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• Senate file 1412 Senator On line 462 is Senate file 1412 Senator Koopman's<00:32:07.320> bill<
• This was Senator is Senator Wicklund's This was Senator is Senator Wicklund's bill bill bill with<00:
• Senate file 4771 Senator On line 547 is Senate file 4771 Senator Hemmingsen-Yesler's<00:36:45.359>
• And<00:48:08.120> Senator And Senator And Senator Senator<00:48:09.600> Wiklund,<00:48:
• Senator<00:48:19.680> Murphy. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• Uh, Senate File 5155 Uh, Senate File 5155 is before you.
• Senator<00:49:49.560> Johnson Senator Dziedzic and Senator Johnson Senator Dziedzic and Senator
• Senator Dibble. Senator Dibble.
• > and<00:51:34.520> Senator respect uh, Senator Dziedzic and Senator respect uh, Senator
• Senator Dibble: Senator Dibble's Senate File 4971.

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• Senator has brought forward. Senator has brought forward.
• >> Senator<00:16:27.800> Okay. >> Senator Okay. >> Senator Okay.
• Good morning, Senators.
• I'm sure Senator Fetman did. I I do not. I'm sure Senator Fetman did.
• Senator Reagan. Um Thank you very much. Senator Reagan.

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• The Senate will come to order. I recognize Senator Birdsell for a motion.
• we're here to honor a we have a Senate we're here to honor a we have a Senate resolution<00:19:37.640
• Senator<01:19:31.120> Fenton. Senator Fenton. Senator Fenton.
• Senator<01:49:32.600> Evard. Senator Evard. Senator Evard.
• the Senate. the Senate.

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• Uh, Senator Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh, Senator Bar.
• Chair, Senator Senator Wiklund. Um, Mr.
• Chair, Senator Bar, Senator Wiklund. Mr.
• Um, Um, Um, Senator<00:29:18.000> Wiklund. Senator Wiklund. Senator Wiklund.
• Chair, Senator Um, Senate, um, Mr.

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Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate will come to order. Senator Bowden. >> Mr.
• Pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 6, the bill was referred to the Committee on Rules and
• The secretary will give the Senate file its second reading. Resolution number six.
• Members remaining under motions and resolutions, I'm calling on Senator Murphy to designate special orders
• Senator? Senator?

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• >> Nicely done, Senator. >> Nicely done, Senator.
• We ask the Senate to approve. was 500. We ask the Senate to approve.
• c> Senator<00:18:52.720> Norris, senator from Franklin, Senator Norris, senator from Franklin
• >> Senator from Chittton. >> Senator from Chittton.
• senator from Calonia. Thank you. senator from Calonia. Thank you.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Joint Resolution 12 by Senator Laird relative to offshore drilling. Senator Laird.
• Senate Concurrent Resolution 118 by Senator Gonzalez relative to the Jeffrey Epstein files.
• Senate Resolution 99 by Senator Caballero relative to California Agriculture Day.
• Senate Resolution 100 by Alvarado-Gil relative to Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness. Senator.
• I rise in strong support of Senate Resolution 100. We must protect our children.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a floor introduction honoring the YMCA’s 175th anniversary. Members then handled routine business, including reading second-reading items and confirming three gubernatorial appointments: Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission. All three appointments were later confirmed by roll call votes. The chamber then debated and passed several resolutions. SJR 12, opposing the federal offshore oil and gas leasing proposal off California’s coast, drew extended debate over energy security, gas prices, climate policy, and offshore drilling; it ultimately passed 26-0. SCR 118, urging release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files and stronger transparency for survivors, passed 27-0. SR 99, recognizing California Agriculture Day and highlighting the state’s agricultural economy, farmworkers, water needs, and food production, passed 36-0. SCR 100, designating April 16, 2026 as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness on child sexual abuse, passed 36-0 after emotional testimony about abuse prevention, mandated reporters, and survivor support. The Senate also adopted the second-day consent calendar without objection, covering multiple bills and resolutions. Committee announcements followed for several budget subcommittees meeting later that day. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Rob Trice, remembered for his service and leadership in food systems and philanthropy, and Alwyn Ben Holman, honored as a pioneering Black firefighter and San Diego’s first Black deputy fire chief. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, April 27, 2026, and noted that Monday would be Denim Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• May I respond, Senator? Sure.
• For the purposes of quorum, Senator Hurtado. Senator Nilo. Senator Cabaldon.
• As to items 11 through 17, Senator Hurtado? Aye. Senator Nilo? Aye. Senator Cabaldon?
• Senator Hurtado. Senator Nilo. Senator Cabaldon. And Senator Smallwood-Quavis. Okay.
• As to items 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, Senator Hurtado? Aye. Senator Neela? No. Senator Cabaldon? Aye.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an update on the California Education Learning Lab, which the administration wants to move from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to the Government Operations Agency and fund at $4 million annually. The Learning Lab and a UC Davis faculty lead described intersegmental grants supporting teaching innovation, including an AI-focused project involving UC, CSU, and community college faculty. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to align higher education and workforce efforts, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the work is hard to scale, overlaps with existing campus and segment-wide professional development, and could be wound down to save General Fund dollars. Members questioned the program’s outcomes, administrative costs, and whether it fills a gap not already covered elsewhere; the item was held open. The committee then considered funding for the new Office of Civil Rights in GovOps to implement AB 715 and SB 48, with a request for $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. Administration staff said the office has been set up, positions posted, and space and equipment secured, but acknowledged that detailed program guidance cannot yet be developed until subject-matter staff are hired. The LAO had no concerns, but several senators raised concerns about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance for schools, the pending litigation and possible follow-on legislation, and whether the staffing structure matches the workload across different discrimination categories. The administration said it would coordinate with the Department of Education, develop outreach and guidance once staff are in place, and shift resources as needed based on workload. The item was held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee voted to approve several vote-only items: items 11 through 17 were approved unanimously, and items 6 through 10 were approved on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Nilo voting no. The committee then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation, which requested five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand its digital service delivery work. ODI described projects using data science and iterative design to improve state services, including reducing unauthorized EBT transactions and forecasting water system outages; the LAO had no concerns, and members expressed support while asking about privacy protections and data safeguards for vendor AI tools. The item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, describing progress on the statewide open-access network, including 423 miles already active, more than 70% permitted, and a selected operator, Skyline Technology Solutions, to handle day-to-day operations. The LAO noted most of the $3.8 billion in appropriated funds is already encumbered and raised concerns about the new three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Members pressed CDT on completion timelines, the need for a two-year extension of the encumbrance period, the legal basis for the operator arrangement, revenue projections, and oversight of the out-of-state operator. CDT said it expects about 5,300 miles completed by December 2026, with some work slipping into 2027, and said it will continue annual reports and quarterly advisory committee updates. The item remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number One on Education will come to order.
• Senator Perez. Here. Senator Archelena. Here. Senator Archoa Bog.
• Senator Archie Laude, do you have any questions or comments? Yeah.
• Hello, Senator.
• Hello, Senator.

