Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii County support. Maui County support. Honolulu City and County support.
• incentives where sewers or shared systems can cost-effectively reduce reliance on IWS and support housing
• is if the counties just shared best practices maybe at the state building code council and um these
• </c><04:11:06.000><c> just</c><04:11:06.239><c> shared</c><04:11:06.720><c> best</c> is if the counties
• just shared best is if the counties just shared best practices<04:11:07.680><c> maybe</c><04:11:07.920

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for sharing that. Yeah, I know. Assistance. Thanks for sharing that.
• There is a cost share associated with this for the customer, so they have skin in the game as well as
• Ventura County, Stockton, this Salinas one, Monterey County, and our South County, South San Francisco
• costs for constituents?
• Can I share? Should I share my screen, or...? Oh, I'm showing up yet. Hmm. Okay, so...

Committees: House Water, Parks and Wildlife , House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide the DEP will provide technical assistance, grants as money is available, and cost-sharing
• And then lastly, the work that you put in in order to—parts of my career, I've shared Volusia County
• to counties as well.
• We have 67 counties here.
• Most of our counties are very diverse, but Broward County represents one of the most diverse counties

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0. The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 7,400 in King County, 2,700 in Spokane County, just to name a few.
• the cost of health care.
• And I share this again.
• Obviously the fixed cost of an institution, the variable cost of providing services, none of these are
• And so there is a lot of socializing of all costs to cost patients to cover for those.

Bills: SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB5735

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: consumer debt, judgment, uniformity, legal standards, debt collection, pets, motor vehicles, animal welfare, public safety, legislation, human trafficking, prevention, remedies, victims, law enforcement, support services, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• So I want to share a little bit about some of the data first, and then I want to share some specifics
• And if we really want to talk about people having their fair share and taking on their fair share, I
• And if we really want to talk about people having their fair share and taking on their fair share, I
• Nicole Wardleman, on behalf of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and San Bernardino County, very
• We oversee work in both counties, Riverside and San Bernardino County.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• enforceable standards for agricultural waste management near impaired waterways by creating a voluntary cost-sharing
• They cost about $0.36 on the dollar, whereas residential land costs about $1.15.
• That kind of cost is unsustainable, especially for small counties, and it discourages districts from
• At its core, HB2357 is about saving counties money in the long term by removing the high cost of data
• A standardized data exchange format would streamline data sharing. ...between counties and third-party

Bills: HB485 , HB1367 , HB1370 , HB1827 , HB1879 , HB2032 , HB2133 , HB2357 , HB3581 , HB3830 , HB4060 , HB4085 , HB4270 , HB4979 , HB5217 , HB5268 , HB5478 , HJR96 , HJR97 , HJR119 , HJR195 , HJR209 , SB4 , SB23 , SJR2 , SJR85 , SB 4 , SB 23 , SJR 2

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• County.
• County jail under this bill instead of six months under the current law, that will cost L.A.
• San Bernardino County, for example, San Diego County, for example, Los Angeles County, for example, as
• San Bernardino County, for example, San Diego County, for example, Los Angeles County, for example, as
• These costs will ultimately fall on taxpayers, schools, hospitals, state government, county governments

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brooks County is an example.
• Just conceptually, I like sharing costs if the benefit is being shared.
• , not just their county.
• If you have it by county, I'd like to see Bexar County.
• Provide funding to counties or regions that could have smaller county run.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, sharing power within Ramsey County and with our community partners is something that we've
• And again, sharing power within<02:14:26.159><c> Ramsey</c><02:14:26.719><c> County</c><02:14:27.040>
• at Ramsey County, and then also our partners with MAXA that we’re communicating with and sharing our
• at Ramsey County, and then also our partners with MAXA that we’re communicating with and sharing our
• at Ramsey County, and then also our partners with MAXA that we’re communicating with and sharing our

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a tax on Stearns County.
• </c><01:00:05.079><c> pilot</c> BT 2085 Minesota nice home share pilot BT 2085 Minesota nice home share
• We've got Lake County, St. Louis County, and then Washington County, which is mine, East Metro.
• We've got Lake County, St. Louis County, and then Washington County, which is mine, East Metro.
• We've got Lake County, St. Louis County, and then Washington County, which is mine, East Metro.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Hampden County.
• It costs money, and it costs more money than we probably want to spend on it.
• : Plymouth County, Norfolk County, and Bristol County.
• You save in food costs. You're going to save in medical costs. You're going to save in medical.
• You save in food costs. You're going to save in medical costs. You're going to save in medical.

Summary: The commission met for an open discussion focused on developing recommendations for its report on correctional consolidation and collaboration. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger said the group is moving from information-gathering into idea generation, with a report due to the legislature by the end of September. Members discussed whether recommendations should be broad “guardrails” or more specific proposals, and several urged that future recommendations be grounded in firsthand experience, data, and written submissions from agencies and stakeholders. A major theme was how to create a more integrated correctional and reentry system. Participants raised the need to hear more from reentry centers, minimum-security and pre-release facilities, probation and parole, and the judiciary. Ideas included expanding step-down pathways, improving coordination among DOC, sheriffs, probation, and parole, standardizing programming and outcomes data, and better educating judges about available programs at sentencing. There was also discussion of whether the sheriff’s role should be expanded beyond the current two-and-a-half-year House of Correction limit, with questions about sentence structure, good-time credits, and how such a change would affect security and reentry outcomes. Members also emphasized the importance of consistency, transparency, and minimum standards across facilities. Several speakers said the system remains fragmented and that different counties use different definitions, practices, and program models. Suggestions included reviewing prior commission reports, looking at other states and even European models for best practices, and considering regional hubs or specialized facilities for behavioral health, workforce development, and reentry. The chairs noted that the commission has already toured several facilities and plans more visits, including Framingham and Bridgewater, and that future hearings will include unions and other stakeholders. The discussion also touched on restrictive housing, mental health, and contraband K2. Members cited recent suicide concerns and expert reports suggesting some units function like restrictive housing even if not labeled that way. There was broad agreement that custody conditions, programming access, and institutional culture affect trust and rehabilitation. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was primarily a working session to surface ideas and frame possible recommendations for later drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will share with you the partners, and then I will... Give a cost analysis.
• I will share with you the partners, and then I will share with you what we're asking the state, the State
• We saw what Baldwin County did with Baldwin Prep, and it works for Baldwin County.
• And we will share equipment, share the space, as well as instructors.
• So we’re willing to share those costs.”

Committee: Joint Mobile County Legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• We can share that.
• We need to get below 6 in order for Arkansas not to have to contribute to cost share of the cost of the
• The big difference is the cost share with the benefits that—that was not there.
• share that comes into play if you’re…” “In addition to that now is the cost share that comes into play
• This is by residence county, by area, and then residence county by case, residence county by individual

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• Sir Ticay, on behalf of the Rural County Representatives of California, the Urban Counties of California
• Senator Kidd, on behalf of the Rural County Representatives of California, the Urban Counties of California
• Senator Kidd, on behalf of the Rural County representatives of California, the urban counties of California
• I mean, why wouldn't you want to share that?
• I mean, why wouldn't you want to share that? Why wouldn't you want to share that?

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• So these are dollars that, for administration purposes and changes in the share of costs, we will be
• The changes that are proposed are administrative cost sharing due to H.R. 1.
• federal cost sharing of 25 to 50%.
• federal cost sharing of 25 to 50%.
• Amanda Kircher, on behalf of CWDA, we oppose the $233 million in the IHSS cost shifts to counties.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee opened its hearing on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget with remarks emphasizing the start of a months-long process, the need for fiscal responsibility, and concerns about structural deficits, federal funding losses, housing and homelessness, and oversight. The vice chair echoed those concerns, warning against budgets built on short-term fixes and urging accountability. The Department of Finance presented a balanced budget year proposal of about $349 billion in total expenditures, including $248 billion General Fund, while acknowledging a structural imbalance in the out years and proposing a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. Finance said the budget relies on stronger-than-expected revenues, but also on constitutional obligations such as Proposition 98 and Proposition 2, and on suspending a rainy-day fund true-up deposit to cover a projected $2.9 billion budget-year deficit. The administration highlighted higher education funding, climate and wildfire resilience investments, a new ZEV incentive, added Health and Human Services costs tied to H.R. 1, child care funding, and three tax proposals: third-party delivery tax compliance, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and an extension of the California Competes tax credit. The LAO, by contrast, warned that the budget is “precariously balanced,” cited downside risk from stock market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to use reserves, avoid suspending rainy-day deposits, and begin shrinking multi-year deficits sooner rather than later. Member questions focused on wildfire mitigation and insurance, transit and GGRF funding, federal cuts affecting CalFresh and Medi-Cal, the proposed tax credits, homelessness accountability language, and education funding. Several members pressed for earlier partnership on deficit solutions and for more scrutiny of budget choices. The committee also discussed declining enrollment in K-12, community colleges, and CSU, with concerns about whether funding formulas are aligned with actual student demand. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to share some of our accomplishments.
• That is no cost to us as an agency; we just passed that along but it is a huge cost to the taxpayer.
• We didn't do anything to reduce our cost.
• In these meetings, these companies share their updates. they share with their financials.
• Let me share my personal opinion.

