Transcript Highlights:

• Senate resolution 121 by Middleton in memory of Pedro Cuellar Alfaro The chair recognizes Senator Middleton
• Passed away in December of 2023, Pete Alfaro was a true servant leader.
• Add everyone's name to the resolution, Pete Alfaro was quite a gentleman and well known throughout the
• Eddie Bernice Johnson constituent of Senator West, Carl McElhaney, constituent of Senator Blanco, and Pedro
• Cuellar Alfaro. constituent of Senator Middleton.

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

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• Hi, my name is Gianna Alfaro from Paris, California, and I oppose AB 928. Good morning.
• My name is Ace Alfaro, and I oppose Bill AB 928. My name is A. Sal Faro, and I oppose Bill AB 928.
• Hi, my name is Pedro Lopez, from Merchette County, owner of Lopez Feed. I strongly oppose 928.
• I'm Pedro Elias. I'm from Ferbil, and I'm opposed to AB 928.
• My name is Pedro Resendiz from Austin, California. I oppose.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 30, 2025, for a regular order hearing on a large slate of bills. After opening remarks and quorum, the committee approved a consent calendar in two motions: one for bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another for unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. The committee also deemed the suspense calendar approved without further discussion. Several housing and shelter-related bills were presented. AB 1061 by Quirk-Silva would allow SB 9 duplex and lot-split provisions to apply in historic districts, with limits to protect individually listed historic sites and maintain street-facing appearances; California YIMBY supported the measure. AB 750 by Quirk-Silva would strengthen oversight of homeless shelters by requiring posted resident-rights information, standardized reporting, and penalties for noncompliance, including possible withholding of state funding. AB 712 by another member would increase penalties for public agencies that violate state housing law and bar indemnification demands against applicants when agencies break those laws; it was described as part of a fast-track housing package. The committee then took public comment, dominated by extensive opposition to AB 928. Dozens of individuals, many identifying with poultry, feed, gamefowl, agricultural, or related organizations, testified against the bill, saying it would harm their livelihoods, culture, religious practices, or constitutional rights and could kill birds. A few speakers also testified on other bills, including support for AB 1337 and AB 804 and opposition to AB 1337. After public comment concluded, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair calls Bissi Bender and Frank Alfaro. Thank you.
• Alfaro.
• Chairman Creighton, Vice Chair Campbell, members of the committee, I'm Frank Alfaro, Assistant Superintendent

Bills: HB123, HB5606, HB549, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB1939, HB123

Keywords: HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention, math intervention, teacher academy, literacy academy, mathematics academy, interventionist academy, K-3 assessments, school readiness, prekindergarten, tutoring grant, parent-directed tutoring

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• I'm going to call up Kaz Giosette and Eric Alfaro Gonzalez. Hello, committee.
• I'm going to call up Kaz Giosette and Eric Alfaro Gonzalez.
• I'm going to call up Kaz Giosette and Eric Alfaro Gonzalez.
• I'm going to call up Kaz Giosette and Eric Alfaro Gonzalez. Go ahead.
• For the record, my name is Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, senior legislative representative for Earthjustice,

Bills: HB2338, HB2367, HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Cuellar. provide to us for the years that are within the report.
• >> Any trend like that would further emphasize the I'm our chair, and Representative Cuellar, there's
• Thank you, Representative Cuellar. >> Thank you, chair.
• >> I m our chair and Representative Cuellar. There's a guy I have a multipart response.
• Representative Cuellar. Representative Hicks. >> Thank you so much. This is more of a comment.

Keywords: 1183, house

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• Senator Federal Alejandro Perez Cuellar, thank you so much for being here along with your team.
• Thank you, Senator Cuellar.
• Senator Cuellar, I hope I pronounced that correctly.
• Chair, and I too would like to ask Senator Cuellar a question.
• Chair, I have kind of more of a comment, and I'll make it brief, but for Deputy Cuellar, Perez Cuellar

Transcript Highlights:

• And Debbie Yardley and Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, if you can accept promotion to the Zoom panel.
• Eric Gonzalez-Alfaro. Ms. Alfaro. Good evening, Chair Robinson and members of the committee.
• For the record, my name is Eric Munceles Alfaro, senior legislative representative for Earthjustice,
• Alfaro. Good evening, Chair Robinson and members of the committee for the record.
• My name is Eric Munceles Alfaro, senior legislator representative for earth justice, testifying and strong

