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:

• Senate file 4335, Senator On line 441 is Senate file 4335, Senator Champion's<00:16:04.880> additional
• Senator Wicklund's Senate file also from Senator Wicklund's Senate file 4719<00:23:46.200> and
• as Senate File 4933 by Senator Wiklund.
• Senator Wicklund. Senator Wicklund.
• Senator.

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.
• Senator Murphy. Thank you. Senator Murphy. Thank you.
• Senator Roswell. Thank you. Senator Roswell. Thank you.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Fuller.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:22:21.240> Kupec. Senator Kupec. Senator Kupec.
• Senator Putnam and Senator and echo what Senator Putnam and Senator Kupec<00:36:40.720> have<00
• Senator Senator Senator >> Mr.
• Senator Kupec: Yes. Senator Westrom: Yes. Senator Dahms: Yes. Senator Dornink: Yes.
• Senator Gustafson: No. Senator Hommersten: Yes. Senator Kunesh: No. Senator Sieben: No.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on the agenda is Senate File 4262. Senator Putnam.
• 25.160> Wiklund, and certainly uh Senator Wiklund, and certainly uh Senator Wiklund, Senator<00
• As am I, Senator Dibble, Senator Wicklund, Senator Murphy, in making sure that these health care facilities
• Senate tax committee. Senate tax committee.
• Uh Senator Dibble. I I bill over. Uh Senator Dibble.

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.
• you Senator Pha. you Senator Pha.
• Senator<00:59:15.560> Pratt. Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt.
• <01:12:16.080> Senator >> Madam Chair, Senator Draheim, Senator >> Madam Chair, Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:15:32.639> Long. >> Senator Long. >> Senator Long.
• Senator, >> Thank you.
• <01:09:35.120> Senator, know that. Senator, know that.
• >> Senator Bzo. >> Senator Bzo.
• Thank you, Senator Avar. >> Okay. Thank you, Senator Avar.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:14:26.720> Aler, >> Senator Aler, >> Senator Aler, >> thank
• Senator<00:38:33.599> Alula. Senator Alula. Senator Alula.
• Senator Re. testimony. Any questions? Senator Re.
• 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 Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo, aye. Senator Laird?
• Senator Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo, aye. Senator Laird.
• Senator Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo, aye. Senator Laird.
• Senator Small Ruevas, aye. Senator Strickland, no. Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo.
• Senator Strickland, aye. Senator Cortese, aye. Senator Durazo, aye. Senator Laird.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills. SB 1059 would modernize the Employment Training Panel by allowing electronic record-keeping, digital attendance documentation, and updated training terminology; supporters said it would reduce paperwork and better match current workplace practices, while no opposition appeared. SB 966 would make permanent refinery worker participation and safety protections adopted in 2017 after the Richmond Chevron fire; labor supporters backed the bill as a way to preserve stop-work and safety review rights, while the Western States Petroleum Association opposed it, arguing it conflicted with a prior settlement and could be preempted by federal labor law. SB 1024 would provide 26 weeks of paid postpartum and recovery leave for firefighters, with supporters emphasizing recruitment and retention of women in the fire service and the health risks of returning too soon after childbirth; there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 1316, which would strengthen wage theft enforcement by allowing Labor Commissioner liens to be renewed, limiting late use of records by employers, and requiring Cal/OSHA to report complaints and citations data annually. Supporters said the bill would help workers collect judgments and address long backlogs, while no opposition testified. SB 1185 would apply skilled-and-trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction and maintenance; labor and building trades groups supported it as a safety and quality measure, while contractor groups opposed it as an unnecessary expansion of state mandates onto private projects. SB 1227 would create apprenticeship pathways into DIR enforcement jobs, including Cal/OSHA and Labor Commissioner roles, to address staffing shortages; supporters said it would improve enforcement and create career pathways, and no opposition was heard. The committee first heard the bills in subcommittee and later took formal votes once a quorum was present. All six bills advanced: SB 966 passed 4-1 to Senate Appropriations, SB 1024 passed 5-0 to Appropriations, SB 1059 passed 5-0 to Appropriations, SB 1185 passed 4-1 to Appropriations, SB 1227 passed 5-0 to Appropriations, and SB 1316 passed 5-0 to Senate Judiciary. Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1059, SB 1185, and SB 1227.

