Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations

The Senate committee on appropriations will now come to order. Sergeants, please contact any absent members to have them come down to the hearing room. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us. Today, we have a much shorter agenda on file with only 25 measures on file.

All of these bills are suspense candidates and all of the authors have waived presentation. However, we will be taking testimony from the public on every item. We have three items that are still listed in the daily file that will not be heard today. Those are AB 69, AB 570, AB 1554, which will all be rescheduled for our next hearing. Before we begin, I wanna remind any witnesses to limit their testimony to the fiscal aspect of the bill.

Please refrain from any lengthy policy discussions and repeating prior testimony in your comments. Before we begin, today's hearing on testimonies on every measure, madam assistant, please call the roll.

[Roll Call]

A quorum has been established. We will now move on to the business of the day. AB 353 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Birner has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Are there any witnesses present who'd like to testify in support of AB 353? Seeing none, are there any individuals who'd like to testify in opposition to Assembly bill 353? Seeing none, I'm gonna take it to the Department of Finance do you have file on this measure.

No file, madam Chair.

Thank you. Do we have any questions or comments from members? Seeing none, this bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 353 will move to the suspense file. AB 635 is a suspense file candidate.

Assembly member Ahrens has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony. Are there any witnesses present who like to testify in support to AB 635? Do we have any witnesses who like to speak in opposition to AB 635? Alright.

Seeing none, we will take it to the Department of Finance. Do you have a file on this measure?

Christian Beltran, Department of Finance. No file on this one.

Do we have any comments or questions from members? Seeing none, this bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 635 will move to the suspense file. AB 906 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Mark Gonzalez has waived presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses present who like to testify in support to AB 906? Do we have anyone who would like to speak in opposition to AB 906? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on this measure?

No file, madam Chair.

Seeing no questions or comments from committee members, this bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 906 will move to the suspense file. AB 1704 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Mark Gonzalez has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Do we have any witnesses who'd like to speak in support to AB 1704? Do we have anyone who'd like to speak in opposition to AB 1704? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on this measure?

No file.

Seeing no questions or comments from committee members, this bill is a suspense file candidate. Without objection, AB 1704 will move to the suspense file. AB 2152 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Mark Gonzalez has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Do we have any witnesses who'd like to testify in support to AB 2152? Do we have any witnesses who'd like to testify in opposition to AB 2152? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on this measure?

No, file.

Seeing no questions or comments from members, this bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2152, will move to the suspense file. AB 2332 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Mark Gonzalez has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in support to AB 2332? Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in opposition to AB 2332? Seeing none, Department of Finance

Do you have a file. Thank you. Seeing no questions or comments from members, this bill is a suspense filed candidate without objection. AB 2332 will move to the suspense file. AB 1159 is a suspense file candidate.

No file.

Assembly member Addis's wave presentation will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who'd like to testify in support to AB 1159?

Do we have a new witnesses who'd like to testify in opposition to AB 1159? seeing none, Department of Finance file.

No file, madam Chair.

See, no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 1159 will move to the suspense file. AB 1539 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Addis has waived presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Are there any witnesses who'd like to testify in support to AB 1539? Do we have any witnesses who'd like to testify in opposition to AB 1539? Seeing none. Department of Finance, you have a file on this measure.

Yes. The Department of Finance is neutral but notes concerns that this bill could result in litigation and potentially delay election administration. The Secretary of State's Office has identified policy concerns with the bill, so, I'll remain from making those comments in this committee, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Seeing no questions or comments from committee members, this bill is a suspense file candidate. Without objection, AB 1539 will move to the suspense file. AB 1294 is a suspense file candidate.

Assemblymember Haney has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in support to AB 1294? Any witnesses who would like to testify in opposition to AB 1294? Seeing none. Seeing no questions or comments from members.

This bill is a suspense file candidate. Without objection, AB 1294 will move to the suspense file. AB 1381 is a suspense file candidate. Assemblymember Muratsuchi has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Are there any witnesses who'd like to testify in support to AB 1381? Any witnesses who'd like to testify in opposition to AB 1381? Seeing none. Seeing no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate. Without objection, AB 1381 will move to the suspense file. AB 1707 is a suspense file candidate.