Bills: HB2521, HB2249, HB1796

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call up Kaz Giosette and Eric Alfaro Gonzalez. Hello, committee.
• I'm going to call up Kaz Giosette and Eric Alfaro Gonzalez. Go ahead.
• For the record, my name is Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, senior legislative rep for Earthjustice, testifying

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2515, which addresses emerging large energy use facilities, especially data centers. Staff explained that the bill requires utilities to adopt tariffs or policies for data centers, adds reporting and sustainability requirements, sets renewable energy targets, and creates a sales tax exemption for certain eligible data center equipment in eastern Washington. The House sponsor said the bill is intended to protect ratepayers, grid reliability, water resources, and Washington’s climate goals as data center growth accelerates. Tribal representatives and several environmental and labor witnesses urged restoring provisions removed from the House version, especially authority to curtail data center load during energy emergencies and to refuse service if reliability or affordability would be harmed; they also asked for stronger water reporting and protections for salmon. Utility, business, and data center industry witnesses supported the bill’s general framework but raised concerns about implementation, costs, and some of the added requirements, while some opposed the tax exemption and the loss of earlier protections. No final action on 2515 was taken during the hearing portion shown. The committee then heard and acted on several bills in executive session. It passed Substitute House Bill 1302, which allows municipal utilities to waive connection charges for industrial symbiosis projects. It also passed House Bill 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects after rejecting an amendment, and House Bill 2367 on eliminating preferential treatment for a coal-fired plant after rejecting an amendment. Substitute House Bill 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council was amended and then passed, while amendments to change public meeting and tribal summary provisions were rejected. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2426 on PCHB efficiency and appeals, House Bill 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, Engrossed House Bill 2575 on reducing reporting obligations, and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels were also advanced, with some amendments adopted and others rejected. The committee then reopened public hearing on House Bill 2416, which would treat a Spokane waste-to-energy facility differently under the Climate Commitment Act by allocating no-cost allowances in the second compliance period and requiring a decarbonization and waste-reduction plan. Spokane city officials, labor, environmental groups, and Ecology generally supported the bill as a balanced approach that protects ratepayers while allowing the facility to decarbonize, though Avista raised a concern about language implying a utility compliance obligation. After that, the committee resumed testimony on House Bill 1170, which requires large AI providers to offer provenance tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio. Supporters said the bill would help workers and consumers identify synthetic media and prevent impersonation and misinformation, while industry and civil liberties witnesses argued the bill is technically difficult, uses new definitions, and may be unworkable or premature compared with California’s evolving approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• A space that is common to us, and that the Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar greets you and appreciates this opportunity
• us, it is very important because we have been following the instructions of the Mayor, Cruz Perez Cuellar
• We believe in cooperation, as our Mayor, Cruz Perez Cuellar, always has.
• And the Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar are together looking to build the bridge that he is asking for to communicate

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair call is Kristen Hua Cuellar.
• We show you register as Christian, Christian Cuellar, Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and
• My name is Kristen Hole Cuellar as the executive director of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the death

Transcript Highlights:

• And Debbie Yardley and Eric Gonzalez Alfaro, if you can accept promotion to the Zoom panel.
• Eric Gonzalez-Alfaro. Ms. Alfaro. Good evening, Chair Robinson and members of the committee.
• For the record, my name is Eric Munceles Alfaro, senior legislative representative for Earthjustice,

