Transcript Highlights:

• So we want to establish a con- ...to manage that engagement better.
• Although this may On which to judge that point yet, as well as management needs.
• We're balancing, we're managing.
• We're managing as best we can. There's a lot of work. coming into the door.
• We're managing as best we can. There's a lot of work.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard updates from the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Department of Justice. Cal OES Acting Director Tina Curry described the department’s proposed budget, disaster response and recovery work, Los Angeles wildfire recovery, FEMA reimbursement delays, hazard mitigation grant applications, planning for major events like the FIFA World Cup and LA28 Olympics, and the state’s next generation 911 priorities. Senators raised concerns about Operation Stonegarden, small-disaster recovery delays, FEMA reimbursement timing, VOCA funding, and the need for more detailed reporting on federal grants and recovery costs. The committee then focused on Next Generation 911. Cal OES staff said the current regional deployment encountered call-routing and transfer failures, leading the department to pause further rollout and propose a new phased plan centered on a statewide provider, followed by an open procurement for a long-term vendor. They said the plan is intended to improve reliability, simplify architecture, and support Los Angeles-area PSAPs ahead of the Olympics, with a target of full statewide transition by summer 2030. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to pause major changes until it receives more information, including a clearer explanation of the problems, alternatives considered, costs, cybersecurity and privacy issues, and oversight needs. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a joint oversight hearing and requesting quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress updates. The Department of Justice then presented its overall workload, emphasizing public safety enforcement, fentanyl and human trafficking prosecutions, housing enforcement, civil rights work, and extensive federal litigation against the Trump administration. DOJ said the additional federal accountability work has significantly increased staffing and overtime demands, though it has hired 44 additional employees. The committee also heard DOJ’s firearms workload proposal, including funding for SB 704 implementation, continued firearms IT modernization, and a proposed shift of Bureau of Firearms costs to the General Fund. The LAO recommended using special funds and loans instead of ongoing General Fund support where possible, and asked DOJ to develop a framework by January 2027 for determining which firearms and ammunition workload should be supported by fee revenue. The Department of Finance largely agreed with the need for SB 704 funding but disagreed with the LAO’s proposed loan approach for the firearms account.

Transcript Highlights:

• five, and delete or organize because these boards operate under a county commission or department to manage
• five, and delete or organize because these boards operate under a county commission or department to manage
• It talks about a wildfire fund as well as expanding the powers of that Hawaii electricity reliability
• fund</c><00:41:27.000><c> as</c><00:41:27.319><c> as</c><00:41:27.480><c> well</c> talks about a wildfire
• fund as as well talks about a wildfire fund as as well as<00:41:28.720><c> uh</c> as uh as uh uh<00:

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures, with the main discussion centered on energy policy. SB 993 on geothermal exploration drew support from the State Energy Office and others, who described geothermal as a key low-cost, firm renewable resource and said the state should fund community outreach and resource research. However, the chairs deferred further action on SB 993 because a similar bill, SB 1068, had already passed the prior week. SB 202 on renewable energy also received broad support, including testimony that net energy metering benefits households and helps clean energy adoption, while Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s changes to the NEM forfeit feature as unfair to non-solar customers. SB 1588 on nuclear energy drew sharply divided testimony: supporters argued the bill would only study nuclear options and that the state should consider all tools, while opponents from 350 Hawaii and Greenpeace said nuclear is unsafe, costly, and inconsistent with Hawaii’s clean energy goals and constitution. The committee also heard SB 73 on county permits, SB 100 on intoxicating liquor, SB 1234 on government efficiency, and SB 1336 on a greenhouse gas sequestration task force. SB 100 was described as helping a Maui nonprofit recruit board members by addressing liquor commission-related fingerprinting or background-check issues, and the Attorney General’s technical amendments were accepted. SB 1234 was framed as improving coordination among state, federal, and local agencies, though HGEA opposed it as an opening to privatize government services. SB 1336, which would establish a task force to study greenhouse gas sequestration and related mitigation topics, drew some questions about its scope but was supported as a way to study climate mitigation and green infrastructure. In the later portion of the meeting, the committee took votes and adopted recommendations on several bills. SB 73 was passed with an amendment setting a defective date of May 13, 2040. SB 100 was passed with amendments, SB 202 was passed with amendments including technical changes and allowing the PUC to set the customer credit rate, SB 1234 was passed with amendments and a defective date of May 13, 2040, SB 1336 was passed as is, and SB 1588 was passed with amendments and a defective date of May 13, 2040. The committee also took up SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, agreeing to a package of amendments that would soften exemption language, remove some inspection and certificate-of-occupancy provisions, add flood-hazard language, require reporting and a working group, and set a defective date of May 13, 2040; the bill was then passed with those amendments. SB 635 on energy efficiency was passed with amendments assigning the State Energy Office to lead a survey and prioritizing first responder facilities, and SB 700 on renewable energy was introduced with proposed amendments, though the transcript cuts off before its final disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, there are still 163 bills on the Senate floor without floor managers. 163 bills.
• Do your bills have floor managers? There are 163 bills without floor managers.
• For the bills on the Senate floor that already have, Floor managers for your bills.
• For the bills on the Senate floor that already have floor managers, please encourage your floor managers
• The Palisades fire destroyed over 700 rent-stabilized units, Wildfires.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules for guest seating and adjournment speeches, re-referring and returning several bills, and approving a motion to waive the floor-amendment deadline. The chamber also welcomed Los Angeles City Council Member Katie Yaroslavsky and staff as guests. The bulk of the session was devoted to third-reading votes on Senate bills and concurrence votes on Assembly bills. Measures discussed included child custody protections for sexual assault survivors (SB 1364), tribal access to short-term rental tax information (SB 594), ADU impact fee clarification (SB 1117), protections against threats to local and election officials (SB 239), escrow consumer protections (SB 946), environmental and local government measures such as SB 949 and SB 226, tax and budget-related bills including SB 1073, SB 1349, and SB 661, health and education bills such as SB 1150, SB 1191, SB 1328, SB 874, SB 1049, and SB 1186, and labor/employment and housing-related measures including SB 1059, SB 1166, and SB 1093. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support; SB 1191 required an urgency vote and passed, and SB 1418 also passed as an urgency measure after the call was lifted. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments to Assembly bills, including AB 1894, AB 871, AB 1201, AB 1359, AB 1579, AB 1684, AB 1711, AB 1722, AB 1784, AB 1809, AB 1837, AB 1860, AB 1864, AB 1999, AB 2116, AB 2143, AB 2186, AB 2233, AB 2249, AB 2255, AB 2418, AB 2576, AB 2634, AB 2660, AB 2766, and AB 2780. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 137 recognizing Diwali, with several members speaking in support of the holiday and its cultural significance. The session concluded with adjournment in memory speeches honoring Jeremiah Jerry Francis Hollisey, Maisie Jean Hastings, and Clint Riley, followed by announcements about the Rules Committee meeting, the floor-amendment deadline, and the next floor session on Monday, August 24.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think that there's so many lessons to be learned from the players and how this team is managed
• And so I think that there's so many lessons to be learned from the players and how this team is managed
• I think that there's so many lessons to be learned from the players and how this team is managed that
• Drew Johnston, Managing Director of Government Affairs and Compliance.
• President, the Growth Management Act was signed into law in the 1990s, and it requires that each county

Summary: The Senate began by advancing to the Eighth Order of Business and adopted Senate Resolution 8683 honoring the Seattle Seahawks for their 2025 championship season. The resolution and floor remarks celebrated the team’s 14-3 regular season, NFC West title, playoff run, Super Bowl 60 victory, and community involvement. Senators from both parties offered supportive remarks about the team’s leadership, teamwork, and impact across Washington, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. The chamber then welcomed Seahawks representatives and former player/play-by-play announcer Steve Rable to the rostrum for recognition and photographs. The Senate then considered and passed several bills, including SB 6084 clarifying that a person may not vote more than once in the same election across states; SB 5977 requiring publication of child near-fatality reviews; SB 5985 on endometriosis awareness and research; SB 6046 placing the Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department; SB 6291 extending septic inspector training supervision from two to four years; SB 6707 directing a WSIPP study of DCYF screening tools; SB 6183 ensuring rapid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs; SB 5956 restricting harmful uses of AI, surveillance, and automated discipline in public schools; SB 5820 concerning freight rail-dependent use overlays in Clark County; SB 5936 strengthening remedies and protections for human trafficking survivors; SB 6269 modernizing the motor fuel definition to include gaseous fuels such as hydrogen; SB 6226 protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy; SB 6025 updating fetal death gestational-age calculations to use more accurate methods; SB 6058 giving Labor and Industries discretion in wage enforcement and adopting a transparency amendment; and SB 6136 requiring publication of actuarial indicated workers’ compensation rates. Most bills passed with broad support, though SB 5956 on AI in schools drew the most debate and passed 35-13. SB 5820 also drew a split vote, with supporters arguing it would restore environmental protections in Clark County and opponents warning it would undermine rail-related economic development and existing investments. SB 6084 passed 47-1, and the remaining measures passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. The Senate then recessed for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lorraine Robinson, Washington Airport Management Association and the Arlington-Marysville...
• Margie Leggett, Executive Director for the Washington Airport Management Association.
• Bradford City, airport duty manager, King County International Airport. Thank you, Bradley.
• Anyway, I managed to volunteer, and here he is. He does his homework.
• Anyway, I managed to volunteer, and here he is. He does his homework.

