Transcript Highlights:

• on our programs. ...is that a lot of contractors may not want to bid on our programs if they don't feel
• with no other option, we may find ourselves in the same position where we do not receive any viable bids
• We follow the state contracting requirements, which has the department secure the most viable bid at
• prioritize adherence to evidence-based practices and high-quality care, and not just the lowest-cost bid
• prioritize adherence to evidence-based practices and high-quality care, and not just the lowest-cost bid

Transcript Highlights:

• like you included a JTC or two JTC studies, one on leasing hydrogen ferries, and one on maybe a larger bid
• Yeah, we heard a lot of feedback off this first procurement that the in-state bid credit doesn't capture
• And as we look back, the data we were considering when we established that bid credit has gotten a little

Summary: Senate Transportation Committee Chair Marko Liias and Ranking Member Curtis King presented the Senate transportation budget package, describing three bills: a supplemental transportation budget, a bond proposal, and a resources bill with technical updates to last year’s law. They said the package prioritizes preservation and maintenance of highways, bridges, ferries, and flood-damaged infrastructure, along with safety investments such as additional funding for preservation-related safety work, State Patrol staffing, and tribal traffic safety. They also emphasized job creation from infrastructure spending and said the plan uses no new taxes, relying instead on bonding and existing revenue changes. The senators highlighted several major elements, including about $1.7 billion for preservation over six years, $1.1 billion in bonding, a $400 million reserve for cost increases, funding to complete the first three new ferries, disaster relief loans for local transportation agencies, Columbia River dredging, and funding for the Fairfax Bridge and related alternate routes. The resources bill would create a mobile driver’s license program, dedicate a portion of future sales tax revenue to ferry operations, and repeal the luxury aircraft tax while replacing it with higher aviation fuel taxes and annual registration fees. They said the ferry system still needs more vessels beyond the first three, but they want more study before committing to a longer-term procurement plan. In response to questions, the senators said WSDOT will determine specific preservation project priorities, including paving and bridge work, and that the budget does not add new passenger-only ferry operating money now that domestic ferry service has largely been restored. They also said the package includes studies on leasing hydrogen ferries and updating the in-state shipyard bid credit, and that flood recovery funding was structured to help local governments repair roads now while waiting for possible federal FEMA reimbursement. No votes were taken in the transcript; the discussion was a budget rollout and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clause where they can buy locally if it's within 5% of the lowest bid.
• So basically, if the lowest bid... they can go 5% above the lowest bid if it's somebody in their district

Bills: SB45 , SB73 , SB169 , HB243 , SB177

Committee: House Fiscal Responsibility

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand that there was an exemption, so there would not be any bids.
• We didn't do any bids.
• So there would not be any bids. And that was, again, with the intent of speed.
• We didn't do any bids.
• And that contract, there was no bidding process. It sounds like it was just awarded to someone.

Transcript Highlights:

• everything behind this, in order to make it happen, because it takes years to design it, put it out to bid
• everything behind this, in order to make it happen, because it takes years to design it, put it out to bid
• It has to approve it to go out to bid, has to approve every invoice, has to authorize final completion
• It has to approve it to go out to bid, has to approve every invoice, has to authorize final completion
• It has to approve it to go out to bid, has to approve every invoice, has to authorize final completion

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• construction company owned by the property management company, and I was told by two contractors that competitive
• bids were not allowed; they were refused.
• 34.880><c> that</c> and I was told by two contractors that and I was told by two contractors that competitive
• <01:25:35.639><c> bids</c><01:25:35.960><c> were</c><01:25:36.199><c> not</c><01:25:36.440><c> allowed
• </c><01:25:37.000><c> they</c> competitive bids were not allowed they competitive bids were not allowed

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• by the many times we've gotten up to speak about this bill: this Wenninger bill is about doing the bidding
• It is about doing the bidding of data centers.
• And now we have a Wenninger bill doing the bidding of data centers.
• And again, the Weninger name will be tied forever with doing the bidding of data center developers.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the journal. The body then extended the session under Rule 27 and agreed to request House consent to adjourn until April 27, 2026. It moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2170 (procurement code-related), HB 2415 (kratom regulation), HB 2700 (housing technology study committee), and HB 2950 (special districts/tourism improvement areas). Amendments were adopted on HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2950, and the committee reported HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2700 do pass; HB 2950 was later defeated on third read. The Senate also heard a brief welcome for visiting students and a personal privilege statement on Earth Day and environmental issues. The Senate then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for HB 2035 (child welfare and placement), HB 2249 (parental bill of rights), and HB 2573 (DUI/local referendum-related language). HB 2035 received a Warner amendment expanding the definition of extended family to include adoptive family members; HB 2249 received a Mesnard amendment adding liability and technical changes; and HB 2573 received a Rogers technical amendment. All three were reported out do pass as amended. On third read, HB 2573 passed 20-9, with several senators explaining opposition based on referendum and emergency-clause concerns tied to a Marana data center dispute; HB 2170 passed 17-12; HB 2415 passed 22-7; HB 2035 passed 26-3; and HB 2249 passed 17-12. HB 2950 failed 10-19. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 2043, substituting it for the Senate version and sending it to third read. The resolution, which calls for a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms, passed 16-13 after several senators warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and the lack of limits on its scope. The House’s message on adjournment was read, committee meetings for April 27 were announced, and members made personal privilege remarks, including birthday wishes and an announcement about the annual legislative charity softball game. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The expenditure plan for fiscal year 2026-27 is to complete program design and issue the competitive
• bid.
• , stabilize staffing to maintain service quality for individuals with disabilities, and advance competitive
• , stabilize staffing to maintain service quality for individuals with disabilities, and advance competitive
• integrated employment for people with disabilities per ...and advance competitive integrated employment

Summary: The hearing began with an overview of the California Health and Human Services Agency, which described its 2026-27 budget, major departments, and strategic priorities, including behavioral health, housing and human services integration, children and youth, and aging/disability services. The agency also explained a technical CalHHS/CalHires budget adjustment tied to HR1 compliance and eligibility system work. No LAO concerns were raised on that item. The committee then heard from the Office of Youth and Community Restoration on its budget, its SB 823 realignment report, and related issues. OYCR said county-based realignment has generally succeeded but outcomes and readiness vary widely, and it recommended more climate surveys, youth advisory councils, stronger behavioral management, better programming, improved transition planning, and integrated longitudinal data systems. Members pressed OYCR on “net widening,” county-by-county trends, and the gap between the detailed recommendations discussed in hearing and the more general recommendations in the public report. OYCR also described problems with federal Title II grant timing and a pending $14 million administrative funding adjustment, and discussed implementation of the juvenile justice realignment block grant formula. The Ombudsperson division separately requested two new positions due to rising complaints, site visits, and records-access disputes with counties; LAO noted the proposal would create ongoing General Fund costs. Several other departments presented budget change proposals. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities requested $730,000 General Fund ongoing to cover an interagency administrative support gap with DSS; LAO had no concerns. EMSA presented its department overview, said its AB 716 ambulance-rate report has been delayed after resources were reduced, and requested funding for disaster-response vehicle replacement, IT security assessment work, and additional HR/legal staff; members questioned delays, compliance, and the ongoing General Fund impact. The Department of Community Services and Development sought reappropriation of LIWIP funds and explained a new Proposition 4 process for continuing the farmworker housing component. The Department of Rehabilitation requested authority for $60 million in additional federal funds and 54 positions to meet growing vocational rehabilitation demand, with no General Fund impact. The Department of Child Support Services presented its budget and a supplemental report on full pass-through of child support collections. Members questioned why local agency funding was being restored despite declining caseloads, and staff explained that staffing costs have risen faster than caseload declines and that additional funding is needed to maintain service levels. The supplemental report estimated full pass-through would cost about $150 million General Fund annually, or about $80 million for a state-and-county portion, with $3 million to $5 million in automation costs. Finally, the Department of Public Health gave a broad overview of its $5.1 billion budget and its State of Public Health report, highlighting improved mortality and life expectancy, declining overdose deaths and STI rates, persistent racial and regional disparities, and increasing public health emergency demands. CDPH also warned that federal funding threats and policy changes are creating major uncertainty for state and local public health systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, the bill implements and outlines the requirements of a one-step competition process when the
• The low-bid process still exists today.
• Because coming from a city, I understand there's drastic competition for these officers.
• Because coming from a city, I understand there's drastic competition for these officers.
• So this fund will put us on the right track to be able to become an employer of choice and be competitive

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several appropriations and policy bills, beginning with HB 263, which would appropriate $1.5 million to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Representative Blackman argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the Department of Corrections, including lawsuits, staffing shortages, injuries, and safety concerns, and said he was open to shifting existing dollars to cover the cost. A supportive witness from Justice Action Network said the funding would make the oversight office operational and is a small investment compared with the department’s overall budget. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 17-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 2993, as amended, which would let the Department of Public Safety spend money on legal services independent of the Attorney General and move $5 million from the Consumer Protection/Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund. Speaker Montenegro said the bill was intended to support law enforcement and shift resources toward frontline public safety work. The amendment changed the destination of the $5 million from the Peace Officers Training Fund to GITEM, and the bill passed 11-7. HB 2271 followed, dealing with firefighter cancer insurance reimbursement and rate deviations for insurers. Witnesses described it as a technical, unfinished consensus measure meant to bring fire districts into the existing cancer reimbursement structure without changing claim handling for firefighters. Members repeatedly noted more work was needed, but the bill still received a do-pass recommendation on a 16-1-1 vote. HB 2416 appropriated $20 million to DPS for local border support, including law enforcement positions, prosecution and detention costs, and equipment. Sheriffs and the Arizona Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying the funding has been used for drug interdiction, fentanyl seizures, and joint task forces, while opponents argued the money should go elsewhere. The bill passed 11-6-1. HB 2692, a procurement bill, would create or revise rules for construction delivery methods, including one-step competition and progressive design-build for federally funded public infrastructure projects. Construction and procurement stakeholders said it was a long-negotiated consensus measure, while some members worried about taxpayer risk and wanted more information; it passed 10-7-1. The committee also amended and passed HB 2478, which creates the Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes and funds it with Classroom Site Fund dollars to study K-12 accountability, standards, graduation requirements, early childhood education, and a possible trade pathways diploma. Supporters said Arizona needs a broader conversation about student outcomes and school accountability, while opponents questioned the funding source and whether the work should instead be done by existing education agencies. The amended bill passed 11-7. Finally, HB 4044 was introduced to create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and Corrections salaries using proceeds from forfeited digital assets and interest from the Budget Stabilization Fund; the sponsor and a troopers association witness said it would help address long-standing pay parity and vacancy problems, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is opening up the bid to whoever wants to bid.
• It doesn't preclude PLAs from bidding. They can still bid if they... non-PLA. non-PLA.
• McKenzie continued: “Bidding.
• </c> anybody can bid. anybody can bid. Right. Right. Right.
• And I just still want to maintain an open bidding process to anybody who wants to bid.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• by the rules, lose out on who bid by the rules, lose out on projects<01:40:54.480><c> and</c><01:40:
• And so it opens the door for potential unethical, you know, I mean, the bidding process and just a lot
• </c> unethical you know I mean the bidding unethical you know I mean the bidding process<01:44:04.400
• While salaries may look competitive<04:11:09.439><c> on</c><04:11:09.680><c> paper,</c><04:11:10.080>
• for competitive on paper, when adjusted for the<04:11:11.120><c> cost</c><04:11:11.279><c> of</c><04

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a contractor who cannot pass along the diesel cost without losing the bid.
• companies are global companies that make investment decisions in the context of the relative global competitiveness
• Now, these five factors that I'm going to outline, again, they point to the decreasing global competitiveness
• The competitiveness of oil refineries means that many of these factors are beyond the control of the
• of millions, if not billions, in compliance costs to an industry that's already operating at a competitive

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and policy considerations surrounding refinery closures. Chair Blakespear framed the hearing as part of California’s broader transition away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for proactive planning so communities, workers, and local governments are not caught off guard. Vice Chair Gunda argued that the state has long signaled a future away from oil, while also warning that closures can create supply instability, higher prices, and infrastructure stress if not managed carefully. Senators also raised concerns about consumer costs, supply reliability, the role of imports, and whether California’s climate policies are contributing to refinery disinvestment. The first panel included the California Energy Commission, CARB, and the State Water Resources Control Board. Gunda described California as being in a “mid-transition,” with gasoline demand gradually declining, zero-emission vehicle adoption rising, and refinery capacity shrinking through both conversions to renewable fuels and outright closures. He said the state needs a coordinated strategy that balances near-term supply stability with long-term decarbonization, and noted that refinery closures can shift liabilities onto pipelines, terminals, and potentially the state. CARB’s Matthew Boutill said the agency’s focus is reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, and that state policies are already driving billions in annual investment in alternative fuels, EV infrastructure, and refinery conversions. Water Board representative Annalisa Kihara explained the cleanup authorities used at refinery sites, including investigation, remediation, and enforcement tools, and said decommissioning often reveals previously inaccessible contamination and may require new monitoring wells and additional site assessment. Committee members pressed the panel on whether the state has enough information to plan for land reuse and cleanup costs, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more legislative direction is needed. Gunda said there are still gaps in information and transparency, especially around liability and long-term community planning. Kihara said the Water Boards can require more data, cleanup, and timelines, but that refinery remediation is highly site-specific and can take tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Senators Menjivar, Stern, and Hurtado questioned demand trends, the pace of refinery closures versus demand decline, the role of imports and the Jones Act, and whether California should consider options such as state ownership or broader ecosystem planning. The panel generally agreed that closures are likely to continue and that the state should plan proactively rather than reactively. A second panel presented recent research on refinery closures. Emily Grubert said closure costs and remediation obligations are often underestimated and that California should better define end-of-life obligations and financial assurance requirements. Tham Herschbach outlined five drivers of refinery closures: declining California crude production, falling in-state gasoline demand, the shift toward renewable diesel and other alternative fuels, global refinery consolidation, and the growing availability of imported gasoline. Anne Alexander focused on community impacts, using the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure as a case study, and said refinery sites are often heavily contaminated, cleanup can take a decade or more, and communities are often left without clear information because refineries have little end-of-life planning or financial assurance requirements. No votes or formal actions were taken at the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third type was projects that bid under the budget. Those are the ones we like to see the most.
• Those are projects that simply bid low under their anticipated budget and had additional funds left in
• As time passes, some projects get delayed or some projects bid in the month of April and then come in

Bills: SB406

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can see in certain but other ones, it's just put up for the highest bid. Typically, yes.
• putting a property up for sale on Gov deals, they will also require any individuals or groups that are bidding
• on a property to provide a statement about what Any individuals or groups that are bidding on a property

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• like you included a JTC or two JTC studies, one on leasing hydrogen ferries, and one on maybe a larger bid
• Yeah, we heard a lot of feedback off this first procurement that the in-state bid credit doesn't capture
• And as we look back, the data we were considering when we established that bid credit has gotten a little

Summary: Senate Transportation Committee leaders presented a bipartisan transportation budget package made up of three bills: a supplemental budget, a bond proposal, and a resources bill with technical updates. Chair Mark Olius and Ranking Member Curtis King said the plan is balanced over six years, uses conservative assumptions, and includes no new taxes, relying instead on bonding and existing revenue changes. They emphasized three priorities: preservation and maintenance of highways, bridges, ferries, and flood-damaged infrastructure; safety, including more funding for State Patrol staffing and tribal traffic safety; and job creation through infrastructure investment. The supplemental budget would add about $1.7 billion for preservation over six years, including roughly $1.3 billion for highways, plus $100 million for preservation-related safety improvements. It also includes funding for ferry preservation, flood recovery loans for local transportation infrastructure, Columbia River dredging, the Fairfax Bridge, and State Patrol staffing. Questions from members and reporters focused on how much roadwork the preservation money would cover, why the proposal does not include funding for three additional new ferries, and how federal FEMA aid and ongoing mediation over treaty obligations factored into the budget. The senators said the first three ferries are fully funded, that future vessel purchases will be revisited later, and that flood recovery funds were included now so local governments can repair roads without waiting for federal action. The resources bill would create a mobile driver’s license program for 2028 and dedicate a portion of future sales tax revenue to ferry operations. It also repeals the luxury aircraft tax and replaces it with higher aviation fuel taxes and annual registration fees, which the senators said better avoids unintended consequences for aircraft businesses while still requiring transportation users to contribute. The package also includes studies on hydrogen ferries and updating the in-state shipyard bid credit, and it proposes more efficient ferry maintenance and emergency response capacity at Eagle Harbor. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the senators said they would continue presenting the proposal to caucus members for support.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also a $10 million one-time appropriation for BSEC to create a competitive grant program for
• However, we are concerned with the $7.1 million in expenditures proposed from the Unfair Competition
• Accordingly, we recommend rejecting the funding proposed from the Unfair Competition Law Fund without
• Accordingly, we recommend rejecting the funding proposed from the Unfair Competition Law Fund without
• Regardless, the administration will continue to monitor the fund condition of the Unfair Competition

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no telling what those bids will be at that time.
• If the bid is $100 million, how do we trust that? How do we know that those are the numbers?
• And so having... you did a good job, the state did a good job of preventing undergraduate competition
• We were able to win this very competitive award because of the investment that the legislature made in
• Then we created basically an auction, so they were... bidding against each other.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, certain eligible bidders are allowed to submit bids after a foreclosure auction before
• this process was well-intentioned, some bad actors have exploited this provision to interfere with competitive
• bidding and reduce the final sales price.
• Civil Code Section 2924m and provides foreclosure bidders with compensation for lost interest on their bids
• We have to make California agriculture competitive. We have to reduce their cost of operating.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, certain eligible bidders are allowed to submit bids after a foreclosure auction before
• this process was well-intentioned, some bad actors have exploited this provision to interfere with competitive
• bidding and reduce the final sales price.
• Civil Code Section 2924m and provides foreclosure bidders with compensation for lost interest on their bids
• We have to make California agriculture competitive. We have to reduce their cost of operating.

Transcript Highlights:

• , it would allow the Capitol Area Architecture and Planning Board to select an artist through a competitive
• If a project from a city goes through any of the normal state pots of money where it's a competitive
• Uh</c> If a project from a city goes through any of the normal state pots of money where it's a competitive
• of '28, approvals winter of '27, spring of '28, looking<00:21:36.720><c> at</c><00:21:36.920><c> bidding
• the project uh March looking at bidding the project uh March of<00:21:38.520><c> '28,</c><00:21:39.120

Bills: HF4470 , HF2418 , HF3417 , HF3365 , HF3463

Committee: House Capital Investment