Summary: The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule and then heard House Bill 2521 on firearm background check fees. Staff explained that the bill would remove the $18 fee cap and allow Washington State Patrol to set fees based on actual program costs, which could be about $33 to $35 per check. Supporters said the change was needed to keep the background check system operating and avoid delays and layoffs; opponents argued it would burden lawful gun owners and amount to an unconstitutional tax or barrier to a constitutional right. No vote was taken in the hearing. Members then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language-accessible public programs, which would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines, address interpreter and translator shortages, and require agency implementation reporting. Testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the need for consistent access for limited-English-proficient residents and the benefits for schools, families, and state services. The committee also heard Second Substitute House Bill 2479 on wage recovery, which would create a wage recovery fund to provide partial advance payments to low-wage workers with meritorious unpaid wage claims and adjust wage penalty provisions. Employers, labor advocates, and legal services representatives largely supported the bill as a bipartisan, worker-protection measure funded by penalties rather than the general fund. The committee next took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy tax incentives, which would replace existing property tax and excise tax provisions with a new state and local renewable energy excise tax structure and related grant programs for local governments and tribes. Counties, utilities, developers, and tribal representatives generally supported the bill’s goal of stabilizing tax treatment for renewable projects, though several witnesses said they wanted amendments to address rates, timing, and late-stage project impacts. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5932 on alternative jet fuel incentives, which would change the timing and duration of existing tax preferences; supporters said it would provide certainty for emerging sustainable aviation fuel projects, while one refinery sought clarification and a broader county threshold. Later, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2238 on statewide food security, directing the Department of Agriculture to monitor food system performance and develop a statewide food security strategy. Agricultural groups, grocers, anti-hunger advocates, and farmers supported the bill as a coordination effort to improve food access, affordability, and supply chain resilience. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1903, which would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce; supporters said it would address growing unmet need and complement existing utility programs, while opponents said it did not address the root causes of rising energy costs. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 on large energy-use facilities (data centers), both of which drew mixed testimony centered on balancing emissions, ratepayer impacts, reliability, and environmental or tribal concerns. No final votes were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cuellar, thank you for your words.
• Representative Cuellar, thank you for your words.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Their names were Ray Alfaro, Alberto Anaya, and Luis Fernando Guerrero.
• On behalf of the widows and their families of the three men that I mentioned, Ray Alfaro, Alberto Anaya
• On behalf of the widows and their families of the three men that I mentioned, Ray Alfaro, Alberto Anaya

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, labor enforcement, pensions, and workplace safety. AB 1054 would create a voluntary DROP-style retirement option for CHP officers and Cal Fire firefighters to help retain experienced personnel; supporters said it would be cost-neutral and help staffing, while an opponent warned it could affect bond ratings and create pension risk. The bill passed the committee 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2129, which would improve Cal Fire compensation to aid recruitment and retention, also passed 4-0 to Appropriations with support from firefighters and no opposition. AB 1383, a broader PEPRA-related measure lowering retirement age and adjusting compensation caps for public safety workers, drew extensive support from firefighters and peace officers and strong opposition from cities, counties, and other local government groups over long-term pension costs; after debate over fiscal impacts, it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 605 on refinery safe staffing during shutdowns, prompted by layoffs and reduced staffing at refineries such as Phillips 66 Wilmington. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers and nearby communities during refinery wind-downs, while petroleum and business groups said closures are not inevitable and opposed the bill’s premise. The bill passed 3-0 to Environmental Quality. AB 1859 would let joint labor-management committees access public works sites to help detect wage theft and safety violations; construction labor supporters backed it as an enforcement tool, while laborers, local governments, and builders raised concerns about duplication, property access, and project disruption. It passed 2-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee then heard AB 2321, a pilot program allowing county district attorneys in Alameda and Santa Clara to investigate workplace deaths, which supporters said would address Cal/OSHA’s backlog and weak enforcement; employers and safety practitioners opposed it, citing expertise, due process, and overlapping investigations. It passed 2-0 to Appropriations, on call. Finally, AB 2575 began testimony on healthcare AI guardrails, with the author and nurses arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment and that patient safety requires human oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Example one is William Alfaro.
• Alfaro was convicted of seven counts of sexual assault of a child under 14 and one count of lewdness

Keywords: 909, all

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• The chair calls Kristin Hulay Cuellar. Thank you.
• My name is Kristin Huley-Cuellar as the Executive Director of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• Congressman Henry Cuellar, we did not receive a. response back from his office.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• Congressman Henry Cuellar, we did not receive a response back from his office.

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• Chamber executive Director Angie Cuellar and assistant Sarah Blaine.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chamber Executive Director Angie Cuellar and Assistant Sarah Blaine.

Keywords: 1184, house, all