Transcript Highlights:

• But the assessment of that property is still the size, the amenities of the property, the assessment,
• But the assessment of that property is still the size, the amenities of the property, the assessment,
• But the assessment of that property is still the size, the amenities of the property, the assessment,
• But the assessment of that property is still the size, the amenities of the property, the assessment,
• But the assessment of that property is still the size, the amenities of the property, the assessment,

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So do it, makes an assessment whether it is cybersecurity compliant or not by them being able to enter
• So if you recall, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act was legislation you all passed last
• So if you recall, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act was legislation you all passed last
• But I know with the site, there's 15 site assessments that they're going through right now.
• So that could be for the 15 that they're assessing, which they're only working with five right now.

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the state's significant legislative reforms intended to improve fee transparency, builders continue
• I think it's a natural point where you can understand that they would assess what they would do with
• But why are we not, if you want to reform this space, then why aren't we looking?
• And so if we want to reform this housing market, thank you. Ago to fill a niche.
• Homeowners bear the financial risk, pay the assessments, and rely on accurate disclosures to protect

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the state's significant legislative reforms intended to improve fee transparency, builders continue
• From the legal system to people's rights, and no... ...reform the system.
• I think it's a natural point where you can understand that they would assess what they would do with
• But why are we not, if you want to reform this space, then why aren't we looking?
• And so if we want to reform this housing market, thank you. Ago to fill a niche.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Friedman, on behalf of The Utility Reform Network.
• Chair, members of the committee, Matt Friedman, on behalf of the Utility Reform Network.
• Chair, members of the committee, Matt Friedman, on behalf of the utility reform.
• Chair, members of the committee, Matt Friedman, on behalf of the Utility Reform Network.
• This assessment focuses on determining a target amount of battery capacity.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our third initiative from last session that has blossomed is procurement reform.
• Procurement reform.
• is important, optimizing our reform is important, optimizing our technology<00:21:05.120><c> spend</
• We feel pretty confident that in assessing them, you could make that migration. >> Okay.
• them, you could make that in assessing them, you could make that<00:34:14.720><c> migration.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 24 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So while ADT and TAG are steps in the right direction, more reforms are needed.
• This wave of reform must include increased strategic coordination and data sharing, as was identified
• And I really believe transfer reform is not really just about movement between institutions.
• Transfer reform is not really just about movement between institutions.
• And I do think that more reform is going to come from this audit.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They demand rapid Pentagon reform, and they demand a fresh look at strategies needed to achieve our national
• President Trump has made it clear that he intends to rebuild. build the military, and reform the Pentagon
• I'd like to hear your comments on the plans I have released for rebuilding and reforming the military
• I agree with all that, but it's worth reforming because it does provide power and strength to the United
• Colby, if confirmed, will you oversee implementation of these reforms? Do you agree?

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: defense, geopolitical tensions, military readiness, China, Russia, U.S. military, Indo-Pacific, alliance, procurement

Summary: The meeting focused on critical defense and security matters, particularly concerning the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving China and Russia. There were discussions surrounding U.S. military readiness, with significant emphasis on the potential threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. Members expressed concerns about America's military capabilities in relation to the growing Chinese fleet and the importance of maintaining strong alliances with nations like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Additionally, the notion of prioritizing the defense industrial base was highlighted, emphasizing the need for effective procurement and modernization efforts to counter adversarial threats. Furthermore, notable commentary included a reference to President Zelensky's remarks regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine, expressing a willingness for further cooperation with the U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> meaningfully access meaningfully assess meaningfully access meaningfully assess whether<00:30:39.600
• </c><00:31:31.400><c> that</c> we would look for that assessment that we would look for that assessment
• </c> assessments, that would be important. assessments, that would be important.
• </c> justice reform. justice reform.
• </c> justice reform. justice reform.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills. On SB 2530, relating to campaign contributions, the State Procurement Office suggested clarifying that contractor disclosure information be submitted within 30 days of a fully executed contract, while the Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill but asked that the restriction on contributions by officers be expanded beyond compensated officers. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action supported the measure and urged keeping the Senate language, arguing it better addresses contractor influence, while no other testifiers appeared. On SB 2970, relating to standards of conduct, the State Ethics Commission supported the bill and proposed amendments to consolidate the new language into existing Chapter 84 contract provisions and use “department head” instead of “director.” The State Procurement Office supported the measure but recommended closing a perceived loophole by limiting the covered contracts to those under $10,000. No opposition testimony was offered. The committee then heard SB 2919, which would fund one full-time Deputy Public Defender position focused on immigration-related advice under Padilla v. Kentucky. The Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrants’ Rights, and the ACLU of Hawaii supported the bill, explaining that the position would help public defenders advise clients about immigration consequences of criminal cases, not provide immigration representation. Members asked several questions about the scope of the position and whether it could assist with citizenship; testimony clarified that it would not handle civil immigration matters. The bill was also described as creating a statewide consistent resource for the public defender system. Finally, on SB 2446, relating to the judiciary, the Intermediate Court of Appeals supported adding a seventh associate judge position but noted the court has only recently been fully staffed at six judges and has improved output through internal changes. The chair emphasized that the bill authorizes the position without funding and encouraged the judiciary to return later if appropriations are needed. The committee also began hearing SB 2730, a criminal justice reform bill on warrantless arrests and citations. OHA supported reducing unnecessary arrests but objected to making citations visible on criminal records; the Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing law enforcement flexibility, identification concerns, and possible litigation costs; and the Judiciary requested a later implementation date and suggested changes to citation-resolution language. The transcript ends while testimony on SB 2730 was still underway.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the evolution of the managed care program began with the Medicaid reform pilot in 2006 and a limited
• So the first measure I wanted to highlight is the comprehensive assessment and update this measures,
• So this slide highlights the amount of liquidated damages that the agency assessed and over the last
• The agency assess approximately in the most recent year.
• Glycemic status assessments for patients with diabetes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and the assessment. I think also the assessment.
• Assessments are one of the things that we would like to do.
• The goal of PED is to expand some of our assessments into high school.
• And as far as I'm able to assess, it's with our community school model.
• The Native American Needs Assessment.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For others, the reality is one of escalating costs for monthly dues, special assessments for repairs,
• <00:04:48.039><c> for</c><00:04:48.280><c> repairs</c><00:04:49.000><c> outrageous</c> assessments for
• Section 10 addresses assessments for common interest communities created before August 1, 2010.
• Section 12 will deal with liens for assessments.
• </c> Homeowner Association assessments Homeowner Association assessments usually<00:53:49.760><c> pay

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and work with the individual to set up services to meet their assessed needs.
• It may result in vulnerable individuals not receiving services they're assessed to need or creating a
• </c><01:13:24.760><c> needs</c> services to meet their assessed needs services to meet their assessed
• Back to Senator Aer's comments: it takes 14 hours for one person to do an assessment on one person.
• Assessment that is time saved. Timelines adjusted right now.

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are properties that are assessed by the state.
• And I know there's a cost in assessing all the time.
• And it's like, why don't we assess more frequently? Mr.
• And I know there's a cost in assessing all the time.
• And it's like, why don't we assess more frequently? Mr.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts. The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the education reform, the reconsideration orders. Bipartisan provisions.
• There is a permitting reform, which is a large portion of this bill.
• Senator Hochschild, who was working very diligently as my Senate author on permitting reform.
• Good work on permitting reform.
• Assessments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Municipal court reform was needed in 2015.
• And if a court finds that the defendant is indigent, no fees can be assessed against that defendant.
• Senate Bill 1087 does nothing to undo the provisions of municipal court reform, nor does it increase
• This bill is about common-sense reform. It protects public safety. It preserves accountability.
• And that driver then failed the highway traffic assessment and English proficiency exam.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance conglomerates, or banks, imposes political orthodoxy at the The expense of sound risk assessment
• In order to pursue this goal, JPMorgan Chase provides each client a carbon assessment framework.
• Senate Bill 2403 builds on the original bill's intent to reform the commission but introduces several
• Overall, the committee substitute retains the original bill's core reforms while adding more detailed
• TCJL is the nation's oldest and largest state legal reform organization.

