can enhance before disaster strikes, we can enhance our<04:42:27.040><c> resilience</c><04:42:27.760>

Bills: HB8897 , HB3106 , HR1398 , HB8738 , HB3535 , HB7574 , HB8535 , HB8168 , HB9388 , HB9391 , HB8874 , HB9328 , HB8770 , HB7809 , HB6332

Keywords: FEC, Federal Election Commission, campaign finance, electioneering communications, political committees, electronic filing, e-filing, disclosure reports, campaign reporting, disbursements, checkless payments, payment methods, administrative reform, election law, FECA, 52 U.S.C. 30104, 52 U.S.C. 30102, campaign administration, political spending, Department of Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:

• commission identify if there are certain risks present at the third-party organization that need to be mitigated
• number 10 on page 21 recommends NextG system foundational documents, including a risk assessment, disaster
• c> assessment,</c> documents including a risk assessment, documents including a risk assessment, disaster
• <00:37:19.760><c> recovery</c><00:37:20.160><c> and</c><00:37:20.480><c> business</c> disaster recovery
• and business disaster recovery and business continuity<00:37:21.440><c> plan,</c><00:37:22.320><c> security

Summary: The committee first approved the June 20, 2025 minutes, with several members abstaining, and then adopted the consent calendar after removing items 223 and 224 under tab five, item 222 under tab six, and item 231 under tab seven. The committee also noted that an old business item related to YDC claims administration would be removed at a future meeting because the fiscal year had closed and no further committee action was needed. The main substantive discussion centered on Department of Health and Human Services requests. Item FIS-223 would fund a shared database between the Department of Education and HHS to identify children eligible for the summer EBT program; members asked whether it could also help with Medicaid or school reimbursement tracking, but the witness said the item was specifically for summer EBT and that broader integration questions would need follow-up with Education and Medicaid staff. The committee then adopted the item, with Representative Mooney voting no. Item FIS-224 concerned the phrase "high quality services" in child care-related funding; HHS said the standards come from the federal Office of Child Care, and the committee adopted the item. Item FIS-222 related to Money Follows the Person; HHS explained it is a 100% federally funded program that supports transitions from institutions to community living with services such as housing navigation, furnishings, and case management. Members questioned the scale and cost of the program, and HHS said the initial federal award was $5 million, with additional federal IT funding later approved; the committee adopted the item, again with Representative Mooney voting no. Under tab seven, the committee discussed item 231 involving ARPA funds and the YDC project. The Department of Administrative Services explained that recent Treasury guidance allows leftover ARPA dollars from approved projects to be repurposed only for additional work on already approved projects, not new projects. Members asked about whether the project was over budget and whether some items had been in the original plan; officials said the work reflected add alternates from the original bid and that the project was on track to meet the deadline. The committee adopted the item. The meeting then moved to the audit presentation on the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s fiscal year 2024 management letter, which identified 13 internal control comments, including two material weaknesses, largely tied to the new NextG system. Recommendations included strengthening controls, formal risk assessment, reconciliations to New Hampshire First, cash receipt controls, subsidiary ledgers, SOC reports for vendors, internal audit functions, lease accounting, gift card breakage reporting, and IT security and access controls. The Liquor Commission said it concurred with most findings, described the system transition as successful overall, and said remediation would continue; committee members asked for estimated completion dates for audit findings and discussed the need for more regular follow-up on audit issues and budget monitoring.

Transcript Highlights:

• This needs that we have some sort of disaster. And what is the disaster in Colorado for business?
• What is the business disaster in Colorado?
• </c><01:17:27.040><c> is</c> symptom mitigation is symptom mitigation is it's<01:17:30.320><c> needed
• </c><01:18:16.560><c> in</c> of disaster.
• And what is the disaster in of disaster.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those short-term hardships include a county with a high unemployment rate, disaster areas that are
• And those short-term hardships include a county with a high unemployment rate, disaster areas that are
• declared by the president, with a high unemployment rate, disaster areas that are declared by the president
• You shared all your many efforts in working to try to mitigate these burdens through as much automation

