Appropriations panel advances package of bills on consent and suspense calendar; topics include animal shelters, court interpreters, housing rules and consumer-

The California State Assembly Appropriations Committee on April 23 approved a proposed consent calendar and advanced a group of bills from the regular order and suspense calendars. Several measures drew brief presentations and largely supportive testimony before being moved for roll-call consideration.

Key items advanced or presented at the April 23 hearing (summaries below reflect testimony in committee and the committee—s procedural action):

AB 631 (animal-shelter data): The bill would require animal shelters to post online data on intake sources and outcomes. The author said shelters already collect the information and costs would be minimal. CalAnimals (California Animal Welfare Association) registered "support if amended." The committee moved the bill out for roll-call consideration.

AB 792 (court interpreters bargaining): The bill would allow consolidation of regional bargaining for court interpreters when multiple regional contracts are negotiated simultaneously; the California Federation of Interpreters testified in support, noting understaffing and recruitment challenges. The committee advanced the measure; a minority conservative…