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Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals across seven education-related items and received testimony from the Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Education, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and the Office of Public School Construction. On dual enrollment, the administration proposed $100 million one-time Proposition 98 funding plus policy changes to expand access, including eligibility for regional occupational centers, added support for justice-involved youth, priority for higher-need LEAs, teacher professional development, and a reduction in required daily instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding as not clearly tied to implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal but suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Several public commenters and members supported the investment and urged inclusion of technical assistance and adult dual enrollment. For the reading difficulty screener proposal, the Governor proposed $40 million one-time funding and statutory changes requiring kindergarten screeners after 91 school days and grades 1-2 screeners after 46 school days, with the stated goal of reducing over-identification and allowing time for foundational instruction. The LAO recommended rejecting the funding, saying costs were likely overstated and that LEAs could use discretionary block grant funds instead. CDE supported the funding but the timing restrictions drew significant concern from the chair and public witnesses, who argued the deadlines were too prescriptive and could delay early intervention; advocates and literacy organizations urged preserving local flexibility and screening earlier. CDE and Finance defended the timing as based on data and consistent with other states, while also emphasizing that early instruction and support could still begin on day one. On special education, Finance described a proposal to increase the base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 augmentation, along with COLA and enrollment adjustments. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment, cost pressures, and inequities across SELPAs. Public testimony from districts and SELPAs echoed the need for more funding and asked for even higher per-ADA support. The committee also heard a school facilities update showing Proposition 2 bond balances and demand levels, with OPSC noting funds are being used for new construction, modernization, small district set-asides, lead remediation, and natural disaster assistance. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, members heard that the student teacher stipend program’s grants management system is complete and that the Commission is seeking to track participation and outcomes; the Governor also proposed additional state operations funding to address misconduct workload, implement SB 848-related data systems, and administer the stipend program. Finally, the Governor proposed $250 million one-time funding to continue teacher and school counselor residency grants through 2029-30, which the LAO said could help fill shortages but may be harder for rural LEAs; CTC supported the program and said regional technical assistance hubs are helping expand access. No formal votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 5 on Corrections, The Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 5 on Corrections
• Thank you for your support, Senator. Thank you, Senator Seyarto.
• Yes, Senator DeRosa. Just a question about SB 590. Yes, Senator DeRazzo.
• Yes, Senator DeRosa. Just a question about SB 590. Yes, Senator DeRazzo.
• Thank you, Senator.

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Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of labor and public employment budget items. The first issue focused on EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on online claims, call center upgrades, fraud prevention, language access, and the phased Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged closer legislative oversight as the project enters a more difficult phase, and members questioned the schedule, cost, change orders, fraud reduction, stress testing, and the reasons for re-phasing unemployment insurance behind disability and paid family leave. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that it has no major cost overruns, and that it has saved more than $20 million by moving some shared customer portal work into ICMS. The committee also received updates on SB 1090 implementation timing, SB 1058 demographic data confidentiality, and SB 590 outreach concerns. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing over five years as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. Members questioned the large staffing reduction in light of the board’s grant administration role and asked about the High Road Construction Careers Program, AI-related workforce needs, and the impact on reentry programs. The administration and Finance said the positions were added for surge grant work and are being phased down as those grants close, while the LAO had no objection to the reporting streamlining proposal. A major portion of the hearing addressed the Department of Industrial Relations, especially the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund trailer bill. DIR and the LAO said SIBTF applications, backlog, and liabilities have grown rapidly, with liabilities projected around $30 billion by 2030 if no changes are made. The administration’s reforms would tighten eligibility, apply the new standards to open cases, and use QME reports and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities; DIR said this would reduce employer costs and help return the program to its original intent. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, the effect on workers with undocumented conditions, and the interaction with another bill moving through policy committees. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant DIR positions, adding Cal/OSHA Bureau of Investigation staff to handle fatality and serious injury cases, and making permanent the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board change that starts the 60-day reconsideration clock when a case is transmitted rather than when the petition is filed. Finally, DIR requested a larger apprenticeship training grant augmentation to raise annual grants from $3 million to $20 million, citing available fund balances and construction workforce needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Senator. Are other states in the same boat as us? Yes, Senator.
• That’s correct, Senator.
• Absolutely, Senator. Thank you for the question.
• In 2025, CIPC, Senator Duraso, Assembly of Robanza, and 140 of our coalition partners secured a Senator
• CIPC, Senator Durrasso, Senator Bonsa, and over 130 of our coalition partners are, again, requesting

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Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget and policy discussion on child care, child welfare, and related early education issues, beginning with child care funding and slot utilization. Department of Social Services officials outlined the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 child care budget, including $6.8 billion for child care programs, an $11.5 million Prop. 64-funded disaster repair mini-grant program for licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters, and projected reductions tied to federal CCDF formula changes and lower Prop. 64 revenues. DSS said the reductions could mean about 4,176 CCTR slots, but emphasized they were assessing how to absorb the cuts without disrupting children currently in care. The LAO supported aligning funding to lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Senators pressed the department on why so many slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, why unspent funds revert to the General Fund, and whether more flexibility could move dollars from contracts to vouchers; DSS said delays are largely due to infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment ramp-up, and that it is working on readiness reviews, technical assistance, and possible reallocation of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed Emergency Child Care Bridge reallocations among counties and confirmed that no currently enrolled children would be disenrolled under the proposed slot reductions. A second panel focused on the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and reform reimbursement rates. DSS said California has nearly doubled child care funding in five years and increased monthly children served from about 294,100 in 2019-20 to more than 366,700 currently, while also advancing the single rate structure process through the alternative methodology and a joint labor-management committee report. Stanislaus County Office of Education described local shortages, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that rate disparities between programs make it harder to sustain mixed delivery systems. Parent Voices California testified that the current system is confusing, unstable, and inequitable, with one speaker describing repeated paperwork burdens, waiting lists, and periods of homelessness while trying to maintain child care. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, that Universal TK has drawn major resources into school-based care, and that providers remain paid far below the cost of care; it urged more revenue, faster rate reform, and expansion across the mixed delivery system. The LAO estimated that aligning CCTR adjustment factors for three-year-olds and children with disabilities with CSPP would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Senators and staff also discussed the need for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single rate structure, with DSS and CDE noting that policy decisions, system changes, and collective bargaining issues are still being worked through. The committee then reviewed several child care trailer bill proposals. DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 COLA as an increase to cost-of-care-plus payments rather than as a traditional COLA, with $87.8 million General Fund initially proposed; DSS later acknowledged it had omitted CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the calculation and said the amount would be revised upward. The LAO recommended making the COLA treatment uniform across child care and state preschool programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology survey on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences for licensed family child care homes to 20% of care hours in a month, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a 12-month period, and aligning family fee collection so contractors collect the fee without reducing the voucher value. The department said these changes are intended to bring state law into compliance with federal requirements and to better reflect current practice. Finally, the committee discussed the Early Childhood Policy Council, including a reappropriation of previously unused funds and a new reporting requirement under AB 563; members questioned staffing needs and whether existing contractor support could absorb the work, while DSS said the funds are used for stipends, facilitation, translation, and contract oversight and may still be needed as participation patterns change.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 79 will be referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
• Senate resolution number 79 will be Senate resolution number 79 will be referred<00:09:01.560> to<
• Where's Senator Klein? Oh. Motions and resolutions, calling Senator Putnam.
• Remaining under motions and resolutions, Senator Putnam. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Remaining on motions and resolutions, Senator Murphy.