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee met on July 30, 2026, to hear two main briefings. The first, from the Health Care Authority, focused on implementation of federal H.R. 1 Medicaid changes and Washington’s rural health transformation funding. HCA said the state is preparing for major eligibility changes, including the October 1 loss of Medicaid coverage for about 14,000 lawfully present non-citizens and January 1, 2027 work requirements, six-month renewals, and reduced retroactive coverage for roughly 600,000 Medicaid expansion adults. Officials described outreach efforts, new automated verification systems, a verification hub, and plans to use available data sources to reduce manual paperwork, while noting that about one-third of the affected population may still need manual processing. They also said H.R. 1 will limit state-directed payments over time, with an estimated long-term impact of up to $1.5 billion in hospital reimbursements. On rural health transformation, HCA said it is moving quickly to obligate its $181 million federal award through contracts and competitive grants for rural hospitals, workforce, behavioral health, technology, and tribal and community partners. Committee members asked about the impact on rural providers, community service as a work-requirement pathway, emergency Medicaid, tribal and federal reimbursement issues, and whether the state would submit comments on the federal work-requirement rule. HCA said it would file comments, that emergency Medicaid coverage for certain services remains available, and that it is working with tribes and other agencies to avoid erroneous terminations and to move eligible people into other coverage where possible. Members also raised concerns about the administrative burden on families and providers and the need for congressional attention on issues such as TRICARE reimbursement. The second briefing addressed maternal health and the Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Panel report. DOH said maternal mortality in Washington increased for the first time in the report series, but most pregnancy-related deaths remain preventable. Nearly half were linked to behavioral health conditions, especially overdose deaths, with suicide, cardiovascular disease, and COVID-19 also significant causes; most deaths occurred postpartum rather than during delivery. The report found higher mortality rates among American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, multiracial, rural, and Medicaid-covered populations, and identified lack of access to care, financial hardship, housing instability, discrimination, bias, and systemic inequities as major contributors. DOH highlighted existing state actions such as one-year postpartum coverage, doula reimbursement, inpatient substance use treatment coverage for birthing people, and vaccine coverage requirements, and offered 12 legislative recommendations focused on affordable and high-quality care, basic needs and community supports, and equitable, culturally responsive services. Presenters from the Suquamish Tribe and Kitsap OBGYN described how the tribe acquired and stabilized a threatened OB-GYN practice to preserve regional access amid provider shortages and hospital service losses. They said rural obstetric care is difficult to sustain because of thin margins, workforce shortages, long travel distances, and higher-risk patients, and emphasized that tribal health systems can offer stronger reimbursement and integrated family-centered care. The Foundation for Healthcare Quality and the Bree Collaborative then outlined statewide maternity-care quality efforts, including work on perinatal behavioral health, care coordination, postpartum screening, doula support, and better-aligned payment models. They said Washington has strengths in innovation but still needs more OB-GYN capacity, better transitions of care, and more culturally responsive, trauma-informed maternal and Native health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• prevention reduces long-term costs to the state, from emergency response to infrastructure repair to disaster
• Senate Bill 1084 is a chance to act earlier to reduce risk before disaster strikes, so that residents
• will allow people to continue positive behaviors to protect property and to plan for inevitable disasters
• equipment, California can help... ...of zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, California can help mitigate

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several tax and revenue measures, beginning with SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment. The author and solar industry witnesses argued the bill would create a uniform statewide method, provide certainty for developers, and exclude tax credits and other intangibles from valuation; county assessors and several counties opposed it, saying it would reduce assessed value and depart from market-based appraisal. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1406 to close the “Montana tax loophole” used to avoid California vehicle taxes, with support from the California Teachers Association and no registered opposition; it passed 2-0 and was placed on call. SB 984, conforming California law to the federal tipped-income deduction, drew support from the restaurant industry, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and enrolled agents, and passed 3-0 to Appropriations, on call. Later, the committee considered wildfire- and energy-related tax credits. SB 1084 would create a fire-safe home tax credit for home hardening and defensible space improvements; supporters said it would reduce wildfire losses and insurance costs, and it passed 3-0 on call. SB 1118 would provide credits for backup generators and solar battery systems in high fire-threat areas; the author framed it as a resilience measure for households and small businesses, but members raised concerns about cost, diesel use, and whether the credit would reach lower-income households. The bill was moved 1-0 and placed on call, with the chair and other members noting unresolved budget and policy concerns. SB 1424, expanding a partial sales tax exemption to zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, received support from hydrogen and electric transportation groups and passed 4-0 on call. The committee also advanced SB 1249, a senior tax deduction for taxpayers ages 86 to 90, with support from LeadingAge California and senior advocates; members noted it was narrowly targeted and passed 4-0 on call. SB 1113, conforming California tax law to the federal tonnage tax regime for U.S.-flag international shipping companies, drew support from maritime industry groups and opposition from ILWU over the fiscal impact; it passed 4-0 on call. SB 1137, the Medical Expense Deduction Act, would allow a targeted deduction for medical expenses for lower-income taxpayers; supporters said it would help families facing high out-of-pocket costs, and it passed 4-0 on call. Finally, SB 1415 would extend a partial welfare property tax exemption to mixed-income housing that includes moderate-income units; supporters said it would help finance “missing middle” housing, while assessors and housing stakeholders requested amendments and guardrails. The bill was also moved forward on a committee vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• prevention reduces long-term costs to the state, from emergency response to infrastructure repair to disaster
• Senate Bill 1084 is a chance to act earlier to reduce risk before disaster strikes, so that residents
• that will allow people to continue positive behaviors that protect property and plan for inevitable disasters
• equipment, California can help... ...of zero-emission vehicle refueling equipment, California can help mitigate

