Office of Legislative Affairs - "The Friday Wrap-Up"

As of the afternoon of February 19, 807 Assembly bills are in print and 452 Senate bills. This leaves roughly 500-600 Assembly bills and 200-300 Senate bills remaining to be introduced prior to the February 21 deadline. Bill introductions have been heavily focused on wildfire, homeowner’s insurance, and housing policy so far. We will report more specifically on the legislation introduced once all the bills are introduced. There are a significant number of spot bills and intent bills that will also be amended over the next month to contain substantive policy changes.

Insurance Commissioner Rejects State Farm’s Proposed Emergency Rate Hike

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara denied State Farm Insurance’s request for an emergency rate hike last week. If approved, the increase would have raised rates by 22% on average for State Farm’s California customers.

In a letter to State Farm, Commissioner Lara requested that the company appear in person later this month, writing “the burden is on State Farm to demonstrate that interim relief is warranted under the circumstances. My goal is to make sure policyholders do not have to pay more than is required. Considering the recent Los Angeles wildfires, State Farm’s customers need real answers about why they are being asked to pay more and what responsibility the company’s leadership is taking to get its financial house in order.” Commissioner Lara also acknowledged that his staff had recommended approval of the rate hike.

In a response, State Farm wrote that it “must seriously consider its options within the California insurance market going forward.”

The denial to State Farm follows the Commissioner’s approval for the state FAIR Plan to levy an assessment totaling $1 billion on its member insurance companies to ensure that it has sufficient operating capital to continue paying policyholder claims without interruption.

Under new regulations that recently took effect as part of Commissioner Lara’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, insurance customers will have to shoulder 50% of any assessment through a temporary fee added to their premiums. Before the new rules took effect, the plan would have received the additional funds directly from its member companies, which would have then tried to recoup that money by raising premiums.

Most California home and fire insurance customers will see temporary fees added to their insurance bills as part of the assessment, marking the first time insurance companies have imposed an assessment directly on customers. Insurance companies will need to submit filings with the insurance department before they can collect the one-time fees from their customers, said Michael Soller, department spokesperson. It is unclear what percentage of policyholders’ premiums the fees will be based on. The FAIR Plan itself will not be imposing the fees.

The Los Angeles fires collectively burned over 47,900 acres, destroying or damaging more than 16,250 structures. A study released by the UCLA Anderson School of Management estimates total property and capital losses could range between $95 billion and $164 billion, with insured losses estimated at $75 billion.

Legislative Analyst’s Child Welfare Budget Comments

Per usual, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has begun releasing analysis and recommendations to the legislature in response to the governor’s January budget proposal. Over the last week, the LAO released its Child Welfare brief among others. Related to the governor’s child welfare budget proposals, the LAO comments and suggests inquiries for the legislature on the Continuum of Care tiered rate structure and BH-CONNECT. The county has the opportunity to weigh in on any of these proposals or the LAO’s suggestions or comments with the budget committees and legislative delegation as appropriate.

Continuum of Care Tiered Rate Structure: California has reformed its foster care system over the past decade through Continuum of Care Reform (CCR), including foster care payment rates. The state will implement a new tiered rate structure in 2027-28, which uses the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment to determine a youth’s needed level of care and corresponding rate. To continue preparing necessary automation systems for implementation, the governor’s proposed budget includes $16 million ($11 million General Fund) in 2025-26 for the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) and CWS-CARES. In addition, the budget proposal includes $1.7 million ($1.2 million General Fund) to support training and fidelity tools for counties on CANS assessments.

Questions from the LAO include:

• What will the proposed training and fidelity tools for counties on CANS assessments entail?
• Aside from CANS assessments, are there other processes implemented as part of CCR with which counties could benefit from state assistance prior to implementing the tiered rate structure?
• What are the major implementation milestones that will need to be completed prior to the initial roll out of the new rates to families in 2027? Has the department developed a roadmap indicating anticipated timing for achieving these milestones that could be shared with the legislature?

BH-CONNECT: BH-CONNECT is a federal Medicaid waiver demonstration project that aims to enhance community-based behavioral health care services using Medi-Cal funding. The project seeks to deliver early interventions to reach children and families to help prevent entry into or deepening involvement with the child welfare system, including activity funds, transitional rent, and the establishment of managed care plan child welfare liaisons. The demonstration period is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029, and around $8 billion in total funding will support the various components of the project.

The LAO notes that implementing these activities will require close coordination between the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health Care Services at the state level, and between child welfare and mental health staff at the county level. It suggests that the legislature inquire regarding what coordination has occurred/is occurring at the state level, and what guidance will the state departments provide to county agencies.