Assemblymember Davies has waived presentation. Are there any individuals who'd like to testify in support of AB 1707? Are there any individuals who'd like to testify in opposition to AB 1707? Seeing none. Bringing it back to the committee. Seeing no questions or comments. This bill is a suspense file candidate.

Without objection, AB 1707 will move to the suspense file. AB 1732 is a suspense file candidate. Assemblymember Alvarez has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in support to AB 1732?

Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in opposition to AB 1732? Seeing none. Seeing no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate. Without objection, AB 1732 will move to the suspense file. AB 1776 is a suspense file candidate. Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry has waived presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses present who'd like to testify in support to AB 1776? Any witnesses in opposition to AB 1776? Seeing none. Department of Finance, do you have a file on the measure?

Yes, Madam Chair. The Department of Finance is opposed to this bill. The Department of Justice indicates this bill may create unknown but potentially significant costs for the Unfair Competition Law Fund and Attorney General Antitrust Account to investigate and prosecute violators of single-firm antitrust law. A major unknown cost driver is the number of cases the DOJ will litigate under this new authority. Consequently, it is unclear if the Unfair Competition Law Fund and the Antitrust Account would be able to absorb these costs.

At the time of the analysis, the trial court had not provided a fiscal estimate of the implementation costs. However, because this bill allows antitrust action to be carried out against single firms, it may significantly increase the amount of the antitrust cases filed to receive funding on a workload—excuse me, filed. To the extent this bill adds to trial court's caseload, court backlogs may increase and could create pressure on the General Fund to handle the increased caseload.

Finance knows that the courts do not typically receive funding on a workload basis. Therefore, unless this particular case would becomes a significant and can be documented, it is likely to be absorbed.

I do see no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate. Without objection, AB 1776 will move to the suspense file. AB 1881 is a suspense file candidate. Assemblymember Ramos has waived presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Are there any witnesses present who like to testify in support to AB 1881? Any witnesses who like to testify in opposition to AB 1881? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on the measure.

Yes. The Department of Finance is opposed to this bill, because it could result in significant costs not included in the current fiscal plan, create significant legal and operational challenges, and increase administrative workload. Specifically, finance notes that this bill would result in significant cost due to its broad impact on various state entities, including but not limiting to the following departments.

The Department of Parks and Recreation anticipates the need for 25 positions and $5,700,000 general fund in fiscal year '26, '27, five point three million dollars ongoing to fulfill their tribal consultation requirements, provide administrative support in conducting tribal liaison cons consultations, and to provide for increased legal costs in response to potential claims.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife anticipates the need for 13 positions and $3,600,000 general fund in fiscal year twenty six, twenty seven, and 3,000,000 ongoing to streamline processes to allow access to department lands and processes and, and process incoming lawsuits.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife also adds that the expansion of access may hinder its ability to manage species and other natural resources. The Department of General Services anticipates ongoing cost of $480,000 general fund in fiscal year '26, '27 ongoing for two full times senior environmental planners and unknown cost for CEQA mitigation ranging from a nominal amount of $100,000 per consultation. All right. And then moving on, under existing CEQA, under existing CEQA, this requires state agencies to consult with affected tribes regarding such project.

This bill adds a requirement beyond consultation, which could delay to prevent, projects that would otherwise be permitted.

Thank you. See no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 1881 will move to the suspense file. AB 2058 is a suspense file candidate.

Assembly member Harabedian has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony. Are there any witnesses who would like to testify in support to AB 2058? Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in opposition to AB 2058? Seeing none, bring it to the committee seeing no questions or comments.

This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2058 will move to the suspense file. AB 2195 is a suspense file candidate. Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Do we have any witnesses who like to testify in support to AB 2195? Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in opposition to AB 2195? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on this measure?

Yes. The Department of Finance does not have a position on the bill but notes that this bill requires updates the California child support enforcement system to modify state license match processes. Other implementation workload, including training staff and raising public awareness of the changes is anticipated to be absorbable within existing DCSS resources. Local child support agencies may see increased, parent engagement to provide income verification information. It is unknown if this volume will result in increase in workload for child local child support agencies.

Impacts on collections are indeterminate as the connection between suspensions of occupational and recreational licenses that lead to collections cannot be tracked. These changes may also affect the level of federal incentives California receives for collections performance.

