Transcript Highlights:

• the use of local databases not subject to regulation.
• It will drive regulated companies to try to compete.
• We represent 94 regulated drinking water utilities serving roughly 6 million Californians, which is about
• fire hydrants and water meters.
• Removing meters can result in uncontrolled water flows, significant water loss, and sudden drops in system

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and operated as a subcommittee while hearing a long agenda of public safety bills. The chair announced recess and return times, noted several consent items, and said SB 906 was pulled from the agenda. Testimony procedures were explained, including limits on principal witnesses and public comment. Several bills were heard out of file order with authors presenting and witnesses speaking in support and opposition. SB 1446 would expand discretion in en banc parole review, make votes public, and allow CDCR referrals for sexually violent predator evaluations in certain cases. Supporters, including the author and district attorneys, said it would improve transparency and public safety; opponents from Uncommon Law, the Ella Baker Center, and public defender groups argued it would add confusion, litigation risk, and unnecessary duplication. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked a quorum. SB 1278 would exclude certain sex offenses and habitual or serial sexual offenses from elderly parole eligibility; the author and district attorneys cited recent releases of serious sex offenders and the need to respect victims and sentences, while opponents said the elderly parole process is already rigorous and evidence-based and that the bill would reduce rehabilitation incentives. The chair and other members strongly supported the measure, but no vote was taken. The committee also heard SB 1354, which would bar out-of-state military or law enforcement forces from entering California without the governor’s permission; the author and supporters framed it as a state sovereignty and constitutional authority measure, and the committee discussed an amendment removing a criminal penalty and leaving enforcement to the Attorney General. SB 926 would provide funding for implementation of Proposition 36; supporters said counties need resources for treatment, probation, and related services, while opponents called it fiscally reckless and said the budget process was the proper place to address funding. The chair summarized amendments removing a specific appropriation and limiting eligible recipients, and members emphasized that the voters approved Prop. 36 but it remains underfunded. SB 874 would require background checks and clearer oversight for Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment providers, especially ABA providers serving children; it drew support from health plans and behavior analysis groups and no opposition. SB 1210 would extend CalGang oversight and due process protections to all gang databases, including local ones; supporters described privacy harms and racial disparities, while police chiefs opposed applying CalGang rules to informal local investigative files. SB 1019 would create a DOJ cargo theft task force; supporters from BNSF, trucking, shipping, and port interests described organized theft, rail sabotage, and supply-chain losses, and there was no opposition. SB 1217, on non-consensual intimate image removal, was introduced with privacy and public safety amendments and framed as a survivor-driven effort to create a DOJ clearinghouse for rapid takedown requests; the author said it would help end ongoing digital harm from exploitation.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't actually develop any of the regulations related to the science you produce, do you?
• How do you relate to them when you provide the science and they might have to do regulation or public
• And it's in the same zip code as me where there are not the same hazards in the water system where I
• How do you communicate that to policymakers, to regulators, to communities?
• On behalf of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Clean Water Action, and the Natural Resources Defense

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee established quorum and first approved several non-appearing gubernatorial appointees and procedural items on unanimous 5-0 votes, including Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgements. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access and equity, continuing CalAIM and behavioral health transformation, and drawing on personal experience with family members needing care. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, eligibility redeterminations, fraud oversight, provider reimbursement, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the impact of federal changes; Sadwith said the department is working on expedited payments, monitoring distressed hospitals, county technical assistance, and strategies to reduce disenrollments and improve program integrity. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee advanced his nomination to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee next considered Chris Thayer, PhD, for Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and supporting tools such as Prop 65, CalEnviroScreen, and risk communication. Senators pressed him on the use of models versus real-world data, fenceline monitoring, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and whether OEHHA’s work adequately reflects lived experience and local conditions. Thayer responded that the office often must rely on the best available evidence, including animal, human, and alternative methods, while continuing to improve communication and community engagement; he also discussed EnviroScreen updates, Prop 65 warning reforms, and research gaps. Public testimony in support highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role and the importance of biomonitoring and PFAS work. The committee approved Thayer’s nomination to the full Senate on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Grove voting no and Senator Jones not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't actually develop any of the regulations related to the science you produce, do you?
• How do you relate to them when you provide the science and they might have to do regulation or public
• And it's in the same zip code as me where there are not the same hazards in the water system where I
• How do you communicate that to policymakers, to regulators, to communities?
• On behalf of Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Clean Water Action, and the Natural Resources Defense

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointees and routine committee actions. Members approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, three not-required-to-appear appointments: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith emphasized protecting Medi-Cal access for 14 million Californians, navigating federal changes, and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused heavily on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations, work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and the effectiveness of CalAIM and community supports. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups largely supported the nomination, citing his experience and collaborative approach. The committee voted 5-0 to send his appointment to the full Senate. The committee also considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, science-based health assessments, improving risk communication, and supporting tools such as CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 guidance. Senators raised concerns about reliance on models versus real-world data, PFAS, environmental justice, wildfire and battery-fire impacts, and whether CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 are working as intended. Public testimony from environmental and health organizations supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s scientific role. The committee approved Thayer’s appointment 3-1, with one senator not voting, and forwarded it to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working on that type of legislation that will help lift some of those regulations so you... ...
• HB 3749 by Angelia Orr relating to the regulation and practice of medicine, including the performance
• Regulation.
• HB 3833 by Lambert relates to the regulation of money service businesses for the Committee on Pensions
• SB 3 by Perry relates to the regulation of consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• quality, and workplace safety regulators to ensure a comprehensive approach to oversight.
• SB 995 is a straightforward exercise of California's core police powers, which seeks to regulate only
• Second, it regulates conditions, not government operations.
• This bill is explicit: It does not regulate It regulates conditions, not government operations.
• with state regulation.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on mental health access, preventive care, health care costs, detention oversight, and daylight saving time. SB 989 would streamline Care Court referrals by allowing first responders to ask county behavioral health agencies to review and file petitions; supporters, especially firefighters and families, said the current process is too burdensome, while Disability Rights California and other opponents argued Care Court is coercive and unproven. SB 1089, as amended, would direct CalRx/HHS to help distribute GLP-1 medications more broadly and more affordably; the author described her own experience with the drugs, and the bill drew support from medical and life sciences groups with no opposition. SB 1309 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care; cancer advocates and survivors strongly supported it, while health plans and insurers opposed it as costly and said the bigger problem is low initial screening rates. The committee also heard SB 1284, which would require DHCS to report large employers whose workers are enrolled in Medi-Cal and estimate taxpayer costs, framed by supporters as a transparency measure about corporate reliance on public coverage. SCR 7, urging permanent standard time for health reasons, passed with support from medical groups and no opposition. SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would create statewide inspection and enforcement standards for large involuntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers and certain youth facilities; supporters cited unsafe and inhumane conditions, while county probation officials objected to duplicative oversight for secure youth treatment facilities. The committee took votes on each measure, and the bills and resolution advanced, with SB 1309 and SB 1284 moving on amended and the others also reported out; the consent calendar was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, this is just water. Yeah. And so it does have serving specified on there.
• But I do think there is room to tighten our rules in our regulated space.
• Do you, you're a regulator, your job is to... Are you, do you, you're a regulator.
• It's just functionally getting into the protected environment that we regulate. Okay.
• But we are working with water board and CDFW in protected watersheds.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of my favorite watering holes. Dr.
• One of my favorite watering holes. Dr.
• This bill relates to the regulation of transportation protection agreements.
• House Bill 1094, relating to the regulation of transportation protection agreements.
• Under current law, only the largest counties can regulate roadside vending.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator West, approved the previous day’s journal, and then adopted several recognitions, including Senate Resolution 625 honoring the McLennan Community College Dance Team for winning two 2025 National Dance Alliance national titles. The chamber also recognized University of Texas Rio Grande Valley interns, the doctor of the day, and the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families. The governor’s withdrawal of a Texas Lottery Commission nomination was received and the nomination was returned, and the Senate appointed numerous conference committees on pending bills. The body then took up and passed several measures, often by suspending the rules and the constitutional three-day rule. Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23 were concurred in House amendments as part of property tax relief, with supporters emphasizing homeowner savings. House Bill 20 creating the Applied Sciences Pathway Program passed after a floor amendment and was described as a way to expand career and technical education and help students earn industry certificates in high-demand trades. House Bill 2594 passed to expand venue options for prosecuting certain theft and cybercrime cases, and House Concurrent Resolution 167 was adopted to correct a typo in House Bill 1314. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 9, Senate Bill 40, Senate Joint Resolution 5, and Senate Bill 6. SB 9 and SJR 5 were presented as major bail-reform measures, with supporters saying they would strengthen public safety, clarify appeal procedures, and give judges and prosecutors more tools in serious cases; the debate included questions about records, counsel, and the standards for denying bail. SB 40 dealt with nonprofit bail-bond funding, and SB 6 addressed electricity and data-center growth. The chamber also passed House Bill 423 on digital asset service provider reporting and auditing, with amendments adding protections for cryptocurrency kiosks and a technical correction. Additional bills passed included House Bill 4690 on motor fuel standards, House Bill 1094 on transportation protection agreements, Committee Substitute for House Bill 2731 on roadside vendors and solicitors in certain border counties, Committee Substitute for House Bill 127 on protecting higher education from foreign adversaries and trade secret theft, and House Bill 549 on airway clearance devices at public school campuses. The Senate granted or requested conference committees on a long list of other measures, including HB 4, HB 145, HB 493, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3556, and multiple Senate bills. The session ended with adjournment until the following Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes safeguarding our air, land, and water, which are fundamental to the health, economy, and
• Every day, Wisconsinites deserve clean water and a healthy environment.
• It matters to every single person in our state. ...clean water and a healthy environment.
• Attorney General Josh Kaul and the Wisconsin Department of Justice... ...regulations.
• other than using every lever at his ability, at his disposal to protect Wisconsin's land, air, and water

