Transcript Highlights:

• The KETFA STE program is one of the few incentive programs in California that encourages clean energy
• The program is one of the few incentive programs in California that encourages clean energy manufacturing
• My program is the answer to that.
• The STE program is popular.
• Since 2021, Ametis has utilized the KETFA STE program as a critical part of our capital expansion program

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meal programs?
• and Meals on Wheels food security programs, so I want to point out those are the kinds of programs to
• It was so powerful, and the word I kept hearing over and over again was affordability, affordability,
• affordability.
• I could never afford to go to the theme parks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, members, we're in a time in Arizona right now where people can't afford gas, they can't afford rent
• , they can't afford groceries.
• Members, in a time where Arizonans cannot afford to eat, they can afford to live, rent is rising, our
• Ordinary Arizonans can't afford that.
• Ordinary Arizonans can't afford that.

Bills: SB1206, SB1254, SB1290, SB1421, SB1432, SB1515, SB1563, SB1641, SB1649, SB1670, SB1671, SB1747

Keywords: storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention, storm chaser, residential construction contract, workers' compensation, joint check, claim solicitation

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard and acted on a long series of bills, with several strike-everything amendments. SB 1421, dealing with restrictions on financial institutions, check cashers, and remittances involving undocumented immigrants, drew strong opposition on constitutional and economic grounds and support from the sponsor as a sovereignty measure; the committee rejected a Villegas affordable-housing striker and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. SB 1254, a continuation/cleanup bill for the Industrial Commission of Arizona and its divisions, was explained as mostly renaming and administrative changes and passed unanimously after adopting the chairman’s striker. SB 1515 created a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and corrections retention bonuses funded by investment earnings from the Budget Stabilization Fund; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a needed retention tool, while some members objected to using rainy-day fund interest, and it passed on a split vote. SB 1206 updated homeowner protection rules for adjusters and contractors after disasters, limiting certain conduct during loss events and emergency responses, and passed unanimously after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1563, which continues the Barbering and Cosmetology Board and lowers some fee caps, after testimony that the board protects public health and sanitation. SB 1649 established a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund; a Ripple Labs witness discussed self-custody options for unclaimed crypto, while an Aguilar striker would have required reporting on employers whose workers receive public assistance, but that amendment failed and the underlying bill passed. SB 1290, originally about HOA closed meetings, became a major debate over transparency versus privacy; opponents warned the Carter striker would force disclosure of sensitive member and employee matters, supporters argued HOAs should not take secret action, and the committee adopted both the Aguilar consumer-protection striker and the Carter HOA transparency striker before passing the bill. SB 1670, preempting local contractor licensing and allowing certain journeyman licenses, was amended with a Villegas striker aimed at landlord algorithmic pricing and passed unanimously. The committee continued the Arizona Department of Gaming, Racing, and Boxing/MMA commissions in SB 1671, with the chairman’s amendment narrowing reporting requirements and adding aggregate complaint reporting; the department said it had worked with auditors and supported the bill, which passed. The meeting then moved into SB 1747, beginning discussion of social media application requirements for developers and covered companies, including age verification and parental consent, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:18.959> and we're working on, uh, affordability and we're working on, uh, affordability
• We bring program in March of 2020.
• and and other um other programs and and other um other programs?
• programs? programs? >> Okay,<00:18:59.440> good<00:18:59.840> question.
• So, we're just different programs.

