Transcript Highlights:

• people, property, and the environment at work in their communities; and whereas the majority of workplace
• accidents, and millions more suffer occupational injuries and illnesses; whereas safer organizations
• will mobilize in an effort to increase employer, employee, and public awareness of safety in the workplace
• , to encourage safe practices, and help companies and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts
• , now therefore be it... ...and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workplace surveillance is not a recent phenomenon, but today's workplace surveillance... ...accept the
• Workplace surveillance is not a recent phenomenon, but today's workplace surveillance tools differ in
• Pinkerton agents have been hired in previous years to bust union organizing, to the introduction of workplace
• Pinkerton agents have been hired in previous years to bust union organizing, to the introduction of workplace
• Name, position, and organization.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on AB 325, which would update California antitrust law to address algorithmic price fixing, and AB 1221, which would restrict invasive workplace surveillance tools. AB 325’s author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software can facilitate collusion and drive up prices in sectors like housing, groceries, and frozen foods; opponents warned the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful public-data pricing tools, and might chill ordinary business software use. Members raised concerns about housing applications, small businesses, intent standards, and whether the bill clearly distinguishes lawful market research from collusive conduct. Despite the debate, the committee voted to move AB 325 forward on a 6-2 roll call, holding the roll open for absent members. AB 75, dealing with insurers’ use of aerial imaging for homeowners’ coverage decisions, was also heard. The author and Department of Insurance said the bill would require notice before aerial images are collected, give homeowners access to the images, and require that any image used to cancel, non-renew, or reduce coverage be current enough to allow an in-person inspection if needed. Consumer advocates supported the measure as a privacy and transparency protection, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a low-cost tool that helps keep coverage available and affordable and warning that more in-person inspections would raise costs and reduce the number of policies they can write. The committee moved AB 75 to Appropriations, also holding the roll open. The committee also advanced AB 576, which the author said responds to stakeholder feedback after AB 488 by improving the Department of Justice charity registry process, including an API to help fundraising platforms update eligible charities more efficiently. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone data storage, was presented as a privacy and security measure requiring U.S.-based storage for drone-collected data and prohibiting its use, sharing, or sale by storage vendors; it too was moved to Appropriations. In addition, the committee heard AB 1221, which would ban certain workplace surveillance technologies such as facial, gait, and emotion recognition and add notice, data protection, and human-review requirements before discipline based on surveillance output. Supporters said the bill would curb discriminatory and invasive monitoring, while opponents argued it was overly broad and could interfere with legitimate security, safety, and HR uses; the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• These groups are designed to improve workplace conditions, safety, and productivity.
• the workplace safety environment.
• So, Criminal enforcement will change workplace safety cases.
• So first, prosecutors and their investigators are not workplace safety experts.
• I'm an organizer and in support of the bill.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, labor enforcement, pensions, and workplace safety. AB 1054 would create a voluntary DROP-style retirement option for CHP officers and Cal Fire firefighters to help retain experienced personnel; supporters said it would be cost-neutral and help staffing, while an opponent warned it could affect bond ratings and create pension risk. The bill passed the committee 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2129, which would improve Cal Fire compensation to aid recruitment and retention, also passed 4-0 to Appropriations with support from firefighters and no opposition. AB 1383, a broader PEPRA-related measure lowering retirement age and adjusting compensation caps for public safety workers, drew extensive support from firefighters and peace officers and strong opposition from cities, counties, and other local government groups over long-term pension costs; after debate over fiscal impacts, it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 605 on refinery safe staffing during shutdowns, prompted by layoffs and reduced staffing at refineries such as Phillips 66 Wilmington. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers and nearby communities during refinery wind-downs, while petroleum and business groups said closures are not inevitable and opposed the bill’s premise. The bill passed 3-0 to Environmental Quality. AB 1859 would let joint labor-management committees access public works sites to help detect wage theft and safety violations; construction labor supporters backed it as an enforcement tool, while laborers, local governments, and builders raised concerns about duplication, property access, and project disruption. It passed 2-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee then heard AB 2321, a pilot program allowing county district attorneys in Alameda and Santa Clara to investigate workplace deaths, which supporters said would address Cal/OSHA’s backlog and weak enforcement; employers and safety practitioners opposed it, citing expertise, due process, and overlapping investigations. It passed 2-0 to Appropriations, on call. Finally, AB 2575 began testimony on healthcare AI guardrails, with the author and nurses arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment and that patient safety requires human oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we organized a union. We have a First Amendment right to organize and strike.
• Name and organization, please.
• Name and organization, please.
• Name an organization, please.
• Name an organization. Mr.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Summary: The committee heard several labor and employment bills, with most of the discussion focused on worker protections, collective bargaining, and reentry programs. AB 1424, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would require climate resiliency measures in CDCR facilities and direct Cal/OSHA to propose extreme-temperature rules for correctional workplaces. Supporters, including NELP, WorkSafe, and formerly incarcerated workers, described dangerous heat conditions in prisons and argued incarcerated workers deserve the same health and safety protections as other workers. There was no opposition, and the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1340, by Assemblymembers Wix and Berman, would give rideshare drivers the choice to unionize and collectively bargain. Supporters, including many drivers and labor organizations, said drivers face low pay, deactivations without due process, and lack basic protections; a UC Berkeley researcher cited data showing very low net earnings. Opponents from TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs and reduce service. After committee debate over legal authority and state-action immunity, the bill passed to Appropriations with bipartisan support. AB 288 would authorize PERB to act when the NLRB cannot timely resolve labor claims, in response to federal labor board dysfunction. Supporters said California must protect workers’ organizing rights if federal remedies are unavailable, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 746, a prison cooperative program bill, would let incarcerated people form worker cooperatives and direct a share of earnings to a Green Reentry Cooperative Reserve; it passed to Public Safety with no opposition. AB 1104, on commercial solar projects, drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and would help reverse a steep drop in commercial solar applications, while opponents warned about over-the-fence power sales and unclear scope. The bill was held after committee members requested further clarification. AB 858, extending hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies, drew strong labor support and business opposition; the committee voted it out to Appropriations, but it remained on call after a no vote from one member.

