Transcript Highlights:

• New Economics for Women is a proud sponsor of AB 970, which requires cities, counties, and continuums
• New Economics for Women is a proud sponsor of AB 970, which requires cities, counties, and continuums
• You know, I have worked with the homeless, you know, as a therapist for the County of Riverside.
• Nicole Wardleman on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in support. Thank you.
• Kim Lewis, representing a network serving foster youth in 31 counties, in support.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied. The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide services to 10 cities in central Contra Costa County.
• I'm the general manager of County Connection.
• We're a medium-sized transit operator. we provide of County Connection.
• We provide services to 10 cities in central Contra Costa County.
• In Fox Canyon, Fox Canyon covers roughly half of Ventura County.

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, labor protections, family stability, and legal process. AB 57 would reserve 10% of California Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters, including the NAACP and reparations advocates, said it would address historic housing discrimination and build generational wealth. Opponents argued the bill is an unconstitutional race proxy. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass AB 57 as amended to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting, and the bill was placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, would expand and clarify caregiving tools for children whose parents face immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a short-term guardianship option that preserves parental rights. Supporters said the bill would reduce trauma and help families plan for emergencies; one member raised concerns about safeguards for non-family caregivers. The bill passed to Human Services on a do-pass motion and was placed on call. AB 392 would regulate non-consensual sexually explicit online content by requiring age and consent verification before upload, mandating removal after complaint, and creating civil remedies. A survivor of the iCloud hack testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations and was placed on call. AB 692 would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or related costs if they leave or are fired; labor groups supported it as a response to “stay-or-pay” traps, while business and industry groups warned it could affect bonuses and voluntary training programs. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee also heard AB 1234 on wage theft enforcement, AB 1522 on expedited licensing for certain former federal attorneys and protection for reproductive-health legal work, and AB 394 on stronger protections for transit workers facing assault and harassment. AB 1234 would let the Labor Commissioner enter judgment when employers fail to participate in wage-claim proceedings; supporters emphasized long delays and unpaid wages, while opponents objected to the 30% administrative fee. AB 1522 and AB 394 both drew support and were advanced on do-pass motions, with AB 1522 and AB 1234 placed on call after roll-call votes. The committee also approved a consent calendar of multiple bills and took up additional procedural motions before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're in Hawaii, so I wish we could bring it there, but hey, let's start with Minnesota.
• </c><00:14:03.440><c> They're</c><00:14:03.760><c> in</c><00:14:03.920><c> Hawaii,</c><00:14:04.240><
• They're in Hawaii, so I appreciate this.
• They're in Hawaii, so I wish<00:14:04.639><c> we</c><00:14:04.800><c> could</c><00:14:04.880><c> bring

Bills: HF2354 , HF3407 , HF4359 , HF4192 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF1597 , HF3155 , HF3871 , HF4437 , HF4446 , HF3990

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• the office head is an attorney in all but five of them, the exceptions being Arizona, California, Hawaii
• being five of them, the exceptions being Arizona,<00:17:14.640><c> California,</c><00:17:15.600><c> Hawaii
• ,</c><00:17:16.400><c> Utah,</c><00:17:17.199><c> and</c> Arizona, California, Hawaii, Utah, and Arizona
• , California, Hawaii, Utah, and Wyoming.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• On the testifier list for this measure is Mark Glick from the Hawaii State Community Office.
• Alice Lee from the County Council has been testimony support. Natalie Iasa is in opposition.
• Alice Kawai in support Alice Lee<00:04:54.000><c> from</c><00:04:54.880><c> uh</c><00:04:55.880><c> County
• </c><00:04:56.440><c> Council</c><00:04:57.160><c> has</c><00:04:57.360><c> been</c> Lee from uh County
• Council has been Lee from uh County Council has been testimony<00:04:58.639><c> support</c><00:04:59.720