January Revenues

The Department of Finance (DOF) and State Controller released reports on January’s revenues as compared to the 2025-26 governor’s budget proposal.  

Upcoming Hearings

Agendas are typically posted on the committee websites in the Assembly and Senate a few days prior to the hearings. To view hearings after they take place, you may access them in the Assembly or Senate media archives where they are generally available within a few hours of committee adjournment.

Monday, February 24, 2025, 2:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health

Addis, Chair

Location: State Capitol, Room 127

Item No. Description

4265 Department of Public Health

• Annual State of the State's Public Health Report
• Oversight Issue: Report on Future of Public Health funding, ADAP Funding, others
• Department Update: Avian Flu Response, Wildfires Response

4120 Emergency Medical Services Authority

• Budget Overview and Budget Change Proposal

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 9 a.m.

Senate Joint Hearing Public Safety and Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation

Arreguin and Richardson, Chairs

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2200

Informational Hearing: Implementation of Proposition 36 

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration

Quirk-Silva, Chair

Location: State Capitol, Room 447

Item No. Description

0559 Labor and Workforce Development Agency

7100 Employment Development Department

7350 Department of Industrial Relations

7120 California Workforce Development Board

7300 Agricultural Labor Relations Board 

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Senate Environmental Quality

Blakespear, Chair

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2200

Informational Hearing: Subject: Extended Producer Responsibility in Action: Policy, Progress, and Pitfalls 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 9 a.m.

Assembly Joint Hearing Emergency Management and Housing and Community Development and Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Ransom, Haney, Solache, Chairs

Location: State Capitol, Room 437

Oversight Hearing: Recovering and Rebuilding after the Los Angeles Wildfires 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 9:30 a.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 On Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, And Transportation

Bennett, Chair

Location: State Capitol, Room 447

Item No. Description

Various Prop. 4 - Wildfire and Forest Resilience Spending Plan

3540 Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

3480 Department of Conservation

3340 California Conservation Corps

3125 California Tahoe Conservancy

3110 Special Resources Programs

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

0509 Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development 

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services

Jackson, Chair

Location: State Capitol, Room 444

Item No. Description

5180 Department of Social Services

• CalWORKs Program
• CalFresh and Food Programs
• Immigration and Refugee Programs
• Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
• Program Updates and Priority Issues of Interest
• Governor's Budget Proposals
   

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Senate Joint Hearing Health and Public Safety

Menjivar and Arreguin, Chairs

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 1200

Informational Hearing: California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM): Enhanced Care Management, Community Supports, and Justice Involved Reentry Initiatives

Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education

Laird, Chair

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2100

Item Description

6100 Department of Education

• State of Education
• Proposition 98 Overview
• Local Control Funding Formula
• Fiscal Health of School Districts
• Disaster Recovery for Schools
  
  

Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy

Allen, Chair

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2200

Item Description

0540 Natural Resources Agency

0650 Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation

0690 Office of Emergency Services

3125 California Tahoe Conservancy

3340 California Conservation Corps

3360 Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission

3480 Department of Conservation

3540 Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

3600 Department of Fish and Wildlife

3640 Wildlife Conservation Board

3760 State Coastal Conservancy

3790 Department of Parks and Recreation

3810 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy

 
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy

Allen, Chair

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2200

Item Description

3825 San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles River and Mountains Conservancy

3845 San Diego River Conservancy

3850 Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy

3855 Sierra Nevada Conservancy

3860 Department of Water Resources

3875 Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

3940 State Water Resources Control Board

4700 Department of Community Services and Development

8570 Department of Food and Agriculture

 
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services

Weber Pierson, Chair

Location: 1021 O Street, Room 1200

Item Description

4260 Department of Health Care Services

• Medi-Cal Overview
• Medi-Cal Provider Rates and Access
• Medi-Cal Managed Care
• Medi-Cal Dental Services
• Medi-Cal Pharmacy

 
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government

Cabaldon, Chair

Location: State Capitol, Room 113

Item Description

Housing and Civil Rights Funding and Program Oversight

0515 Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency

0968 Tax Credit Allocation Committee

2240 Department of Housing and Community Development

2245 California Housing Finance Agency

 
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 9:30 a.m. or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation

Richardson, Chair

Location: State Capitol, Room 112

Item Description

0250 Judicial Branch

0690 Office of Emergency Services

2720 Department of California Highway Patrol

7870 California Victim Compensation Board

Governor’s Press Releases

Below is a list of the governor’s press releases beginning February 12.

February 19: Governor Newsom proclaims A Day of Remembrance: Japanese American Evacuation 2025

February 19: The Golden State will soon be home to the world’s most renowned athletic events

February 19: Governor Newsom proposes $125 million in mortgage relief to benefit victims of recent natural disasters

February 19: $300 million of illicit fentanyl seized in California since 2023

February 14: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.14.25

• Melissa Stone, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the Department of Child Support Services
• Stephanie Weldon, of McKinleyville, has been appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health
• Melissa Gear, of Elk Grove, has been appointed Deputy Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs at the Department of Health Care Access and Information
• Daniel Millsap, of Folsom, has been appointed Deputy Director of the Real Estate Services Division at the California Department of General Services
• Katie Hardeman, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Executive Director at the State Board of Education
• Richard Roth, of Riverside, has been appointed to the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board
• Seanna Griffis, of Sacramento, has been appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary and Undersecretary at the Government Operations Agency
• Christopher Contreras, of Northridge, has been appointed to the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
• Makenzie Cross, of Elk Grove, has been appointed to the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
• Robert Callan, Jr., of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
• Jody Kolbach, of Watsonville, has been appointed to the 14th District Agricultural Association Santa Cruz Fair Board

February 14: State and local actions to pre-deploy resources for storms helps save lives

February 14: Governor Newsom announces judicial appointments 2.14.25

• Phu Nguyen, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
• Sonia Dujan, of Ventura County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Mike Madokoro, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court
• James Montgomery Jr., of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Jacob Yim, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Helen Yang, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Louis Parise, of Los Angeles County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court
• Randall Harr, of Shasta County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Modoc County Superior Court
• Mickie Reed, of Riverside County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court
• Michael Martin, of Riverside County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Riverside County Superior Court
• Chandra Reid, of San Diego County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Diego County Superior Court
• Mark McCannon, of San Francisco County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the San Mateo County Superior Court
• Jason Taylor, of Kings County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Tulare County Superior Court
• Amy Van Sickle, of Ventura, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Ventura County Superior Court

February 14: Governor Newsom issues emergency proclamation to help Santa Cruz recover from destructive winter storms

February 14: Governor Newsom marks new milestone in Delta Conveyance Project

February 13: Governor Newsom cuts more red tape by further streamlining permitting laws to accelerate rebuilding Los Angeles

February 13: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.13.25

• Vera Zakem, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed State Chief Technology Innovation Officer at the California Department of Technology
• Aaron Stockwell, of Fair Oaks, has been reappointed to the California Building Standards Commission
• Elham “Elley” Klausbruckner, of San Diego, has been reappointed to the California Building Standards Commission
• William Benedict, of Danville, has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun
• Karen Tynan, of Fairfield, has been reappointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun
• Lynn Korwatch, of Alamo, has been reappointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun
• Mary-Ann Warmerdam, of Woodland, has been appointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association Yolo County Fair Board
• Phil Mercado, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Arts Council, where he has served since 2022

February 12: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.12.25

• Kate Hoit, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Communications at the California Department of Veterans Affairs
• Shaun Spillane, of Gold River, has been appointed Chief Deputy Inspector General at the Office of the Inspector General
• Michael “Mike” Detoy, of Hermosa Beach, has been appointed to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System Board of Administration
• Christopher Gonder, of Brawley, has been appointed to the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Hellen Hong, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the Civil Rights Council, where she has served since 2021
• Hugh Crooks, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Veterans Board, where he has served since 2017

February 11: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.11.25

• Karen Morrison, of Sacramento, has been appointed Director at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation
• Nicholas Lutton, of Fresno, has been appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Eric Bergersen, of Long Beach, has been appointed to the Physician Assistant Board
• Ed Perez, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Physician Assistant Board
• Drake Dillard, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Disability Access
• Jaqueline Jackson, of San Diego, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Disability Access

February 11: With biggest winter storm of the season looming, California takes early, proactive steps to protect communities and harden burn scar areas 

February 11: Governor Newsom issues executive order to support childcare providers impacted by LA fires

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY

Senate Begins Debate on Budget Reconciliation  

This week, the Senate advanced its budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 7) after advancing it out of the Budget Committee last week. Meanwhile, the House was not in session but is scheduled to bring its version of the resolution to the floor next week. This marks the next step in the budget reconciliation process, a legislative tool frequently used for partisan measures as it bypasses the Senate filibuster, allowing passage without minority party support

S. Con. Res. 7 directs committees to develop legislation supporting President Trump’s priorities on border security, defense, and energy. Senate Republicans aim to secure an early legislative and political victory for President Trump before pursuing a second reconciliation package focused on tax cuts later in the year. Last Thursday, the House Budget Committee advanced a draft resolution encompassing all of President Trump’s priorities, including up to $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and a $4 trillion increase to the debt limit.

However, the House and Senate remain divided on how to proceed. To continue with the budget reconciliation process, both chambers must adopt the same budget resolution. President Trump has expressed a preference for the House’s unified approach, while House leaders are concerned about passing two separate bills given the GOP’s narrow majority. In contrast, Senate leaders argue that border security and defense priorities are too pressing to be delayed by tax negotiations. Discussions between the two chambers are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

FY2025 Appropriations Update 

The federal government is operating under a continuing resolution (CR) that extends funding through March 14. There have been discussions around an extended CR that would allow Republicans time to work through their budget reconciliation process, but it is not clear whether or not this will occur. The current CR maintains government operations at the previous fiscal year's levels, providing Congress with additional time to finalize the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025) appropriations bills.

President Biden’s budget for FY2025, released in March 2024, proposed $895 billion in defense spending and $711 billion in non-defense discretionary spending. However, partisan disagreements have delayed the passage of the 12 regular appropriations bills. The House has passed several bills along party lines, but the Senate has not yet approved them, leading to the reliance on continuing resolutions to maintain government funding.

Congressman Tran Appointed Ranking Member on Small Business Subcommittee

Congressman Derek Tran was appointed Ranking Member for the House Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations. The Ranking Member is the top member of the minority party on a given committee or subcommittee. The House Small Business Committee provides direct oversight for matters affecting small businesses, including access to capital, resources for minority, veteran and women entrepreneurs, and Small Business Administration lending programs. In particular, the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations will review the regulatory burdens imposed on small businesses by federal agencies and how those burdens may be alleviated.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY

White House Starts Unwinding Environmental Permitting Rules

The White House is dismantling the rules that clarify how environmental permits are issued for federal projects such as pipelines, highways, and transmission lines. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) submitted an interim final rule, titled Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations, which circumvents the typical notice and comment process and can take effect immediately. The rule change aims to speed up permitting, but opponents argue that it will accelerate climate change, harm communities, and lead to more litigation.

Previously, President Trump signed an executive order giving the CEQ until February 19 to consider rescinding all rules issued under the National Environmental Policy Act and replace them with nonbinding guidance. Agencies would still have to do National Environmental Policy Act analyses if the rules are scrapped. The issue has the attention of Congress, which has tried to pass permitting-overhaul legislation. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on Wednesday on improving the federal environmental review and permitting processes.

This is consistent with President Trump’s efforts to reduce red tape and regulation. President Trump set a goal during his first term to eliminate two regulations for every new one. This time, he has said, he wants to slash 10 regulations for each new one. President Trump has also signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting American fossil fuels and undoing policies that favor electric vehicles.

Trump Administration Challenges California Over Ban on Gasoline Cars

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will submit air pollution waivers to Congress for review in an initial strike against California car pollution regulations. The regulations compel zero-emission vehicle sales, which the President says limits consumer choice. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said he would formally subject EPA’s approval of those California rules to congressional scrutiny.

The move empowers congressional Republicans to swiftly repeal the pollution standards using expedited procedures under a law known as the Congressional Review Act. Doing so could effectively wipe away California’s Clean Cars II program, which mandates zero-emission vehicles and ultimately bans the sale of gasoline-powered cars in 2035. Carmakers, auto dealers and fuel producers that have called California’s standards unachievable. Refiners and biofuel producers have challenged some of the requirements in federal court.

The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to review and repeal federal regulations issued by executive agencies within a specified time frame through a joint resolution of disapproval. It could take months for the agency to justify a reversal. In the meantime, the requirements are already affecting automakers. Under Clean Cars II, automakers in California and others abiding by the regulation must sell at least 35% zero-emission vehicles in 2026.

HUD Halts Enforcement of Equal Access Rule

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner has directed the department to halt enforcement of the 2016 Equal Access Rule, which prohibits discrimination in HUD-funded housing and shelter programs based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. The Equal Access Rule was initially published in 2012 and it expanded in 2016 to specifically protect transgender individuals from discrimination in emergency and transitional housing. This expansion was intended to protect transgender individuals from discrimination in accessing emergency and transitional housing. The Equal Access Rule remains in place, rescinding it would require a formal regulatory process. Secretary Turner has indicated that this is just the first of many upcoming policy shifts within HUD.

Below are the impacts of Secretary Turner’s order:

• HUD-funded programs, shelters, and service providers will determine eligibility based on an individual’s biological sex at birth (male or female).
• The previous mandate allowing individuals to self-identify their gender for housing and shelter access will no longer be enforced.
• The directive aligns HUD’s policies with President Trump’s executive order to recognize only male and female sexes within federal agencies.

President Trump Signs Executive Order Limiting the Role of Independent Agencies

On Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order granting the White House direct oversight of independent federal regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission. These agencies typically are run by bipartisan panels whose members are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for fixed terms. The White House believes that independent regulators could undermine the President’s agenda and the will of the voting public.

The order allows the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to set performance standards and management objectives for agency heads. OMB may also adjust agency funding based on “activity, function, project, or object” that could conflict with the President’s agenda. Additionally, independent agency leaders will be required to appoint White House liaisons to coordinate with the administration.

Critics argue this move could limit Congress’s control over agency spending and prompt legal challenges, as courts may need to weigh in on the extent of executive authority over independent bodies.

DOGE Updates and Federal Workforce Reductions

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has aggressively pursued cost-cutting measures to streamline federal operations and reduce expenditures. The department claims to have saved U.S. taxpayers approximately $55 billion since President Trump’s inauguration in January. These savings have reportedly been achieved through contract and lease renegotiations, grant cancellations, workforce reductions, and regulatory adjustments. Significant cuts have targeted agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Education.

As part of these efforts, the Trump administration has initiated large-scale layoffs of probationary federal employees who have not yet secured civil service protections. These cuts, directed by the Office of Personnel Management, align with President Trump’s executive order mandating significant staff reductions to shrink the federal workforce. DOGE has been tasked with leading this initiative, though legal experts argue the moves could face legal challenges and may undermine critical government functions. The confirmed agencies experiencing mass layoffs include:

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Department of Education
• Department of Energy
• General Services Administration
• Office of Personnel Management
• Small Business Administration
• S. Forest Service
• Veterans Affairs
• National Nuclear Security Administration
• and Housing and Urban Development

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY ORANGE COUNTY DELEGATION

Friday 02/21

Two major California home insurers to raise rates later this year, affecting 666,000 customers -- Mercury General, the fifth largest home insurer in the state, will begin raising rates in late March for its 579,300 homeowners, condo owners and dwelling rental policyholders by an average of 12% for homeowners (less for condo and rentals), filings with the California Department of Insurance show. Megan Fan Munce in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/21/25

California’s controversial new fuel rules rejected by state legal office -- California’s new Low Carbon Fuel Standard has been stalled because it lacks ”clarity.” The new standard, which offers incentives for cleaner fuels, is highly controversial because it would raise gas prices. Alejandro Lazo CalMatters -- 2/21/25

Thursday 02/20

California lawmakers scramble to fix ‘lemon’ vehicle law — again -- For more than half a century, California’s “lemon” law was considered one of the best in the nation at giving consumers the legal right to demand car companies fix or replace defective vehicles still under warranty. Ryan Sabalow CalMatters -- 2/20/25

When it comes to elevating livelihoods, a CSU degree is tops in California, study says -- Cal State L.A. ranks No. 1 in California for its ability to improve economic mobility for low- and moderate-income students. Nine out of the top 10 schools on the list are California State University campuses. Daniel Miller in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/20/25

Wednesday 02/19

$10 billion housing bond is back on the table in California -- Oakland Asm. Buffy Wicks is back with a proposal to fund affordable housing, after it failed to make it to the November ballot last year. Kate Talerico in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/19/25

California could lower customers’ energy bills significantly, 2 leading agencies report -- In its report, released Tuesday, the California Public Utility Commission recommends lowering the burden on customers who subsidize programs for low-income households and for solar panel owners by finding alternate funding sources for these programs. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/19/25

Tuesday 02/18

Crackdown on power-guzzling data centers may soon come online in California -- A spate of new bills in California and other states would protect consumers from electricity rate hikes that subsidize data centers. Khari Johnson CalMatters -- 2/18/25

Monday 02/17

What would dismantling the Department of Education mean for Southern California schools? -- Even though funding from the Department of Education account for most of a district’s budget, losing any of that money could still be detrimental for some that are struggling financially. Alexcia Negrete in the Orange County Register -- 2/17/25

Weekend 02/15 – 02/16

Is California government considering oil refinery takeovers? Yes, it is -- California policymakers are considering state ownership of one or more oil refineries to ensure a reliable supply of gasoline as the number of refineries in the state decline. Russ Mitchell in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/16/25

Who’s paying for California politicians’ travel? After CalMatters’ report, audit proposes a legal fix -- A law meant to let the public know who is paying for California legislators’ sponsored travel is falling short, according to a new audit by the state’s campaign finance watchdog agency. Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/15/25