SB712 — The committee moves to file item number 12, SB 712, formally calling up the bill for that action.
SB712 — Described as building on the legalization of cruising and supporting car culture and vehicle preservation.
Christopher Ward — Called during roll call; vote not captured in this excerpt.
Christopher Ward — Voted aye.
Christopher Ward — Voted aye on SB 787.
Christopher Ward — Christopher Ward is repeatedly recorded as voting aye during a series of consecutive roll-call votes, including the consent calendar and multiple bills (SB 30, SB 791, SB 34, SB 703, SB 445, SB 12, SB 787, and SB 800).
SB30 — The committee takes up SB 30, a bill restricting the sale, donation, or transfer of decommissioned diesel locomotives and older railroad equipment unless engines are removed, while allowing certain Tier 2 and newer engines with public approval. Supporters argue the bill is needed to prevent exporting diesel pollution and associated health and climate harms, citing examples like Caltrain’s retired fleet transfer and the continued emissions these engines would cause elsewhere. The discussion also notes that the bill is intended to keep California’s most polluting locomotives decommissioned, while clarifying that it does not force agencies to remove trains already in service. After amendment-related discussion and expressions of support, the committee moves SB 30 as amended to Appropriations and proceeds to roll call vote.
SB30 — SB 30 is taken up as file item number one and moved with a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then votes 10 aye to 5 no, and the bill is reported out.
Jonathan Cole — Jonathan Cole is introduced as a witness in support from Climate Action California. He then identifies himself, explains his background as a professor emeritus of physics at MiraCosta College, and describes his climate research experience, including work at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and co-authoring chapters on climate-related topics. He goes on to discuss black carbon, noting that diesel engines are a major source and explaining its warming effects.
Jonathan Cole — Testified in opposition on behalf of Climate Action California.
Jonathan Cole — Testified in strong support on behalf of Climate Action California and 350 Bay Area Action.
Jonathan Cole — Testified in support on behalf of Climate Action California.
Brenner Picky — Brenner Picky, speaking for the California Transit Association and representing public transit and rail agencies statewide, testified in opposition to the bill. He thanked the committee for its amendments but said the association still has concerns with the measure.
SB791 — SB 791 is introduced and discussed as a measure to modernize California’s non-governmental document processing charge (DPC) for vehicle dealerships. The author explains that the bill would replace the outdated $85 flat cap with a 1% charge capped at $350, add disclosure requirements at advertising and before contract signing, and address the fact that California’s DPC has fallen behind national averages despite extensive statutorily required dealership paperwork. The chair notes that amendments were already made before committee and that the bill will proceed as a due pass. Witnesses support the measure, arguing that the DPC is the mechanism dealerships use to recover costs for services performed during sales and lease transactions, that dealers face new obligations without corresponding fee updates, and that the charge should remain a transparent, separate line item rather than being folded into vehicle price.
SB791 — SB 791 is taken up as the next item, moved due pass to the Committee on Appropriations, and then passes with 11 aye votes.
Anthony Samson — Anthony Samson is introduced as being present with the author and representing the California New Car Dealers Association, then speaks on behalf of the association in support of SB 791.
Cody Boyles — Speaks on behalf of CarMax in support of SB 791.
John Moffin — Speaks on behalf of Enterprise Mobility in support of SB 791.
James Lombardo Sr. — Speaks on behalf of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association in support of SB 791.
Rosemary Shahan — Testified in opposition on behalf of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition, and Consumer Reports.
Rosemary Shahan — President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety; testified in support of SB 572.
Richard Holliver — Richard Holliver, president of the Consumer Federation of California and an officer with the California Alliance for Retired Americans, testified in opposition and described his car purchase experience, saying the dealer included an $80 document preparation fee and told him it was a required, mandated charge.
Ms. Shahan (Rosemary Shahan, likely) — Ms. Shahan is invited to respond and explains that while the fee is technically negotiable, in practice consumers will still end up paying the full $350.
Mr. Sampson — Mr. Sampson is asked to explain what fees restaurants are charging to recover costs, with the discussion focusing on restaurant service charges and other cost-recovery fees.
Mr. Stanhope — Referenced as having had earlier direct conversation with the speaker about the bill.
SB34 — SB 34 is introduced and the speaker formally accepts the proposed amendment. The speaker then explains that the bill’s purpose is to help ports and stakeholders continue working toward clean air action plan targets, while clarifying that the board may not impose caps on cargo throughput or cruise ship passengers at the ports. The discussion also notes that the bill applies to actions taken by the South Coast Air District on or after July 1, 2025, and concludes with a request for a positive motion and an aye vote.
SB34 — Speakers, including Chavez and Nastri, opposed SB 34, arguing that although amendments narrowed it somewhat, the bill still restricts the Air District’s ability to reduce port-related emissions and creates ambiguity around the cargo-throughput cap language. They warned that SB 34 could be read to block emissions-reduction rules, increase litigation and federal sanctions risk, set a dangerous precedent beyond Southern California, weaken local regulatory authority and accountability, and undermine public health protections. Both speakers urged a no vote on the bill.
SB34 — SB 34 is discussed in a continuous floor debate: one speaker criticizes it as shifting a local decision into a state-imposed mandate, another notes its committee history and significant amendments, a later speaker states support for the bill, and another explains that it calls for coordinated local, state, and federal action to meet emissions goals before concluding with a request for an aye vote.
SB34 — SB 34 is taken up and moved with a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, then receives 14 aye votes and is reported out.
Marvin Panetta — Marvin Panetta is introduced as a witness representing ILWU, and then begins testifying on behalf of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Locals 13, 63, and 94, in support of the bill and describing the union’s role at the Port of Los Angeles and in emissions reduction efforts.
Shane Gussman — Gussman speaks in support on behalf of Teamsters California and the Utility Workers Union of America, Local 483.
Nick Chappie — Chappie speaks in support on behalf of the California Trucking Association.
Nick Chappie — Said the California Trucking Association has removed its opposition to the bill as amended.
Barachi Gonzalez — Gonzalez says California's Business Roundtable supports the bill but wants a better outcome on automation.
Leslie Alvarado — Alvarado says she is with ILWU and fully supports the bill.
Chalia LeClair — LeClair says her father is in ILWU and she supports the bill.
Dan Campbell — Campbell says his dad works for ILWU and he supports the bill.
Tim Campbell — Testified in support of the bill on behalf of the ILWU.
Katie Gwynn — Testified in support of the bill on behalf of the ILWU.
Jared Campbell — Testified in full support of the bill on behalf of the ILWU.
Wayne Nastri — Introduced himself as executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District and testified in opposition.
Brian White — Testified in opposition on behalf of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.
Brian White — Testified in respectful opposition on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Benton Bueker — Testified in strong opposition on behalf of Environment California.
Madeline Hall — Testified in opposition on behalf of the American Lung Association.
Kai Klassen — Testified in respectful opposition on behalf of Ceres.
Martin Radasovich — Testified in opposition on behalf of the Pacific Maritime Association.
Marissa Brown — Testified in strong opposition on behalf of the Greenlining Institute.
Ada Welder — Testified in opposition on behalf of Earthjustice and multiple environmental organizations.
Fatou McBela — Testified in respectful opposition on behalf of California Environmental Voters.