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees on Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Economic Development and Tourism met on February 11, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 1338, relating to long-duration clean energy storage, received support from the Energy Office, DEED, HTDC, and the gas company. With no opposition or questions, the committees recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and a deferred effective date of 5/13/2040. The committees then heard Senate Bill 233 on climate resilience, which drew support from the Hawaii State Community Office and other testifiers. SB 492, relating to the general excise tax, had mixed testimony, with support from DHHL, the Office of Planning, county representatives, and others, and opposition from the Grassroots Institute and another testifier. The chair explained that SB 492 would be amended to remove language that would prevent DHHL from benefiting, along with technical amendments and the same deferred date of 5/13/2040. For Senate Bill 1634, relating to water resources, the Board of Water Supply testified in support and urged expanding the bill from two to six monitoring wells, citing Red Hill contamination concerns, PFAS detections in Halawa Shaft, and the need for a broader monitoring grid to track groundwater movement. Members discussed the connected aquifers and the need for more data. The committee recommended passage of SB 1634 with amendments to allow funding for six monitoring wells, include a sentinel monitoring system, and make technical, non-substantive changes. The committee also voted to pass SB 233 unamended, and all recommendations were adopted by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Matt Petrushevitz, a county engineer for Yakima County. Good afternoon, everybody.
• My name is Matt Petrushevitz, a county engineer for Yakima County. Is this on now? Yeah.
• Yeah, my name is Matt Petrushevitz, a county engineer for Yakima County.
• That is owned by Yakima County.
• Mason County has done a really, really good job of helping prepare for the freight quarter, Mason County

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on two major corridor projects before moving to public hearing and executive session. In the Yakima area, WSDOT, Yakima County, and Ecology described the Interstate 82/east-west connector work as a coordinated effort to add capacity, improve interchanges, and address the Boise Cascade mill site contamination that sits in the project footprint. County and Ecology witnesses said the county is ready to remove wood waste and contaminated material, but the project is stalled pending a draft work plan and a de minimis consent decree; several senators pressed for faster action and clearer direction from Ecology. The committee then heard an update on the SR 3 Belfair freight corridor, where WSDOT said environmental review is complete and the next major step is an access hearing this summer, followed by right-of-way acquisition and construction likely in late 2027 or early 2028. Local and tribal partners emphasized the project’s importance for freight mobility, housing growth, emergency access, and regional economic development. The public hearing was on engrossed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill that largely tracks provisions from prior legislation but also adds or changes several tax and account provisions. Staff explained that the bill clarifies fuel tax and peer-to-peer tax distributions, treats trade-in value differently for recreational vessel and luxury vehicle taxes, provides a six-month motor home exemption and penalty waiver for the luxury vehicle tax, allows lease payments to be made over time, exempts tribal members and nonresidents, creates a Preserve Washington account, changes some transfer timing, and repeals the luxury aircraft tax. Testimony was mixed: aviation groups supported repealing the luxury aircraft tax; trucking and some citizens opposed fuel tax and diesel tax increases; Sound Transit, transit advocates, labor, and ferry interests asked for amendments such as 75-year bonding authority, mobile driver’s licenses, ferry funding, and bike education funding. Alaska Airlines and Delta also supported adding mobile ID language. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills, including SHB 1823, SHB 2114, E2SHB 2251, SHB 2323, SHB 2410, EHB 2588, 2SHB 1923, and HB 2495, all with due pass recommendations after adopting amendments where applicable. The committee adopted a striking amendment to E2SHB 2251 adjusting Climate Commitment Act account distributions and a striking amendment to EHB 2588 limiting the ferry district changes to Whatcom County and removing the voter-approval tax provision. It also adopted an amendment to 2SHB 1923 that added further conditions for passenger-only ferry districts, including whale-protection and fare-related provisions. Senator King voted no on E2SHB 2251, objecting that the bill reduced the transportation share of Climate Commitment Act revenues. The chair announced one more executive action meeting would be held Wednesday morning, with amendment requests due the prior day.

Transcript Highlights:

• In my county, literally, they are throughout the entire county and in areas of Tacoma.
• In my county, literally, they are throughout the entire county and in areas of Tacoma.
• County is CARA.
• A county with the approval of a city or town may designate a zone that includes roads within the county
• We are composed of 24 of the counties in the state who handle the liability insurance for our county

Bills: SB5903 , SB6037 , SB5983 , SB5995 , SB6016 , SB6066

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: cemetery districts, elections, local governance, public policy, administrative procedures, fire protection, districts, emergency services, funding, legislation, tax exemption, land transfer, governmental entity, property tax, current use classification, zero emission, cargo handling, port district, environmental impact, grant allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• Joining me today is Kristen Connolly, the county clerk-recorder from Contra Costa County, who is happy
• I'm a judge in Solano County.
• Andy Liebenbaum, on behalf of Los Angeles County.
• Shirley Weber, requires all counties to offer this method of voting at county election offices the Saturday
• Nicole Woodleman on behalf of Orange County, sponsor of SB 1310.