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going move water bills today. And so let's keep this in. Krista moving this go to Tab.
• So it was only natural that new C woodgrove loving the water before she was even born.
• We need to make sure our our voters are responsible out on the water.
• That's why we get to regulate it. Driving is inherently dangerous on our roads.
• That is why we get to have rules and regulations around it.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The system itself was a regulation was over $50,000.
• It's a 2100 square foot home, which under their regulations would allow 12.
• If we like those regulations, we'd put them on short-term rentals.
• Why don't we stop with the regulations? We've regulated ourselves to death.
• If we like those regulations, we'd put them on short-term rentals.

Summary: The House convened with 68 members present, approved the February 12, 2026 journal, and received messages from the Senate, including referral of House Joint Memorial 10 for enrolling and return of Senate Joint Memorial 107 signed by the Speaker. Standing committee reports advanced several bills: House Bills 607, 528, 530, 519, and 599 were sent to second reading, while House Bills 522 and 570 were placed on general orders. House Concurrent Resolution 27, honoring Idaho civilians who served on Wake Island during World War II, was referred for printing. The House also introduced a large group of new bills, including measures on gold and silver coin, elections and presidential primaries, midwifery, foreign adversary investments, retirement and public safety death benefits, building codes, travel insurance, portable benefits, litigation financing, manufactured homes, anti-cancer medications, interest rates, state sovereignty, big game depredation claims, hunting as the state sport, police dogs, preceptor prior authorization exemptions, student data collection, and charter school admissions; all were referred for printing. On third reading, Senate Bill 1225 was moved to the top of the calendar and passed the House 67-1 after debate describing it as a public records and university presidential search bill that changes the disclosure rule from five finalists to a sole finalist and requires public updates and a 10-day public review period before final selection. House Bill 561 was sent to general orders after discussion of flag displays, including allowing the Basque flag and limiting certain city flagpole displays. House Bill 520, an Office of Administrative Hearings measure standardizing notice requirements in contested cases, passed 66-2 after concerns were raised about proving receipt of mailed notice. House Bill 579, updating justifiable homicide language to broaden who may be defended, passed 68-1. House Bill 580, repealing antiquated or unused criminal statutes, passed 68-1. House Bill 581, creating a formal process for legislative review of Supreme Court rules, passed 65-5. House Bill 583, the short-term rental bill, drew the most extensive debate. Supporters argued it protects private property rights and prevents local governments from effectively banning short-term rentals through restrictive ordinances, while opponents warned it weakens protections for residential neighborhoods and shifts enforcement burdens onto neighbors and local complaints. Several members declared Rule 80 conflicts, including ownership of short-term rentals or related businesses. After debate, the bill passed 54-16 and was sent to the Senate. The House then held the remaining third-reading bills for one legislative day, received the enrolled House Joint Memorial 10 back for the Senate President’s signature, made announcements about committee meetings and events, and adjourned until 11 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> bottled water plants. bottled water plants.
• Water consumption itself needs to be directly regulated to protect Minnesota's resources.
• Water consumption itself needs to be directly regulated to protect Minnesota's resources.
• And the permit regulates the temperature that the water can be discharged at and so on and so forth.
• </c> unsafe water. unsafe water.

Bills: HF3793, HF3699, HF793, HF3322, HF3426

Keywords: groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• We put over a million new fish in the waters at the public waters in the state of Mississippi.
• >> Good. >> Water.
• </c> specialized industry that we regulate. specialized industry that we regulate.
• You know, right now we don't regulate water associations.
• You know, right now we don't regulate water associations.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With new arrangements and with new technologies, there inevitably come new regulations.
• With new arrangements and with new technologies, there inevitably come new regulations.
• There's wine, water, it's all like coolers. I think we have like 11 coolers.
• They've got a bottle of water, and they've got a sandwich.
• They've got a bottle of water, and they've got a sandwich.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 452, a right-to-repair bill for agricultural equipment. Farm Bureau and several manufacturers’ representatives opposed the bill, arguing that existing memorandums of understanding already provide farmers access to parts, diagnostics, and repair information, and warning that broader software access could increase emissions tampering and safety risks. Supporters, including repair advocates, a legislator, and a farmer representative, argued that the MOUs are not binding, that farmers need enforceable repair rights to avoid costly delays during critical harvest periods, and that owners should be able to repair equipment they bought without dealer lock-in. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills to limit or eliminate “grab-and-go” alcohol sales at large venues, including House Bill 325 and Senate Bill 225. Union workers from Fenway Park and the TD Garden described self-checkout alcohol kiosks as creating public safety and compliance problems, including underage access, over-serving, theft, and difficulty monitoring intoxication in crowded settings. They said workers are often understaffed and bear discipline when violations occur. In contrast, the Boston Red Sox and Aramark defended the supervised self-checkout model, saying it speeds service, is widely used, and operates with multiple layers of supervision, training, and regulatory oversight; they said they had not received violation notices and that any incidents are isolated. Senator Edwards also testified in support of House Bill 369, aimed at restricting marketing of certain harsh cosmetic products to children, and in support of the grab-and-go bill. She argued that children should not be targeted with products containing toxic chemicals and that alcohol service should remain supervised by trained staff to protect consumers and jobs. Senator Collins and other legislators also spoke in favor of restricting grab-and-go alcohol service, citing concerns about underage drinking and overconsumption. The hearing additionally included a separate bill on Sunday morning alcohol service, with Representatives Scanlon and Lewis arguing for allowing sales beginning at 8 a.m. on Sundays rather than 10 a.m., but that bill was only discussed briefly and no action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot go without water.
• We cannot go without water.
• </c> Administrative Regulations. Administrative Regulations.
• And I think regulations a lot up here.
• </c> from is the administrative regulations from is the administrative regulations uh<00:31:06.880><c

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:24 Approval of September 18, 2025 Minutes: 00:02:03 Discussion on the Condemnation of Agricultural Land: 00:03:12 Discussion on the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative: 00:50:00 Adjournment: 01:19:10, 958, all

Summary: The Joint Agriculture Committee met in October with a quorum present and approved the September minutes. The main presentation focused on condemnation of agricultural land and eminent domain, featuring testimony from Stephanie Barnett of a family-run livestock and farming business in Todd County, with support from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Barnett described a state road project that would take about 29 feet of frontage and affect entrances, fencing, a sign, drainage, a water well, and parking, saying the process involved poor communication, correspondence sent to the wrong address, and limited opportunity to negotiate changes such as a turning lane or relocated entrances. She said the business was not opposed to progress, but wanted the property restored and fairly compensated for the full impact on the operation, not just the land value. Committee members broadly agreed that eminent domain is sometimes necessary but should be handled with more transparency, communication, and fairness. Several members said the issue affects both rural and urban property owners and raised concerns about fair market value, compensation for agricultural infrastructure improvements, long-term impacts on farm operations, and the cost and delay of litigation. One member asked about the firm involved and suggested hearing from the people responsible for the correspondence problems; Barnett said she would share names after negotiations conclude. Another member noted that the maps had already been drawn before the landowner was brought in and said local meetings and clearer public input could reduce conflict. Chairman Dossett said he was interested in pursuing legislation for the upcoming session focused on property owner protection, fair treatment, and fair compensation, not just for agricultural land but for all Kentucky property owners. Members discussed possible ideas such as requiring better notice, more public transparency, and accounting for related costs like wells, fencing, drainage, and access changes. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the approval of minutes and the discussion of potential future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• type of water they have an unknown type of water supply.<00:46:41.680><c> I</c><00:46:41.839><c> don't
• </c><01:35:51.679><c> and</c> they're charging for their water and they're charging for their water and
• </c> protections in the existing regulations. protections in the existing regulations.
• They are already highly regulated.
• insurance</c> current regulations, the insurance current regulations, the insurance company's<05:36:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not talking about regulating basic software applications or spreadsheets.
• And only so much regulation as is necessary.
• This bill does not shift liability or introduce new regulations.
• , where we are not right now, that we require private water...
• The small private water utilities didn't have to report anything to anyone.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no water consumption. There was not anything going on in the barn, no activity.
• There's no water consumption. There was not anything going on in the barn, no activity.
• 04:58.440><c> no</c><00:04:58.680><c> water</c> into the barn there's no water into the barn there's
• As far as regulations around pet food, they're somewhat voluntary at this point.
• </c> of Interstate Commerce and regulation of Interstate Commerce and regulation but<00:18:41.080><c>

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a costly regulation.
• This is not a costly regulation.
• Think about the water bond.
• Also regulations, whether it's state regulations or local regulations on movie productions.
• on water quality certifications for hydroelectric facilities under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second amendment sponsored by Representative Waters is WAIL 266.
• The second-to-last amendment is WAIL 268, sponsored by Representative Waters.
• Waters? Nay, do not pass. Representative Waters votes nay, do not pass.
• Representative Waters votes, nay, do not pass.
• Waters? Nay, do not pass. Representative Waters votes nay, do not pass.

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee met in executive session on January 28, 2026, and advanced six bills. House Bill 2325, creating a tourism self-supported assessment program for statewide tourism promotion, was amended to add certain large restaurants and retailers, adjust enforcement and governance provisions, and remove a recommendation tied to an advisory report; the committee adopted Amendment 264 and reported the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation by a 12-0 vote, with one member excused. Members supporting the bill emphasized tourism’s economic benefits, local flexibility, and the need for stronger statewide marketing funding. House Bill 2481, addressing surveillance-based price discrimination and surge pricing for retail goods, drew the most discussion. Representative Kloba withdrew the proposed substitute, and the committee voted on the bill as written. Members debated affordability, grocery pricing fairness, and the impact on businesses; Representative Waters said she would work on the issue further but urged a no vote. The bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation on an 8-4 vote, with one excused. House Bill 2503, on documentation for data used to train AI systems, was amended to require posting information describing efforts to remove child sexual abuse material from training datasets. Supporters said the bill promotes transparency and accountability in AI, while opponents warned the measure could burden startups and smaller developers. The amended bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation on an 8-4 vote, with one excused. House Bill 2397, concerning reimbursement timing under the State Fire Services Mobilization Plan, was amended so the 60-day reimbursement clock starts when complete documentation is received; it passed unanimously with one excused. House Bill 2278, on tourism promotion areas, and House Bill 2417, updating victim protections under the Washington Code of Military Justice, were both reported out unanimously with one excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• They all wanted to see federal regulation. But absent any federal oversight... State regulation.
• If it's one regulated by us, so if it's one of the utilities we regulate, the rules would be essentially—and
• And so is that on the regulated market or the unregulated market?
• So it would be regulated, yes.
• So sewer and water board New Orleans is a public utility for water, and that would not go to the Public

Bills: HB744, HR197, SB54, SB79, SB163, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB398, SB469, SCR5

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority