Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't want to break that consensus because I thought that consensus at the time was important.

Summary: The Florida Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and groups in the gallery, including Challenger Learning Center representatives, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, Zeta Phi Beta, Pine Forest High School students, and others. Senators also offered remarks honoring the anniversary of the Challenger disaster and welcoming visitors. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which would increase penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers and other personnel, including mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties. The bill drew extensive debate over self-defense, excessive force, prosecutorial discretion, jury instructions, and whether the measure was a proper response to the Jason Rayner case. Two amendments were offered and withdrawn. After debate, the Senate passed the bill 31-4. Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, Polsky, and others spoke in opposition, while Leek, Trumbull, and Hooper supported the measure as a needed correction and tribute to Officer Rayner. The Senate then passed a series of other bills, mostly unanimously or by wide margins. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling establishments; SB 288 clarified rural electric cooperative authority; SB 292 created a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families; SB 296 and SB 298 advanced the HAVEN initiative and a related public records exemption for domestic violence victims; SB 364 modernized CPA licensure; SB 386 created protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserved or extended public records and meeting exemptions for emergency shelter addresses, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit records, Public Service Commission and Gaming Commission proceedings, DHSMV investigatory records, social media investigation records, and certain economic development loan records. Most of these bills passed 32-35 votes, with SB 292 passing 34-1 and SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 706, SB 708, SB 7012, SB 7014, and SB 7016 all approved. At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a motion to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, heard announcements about upcoming executive appointments and State of Black Florida Week events, and then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• pass recommendation, and we will do some more outreach on that bill and hope to get to a bigger consensus
• We will do some more outreach on that bill and hope to get to a bigger consensus.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on several alcohol-related bills. HB 2128 would expand the sports entertainment facility liquor license to cover publicly or privately owned facilities where patrons engage in sports, amusement, or recreational activities, such as the Leavenworth Adventure Park. The prime sponsor and supporters said it would modernize the license while keeping LCB safety controls in place; one member questioned whether it amounted to an expansion of alcohol access. A fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, and the public hearing was closed without action. The committee then heard HB 2207, which would create a bonded beer warehouse license and make related changes to bonded wine warehouse law. The sponsor said it would help a Ridgefield logistics warehouse store beer the same way it can already store wine and spirits, while supporters from the Washington Brewers Guild said it would give breweries parity with wineries. Distributors and other opponents raised concerns about direct-to-consumer shipping, public access to warehouses, and federal tax-and-trade restrictions; the sponsor said amendments were being considered to address some of those issues. The hearing was closed without action. HB 2536 would allow wineries to hold spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses, or beer and/or wine restaurant licenses, at additional winery locations. The sponsor and winery representatives said the bill would reduce administrative burden and let wineries operate tasting rooms and restaurant-style spaces more flexibly, while opponents argued it could broaden alcohol access and create tied-house concerns. HB 2476 would remove the 120-seat-per-screen limit for theaters seeking a spirits, beer, and wine theater license; the sponsor and theater operators said existing alcohol control plans and other safeguards would remain in place, and the change would help theaters compete and attract patrons. The committee also heard HB 1701, which would allow multiple liquor licensees to operate within a shared facility and was described as a way to support a mixed-use winery/brewery/restaurant project; the sponsor said he was willing to remove the Public Records Act exemption again, and distributors urged transparency and guardrails. In executive action, the committee took up HB 2229, revising the Professional Engineers Registration Act. After adopting Amendment CLA 407 to restore current law on the board’s name, the committee voted to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. Several members supported the bill as a modernization of registration and continuing-education provisions, while some members voted no, citing concerns about changes to board membership requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that they will be legislative conversations that will require ongoing dialogue, but also consensus
• I think that they will be legislative conversations that will require ongoing dialogue, but also consensus

