Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thankful that my son was born. born healthy.
• The- risk is high for women in your situation and at my age.
• that with an age exception where children who become pregnant under a given age would be legally able
• , and then provide counseling relevant to that gestational age.
• Is it a healthy intrauterine pregnancy?

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• It alters, suppresses, and destroys the normal, healthy functions of a woman's natural body.
• You may need one to save yourself or to save a healthy, wanted baby.
• Companies continue to pursue customers under the age of 21.
• I was walking with a cane at 37 years old, and I had a healthy fear of opioids.
• And by doing that, I just want to live a healthy life.

Bills: SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33

Keywords: SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education

Transcript Highlights:

• to a structure fire in McClain County, Goldsby Fire Department volunteer firefighter Todd Pendleton, age
• 62, and fire administrator Brian Jenkins, age 64, tragically lost their lives in the line of duty when
• Department, selflessly answering the call... ...fire department volunteer firefighter Todd Pendleton, age
• 62, and fire administrator Brian Jenkins, age 64, tragically lost their lives in the line of duty when
• The Sapulpa Antlers ages range from 9 to 18.

Bills: HB3418, HB3985, HB3463, HB3002, HB4303, HB3919, HB3416, HB3417, HB3415, HB2206, HB3414, HB3265, HB3310, HB3413, HB4486, HB1219, SR39, SB1177, HB3298, HB2696, HB3941, HB3970, HB3264, HB3321, HB2650, HB3497, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421, HB3177, HB3322, HB3499, HB3500, HB3845, HB3742, HB3622, HB1250, HB2710, HB3831, HB4408, HB1002, HB3008, HB3086, HB3595, HB3678, HB4107, HB3695, HB3315, HB3590, HB3006, HB3151, HB2959, HB2398, HB3026, HB3467, HB4268, HB3372, HB2210, HB4359, HB4427

Keywords: public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust, electronic bidding, school districts, property rights, public nuisance, compensation claims, government enforcement, Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act, municipal audit, state auditor, local government, financial transparency, gasoline tax allocations, counties, county officers, education

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day, along with several visiting groups in the galleries, including the Goldsby Volunteer Fire Department and families honoring fallen firefighters Todd Pendleton and Brian Jenkins, the Sapulpa Elks Antlers, the Grove Chamber of Commerce, and northeastern Oklahoma cattlemen. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 39, celebrating the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 70 and its economic importance to southern Oklahoma communities. The main item of business was the Joint Committee Report for Senate Bill 1177, the General Appropriation Bill for the State of Oklahoma. Senators questioned the budget’s overall size, the use of gross production tax revenues, the new sovereign/endowment trust fund, Medicaid and Health Care Authority funding, mental health appropriations, child care subsidy funding, school security, career tech, tourism, the Commissioners of the Land Office, textbook allocations, and several other agency lines. The chair explained that the budget included about $1.5 billion in cash and sweeps, a $250 million base appropriation for the Health Care Authority, $200 million for the endowment trust fund, $31 million for PREP projects, $25 million for the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund, and other agency-specific appropriations and supplements. Several members debated the report before adoption. Supporters argued the budget addressed agency needs and future savings, while opponents criticized it as a flat or spending-heavy budget that favored special projects and well-connected interests over core services such as child care, mental health, water infrastructure, and county needs. After debate, the Joint Committee Report for SB 1177 was adopted, and the Senate moved through the budget discussion with no recorded roll-call vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in alignment with our DHHS roadmap for our system of care for healthy aging and the work we do for
• </c><00:10:33.240><c> we</c><00:10:33.440><c> do</c><00:10:33.880><c> for</c> for healthy aging and the
• work we do for for healthy aging and the work we do for our<00:10:34.640><c> New</c><00:10:34.880><c
• </c> on Hampshire State Commission on Aging on Hampshire State Commission on Aging which<00:21:50.559
• </c> where we're getting into aging where we're getting into aging populations<03:53:28.359><c> um</c

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He passed away at the age of 68 after a long battle with cancer.
• The age of 101. Throughout his 37-year career in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, Colonel D.
• Deputy Vargas was a proud husband and father of three school-aged children.
• </c> and father of three School aged and father of three School aged children<02:19:00.760><c> Deputy
• </c> years of age years of age yesterday<03:46:00.040><c> and</c><03:46:00.359><c> to</c><03:46:00.680

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...to the mill increase, and certainly, you know, once we're able to maintain a bit more of a healthy
• children and are healthy themselves.
• In the departments under the Natural Resources and CalEPA agencies, as well as positions at Food and Ag
• change in the last regulatory draft that we released was specific to the exclusion for the food and ag
• change in the last regulatory draft that we released was specific to the exclusion for the food and ag

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation heard an informational hearing with Secretary Garcia and CalEPA-related departments on the administration’s budget proposals and related environmental programs. Secretary Garcia highlighted CalEPA’s work on methane reduction, community air protection, water infrastructure, Exide cleanup, safer pesticide alternatives, Prop 4 implementation, and Bay-Delta water quality, while emphasizing the impact of federal rollbacks and the need for flexible state response. Members raised broader policy concerns about the polluter-pays principle, special fund vacancies, and whether the state is maintaining sufficient staffing and enforcement capacity, especially after recent fee increases. A major portion of the hearing focused on landfill support, response, and enforcement, particularly subsurface elevated temperature events at Chiquita Canyon and El Sobrante. CalEPA requested $5.1 million and 12 positions to improve monitoring, technical response, coordination, and enforcement across CalRecycle, CARB, DTSC, the Water Board, and OEHHA. Assembly Member Schiavo described severe community impacts from Chiquita Canyon and pressed for stronger state action, more transparency, and accountability from landfill operators; Assembly Member Rogers emphasized that accountability must mean forcing operators to take preventive measures and bear the costs. Agency staff said the proposal would help augment current response efforts, support local enforcement agencies, and improve early detection, while acknowledging that the causes of set events are not fully understood and may involve factors such as lithium-ion batteries, oxygen intrusion, and gas extraction practices. The committee then heard an update on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water program and the effects of the new cap-and-invest structure. State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel reported that the program has reduced the number of Californians without safe drinking water from 1.6 million to about 600,000 since 2019, while also bringing 320 systems back into compliance and distributing $1.8 billion in drinking water grants. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that under SB 840, SAFER is now in a lower funding tier, which could reduce annual proceeds from the prior $130 million level to a projected $92 million in 2026-27 and delay funding until later in the year. Members expressed concern that this deprioritizes rural drinking water needs, while the board said it would continue using SAFER’s flexible funds for emergency water, technical assistance, and construction, and would keep pushing consolidations and other long-term solutions for the remaining failing systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't just take out 30%; it probably takes out 80% of the ag in the area. It cripples you.
• Land and so many of our folks from our ag community here. I see Mr.
• Land and so many of our folks from our ag community here.
• Lawson was a very, very healthy, vibrant young woman. She died in three days.
• Lawson was a very, very healthy, vibrant young woman. She died in three days.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the world: a place where families can thrive and stay, keiki are safe and flourishing, and kūpuna can age
• kei are safe and flourishing, and kuna kei are safe and flourishing, and kuna can<01:36:24.800><c> age
• </c> can age with dignity. can age with dignity.
• In fact, you often hear me say this: healthy disagreement and respectful debate make this institution
• </c> often hear me say this, healthy often hear me say this, healthy disagreement<01:45:07.280><c> and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also going to have an American workforce that is thriving, healthy, and happy.
• We need healthy businesses, small, medium, and large, to hire our great American workers to drive our
• It's just not healthy for us from a national security perspective, and it's not healthy for our domestic
• And as a technology age and an R&D age where universities were publishing and everybody was reading our
• In an information age, you have a lot of information.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just slower in my old age, standing up, I apologize. Mr.
• bills and policies that say we should not allow access to these social media accounts because of their age
• Accounts because of their age until they mature, until you get some kind of growth and move that forward
• spend at least $3.5 billion over the course of the next decade to acquire new vessels to replace our aging
• And so my priority across time has been to make sure that our state ferry system is healthy and functional

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, SB5808, SB5949, HB1347, HB1759, HB1983, HB2120, HB2264, HB2338, HB2385, HB2495, HB2521, HB2604, HB2610, HB2675, HB2426, SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, HB1796, HB2091, HB2249, HB2353, HB2431, SB5808, SB5949, HB2124, HB2104, HB2624, HB2510, HB1347, HB1759, HB1983, HB2120, HB2264, HB2338, HB2385, HB2436, HB2495, HB2521, HB2604, HB2610, HB2675

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Transcript Highlights:

• RECOGNIZED. >> I'VE TALKED TO PARENTS WHO HAVE KIDS WHO WOULD BE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE AT A SIMILAR AGE
• SIMILAR BILL, I WAS ON HOUSE FOR A SIGNIFICANT VERSION OF 2023 AND THE REASON I WAS ABLE TO BECOME HEALTHY
• WHERE WE TRYING TO GO BACK TO THE GILDED AGE. >> Sen. Fine: COME ON UP.
• THEY DIDN'T ASK FOR CARVEOUTS DEFINED BY AGE OR SPECIFIC ROLES.
• EMPLOYEES APPLICANT BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX INCLUDING SEXUAL ORIENTATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as with many early AG efforts, this litigation has so far been a success.
• And as with many early AG efforts, this litigation has so far been a success.
• And please thank the AG for all her hard work. Okay, the next panel.
• to work with these partners and develop community-driven solutions such that everybody can enjoy a healthy
• We also applied for a $30,000 Healthy Communities Grant from EPA Region 1.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on the impact of the Trump administration’s federal climate policy changes on Massachusetts, with a focus on threatened grants, regulatory rollbacks, and state options to continue climate work. Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts still has a 2050 net-zero mandate and needs contingency plans for clean energy, transportation electrification, offshore wind, resilience, and financing if federal support is reduced or withdrawn. Executive branch witnesses said Massachusetts has already experienced disruptions to more than $1 billion in climate-related federal funds, though many suspended grants were restored after litigation by the Attorney General’s office. EEA reported continued uncertainty around a $389 million Grid Innovation Program award and a FEMA dam-safety reimbursement, while MassDOT said its NEVI fast-charging program remains on track with about $50 million obligated, but a $14.4 million competitive charging grant is on hold and future unobligated NEVI funds remain uncertain. Senators also discussed EV rebates, charging infrastructure, the role of the Community Climate Bank, and whether the state can expand independent financing and support for municipalities, higher education, and nonprofits. The Attorney General’s office described successful multi-state litigation that won a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the federal funding freeze, restoring access to many EPA, DOE, USDA, and Interior funds, while noting continued enforcement actions over FEMA manual reviews and other barriers. The office said it is also preparing to defend the endangerment finding, California vehicle-emissions waivers, offshore wind permits, and other federal climate protections. Outside advocates warned that federal tax-credit rollbacks, tariffs, and possible repeal of IRA and infrastructure funding could slow EV adoption and raise costs, while offshore wind testimony said federal permitting pauses and legal challenges are delaying projects and could leave Massachusetts far short of its 2030 offshore wind goals. Nonprofit witnesses also described canceled or delayed grants for wetland restoration and urban heat mitigation, and urged the Legislature to increase state funding, including for the environmental bond bill and municipal vulnerability preparedness work.

Transcript Highlights:

• for historically marginalized communities; and whereas Senator Saldana was the prime sponsor of the Healthy
• the last three sessions, trying to figure out how it is that we care for those individuals who are aging
• there was health care, where there was a collectively bargained contract that allowed me to have a healthy
• ... ...foundation so that when challenges came for me like cancer, I already had a healthy foundation
• Judy is the same age as my older sister, and there have been times when Senator Warnick's same age my

Bills: SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution, 904

Summary: The Senate took up several bills on final passage, beginning with Substitute House Bill 2689 on the Working Connections Child Care program. The chamber adopted a Ways and Means striking amendment, then passed the bill 33-16. Supporters said it would change provider payment to attendance-based reimbursement, require subsidy rates to reach at least the 75th percentile of market rates, update use of market rate surveys, and remove previously scheduled income-eligibility expansions. Opponents argued it would not treat all child care providers equally and could create unfair workarounds. The bill was immediately transmitted to the House. The Senate then passed Engrossed House Bill 2487, which clarifies how insurance companies and their affiliates are taxed, and Substitute House Bill 2089, which narrows a tax preference for certain financial institutions and dedicates the revenue to the Wildfire Mitigation Fund. HB 2487 drew criticism for applying the tax retroactively to 2019 despite prior court rulings, while HB 2089 was opposed on affordability grounds because it affects mortgage-related taxation. The chamber also passed Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising annual license fees for cannabis producers, processors, and retailers; opponents said the increase reflected broader budget pressures. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to Senate Resolution 8704 honoring Senator Rebecca Saldaña. Numerous senators from both parties praised her work on labor, environmental justice, child welfare, immigrant and worker rights, and her habit of centering marginalized communities and checking on colleagues personally. Saldaña responded with remarks about organizing, democracy, and the importance of collective action, saying she was grateful for the chamber and looking forward to the next chapter. The Senate adopted the resolution unanimously, and members agreed to add all senators’ names as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8702 honoring Senator Judy Warnick, with speakers from both parties highlighting her long service, agricultural background, calm leadership, bipartisan approach, and work on rural economic development, children and families, and capital projects. Warnick thanked colleagues and said she looked forward to spending more time with her family, farm, and horses. The meeting also included routine motions to move between orders of business and a message from the House concurring in Senate amendments to several bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have Executive Order 14212, Make America Healthy Again.
• The, uh, this executive order creates the Make America Healthy Again Commission, um, and the commission
• Healthy food, you can have empty calories. It can be fresh, it can be stale.
• Aver as an aging workforce, and of course our population is an aging population.
• Anna, Anna Anna, age 8, premise of in all the ACEs, the adverse childhood experiences.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we believe this bill is a common-sense approach that balances healthy native wildlife populations
• Because we cannot raise food that is healthy and safe if we have contaminated land and water.
• Because we cannot raise food that is healthy and safe if we have contaminated land and water.
• overall, there are still millions of vehicles registered within Texas today that are still above the age
• is no guarantee that these vehicles meet basic emissions standards, considering they have a vehicle age

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• can spread that over into the retired—maybe they won't be first responders anymore, but they'll be healthy
• Maybe they won't be first responders anymore, but they'll be healthy citizens, you know, giving back.
• retire did so two of those that did retire did so because<00:25:48.480><c> of</c><00:25:48.799><c> age
• not</c><00:25:50.640><c> because</c><00:25:50.880><c> of</c><00:25:51.039><c> other</c> because of age
• um not because of other because of age um not because of other jobs<00:25:51.679><c> related</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2017, the law raised the eligible age to 18.
• Its minimum age for marriage. In Louisiana, they had no minimum age for marriage in 2018.
• To keep no minimum age for marriage and scuttle the bill.
• We're just asking you to make some changes and increase the age to 18.
• At what age were you then? And you got that in Texas? 91.

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• to complete an age check through age estimation."
• to complete an age check through age estimation."
• to complete an age check through age estimation."
• to complete an age check through age estimation."
• to complete an age check through age estimation."

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are instances of severe age gaps of these emancipated minors, 1020, or even 30 years of age difference
• In Louisiana, they had no minimum age for marriage in 2018.
• We're not allowed to consent to many things at the age of 16.
• We're just asking you to make some changes and to increase the age to 18.
• So at what age, at what age were you then? I was 14 when I got the marriage license.

Bills: HB168

Keywords: certificates of obligation, local government debt, municipal finance, county finance, public works, bond election, voter petition, registered voters, refinancing certificates, Texas Local Government Code, municipality, county, hospital district, infrastructure financing, public improvement, debt issuance, general obligation alternative, public oversight, local bonds, historic preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2016, the Governor signed into law 1066 requiring ag employees to receive overtime compensation. .
• ..requiring ag employees to receive overtime compensation for overtime hours worked beyond eight hours
• legislation, it's becoming clear that the take-home pay for farm workers has, in fact, declined since the ag
• The bottom line is that California's agricultural industry is suffering, and many ag employers simply
• And for those ag communities that are hanging on, farm workers face reduced hours and less compensation

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime wage costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and other agricultural groups, argued that California’s ag overtime law has reduced take-home pay by limiting hours and that the credit would help employers continue offering overtime while putting more money back into workers’ paychecks. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the bill would subsidize employers for complying with the law, shift costs to taxpayers, and set a precedent for industry-specific carve-outs. The bill was held in subcommittee and taken up later when more members arrived. The committee then considered SB 1083, a follow-up to last year’s school employee misconduct database law. Senator Perez said the bill would add due process protections for classified school employees by requiring an administrative law judge review before placement in the statewide egregious misconduct database, require notice when an employee leaves during an investigation, and extend vetting to some contractors and non-permanent workers. Supporters, including the California School Employees Association and California Federation of Teachers, said the bill balances student safety with fairness for employees who could be wrongly accused. Opponents, including school business officials, joint powers authorities, administrators, and school employers, warned the bill could delay investigations, create conflicting timelines, and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved SB 1083 on a 3-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1089, authored by Senator Richardson, would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management and direct CalRx to help make the drugs more affordable. The senator described the bill as a response to personal experience with coverage denials and high out-of-pocket costs, and said broader access could improve health outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The American Diabetes Association and other medical groups supported the measure, citing diabetes prevention and treatment benefits, while a pharmaceutical industry representative said there were still concerns but noted ongoing discussions. The committee passed SB 1089 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar. The committee next heard SB 954, which would revise last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing by narrowing the definition and adding environmental, tribal, labor, and community protections, including prevailing wage, skilled-and-trained workforce requirements, and review for projects near disadvantaged communities. Support came from labor unions, environmental groups, and community organizations, which said the bill would restore oversight and prevent harmful projects from bypassing CEQA. Business groups and chambers of commerce opposed, arguing the bill would make the exemption too restrictive, discourage investment, and worsen California’s manufacturing job losses. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1299, which would codify training and certification standards for fire sprinkler fitters after a court decision invalidated prior regulations on procedural grounds; the author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect public safety and ensure qualified installation of fire suppression systems.