[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6530074,"mediaKeyId","3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053","parentId",3733956,"title","Senate committee hears SJR 6 urging protection of federal infrastructure and clean‑energy funds","audioSeconds",621,"startMs",154000,"endMs",775000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053&start=154&end=775","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053/thumbnail_154000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530074/California/Senate-committee-hears-SJR-6-urging-protection-of-federal-infrastructure-and-cleanenergy-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530074-223c769249a5c02e0e30f6ba801b83a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184866&Signature=W1KnamobiJljpW6LLR8Gt4JGYzlAE87Ze6ToehqiLD6QhAbImkvlnkmzz3lPkgUTChQiDv0QLVd4veccThzVMTZhdDyZy5J4yz7yt8aOrRFQyNCQ56TOQdQa5UQ3GBo5oE-IohHqfRD952KbDEQZrnXZbmBFq9K4P0qUx0-LvsfKcCZp1o8KqD2dUxkr5cBA-ZALJob3vrVKLu165fcch14bFiQwfkKRXHd6aIjzR2t6LSNOrh0BKHf1ztVjD7KoSQAVdtp5tVQRyw65~KldKu4sZkoAfWBJBsvwZe8C3MtUuGFQ37LO4MPVhAdW6WClUaA1RHNi~0EfOzl4VECDEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Senator John L. Cortese, author of SJR 6, told the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 9 that the resolution urges President Trump and Congress to uphold investments made possible by three federal laws: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Cortese said those laws have provided “enormous benefits” to California, including more than $63 billion in awards to the state and specific grants for hydrogen, high‑speed rail and port modernization.

Cortese said recent federal actions threatened to “reverse that progress, halting grants, repealing programs, and putting projects and jobs across our state at risk.” Andy Atala of the Climate Reality Project testified in support, saying the laws “expedited the deployment of renewable energy, furthered environmental justice, and created thousands of good paying union supported jobs across the state.”

Not all members supported the resolution as written. Senator Steven Strickland said he supported many elements of backing federal investment but objected to the SJR’s inclusion of California high‑speed rail, which he called a mismanaged project with “significant delays” and cost overruns. Senator Nilo echoed concerns, arguing the state has also cut previously committed greenhouse‑gas‑reduction funds and asking why California’s budget reductions should be criticized if the federal government faces similar pressures.

Chairwoman Ashby said the committee would not take a vote that day; Cortese gave a brief closing statement and the chair said the item would be returned next week for a vote‑only consideration. No formal motion to adopt SJR 6 was made in the June 9 hearing.

The resolution frames SJR 6 as a nonbinding statement urging continuation of federal funding streams and does not itself change state law or appropriate funds. Committee discussion focused on political and budgetary tradeoffs — members repeatedly separated support for the three federal laws’ programs from support for particular projects such as the high‑speed rail.

The committee left SJR 6 pending for a vote only at a later meeting so members could continue discussions and work with the author.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Senator John L. Cortese presented SJR 6 on June 9, asking the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee to urge the federal government to preserve investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530056,"Committee hears AB 631 on shelter and rescue reporting but pauses bill after opposition",1065,2486000,3551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053&start=2486&end=3551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053/thumbnail_2486000.jpg","/articles/6530056/California/Committee-hears-AB-631-on-shelter-and-rescue-reporting-but-pauses-bill-after-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530056-85b27e882c4e32cc14bba7a7e010396e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184866&Signature=O7j6OLAJiccy~h7Vob4L3QsTnacjt0wpTyltupetEKnoNOtPZY9FPsBfC5a~fRvBeg4FkMaRJjIvqr~aZUUtKTfeSP3-E61j~5lVCfd91GRpmsCXUbvBJBLohqHrgMEZb7NiVre5Imek4vEYKbT1b7YX8h3RW6SxVkTYQJNDD-9bko6ikvb7IwhIha2qQMqD0Ym4LiHV7zOJwK71dhvjKlVMVzADwYiFzfAzXYjT2ARJemRAJXGf6RYZk~Y2Wj4z-1H8438EGWoy9qpoSCQETq1rQ4faYf-rtO-Cxf2uhC3KJ8898ofzh0mct0~ONAsVEH4qPbr8LllTwxA38T-gNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Lee presented AB 631 on June 9, a bill that would require animal shelters to post intake and outcome data on their websites and make it available on request if a shelter lacks a website. Committee amendments narrowed the scope to nonprofit rescue groups that are formally constituted, the author said.

Nicholas Sackett of Social Compassion in Legislation, sponsor of the bill, said state data collection by the California Department of Public Health stopped in 2016 and that the state has lacked consistent shelter intake and outcome data since then. Hayes Lin of Take Me Home Rescue urged disclosure, saying “data drives solutions” and that rescues need statewide counts to show progress and the scale of the shelter population.

Opponents — including Fix Our Shelters and a coalition of 50 rescue organizations represented by Elena Gaffney — said the bill would impose onerous reporting on small, volunteer‑run nonprofits that receive no government funding, risk civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance, and rely on a private platform (identified in committee as the proposed aggregator) that may harvest and republish data without sufficient transparency. Fix Our Shelters also criticized the bill for not requiring municipal shelters to report how many animals are turned away at intake, calling that omission “a massive omission” that could make any published data misleading.

