Transcript Highlights:

• to ...for everything that she has done thus far to make this possible, and to Chair Ramos and his staff
• High school staff held low expectations of Native students and believed it was rare for us to pursue
• I think when we talk about equity and trying to address some of these issues, the positions of power
• Not just DEI, diversity, equity, inclusion. We are embodying that, but we have a political status.
• I heard these words: equity, inclusion, belonging, and safety.

Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Yvonne Walker, staff to this committee.
• Dan Jones, staff to this committee.
• Dan Jones, committee staff.
• Ryan Smonis, staff to this committee.
• Sydney Jeffrey, staff to this committee.

Bills: HB2104, HB1903, HB1909, HB1982, HB2034, HB2105, HB2210, HB2215, HB2271, HB2345, HB2355, HB2384, HB2389, HB2397, HB2418, HB2429, HB2442, HB2479, HB2481, HB2681, HB2688, HB2714

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, energy assistance, low-income, utility costs, state program, energy affordability, court unification, task force, Washington courts, judicial administration, court reform, access to justice, local court rules, uniformity, centralization, rural courts

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll go to the pages, Democratic staff, and the majority policy advisor and majority research staff
• We'll first hear a staff explanation of House Bill 2016.
• Yeah, maybe a question for staff. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And we'll now move to staff discussion of House Bill 2104.
• Staff explained the bill accurately.