See no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2195 will move to the suspense file. AB 2385 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Petrie Norris's white presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who like to testify in support to AB 2385? Any witnesses who like to testify in opposition to AB 2385? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on this measure?

Yes. And the Department of Finance, again, does not have a position on the bill, but notes that Cal OES estimates that this bill would result in a potential impact of $2,800,000 general fund annually for the first two years of implementation and $2,100,000 general fund ongoing for eight positions and contract costs. Higher initial costs are estimated to provide additional contract support during program development.

Finance notes that this fiscal impact is predicated on the interpretation that this bill requires Cal OES and, not only to prepare required statewide guidance on discovery, plans, but also to offer individualized con consultation to local governments. LCI anticipates this bill to require $672,000 general fund annually for the first two years of implementation and $264,000 general fund ongoing.

Higher initial cost would provide additional temporary staff support during program development. And finance notes that the required program development activities include assessing the recovery and rebuilding needs of jurisdictions and developing model ordinance language as specified in the bill's language. LCI anticipates that the ongoing cost associated with this bill include providing technical assistance to local local governments and facilitating interagency coordination.

Finance notes that to the extent implementation of this bill does not require Cal OES or LCI to offer direct technical assistance or individual consultation to local governments. The ongoing fiscal impacts of this bill may be reduced.

See no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2385 will move to the suspense file. AB 2513 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Petrie-Norris has waived presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who like to testify in support to AB 2513? Any witnesses who like to testify in opposition to AB 2513? Seeing none, bringing it back to the committee. Seeing no questions or comments.

This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2513 will move to the suspense file. AB 2469 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Papan has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony.

Do we have any witnesses who'd like to testify in support to AB 2469? Any witnesses who like to testify in opposition to AB 2469? Seeing none. Department of Finance, do you have a file on the measure?

Yes. The Department of Finance is opposed to this bill. The Department of Water Resources estimates $2,000,000 General Fund and one permanent position in '27-'28, and $500,000 in '28-'29 and ongoing.

Funding in '27–'28 would support data collection, technical studies, and analysis, facilitation, and coordination with water suppliers to develop a definition and estimate of annual water consumption for institutional water users that qualify as consumptive use facilities, while ongoing funding would support a permanent Senior Environmental Specialist or Water Resources Control Engineer for ongoing assessment of data centers' operators' water use to determine the cost of a data operator to pay for water conveyance, treatment, or storage, or distribution infrastructure.

The Water Board estimates minor and observable cost to coordinate with DWR on any studies or investigations needed to develop a definition and estimate of annual water consumption of institutional water users that qualify as consumptive use facilities.

Finance anticipates that this bill would not create a state reimbursable mandate.

See no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2469 will move to the suspense file. AB 2619 is a suspense file candidate Assembly member Pap and his wife presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who like to testify and support to AB 2619?

Do we have any witnesses who like to testify in opposition to AB 2619? Seeing none, Department of Finance, do you have a file on this measure?

Yes, madam Chair. The Department of Finance does not have a position on the bill. However, it notes that the Department of Water Resources estimates $2,000,000 general fund in two positions in '27, '28, and $1,000,000 general fund in 2829, and ongoing to develop and maintain the data center water use guidelines and emerging technology guidance, and to support contracts related to technical studies and analysis, facilitation, and material for convenient task force.

The California Energy Commission estimates minor and observable cost to develop guidelines and best practices to maximize the efficient use of natural resources consistent with urban water use objectives.

See no questions or comments from committee members. This bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2619 will move to the suspense file. AB 2639 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Soria has waived presentation.

We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who like to testify in support to AB 2639? Do we have any witnesses who like to testify in opposition to AB 2639? Seeing none, bringing it back to the committee, seeing no questions or comments. This bill is a suspense file candidate.

Without objection, AB 2639 will move to the suspense file. AB 2,700 is a suspense file candidate. Assembly member Patterson has waived presentation. We will go directly to witness testimony. Do we have any witnesses who would like to testify in support to AB 2700?

Yes. Hi. My name is Will Abrams. I'm a utility wildfire survivor from the

Go ahead. Please proceed.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, committee members. My name is Will Abrams. I am a wildfire survivor from the 2017 PG&E fires. Here to urge that this moves quickly off of suspense and through to the Senate floor. Victims are suffering. We need this support. Legislation in the past has not come to our aid, and we are here to make sure that the utilities are held accountable. This is a study, but a really important study with teeth to make sure we are finding remedies so that victims are fully, fairly, and timely compensated. Thank you very much for your support.

