Transcript Highlights:

• of Labor firing FBI the Department of Labor firing FBI agents<00:14:49.800><c> buying</c><00:14:50.199
• I rise today to celebrate the 22 brave men and women from the Oakland Fire Department.
• </c> from the Oakland fire from the Oakland fire department<02:32:47.880><c> these</c><02:32:48.040><
• </c><02:33:01.920><c> department</c><02:33:02.760><c> volunteered</c> the Oakland fire department volunteered
• </c><02:33:13.399><c> department</c><02:33:14.399><c> came</c> 22 members of our fire department came

Transcript Highlights:

• In Ozark County, Fire Chief Greg Watts, his brother Lloyd Stone, the five-man Bakersfield Fire Volunteer
• Fire Department, and Assistant Chief J.B.
• Duke from a neighboring volunteer fire department answered the call during multiple disasters on March
• Louis City Fire Department and the St.
• Louis City Fire Department and the St.

Transcript Highlights:

• It says operating expenditures, Department of Commerce, and then Department of Ecology.
• I see, like 72,000 for Department of Commerce.
• I see, like 72,000 for Department of Commerce.
• , public works department, the fire marshal.
• That might require something like a new fire station.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the pilot program, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Children and Families must
• I was incarcerated, serving 14 years in the New York State Department of Corrections.
• So the person who got fired under this bill could have a complaint to the EEOC because they were fired
• Our lobbyist, John Labriola, who is here today, was fired from his job.
• You corrective action or firing you.

Bills: S0330 , S0526 , S0862 , S1072 , S1078 , S1192 , S1250 , S1296 , S1298 , S1642 , S1698 , S7022

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The committee heard several bills and confirmations, with most measures reported favorably. Senate Bill 330 clarified the heart disease presumption for firefighters, law enforcement, and correctional officers, codifying the medical definition of heart disease and allowing transferring law enforcement officers to rely on a prior physical if a new agency does not provide one. Support was waived in by the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and the Fraternal Order of Police, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 526, as amended by a delete-all amendment, addressed commercial construction contracts, permit standards, fee reductions when private providers are used, floodproofing, product approval categories, and adoption of certain electrical code standards; it drew support from several construction and business groups and one opposing appearance, then was reported favorably. Senate Bill 1192 created a pilot program for callback queues at the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families to reduce hold times for callers seeking re-employment assistance and public benefits, and it also passed favorably. Senate Bill 1078 established transition procedures for a governor-elect, including agency liaisons, briefing materials, office space, and access to records; an amendment shifted IT support to the Department of Management Services, narrowed access to confidential records, and increased penalties for unauthorized disclosure, after which the bill was approved. Senate Bill 7022 extended a public records exemption for classroom examinations and assessment instruments through 2031 and expanded coverage to school district boards and public schools; it was also reported favorably. Senate Bill 862, as amended, set a $60,000 salary goal by 2030 for state correctional officers, probation officers, and institutional security specialists, with annual raises subject to appropriations; members and witnesses emphasized recruitment, retention, and safety, and the bill passed. Senate Bill 1250 removed the requirement that the Commission on Human Relations use registered mail for certain notices under the Florida Civil Rights Act, allowing less expensive notice methods, and it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 1698 allowed certain employers to post required workplace notices electronically instead of physically, and it passed without opposition. The committee also recommended confirmation of 10 appointees to the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the State Retirement Commission. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 1072, which created an anti-Semitism task force within the Department of Legal Affairs to review anti-Semitism in Florida, improve community relations, advise on law enforcement training, assess digital media literacy efforts, evaluate hate crime statutes, and recommend policy changes. The sponsor said the bill was intended to address a growing problem and noted that Florida already uses the Holocaust Remembrance definition of anti-Semitism in statute. Numerous speakers opposed the bill, arguing it could chill protected speech, especially criticism of Israel, and could be used selectively against students, activists, Muslims, Arabs, and Jewish anti-Zionists; several also said existing hate-crime and civil-rights laws were sufficient and that the task force should include protections against Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate. One member raised concerns about the constitutionality of creating such task forces in light of prior actions by the Attorney General. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote with Senator Bracey Davis voting yes along with the majority. Senate Bill 1642, the Freedom in the Workplace Act, was also heard and drew significant questioning. The bill would bar public employers and contractors from requiring pronoun use, certain gender-identity-related training, or non-binary sex options on forms, and would protect employees and contractors from adverse action based on religious, moral, conscience-based, or biology-based beliefs. Senator Polsky questioned whether the bill could interfere with anti-harassment training and workplace discipline, while the sponsor said the measure was meant to prevent government coercion and extend protections similar to those in school settings. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eaton Fire.
• fires in L.A.
• Of a catastrophic fire.
• or a Woolsey Fire or a Paradise Fire.
• But to everyone that's listening, the Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, the Woolsey Fire, the Shasta Fire

Summary: The hearing focused on the SB 254 Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study and its recommendations for addressing California’s wildfire risk, utility liability, and the financing of catastrophic losses. Committee members and presenters discussed the history of the wildfire fund created after the 2018 fire crisis and PG&E bankruptcy, the role of the California Earthquake Authority as fund administrator, and the report’s three broad policy pathways: continuing mitigation investments, more equitably allocating catastrophe costs, and considering expanded state involvement in catastrophe financing. Presenters emphasized that the report was intended as a neutral, stakeholder-informed analysis rather than an advocacy document, and that the status quo is not working well for survivors, ratepayers, insurers, or utilities. CEA, CPUC, and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety each described their contributions and recommendations. CEA outlined options such as risk-tolerance standards for utilities, preserving safety certificate accountability, tying executive compensation more directly to safety, confidential near-miss reporting, liability reforms, and a fast-pay facility for survivors. CPUC stressed that wildfire mitigation and liability costs are a major driver of electricity affordability problems, and said the state should broaden how wildfire recovery and mitigation are funded beyond ratepayers alone. Energy Safety highlighted its wildfire mitigation plan oversight and recommended stronger safety reporting and stronger safety weighting in utility executive compensation. The modeling portion of the report estimated that a more durable wildfire fund could require about $36 billion in capitalization, with lower initial capital needs if risk transfer or liability reforms are used, but potentially higher ongoing premium or assessment costs. The report also examined state-backed insurer or backstop models, post-event funding mechanisms, and targeted community wildfire mitigation, which could reduce overall funding needs. Members raised concerns about the cost burden on ratepayers, the financial stability of utilities, the fairness of asking communities outside high-risk areas to pay, the role of local governments and home hardening, and whether broader climate-related liability or insurance reforms should be considered. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with plans for further committee hearings and stakeholder discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fire, chemical, and groundwater risks, and we have a volunteer fire department that is not equipped to
• Volunteer fire departments often have minimal staffing, equipment, and water access, making it difficult
• Is it fire-related?
• But if there is a fire that gets out of control, we simply do not have a fire department that is staffed
• or properly resourced to put out a fire if the fire leaves the battery storage unit and then starts

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on late-filed bills and formal petitions, with testimony focused primarily on two local measures: Senate Bill 3026 concerning voting procedures for a proposed six-town regional school district, and House Bill 5294, a Worthington home rule petition seeking a one-year moratorium on large-scale solar development. Committee members reminded speakers of testimony limits and remote participation rules, then took testimony from local officials, residents, and advocates. On S. 3026, supporters from the Six Town Regionalization Planning Board and local boards said the bill would create a fairer, equal voting process across all six towns for a major regional school district decision. They argued the measure would expand voter access, address concerns about unequal polling opportunities, and help communities respond to declining enrollment and financial pressures affecting school sustainability. Testifiers thanked the bill’s sponsors and urged the committee to advance it. On H. 5294, Worthington officials and residents strongly supported the moratorium, saying it was not anti-solar but a needed planning pause for a small rural town facing industrial-scale solar and battery proposals. Witnesses cited limited municipal staff, volunteer fire and health services, water-supply and groundwater concerns, wildfire risk, decommissioning and oversight costs, land-use and ecological impacts, and the strain on rural communities from state energy mandates. Several speakers said the town needed time to develop zoning and safety regulations before projects moved forward, and they asked the committee to report the bill favorably. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed testimony after the final speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll hear from our police and fire departments about the challenges AVs pose for their operations.
• The next panel is Adam Wood, San Francisco Fire Department; former executive board member of the San
• The next panel is Adam Wood, San Francisco Fire Department, former executive board member of the San
• I retired from the San Francisco Fire Department in June of '24 with 29 years of service, and I served
• They'd send them to us, we'd review them, we'd talk with the fire department to understand them better

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with the chair emphasizing that all panel testimony would be heard before public comment. The first panel included an industry representative from AVIA, a George Mason University professor, a Dawn Project representative, and a crash survivor. Testimony sharply divided between supporters who said AVs and driver-assist systems can reduce crashes and create jobs, and critics who argued that current systems are unreliable, rely on unsafe remote assistance, and are being deployed without enough transparency or accountability. Committee members questioned witnesses about safety data, the distinction between Level 2 and Level 4 systems, remote operations, liability, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger reporting requirements. The second panel focused on first responders and workers. A retired San Francisco Fire Department official described AVs blocking fire scenes, ambulances, and apparatus access, and said remote hotlines have been too slow to resolve incidents, urging a public-safety manual override for police, fire, and paramedics. A San Jose police deputy chief said law enforcement sees AV safety potential but needs clear authority, training, and standardized protocols to handle traffic violations and emergency interactions. A San Francisco rideshare driver described near-collisions, red-light violations, and congestion caused by robotaxis, calling for fines, permit suspensions, and better public access to incident data. A Teamsters representative criticized DMV’s proposed heavy-duty AV rules as too permissive, especially for 80,000-pound autonomous trucks, and argued for independent validation, operational limits, and legislative action if regulators do not act. In the final panel, DMV and CPUC officials described California’s existing AV regulatory framework and defended the state’s oversight. DMV said it has regulated AVs since 2014, has issued multiple rulemakings, and is now developing a fourth package that would expand reporting, strengthen enforcement, and require AVs to respond to emergency geo-fence messages and law enforcement direction. DMV also noted current permit counts and past suspensions and revocations, including Cruise and Pony.ai actions. CPUC began outlining its role in regulating passenger service for hire. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only, and the committee chair indicated the testimony would inform future policy and legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the Camp Fire, for example, in my district, and the Tubbs Fire, victims have not received full
• James Carroll, survivor from the Camp Fire.
• Hi, Sally Weber, family survivor of the 2017 Tubbs Fire.
• I am a survivor of the PG&E wildfire, Camp Fire, and I've also worked on the Butte Fire from Calaveras
• I'm a survivor of the Camp Fire.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• fire crews.
• Men and women who risked their lives, clearing brush, cutting fire lines, and supporting fire suppression
• I'm the co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.
• Forest Service and later on with Cal Fire.
• individuals who actually work for Cal Fire today.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, both Highway Patrol officers and Cal Fire struggle to keep personnel on board.
• Terry McHale, who will be representing Cal Fire.
• That is going to be a voter backlash that's going to come back on Cal Fire and CHP.
• are more competitive with local fire departments.
• Departments struggle to recruit, retain, and fill academy classes.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• we're looking at. to the fire code here in the state of to the fire code here in the state of Minnesota
• So, House File 1546 simply fire code.
• </c> fire code. fire code. All<00:04:44.080><c> right.
• I'm not I'm department um answer that.
• </c><00:49:43.839><c> and</c> submitted to the department and submitted to the department and classified

Bills: HF1546 , HF2403 , HF2389 , HF2398

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• we see sometimes today in the fire service.
• that we see sometimes today in the fire service.
• Thank you to Senator Buckson for supporting the fire service.
• I'm a National Board Certified Teacher, Department Chair of the Sussex Central Agriculture Department
• Nellie, on behalf of the Delaware Department of Justice.

Bills: HB372 , HB414

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, courts, and family law. House Bill 141, with House Amendment 1, would require the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a firearm responsibilities notice for firearm purchasers through licensed dealers, covering Delaware gun laws, safe storage, lost/stolen reporting, straw purchases, suicide prevention, and other safety responsibilities. Testimony from the NRA, Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, Moms Demand Action, the Coalition for Safer Delaware, and Delaware State Police was uniformly supportive, emphasizing education, standardized dealer practices, and potential evidence for straw-purchase prosecutions. No committee questions were raised, and the bill was moved forward after public comment. House Bill 326 would create a new offense for theft by impersonating a family member, aimed at scams involving spoofed calls, texts, or online messages that pressure victims to send money. The sponsor described the bill as a response to increasingly sophisticated fraud enabled by artificial intelligence, and noted that a House amendment removed an original mandatory minimum jail term, leaving sentencing to the courts. No public testimony was offered on the bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150 would prohibit civil arrests inside courthouses and certain Department of Labor proceedings, with the sponsor arguing that such arrests deter people from coming to court or seeking protection; the bill would allow criminal arrests and civil arrests only with advance written notice. No testimony was taken on that measure. Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Responders Act, would create a narrowly tailored offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of first responders at emergency scenes after crossing a barrier or ignoring warnings, if done to interfere, threaten, or harass. Supporters, including police, fire service, and sportsmen’s groups, said it would protect responders and preserve emergency operations, while the Office of Defense Services opposed it on First Amendment and overbreadth grounds, arguing existing laws already cover much of the conduct. Senate Bill 304 would amend Delaware’s safe school zone law to allow private schools to use trained, vetted sentries or similar security arrangements; supporters said it would give smaller private schools an affordable safety option, while the sponsor said the bill needed more work and should not move forward yet. The committee also heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, which would clarify how courts handle evidence that a sexual assault complainant previously made a false allegation; DOJ and ODS said the substitute reflects a consensus approach, and YWCA Delaware supported it as a survivor-protective reform. Finally, Senate Bill 343 would expand methods for serving child support respondents in Family Court by authorizing service through certified mail and carriers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, addressing cases where people avoid in-person service using doorbell cameras and other technology. The Division of Child Support Services supported the bill as a practical update that would improve timeliness while preserving proof-of-delivery safeguards. At the end of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded, and the chair adjourned the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> commissioner of the Minnesota Department commissioner of the Minnesota Department of<00:03:25.599
• </c><00:05:23.840><c> has</c> note that the the department has note that the the department has technical
• </c> issuing penalties the department issuing penalties the department specifically<00:36:56.119><c>
• however if the department does February however if the department does not<00:37:11.960><c> have</c>
• being sick kids can get fired for for being sick kids can get fired for being<01:36:46.119><c> sick<

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:22.639><c> no</c> but a few weeks ago Tim was fired no but a few weeks ago Tim was fired no
• The dismantling of agencies, including today the Department of Education, the firing of teachers, veterans
• <03:44:30.080><c> as</c><03:44:30.199><c> it</c> fired as it fired as it were<03:44:32.279><c> so</c>
• That's my Justice Department, not Al Green's, Mr. President. That's my Justice Department.
• That's my Justice Department. Let me see you get my Justice Department to enforce your order, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, our state is on fire right now.
• department.
• department.
• department and police department that I actually get to know.
• We are back at it again, not listening to local law enforcement and fire.

Transcript Highlights:

• are more competitive with local fire departments.
• Cal Fire is the largest fire department, not only in California.
• It is the largest and most diverse fire department in the United States.
• And shockingly, it is one of the lowest paid fire departments in the United States. And what this?
• it is one of the lowest paid fire departments in the United States.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> diameter set for camp and cooking fires. diameter set for camp and cooking fires.
• . fires. fires.
• </c> my fire chief. my fire chief.
• </c> 2 and three fires the category 4 fire 2 and three fires the category 4 fire involves<00:26:40.640
• </c> for fire is allowed that be considered. for fire is allowed that be considered.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then adopted the consent calendar without objection. On the regular calendar, it took up a Health and Human Services Medicaid rule on laboratory services. Committee members questioned why an expired rule was still needed and whether any fees, fines, or appeals had occurred during the lapse. DHHS staff said there were no fees or fines, the service remains in the state Medicaid plan, providers continued to be reimbursed under the billing manual, and there had been no known appeals. The committee then approved the rule. The next item was a Natural Resources rule package covering wood processing mills, wood concentration yards, forestry health, forest fire, and administrative fines. Representative Leon pulled the item from consent and objected to the rule’s repeated 5-inch diameter limit for burnable material, arguing that the statute authorizes permits for camp or cooking fires but does not clearly authorize a diameter limit, and that larger wood can be responsibly burned or otherwise managed in forested properties. DNCR’s forest protection chief responded that the 5-inch limit is intended to reduce smoldering and wildfire risk, align with DEES air rules defining brush as 5 inches or less, and keep backyard burning consistent with air-quality regulations. He said larger material can be handled through other permitting processes and that the rule is meant to educate the public and prevent unsafe burning. Members continued to debate whether the rule exceeded statutory authority and whether it was practical for landowners managing larger wooded parcels. One member suggested narrowing the 5-inch restriction in the category 4 permit language, while another noted the statute appears to speak in terms of small or large amounts of material rather than a specific diameter. The discussion ended without a final resolution in the excerpt, with the committee still considering possible amendments to the Natural Resources rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• after fire.
• Are incentives to start fire, you know, incentive to not have fires. No, look at your ROE.
• The fire department comes in, Cal Fire.
• Tubbs fire.
• , Department of Conservation, local fire districts, 40 rural counties, water agencies, and more, all

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• And I spent 26 years inside the Missouri Department of Corrections. More than...
• We just want to make sure we safeguard our fire marshals to ensure that...
• I am the State Fire Marshal.
• I said, fire eats whatever it wants. We have to be very careful around fire.
• in, what caused a fire.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I'll use the fire district or the fire department.
• As goes the fire department and the need for expansion, new stations, and we were always behind and still
• And then I'll use the fire district or the fire department.
• As goes, the fire department and the need for expansion, new stations, and we were always behind and
• Again, to my point, Representative Fowler, that it's not really changing the fire department.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform