Transcript Highlights:

• this is an unmarked or a marked vehicle.
• me if that vehicle is marked. ...vehicle pulls up behind you, particularly at night, I challenge anyone
• to tell me if that vehicle is marked or unmarked.
• However, vehicle pulls up behind you particularly at night, I challenge anyone to tell me if that vehicle
• Law enforcement has been trained that if this vehicle is not driving fast, this vehicle is not trying

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills on criminal justice, victims’ rights, education, and public safety. SB 1094, which creates a civil cause of action for minors who received irreversible gender reassignment surgery in violation of Arizona law, drew strong opposition from civil liberties and LGBTQ advocates who called it discriminatory and unnecessary, and support from the sponsor and medical-policy witnesses who argued minors cannot consent and that the procedures are not medically supported; it passed 6-3. SB 1635, a bill making it a crime to warn a person of an imminent arrest when the speaker knows police are there to arrest that person, prompted extensive First Amendment objections from the ACLU and others, while supporters said it was narrowly tailored to prevent people from helping suspects evade arrest; it also passed 6-3. The committee then approved SB 1673, appropriating lottery-funded money for the law enforcement crime victim notification system, after testimony that the program standardizes and improves victim notifications statewide; an amendment increased the amount from $5 million to $8.2 million, and the bill passed 9-0 as amended. SB 1092, which would bar early termination of probation for dangerous crimes against children, drew emotional testimony from victims’ advocates and opposition from defense-side speakers who warned it would remove judicial discretion and could sweep in people whose conduct was nonviolent or based on accidental online clicks; it passed 6-2 with one member present. Other bills considered included SB 1239, extending the statute of limitations for failure to register as a sex offender, which supporters said would help law enforcement and opponents said was redundant because registration violations are already tracked and prosecuted; it passed 5-4. SB 1139, a strike-everything bill requiring GPS monitoring for homeless registered sex offenders, failed after testimony that existing probation tools already cover the same population. SB 1502, increasing penalties for unlawful flight from police when aggravated by danger, injury, DUI, or transporting a child, passed 5-1 despite concerns about over-criminalization and possible impacts on innocent drivers. The committee also passed SB 1248 on county detention education programs, SB 1240 excluding certain DCAC probationers from county probation incentive calculations, SB 1669 narrowing rape-shield evidence rules to physical injury, and SB 1540 creating a new offense for fuel dispenser theft after an amendment removed mere possession of a device from the criminal statute.

Transcript Highlights:

• Motor vehicles that already adhere to a repair MOU that aligns with this bill, critical infrastructure
• It costs us $25,000 a month to get a new tool to service this vehicle, this particular brand of vehicles
• New technology of telematics is the connection of the vehicle back to the manufacturer.
• They can contact the vehicle directly.
• Back and forth, stored information on the ability for the vehicle to function.

Bills: HB 106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're striking 'the miles traveled by a person in a motor vehicle if the motor vehicle is a commercial
• vehicle that operates in more than one state' and just read it as it would appear if your amendment
• than one state, and line 10 strike 'miles traveled by a person in a motor vehicle' at the...
• Furthers the effort to encourage faster adoption of electric vehicles away from individual...
• So, are electric vehicles referenced in the actual bill? Good question. No, I don't think they are.

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• registrations with someone in the vehicle that has autism spectrum disorder.
• It amends requirements in an application process for motor vehicle registrations.
• Florida in compliance with the federal motor vehicle carrier safety regulations.
• So there. motor vehicles.
• It amends requirements in an application process for motor vehicle registrations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our clean vehicle programs include rules to advance zero-emission vehicle deployment and incentives,
• , given the useful life of vehicles and the fact that clean vehicle regulatory requirements phase in
• And so it includes things like strategies around vehicle miles traveled and things like that.
• They can go to hybrid vehicles, EVs. So is that taken into account in the demand projections?
• Because I do know that for the last two years, roughly one in four vehicles are electric vehicles.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Utilities and Energy, Transportation, and Natural Resources focused on California’s transportation fuels sector, especially the state’s response to refinery closures and the broader transition away from fossil fuels. Opening remarks emphasized the tension between climate and air-quality goals, fuel affordability, refinery jobs and local tax bases, and the need to avoid crisis-driven responses as Phillips 66 and Valero consider shutting refineries in Wilmington and Benicia. Professor Emily Grubert framed the issue as a long-term managed transition in which the public already bears much of the risk and should also capture benefits from a well-planned shift. CARB Chair Leanne Randolph reviewed the state’s emissions and fuel policies, including AB 32, the low-carbon fuel standard, clean vehicle programs, and the at-berth regulation for ocean-going vessels. She said California’s transportation sector remains the largest source of greenhouse gases and a major source of smog-forming pollution, but that the state has made substantial progress and still needs to reduce demand for fossil fuels while maintaining compliance with federal air-quality standards. Randolph also said CARB’s recent LCFS amendments had not caused the predicted spike in gas prices and explained that compliance pathways for the at-berth rule include emissions-reduction technologies or payments into a remediation fund. CEC Vice Chair Gunda described declining gasoline demand, shrinking in-state refining capacity, and growing dependence on imports, arguing that the state is in a “mid-transition” period that requires both support for legacy infrastructure and continued investment in cleaner alternatives. He outlined the administration’s petroleum market stabilization proposal, which aims to return California crude production to 125 million barrels a year through four components: codifying the ban on fracking, validating the Kern County oil-and-gas permitting ordinance, creating a temporary CEQA exemption paired with a two-for-one plug-and-drill framework, and strengthening pipeline and spill-safety requirements. Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucasey said the proposal is intended to stabilize crude supply and pipeline throughput while preserving health and environmental protections, and noted that CalGEM would still review permits and enforce other requirements. Mayor Steve Young of Benicia testified that a Valero closure would significantly reduce city revenue and leave the community facing years of cleanup and redevelopment challenges. He said the city supports environmental protection but is worried about the economic hit, the possibility that Benicia becomes a fuel-import terminal, and the lack of local influence over refinery decisions. Members pressed the panel on the CEQA exemption, tribal and habitat review, disclosure of closure liabilities, fuel-demand projections, and whether the proposal should include more demand-side measures. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and officials said some proposals, including a margin-cap pause and further transition planning, would be taken up later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we also have training, commercial vehicles, headquarters, and investigative services that serve
• We have specialty vehicle storage placed throughout the Metro.
• spaces vehicle storage we have specialty Vehicles<00:36:44.079><c> placed</c><00:36:44.440><c> throughout
• is being stolen from our evidence lot because we don't have a secure space for those vehicles.
• </c> involved in a crash or their vehicle involved in a crash or their vehicle breaks<00:37:24.400><c

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't see who's actually driving the vehicle because we can capture the license and we can see the
• vehicle, but not every person listed under the registered name for that particular vehicle is the driver
• What if the vehicle was stolen or borrowed, and something happens?
• So, you know, the warning is made to the person to whom the vehicle is registered, right? Right.
• Maybe it is a tool you might talk about later on in a different vehicle or a different avenue than this

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee heard several privacy, technology, and public safety bills. SB 898 would require manufacturers of connected consumer products to disclose how long software support will last and to notify consumers when support is nearing its end; Consumer Reports supported the measure, while members raised concerns about private enforcement, notice mechanics, and replacement obligations for leased devices. The bill was amended and passed 5-1 to Judiciary, with the measure placed on call. SB 1279 would authorize Long Beach to install additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway under the same privacy and equity guardrails as the existing pilot program, including limits on data use, no facial recognition, warning periods, and reduced fees for low-income recipients. Supporters cited severe crashes and fatalities on PCH, while opponents raised civil liberties and due process concerns and questioned how the system identifies the actual driver. The committee approved the bill 6-2 and placed it on call. SB 1111, the Artificial Intelligence Abuse Protection Act, would create civil remedies for non-consensual AI voice, image, and video cloning and digital replicas. Support came from SAG-AFTRA and Common Sense Media, and members discussed concerns about background images and employer liability, including a request to preserve a rebuttable presumption for good-faith employers. The bill passed 7-1 to Public Safety and was placed on call. SB 1217 would create a DOJ-run clearinghouse for survivors of non-consensual intimate imagery and deepfakes to request removal from online platforms; survivors and advocacy groups testified in strong support, and members discussed privacy, cybersecurity, funding, and the lack of a private right of action. It passed 8-0 to Public Safety and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 1095, which would require fusion centers and participating agencies to adopt MOUs barring use of sensitive personal information for immigration enforcement or racial/identity profiling, require annual reporting, and allow audits and inspections. Supporters argued fusion centers have operated with too little oversight and have been used to circumvent state privacy and immigration laws; some members supported the transparency goals while others raised concerns about operational ambiguity and the bill’s interaction with existing law. The discussion continued, with the author and members debating the scope of permissible information sharing and enforcement consequences for violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And a lot of customers are seeking to do that now as they add electric vehicles and heat pumps.
• Is the audit the appropriate vehicle, the only vehicle, to achieve the goal of holding the CPUC accountable
• Is the audit the most appropriate vehicle, the only vehicle, to achieve the goal of holding the CPUC
• The proper vehicle to look at three aspects of the activities of this board.
• Department of Motor Vehicles license verification by Assembly Member Lackey.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:17.919><c> pass</c><00:06:18.160><c> by</c> big trucks and and vehicles pass by big trucks
• and and vehicles pass by excessive<00:06:19.199><c> rates</c><00:06:19.520><c> of</c><00:06:19.680><
• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they
• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they
• If somebody has an affirmative defense, you know, I was at work, I was not driving the vehicle, they

Bills: SB341 , SB340 , SB341 , SB354 , SB340

Committee: Senate Transportation and Energy

Keywords: SB341, Alabama, veteran license plate, veteran tag, distinctive license tag, specialty plate, radiation exposure, atomic bomb testing, ionizing radiation, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, Cold War veterans, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Department of Veterans Affairs, probate judge

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation would allow for automated speed enforcement devices to transmit vehicle speed and an
• </c> enforcement devices to transmit vehicle enforcement devices to transmit vehicle speed<00:04:30.880
• Next up, House Bill 493, relating to tolling and storage of motor vehicles.
• </c> hoard experience with uh your vehicle hoard experience with uh your vehicle being<00:14:02.600><
• Line uh believe motor vehicle licensing Line uh believe motor vehicle licensing is<00:33:50.039><c> getting

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved prior meeting minutes, and then took up several transportation-related measures. House Bill 664, concerning work zone safety, was amended by the committee to clarify that a peace officer may issue a citation based on images from an automated speed enforcement device. Representative John Blanton said the bill was prompted by the 2019 death of Jared Lee Helton in a work zone and is intended to slow drivers, protect workers, and improve safety. The bill would allow automated devices to transmit speed and rear license plate images to an officer, require active worker presence and warning signage with flashing lights, keep the $500 fine, and direct fines to the work zone safety fund. After questions about whether citations would be mailed and whether a worker must be present, the committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 664 favorably with expressions of opinion that it should pass. House Bill 682, sponsored by Representative Ken Upchurch, was also amended by a committee substitute and reported favorably. The bill gives cable operators and broadband providers the same reimbursement treatment as other public utilities when their facilities must be relocated for construction projects. House Bill 493, sponsored by Representative Steve Pollock, was taken up next and, after a committee substitute was adopted, was reported favorably. Pollock described the bill as a transparency measure for towing and storage, creating a certification process through the Transportation Cabinet, requiring public rate sheets, and setting rates to be reasonable and customary in Kentucky. The substitute removed an initial $1,500 cap, extended notice timing to up to five days in some cases, and clarified fees related to investigations and fatalities. Senators asked about regional differences in towing rates, and Pollock said the cabinet would consider different situations and that posted rates would govern. House Joint Resolution 5, designating honorary road and bridge names, was amended by both a committee substitute and committee amendment and then reported favorably. Representative Josh Branscum said the resolution honors various Kentuckians and is especially in memory of Russell County Deputy Joshua Fipps, who was killed in the line of duty in September 2024. The committee approved the resolution and a title amendment. Later in the meeting, Senator Armstrong asked to be recorded as voting aye on HB 664, HB 682, and HB 493. The committee also received an update from Transportation Cabinet IT Director Heather Stout on the CAVIS system, including improved performance, upcoming integration with KY ELT, centralized lien management, online boat renewals, permanent fleet plates, rolling replating changes, temporary tag printing, insurance modernization, and an electronic sheriff’s inspection system expected to reduce fraud and streamline transfers. No vote was taken on the CAVIS update, and the committee also began consideration of a referred administrative regulation on hazardous materials endorsement requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• I assume $60,000 for the vehicle itself and things needed to get the vehicle in place for that person
• So when you look at it for the FY 27/28 budget, it's $60,000, one vehicle, because the first vehicle
• I assume $60,000 for the vehicle itself and things needed to get the vehicle in place for that person
• So when you look at it for the FY 27/28 budget, it's $60,000, one vehicle, because the first vehicle
• On page 71, vehicle replacement.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Item 5 discusses DPS's vehicle and aircraft operations.
• It adds $9,000 to every vehicle.
• We put 123 million miles on our vehicles. We wear out at least two vehicles a day.
• Finally, our TABC vehicle fleet replacement. We need to replace vehicles in the next biennium.
• Finally, our TABC vehicle fleet replacement. We need to replace vehicles in the next biennium.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and vehicle sales.
• Now's the time to invest in zero-emission vehicles to lower those costs.
• But at the same time, we're keeping the $115 million for the zero-emission vehicles incentive.
• But at the same time, we're keeping the $115 million for the zero-emission vehicles incentive.
• You made no change to the discretionary funding for zero-emission vehicles and Tier 3 funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also defines what vulnerable road users are, which is mostly people who are not in a vehicle
• They made the comment about the heavier vehicles, such as cars, such as pickups.
• from, I don’t know—” “It really makes sense that electric vehicles are anywhere from 15 to 30 percent
• or similar vehicle, which I am assuming would include a riding lawnmower, primarily designed for farm
• They also need to be trained and educated on proper use of that road, given whatever vehicles they're

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notable, this is fantastic news to celebrate: vehicle theft was down 37%.
• I want to delve into vehicle theft.
• This is motor vehicle theft over the last six years. That's a dramatic decrease.
• , led to a dramatic increase in those vehicles being stolen.
• Vehicles led to a dramatic increase in those vehicles being stolen, and for a variety of reasons that

Committee: House Community Safety

Summary: The committee held a work session on crime trends and policing effectiveness, hearing from national and Washington-specific experts. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national trends, noting that reported violent and property crime have fallen sharply since the early 1990s, while pandemic-era spikes in homicide, assaults, and auto theft have since eased. He also highlighted that juvenile arrests and residential placements have declined substantially over time, though juvenile homicide has risen, and he emphasized that racial disparities in imprisonment have narrowed, driven in part by reduced drug enforcement and arrest disparities. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center presented Washington data. They reported that 2024 crime in Washington declined overall from 2023, including drops in violent crime, property crime, murder, robbery, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, but remained above 2019 levels in many categories. They flagged domestic violence as making up about half of crimes against persons, noted rising animal cruelty and extortion, and said juvenile arrests and juvenile victimization remain a concern, with wide variation by city. Both speakers stressed that underreporting affects the data and that the state’s violent-crime solve rate remains low, with only 44% of violent crimes solved in 2024 and large numbers of unsolved homicides, assaults, rapes, and robberies over the prior three years. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said 2025 national and Washington trends appear to be continuing downward, with murder falling sharply and likely reaching historic lows nationally. He said Washington’s sample data also shows substantial declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime in 2025, though the state sample is limited. In the second panel, Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center and Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures argued that effective policing depends on strategic deployment, neighborhood disorder reduction, stronger investigations, and better data systems. They emphasized hotspots policing, problem-oriented policing, improved forensic capacity, and higher clearance rates as evidence-based ways to reduce crime and build trust. Marshall Clement closed by focusing on Washington’s declining violent-crime solve rate over decades and urged state leaders to prioritize investigative capacity and resources to improve clearance rates, especially in major agencies and counties with the lowest solve rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vehicle theft was down 37%.
• I want to delve into vehicle theft.
• This is motor vehicle theft over the last six years. That's a dramatic decrease.
• , and led to a dramatic increase in those vehicles being stolen.
• Vehicles led to a dramatic increase in those vehicles being stolen, and for a variety of reasons that

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to have safer vehicles on our roads, we need safer speeds, and we need safer roads.
• Again, calling your attention to additional resources that we've had for electric vehicle charging.
• What we're essentially seeing is that as vehicles become more economical, as the miles per gallon that
• Because I might only have 5,000 vehicles going through.
• Now, what we look at is total crashes per population and total crashes per vehicle miles traveled for

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Executive Director Dave Kerner.
• Do we fund those air vehicles, or do we have some arrangement with DOD? How do we do that?
• So let's see, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Executive Director...
• I serve as the Executive Director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
• Whether you're buying a vehicle, selling a vehicle, looking to get a license, a tag, or a title—things

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, the vehicles stolen are high-horsepower, high-end luxury vehicles, which have been known
• In 2023, an estimated 202,800 vehicles were stolen in this state of California, which is an increase
• of 2.1% in vehicle theft.
• In 2023, an estimated 202,800 vehicles were stolen in this state of California, which is an increase
• of 2.1% in vehicle theft.

Committee: House Public Safety

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety met to consider two bills, both on concurrence in Senate amendments. Assembly Bill 486 by Assembly Member Lackey would add key programming devices and key duplication devices to the list of burglary tools, with the author and the California Police Chiefs Association arguing these electronic devices are increasingly used in auto theft and related crimes and that the bill appropriately requires felonious intent. Support also came from the California State Sheriffs’ Association, the City of Thousand Oaks, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, and the Riverside Sheriff’s Association/California Narcotics Officers Association; there was no opposition. The committee voted to concur in the Senate amendments. Assembly Bill 1152 by Assembly Member Patterson would exempt prescriptions for human chorionic gonadotropin, a fertility-related medication, from reporting to the Department of Justice, with the author saying the current controlled-substance reporting requirement is unnecessary and raises privacy concerns for Californians undergoing fertility treatment. No support or opposition testimony was offered. The committee voted to concur in the Senate amendments. After the votes were taken, the chair noted the committee might return later for another bill, Assembly Bill 1127 by Assembly Member Gabriel, pending transmission from the Senate. The meeting then adjourned after all measures were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said it establishes that operating a motor vehicle with a suspension is an aggravating circumstance
• </c> establish that operating a motor vehicle establish that operating a motor vehicle uh<00:09:42.440
• so when this when more electric vehicles so when this when these<00:10:46.040><c> devices</c><00:10:
• it is a little more or hybrid vehicles it is a little more complicated<00:10:51.200><c> and</c><00:10
• and I will turn it over to Mr vehicles and I will turn it over to Mr Ross<00:10:58.560><c> if</c><00

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 446, as amended by committee substitute, which would expand third-degree assault protections to cover judges and justices of the Court of Justice and public transportation drivers. Supporters said the bill responds to violence and threats against judges and would extend protections already given to other public servants. Members generally supported the bill, though several suggested broadening it further to include circuit clerks or all officers of the court. The committee adopted the substitute and favorably passed HB 446 on an 18-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 456, a DUI-related cleanup bill sponsored by Representative Patrick Flanery and presented by County Attorney Joe Ross. The bill would add fentanyl, Flexeril, and clopene to the per se DUI list, treat driving on a suspended license as an aggravating circumstance, revise implied-consent notice language, and make changes to ignition interlock rules, including suspension periods and fees. Representative Scott West of the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, warning that some interlock violations and fees could unfairly extend suspensions and discourage participation, while members and the sponsor said the bill would strengthen DUI enforcement and that non-listed substances could still support DUI charges under other provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and favorably passed HB 456 by a 16-0 vote with one pass. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 10, relating to the rights of real property owners, sponsored by Representatives Maryanne Proctor and Emily Callaway, with testimony from a Pacific Legal Foundation representative and a Boone County Sheriff’s Office staff attorney. The sponsors said the bill is intended to address squatting by defining squatters and improving property-owner remedies, and noted support from sheriffs and realtors. The transcript cuts off before the bill’s full presentation or any committee action on HB 10.