Transcript Highlights:

• You know, these are personal data points, but you're a personal data point, you're a personal data point
• You know, these, there are personal data points, but you're a personal data point, you're a personal
• data point.
• Be wildfire data comments. This is not yet achieved. Just. B. Wildfire data comments.
• and the data that we have.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We had to update data systems to be able to collect that data, but we've now done that.
• very excited that we will be transferring that data over to the Cradle-to-Career data system later this
• month in order to have that data matched with EDD data and really finally get some of the verified..
• that we will be transferring that data over to the cradle to career data system later this month in
• order to have that data matched with EDD data and really finally get some of the verified Thank you.

Summary: The joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing focused on the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary Education (BPPE) and its reauthorization, with committee chairs and members emphasizing the Bureau’s role in protecting students, overseeing private postsecondary schools, and responding to a changing federal higher education landscape. BPPE and the Department of Consumer Affairs reported that the Bureau has modernized data systems, improved enforcement, increased citations and inspections, reduced pending complaints, and is now meeting its statutory inspection mandate. They also said the Bureau faces a structural budget deficit and has reduced costs through staffing cuts, streamlined inspections, and shifting some student-relief functions to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF).

Transcript Highlights:

• The data is in.
• We have data on...” “Over 10,000 PFAS.
• We have data on probably a handful in terms of robust data sets.
• A lot of data in terms of health characterization.
• There have been questions about real-world data.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> belief</c><00:52:18.079><c> that</c> is a simple data-driven belief that is a simple data-driven
• this public data available.
• Data management.
• ><c> people's</c> data privacy, data practices, people's data privacy, data practices, people's right
• And that's what Senator data.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I have more data and information about other counties, I have more data and information about other counties
• We just provided data that was as of April 20, 2026, but I did bring data that is as of today, so I will
• What is the data on usage? Sure. Yeah.
• I don't have data on that, but we can circle back.
• We asked for data in March. We got data maybe yesterday, last week.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have all of that data and are working to package it for you.
• We will be getting data from the health plans in the fall of 2027, with the 2026 data, analyzing it.
• with data.
• I would say on the interoperability or data exchange...
• I would say on the interoperability or data exchange, I would say on the interoperability or data exchange

