Scott Wedger — Testified in support and aligned his comments with Ms. Minetti's remarks on behalf of multiple labor organizations.
Katie McCamill — Testified in support on behalf of Climate Action California.
Maloney Perrin — Testified in strong support on behalf of the Associated General Contractors.
Sellick — Testified in support on behalf of the American Council of Engineering Companies.
SB283 — SB 283 is introduced as the next agenda item by Senator Laird, identified as the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025.
SB283 — SB 283 is strongly supported and co-sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters. The bill is presented as improving fire safety, coordination, and inspection standards for battery energy storage facilities.
SB283 — A do pass as amended motion was made on SB 283, authored by Laird.
Doug Subers — Doug Subers is identified as representing the professional firefighters and as a witness in support.
Martin Vignolle — Martin Vignolle is identified as representing the California Association of Electrical Workers.
California Professional Firefighters — The organization is identified as supporting and co-sponsoring SB 283.
California Association of Electrical Workers — The organization is identified as represented by Martin Vignolle.
California Professional Firefighters representative — Explained that the bill would improve community and firefighter safety by requiring meet-and-confer with fire agencies, adherence to fire/building/electrical codes and NFPA 855, and pre-operation inspection.
Martin Vindiole — Martin Vindiole, speaking on behalf of the California State Association of Electrical Workers and the Coalition of California Utility Employees, expressed strong support for the bill. He said it establishes some of the strongest safety standards in the country for energy storage projects, protects workers, and balances safety with climate goals.
Juliet Lizard — Testified in support on behalf of American Clean Power.
Nicole Hortleman — Testified in support on behalf of American Clean Power.
Grasiela Castillo-Krings — Testified in support on behalf of the California Energy Storage Alliance and the Independent Energy Producers.
Karen Laying — Testified in support on behalf of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors.
Kasha Hunt — Kasha Hunt, representing Nossaman on behalf of the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors, testified in support of the measure.
Kasha Hunt — Testified for Padre Dam Water District and another water district, aligning comments with CSDA and apologizing for late opposition.
Jay Aldentas — Testified in support on behalf of San Diego Community Power.
Chris Con — Testified in support representing Southern California Edison.
Molly Corkren — Testified in support on behalf of Fluence.
Senator Allen — The chair transitions to Senator Allen for the next agenda item, and Senator Allen then presents SB 549. He explains that the bill provides two different tools for local governments to work together to invest in communities and rebuild after climate disasters.
SB549 — SB 549 is introduced as file item 17 and described as giving local governments tools to invest in communities and rebuild after climate disasters. The discussion then explains that the bill would create a resilient rebuilding authority framework, with a note that part of it may need to be a two-year bill. It is further described as authorizing Los Angeles County to operate a resilient rebuilding authority on behalf of willing and interested jurisdictions.
SB549 — Opposed by California Unincorporated.
SB549 — SB 549, authored by Allen, was moved for a do pass recommendation, and the bill was then revisited shortly afterward when reconsideration was granted.
Lori Johnson — Lori Johnson is introduced as a witness and member of the LA Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery, then she introduces herself and begins testimony as an urban planning researcher and consultant with the Independent Blue Ribbon Commission, focusing on post-disaster recovery and redevelopment.
Aaron Nordauer — Aaron Nordauer is introduced as the environment deputy for LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, then identifies himself and says he is speaking on her behalf. He continues by noting that Supervisor Horvath represents more than 2 million constituents, including communities impacted by the January Palisades fire, and emphasizes that the January fires were among the most devastating in the state’s history in support of SB 549.
Shauna Dawson — The speaker notes that Shauna Dawson was present earlier at the hearing, identifying her as someone who had already appeared and provided opposition testimony.
SB516 — SB 516 is introduced and then presented by Senator Ashby, who accepts the committee amendments and explains that the bill began as a district bill for Sacramento but now applies statewide. He describes it as a flexible framework to encourage multi-jurisdictional infrastructure, infill, and downtown investment, noting it could help cities across California. He also clarifies that the bill does not impose fiscal obligations on the state, asks for support, and the discussion concludes with the motion for due pass as amended.
SB516 — SB 516, authored by Ashby, is taken up for a do pass as amended vote and reported out 10-0.
Michael Alt — Introduced as executive director of Sacramento's Downtown Partnership and described as deeply knowledgeable about downtown Sacramento.
Michael Alt — Begins testimony in support of SB 516 and describes the Downtown Partnership.
Michael Alt — Named as a colleague/supporter in the request for aye support.
Robert Haidt — Robert Haidt is introduced as the president and CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and then testifies in support of SB 516 in that same role.
Ross Buckley — States support for the bill on behalf of Bethasie of Sacramento; affiliation is unclear due to transcription.
Scott Ford — Speaks in strong support on behalf of more than 400 locally owned small businesses in downtown Sacramento.
Michelle Willard — Speaks in strong support on behalf of Sacramento State students, alumni, staff, and faculty.
Deshaun Spencer — Testifies in strong, resolute support on behalf of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
Gieland Fong — Testifies in support on behalf of the SACA Asian Chamber.
Anya Lala — Testifies in support on behalf of the Sacramento Housing Alliance.
Karina Ramundo — Testifies in support on behalf of Midtown Association and describes it as a property-based improvement district.
SB707 — Listed as Item number 16 on the agenda, but the senator asks to take SB 838 first.
SB707 — SB 707 is introduced and described by supporters as a measure to modernize public participation by preserving and expanding teleconferencing flexibility, improving access, translation, accommodations, outreach, agenda and materials display, emergency meeting provisions, and broader accountability and transparency. Supporters frame it as a compromise that builds on prior bills and advances equity and inclusion, while noting some remaining issues still need to be addressed. The discussion then shifts to opposition testimony, which argues the bill imposes onerous requirements on special districts and other local agencies, increases litigation exposure, creates unclear or overly burdensome Brown Act and teleconferencing rules, extends invalidation action timelines, raises transparency and First Amendment concerns, could reduce remote public comment during disruptions, and adds costs for small cities. Opponents request amendments to exclude special districts, clarify subsidiary body and language requirements, and strengthen protections for public comment and live-streaming.
SB707 — SB 707 (DeRazzo) was moved for a do pass as amended motion and then voted on, passing out 6-2.
SB838 — SB 838 is introduced and taken up first on the agenda, with the author confirming she will accept the committee amendment. The bill is then described as a targeted pro-housing measure that keeps the Housing Accountability Act focused on housing production rather than hotel development. Speakers explain that it removes transient lodging from eligibility under state housing streamlining laws, clarifies that streamlined approval processes are intended for housing projects, and does not ban hotels. Supporters emphasize that the bill preserves the integrity of the Housing Accountability Act, note that retroactivity is being removed, and urge an aye vote. Additional witnesses and add-on supporters continue to testify in favor, and the chair then asks whether there is any primary opposition.
SB838 — SB 838, authored by Durazo, is taken up for a do pass as amended vote and the measure’s vote outcome is reported, with references to the tally moving from 7-1 to 9-1.
Matt Broad — Matt Broad is introduced as a witness with Unite Here and then testifies on behalf of Unite Here International Union, stating that the organization is a proud sponsor of SB 838.
Wascar Castro — Wascar Castro is introduced as the Housing and Transportation Director at Working Partnerships USA, then identifies himself and states that Working Partnerships USA supports SB 838.
AB87 — Cited as a similar streamlining bill previously seen by the committee.