Summary: The meeting was an Aviation Caucus gathering hosted at Paine Field and Boeing, with legislators, aviation groups, airport representatives, WSDOT, AOPA, Boeing, and other stakeholders introducing themselves and discussing aviation’s role in Washington. Representative Tom Dent opened by emphasizing the caucus’s purpose of educating lawmakers about aviation and aerospace, building relationships with legislators, and protecting the industry from policies he said could harm it. He highlighted a priority to repeal sections of a recent transportation revenue bill that imposed a luxury/privilege tax on aircraft, arguing airplanes are tools rather than luxuries and warning the tax could drive aircraft and business out of the state. Several speakers focused on the economic value of aviation. WSDOT Aviation Director Ann Richard said the industry’s story needs to be framed around broad public benefits, including business activity, medical access, emergency response, and wildfire support, not just recreation. John Dobson presented data claiming aviation and aerospace account for about 12.5% of Washington’s GDP, support hundreds of thousands of jobs, and generate substantial tax revenue, while also arguing that aviation infrastructure is underfunded and that aviation-related fuel taxes and other revenues should be redirected to aviation uses. Boeing representatives described the company’s Washington footprint, recent safety and training reforms, supplier and workforce investments, the permanent site at Moses Lake, and the Core Plus Aerospace workforce pipeline. The meeting also included advocacy updates on mental health in aviation and industry coordination. Brian Baumoff of the Pilot Mental Health Campaign described federal legislation aimed at improving the process for pilots seeking mental health treatment and a Washington proposal to provide leave support for pilots navigating medical certification. Haley Coffey of the Aerospace Futures Alliance invited attendees to an upcoming Hill Day to advocate for aerospace. AOPA’s Brad Schuster warned that the aircraft tax proposal and possible offsets like higher jet fuel taxes could have severe consequences. The caucus also recognized Harry R. Anderson with House Resolution 4645 for becoming the first person to both fly and sail solo to all seven continents. The meeting ended with a short quiz, reminders about badges, and instructions for the Boeing factory tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remove the option for the contributors to receive payments from the Wildfire Liability Trust Fund for
• wildfire mitigation plan efforts.
• an asset of the investor-owned utility in bankruptcy proceedings, and clarify that a PUC-approved wildfire
• court may instead of shall consolidate cases, allow cooperative utilities to participate in the wildfire
• mitigation plan is required to Wildfire mitigation plan is required to access<00:14:35.079><c> the</

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Judiciary committee met in decision-making mode and took up a long list of measures, mostly recommending passage with or without amendments. Early actions included S.B. 414, which was amended to blank the appropriation, draw funds from the major disaster fund, and change the effective date to 2050, and S.B. 223, which would require fire breaks in hazardous fire areas and create or expand wildland fire prevention and protection programs with blank appropriations for FY 2026 and 2027. The committee also advanced S.B. 1009 on state reserve parking space enforcement, S.B. 1149 on reported hate crime definitions and reporting, S.B. 402 on mooring-line requirements for certain vessels, S.B. 1441 on the Oahu regional health care system transfer, S.B. 1442 on child and adolescent mental health responsibilities, S.B. 1478 on harbor evacuation orders, and S.B. 493 on written notice for emotional support animal sales or verifications. Members generally raised little opposition, and most measures were adopted without reservations. Some bills drew brief discussion or committee-report notes, including S.B. 1149, which referenced a Hawaii Civil Rights Commission report encouraging policy-level hate crime data reporting, and S.B. 1442, which was amended with a far-future effective date and a committee-report note about whether mental health services should be expressly subject to funding. S.B. 1441 was substantially revised to require a memorandum of agreement between the Oahu Regional Health Care System and the Department of Health by November 30, 2025, with patient care to begin by December 31, 2025, and a report to the legislature before the 2026 session. The committee also considered several finance and energy-related measures. S.B. 897 on the wildfire liability trust fund prompted questions about whether costs would be passed to consumers; the response was that the proposal contemplated cost sharing and that some amounts were still blank. S.B. 1395 and S.B. 1396 were amended to remove special-fund structures, direct revenues into the general fund, and require the governor to include equivalent amounts in the executive budget for climate-related projects. S.B. 501 was amended to expand step-in agreement provisions for future PPAs and establish a fund outside the State Treasury, and S.B. 1589 was amended so private donations to the stadium authority would go into the NID special fund for stadium infrastructure and sod, with members discussing accountability and the source of stadium-related consultant spending. The committee adopted the recommendations on all measures considered, with some members noting reservations on a few bills, and one item, S.B. 1418, was deferred.

Transcript Highlights:

• For about a year and a half, I was a business manager for a construction company that had a lumber mill
• Resources Committee, we had a presentation on Senate Memorial 2... ...from last year, 2025, the wildfire
• process they described of bringing stakeholders together and having conversations about how to address wildfire

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• been hired as the new assistant director for drafting Services and has taken on the crucial role of managing
• interim legislative committees on a comprehensive statewide approach to address, avoid, and mitigate wildfires
• the, the advocates, specific group to come together and try to determine best practices uh on this wildfire

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• any loans that were given to a governmental entity, there were zero, low- or no-interest loans for wildfires
• , any money... ...loans for wildfires.
• So this is when we have wildfires and we appropriated to Las Vegas, Ruidoso, when they apply to FEMA

Committee: Senate Senate Committees' Committee

Summary: The committee met to consider germane-status recommendations for several bills, including Senate Bills 213 and 215. Staff explained that SB 213 would index the gas tax, weight distance tax, and special fuel excise tax to the consumer price index, which they viewed as policy rather than germane. Members discussed whether the bill would generate revenue and whether it related to prior legislation on the same subject. The committee then voted without objection to deem SB 213 germane. Discussion of SB 215 focused on a proposal affecting disaster-related loans and interest earned on those funds. Staff said the bill would require any interest or other revenue generated from loans to governmental entities for wildfire or other disaster recovery to be returned to the fund. Members raised concerns about how the measure would affect existing projects and funds already being used in places such as Mora, Ruidoso, and Las Vegas, and noted it could be a significant policy change. There was also discussion that any message on the bill could allow further review and possible guardrails, including making the change prospective rather than retroactive. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved germane status for SBs 210, 211, 212, 214, 216, and 217 without objection, while SB 213 had already been separately approved as germane. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wildfires were turning our skies orange.
• </c><00:02:51.720><c> Wildfires</c><00:02:52.640><c> were</c><00:02:52.760><c> turning</c> been murdered
• Wildfires were turning been murdered.
• Wildfires were turning our<00:02:53.400><c> skies</c><00:02:54.040><c> orange.

Transcript Highlights:

• As with the Lahaina wildfires, even short delays in care such as lack of insulin, blood pressure medication
• 00:15:38.640><c> with</c><00:15:38.760><c> the</c><00:15:38.880><c> Lahaina</c><00:15:39.400><c> wildfires
• ,</c><00:15:40.480><c> even</c> As with the Lahaina wildfires, even As with the Lahaina wildfires, even

Bills: SCR7 , SCR59 , SCR182

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on three concurrent resolutions. SCR-7 would affirm that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care to pregnant people; supporters included the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, AAUW Hawaii, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, with two individuals in opposition. A member raised a wording concern about “pregnant people” versus “pregnant women,” and the chair agreed to note the comment in the committee report. The committee then recommended passage, and the measure was adopted by vote, with Representatives Alcos voting no and Garcia not voting. SCR-59 SD1 would ask the governor to establish procedures allowing certain health care professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii-issued license during a state of emergency. The Hawaii Organization of Nurse Leaders strongly supported the resolution, citing emergency response problems during Kona low storms and the Lahaina wildfires when out-of-state licensed providers were available but could not serve. The committee recommended passage as is, and the recommendation was adopted, with Representative Garcia voting with reservations. SCR-182 would request that the governor and Department of Health work with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military partners to explore a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen Hawaii’s trauma system. The Department of Health supported the measure, and a member suggested the title should reflect “Department of War,” while another member noted the federal department name has not changed; the chair said the comments would be noted in the report. The committee recommended passage, and the resolution was adopted without objection, with Representatives Martin and Olds excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2989 allows electric utilities to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan.
• It creates the wildfire mitigation program revolving fund, and it also...
• It creates the wildfire mitigation program revolving fund, and it also requires the Conservation Commission
• to develop a wildfire mitigation test pilot and refine fire mitigation strategies.

Bills: HB2989 , HB3724 , HB2992 , HB3464 , HB4246 , HB3989

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4246, which would expand training and technical assistance options for rural water-related programs by allowing the state to consider qualified suppliers other than the Rural Water Association. After brief questions about the type of vendors involved, the bill received a 7-0 due pass vote. House Bill 3989 followed and was described as cleanup language continuing prior negotiations among the oil and gas industry, electric co-ops, and investor-owned utilities; the committee adopted the PCS and passed the bill 7-0. Members then considered House Bill 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026. The committee adopted a PCS and an amendment reducing the threshold from 100 megawatts to 75 megawatts. The bill would require data centers to pay infrastructure costs tied to their electricity demand so those costs are not shifted to other ratepayers; it passed 7-0. House Bill 3464, which adds protections and regulatory requirements for battery storage and updates transparency and decommissioning provisions for wind and solar projects, also passed 7-0 after adoption of a PCS. House Bill 3724, as revised in a second PCS, drew the most debate. It would define high-demand facilities to include data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, AI computing facilities, and large battery storage systems, and would impose restrictions on subsidies, infrastructure costs, water use, foreign ownership, agricultural land siting, noise, decommissioning, and local approval processes, including a petition mechanism to overturn local decisions. Supporters argued it was needed to protect communities, landowners, water resources, and ratepayers; opponents raised concerns about property rights, agricultural land restrictions, local control, and the petition/recall process. The bill failed on a 2-6 vote and remained in committee. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2989, which would allow electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans, create a wildfire mitigation revolving fund, and direct the Conservation Commission to develop a wildfire mitigation test pilot and refine mitigation strategies. With a PCS adopted and no debate, the bill passed 8-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They clean up our parks after severe, drastic wildfires. They educate our youth and so much more.
• By establishing clear procedures, it allows managers to recognize and address problematic employee behavior
• more productive and perform at higher levels, fosters better communication between employees and managers
• So they do vary from bargaining unit... ...management, public safety, social workers, you name it.
• We are managed by algorithm.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several labor-related measures. AB 465 would require city and county employers, when requested by a union, to negotiate minimum disciplinary and grievance standards in MOUs, including progressive discipline, just-cause protections, grievance appeal procedures, and paid release time for representatives. Supporters said it would create fairer, more consistent due process protections for local public employees; opponents argued it could be too rigid, create litigation, and interfere with existing bargaining and civil service systems. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Appropriations. AB 792 would allow multi-region bargaining for court interpreters when more than one region is negotiating at the same time, with supporters saying it would streamline negotiations and help address interpreter recruitment and retention. There was no opposition, but some members questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully solve the underlying staffing and pay issues. The bill passed and was held for add-ons. AB 1309, which would improve Cal Fire firefighter compensation by making salaries more competitive with local fire departments, drew broad support and no opposition; members praised firefighters’ work and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also considered AJR 8, a resolution urging protection of Social Security and opposing cuts or closures that would make benefits harder to access. Supporters emphasized Social Security’s role in preventing poverty among seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, while one member objected to naming political figures in the resolution. The resolution passed and was held. AB 1247 would require contracted classified school employees to meet the same training and qualification standards as direct hires and address retirement contributions; supporters said it would protect students and improve parity, while opponents warned it would burden schools and limit flexibility. It passed 5-2. Finally, AB 288 would authorize the Public Employment Relations Board to act when the NLRB fails to remedy a labor claim by its deadline, with supporters framing it as a backstop for workers’ organizing rights amid federal inaction; it passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not force MIFA or Fidelity, which is their fund manager, to do anything else or to offer any
• Chris manages to walk upright, but he’s burdened by an extraordinary weight of titles.
• This delays diagnosis, treatment, and makes managing disease much more difficult.
• NAIOP represents the interests of companies involved with the development, ownership, management, and
• And it turned out that was actually the fifth year in a row of wildfires.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I really appreciate your leadership and efforts on the wildfire efforts as well.
• So if we're talking about just a week, that's usually fairly manageable.
• I know that we have managed, the department has managed, the reporting requirements for all of our grants
• So this is just one of those things that we need to think about, those policies for fire management.
• So this is just one of those things that we need to think about: those policies for fire management,

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we welcomed the manager, Jim Scia?
• Starting the year with such devastating pain and hurt with the wildfires and then being able to find
• His career has been in real estate and property management, and he is currently a real estate consultant
• After working for more than 20 years as the office manager at National Auto Parts in Vallejo, she devoted
• He is the president of the Resource Legacy Fund and previously served... ...as general manager for San

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm speaking with the city manager of Benicia, the small city on the bay that is the host of Valero,
• And the leader in Benicia, the city manager, said to me, I will, but I just want to tell you one thing
• I told him as city manager that if there's ever an internship open up at the Energy Commission, I would
• In the Emergency Management Committee, I introduced author's amendments to narrow the scope of the bill
• In doing so, this bill will help ensure that no wildfire disaster communities get overlooked in future

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to point out that $314 million of that is for wildfire and landscape resilience to really
• Addressing wildfire risk in California, especially in vulnerable areas, is something critical.
• Wildfire. I want to focus on this for just a minute.
• Prop. 4 wildfire funding is $2.1 billion, if I'm not mistaken. Is that correct?
• We have folks in those communities that are managing chronic illness, mental health, pregnancy, disability

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget and presentations from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Chair Laird described the proposal as roughly balanced with $23 billion in reserves, while Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue estimates were overly optimistic and warned of a structural deficit, calling for a deeper review of programs and concern over the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. Finance said the budget is balanced in the budget year but still leaves a roughly $2.9 billion deficit, with out-year gaps above $20 billion, and characterized the plan as largely a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. The LAO said its office sees substantial downside risk to the revenue forecast, emphasized the volatility of stock-market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until May. Members focused on the implications of federal policy changes, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the MCO tax, as well as the state’s reserve strategy. Senators Menjivar and Richardson raised concerns about health coverage reductions, county costs, hospital finances, and the lack of a broader revenue solution, while Finance said the state cannot fully backfill federal cuts and is still assessing the impacts. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal to suspend the rainy day fund deposit and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up rather than using it for spending. Finance defended both proposals as necessary to balance the budget year and said it plans to begin discussions with legislative leaders before the May Revision. The committee also discussed climate and transportation funding, including cap-and-trade/GGRF allocations for Cal Fire, interest earnings from the fund, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and AB 617 air quality investments. Senator Reyes questioned the focus on light-duty ZEV incentives instead of heavy-duty vehicles, and Finance said the proposal is intended to partially replace the federal consumer tax credit and that some heavy-duty funding remains from prior years. Senator Richardson also raised concerns about Olympics-related infrastructure, courthouse repairs, and displaced workers, while other members stressed homelessness funding and the need for more immediate action on out-year budget problems. No formal votes or actions were taken during the portion provided; the hearing was informational and moved into member questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• My office manager, Melanie June, my community liaison, Donna Lei, legislative aid, also Leah Belardo,
• My office<00:20:08.440><c> manager,</c><00:20:09.000><c> Melanie</c><00:20:09.440><c> June,</c><00:20
• Office manager, Raisa Margain, Chris Joyce, Waylon, and Matt.
• I would like to take this time to recognize my staff, my office manager, Jan Salcedo, my legislative
• ,</c> that this will go to mitigate wildfire, that this will go to mitigate wildfire, go<00:49:14.920

Transcript Highlights:

• Or, in another instance, a manager suggested to the workers that they should think about where they're
• demands for wastewater treatment, and accelerate permitting following the wildfires in Los Angeles,
• A new manager had recently transferred to the store, and we started talking.
• Second, the hiring and workload management structure can be problematic, with the primary AI company
• Make no mistake, AI products cannot be... ...that don't disclose the names of his managers.

Committee: House Labor and Employment