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Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received a chaplain’s prayer and the pledge, and then proceeded through routine business. Members adopted the committee reports except those relating to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave second reading to Senate File 203 and several House files, and referred Senate File 5200 to Rules and Administration. The chamber also adopted a motion to return Senate File 4390 from the general orders calendar to the Finance Committee. The main floor activity centered on a series of motions to send withdrawn executive appointments back to their originating committees under Senate Rule 8.2. Senator Putnam moved to return appointments from the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, including the Board of Animal Health, the Veterans Affairs commissioner, and the Rural Finance Authority. Senator Swadzinski moved a similar action for Education Policy appointments, and Senator Her did so for Environment, Climate, and Legacy appointments, including the DNR commissioner, the PCA commissioner, the Clean Water Council, and related boards. Senator Wicklund later moved to return Health and Human Services appointments, including the Children, Youth and Families commissioner, Health commissioner, VNSHUR Board, and EMS director. These motions prompted extended debate. Supporters of returning the appointments argued that the Senate has a constitutional advice-and-consent duty and that committee hearings should occur before floor consideration. Opponents, mainly Republicans, argued that sending the appointments back without floor action avoided accountability and transparency, especially in light of fraud concerns in state programs and agencies. Some authors said hearings had not yet been scheduled or that the committee process should come first; others noted at least one hearing had already occurred on a health nomination. The debate repeatedly focused on whether the Senate was fulfilling its constitutional role or delaying confirmation review. Roll-call votes were requested on the appointment motions. The Putnam, Swadzinski, Her, and Wicklund motions were each adopted by narrow 34-33 margins, returning the appointments to committee rather than leaving them on the confirmation calendar for floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand, yes, Senator.
• Uh<00:14:58.720> Senator<00:14:58.959> Gabbard. Uh Senator Gabbard.
• Uh Senator Gabbard.
• We do have an additional hearing on one resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 193.
• Senator Chang. >> Aye. Senator San Buenaventura. >> Aye.

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Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible. For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Acting Vice Chair: Senator Kanuha, Chair votes aye. Passed with amendments. Chair votes aye.
• Senator Keohokalole is excused. Senator Fevella, aye. Chair recommendations adopted.

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Summary: The committee met for decision-making only on HCR 33, which concerns the Pūpūkea sewage project. The resolution recognizes ongoing collaboration among Hawaiʻi County, the Pūpūkea community, the Department of Health, and other stakeholders to complete the project. The A&S recommendation, which the Health and Human Services committee supported, was to amend the resolution to add the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, environmental monitoring, and technical assistance in planning and implementation. There was no discussion or opposition raised before the vote. The committee voted to pass the resolution with amendments, with the chair, acting vice chair, and Senator Fevella voting aye; the vice chair and Senator Keohokalole were excused. The chair’s recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is Senator Dziedzic in the Senator Pratt?
• Senator<00:47:53.040> Murphy. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy.
• Senator Murphy and then Senator Pratt. Senator Murphy said, “Thanks, Mr.
• Senator Murphy and then Senator Pratt. Senator Murphy said, “Thanks, Mr.
• Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt. Thank you, Mr.

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• > Maye<00:26:07.000> Quade's Senator Abeler to Senator Maye Quade's Senator Abeler to Senator
• Senator Abeler. house. Senator Abeler.
• To the eighth eighth eighth Oh,<00:29:55.440> Senators Oh, Senators Oh, Senators Senator<00:29
• Senator Abeler. Senator Abeler.
• Senator Fateh and then Senator McEwen. Yeah, thank you, Senator Hoffman.

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• , Senate File 5149 is Senate File 5149, Senator Gustafson.
• The next on the agenda is Senate File 4261, Senator Hotchchild, and on deck is Senate File 4755, Senator
• , uh Senate File move to Senator Limmer, uh Senate File 3575.
• Senator<01:03:33.480> Senator<01:03:33.720> Dibble. Senator Senator Dibble.
• Thanks, Senator Utke. Next, Senator Groeneweg. Senate File 3557.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Latz, Senate File 3432, which Ms.
• Chairman, Senator Pappas, the language in Senate File 3432 is your language, Senator Pappas.
• Senator Latz, Senate file 3432 Senator Latz, Senate file 3432 um um um as<00:13:15.400> your<00
• Latz's Senate file that was in Senator Latz's Senate file 4067. 4067. 4067.
• from Senator Schlong's and Senator Senator Senator uh uh uh Dibble's<00:19:56.080> bills,<00:

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senators.
• Passed the Senate.
• Senator again moves ITL. Senator again moves ITL.
• Where are you going, Senator Reagan? Where are you going, Senator Reagan?
• Senator LeBlanc Senator what's that?

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