Summary: The committee began with member, page, and staff introductions, then heard reminders about public testimony limits and moved to bills. House Bill 2016 would remove late-filing penalties from taxpayers who owe zero tax. The sponsor argued it was a fairness measure that would spare small businesses and individuals from automatic penalties for paperwork only. Members generally supported the bill, though one member noted the Department of Revenue already has waiver authority and another raised a fiscal-impact question. The bill passed 8-1 with a due pass recommendation; the lone no vote said current law already allows case-by-case waivers and that an automatic exemption could weaken compliance. The committee then took up House Bill 2104, which would bar county assessors from reclassifying agricultural property for four years after a taxpayer wins an appeal, unless there is a change in use, split, or ownership. The sponsor and supporters from the cattle and farm/ranch community said some owners repeatedly win appeals only to face the same fight the next year, creating unnecessary cost and instability. County Assessor Eddie Cook, speaking for the county assessors, opposed the bill, saying assessors must protect compliance and fairness, that some owners do not meet ag requirements, and that the State Board of Equalization is not the final avenue because further appeals are available. The State Board’s acting chairman said the board is neutral, receives annual training, and applies the law as written. After extensive debate, the bill passed 5-4 with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2105, which would require advance notice of certain property inspections and provide inspection reports to property owners. Supporters said the bill would give owners a chance to be present and better understand why agricultural status was denied, helping avoid disputes before appeals. Assessor Cook opposed the measure, saying assessors already send notices, use door hangers and business cards, and can share inspection information on request, but there is no standard inspection report and the added mailing burden would be costly. Members also raised concerns about the lack of an appropriation and the absence of a standardized form. The bill was moved for a due pass recommendation, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• continued that the work also includes seamless pathways across the systems, regional coordination, equity
• We represent 35,000 non-faculty staff and student assistants and 1,039 staff and student auxiliary workers
• I wish to express our support... ...139 staff and student auxiliary workers at the CSU system.
• UAW is committed to fighting for a more just workplace, whether that's through pay equity, equity.
• have had not only on faculty and staff, but also students.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the voices and leadership of Black women across the country, working collectively to advocate for equity
• California State Senate and in recognizing their enduring contributions to advancing opportunity, equity
• dedicated public servant who served in the state legislature for over 20 years, most recently as chief of staff
• woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and the first woman to sit on the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• She spent a lifetime fighting for equity.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then recognized several guest groups, including representatives of the National Council of Negro Women, students from Santa Clarita Christian School, and the Coachella Valley High School girls soccer team. The chamber also marked Senator Allen’s birthday and later took up a memorial adjournment in memory of Dr. William Ma, offered by Senator Wiener. On the floor, the Senate confirmed three gubernatorial appointments: Andy Nakahata as executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nick Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. Each confirmation passed unanimously or near-unanimously after brief supportive remarks about the appointees’ experience and qualifications. The Senate also adopted several resolutions. SCR 127 designated December as Multi-Faith Heritage Month, SCR 110 recognized Women’s Military History Week, SCR 137 proclaimed March 15 as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Day, and SR 85 marked Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Members spoke in support of each measure, emphasizing interfaith understanding, women’s military service, Ginsburg’s legacy on equality, and the need for MS awareness and research. All of the resolutions passed by unanimous roll call, and the special consent calendar items were also approved 33-0. The session concluded with committee announcements for upcoming budget subcommittee meetings and a select committee meeting on California’s wine industry, followed by recess and notice of the next Senate session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank my co-chair, Representative Livingstone, our committee staff, my staff in the Senate,
• you have any questions, concerns, or technical difficulties, Legislative Information Services and my staff
• While this job can be very rewarding when we're able to assist clients, it's hard when I and my staff
• After years of advocacy, HLC has designated one staff person as an ombudsperson, but we hope to build
• Good afternoon, Chair Kennedy, Chair Livingstone, committee members, and staff.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting foster youth, child welfare oversight, homelessness services, juvenile justice, social work licensure, and human services workforce supports. Committee co-chairs Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone opened the hybrid hearing by outlining testimony procedures and accessibility measures. Several members and legislators participated throughout the day, and many witnesses were invited to submit additional written testimony after speaking. A major portion of the hearing focused on House 227/Senate 105, which would protect federal benefits owed to children in foster care. Supporters, including advocates from Hopewell, the Disability Law Center, CPCS, the Children’s Law Center, More Than Words, Friends of Children, and youth witness Onyx Rosario, said DCF had already ended the practice of taking most Social Security and SSI benefits and now conserves them in accounts for youth, but argued the policy should be codified to prevent future reversals. Witnesses described how conserved benefits help with basic needs, housing, education, transportation, and transition to adulthood, and several noted the bill also adds financial literacy and transparency requirements. Senator Joan Comerford and others said the change would protect vulnerable youth, especially children of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities. The committee also heard testimony on House 225, which would expand the grandparents-raising-grandchildren commission by adding appointments and helping with quorum and representation. The committee also took testimony on Senate 136, which would improve emergency housing assistance for families experiencing homelessness by easing documentation requirements, allowing use of existing state data to verify eligibility, requiring notice before benefit reductions, and creating an ombudsperson. Senator Adam Gomez and other supporters said the bill would reduce barriers for families in crisis. On House 262/Senate 148, an omnibus child welfare bill, witnesses supported provisions on data reporting, education coordination, and Office of the Child Advocate reforms, while CPCS raised concerns about expanded access to sensitive records and the OCA’s role in certain proceedings. The Office of the Child Advocate supported codifying current practices and also backed child fatality review changes in House 234/Senate 133. The committee additionally heard support for Senate 108, which would require attorneys and audio/video recording during juvenile custodial interrogations, and for House 247/Senate 116, which would update the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board to add supported lived-experience seats. Finally, the committee heard competing testimony on Senate 135, a bill to ensure parity in social work licensure. SEIU Local 509 and supporters argued the current exam requirement disproportionately harms Black, Latino, multilingual, and multicultural applicants and worsens workforce shortages, while the Association of Social Work Boards opposed the bill, saying the exam is a necessary public-protection measure and that removing it would conflict with interstate compact efforts. The hearing also included testimony in support of a loan repayment program for human service workers, with providers and workers describing low wages, high student debt, and the need to retain staff in essential services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you heard in staff presentation, what this has been, As you heard in staff presentation, what this
• Any other questions for staff?
• Tim Ford, staff with the committee.
• Any other questions for staff?
• Any other questions for staff?

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Megan, do you want to introduce your staff here that you've brought with you so that we, I think
• There are some questions about a large portion of some of the existing staff at nuclear facilities of
• Committee members, staff, thank you very much for giving me a little bit of time.
• You obviously are going to have some project equity in there. You're going to have some owners.
• I think it can be challenging for anyone looking to do an equity investment.

Summary: The committee met to hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear economics, workforce, community impacts, and financing. Nucleon Energy’s William Bridge presented a report estimating the economic impacts of hypothetical 200-megawatt and 600-megawatt SMRs, including construction and operating jobs, local spending, tax revenue, and the private-sector conditions needed to attract investment. He said the report used nth-of-a-kind cost assumptions, discussed security and water siting considerations, and argued that early community engagement and permitting work should be timed to when projects are closer to being economic. Committee members questioned cost assumptions, security staffing, transmission and water siting, and whether large reactors or SMRs are more likely to be financed in the near term. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning. She described declining labor-force demographics, the need for hundreds of thousands of new energy workers by 2050, and six workforce priorities: career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and non-traditional pipelines. She highlighted the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, robotics, and when training should begin relative to future plant construction; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers broadly and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. Red Wing, Minnesota Mayor Gary Yako described hosting the Prairie Island nuclear generating facility. He said the plant provides a large share of the city’s property tax base, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to local emergency preparedness, and is a strong community partner through donations and employee involvement. He said the city supports relicensing, has regular emergency drills, and has had no issues with dry cask storage. The committee also heard from NEI’s Benton Arnett, who reviewed the current financing landscape, including federal tax credits, DOE loan authority, offtake agreements, and the shift toward project developers and special-purpose vehicles. He said early projects face high first-of-a-kind costs, but federal support and long-term power purchase agreements are helping make projects financeable. Finally, DOE’s Julie Kazeraki described the Office of Energy Dominance Financing and its role in supporting new nuclear, restarts, uprates, and supply chain investments, emphasizing that federal loan and tax-credit tools are intended to reduce upfront risk and improve project affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ily Cato, committee staff, is presenting.
• Iley Cato, committee staff.
• Iley Cato committee staff.
• That is not equity, that is sorting. That is not equity, that is sorting.
• Alex Fair, Fortune staff.

Bills: SB5952, SB5961, SB5969, SB5841, SB5943

Keywords: physical education, school districts, student requirements, education policy, high school, early literacy, childhood literacy, book distribution, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool, pre-K, reading readiness, school readiness, birth to age five, young children, nonprofit contract, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DCYF

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:57.720><c> uh</c> that a few days ago our staff uh that a few days ago our staff uh circulated
• </c><00:32:09.159><c> the</c> the better vehicle for Equity the the better vehicle for Equity the session
• </c> providing adult staff providing adult staff chaperon<01:27:27.560><c> uh</c><01:27:27.719><c> I'm
• It says adult staff, so you're interpreting that to mean adult staff per the provider, not the department
• It says adult staff, so you're interpreting that to mean adult staff per the provider, not the department