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee heard three major bills focused on California’s energy transition, fuel supply, and climate investments. SB 237 by Sen. Grayson proposed short-term measures to stabilize gasoline supply and prices, including validating the Kern County EIR for new oil and gas permitting with setbacks, a well cap, offshore/pipeline provisions, possible suspension of summer fuel blend requirements, and a study of regional fuel blends. Supporters argued it would help keep refineries operating, protect jobs, and reduce price spikes during a “mid-transition” away from fossil fuels, while opponents said it was a fossil-fuel giveaway that would worsen pollution in Kern County and fail to address refinery-community protections or broader transition planning. The committee approved SB 237 on a due-pass vote, with some members voting no or not voting. The committee also heard SB 352 by Sen. Reyes, which would strengthen implementation of AB 617 by codifying the Environmental Justice Bureau in the Attorney General’s office, requiring at least five years of monitoring in AB 617 communities, and mandating annual reporting by CARB and air districts on program implementation. Supporters said the bill would add accountability and ensure the new continuous funding for AB 617 leads to real emissions reductions, while opponents criticized the process and argued the bill was an end run around separate negotiations and imposed rigid requirements on limited resources. The bill advanced on a due-pass vote after extensive testimony from environmental justice groups, business organizations, and local air districts. Finally, SB 840 by Sen. Limon was presented as the cap-and-invest package, maintaining California’s climate leadership while directing revenues to state and community priorities. Supporters highlighted stronger offset integrity, more frequent protocol updates, continued funding for programs such as AB 617, transit, housing, and other climate investments, and broad labor and local government support. Some witnesses and members noted the bill did not include dedicated funding for zero-emission vehicles or climate-smart agriculture and urged future work on those priorities. The committee passed SB 840 on a due-pass vote as well, and all three bills were later confirmed out of committee on the floor call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that took three years and required consensus of the governing body of 170 nations.
• It's unlikely that we're going to have that kind of consensus for what the bill proposed.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 407, which would expand the California Pollution Control Financing Authority. The author said the measure would increase flexibility and access to resources, and the bill was approved 7-0 and sent to the Committee on Local Government. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, which included AB 76, by a 7-0 vote. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on AB 1065, which would prohibit swipe fees on the sales tax portion of credit card transactions. Supporters, including small business owners, restaurant and grocery representatives, and a payments-policy expert, argued the bill would reduce costs for merchants and consumers and rein in dominant card networks. Opponents, including banks, credit unions, and payment industry groups, argued the bill is likely preempted by federal law, would be difficult to implement, and could disproportionately affect community banks and credit unions. After extensive questioning about preemption, fraud, implementation, and consumer impacts, the committee rejected the bill on a 6-0 vote, but then granted reconsideration by a 7-1 vote. The committee then heard AB 1365, which would create the Cal Account Program, a zero-fee, zero-penalty state banking account for unbanked and underbanked Californians. Supporters said the program would help low-income households, survivors of abuse, and others facing barriers to traditional banking, while opponents from community banks and credit unions argued existing low-cost accounts and the Bank On program already address the need and raised concerns about cost, feasibility, and duplication. The bill advanced on a 6-0 vote and later received enough votes on the reopened roll to move forward to the Committee on Labor and Employment. The committee also approved AB 1052, which would create a legal framework for digital assets and address unclaimed digital property and restrictions on public officials issuing or promoting digital assets, and AB 1180, which would create a pilot program for paying state fees with digital financial assets and require a report on broader adoption. Both bills passed with broad support after brief testimony and discussion. Final roll calls later confirmed AB 1052 and AB 1180, along with AB 407 and AB 1365, were moved out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've come to a general consensus, and Keith is working on the amendment.
• We've come to a general consensus, and Keith is working on the amendment.

Bills: SB2399

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met to work through amendments and budget items in House Bill 2012/HB 1004, focusing first on long-term care, disability services, and behavioral health. Members discussed competing approaches to a four-plex for medically complex individuals, a value-based care payment withhold for nursing facilities, accreditation requirements for providers, a study of developmental disability services, and funding for Family Voices and Ann Carlson-related services. Several amendments were accepted or set aside after discussion, including a study amendment for disability services and a Family Voices grant amendment that was adjusted to remove “one-time” language so it could continue as an ongoing grant. The committee also agreed to keep or defer some items for conference committee, including the youth crisis stabilization pilot and other long-term care proposals. A major discussion centered on the state hospital project. Members debated whether the $330 million project should remain in the DHS budget or be moved to the OMB budget for construction management. After discussion of costs, alternates, and the role of a steering committee and BND loan language, the committee agreed to remove the state hospital funding and related loan language from the DHS budget while leaving the steering committee language in place. The committee also considered a proposed Altru grant for additional beds and settled on a smaller planning-focused approach, with a $1 million grant and a line of credit concept to be refined later. The committee then turned to behavioral health items, including QRTP funding, nursing home behavioral health training, and a youth crisis stabilization pilot. Members generally supported keeping the QRTP funding level, but were divided on the nursing home behavioral health training and the crisis stabilization pilot, with some preferring to leave those issues for conference committee. The division also reviewed the HHS block grant and underfunding structure, with Donna Ackland explaining salary, vacancy, and flexibility calculations; the committee discussed adjusting the underfund and revenue assumptions but did not finalize every number before moving on. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1577 on wastewater treatment grants. Senator Davison moved to hoghouse the bill into a study-focused version using the proposed amendment language, and the motion passed. The committee then moved HB 1577 as amended with a do pass recommendation; the roll call passed with Senators Cleary, Davison, Dever, and Mathern voting yes, and Senator Magrum not recorded as voting. The meeting adjourned with plans to return later in the day to continue budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think, I can't speak for the other members, but I think there's probably a consensus that that
• But my guess is that that's how they did it and then see what, you know, what the consensus would be.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2. The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• you've done your due diligence on this and you would not have brought this forward without having a consensus
• you've done your due diligence on this and you would not have brought this forward without having a consensus

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 88, which was described as a short bill to clarify procedures for Waste Management boards, including term limits, appointments, and making sure consolidated governments actively recruit community members and make openings easier to find. The sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve confusion about members staying on after terms expire. The bill received no opposition, passed the committee unanimously, and was reported favorably for the floor. The committee then took up House Bill 346, as amended by a committee substitute. The sponsor explained that the bill responds to a dispute over air emission fees, especially for emergency generators and backup generators used for worker safety and limited non-emergency testing. The bill would exempt emergency generators and backup generators operating 100 hours or less for maintenance/testing from fees, while also removing an existing 4,000-ton cap so the per-ton fee would drop for most permitted sources. Members discussed the possible impact on utilities and ratepayers, with concerns raised that costs could be passed through to consumers and affect coal-dependent areas. The sponsor and another member argued the change would generally reduce fees for most sources and incentivize emissions reductions; the cabinet was described as neutral, and the affected utilities were identified as TVA, LG&E, East Kentucky Power, and Big Rivers, with only TVA having raised comments. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed the committee with a favorable recommendation, though one member voted no and several members explained yes votes while expressing ongoing concerns about future rate impacts. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed broader concerns about utility surcharges and the need to monitor the effects of legislation on ratepayers, but those comments were not part of the bill under consideration. The chair noted that future meetings may include more bills and could start earlier if needed, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is just a mechanism for us to be able to draw down federal funds if needed.
• And so when we see certain things, we bake that into the funding mechanism. So how do we?
• And so when we see certain things, we bake that into the funding mechanism.
• And so that's when you need more mechanisms. You open up a faucet and that faucet keeps going.
• And so that's when you need more mechanisms in order to do this.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Considering that, you know, there was some consensus that this could be a good idea.

Transcript Highlights:

• The report's based on the most current consensus revenue estimate for FY26 and FY27, or sorry, FY26 and
• Well, since we accepted the consensus revenue estimate, those things would have been considered as part
• of the consensus revenue.
• we thought the impact would be because we made the assumption that that was accounted for in the consensus

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• The report's based on the most current consensus revenue estimate for FY26 and FY27, or sorry, FY26 and
• Well, since we accepted the consensus revenue estimate, those things would have been considered as part
• of the consensus revenue.
• We made the assumption that that was accounted for in the consensus revenue estimate.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the State Auditor’s fiscal year 2027 budget request. Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick described rebuilding the office after staffing had fallen to a historic low, explaining that the office has grown from 92.5 to 119 FTE but still needs several years to reach full staffing, especially at the manager level. He said most of the budget is payroll, noted the office’s use of lapsing general revenue while staffing is rebuilt, and outlined requests including core operating funds, a small sports betting audit NDI, and a $290,000 increase to the CPA stipend to address recruitment and retention problems. Members also discussed the auditor’s authority to audit state agencies and subrecipients, the office’s role in performance audits, and the meaning of “E” appropriations and the auditor’s recent general revenue conditions report. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 10, focusing on Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Mental Health issues. One witness from the American Heart Association supported continued funding for cardiac emergency response planning in schools, citing AEDs, CPR training, and about 480 schools served. Another witness from the Alzheimer’s Association urged rejection of a proposed $1 million reduction to the Missouri caregiver program, arguing it supports families caring for people with dementia and helps avoid more expensive institutional care. Most of the testimony concerned proposed cuts to developmental disability services, especially day habilitation and self-directed supports (SDS). Providers, family members, and workers said the proposed reductions would force service cuts, reduce wages, and threaten community-based care that keeps people at home and out of more costly facilities. They argued the cuts would shift costs to emergency, residential, or institutional settings and asked the committee to preserve current funding levels. Several members asked questions about provider rates, the share of services delivered by private providers, and the cost difference between SDS and institutional care. The hearing ended with the chair apologizing for earlier tension, explaining the schedule, and recessing the committee to return later because of House floor obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• There seems to be a general, even though it's a little reluctant, consensus.
• <00:22:05.039><c> reluctant</c><00:22:05.360><c> but</c><00:22:05.600><c> a</c><00:22:05.760><c> consensus
• </c> be a little reluctant but a consensus. be a little reluctant but a consensus.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• But the police and the investigative forces were probably the thing that had the most consensus and provided
• 55.600><c> most</c> uh probably the thing that had the most uh probably the thing that had the most consensus
• 57.280><c> provided</c><00:18:57.840><c> us</c><00:18:58.000><c> with</c><00:18:58.160><c> that</c> consensus
• and provided us with that consensus and provided us with that independent<00:18:58.960><c> investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• We all signed this because there is consensus among us that keeping Minnesota safer involves making sure
• this because coalitions we all signed this because there<00:40:35.599><c> is</c><00:40:35.839><c> consensus
• Among</c><00:40:36.680><c> Us</c><00:40:36.960><c> that</c><00:40:37.119><c> keeping</c> there is consensus
• Among Us that keeping there is consensus Among Us that keeping a<00:40:37.560><c> Minnesota</c><00:40

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Torl and recognition of the importance of redistricting in light of the upcoming consensus
• Kelor to develop a consensus proposal. Thank you for your testimony.
• foresee this still going to the courts because there are no teeth to this. and rep kelor to develop a consensus
• and rep kelor to develop a consensus proposal<00:31:07.000><c> thank</c> proposal thank proposal thank

Bills: HF550

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, what I don't know is what the mechanism is that is followed if a child with a chronic illness like
• </c><00:48:40.400><c> what</c><00:48:40.640><c> is</c><00:48:40.880><c> the</c><00:48:41.440><c> mechanism
• </c><00:48:42.079><c> that</c> don't know is what is the mechanism that don't know is what is the mechanism
• Madam Chair, Senator Kurt, if that is the consensus of this committee, I'm happy to withdraw my amendment
• of this committee, I'm the consensus of this committee, I'm happy<01:52:22.719><c> to</c><01:52:22.960

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But people often throw around the idea of an expedited review, and there is a mechanism for doing that
• What I'd like to do is just kind of get the consensus similar to what you just said, where I'm also,
• But the consensus seems to be maybe we could raise the total by $20 million.
• But but the consensus seems to my point.
• But but the consensus seems to be<04:49:37.680><c> maybe</c><04:49:38.000><c> we</c><04:49:38.160><c>

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 110, as amended by the Senate, which would establish fees for alteration-of-terrain applications and direct the Department of Environmental Services to adopt rules for a permit-by-notification process for certain projects. Trisha Milo introduced the bill for Senator Lang and noted that the department had worked on the amended language. Matt Mayberry of the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association said the industry strongly supported the bill, describing it as a public-private partnership that would speed review for developers without affecting local control, with builders paying the costs rather than taxpayers. Members focused heavily on how the bill’s fee structure and permit thresholds would work, especially for projects near shoreland, wetlands, and protected water bodies. Representative Opel raised concerns about whether the bill reduced review of habitat and shoreland impacts or shifted costs unfairly; Philip Trobridge of DES explained that the bill does not eliminate those reviews and that shoreland projects still receive greater scrutiny. He said the bill creates different tiers, with the permit-by-notification process applying to certain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet that are not in protected shoreland, while larger or shoreland-affected projects remain under the standard review process. He also said the proposed fees were based on sustaining the program, covering added habitat and species review responsibilities, and keeping reviews efficient. Trobridge said the new fee structure would generate about $1.2 million in additional revenue and help fund additional staff and related program costs. He stated that the department had worked with the regulated community and believed the fees were fair and reasonable, though he acknowledged the bill’s wording was confusing and that the threshold could be revisited later if the new process works well. Members also discussed how the state process interacts with local approvals, and Trobridge said both state and local approvals are required before a project can begin. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I do plan to work toward a consensus. Any other questions? Motion. Do pass. Is there a second?

Bills: HB4128 , HB3659 , HB3270 , HB3145

Committee: House Wildlife

Summary: The Wildlife Committee first announced that House Bill 4147 would be laid over at the author’s request, and the chair said this would likely be the committee’s only wildlife meeting until more bills arrived from the Senate. The committee then took up House Bill 4128, which would move Oklahoma’s bear hunting season start two weeks earlier, to September 15. Members questioned the current bear population, harvest trends, and the effect of moving the season earlier on female harvests. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said its estimates are based on harvest data and prior OSU mark-recapture studies, and that the bear population is believed to be slowly increasing, with current estimates around 2,500. The department also said moving seasons earlier in Arkansas increased harvests and the share of females taken. Despite concerns about population impacts, the bill received a do pass recommendation and passed 6-0. The committee next considered House Bill 3659, a request bill for resident duck hunters that would allow nonresidents to hunt only Monday through Thursday during the last 30 days of duck season so residents could hunt weekends. There was no debate, and the bill passed 7-0. House Bill 3270, as amended with a PCS, addressed feral swine damage, especially to peanut farmers in western Oklahoma. The author said the measure was a work in progress and would need stakeholder input, including from sporting facilities that had concerns. After a brief discussion about trapping and other control methods, the bill passed 7-0. Finally, House Bill 3145, also amended with a PCS, was described as a clarification of language governing commercial hunt areas, since different operators were interpreting tagging rules differently. The committee approved the clarification and passed the bill 7-0. The chair then said no meeting was planned for the following week unless circumstances changed, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had some meetings offline, and I think pretty much consensus that something needs to be done for

Committee: Joint Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• The consensus around this final bill has grown out of countless hours of thoughtful feedback and deliberation

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard SB 53 by Senator Wiener, which had been substantially amended on the floor and was referred back to committee. Wiener explained that the bill builds on prior AI safety work, including the vetoed SB 1047 and recommendations from the governor’s frontier-model working group. He said the revised bill narrows the strongest requirements to very large models and larger companies, adds broader whistleblower protections, requires annual safety framework reviews, shifts some internal risk reporting to the Office of Emergency Services, removes Attorney General rulemaking authority, and includes CalCompute, a public compute cloud intended to expand access and support innovation. Supporters, including Encode AI and Economic Security California Action, argued the bill is a balanced, light-touch approach that increases transparency and accountability without stifling innovation. They emphasized the need for safety testing, protections for workers who report dangerous practices, and CalCompute as a way to democratize access to AI infrastructure. Additional supporters, including Anthropic, the Secure AI Project, and Omidyar Network, also voiced support. Opponents from CalChamber, TechNet, and the Chamber of Progress remained opposed unless amended, citing concerns outlined in their letters, though they thanked the author for revisions. Committee members questioned whether the bill could hinder innovation, how it would address catastrophic AI risks, and whether it could apply to out-of-state actors. Wiener responded that the bill is aimed at transparency and safety for companies doing business in California, especially the largest labs, and that California can influence national standards. Members also highlighted the whistleblower provisions and CalCompute as important parts of the measure. The committee then voted 12-1 to pass SB 53, with one no vote and two members not voting, and the bill was sent back to the floor.