Thank you.

Mark Nelson, resident of Paradise and Camp Fire survivor. I'm here representing myself, my family, my friends, and the Ridge, all in support of this bill. We'd like to get it pushed through as fast as possible so we can get everybody compensated. My mother did not live long enough to see this get care to her, and there are others just in her position also that need this taken care of now. Thank you.

Good afternoon. Thank you guys for, allowing us to speak today. My name's Sydney. I'm a victim of the 2018 Camp Fire ignited by PG&E, and for nearly eight years, we've been waiting. Some of these victims have been waiting even more.

And, through all of these continued delays, negligence, and the failures of the system that allows for profit utility companies to destroy our communities and then walk away from the promises made to their victims, we are asking you to stop allowing these utility companies to push their financial burdens onto the victims, and, please stop the delay. Allow AB 2700 to move forward and to pay our victims of what we were promised. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Lynn Houghton. I'm here representing myself and my family, Christopher Houghton and my two children, Piper and Parker. They really wanted to be here today to tell you their stories. They had boat camp.

But, it's affected not just the adults who have to make tough decisions, but generations. And, the kids really would like you guys to hear them and to hear us, too. It it hurts, and we need more aloe for the burn. Thank you.

Hi. My name is James Carroll. I'm here representing people from the towns like Yankee Hill, Concow, Jarbo Gap, Polga, as well as Paradise. A lot of these people, a lot of us, have not been able to rebuild, entirely, and, we're just kind of living on the margins right now. And, a lot of this, we've been delayed and delayed.

The costs are getting higher for us to be able to get to rebuild because inflation's gotten a lot more, a lot higher. And, we just would like to see this passed as soon as possible. I also object to the fact that people that are lobbying for PG&E are actually using our name wildfire victims first.

That is outrageous to me and it's so insulting to us as the true wildfire survivors that proxies for PG&E and, the other utilities would actually be using that as part of their name. So please realize that we are the real victims here. Okay? And please get this through as fast as possible so that we can move on with our lives. Okay? So, anyway, thank you very much.

Hi. Thank you. My name is Doreen Zimmerman. I am an organizing advocate with the Utility Wildfire Survivors Coalition and, I'm also a diminution in, value expert witness that has worked across the nation. I want to let you know that AB 2700 matters.

This bill isn't about yesterday and it isn't about today. It's also about tomorrow's victims, and it says something fundamental about who we are as Californians because as Californians, we don't leave other Californians behind. And, we need to let others know that their losses still matter and any cost that AB 2700 does put onto the taxpayers or through administration is far outweighed by what our communities will benefit and the lives that it touches. I would ask and urge that you keep that in mind as you vote and get this out of suspense as soon as possible. Thank you for listening to me. I appreciate your support.

Hi. Sally Webber. 2017 North Bay Tubbs Fire, representing myself, my son Thomas, and 5,600 more people who lost their homes and businesses in 2017. Please hold investor-owned utility companies accountable and move AB 2700 out of the suspense file to the Senate and governor's desk for signing. Thank you so much.

Good morning. My name is Steve Crowder. I'm mayor mayor of the town of Paradise. I'm representing myself, my community, and every other community that's, suffered our our same fate. It's been almost eight years for us, And on a daily basis, I'm reliving this with with fire victims calling me saying, hey. What's going on? Why can't we get this done? It's not a partisan measure. It's bipartisan, and, we need your help. We need your support, and we urge you to please get this out of suspense quickly.

Thank you.

Hi. My name is Tina Ressler, and I'm a campfire survivor. I'm also on the, Utility Wildfire Coalition. Please pass AB 2700. It's gonna help a lot of, people that have been, suffering, post fire.

Thank you.

Good afternoon. My name is Sharon Hollandsworth. I retired in 2008, and I was a part of the Camp Fire. I'm now 80 years old, and I've had to go back to work, and just because I have I'm waiting for my final pay on this. It's this devastating loss.

Try and rebuild your life in your seventies, and we need this thing passed. It's not just for us. It's for generations after us. I'm here to represent my entire family, my grandchildren, my daughter, and my son-in-law. We need you to pass this desperately if you would, please.