Bills: HF238, HF3381, HF3754, HF1049

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• or training programs for jobs that happen at non-standard hours.
• We all know that we're in an affordability crisis.
• Some caregivers are not even aware that the program exists.
• But because there is no pay, you can't afford to do it.
• They need a full-day program, a school day, 30 hours.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held its sixth public hearing and took testimony on a large slate of bills, with the chair moving H. 542/S. 341 on family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) child care to the top of the agenda so young constituents would not have to wait. Witnesses from labor, community organizations, and FFN providers strongly supported the bill, saying FFN care fills critical gaps for families working nonstandard hours, especially in low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities. Testimony emphasized that FFN providers are currently underpaid, often receive only about $24 per child per day, and should be guaranteed at least the state minimum wage. Witnesses also backed changes to the voucher system to allow families to combine formal and FFN care more flexibly, and they supported creating an FFN advisory council. Committee members asked about the difference between FFN and center-based care, registration requirements, fingerprinting/background checks, EEC’s ongoing study group, and the fiscal impact; witnesses said the current annual cost is about $1.8 million and could rise to about $6 million if all current FFN providers were paid minimum wage, still under 1% of the EEC budget. The committee then closed testimony on that bill. The committee next heard testimony on several preschool and universal pre-K bills, including H. 707 on public preschool facilities, H. 687/S. 339 on universal pre-K and mixed delivery, and related bills such as H. 606, H. 523, H. 618, H. 522, H. 510, and H. 615, many of which were later closed without additional witnesses. A Lowell school official testified that space and facilities funding are major barriers to expanding preschool and that the city has hundreds of children on voucher waitlists. Other witnesses and organizations, including the Early Care and Education Consortium and AFT Massachusetts, supported mixed-delivery universal pre-K and warned that public-school expansion should not undermine community-based providers, whose preschool tuition helps subsidize infant and toddler care. Several witnesses also urged stronger standards for preschool teachers, better staffing ratios, and more integrated special education and support services. The committee accepted written testimony on some bills and closed testimony on the others when no one else came forward. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 541/S. 373, which would ban school exclusion in pre-K through third grade. Advocates from Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Mass Appleseed, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, AFT Massachusetts, and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee argued that suspensions and expulsions at young ages harm learning, worsen inequities, and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. They cited data showing disproportionate impacts on Black and Latinx students, students with disabilities, and low-income children, and described personal stories of children whose behavior improved when schools kept them in class and addressed underlying needs. Committee members asked for updated data on the number of students and districts affected, and witnesses said they would provide more detailed written information. After testimony on this and a few other bills, including S. 372, S. 357, and H. 275/S. 133, the committee closed testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to **Goal B**, Affordability and Debt, which houses the agency's financial aid programs, recommendations
• Many of these programs are designed to be affordable and provide students with the qualifications they
• program, right?
• program?
• Program.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Dean knows the program backwards and Mr.
• been doing on the on the on the program. been doing on the on the on the program.
• Stage consortia require you to align with their programs.
• <00:23:18.159> and<00:23:18.400> we program at First Hawaiian. and we program at First
• <00:25:02.000> aren't little lost and the programs aren't little lost and the programs aren't

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 6, 2026, and considered four gubernatorial nominations. For GM 690, Jesse Kola Dean was nominated for reappointment to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board. Testimony from the Retirement Savings Board and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported Dean, citing his original membership on the board and his role in advancing implementation of the retirement savings program. Dean described his background and said the program was moving into implementation after the board approved the Connecticut consortium model; in response to questions, he said the main challenges had been finding an executive director and adapting the program from an original opt-in structure to the opt-out consortium model. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent. For GM 634, Darlene Blakey was nominated to the board of trustees of the Employees' Retirement System. ERS and several individuals submitted support. Blakey, an executive vice president and chief lending officer at First Hawaiian Bank, said her banking and finance background and personal experience with her mother’s retirement benefits motivated her service. She told senators she had attended ERS meetings and was focused on improving retirees’ access to information, education, and retirement planning, and said she would recuse herself from matters involving First Hawaiian Bank because of a potential conflict of interest. The committee again voted to advise and consent. The committee then considered GM 627 and GM 726, both nominations of Gina Anu Novo to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council for different terms. Written testimony from numerous supporters was read into the record. Novo, a longtime First Hawaiian Bank executive and current vice chair, described her experience building audit, compliance, human resources, and technology functions, and said she wanted to help strengthen workforce pathways, career development, retention, and outreach to youth and workers who do not pursue college. Senators asked about her plans to connect workforce development with education and financial literacy; she emphasized career pathing, training, and adapting to changing skills needs, including the role of technology and AI. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on both nominations, and the meeting adjourned after all four nominations were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Earning a bachelor's degree in our CSU and UC programs, or outside of those programs here in this state
• The Transfer and Mission Guarantee TAG program...
• We didn't have any sort of housing grant programs.
• The program is still young, but it is growing.
• Degree programs. Individual degree programs.

Summary: The committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit examining California’s community college transfer process and whether streamlining it could improve access to bachelor’s degrees. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized that California’s transfer system is central to equity and workforce development, but that only about one in five transfer-intending community college students complete a transfer within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to confusion created by differing requirements across the UC, CSU, and community college systems, including limits and inconsistencies in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), TAG, and major-specific prerequisites. State Auditor’s staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU systemwide enroll more transfer students than the Master Plan target, individual campuses and high-demand STEM programs often do not. The audit identified barriers including unclear and varying course requirements, limited counseling and education plans, insufficient counselor staffing at some campuses, and weak equity plans. It also found that many students never even apply because they do not accumulate enough units or cannot navigate the process. The auditor described examples where transfer students with strong preparation were denied at selective campuses and noted that articulation alignment across systems remains limited. Representatives from UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges responded that transfer remains a top priority and described ongoing reforms. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus-level capacity and program differences limit how much can be standardized from the system office. CSU said it admits more than 90% of eligible transfer applicants, is expanding transfer planning tools and direct outreach, and is implementing SB 640’s Transfer Success Pathway Program. Community Colleges said transfer reform must focus on clearer credit mobility, more consistent articulation, and broader ADT adoption. Members pressed the systems on inconsistent major requirements, the need for better coordination, and whether campuses are fully prioritizing transfer students; no votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The A4 amendment is interesting because it impacts all of Minnesota housing's programs.
• extremely affordable housing with supports to home ownership.
• that provide direct subsidies to affordable and workforce housing.
• housing because that is true affordable housing—very good housing.
• I want to focus on stability, affordability, and diversity.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will fix this by making them qualify for this program.
• The Rural Certified Unified Program Agency Reimbursement Program. Thank you.
• Rural Certified Unified Program Agency Reimbursement Program accomplishes this by funding hazardous materials
• Today I'm AB 353, the Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025.
• However, if you're one of the 3 million households that took advantage of the federal affordable program

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said that with the application to the low-income housing tax credit program, the developer plans
• She said that with the application to the low-income housing tax credit program, the developer plans
• She said that with the application to the low-income housing tax credit program, the developer plans
• ,<00:13:39.279> the low-income house tax credit program, the low-income house tax credit program
• would be hindered for the credit program would be hindered for the developer<00:14:29.040> as

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great program.
• We also have high school internship programs and high school summer camp programs that our association
• What the Texas DREAM Act has afforded Texas students.
• Programs like this help bridge that gap.
• Honors Program with a full tuition scholarship.

Bills: SB1798, SB1835, SB1319, SB2942, SB2928, SB784, SB1049

Keywords: higher education, tuition rates, financial support, immigration status, Texas law, SB 1835, resident tuition, nonresident students, scholarship students, public higher education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Education Code Section 54.213, tuition waiver, in-state tuition, out-of-state students, higher education finance, enrollment cap, capacity limit, workforce development area, nonimmigrant visa

Transcript Highlights:

• Comprehensive Regional University and Affordability Act funding have been instrumental in our affordability
• Can you tell me more about those programs?
• We have outstanding programs.
• And I think it's a great program.
• Additionally, a modest investment in the Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program, a loan repayment program

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not a program industries have operated under for seven years.
• SB 18 helps preserve that affordability.
• What we heard: affordability and healthy communities.
• What we heard, affordability, and healthy communities.
• For any utilities, affordability is at top of mind.

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you tell me more about those programs?
• We have outstanding programs.
• We are committed and focused on affordability.
• We are focused on keeping higher education affordable.
• Additionally, a modest investment in the rural Veterinarian incentive program, a loan repayment program

Transcript Highlights:

• WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE WOULD PROHIBIT A PROGRAM ON DIVERSITY.
• PROHIBITIVE PROGRAM ON EQUITY AND ON INCLUSION.
• THESE SMALLER COMPANIES WERE NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO COMPETE BECAUSE THEY JUST COULDN'T AFFORD IT.
• WE THINK THIS GOES AGAINST THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
• WE THINK THIS GOES AGAINST THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Plug-to-drill, so I guess that program and the pipeline safety program makes up the rest of the state
• program.
• First is on the cap-and-trade program.
• First is on the cap-and-trade program.
• First is on the cap-and-trade program.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Utilities and Energy, Transportation, and Natural Resources focused on California’s transportation fuels sector, especially the state’s response to refinery closures and the broader transition away from fossil fuels. Opening remarks emphasized the tension between climate and air-quality goals, fuel affordability, refinery jobs and local tax bases, and the need to avoid crisis-driven responses as Phillips 66 and Valero consider shutting refineries in Wilmington and Benicia. Professor Emily Grubert framed the issue as a long-term managed transition in which the public already bears much of the risk and should also capture benefits from a well-planned shift. CARB Chair Leanne Randolph reviewed the state’s emissions and fuel policies, including AB 32, the low-carbon fuel standard, clean vehicle programs, and the at-berth regulation for ocean-going vessels. She said California’s transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gases and a major source of smog-forming pollution, but that the state has made substantial progress and still needs to reduce demand for fossil fuels while maintaining compliance with federal air-quality standards. Randolph also said CARB’s recent LCFS amendments had not caused the predicted spike in gas prices and explained that compliance pathways for the at-berth rule include emissions-reduction technologies or payments into a remediation fund. CEC Vice Chair Gunda described declining gasoline demand, shrinking in-state refining capacity, and growing dependence on imports, arguing that the state is in a “mid-transition” period that requires both support for legacy infrastructure and continued investment in cleaner alternatives. He outlined the administration’s petroleum market stabilization proposal, which aims to return California crude production to 125 million barrels a year through four components: codifying the ban on fracking, validating the Kern County oil-and-gas permitting ordinance, creating a temporary CEQA exemption paired with a two-for-one plug-and-drill framework, and strengthening pipeline and spill-safety requirements. Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucasey said the proposal is intended to stabilize crude supply and pipeline throughput while preserving health and environmental protections, and noted that CalGEM would still review permits and enforce other requirements. Mayor Steve Young of Benicia testified that a Valero closure would significantly reduce city revenue and leave the community facing years of cleanup and redevelopment challenges. He said the city supports environmental protection but is worried about the economic hit, the possibility that Benicia becomes a fuel-import terminal, and the lack of local influence over refinery decisions. Members pressed the panel on the CEQA exemption, tribal and habitat review, disclosure of closure liabilities, fuel-demand projections, and whether the proposal should include more demand-side measures. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and officials said some proposals, including a margin-cap pause and further transition planning, would be taken up later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:09:12.680> known Educator Group Insurance Program, known Educator Group Insurance Program,
• program just ended. program just ended.
• cannot afford another students cannot afford another educational<00:53:13.520> divide.
• I can't afford to have a family.'
• afford versus what their teachers need. afford versus what their teachers need.

Bills: HF3119

Keywords: teacher compensation, educational staff, unlicensed staff, minimum wage, inflation adjustment, education finance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• because of that that program this year. because of that that program this year.
• But affordability determines work.
• <00:42:45.680> that of those but funded some programs that of those but funded some programs
• I know that we eliminated the norovirus and food safety program, um, as well as STD detection programs
• <01:43:47.600> and existing directed payment program and existing directed payment program

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program builds bridges, act.
• participated in that 2022 Ullet program participated in that 2022 Ullet program and<00:47:55.200
• didn't have any money but the program didn't have any money but the program leaders<00:49:35.280
• that is expanding the supply programming that is expanding the supply of<00:54:49.520> affordable
• This program is master contract program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all