Transcript Highlights:

• full Senate full Senate for<00:13:04.480> confirmation.
• Senator Ihara is excused. Senator Kealoha? Aye. Senator Dela Cruz aye.
• Senator Kealoha?
• Senator Dela Cruz aye. Chair, your >> Aye. Senator Dela Cruz aye.
• full Senate hearing is. full Senate hearing is.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met on April 14, 2026, to consider GM 644, the nomination of Kayla Curvelo to the Hawaii Island Burial Council, shifting her seat from the at-large/large landowner position to the Kona representative seat. Testimony in support came from SHPD Administrator Jessica Pap, who said Curvelo has served faithfully and has strong ties to the Kona community, and from OHA’s Leiloha Macouani, who noted Curvelo has served on the council since 2021 and as chair since August 2025. Curvelo, appearing on Zoom, described her family’s deep roots in Kona and said her focus would be on supporting community and descendant voices in burial matters. In response to questions, she emphasized that burial council decisions should be handled case by case, especially in situations involving inadvertent discovery of iwi, preservation in place, or relocation. She said the council’s role is to listen to families, SHPD, and community needs, and to balance cultural practice, changing conditions, and respect for kupuna and ʻāina. Members asked about her vision for the council and whether iwi could be moved when necessary. Curvelo said relocation can be appropriate when done properly, but there is no single rule; each situation depends on the family, the site, and conditions such as coastal erosion or high surf. After discussion, the chair recommended advise and consent. The committee voted to adopt that recommendation, with Chair Richards, Vice Chair, Senator Kealoha, and Senator Dela Cruz voting aye; Senator Ihara was excused. The nomination was forwarded to the full Senate for confirmation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I, uh, Senator Gabbard is excused. Senator Nishimoto. I. Senator Moriwaki is I and Senator Dela I.
• Senator Nishimoto. I. Senator Nishimoto. I.
• Senator<00:04:02.360> Moriwaki<00:04:02.920> is<00:04:03.040> I<00:04:03.280>
• and<00:04:03.480> Senator<00:04:03.880> Dela Senator Moriwaki is I and Senator Dela
• Senator Moriwaki is I and Senator Dela I.<00:04:05.000> I.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations met on April 14, 2026, to consider Governor’s Message 784, a nomination for the 911 Board: Terrence Gomez for a term ending June 30, 2030. The chair noted that the committee had received written testimony in support from Davelyn Racadio, EMS Dispatch Coordinator for the Maui Police Department, and invited Gomez to testify by Zoom. Gomez said he wanted to serve because of his public safety background and his desire to strengthen emergency communications and support community and first responder safety. He said he has 27 years of law enforcement experience, including work with dispatchers and the emergency operations center. The chair asked about the board’s role in helping counties upgrade PSAP systems, but Gomez said he was not familiar with that issue and had no specific thoughts at the time. After questions concluded, the chair recommended advising and consenting to the nomination, saying Gomez’s county police experience would be an asset to the board. The committee voted yes by members present, with Senator Gabbard excused, and the nomination was approved. The chair congratulated Gomez and adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motions and resolutions. >> Senator Gianaris. >> By Senator Salazar, Calendar 648, Parker, 636, and Senator
• the title read and please recognize Senator Scarcella-Spanton. >> Secretary will read. >> Resolution
• SENATOR GIANARIS.
• The resolution was adopted on March 10. Senator Gianaris.
• At the request of Senator Scarcella-Spanton, we'll be opening the resolution for co-sponsorship.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a series of utility and public service bills and resolutions. A resolution sponsored by Senator Scarcella-Spanton designating April 9, 2026, as Yellow Ribbon Day was adopted after remarks honoring veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The chamber then moved through several Public Service Law measures focused on utility affordability, consumer protections, and PSC procedures, with some bills laid aside and others advanced. Among the bills passed were measures by Senators Mayer, Cleare, Hinchey, Comrie, and Parker. Debate on the Mayer bill centered on limiting utility expenses and fees recoverable in rate cases; supporters said it was part of a broader package to reform PSC practices, while opponents argued it would not lower current bills and had been softened from earlier versions. The Webb bill creating a residential utility usage monitoring program drew extended debate over whether it would meaningfully reduce costs, who would pay for the program, and whether it could lead to government monitoring of household usage; supporters said it would give consumers more control and transparency, while critics said it would not lower rates. The Gonzalez bill, which would add consumer protections during PSC investigations and delay shutoffs in certain circumstances, also passed after questions about whether it applied to rate cases, with the sponsor saying rate cases were explicitly excluded. Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing affordability, transparency, and consumer protection, and opponents arguing the package would not address immediate rate relief and could burden ratepayers or encourage nonpayment. Senator Tedisco and others criticized PSC appointments and state energy policy, while Democratic sponsors argued the bills were part of a longer-term effort to reform utility regulation and address climate and affordability concerns. The chamber restored multiple bills to the non-controversial calendar before final votes, and the recorded results showed passage of the major utility bills by substantial margins, along with one amendment appeal being ruled nongermane and rejected.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wicklund's Senate file also from Senator Wicklund's Senate file 4719<00:23:46.200> and
• :44:34.440> to<00:44:34.520> be<00:44:34.640> out<00:44:34.800> there<00:
• Um probably<00:44:38.760> a<00:44:38.800> little<00:44:39.080> more<00:44:39.360
• >> Thank<00:44:47.520> you,<00:44:47.800> Senator<00:44:48.120> Utke.
• <01:44:38.560> pass Senate will prioritize and also pass Senate will prioritize and also pass

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:08:36.120> Kunesh. Senator Kunesh. Senator Kunesh.
• Senator<00:15:33.640> Clark. Senator Clark. Senator Clark.
• Senator<00:40:02.640> Latz. Senator Latz. Senator Latz.
• Senator<00:41:05.240> Kruse. Senator Kruse. Senator Kruse.
• Senator<00:42:03.960> Latz. Senator Latz. Senator Latz.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clark, Senate File bill from Senator Clark, Senate File 4368. 4368. 4368.
• c> 1310 Senator Swidinsk's Senate File 1310 Senator Swidinsk's Senate File 1310 and<00:04:29.680>
• <00:04:43.840> Switzinski Senate File 1310 from Senator Switzinski Senate File 1310 from Senator
• 39, um, from Senator Balden, Senate File 39, um, from Senator Balden, Senate File 39, uh,<00:
• Oh, Senator Rarick. to uh Senate File 4677. to uh Senate File 4677.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um Senate file 3988. Um Senate file 3988.
• <01:04:40.720> Senator Thank you, Senator McEwen. Senator Thank you, Senator McEwen.
• Senator Dziedzic. I. Senator Carlson. No. Senator Coleman. I. Senator Farnsworth. Yes.
• Senator Hawj. No. Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger. No. Senator Lang. I. Senator McEwen. No.
• Senator Lang. I. Senator Lang. I. Senator<01:35:42.920> McEwen. Senator McEwen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:09:03.240> Murphy. Senator Murphy. Senator Murphy.
• And<00:44:04.640> I<00:44:04.720> look<00:44:04.920> at<00:44:05.000> the
• <00:44:05.120> lake<00:44:05.400> as<00:44:05.800> being<00:44:06.560> a<
• a public property<00:44:08.160> and<00:44:09.000> we<00:44:09.160> charge<00:44:
• And<00:44:15.600> I<00:44:15.640> look<00:44:15.840> at<00:44:15.960> that

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 44:08.320> uh<00:44:08.720> a<00:44:08.800> little<00:44:09.040> bit<00:44
• Senator<00:44:12.960> Westrom.<00:44:13.760> Good. Senator Westrom. Good.
• Senator Westrom. Good. Thank<00:44:15.200> you<00:44:15.720> Mr.
• <00:44:16.000> Chair<00:44:16.280> and<00:44:16.480> Senator<00:44:16.840>
• Senator Senator Senator >> Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:09.600> of<00:44:10.320> intent<00:44:11.560> uh<00:44:11.840> nowadays
• > do<00:44:12.680> not<00:44:12.920> put<00:44:13.280> purpose<00:44:13.720>
• :15.440> of<00:44:15.560> the<00:44:15.640> Senate<00:44:16.480> but<00:44
• :16.640> there<00:44:16.840> is that come out of the Senate but there is that come out
• of the Senate but there is one<00:44:17.320> here<00:44:17.365> [snorts] one here [snorts

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Fats says Senator Groenhagen's point.
• Koopak's<00:37:11.359> Senate from Senator Koopak's Koopak's Senate from Senator Koopak's
• Senate File 5048. Senate File 5048.
• Next is Senator Abeler's Senate File 4121.
• Senator Stephen Senator Rasmussen. Thank Senator Stephen Senator Rasmussen.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Fevella. >> Here. >> Senator Fukunaga. >> Senator Gabbard. >> Senator Hashimoto. >> Here.
• . >> Excused. >> Senator Kidani. >> Senator Kim. >> Senator La Mose. >> Here. >> Senator Lee. >> Senator
• Senate Resolution 185 has been adopted.
• <00:18:46.040> Senate<00:18:46.440> Resolution >> Third reading of the consent calendar
• Senator Awana, Senator DeCourte. Senator Awana, Senator DeCourte.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:05:18.960> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt. I. I. I.
• Senator<00:09:12.840> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.
• Chair<00:44:29.800> Mohamed<00:44:30.359> I<00:44:30.400> do<00:44:30.720> have
• My<00:44:53.120> name<00:44:53.359> is<00:44:53.480> Jenny<00:44:54.440> Sibuor
• Senator<00:59:15.560> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:44:46.560> mean,<00:44:46.640> that's<00:44:46.880> the<00:44:47.040> other
• <00:44:48.160> One<00:44:48.240> of<00:44:48.319> the<00:44:48.400> thing
• > none<00:44:51.520> of<00:44:51.680> us<00:44:51.760> are<00:44:51.920>
• c> of<00:44:53.040> us<00:44:53.200> can<00:44:53.359> write<00:44:53.520>
• Seeing<01:44:56.320> none,<01:44:56.880> thank<01:44:57.040> you<01:44:57.199>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:38:33.599> Alula. Senator Alula. Senator Alula.
• I would<00:44:39.200> never<00:44:39.760> wish<00:44:40.000> it<00:44:40.240>
• :48.800> Let<00:44:48.880> me<00:44:49.040> just<00:44:49.119> tell<00:44
• Did you have a question, Senator? Senator? Senator?
• Thank you, senators. senators. senators.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Will the Senate please come to order?
• committed to Senate Finance.
• committed to Senate finance. committed to Senate finance.
• >> Senator from Rutland. >> Senator from Rutland.
• >> Senator from Windham. >> Senator from Windham.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Rules will come to order.
• Thank you, Senator Laird. Senator Gomez-Reyes. Thank you.
• Senator Reyes. Thank you.
• We're going to go with Senator Jones, followed by Senator Laird. Thank you.
• Thank you, Senator Laird. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules first established quorum and then approved several routine items, including one governor’s appointment not required to appear, references of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard from two CDCR appointees required to appear, Kathleen Ratliff and Joseph Tuggle, both nominated to associate director positions in the Division of Adult Institutions. They described their long careers in corrections and emphasized the California model, explaining that it is intended to improve staff safety, rehabilitation, trauma-informed practices, and reentry outcomes. Members raised concerns about a widely reported use-of-force incident at Central California Women’s Facility, sexual abuse and retaliation concerns in women’s prisons, visitation restrictions, and the need for consistent policies and stronger communication. The nominees said the department investigated the incident, disciplined staff, provided medical and mental health support, conducted training, and is working to improve reporting, PREA compliance, and family visitation. The committee voted 4-0 to send both nominations to the Senate floor, with public testimony largely in support from former incarcerated people, nonprofit reentry advocates, and community stakeholders. The committee then heard from Jason Johnson, nominated as Undersecretary of Operations at CDCR. Johnson framed his work as centered on rehabilitation, public safety, and culture change, and he described his background in probation, parole, and CDCR leadership. Members questioned him about opposition letters and complaints alleging retaliation, hostile work environment, discrimination, and public safety concerns tied to his leadership of adult parole operations. Johnson said many complaints were tied to efforts to change a previously toxic culture, denied retaliatory intent, and pointed to his record of creating or strengthening reentry and compliance programs, including community reentry units, community compliance units, behavioral health reintegration efforts, and transitional community reentry programs. He also addressed parole supervision tools for high-risk sex offenders, contraband interdiction, and PREA-related training and reporting systems. The discussion repeatedly returned to the need to balance institutional security with rehabilitation and to ensure that staff and incarcerated people can report misconduct safely. The committee did not take a final vote on Johnson in the portion provided, but members indicated they were weighing the late-breaking opposition materials and his responses carefully.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Durazo? Aye. Senator Choi? No. Senator Arreguín? Aye. Senator Ashby? Aye.
• Senator Cervantes? Aye. Senator Laird? Aye. Senator Seyarto? No. The vote is 4-2.
• Senator Ashby? Aye. Senator Cervantes? Aye. Senator Laird? Aye. Senator Seyarto? Aye. Yes. Ciorito?
• SB 1400, Senator Arreguin. Senator Arreguin.
• SB 1400, Senator Arreguin. Senator Arreguin.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of housing, land use, infrastructure, and local governance bills, beginning without a quorum and briefly operating as a subcommittee until members arrived. SB 1003 by Senator Grayson would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infill housing infrastructure; it drew support from housing advocates and senior housing groups, while Senator Seyarto questioned whether the state would actually fund another program. The bill passed 3-1 and remained on call. The committee then adopted a consent calendar containing SB 1169, SB 1086, SB 1126, and SB 1439 through SB 1442. SB 1014, also by Senator Grayson, would require local jurisdictions to provide early estimates of on-site and off-site improvements and limit later surprise requirements; supporters said it would reduce costly late-stage changes, while the City of San Mateo and county/city groups raised concerns about estimates being too speculative at the preliminary application stage. It passed 4-2 and remained on call. SB 1036, another Grayson bill, would require credit for prior site uses under the Mitigation Fee Act for redevelopment projects; it had broad support and passed unanimously. SB 1145 would streamline CEQA and surplus land procedures for the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse project; supporters emphasized the long-planned 10,000-home transit-oriented redevelopment and labor agreements, while housing legal groups sought stronger affordability enforcement. The bill passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 908 by Senator Wiener, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant window replacements and limit local and HOA design restrictions; supporters framed it as a way to lower energy bills and help affordable housing providers, while local government groups warned about overbroad state preemption and possible litigation exposure. It passed 3-1 and remained on call. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place guardrails on tax-sharing consultant agreements, with the City of Shafter and League of California Cities supporting the measure as a taxpayer protection; it passed 4-0 and remained on call. SB 1379 by Senator Cervantes would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner in response to high in-custody death rates; supporters cited transparency and public trust, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives argued it would override local control and increase costs. The bill passed 4-1 and remained on call. SB 1283 by Senator Ashby would expand ministerial approval for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage; supporters said it would modernize permitting and help fill charging gaps, while cities and counties raised safety, liability, and local review concerns. It passed 4-0 and remained on call. Later, SB 1414 by Senator Reyes proposed an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters from Common Cause and the League of Women Voters said it would improve transparency and remove conflicts of interest from supervisorial map-drawing, while the county opposed the bill, citing its existing advisory commission and an estimated $2 million implementation cost. Senators Ashby and Arreguín voiced support for independent redistricting, and the committee continued discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Allen moved the bill.
• Senators, Blakspier... Senators, Blake's Pier. Valadaris? Valderas, no. Allen? Aye. Dahle?
• Thank you, Senator Wiener.
• Senator Gonzalez moves.
• Senator Gonzalez moves.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 1375, which would create a narrow CEQA-related exemption for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive environmental review. Senator Cortese and supporters from VTA, San Jose, MTC, and others said the bill would reduce duplicative review and help advance projects such as the Diridon Station modernization in San Jose, while preserving other environmental protections and adding committee amendments on community engagement, displacement, construction impacts, and natural resources. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved do pass as amended to Transportation on a 5-0 vote, kept on call. The committee then heard SB 1031 on compostable plastics labeling and related research. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve truth-in-labeling, reduce contamination in recycling and composting streams, and direct OEHHA to study toxicity and breakdown impacts. Opponents from manufacturers, BPI, and retailers said the bill would effectively ban compostable products in California, create costs, and fail to fix the underlying National Organic Program labeling issue. After discussion about composting capacity, labeling clarity, and costs, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-1 vote, kept on call. Next, SB 958 on the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego was presented. The author said the amended bill would shift away from a CEQA exemption and instead clarify how building-height impacts should be handled in the project’s environmental review, supporting a large housing and mixed-use project on city-owned land. San Diego representatives and the chair supported the measure, and there was no opposition. The committee voted do pass to Local Government on a 3-0 vote, kept on call. The committee also heard SB 1075 on strengthening AB 617 community air protection plans; the author and environmental justice supporters backed stronger enforcement and implementation, while local governments, business groups, and air district representatives raised concerns about land-use authority, uncertainty, and costs. The bill was moved do pass to Local Government on a 2-2 vote and remained on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of clean truck check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles and equipment. The author and agricultural and trucking witnesses said the bill would cut unnecessary travel and costs without changing emissions standards, while the American Lung Association and Coalition for Clean Air opposed it as weakening an important pollution-control program. The bill was moved do pass to Transportation on a 4-0 vote, kept on call. The committee then began SB 1258 on hazardous waste site remediation for infill housing; the author and development and technical witnesses supported aligning cleanup timing with construction and occupancy, while environmental justice groups said they were likely to move to neutral after committee amendments improved the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a resolution, and so I'll turn over to the Senator to present.
• Senator Caballero, we're voting on SCR 131, the resolution? Caballero, aye.
• Okay, we'll keep that resolution on call. Thank you, Senator Blakespear.
• Senator Cabell, we're voting on SCR 131, the resolution? Caballero, aye.
• Okay, we'll keep that bill on call, the resolution on call. Thank you, Senator Blake Spir.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 866, which would require jurisdictions that do not receive HAP homelessness grants to include homelessness data, strategies, and regional coordination in their housing elements. The author and supporters said the bill would close a gap in planning by requiring more jurisdictions to collect and report data and outline homelessness reduction efforts. Opposition from the League of California Cities and several cities argued the bill would impose duplicative reporting, require data cities cannot control, and burden small jurisdictions without added resources; members discussed possible amendments, including thresholds for very small cities. No final vote was taken on SB 866 during the excerpt. The committee then heard SB 967, which would allow qualifying interim housing units to count toward a jurisdiction’s RHNA obligations for acutely low-income housing, with safeguards against double counting. Supporters said interim housing is a faster, cheaper way to get people indoors and should be incentivized because many Californians remain unsheltered; opponents argued the bill would blur the line between temporary shelter and permanent housing and could reduce pressure to build deeply affordable permanent units. Members debated the policy tradeoff, with some supporting the bill as a practical response to street homelessness and others objecting to counting temporary units toward housing targets. The committee ultimately voted to pass SB 967 to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the bill kept on call for absent members. The committee also considered SCR 131, a resolution urging a coordinated state effort to end unsheltered homelessness and prioritize a broader set of interventions, including interim housing, permanent supportive housing, and prevention. Supporters framed the resolution as a call to action in response to the scale and human cost of unsheltered homelessness, while one member abstained over concerns that the language could be read as endorsing funding without clear metrics or accountability. The resolution was moved and kept on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 1238 on homeowners association management, which would increase disclosures, transparency, and accountability for HOA managers and boards, including proposed changes to reserve use and inspection reporting. Supporters said the bill would protect homeowners and improve financial clarity, while opposition from community managers objected to a proposed fiduciary duty to individual homeowners and raised concerns about litigation and insurance costs; members discussed those issues and indicated the bill would continue to be worked on in Judiciary.