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike Ohio, California should not wait until we have our own disaster before mandating wayside detectors
• I think the disaster that happened in East Palestine, Ohio was shocking.
• The reality is that if we were to have a disaster like the one that happened in East Palestine here in
• to encourage you and your sponsors to sit down with those stakeholders to see what we can do to mitigate

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard SB 220, which would require the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to submit an earlier governance reform report to the Legislature in light of Measure G, including consideration of the new countywide executive and future board changes. Senator Allen argued the bill was only a vehicle to prompt a locally driven discussion before 2028, while Metro, the City of Los Angeles, and several committee members opposed it as premature and unnecessary because local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue. After debate over local control and timing, the committee voted 3-2 to send SB 220 to Senate Appropriations, with the bill left on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require wayside detector systems on freight rail lines at specified intervals, with exceptions for some short-line railroads, and would require railroad response plans to be submitted to the CPUC. Supporters, including rail unions and labor groups, said the bill was a needed response to the East Palestine derailment and other safety risks, while opponents from freight railroads, passenger rail operators, business groups, and agricultural interests warned it could raise costs, slow freight and passenger service, and create a disincentive to invest in faster track. Members questioned the cost, implementation timeline, preemption issues, and possible impacts on passenger rail and the supply chain. The committee approved SB 667 on a 7-2 vote to Appropriations, with the bill also left on call. Finally, the committee considered ACR 71, which would designate a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. The Assembly Member author and community witnesses described the designation as a recognition of San Jose’s large Vietnamese American community and its history as refugees and contributors to the region. Numerous supporters from the community, local government, and the public testified in favor, and there was no opposition. Members praised the cultural significance and noted connections to other Vietnamese communities, including Westminster. The resolution was adopted unanimously, with 10 votes, and sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike Ohio, California should not wait until we have our own disaster before mandating wayside detectors
• I think the disaster that happened in East Palestine, Ohio, was shocking.
• The reality is that if we were to have a disaster like the one that happened in East Palestine here in
• to encourage you and your sponsors to sit down with those stakeholders to see what we can do to mitigate

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee heard SB 220, which would require Los Angeles Metro to submit an updated governance reform report by July 1 in light of Measure G and the creation of a future countywide executive. Senator Allen argued the bill simply accelerates a locally driven discussion and does not prescribe a specific board structure. Metro, the Los Angeles mayor’s representative, and several members of the committee opposed it as unnecessary and premature, saying local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue. After discussion focused on local control and the need for broader L.A. County delegation input, the bill passed the committee on a 7-2 vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require freight railroads to install wayside detector systems at specified intervals, with different treatment for short-line railroads, and to submit safety response plans to the CPUC. Senator Archuleta and union supporters said the bill would help prevent derailments like East Palestine by detecting overheated bearings earlier and improving crew notification. Railroads, passenger rail operators, and business and supply-chain groups opposed it, arguing the spacing mandate was arbitrary, costly, could slow freight movement, and could disrupt shared passenger corridors; they also raised preemption and implementation concerns. Members discussed costs, passenger impacts, and whether 10-mile spacing was supported by data. The bill passed 11-2 and was also held on call. Finally, the committee considered ACR 71, which designates a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. Assembly Member Kalra and numerous Vietnamese American community members and local supporters described the designation as a recognition of the history, resilience, and contributions of the Vietnamese community in San Jose. There was no opposition testimony. Members praised the measure and noted the connection between the San Jose and Orange County Vietnamese communities. The resolution passed unanimously, 11-0, and was placed on call.