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 707 on the College Savings Program. Members discussed a suggested amendment from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities to include the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. The chair said the Department of the Attorney General advised there was no title problem, so the bill could be broadened to cover both the College Savings Program and the ABLE program. The committee also noted technical, non-substantive changes and a defective date of July 1, 3000 for further discussion. HB 707 HD1 was then voted on and the recommendation to pass with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present, with two members excused. The committee then heard House Bill 424, which would provide free breakfast and lunch beginning the next school year to students who currently qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The Department of Education supported the measure, and testimony in favor came from teachers, public health and food security advocates, and several organizations. Supporters described students being denied meals because of unpaid balances, said school meals should not depend on family debt, and argued that the bill would reduce stigma and help hungry students learn. Committee questions focused on meal pricing, the impact of raising prices on families who pay full price, and whether portion sizes could be increased; DOE said breakfast costs less than lunch, full-price students would bear any increase, and portion sizes must follow USDA rules. Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute and Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network said many families above the free/reduced thresholds still cannot afford meals, citing estimates that the DOE collects about $20 million a year in meal payments and that federal reimbursement totals are much larger. The committee then heard House Bill 757, the universal free school breakfast and lunch bill. DOE and the Department of Health supported it, and testimony was overwhelmingly in favor from county officials, teachers, students, food banks, advocacy groups, and community organizations. Witnesses argued that universal meals would eliminate stigma, reduce paperwork and debt collection, and ensure students do not fall through the cracks because of income cutoffs, language barriers, or administrative hurdles. Several students from Castle High School described classmates asking for food and families struggling to keep meal accounts funded, while teachers said they regularly see negative meal balance notices and hungry students. Advocates also said the bill is the better equity vehicle because it avoids means testing and reaches students who are not currently receiving meals despite needing them. The hearing on HB 757 was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, and no final vote on that bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Moore, committee staff. Thank you, Chair Alias, members of the committee.
• Brian Moore, committee staff.
• Clint McCarthy, staff to the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Elias, members of the committee, Brandon Popovac, staff.
• Thank you, Chair Elias, members of the committee, Brandon Popovac's staff.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session on Gross Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources measure, after a staff walkthrough of the Senate striking amendment S-5820.4. Staff explained that the striker largely replaced the bill with provisions from Senate Bill 6352 and related transportation revenue and policy changes, including updates to mobile driver’s licenses, account interest provisions, recreational vessel and luxury vehicle tax clarifications, peer-to-peer tax administration changes, fuel tax timing changes, aircraft fuel tax and account changes, bicycle education grants, ferry payment-card fee authority, traffic safety camera revenue and rebuttable presumption rules, online driver education regulation, transit annexation tax/liability clarification, Sound Transit 75-year bond authority limits, stolen copper protections for light rail and DOT communications infrastructure, and a highway contracting threshold change. Staff also reviewed fiscal impacts, including revenue gains from trade-in value clarifications and aircraft fuel changes, and losses from the diesel tax delay, motorhome exemption, and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax. Members asked several clarifying questions, including the luxury RV tax threshold, how trade-in value is treated under the luxury vehicle tax, whether ferry debit-card fees are authorized, and the legality of passing card-processing fees to customers. Staff and counsel said the luxury vehicle tax applies to value over $100,000, trade-in value is added back for the luxury tax calculation, and the ferry provision is intended to clarify that both credit and debit card surcharges may be passed through. On the traffic safety camera section, staff described a revised approach that would require stronger proof from registered owners to rebut presumed responsibility, and on Sound Transit bonds, staff clarified that bonds over 40 years would be limited to federal transportation loan purposes and would affect eligibility for certain state grants. After caucus, the committee returned to executive session, waived the amendment posting deadline under Senate Rule 45, adopted the striking amendment, and then voted to advance ESHB 2711 as amended with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The motion carried, and the chair thanked staff before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but this is also how we're able to bring on our staff and student leaders here.
• also how we're able to bring on<00:35:01.520><c> our</c><00:35:01.680><c> our</c><00:35:01.920><c> staff
• and student leaders on our our staff and student leaders here.<00:35:03.520><c> And</c><00:35:03.680
• They've hired staff, and hopefully John, who is here from Haimo, will be able to share with you folks
• um in the back of the um even our staff um in the back of the room,<01:11:32.320><c> they're</c><01:

Bills: HB2437, HB1815, HB1614, HB1613, HB1612, HB2411, HB2597, HB2583, HB2474, HB1863, HB2590, HB1813, HB1838, HB2138, HB1967, HB1576, HB2139, HB1605, HB2113, HB812, HB1831, HB1707, HB2561, HB1805, HB2469, HB2472, HB2387, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1859, HB2276, HB2335, HB1656, HB2116, HB2272, HB2273, HB2340, HB2158, HB2339, HB2489, HB2159, HB2171, HB2338, HB2005, HB1952, HB1872, HB1676, HB2384, HB2614, HB20, HB1776, HB1565, HB2310, HB1975, HB1801, HB1668, HB2114, HB1972, HB1546, HB1518, HB1131, HB2208, HB2156, HB2268, HB2622, HB2581, HB2498, HB2443, HB1577, HB2033, HB2031, HB2023, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2315, HB2343, HB2501, HB2505, HB816, HB1562, HB1591, HB1853, HB1854, HB1871, HB1965, HB1966, HB1537, HB1541, HB276, HB2606, HB2270, HB1920, HB1756, HB1727, HB1718, HB1715, HB1713, HB1711

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund, one percent for art, public art, art in public places, relocatable works of art, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, DAGS