Transcript Highlights:

• And today you'll hear directly from organizations and businesses that are putting this into practice.
• We are an organization that's been around for 22 years doing some incredible work, and more recently,
• And Nexus, along with all these folks here, are part of the organizations in the ecosystems that are
• </c> protect Minnesotans in their workplaces. protect Minnesotans in their workplaces.
• Workplace safety laws mean little without enforcement.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to study workplace culture, workplace prevention, and reduction, as well as reintegration into
• We are a psychiatric watchdog organization.
• Can we look at the whole workplace?
• So we decided to organize a union.
• We are losing our right to organize in this country.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken. HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee meeting for today, Friday, January 16th.
• I'm a union organizer representing WPEA.
• Workplace raids are not designed to find violent criminals.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the workplace.
• I don't have anyone else in our organization that can do this task.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2091, a collective bargaining measure that would require state agencies and other employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act to provide unions with employee contact and job information similar to what other public employers already must share. The sponsor and union witnesses said the bill would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication with represented employees; no one testified in opposition during the hearing portion shown. Action on the bill was deferred. The committee then moved to House Bill 2264, which would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to qualify for unemployment insurance if the separation results from that plan. The sponsor and a member described it as a narrow fix to clarify eligibility and reduce disputes. After brief supportive testimony, the committee voted 9-0 to report the bill out with a due pass recommendation. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers of their right to choose a provider, limit employer steering, speed utilization review, allow more flexibility from treatment guidelines, and change rules for reopening or continuing treatment on certain claims. Supporters, including injured workers, unions, attorneys, firefighters, and a psychiatrist, argued the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries said the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, raise costs, and create uncertainty. No final action was taken in the portion shown. The committee also heard House Bill 2105, as a proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice or results, limit voluntary access to certain records without a subpoena or warrant, require workplace postings, and create enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters said the bill would provide due process, transparency, and protection for immigrant workers; opponents, especially small business and agricultural groups, warned of conflicts with federal law, burdensome notice requirements, and severe penalties. The hearing continued with additional testimony, and no vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Surveillance, not just in the public sphere, but also in our workplaces.
• There's support from civil rights organizations.
• Workplaces and even workers are increasingly instrumented, with sense. data.
• But I also think we need civil society organizations to continue.
• In our workplaces right now, we are basically told, if you want this job, This is. in our workplaces

