Shannon Grove — Raised firearm taxes and said CDTFA has been helpful to gun retailers by providing direction and guidance on implementation.
Shannon Grove — Expressed appreciation for the nominee's leadership, said she had no questions, and said she looked forward to making the nomination to the floor.
Shannon Grove — Likely the intended speaker reference is 'Madam Bich,' but the transcript is unclear; the committee member is being thanked.
Shannon Grove — Acknowledged no opposition and returned the matter to the committee.
Shannon Grove — Moved to send Director Gonzalez to the full Senate floor for a vote.
Shannon Grove — Voted aye.
Shannon Grove — The committee has approved the appointment to move to the full Senate for confirmation.
Shannon Grove — Vice Chair Grove welcomed the nominee and began questioning with a joking remark.
Shannon Grove — The chair returned the discussion to members for questions or comments.
Shannon Grove — Vice Chair Grove cited the nominee's budget change proposal and asked about risk and staffing.
Shannon Grove — Grove questioned whether the staffing request reflects a greater risk profile and whether it requires additional General Fund support.
Shannon Grove — Grove asked about safeguards to minimize fraud and ensure services reach intended recipients.
Shannon Grove — Asked how often grant awardees are audited and whether the audits are public.
Shannon Grove — Pressed whether audits of grantees are public and whether they are shared with the Legislature.
Shannon Grove — Was jokingly referenced by Senator Laird as having 'assaulted' him.
Shannon Grove — Shannon Grove is referenced indirectly as one of the committee members in a discussion about whether a sheriff was from one of their districts, and the exchange then moves into a brief acknowledgment/transition with the speaker saying, 'Thank you, Senator.'
Shannon Grove — Senator Shannon Grove is referenced as having asked about audits of community-based organizations (CBOs), and the speaker later builds on the questions she already raised.
Shannon Grove — Senator Grove moves to send the appointment to the full Senate floor and then votes aye during the roll call on that motion.
John Laird — Responded present during roll call.
John Laird — Asked Director Gonzalez whether she would return calls from legislators and referenced prior discussion about lithium extraction.
John Laird — Was thanked by the chair after asking questions of Director Gonzalez.
John Laird — Voted aye.
John Laird — John Laird questioned the status and implementation of SB 519 and the in-custody death review process, asking what has been accomplished so far, what remains to be done, and what challenges exist in standing up the division. He also asked whether the adopted trailer bill language provides sufficient statutory authority to review local agency in-custody deaths, and whether the agency can assess if its efforts are actually improving conditions in local detention facilities. He indicated he would follow up if additional statutory relief is needed.
John Laird — Pressed the witness for a backup plan if the primary approach does not work, emphasizing the importance of reporting and investigating jail deaths.
John Laird — Referenced as inviting the witness to return if backup plans fail.
John Laird — Continued pressing on whether recommendations will be implemented.
John Laird — The committee discussion continues in response to his questioning about enforcement options.
John Laird — Asked whether the witness could require a manager to appear if recommendations are not implemented.
John Laird — The questioning continues in the same line of inquiry about enforcement authority.
John Laird — Addressed as 'Senator' in the question asking why the witness wants the job.
John Laird — The speaker thanks 'Senator Jones,' but the expected member list suggests this may be a mis-transcription; the context continues the committee questioning.
John Laird — During the roll call vote, Senator Jones/Laird is called and votes aye.
Eloise Reyes — Responded present during roll call.
Eloise Reyes — Raised questions about online retail sales tax compliance and referenced the Wayfair decision.
Eloise Reyes — Asked why sales tax may go uncollected on online retail sales.
Eloise Reyes — The speaker thanks the members and transitions to questions about illegal activity and compliance.
Eloise Reyes — Asked how the department addresses illegal activity and works with law enforcement.
Eloise Reyes — Asked about the fiscal impact of enforcement against underground and illicit activity.
Eloise Reyes — Asked for enforcement revenue figures and then shifted to the department's 2026 priorities.
Eloise Reyes — Reflected on cannabis cultivation policy and illicit activity trends in the state.
Eloise Reyes — Transitioned from cannabis enforcement to asking about the department's 2026 priorities.
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye.
Eloise Reyes — The chair turns to Senator Reyes for the next question.
Eloise Reyes — Refers to a colleague's comments and raises SB 519 and transparency concerns.
Eloise Reyes — Referenced as part of the accountability discussion.
Eloise Reyes — Referenced as part of the earlier accountability questions.
Eloise Reyes — Senator Reyes says the legislature has a role in re-evaluating laws and systems to improve community trust and asks how the witness responds to public concern.
Eloise Reyes — Senator Reyes asks a follow-up question about the cause of the problem and the lack of staffing.
Eloise Reyes — Senator Reyes asks whether abusive staffing was also a major issue.
Eloise Reyes — Senator Reyes is called during the roll vote and votes aye.