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that commission staff will follow up with you after the meeting if we are not able to address
• . ...peer-to-peer sharing of service provider staff that I think was very effective and very valuable
• . lot of, you know, peer-to-peer sharing of service provider staff that I think was very effective and
• Actually, one of my staff who worked for me were there, so I was able to have her help me a little bit
• And I mean, I had an opportunity to meet with members of the governor's staff as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly virtual meeting and approved the September minutes. Chair Denise Garlick opened with updates on the commission’s first “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Needham, reporting strong attendance, a large resource fair, and mostly positive survey feedback. Commissioners said the event was valuable for connecting advocates, providers, and people with disabilities, while also noting lessons learned about accessibility, timing, and the need for more networking time and advance materials. The chair said the commission is planning future forums in other regions, including possible sites in Lowell, Northampton, and the South Shore. A major item was the new advisory council. Oz Osmondahar and Eman described the outreach and screening process, which drew roughly 60 nominations and emphasized lived experience, sector expertise, geographic diversity, and connections to broader networks. The council will serve as strategic advisors and thought partners, meet twice a year, and hold its first in-person orientation on January 30 at the State House Members Lounge. Commissioners were encouraged to stay engaged with the council and use it to strengthen commission and subcommittee work. Subcommittee reports covered employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports/health equity. The Disability Employment Subcommittee reported collaboration with SEED, a presentation at the Employment Matters Conference, a discussion with a disability employee resource group, and upcoming work with CED and veterans advocates. The Workforce Supports Subcommittee heard from the MassHealth Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center about workforce data gaps and an upcoming needs assessment, and plans to host ADDP on 2025 workforce metrics. The long-term services and supports committee discussed the Housing Navigator program, barriers to accessible housing, and concerns about how federal cuts could affect disability services and health equity. The commission also heard from DDS Deputy General Counsel Erin Brown and Associate Commissioner Chris Klaskin on a new law expanding access to records from former state institutions, including new notification and privacy procedures and a forthcoming regulatory process with public input. Commissioners welcomed the law as a step toward transparency and dignity. Amen gave an executive director update on the annual report, recent collaboration with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, a national state-employer practice group, and the IDD/Autism Alliance working group. The meeting also included a moment of reflection for disability activist Alice Wong, a commissioner announcement about Work Without Limits’ virtual career fair, and adjournment after a motion and second were approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alma does an extraordinary job leading our labor committee staff.
• Alma does an extraordinary job leading our labor committee staff.
• policy advisor, deputy chief of staff for multiple Assembly Speakers, as well as senior consultant for
• She also is a former Senate staff member, having served as a policy consultant for the Senate Republican
• , how Jess Unruh had to prevail upon him to take Art Bolton so he actually had a staff member that was

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on floor privileges and recognitions. Members welcomed a delegation from Catalonia on the 40th anniversary of the California-Catalonia sister-state relationship, Solano Community College’s speech and debate team, and several small business honorees, including Royal Clothiers and Old California Botanicals. The chamber also recognized Tennessee Rep. Justin Jones for his advocacy on democracy and voting rights, with multiple senators speaking in support of his visit. On business, the Senate confirmed Rick Simpson to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Laura Ederton Speed as Executive Director of the State Bar, both by unanimous 35-0 votes. The body adopted SCR 163 designating May as California Tourism Month, highlighting tourism’s economic impact, and SCR 170 declaring Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week, with extensive testimony from senators about the trauma firefighters and first responders face and the need to reduce stigma and expand support. The Senate also adopted SCR 174 marking the 60th anniversary of California’s pilot regional centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing the system’s role in community-based care. The Senate adopted SR 111 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after extended debate focused on LGBTQ rights, hate violence, and the need for allies to speak out; the resolution passed 26-0. The chamber then approved a second-day consent calendar of multiple bills by 34-0, moved SCR 116 to the inactive file, granted reconsideration on SR 111 for a later session, and heard motions to adjourn in memory of Carl Anthony and Lupe Estrella. The Senate announced committee hearings and then adjourned to reconvene Monday, May 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alma does an extraordinary job leading our labor committee staff.
• policy advisor, deputy chief of staff for multiple Assembly Speakers, as well as senior consultant for
• She also is a former Senate staff member, having served as a policy consultant for the Senate Republican
• , how Jess Unruh had to prevail upon him to take Art Bolton so he actually had a staff member that was
• So he actually had a staff member that was helping him lead to the regional centers.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , committee staff, for putting some great thoughts together that we can advance this bill.
• committee staff for putting some great thoughts together that we can advance this bill.
• Thanks again to the committee staff for helping us get this to where it is at this point.
• It seems like there's both an equity issue...
• So we are absolutely committed to working this out with you and your staff.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I thank you for the support that you not only gave me, but the staff on this committee and members
• And so when we think about equity as it pertains to paying for your transportation system, it balances
• I'll look to staff before I go. Oh, yes, we do need to do public comments.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and members and staff.
• Hi, staff.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee first took up three highway naming resolutions on its consent calendar: ACR 109, SCR 78, and SCR 90. The committee approved the consent calendar with 11 aye votes and no no votes, then adjourned the bill-hearing portion. Members also recognized committee science fellow AJ Mendeola for his service, noting his contributions to bill analysis and staff support. The committee then held an informational hearing on alternatives to the gas tax, focused on the projected decline in fuel-tax revenue and the need for a more sustainable transportation funding model. The chair and invited experts described how inflation, improved fuel efficiency, and growth in electric and other alternative-fuel vehicles are eroding gas-tax revenues. Presenters from the National Conference of State Legislatures and the University of California discussed state options such as higher or indexed gas taxes, EV registration fees, road usage charges, delivery fees, public EV charging fees, transportation network company fees, and managed lanes, emphasizing tradeoffs among revenue adequacy, fairness, administrative cost, and public acceptance. Committee members raised concerns that mileage-based fees or EV fees could function as new taxes on commuters and lower-income drivers, especially if the gas tax is not repealed. Presenters responded that road usage charges are generally intended as replacements for the gas tax, not additions, and argued that mileage-based systems better preserve the user-pays principle while being less tied to vehicle fuel efficiency. They also noted that flat EV registration fees are easy to administer but can be less equitable because they are not linked to actual road use. Officials from Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon described their state programs and policy choices. Hawaii said its new road usage charge began July 1, 2025, for EVs, offers a choice between a per-mile charge and a flat annual fee through 2028, and will transition to mandatory EV participation before expanding to all light-duty vehicles by 2033. Utah described its voluntary EV road usage charge program, quarterly reporting, privacy protections, and legislative scenarios for removing the cap or making participation mandatory. Oregon outlined its constitutional cost-responsibility framework and broader transportation funding challenges, including reliance on user fees and limited use of general-fund support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also want to thank those of you who I had the opportunity to meet with, and your staff.
• So that has really been helpful as I interact with staff.
• But I’ll check with my staff, with our staff, on that.
• But just to let you know where we have weighed in on the equity piece for SGMA.
• A Senate staff member recently said to me, 'Water, it's a complex beast.'

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first handled several routine actions, including approving three governor’s appointments not required to appear: Anthony Surich as Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, Craig Snelling J.D. to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and Nicholas Mueller to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission. The committee also approved referral of bills to committees, all by 4-0 votes. It then took up appointments requiring testimony, beginning with Jereen DiAdamo to the State Water Resources Control Board. DiAdamo focused her remarks on safe drinking water, groundwater sustainability, conservation, and Bay-Delta restoration. She said the number of Californians without safe drinking water has fallen from 1.6 million to 800,000 since 2019, credited the SAFER program, technical assistance, and mandatory consolidation authority, and described ongoing work on failing and at-risk systems, domestic well mitigation, SGMA implementation, and the Bay-Delta Plan. Senators pressed her on audit follow-up, measurable goals for reducing the remaining unsafe systems, funding uncertainty, and concerns from environmental and tribal groups that the board has favored water users over ecosystem protections. Supporters from water, agriculture, business, and local agencies praised her collaborative style and consensus-building, while opponents argued she had not done enough to protect the Delta and called for new leadership. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Sivagunda Gunda for reappointment to the California Energy Commission. He highlighted progress on grid reliability, zero-carbon generation, and planning for California’s energy transition, including transportation fuels, building electrification, and the eventual retirement of Diablo Canyon. Senators questioned him about the future of Kern Energy and small refineries, the state’s transportation fuels plan, fuel imports and costs, and whether California can retire Diablo Canyon by 2030 without harming reliability. Gunda said the state is planning as if Diablo Canyon retires in 2030, that current resource additions make reliability manageable, and that affordability and market coordination remain key issues. The committee then voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate, and the hearing recessed afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because they don't have staff.
• We have staff that are dedicated to doing that.
• That staff member that's cut may be the one staff member that that student relies on the most.
• I want to speak briefly on faculty and staff compensation.
• I want to speak briefly on faculty and staff compensation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regional equity. All right. My other follow-up is just... ...for regional equity.
• And in that, we are seeking to not, as we've grown our staff, we're looking to see our staff grow.
• Is a request for additional staff to allow us to do those more frequent audits.
• It certainly sets us back when we lose talented, trained staff to other state agencies.
• Public officials and staff with the tools to do their jobs well.

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.