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the cost of uncertainty in California health care, especially the effects of federal policy changes on coverage, access, and affordability. Opening remarks from committee leaders and members emphasized that California’s uninsured rate had fallen to historic lows under the Affordable Care Act and state policies, but that the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, H.R. 1, and other federal regulatory changes could reverse those gains. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the strain on low-wage workers, families, clinics, hospitals, and public programs. The first panel reviewed the federal landscape and state response. A federal policy analyst described the ACA’s coverage gains and consumer protections, then outlined current threats: H.R. 1’s Medicaid and marketplace cuts, the end of enhanced premium tax credits, shorter open enrollment, more verification requirements, and changes affecting preventive services and vaccines. Covered California reported that the loss of subsidies is expected to nearly double average monthly premiums, reduce enrollment, and push more consumers into bronze plans with higher deductibles; it also noted that California’s $190 million affordability fund is helping the lowest-income enrollees. HCAI’s Office of Health Care Affordability explained its work on spending targets, market consolidation review, and primary care investment, saying the goal is to slow spending growth rather than impose price caps. Committee members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of bronze plans, administrative burdens, immigration-related disenrollment, provider taxes, uncompensated care, and whether California can sustain current coverage levels without new revenue. Witnesses said bronze plans preserve essential benefits but shift more costs to consumers, and that H.R. 1’s verification and auto-renewal changes will likely reduce enrollment. They also said provider tax reductions could significantly weaken state financing over time, and that higher uninsured rates may increase uncompensated care and pressure premiums elsewhere in the system. The second panel, featuring UC Berkeley Labor Center and California Health Care Foundation experts, highlighted broader affordability problems across job-based coverage and Medi-Cal, citing medical debt, skipped care, and the role of underlying system costs, administrative waste, and lack of competition. They pointed to medical debt relief efforts such as Los Angeles County’s program as a short-term mitigation strategy while the Legislature considers longer-term policy and budget responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we have the data; we're just not using it, and so this bill would propose using that data.
• Can you list those that would have access to the data sharing?
• So we want to make sure we data share.
• What we did is we data shared with our Dona Community College fellows.
• I mean, you talked about data sharing, which I didn't know about.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So we welcome that information and data.
• We're open to all of that data and that dialogue.
• under old data to what they're going to be receiving under the new data.
• We want to make sure it's based in data. Got it.
• It should be based on data, like you said.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Summary: The committee heard an overview and discussion of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840. Chairs and members emphasized the program’s role in meeting climate targets while balancing affordability, and CARB described the proposal as intended to preserve market certainty, strengthen cost containment, address utility affordability, and support the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goal. CARB also noted the public comment period, the planned board hearing, and the goal of an effective date of September 1, 2026. Members questioned CARB on several implementation issues, including whether the rulemaking would be completed on time, the treatment of carbon capture and sequestration, the timing of the transfer of allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and the impact on ratepayers. CARB said it was on track to meet the May deadline, that CCUS/CDR could be further refined in the proposal and would also be addressed in a separate SB 905 rulemaking later in the year, and that it was seeking to protect ratepayers while inviting more utility data during the comment period. The committee also discussed refining-sector leakage risk, gasoline imports, and how imported fuel is accounted for under cap-and-invest versus the low-carbon fuel standard. A second panel of outside experts and stakeholders then testified. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and IEMAC representatives explained the major statutory changes, including putting offsets under the cap, shifting allowances from natural gas to electric utilities over time, and changing how allowance value is divided among utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They stressed that CARB has significant discretion in setting the allowance “pie,” and that more free allocations to utilities or industry reduce GGRF revenues. EDF’s representative argued the proposal should be adopted this spring, said the utility transition should happen faster, and urged a tighter near-term emissions cap. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, opposed the proposed utility allocation changes, saying they would reduce expected allowances, undermine long-term planning, and could force higher rates or reduced decarbonization investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have the data that they're effective.
• As a scientist, I look for data.
• But what is the data that you have?
• As a scientist, I look for data.
• So we're happy to provide that data. Yeah, thank you.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would expand and clarify the CARE Court process, with amendments narrowing the new diagnosis category to bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the “clinically stabilized” standard, and limiting the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including a psychiatrist, a family member, and several local and business groups, said the bill would help more people access needed services; opponents, including counties, disability rights, peer-run organizations, and consumer advocates, warned it would expand the program faster than counties can provide housing, staffing, and court-related services. The committee discussed capacity concerns at length, then passed SB 27 on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pearson would require AI used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente, the California Medical Association, hospitals, and psychiatrists said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust in AI tools. Committee members noted the need to clarify deployer and developer responsibilities and accepted amendments before voting. The bill passed as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require allergen disclosure on restaurant menus, with different requirements for larger chains and more flexible options for smaller restaurants. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from the author and a nine-year-old witness with severe food allergies, along with broad support from medical, nursing, parent, and allergy advocacy groups. The California Restaurant Association opposed the bill unless amended, seeking broader menu-format flexibility and additional liability language. After discussion of those concerns, the committee passed SB 68 as amended to Appropriations. SB 403 by Senator Blakespear would remove the sunset date from California’s End of Life Option Act, making the law permanent. Supporters, including a physician, a social worker, hospice professionals, and family members of terminally ill patients, described the law as a compassionate, carefully regulated option that has worked as intended. Faith-based and Catholic health organizations opposed the measure. The committee approved SB 403 and sent it to Judiciary. The hearing also included consent items, which were approved, and a vote change on SB 68 from no to aye by Senator Sanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually in the data, and we're being respectful of the data.
• That's in the data. Thank you.
• when the data was gathered.
• So that's in the data.
• Data protection.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• channels, along with official federal death data and change-of-address data, in order to provide its
• </c> deceased records um and other uh data deceased records um and other uh data sources<00:10:17.399
• But once that data is distributed elsewhere, I cannot guarantee the security of that data.
• </c><00:32:21.919><c> uh</c> have uh ready access to death data uh have uh ready access to death data
• </c> agencies to be able to prepare that data agencies to be able to prepare that data because<00:33:

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Each agency must consider and base data collection on the appropriate demographic data set necessary
• This data must also be included in every demographic data set necessary and reports on race or ethnic
• If data is unavailable to be collected, the report should state the reason why.
• So while that perception in aggregate, the data is the data, the real issue is there are sub-communities
• and public data.

Summary: The committee heard six bills on January 27, 2026. Senate Bill 6084 would clarify the prohibition on voting more than once in an election, in response to a court ruling that interpreted “election” narrowly; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said the bill is meant to ensure a person votes only once in Washington or in one state and another on the same election date. Testimony was brief and supportive, and the hearing was closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. Senate Bill 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, and Senate Bill 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a way to acknowledge minority faith traditions, promote inclusion, and help communities feel seen; testimony came from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist representatives. The committee recorded substantial support for both measures, with no opposition testimony, and closed both hearings. Senate Bill 6046 would establish the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department to better coordinate volunteer aviation support for disasters, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and other missions. The sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would improve command and control and help the state use Civil Air Patrol more efficiently at no added cost. Senate Bill 5763 would create a grant program for local law enforcement aviation support units and expand wildfire-related aviation support to sheriff’s offices; sheriffs and police chiefs strongly supported it as a way to sustain helicopter-based search and rescue and disaster response, while DNR raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and possible bill drafting issues. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5784, which would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data under updated federal standards; the sponsor said better disaggregation is needed for accountability and to identify disparities, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns and the need for possible amendments. The meeting ended after the final hearing, with no votes taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are national numbers, according to data provided by the CFPB in a data spotlight they produced
• I think there may be some public data from the CFPB data spotlight that might be helpful.
• to the data you saw from DFI, but also some more in-depth data about who uses these products, how they
• and the potential use or misuse of that data integration down the road.
• The only thing that we have, which again has the data limitation...

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:

• So obviously we're doing a lot of data. Occasionally a the data feel could be wrong.
• So occasionally a wrong piece of data will get in there.
• What we call survey 6, the earliest data that we have that's available. That's not fte survey data.
• , the survey data that we have does not always come out for them.
• In fact, the earliest data that we have the 10, 20 day count data really isn't made available to us until

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also Newview's future quality level of our data.
• set simulates a data collection at night through a canopy of trees.
• Newview's data will be accurate to about the height of a business card.
• And to unlock this value, data accessibility is key.
• And all of this comes down to just one thing: data empowerment.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on Florida’s space economy and related infrastructure. SpaceX Vice President Kiko Donchev described the company’s Florida operations, launch cadence, reusable rocket program, Starlink service, and plans for future Starship activity at the Cape. Senators asked about Florida employment, expansion plans, satellite lifetimes, disaster-relief uses of Starlink, and recreational connectivity; members also praised SpaceX’s hurricane response and broader public benefits. Donchev said SpaceX’s Florida workforce has grown to about 1,600 and that the company hopes to add Starship pads and continue expanding in the state. The committee then recognized Commander Dennis Baker for his military service and veteran advocacy, including his leadership of the Florida Veterans Foundation, grant work, the Walk of Honor, and the Gadsden Flag license plate program. Members highlighted that revenue from the plate helps fund veterans’ dental care and noted upcoming dental services for veterans in Volusia County. Baker received a flag flown over the Capitol and a framed gubernatorial proclamation. Newview CEO Clint Grumman presented the company’s commercial satellite LiDAR mapping system, describing its Lake Nona headquarters, Florida ownership, planned jobs, and applications for infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. He said the company’s satellite data could improve accuracy and lower costs, and noted partnerships including a Department of Defense contract and a European Space Agency moon-mapping effort. Space Florida then outlined its role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority, emphasizing its pipeline of projects, spaceport improvement program, workforce academy, and efforts to address infrastructure constraints and seek tax-exempt bond authority for spaceports. NASA’s Kelvin Manning closed with an update on Kennedy Space Center, highlighting Artemis progress, rising launch demand, commercial partnerships, economic impact, and the Florida University Space Research Consortium. No bills were voted on, and the meeting adjourned after comments from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 20-year data of funding and results are a mixed bag in Arkansas.
• And then bad and insufficient data.
• Another one is collect better data and require communities to collect better data and report better data
• One is the data and how we're getting the data and what we do with it after we get it.
• Their data is not included. ...provide homeless housing, but do not use HMIS; their data is not included