Senator Strickland and other members said they sympathized with the bill’s transparency goals but could not support it without addressing the opposition’s concerns about unfunded mandates for rescues, potential legal exposure, and missing municipal reporting fields. Senator Grayson noted opposition was filed late in the week and urged the author to have time to negotiate before the next hearing.

Chairwoman Ashby said the committee would treat the presentation as informational and table the bill so the author could meet with stakeholders. Assemblymember Lee said he would continue to work with rescue organizations and municipal shelters to make the bill workable and asked members to allow it to return as a vote‑only item once negotiations proceed.

","Assemblymember Lee presented AB 631 to require animal shelters and certain rescues to publish intake and outcome data; the committee heard extensive pro and con testimony and agreed to hold the bill for further negotiation after opponents raised concerns about unfunded mandates, data platform use and incomplete reporting requirements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530060,"Senate committee forwards AB 516 to clarify veterinary technician and assistant duties",671,1796000,2467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053&start=1796&end=2467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","/articles/6530060/California/Senate-committee-forwards-AB-516-to-clarify-veterinary-technician-and-assistant-duties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530060-ae87af9ae915d4fe636ade00829815dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184866&Signature=J508hMMp~QurU4cHI3INiMKg-x7bpDHtcQ0LIF69me9Tn8aY~JTxAfA1vaWmyNlMHoCWgxANYzbejN3wwacrhw-4SQi9r58sT5tW0uJfsAd3P8Q-NoK3WbE1HwhZrVEEVquxn9fiAcWeICidDgFP~Rr7fqRsdR6ZsyxE7iXx2645XjPl~-vfsoTOWigKjv12KYDP9PvyDVb0Uvv3-bLH1dJE4ZZWFesshIklp2LGe15c5pChjzq1N4o0MsuS4MlQefTFV7BMGqPcNPbT8J2yieVHgAAo2rXjxoJOcbJz5cSun1tX6uo4ojH9w62zYaESBRVcXkzozLTpo8VJLP7Pdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Kalra presented AB 516 on June 9, saying the measure clarifies the scope of practice for registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants so shelters and clinics can deploy trained staff more fully.

Kalra said current regulations’ long, enumerated lists can create the misimpression that technicians and assistants may not perform tasks outside those lists, which discourages delegation and aggravates the state’s veterinary care shortage. He cited a February 2023 UC Davis shelter medicine survey that, he said, showed 25 percent of California animal shelters lacked adequate veterinary staffing and 64 percent could not address basic medical needs.

Dr. Grant Miller, director of regulatory affairs for the California Veterinary Medical Association, testified the bill would clarify that, unless expressly prohibited by law, RVTs and veterinary assistants may perform authorized tasks — including dental procedures such as extractions — under veterinarian supervision. Witnesses emphasized delegation remains at the discretion of supervising veterinarians.

Members asked about training and licensing differences: witnesses said RVTs are licensed by the Veterinary Medical Board; veterinary assistants may be permitted for certain duties (for example, to handle controlled substances) and many receive on‑the‑job training. Senator Archuleta and other members voiced support and moved the bill.

The committee recorded the item as passed to the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 9 with an 8‑0 tally in the day’s roll call.

","Assemblymember Kalra presented AB 516 to clarify that registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants may perform tasks not explicitly prohibited by law, including certain dental procedures under supervision; the committee advanced the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530065,"Committee advances AB 226 to let FAIR Plan access bonds, loans amid insurance market strain",531,1263000,1794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053&start=1263&end=1794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053/thumbnail_1263000.jpg","/articles/6530065/California/Committee-advances-AB-226-to-let-FAIR-Plan-access-bonds-loans-amid-insurance-market-strain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530065-b1c045744b8239e401a5d99b231f456c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184866&Signature=ab0G238O0edI1t0M8Os8uHC43HjxayiSgGjFG18dDRJ6VPy297EPF2bSTeB5X2FiXoKd0038jb~p0tLQyVjWtlV~SYaKy50ripXSpJWrZtpliKqiHcEetP6i6l~gD6JrsXZpJwnc9cdieagbLuLUIC7CXnhKUtpJ4ydmD2M1eVKmpMof-p2RMywcqoZnkXuB6fHb9lRKxkMXHpwKp0nEdjUwcLA~Mk5JDACjQpampsR2pvK7VV7XzsaYEaCX2X2lSa~HivnW8Dv2QbjgHDjBGGkV1aV4o419qsbix8dE~lRTPvbo6dyYJto9a~EuiA3xSnahC7OQk7KlHhfHJwAIFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Jesse Alvarez presented AB 226 to the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 9, saying the bill would authorize the California FAIR Plan to obtain financing through bonds or other agreements to pay claims after catastrophic events and to build cash reserves.

Alvarez said escalating wildfire and other disaster losses have strained the private insurance market and increased reliance on the FAIR Plan. “This will allow the FAIR Plan to better manage large scale losses,” he told the committee, adding the plan cannot repay financing on its own and would recover costs through assessments on member insurers.