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on California privacy in the age of mass surveillance, with members framing the issue as urgent in light of AI, data brokers, workplace monitoring, and government access to commercially collected data. Opening remarks emphasized California’s long-standing privacy tradition and concern for impacts on Latino, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable communities. The committee heard from experts from UC Law San Francisco, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and a worker-organizer from Amazon, followed by a journalist from 404 Media. Nicole Ozer reviewed the history of California’s constitutional right to privacy, tracing it to the 1972 ballot measure and arguing that lawmakers should use that right more fully to operationalize stronger protections against surveillance. Deirdre Mulligan described how surveillance capitalism has expanded through physical-world instrumentation, biometrics, connected devices, and AI, and argued that notice-and-consent models are inadequate because people cannot meaningfully understand or control how data is collected, inferred, shared, and used. Ari Waldman focused on disparate harms to marginalized communities, including queer people, survivors of domestic violence, and people seeking reproductive care, and called for stronger regulation, limits on data collection and sharing, and greater accountability for companies and government access to data. Josh Black testified about Amazon’s workplace surveillance, including handheld devices, time-off-task monitoring, hidden cameras, and driver-facing AI cameras, saying the system pressures workers to skip breaks, rush safety training, and discourages organizing. He said the surveillance is used to increase productivity and suppress union activity. Committee members asked about data retention, injury reporting, cash as a privacy-protective payment option, and whether workers truly consent to surveillance as a condition of employment. Jason Kebler described how police departments adopt commercial surveillance tools through pilot programs and vendor relationships, often without public debate, citing license plate readers and networked camera systems that can spread data across jurisdictions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with discussion of the need for clearer definitions, stronger enforcement, and continued legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local 26 is a union that is used to organizing in industries and with workers that are traditionally
• Local 26 is a union that is used to organizing in industries and with workers that are traditionally
• Local 26 is a union that is used to organizing in industries and with workers that are traditionally
• My name is D Kasa, and I'm a rideshare driver and proud member of the SEIU Local 26 driver organizing
• allowed to organize, and why rideshare drivers are not included.

Transcript Highlights:

• people, property, and the environment at work and in their communities; and whereas the majority of workplace
• accidents, and millions more suffer occupational injuries and illnesses; whereas safer organizations
• will mobilize in an effort to increase employer, employee, and public awareness of safety in the workplace
• , to encourage safe practices, and help companies and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts
• , now therefore be it... ...and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution commending the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals for recognizing North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day. Senators welcomed guests from the chapter, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber also briefly recessed for a photo with the guests. The Senate then received a message from the Governor filing the Ride Safe Act, which would enhance the safe use of micromobility devices such as mopeds, electric scooters, and bikes. The message noted the bill’s connection to the Mass Leads Act and a special commission on micromobility regulation. The matter was referred to the Committee on Transportation. The Senate next took up and passed to be engrossed House No. 5245, establishing a sick leave bank for Courtney Cochran, an employee of the Department of Children and Families. The Senate also adopted an order setting its next formal session for Thursday at 11 a.m. and later considered an order governing filing deadlines for amendments to the General Appropriation Bill and scheduling its second reading on May 19, 2026. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please step to the mic, state your name and organization.
• Workplace surveillance is not a recent phenomenon, but today's workplace surveillance tools differ in
• They create a dystopian and invasive workplace.
• They create a dystopian and invasive workplace.
• We know this education extends far beyond the workplace.