Hi, everybody. My name's Carrie, Carrie Max. I'm from the Camp Fire, and it's been eight years now, and I'm still just surviving. And it wasn't even money promised. It was money ordered by a judge that they were supposed to give us, and and we were told what we were getting, and we kinda planned our life on that.

And here it is eight years later, and I'm I'm really still surviving. And my mommy gave up and passed away. My brother committed suicide because I couldn't bring him home. And literally today, I was thinking, my power's being turned off today because I can't afford to pay my PGD bill. And I'd like to just, get what was ordered. And I see them coming in here and getting things approved by legislation to keep moving forward with their life. I'd like to move on with mine.

Thank you.

My name is Celeste Rex, and my mother was a victim of the Camp Fire as long with with our party. And it was all burnt down, the one that my grandfather built and hoped would be living in. And we're unfortunately, we are not. And, my mom suffered post traumatic stress syndromes after that. It was traumatizing.

She was on the side of the road with four dogs in her car, and she could feel the heat from the side of the road and was about to melt her tires. She pulled out of the line and took a different route. Thank God. But in that meantime, she also sat there and thought about letting her dogs out of the car and running for their life. That's terrifying.

So I just would like to definitely sit here and say that we need to get this all done and immediately. It should have been done a long time ago. It's a shame that it's taken this long. So, thank you very much for listening to me. Thank you, Ben. Thank you.

In the interest of time and making sure that everyone gets an opportunity to speak, if we could refrain from applause at this time and limit your testimony to thirty seconds.

Hi. My name is Patty Samughan. I am a member of the, t2018 Paradise Fire. I don't wanna call myself a victim, but everybody's been made whole except for us. PG&E has increased their profits. The insurance companies were fully compensated out of the funds and were left hanging, and I'm tired of hanging. Thank you.

Good morning. My name is Annette Krievel, and I'm a survivor from Paradise. Four generations of my family lost their homes and belongings in the two thousand and eighteen campfire. One of which was my son who was fighting brain cancer at the time and has since passed. I encourage all of you to vote yes on AB 2700. Thank you and have a great day.

Good morning. My name is Ken Class, and I'm a survivor of the Camp Fire of Paradise, California. I've lived in Paradise since I was 12 years old, and it was home to me. It still is home to me, but it's devastating to see what PG&E did to it. I think when you think about passage of AB 2700, you have to remember that even though PG and E went bankrupt since 2023, their profits have been $8,300,000,000.

I urge you to support AB 2700 on behalf of the 84 people that lost their lives and can never return in their families. I strongly hope the Senate opposes any trailer bills. If you could please do this. Attached to 2,700. Past 2,700 just like it is written by Patterson and Congressman Gallagher. Thank you very, very much.

I'm Nancy Skelly. I lived in Paradise for forty-two years. I lost everything, including my family has was in Paradise. My daughter, my granddaughter, and my great grandchildren who have since left Paradise and gone to different states because we could not get compensated at as we were promised. And I beg you today to listen to everybody here and please pass this bill.

My name is Julie Hendrickson. I work for an outpatient treatment center in Chico, and I'm here to speak for all the people who remain unhoused and live on the streets since the Camp Fire occurred. Restitution is fair, and it's, it's the right thing to do, and I hope AB 2700 passes quickly. Thank you.

My name's Roxanne Fields. I'm a great grandmother. My for Paradise, California, I lo I was in the fire, plus Concow. My family from Concow lost everything. I have four children. I have grandchildren. They're like they're they're retirement, everything. We built a business. We worked to work when I was 17 and 19. We bought a home.

We built a business for our grandchildren and our great grandchildren and a home where they could live. And that's all gone, and they've all struggled, all of them. And now everything costs a lot more to rebuild. They need that 30% so they can finish, and we can all just relax and enjoy life. Thank you.

Are there any individuals who wish to testify in opposition to AB 2700? Seeing none, thank you to all of our witnesses who showed up today. Wanna bring it back to the committee. Seeing no questions or comments from members, this bill is a suspense file candidate without objection. AB 2,700 will move to the suspense file.

Okay. I'd like to thank everyone for participating in today's hearing. We have now concluded today's agenda. This meeting of the Senate Committee on Appropriations is adjourned.