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• In my county, literally, they are, they fulfill the entire county in areas of Tacoma.
• A county, with the approval of a city or town, may designate a zone that includes roads within the county
• A county with the approval of a city or town may designate a zone that includes roads within the county
• We are composed of 24 of the counties in the state who handle the liability insurance for our county
• Axel Swanson with the Association of Counties.

Summary: The Senate Local Government and State Parks Committee heard several bills focused on local government finance, land use, and public safety. SB 5903 would deem a cemetery district commissioner elected if only one qualified candidate files, with sponsor Senator Cortez saying it would save ballot-printing costs and local resources; there was no testimony in opposition. SB 6037 would create or modify a voter-approved option for cities and towns to form a single-city fire protection district, adjust levy and notice rules, allow administrative service contracts with the city, and clarify commissioner elections; Senator Cortez and multiple city and fire officials said it would give communities more flexible, locally controlled funding tools for fire service, while committee members asked about how it would work and the fiscal impact. SB 5983 would exempt certain current-use land transferred to a government entity for right-of-way from rollback taxes when the transfer is tied to development conditions and stays within a 20% acreage limit; Senator Leas described it as helping a family farm avoid an unfair tax bill, and there was no testimony on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5995, which would remove the 2031 sunset on the prohibition against using port funds to buy fully automated marine container cargo handling equipment. The sponsor and labor witnesses argued the bill protects jobs, keeps public dollars from underwriting automation, and still allows zero-emission, human-operated equipment; port and labor representatives testified in strong support, while the sign-in sheet showed substantial public interest both for and against. SB 6016 would change how urban growth area swaps treat critical aquifer recharge areas, making the rules for annual and periodic updates more consistent and allowing swaps if they do not increase net CARA acreage within the UGA; the sponsor, Commerce, housing, business, and development interests said it was a technical fix that supports housing and consistency, while one witness warned it could weaken groundwater protections and create litigation risk. Finally, the committee heard SB 6066, which would let counties, cities, towns, or WSDOT designate “accident risk zones” on roads with repeated crashes, require a public hearing and engineering review, double certain traffic penalties in the zone, and dedicate half the extra revenue to safety improvements before dissolving the zone. Supporters from cities, counties, and Pasco said it could help address dangerous intersections and fund fixes, though several witnesses raised liability and implementation concerns and asked for further stakeholder work. No votes were taken in the transcript; the chair closed each hearing after testimony and sign-in counts were noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• office, as is Oklahoma County.
• in his Area, and so, but other counties, of course, like Caddo County and Grady County, have contractors
• Our county jails can't make it.
• That carries Stevens County, Jefferson County, and Cotton County.
• Now, Cleveland County is kind of an interesting county, similar to Payne County, because it's a college

Transcript Highlights:

• While in another school district, While in another school district within the same county, students are
• Across the state, California's investment in a student's education varies within the same counties.
• per pupil than El Segundo Unified, a nearby non-Basic Aid district, and in Orange County, the delta
• And a school district to the west of us in the same county of Santa Clara, they have 10,100 students.
• Tunisia Hearing on behalf of the NAACP California-Hawaii State Conference, in support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several measures, beginning with SCA 5, which would create an Equalization Reserve Account to help reduce long-standing per-pupil funding disparities between basic aid and non-basic aid school districts. The author and supporters argued the measure would create a stable, endowment-style funding source using only interest earnings, while charter school advocates opposed it, saying the bill would exclude charters and could raise equal protection concerns. After the quorum was established, SCA 5 was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard SJR 18, a resolution condemning Citizens United and urging limits on corporate money in politics. The author argued that unlimited independent expenditures have increased corporate influence and dark money in elections, while there was little testimony in opposition. The resolution was approved and referred onward. The committee also considered two consent items, AB 1736 and AB 2421, which were approved together without debate. ACA 7 generated the most extensive discussion. The measure would revise the state constitution’s application of Proposition 209 in education, with supporters saying it would allow race-conscious tools to address persistent racial inequities in student outcomes and resource allocation, especially for Black students. Opponents argued it would weaken Proposition 209, invite discrimination, and likely fail politically and in court. After lengthy debate, the measure was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved ACA 18, which would add a second student voting seat on the UC Board of Regents, with supporters emphasizing student representation and opponents absent. Finally, AJR 29, opposing a federal executive order affecting vote-by-mail administration, was approved and sent onward. All measures on the agenda were ultimately advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS YEAR WE WENT TO HAWAII.
• AND WITH EVER HEALTH AND I'M FROM PINELLAS COUNTY. >> ABSOLUTELY.
• AND WITH EVER HEALTH AND I'M FROM PINELLAS COUNTY.
• WORKING FAMILIES LIKE JACLYN RICH WITH HER SON MAVERICK AND THAT IS IN DO WELL COUNTY.
• WE JUST SAW ONE IN MARTIN COUNTY.