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 Grayson? Aye. Grayson, aye. Niello? Senator Grayson? Aye. Grayson, aye. Niello? Cervantes?
• Senator Gonzalez. Senator Gonzalez, you indicated you've spoken with the opposition.
• May I respond, Senator, briefly?
• Senator Grayson? Aye. Grayson, aye. Nilo? Aye. Senator Grayson? Aye. Grayson? Aye. Nilo? Aye.
• Senator Reyes. Thank you. Committee on Appropriations with the Chair voting aye. Senator Reyes?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions heard SB 1131, which would update the Debt Collection Licensing Act by directing the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct examinations remotely unless an on-site review is needed, and by allowing the department to rely on recent audits or examinations from other regulators or approved third parties. The bill’s supporters, including representatives of the debt collection industry, said it would reduce duplicative work and lower compliance costs while preserving consumer protections. One opposition witness from the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition said there were still concerns, and the chair noted the need to protect the underlying consumer policy goals. The committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Appropriations; it was later confirmed out of committee on a 7-0 vote with absent members added on call. The committee also heard SB 1291, the “Shine Act,” which would increase transparency and accountability for mutual water company boards by eliminating 24-hour written notice requirements for board meetings, requiring websites with basic information and water quality reports, and directing a comparative analysis of mutual water companies serving disadvantaged communities. Supporters, including community and public health advocates, described problems in Southeast Los Angeles and other areas where residents said they lacked access to board information, notices, and timely water quality disclosures. The California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill unless amended, arguing it imposed unfunded mandates, assumed broadband and administrative capacity that many small systems do not have, and could push consolidation. After discussion about transparency and the needs of small systems, the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Environmental Quality; it was later confirmed out of committee on a 7-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I impose a call of the Senate. >> The Senate is under call.
• Senator Dames, Senator providing.
• Senator Fattah votes I. >> Senator Fattah votes I. >> Senator Pappas votes I. >> Senator Pappas votes
• Remaining under motions and resolutions, Senator Murphy. >> Thank you, President Rest.
• Senate file 3622, Senator Kroon. Senate file 3622, Senator Kroon.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and heard a prayer and pledge. The main legislative business was House amendments to Senate File 2511, the liquor bill authorizing various municipalities to issue liquor licenses. Senators described it as a bipartisan “one-off” liquor bill with local provisions, including a St. Louis Park food hall license, Minneapolis food hall licenses, a Rochester Chateau Theater provision, expanded University of Minnesota liquor licensing flexibility, Brainerd’s Northern Pacific Center license, seasonal resort licensing, and a care-facility “granny happy hour” provision. Senator Wesenberg asked about a proposed 17-year-old server provision, and Senator Klein said it had been dropped and was never part of the Senate language. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 2511, advanced it to third reading, and passed it on final passage by a vote of 56 ayes to 10 nays. The chamber also adopted committee reports, took up a confirmation calendar item, and unanimously confirmed Joseph Sullivan to another six-year term on the Public Utilities Commission after Senator Frentz reported unanimous committee support and cited broad stakeholder backing. On special orders, the Senate passed House File 3741, which modernizes educational assistance for children and spouses of prisoners of war and deceased veterans by moving coverage under the Minnesota GI Bill and increasing the benefit to $750; it passed 66-0. The Senate also passed Senate File 3622, a 97-page technical and conforming update to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act. Senator Kroon highlighted changes for small common-interest communities, insurance responsibility in mixed-use buildings, buyer disclosure, court-rule alignment, and lien priority definitions. An A2 amendment delayed the effective date of a separate 308C cooperative housing rewrite for one year to allow more consumer-protection work; after discussion involving Senators Kroon, Dibble, and Westrom, the amendment was adopted, and SF 3622 then passed 67-0. The Senate later adjourned until the following Wednesday.