Bills: SB312 , SB945 , SB946 , SB1367 , SB1861 , SB2044 , SB2337 , SB2403 , SB2819 , SJR54

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Those reforms were approved by FERC in September 2024.
• Well, the reforms that we made also go hand in hand with some increases in the PRM.
• Well, the reforms that we made also go hand in hand with some increases in the PRM.
• I think I used an example of the resource adequacy, slice-of-day reform.
• Like major, major reform on that. Really hats off to them.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1026 by Assembly Member Wilson, which would require investor-owned utilities to provide clearer front-end information and follow more consistent timelines for post-entitlement energization applications tied to housing projects. The author and supporters from the Housing Action Coalition and Mission Housing said utility delays can hold up approved housing, add costs, and create uncertainty, and they argued the bill would align utility processes with recent state efforts to streamline local permitting. PG&E and Southern California Edison opposed the bill, saying existing CPUC timelines and the ongoing energization rulemaking already address the issue, that the bill could be duplicative or premature, and that some proposed timelines were too short. The committee discussed the bill’s relationship to the CPUC’s September 2024 decision, and AB 1026 was ultimately approved on a 15-0 vote, with the consent calendar also passing. The second half of the hearing was the committee’s annual oversight hearing on electric reliability. Representatives from the CPUC, CEC, CAISO, and DWR reviewed lessons from the 2020 and 2022 heat emergencies, emphasizing that California has since added significant resources, improved planning, and created backstop programs such as the strategic reliability reserve. They said the summer 2025 outlook is cautiously optimistic, with no expected shortfalls under traditional planning conditions and a projected surplus, though wildfire and extreme heat remain risks. The agencies also described major changes in planning and operations, including more battery storage, updated resource adequacy rules, expanded transmission planning, and reforms to the interconnection queue. Members asked about data center load, Diablo Canyon’s future, the strategic reliability reserve, demand response, wildfire mitigation costs, affordability, and regional market expansion. Witnesses said data center demand is a major variable but can be managed through better forecasting, flexible service arrangements, and siting in areas with existing capacity; they also said firm clean resources remain valuable while planning continues around Diablo Canyon’s scheduled retirement. On affordability, they said the agencies try to balance reliability with least-cost procurement, and that new resources can lower market prices even as they require upfront investment. CAISO also highlighted the value of the Western Energy Imbalance Market and the planned day-ahead market, saying regional coordination improves both reliability and cost savings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 118 relates to non-ad valorem special assessments like fire assessments against
• I had this great bill on alimony reform. Yes.
• With the nation and the world watching, we crafted an extraordinary package of reforms.
• Your action and advocacy helped create meaningful reforms to CDD governments.
• Your action and advocacy helped create meaningful reforms to CDD Governments.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several introductions and announcements before moving to a long special-order calendar. Early bills passed included a trust law measure allowing a nonjudicial process for trustee settlement and discharge, a military affairs bill expanding leave protections and retirement eligibility for certain Guard and Coast Guard-related public employees, a penny-rounding bill for cash transactions, a podiatric medicine bill restricting certain cellular/tissue-based products and adding notice and consent requirements, a veterans’ courts bill expanding access to those courts statewide, an RV assessment clarification bill, a military-installation jurisdiction bill giving juveniles on bases access to state juvenile justice resources, an alcohol-tax deduction bill restoring DBPR’s authority to allow deductions for unsellable alcohol, a bail bonds bill revising training, fees, remission timing, and electronic procedures, an eyewear insurance bill updating definitions for modern products, a nursing education fund bill expanding support to health science programs, a recovery residences bill streamlining regulation and background-check rules, a felony battery bill adding resisting an officer with violence as a qualifying prior offense, a child welfare bill extending visitor definitions, making the Step Into Success program permanent, and creating a best-practices repository, and a candidate qualification bill tightening party-affiliation requirements and, via the House version, adding a name-change disclosure provision. Most of these bills were substituted with House companions where applicable and passed on near-unanimous votes, with one recorded dissent on the bail bonds bill. Several measures drew brief debate or explanation. Senator Wright’s military affairs bill was amended to restore two Florida National Guard special project officer positions to retirement eligibility, and Senator Gates’ veterans’ courts bill was described as a way to better address PTSD, brain injury, and substance-abuse-related offenses through problem-solving courts. Senator Trunow’s bail bonds bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor saying the current statute would remain in place and that further discussion could occur later. Senator Massullo’s podiatric medicine bill was framed as a bipartisan patient-protection measure, and Senator Leak’s felony battery bill was presented as closing a loophole that allowed repeat violent offenders to avoid enhancement. The chamber also took up a candidate qualification bill that would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and, in the House version, restrict recent petition-based name changes for candidates. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell ceremony for Senator Lori Berman, with family, staff, former colleagues, and guests in attendance. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, Everglades restoration, and other constituent services. Berman’s own remarks reflected on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, and her belief in dignity, respect, and practical problem-solving. The Senate then adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Daniela with the Florida Insurance Council, Michael Carlson with
• We have William Large, Florida Justice Reform Institute, waiving in support.
• Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, is waiving in support.
• So the confidentiality in the first 72 hours is for the agency to assess whether or not there needs to
• So the confidentiality in the first 72 hours is for the agency to assess whether or not there needs to

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: 999, senate, all