Appropriations committee sends most of 61 measures to suspense file; advances wildfire mortgage relief and patient-visitation bills

The California State Senate Committee on Appropriations considered 61 measures and, by unanimous consent where noted, referred the large majority to the committee's suspense file while advancing two bills with do-pass recommendations.

The committee moved AB 2 38, a bill presented by Assemblymember Harvidian to allow wildfire survivors in Los Angeles County to request mortgage forbearance of up to one year, out of the committee on a do-pass recommendation. Assemblymember Harvidian said the measure provides "a crucial safety net for LA County wildfire survivors" and asked for an aye vote. Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) told the committee it expects increased complaint volume tied to wildfire disaster mortgage forbearance relief but anticipates it can absorb the workload; the Department of Real Estate estimated potential costs "up to $150,000 depending on complaint volume and complexity." The committee recorded a do-pass recommendation; the transcript shows the committee's roll calls resulting in a final recorded tally described in the hearing as 7 to 0 in favor.

AB 9 60, a patient-visitation bill sponsored by Alzheimer's organizations and presented by the bill's sponsor, received a do-pass recommendation to the Senate floor. The bill would ensure that patients with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disability, cognitive impairment, or demonstrated dementia needs can remain with designated caregivers beyond standard hospital visiting hours. Monica Miller, representing Alzheimer's Los Angeles and partner chapters, testified in support. The California Department of Public Health told the committee it expects only minor costs to ensure compliance. The committee moved AB 9 60 to the floor on a do-pass vote; the transcript records the committee reporting the measure out of committee by an affirmative vote recorded as 7 to 0.

The remainder of the measures on the agenda were referred to the committee's suspense file. Many sponsors waived presentations and most items were moved "to suspense" "without objection" after Department of Finance comments about potential or unknown fiscal impacts. The chair opened the meeting noting 61 measures on the agenda and that two bills were eligible for do-pass motions while the rest met criteria for referral to the suspense file. The committee also noted that two bills listed in the daily file—AB 906 by Mark Gonzalez and AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover—had been pulled from the agenda and would be rescheduled for a future meeting.

Throughout the hearing the Department of Finance repeatedly flagged measures that could create general fund costs or state reimbursable mandates if enacted, citing unknown or potentially significant fiscal impacts on state agencies, counties, and courts for particular proposals. For example, the Department of Finance told the committee that a statewide collective-bargaining change for IHSS providers (AB 2 83) could have very large long-term general fund implications and that other measures could require system upgrades or added staffing at state departments.

What happened next: AB 2 38 and AB 9 60 were reported out of the committee with do-pass recommendations and will proceed to the Senate floor. The bulk of the agenda items were placed on the suspense file for further fiscal review before the committee will consider whether to release them for floor action.

Meeting note: The committee began with a quorum present and concluded after completing the day's agenda; members asked witnesses to limit testimony to fiscal aspects of bills and the chair repeatedly used unanimous-consent procedures to move measures to the suspense file.