Transcript Highlights:

• Firearm trace data is exactly what it sounds like: data points tracing the flow of a firearm from its
• Trace data is key to this story.
• Trace data is key to this story.
• Firearm trace data identifies the first lawful retail sale of a firearm.
• Okay, we'll now turn it back to the data.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• , where we want to make sure that data, any data collected from...
• Are key, where we want to make sure that data, any data collected for the purposes of age assurance,
• I do have concerns about the overcollection of data as well.
• By prohibiting ADSB data for billing, it forces airports back to outdated manual methods that ADS-B data
• It's not for collection of data. And that is a misnomer.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The data is in.
• We have data on—” “Over 10,000 PFAS.
• We have data on probably a handful in terms of robust data sets.
• A lot of data in terms of health characterization.
• There have been questions about real-world data.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And how can you use data to evaluate your system?
• And today, our data is a little bit different than the data that you saw Dr. Sanders give.
• The data he's looking at is a little bit different.
• a subset of this data.
• How are we getting our data?

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Summary: The committee heard an update on Washington’s child welfare system from Casey Family Programs and then from DCYF. Dr. David Sanders presented national and state trends showing fewer children entering and remaining in out-of-home care, more kinship placements, and relatively low use of group homes, but he also flagged concerns about children lingering in care for years and an increase in repeat maltreatment and child fatalities. He urged stronger focus on infants and young children, better coordination among child protection, health care, and law enforcement, and more proactive review and decision-making practices. Members asked for disaggregated data on children remaining in care, fatalities, and the role of fentanyl and other factors. DCYF said Washington has increased relative placements and guardianships, citing prior legislative changes such as HB 1747, HB 1227, and SB 6109. Officials reported a rise in critical incidents in 2025, especially near-fatalities involving children age three and under, many tied to opioid exposure, and described responses including safe child consults, hotspot identification, more training on neglect and medically complex cases, updated safety tools, and expanded community supports and peer services. Members pressed DCYF on cross-agency collaboration, preventive services, and whether a broader commission on child abuse prevention should be created; DCYF said it would be open to discussing that and noted existing work with health and legal partners. The committee then received a DSHS update on the agency’s “Reimagined” reorganization. Secretary Angela Ramirez said the restructuring consolidates administrations to reduce silos, improve customer experience, and better coordinate services across behavioral health, habilitation, aging, long-term support, technology, and analytics. She said DSHS will seek statutory alignment and CMS approval and is also redesigning its website. Members asked about federal HR1 impacts, SNAP, and whether DSHS has a team tracking federal changes; Ramirez said the agency is monitoring developments and will coordinate with legislators. Finally, DSHS provided an update on residential habilitation centers and implementation of SB 5393, which phases out new long-term admissions at Rainier School and closes it by June 30, 2027. Officials reported current census and capacity figures for the state’s RHCs, described recent resident transitions from Rainier, and said emergency and permanent rulemaking are underway. They also disclosed that a recent CMS survey found Rainier out of compliance with the active treatment condition of participation, prompting corrective action plans and a 90-day window to return to compliance. Members questioned the meaning of active treatment, the lack of available capacity, the consequences of noncompliance, and whether Rainier could be repurposed for other services; DSHS said it is working to correct the deficiencies and is open to future uses if directed and funded by the legislature.