Committee: House A&B Finance Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• and Alpine County.
• or Sierra County.
• So along with the county liaison role that Kevin's talking about, about sharing data and information,
• County on an L.A. County park.
• County on an L.A. County Park.

Summary: The hearing focused on human-wildlife conflict in California, especially predator management involving bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. The chair and Assemblymember Hadwick framed the issue as a balance between protecting people, livestock, and property while preserving wildlife and biodiversity, citing habitat loss, development, drought, wildfire, and climate change as drivers of conflict. Department of Fish and Wildlife officials described their conflict-response work, including public education, depredation permits, wildlife incident reporting, and coordination with sheriffs, counties, and other agencies. They also noted that wildlife sightings and conflicts are increasingly common in both rural and urban areas, including recent mountain lion activity in San Francisco and ongoing bear conflicts in places like Tahoe and Sierra Madre. CDFW staff outlined the department’s human-wildlife conflict program, including the WEIR reporting system, a public toolkit, limited-term staff, and regional response efforts. They said the program grew out of drought-related incidents and later state funding, but that one-time money has expired, creating service gaps. Officials also discussed specific management approaches such as Tahoe’s trap-tag-haze bear program, DNA-based incident tracking, and the use of nonlethal deterrents before lethal action. For wolves, they explained that the species is protected and managed differently from bears and lions, that there is no general depredation-kill process for wolves, and that the department is working on data-sharing agreements, county liaisons, compensation programs, and improved coordination with ranchers and local law enforcement. Members pressed the department on underreporting, trust in state agencies, the need for sheriffs to participate in investigations, and whether more authority should be given for public-safety removals or hazing. Assemblymember Gonzalez also raised wildlife trafficking and border enforcement issues in Southern California. The panel repeatedly emphasized that more resources, technology, and local partnerships are needed. Officials gave budget context, saying roughly $17 million in one-time funding over several years supported conflict response and wolf compensation efforts, but that staffing and program capacity remain limited. The chair concluded by noting interest in further work on technology, funding, and institutionalizing collaboration, and the hearing then moved to a second panel of university researchers who presented on wolf and mountain lion conflict, habitat planning, trust, and the need for flexible, science-based, locally tailored mitigation strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:46.680><c> in</c><00:15:46.800><c> the</c> increasing costs in the increasing costs in the
• </c> the number of claims and the total cost the number of claims and the total cost for<00:16:14.759
• There's a certain nurse from a certain county south of us, maybe Dakota County, who is also a parent
• Community Services I've been at County Community Services I've been at Rice<01:37:19.320><c> County<
• </c><01:39:19.719><c> associated</c> agencies and staff for costs associated agencies and staff for costs

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> financing from a local Federal share financing from a local Federal share format<00:04:02.120><c
• </c> million per year in administrative costs million per year in administrative costs through<00:04:
• Our hub works closely with health care providers who share our vision for better managing the cost of
• Our hub works closely with health care providers who share our vision for better managing the cost of
• and the county DHS say it's the county and the county said<01:21:25.360><c> well</c><01:21:25.520><c

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• How much will it cost to retrofit every county?
• How much is that going to cost? Is that cost going to fall on the counties?
• Each election cost my county approximately $11,000.
• Splitting that cost between the county and the other entities only makes financial sense.
• Say that again, sir. you see that this bill is going to cost the county more money?

Bills: SB16 , SB76 , SB310 , SB311 , SB396 , SB505 , SB827 , SB964 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1386 , SB1470 , SB2035 , SJR37 , SB 16

Committee: Senate State Affairs