Maggy Krell — Senator Maggy Krell (Menjivar) was called during the roll call and again during the consent roll call.
Ryan Perini — Spoke in support on behalf of ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association.
Reese — Spoke in support on behalf of SMPI and Pacific Legal Foundation.
Anna Caballero — Senator Anna Caballero is called on and then delivers a continuous statement in support of the bill. She argues that the issue is about access to care rather than protecting licensing interests, especially in rural communities where even basic physician access is difficult. She says the bill’s definition is too narrow, notes that access problems affect patients even without serious medical issues, and concludes that the focus should be on protecting patients and improving access rather than prioritizing licensees.
Anna Caballero — Senator Anna Caballero is called on during committee discussion, asked to address a raised issue, and is referenced in clarifying remarks about witness/support status. The sequence then moves into roll call where she is marked present, and she is ultimately identified as making the motion to move the bill, with one later transcript line likely misrendering another senator’s name in the same committee action.
AB1369 — Referenced as the prior Bauer-Kahan bill that established the underlying telehealth capability.
SB1311 — SB 1311 is introduced and presented by the chair as a bill updating the Dental Practice Act to allow unlicensed dental assistants to satisfy infection control requirements through either the Dental Assisting National Board exam or approved coursework, including online options. Support testimony follows, with discussion of a slight wording change and the bill’s proposed amendments. A witness raises concern about the alternative qualification pathway not being acceptable as a substitute for hands-on training, prompting the chair to clarify support/opposition positions and ask for additional testimony. The author then explains and accepts the proposed technical amendments, defends the bill’s approach, and the committee moves to close testimony and proceed to a vote. The motion is do pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with the vote appearing to be 6-0 and the bill left on call.
SB1311 — Moved as do pass as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed 9-0.
SB1416 — Chair says SB 1416 will be presented next.
SB1416 — The committee takes up SB 1416, a bill described as shortening the refund period for duplicate payments made to physicians or dentists from 30 days to 21 days as a small affordability measure updating an older statute. Support is expressed for the bill, and it is then moved do pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Lawrence Gaden — Introduced as the lead witness in support for the California Dental Association.
Lawrence Gayden — Lawrence Gayden, speaking on behalf of the California Dental Association, testified in support of SB 1311, thanked the Chair and staff for their commitment to the issue, and urged an aye vote.
Dr. Guy Atchison — Dr. Guy Atchison, representing the California Academy of General Dentistry, testified that the organization supports the bill if amended. He explained that their main concern is the exam requirement, noting that there is no coursework prerequisite and that the exam lacks a hands-on training component. He emphasized that hands-on training is important and said the organization’s support would remain if its amendment is accepted.
Michelle Revis — Michelle Revis testified in support of SB 1416 on behalf of the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, stating that the bill is reasonable and expressing the association’s support.
Jasmine Asher — Testified in support on behalf of the California Association of Orthodontists.
Aisha Wahab — Senator Aisha Wahab is first referenced during roll call and voting, then speaks to introduce SB 1416 as a simple consumer refund timing bill, noting she has no witnesses present and asking for an aye vote.
Tim Grayson — Senator Tim Grayson is called during roll call, confirms his presence, and later casts aye votes during the roll call and consent roll call.
Caroline Menjivar — Senator Caroline Menjivar is called during the roll call, including on the motion; the transcript is garbled but indicates repeated roll-call mentions of her name.
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas — Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is repeatedly called during roll call and consent voting, with the transcript partially garbled at first, then clearly recording her aye votes during the roll call and consent roll call.
Thomas Umberg — Senator Thomas Umberg is repeatedly called during the roll call and consent roll call, and ultimately records an aye vote.
Susan Rubio — Senator Susan Rubio (Wahab/Wahab) repeatedly cast aye votes during the roll call and consent roll call.
Bob Archuleta — Senator Bob Archuleta participated in the procedural voting sequence, including casting aye votes during roll call and consent roll call, and moving the consent items.
Joe Patterson — Senator Joe Patterson (Cabrera/Cabrero) was called during the roll call and consent roll call, cast aye votes, and then moved File Item Number 2, SB 1002.
Jerry McNerney — Cast an aye vote during the roll call.
Jerry McNerney — Cast an aye vote during the consent roll call.
Jerry McNerney — Identified as the author of SB 1002.
Tony Strickland — Senator Tony Strickland was repeatedly called during roll call and consent roll call, and later recorded as voting aye in both the consent roll call and the roll call.
SB1002 — SB 1002 is introduced and described as a modest, non-controversial expansion of current law that would extend telehealth-related privileges to patients in remission while preserving safeguards. The bill is discussed as having been effectively tested publicly before enactment. Testimony then shifts to opposition from the Medical Board of California, which states it is opposed to the current version of SB 1002 but is willing to work on amendments. Opponents argue the bill would create an unnecessary loophole in the temporary licensure process for out-of-state physicians and ask the committee to vote no on the bill in its current form, while supporting a narrower amendment approach. The discussion concludes with a speaker expressing support for the bill.
SB1002 — SB 1002 was taken up as File Item Number 2, with a motion made to do pass the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee. After the vote, the bill was reported out as a consent item.
SB508 — Referenced as the earlier equivalent bill that passed unanimously but did not become law.
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan — Identified as the Assembly Member who authored AB 1369, the David Hall Act.
Robin Clough — The witness begins describing her thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment experience in support of SB 1002.
Robin Clough — The witness identifies herself as Robin Clough after being asked to state her name.
Erin Bone — Erin Bone, with the Medical Board of California, begins opposition testimony on SB 1002.
George Horace — George Horace, speaking for the California Medical Association, testifies in opposition to SB 1002 unless it is amended, arguing that the bill would dangerously expand existing law.
Maggy Krell — Referenced as Senator Nilo in the transcript, likely a transcription error; the author of SB 1002 is being discussed.
SB1148 — Listed as part of today's consent calendar.
SB1148 — SB 1148 is listed as File Item Number 3 and included among the consent items to be voted on later.
SB1376 — Listed as part of today's consent calendar.
SB1376 — SB 1376 is listed as File Item Number 5 and included among the consent items to be voted on later.
SB1391 — Listed as part of today's consent calendar.
SB1391 — SB 1391 is listed as a consent/file item and noted to be voted on later as part of the consent agenda.
SB1263 — Listed as part of today's consent calendar.
SB1263 — SB 1263 is listed as a consent/file item to be voted on later.