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills focused largely on labor, education, workforce, and public employment issues. AB 65 would provide public school employees up to 14 weeks of leave with full benefits for pregnancy and pregnancy-related health issues; supporters said current rules force educators to exhaust sick leave and suffer long-term retirement penalties, while the bill’s author noted it mirrors budget trailer language. AB 1818 would change HEERA procedures for CSU bargaining by shifting certain renegotiation disputes to PERB; Teamsters and other labor groups supported it as a way to stop CSU from unilaterally refusing agreed raises, while CSU moved from opposed to neutral after amendments. AB 1940 would explicitly reference menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause in workplace protections; supporters said it would clarify rights and improve awareness, while business opposition argued existing reasonable-accommodation law already covers these issues and warned of expanded liability. AB 1534 would add guardrails for new short-term Workforce Pell programs, including tuition caps, limits on income-share agreements, and transparency around partnerships with unaccredited entities; the author later said the bill would be amended to include private institutions. AB 1896 would bar people who participated in immigration enforcement from holding California public jobs during a specified period; supporters framed it as a public-trust measure, while police and public-safety groups opposed categorical exclusion and urged a more individualized vetting approach. AB 2300 would streamline distribution of WIOA workforce funds and reduce delays in local workforce board contracting, with supporters emphasizing faster service delivery and no reduction in accountability. AB 2223 would require CDCR to report standardized data on contracted medical and mental health staffing, vacancies, and costs, following an audit that found heavy reliance on contractors and poor transparency. AB 2483 would create a pathway and certification for formerly incarcerated firefighters to move into firefighting careers after release, with strong support from the author and witnesses who described the work as a real career path and reentry opportunity. AB 2142 would require temporary classified school employees working more than 75% of the school year to receive permanent-employee benefits and protections; school administrators and community college groups opposed it as too rigid for grant-funded and fluctuating positions. AB 2367 would require quarterly reporting from state-run health care facilities on vacancies, overtime, registry/contract staffing, and missed staffing minimums, building on state auditor recommendations; health care workers supported it as a transparency and accountability measure. Several measures were voted out of committee or placed on call. AB 1818, AB 1534, AB 2300, AB 2483, and AB 2223 all received do-pass votes to the Senate Appropriations Committee, though each was placed on call after roll call. AB 65 and AB 1940 also advanced on do-pass motions but were placed on call. AB 2142 received a do-pass vote with opposition and was placed on call. S.J.R. 15, a resolution urging Congress to protect California employers from higher federal unemployment taxes tied to the state’s UI debt, drew divided testimony: business groups supported it, while labor and some members argued California should solve the problem itself and keep the unemployment system solvent; the resolution was also placed on call. The transcript also included committee discussion about working with authors on amendments, especially for AB 1940 and AB 1534, and several members noted support or co-authorship while raising concerns about implementation details and fiscal impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• people, property, and the environment at work in their communities; and whereas the majority of workplace
• accidents, and millions more suffer occupational injuries and illnesses; whereas safer organizations
• will mobilize in an effort to increase employer, employee, and public awareness of safety in the workplace
• , to encourage safe practices, and help companies and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts
• ... ...and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts.

Summary: The Senate first adopted a resolution commending the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals for recognizing North American Occupational Safety and Health Week and Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day. Senator Paul Feeney introduced the resolution, welcomed guests from the organization, and the chamber adopted it by voice vote before taking a photo with the guests. The Senate then received a gubernatorial message transmitting the Ride Safe Act, which would enhance the safe use of micromobility devices such as mopeds, electric scooters, and bikes. The message noted the issue had been studied by a special commission created under the Mass Leads Act, and the matter was referred to the Committee on Transportation. The chamber also gave final passage to several local bills, including measures affecting Rutland recall elections, Dedham-Westwood Water District creditable service, Lancaster’s Animal Control Commission, Fairhaven’s charter, Orange’s annual town meeting date, a town administrator for Hopedale, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee. In addition, the Senate adopted an order requiring electronic filing of amendments to the General Appropriation Bill and setting the bill for second reading on May 19, 2026 as the only item on the calendar. The Senate adjourned to meet again on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Hayash law also has prohibitions on retaliation for reporting workplace hazards.
• Uh, the Hayash law also has prohibitions on retaliation for reporting workplace hazards.
• hazards as well as control workplace hazards as well as responsibilities<00:11:27.120><c> for</c><00
• </c><00:11:38.160><c> Um,</c><00:11:38.480><c> and</c> reporting workplace hazards.
• Um, and reporting workplace hazards.

Committee: House Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• I AM HERE WITH AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE, A QUAKER FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION.
• I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE PRONOUNS IN THE WORKPLACE AND SPECIFICALLY IN WORKPLACE PSYCHOLOGIST.
• I AM WITH THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY COALITION WE ARE STATE WHITE HUMAN RIGHTS SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION.
• FOR LGBTQ+ READY INSPIRIT THE WORKPLACE WHERE HARASSMENT IS TOLERATED IS UNSAFE OR EVERYONE.
• DOES THAT INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE KKK OR WHITE SUPREMACIST ORGANIZATIONS?

Transcript Highlights:

• Our warning system that helped organize support and assistance for laid-off workers.
• Our warning system that helped organize support and assistance for laid-off workers.
• Tung's organization, NELP, has worked on for warehouse workers in several states.
• As we know, the only federal limitation on workplace not kept pace.
• I'm not referencing these organizations to suggest that I speak for them.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several artificial intelligence bills, opening with remarks about the 9/11 anniversary and then broad statements from the co-chairs about AI’s promise and risks. Chair Farley-Bouvier and Senator Moore emphasized the need for guardrails, transparency, and worker and consumer protections, while Senator Finegold described Senate Bill 37, which would create a framework for AI model training with safety assessments, audits, incident reporting, Attorney General oversight, and workforce reporting. Members also discussed Massachusetts’ position relative to other states and the need for state action in the absence of federal regulation. A large portion of the hearing focused on the Fair Act, House 77 and Senate 35, which would limit workplace surveillance, restrict collection of biometric and location data, require notice and human review for automated employment decisions, and protect workers from retaliation. Labor leaders, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, building trades, and other worker representatives, testified in support, describing harms from bossware, automated benefits denials, hiring and promotion screening, scheduling, and monitoring in workplaces ranging from health care and education to manufacturing and construction. They argued that AI systems are already affecting wages, benefits, safety, and job security, and that Massachusetts should act now to set clear rules. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 74, which would require informed consent and clear contract terms for digital replicas of voices and likenesses, with SAG-AFTRA representatives supporting the bill as a protection for performers and creators. Another major topic was Senate Bill 51 on social media algorithm accountability and transparency; child safety advocates, researchers, and a public health expert described harms from engagement-based algorithms, including exposure to harmful content, eating disorders, and youth mental health impacts, and supported independent audits and public reporting. A few industry and civil liberties witnesses supported regulation but urged balance, warning against overly burdensome rules while acknowledging the need for privacy, transparency, and accountability. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workplace surveillance is not a recent phenomenon, but today's workplace surveillance tools differ in
• It creates an invasive and dystopian workplace.
• It creates an invasive and dystopian workplace.
• workplace violence are prohibited.
• workplace violence are prohibited.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, surveillance, and consumer protections. AB 302 would bar schools from excluding students from extracurricular activities because they do not use social media and would require schools to use at least one non-addictive means of contacting students and parents; it drew support from Common Sense Media and no opposition. AB 1705, the Reclaim Act, would require websites hosting non-consensual pornography to verify consent before upload; district attorneys and the Commission on the Status of Women supported it, while TechNet and CCIA opposed or raised concerns. AB 2007 would separate parental consent for a child’s image/likeness from general program enrollment forms in youth programs; educators supported it, while local government and parks groups raised implementation and penalty concerns. AB 2212 would update higher education sexual harassment definitions to include tech-facilitated harassment such as cyberbullying, doxing, and nudification-related abuse; students and advocacy groups strongly supported it, with no opposition. AB 1837 would extend transit agencies’ authority to use camera enforcement in bus-only lanes and at transit stops, with privacy retention limits and human review; transit agencies supported it, while some senators expressed concern about automated enforcement and surveillance, and the bill was placed on call after a split vote. AB 2392 would create an intersegmental higher education working group on generative AI training and procurement standards; it passed 5-0 after amendments removed prerequisites tying AI deployment to completion of the report. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Later, AB 1798 would prohibit life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information in underwriting; supporters argued it protects privacy and encourages testing, while insurers opposed the bill as undermining risk-based underwriting, and it advanced on a 3-0 vote on call. Finally, AB 1883 would restrict workplace use of emotion-recognition and neural-data surveillance tools; labor and privacy advocates supported it, employers and local agencies raised safety and litigation concerns, and it passed 3-0 to Labor after narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• But being that it's a state organization, I think that's the responsibility of the state and not two
• I want to be clear: this law does not change any benefits of the Healthy Workplace Act.
• The Healthy Workplaces Act, as it is, balances the needs of workers and employers.
• Tedro, the Healthy Workplaces Act provides, I think it's 64 hours of paid sick leave a year.
• And if you can't, the Healthy Workplace Act protects you.

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• But right now there are no real safeguards or guardrails on how AI is used and applied in the workplace
• We have seen the increased use of AI tools in the workplace.
• We want to make sure there's workplace safety in all of our workplaces.
• for Workplace Ethics and Reform.
• The Partnership Organization for Workplace Ethics and Reform. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• It undermines enforcement of California's workplace protections for everybody.
• It undermines enforcement of California's workplace protections for everybody.
• This impact has been especially felt in the workplace.
• According to a UC Merced analysis from 2025, ...especially felt in the workplace.
• Please come to the mic, state your name and organization only. Thank you. Good morning.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The freedom of Representative Plankin: conscience in the Workplace Act prohibits public employers and
• It's not about safety, and it's not about improving the workplace.
• They want safe workplaces. They want fair treatment.
• And it's not a permission slip to create an ugly workplace.
• What this bill is really about is a boundary that helps workplaces function in a free society.