Transcript Highlights:

• young legislators from Assembly District 27, we have folks representing Fresno, Madera, and Merced County
• Madera and Merced County, students from the various high schools, Madera South, Central East, Tranquility
• Assembly Member of Hawaii, you are recognized. How can I follow that incredible speech?
• president of the Southern California Division of Sierra Pacific Fur Babies, located in Riverside County
• He was often seen accompanying his son Andrew to various political events around the county.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and opened with a prayer, a Father’s Day reflection, and a moment of silence for the victims of the Minnesota lawmaker shooting. Members then moved through guest introductions recognizing student legislative programs, Black conservation leaders, interns, and first responders, including an off-duty firefighter who saved a driver’s life. The chamber also heard multiple adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for former Senator and Los Angeles Councilman Nate Holden, whose civil rights and housing discrimination work was highlighted, along with tributes to Stephen Golden Kranz, Emily Carpenter, and Doug Kranwinkel. On the Daily File, the Assembly adopted ACR 90, Assembly Member Gibson’s resolution recognizing Juneteenth. The measure drew strong support from multiple caucuses, including the Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ, Women’s, and AAPI caucuses, with members emphasizing Juneteenth’s historical significance, the legacy of slavery, and the continuing need to combat racism and inequality. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 66 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 92, Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez’s resolution declaring June 2025 as Electronic Dance Music Month in California. Supporters described EDM as a cultural and economic force rooted in diverse communities and praised its values of inclusion and unity; the resolution received 65 co-authors and passed by voice vote. Finally, HR 45, Assembly Member Castillo’s resolution for Animal Rights Awareness Week, was adopted by voice vote after 55 co-authors were added, with the author and a guest from Sierra Pacific Fur Babies speaking about animal rescue and welfare work. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until June 19.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carroll County, where I live. Livingston, Linn, and Ray counties. Very rural.
• Charles County, but every county, even rural counties. that we, we as an association, really like, we'd
• Charles County, but every county, even rural counties. It was insanity, not just in St.
• Charles County, but every county, even rural counties, because how many people were trying to come in
• Charles County and Mr.

Committees: House Elections , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• of that was given to the cities and counties.
• We range from city, county, and state officers.
• ...agencies in Bonneville County where I work.
• Again, counties are neutral, sheriffs are neutral.
• Again, counties are neutral, sheriffs are neutral.