Steve Cruz of the California Building Industry Association testified in support, saying AB 226 would help stabilize the homeowners and condominium insurance market, allow projects to move forward and protect consumer access to coverage. Josephine Figueroa, deputy commissioner and legislative director for the Department of Insurance, testified that Commissioner Ricardo Lara’s office cosponsors the measure and that the bill aligns with the FAIR Plan modernization and a sustainable insurance strategy.

Support came from county boards of supervisors, insurers’ trade groups and housing advocates. No organized opposition appeared at the hearing.

Senator Strickland moved the bill and the committee called the roll. The clerk recorded that AB 226 had the requisite votes and the committee advanced the bill to the Senate Insurance Committee; the day’s tally recorded eight supporting votes on the floor roll call.

The bill would give the FAIR Plan an additional tool — access to capital markets or credit facilities — to meet claim obligations during and after catastrophic loss events, with repayment to be recovered through assessments on member insurance companies as required by law.

","AB 226, presented by Assemblymember Alvarez for Senator Calderon, would authorize the FAIR Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan to obtain financing through bonds, loans or other agreements to pay claims and build reserves; the committee advanced the bill to the Senate Insurance Committee.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530071,"Senate committee advances AB 50 to align Medi‑Cal coverage with over‑the‑counter birth control",2836,819000,3655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053&start=819&end=3655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3733956-65a6402367b765491b2396381d829053/thumbnail_819000.jpg","/articles/6530071/California/Senate-committee-advances-AB-50-to-align-MediCal-coverage-with-overthecounter-birth-control","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530071-ecbe76fcd66ecca0d6ac1574394e09ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184866&Signature=Q2NlpjvT5fJTqDein745~diE60E2pqPIsYXOWekYt7aGxGUJjwHMn2pfzxSIYdZ-iVDT1mfnJsaUjoKMxMGuoGbucz5dQxdSVUIrT-YaTTJuRIi3uhBHP0CZ5DbrgFQQrlt2-Xh~5~AkLJBE3gkWtAjwYoNZ5kUj4XcTFp4cfQUwH0~ZW2biopIQE0ZGBaivN5Mem84w~DVlQYQJQvbZjWeUfTe5eyI9lbgzJGWhGGR3kr-V8LL9j9Pt2nCtakniW04tJXHBGwp6qjrteAVazijOqGJKWhH3wqmM1pv6PraiQbw2ieQS5Q~6bdSvK-IRkPRFrYQ42R0ispY~xlYN1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblywoman Rob Bonta presented AB 50, the Equity in Birth Control Act, to the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee on June 9. Bonta told the committee the bill would ensure Medi‑Cal enrollees can obtain reimbursement for FDA‑approved over‑the‑counter oral contraceptives without needing a prescription for coverage.

Shannon Olivieri Hovis of Essential Access Health, a bill sponsor, said federal Medicaid rules currently require a prescription for Medi‑Cal to cover an outpatient medication. That requirement means Medi‑Cal members seeking coverage for an FDA‑approved over‑the‑counter pill must complete the same screening, counseling and documentation procedures used for prescription contraceptives, she said. “About 1,500 pharmacies in California can do this, assuming the trained pharmacist is on shift,” Olivieri Hovis testified, “that leaves about 5,000 pharmacies that cannot.”

Dr. Emma Choo Murphy, an OB‑GYN at San Francisco General Hospital, said over‑the‑counter contraceptives expand access for patients who face time, travel and language barriers and that the FDA process shows these products are safe and effective.

Several advocacy groups and medical organizations provided “me‑too” support during the hearing, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX and other sponsors listed on the record.

Senator Strickland moved the bill and the committee called the roll. The clerk reported the item had the votes needed to pass and left the item on call; the committee later recorded the measure as passing out of committee to the Senate Appropriations Committee with a 7‑0 supportive vote on the day’s tally.

AB 50 would instruct Medi‑Cal to treat FDA‑approved over‑the‑counter contraceptives the same as other over‑the‑counter medications for coverage purposes and would allow pharmacists to furnish or issue prescriptions for those medications without complying with the counseling protocols required for prescription‑only drugs. The bill does not change federal Medicaid law; instead it clarifies state Medi‑Cal reimbursement policy to align with private insurance coverage enacted by the Contraceptive Equity Act of 2022, testimony said.

The committee advanced AB 50 to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

","Assemblywoman Rob Bonta presented AB 50 to allow Medi‑Cal beneficiaries to access FDA‑approved over‑the‑counter contraceptives without the prescription and administrative protocols currently required for reimbursement; committee moved the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears SJR 6 urging protection of federal infrastructure and clean‑energy funds

Committee hears AB 631 on shelter and rescue reporting but pauses bill after opposition

Senate committee forwards AB 516 to clarify veterinary technician and assistant duties

Committee advances AB 226 to let FAIR Plan access bonds, loans amid insurance market strain

Senate committee advances AB 50 to align Medi‑Cal coverage with over‑the‑counter birth control