Committee: Senate Local Government and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• particularly pronounced in rural areas, or in regions with high demand for services like Humboldt County
• particularly pronounced in rural areas, or in regions with high demand for services like Humboldt County
• in rural communities, you have situations where individuals may have to travel across city or even county
• I think Los Angeles County is up to 18 different languages as they translate election materials.
• I think Los Angeles County is up to 18 different languages, and they translate election materials.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of licensing, health care, and workforce bills. Measures discussed included AB 957, which would prohibit tobacco sales in licensed pharmacies; AB 447, which would allow patients to take home certain unopened medications started in emergency rooms; AB 427, joining the Social Work Licensure Compact; AB 667, allowing interpreters for certain licensing exams; AB 742, prioritizing descendants of slaves in licensing review; AB 873, changing infection-control training timing for dental assistants; AB 360, requiring a report on menopause education for physicians; and AB 1175, modernizing CPA licensure requirements and mobility. Testimony generally emphasized public health, access to care, workforce shortages, language access, and economic opportunity, while opposition or concerns focused on implementation, worker protections, compact authority, and constitutional issues in AB 742. Several bills drew broad support from sponsors, professional associations, and advocacy groups. AB 957 was backed by cancer and pharmacy advocates and pharmacists who said pharmacies should not sell tobacco; AB 447 was supported by emergency medicine and hospital representatives as a way to reduce waste and help patients leave with needed medication; AB 427 drew support from social work and mental health groups but concerns from AFSCME about standards and displacement; AB 667 was supported by immigrant-rights and community groups, with questions about whether translated exams would be preferable to interpreters; AB 360 received extensive support from women’s health advocates and medical groups, and opposition from CMA and ACOG was removed after amendments; and AB 1175 was supported by the Board of Accountancy and CPA groups as a way to expand the pipeline and improve mobility. The committee took votes after quorum was established. AB 360, AB 427, AB 447, AB 667, AB 873, AB 1175, and AB 742 were all approved and sent to their next committees, with AB 742 going to Judiciary and AB 1175 to Appropriations. AB 957 was initially held on call, then later passed after additional votes were recorded. The consent calendar bills AB 375, AB 1107, and AB 1496 were also approved. Most measures passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with some members not voting on certain items during the roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our county.
• , including the county itself.
• So though with those three I've also been talking to the county.
• bear at how this would impact the county.
• I represent Legislative District 8, Elmore, Hawaii Valley, and Boise County.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• independent fiscal and management oversight, support, and technical assistance to school districts, county
• Assembly Member of Hawaii, you are recognized for your guest introduction.
• Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues from San Diego and Orange County and the Antelope Valley and

Transcript Highlights:

• We make Christmas show up for 1,000 people in Whatcom County.
• there were a number of tech stops that did happen, and that's simply, you know, if you're going to Hawaii
• I gather what the counties were, and it needs to be a minimum of $700,000 statewide for Fed Aid system

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We make Christmas show up for 1,000 people in Whatcom County.
• there were a number of tech stops that did happen, and that's simply, you know, if you're going to Hawaii
• I gather what the counties were, and it needs to be a minimum of $700,000 statewide for Fed Aid system

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 20, 2006, for two work sessions focused first on aircraft fuel pipeline resiliency and then on flooding impacts to the state highway system. On the fuel topic, BP and Olympic Pipeline described the pipeline system serving Washington and Oregon, its regulatory oversight, inspection and leak-detection programs, and the November 11 Mile Post 78 release near Everett. Witnesses said the leak was initially too small for the system to detect, was found by a farm worker, and led to shutdowns, excavation, soil removal, and repairs while the site later faced flooding that complicated access but did not stop both lines from remaining operational. Committee members questioned why the leak was not detected sooner, how much fuel was released, and what safeguards exist for future environmental protection. BP also described emergency response and recovery efforts, including trucked fuel deliveries to Sea-Tac and coordination with refineries and Canadian partners. The Port of Seattle and Alaska Airlines explained the airport response, including expanded truck offloading capacity, fire and police support, communication with airlines and other airports, reduced fuel use, and the impact on flights. Tim Zenk of Earth Finance argued that Washington’s fuel system lacks redundancy and that regional renewable fuels production and storage, including sustainable aviation fuel, could improve resilience; he suggested a regional goal of producing at least 33% of fuels locally. The committee then heard from WSDOT on the December flooding and storm damage. Emergency manager John Hemel and Olympic Regional Administrator Steve Rourke described statewide emergency operations, use of WebEOC tracking, and efforts to secure FEMA and FHWA funding. They said the state EOC was activated for 10 days, four regional EOCs were activated, and more than 100 sites were impacted. WSDOT reported roughly 50 emergency work sites, about 16 emergency contracts, and a preliminary damage estimate of $40 million to $50 million. They reviewed major repairs on US 2, I-90, SR 12, SR 410, SR 542, and US 101, noting that some roads reopened quickly with temporary fixes while others would require later permanent work and environmental permitting. Members asked about the 30-working-day emergency contracting authority, federal reimbursement, and whether emergency response contracting methods could be used to speed ordinary projects. The committee then adjourned.