Capitol Briefs: Deadline days, bonds on the move and happy ‘roos

Assembly committee ushers broadband bill forward: Lawmakers in the Assembly advanced on Tuesday a bill that would preserve half-off internet service rates to schools and other public institutions.

The bill, AB 2790, is a response to federal rollbacks on hotspots and school bus WiFi discounts. The Federal Communications Commission, under the Trump administration, reversed in late 2025 a previous expansion of its own internet services discount program.

That expansion, authorized by the Biden administration, offered 50% discounts on mobile broadband services in an effort to bridge the digital divide between students and their ability to do homework. California has since restored discounted rates for the federally cut services, but some fear further rollbacks could impact services provided at noninstructional facilities, such as country offices of education and school districts.

AB2790 doesn’t seek to expand the scope of eligible entities, but instead clarifies which ones can continue receiving discounts under the state’s California Teleconnect Fund program. This includes government hospitals, public libraries and community organizations.

“The program has always supported kindergartens, but the Legislature recently expanded public education to include universal transitional kindergarten,” reads a legislative analysis of the bill. “This change is consistent with that policy direction.”

The Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance unanimously moved the bill to Appropriations.

Prop 36 funding bill advances: The Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously endorsed SB 926, a bill from Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) that allocates funding for Prop. 36 implementation.

Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, offered his support for SB 926 at the hearing, saying Proposition 36’s failure in the past was caused by insufficient funding.

Proposition 36 imposed stricter penalties for certain drug or theft/ shoplifting related crimes. The proposition also offered the expansion of substance use disorder and mental health programs and services for people arrested for certain drug charges, instead of relying on incarnation. Furthermore, Prop 36 also mandated courts to issue warnings that anyone who sold an illegal drug that subsequently caused the death of an individual, may be charged with murder (similar to DUI). The proposition was approved by around 68 percent of voters.

During bill hearing, Strickland claimed he could not recall any other initiative that passed in all of California’s 58 counties. Strickland said the most crucial role for a government is to keep the public safe, so the purpose of SB 926 is to allocate sufficient funding for cities and counties to ensure an appropriate ‘implementation and administration” of SB 36.

Amy Costa testified at the hearing on behalf of California State Sherrif’s Association, California District Attorneys’ Association and the Chief Probation Officers of California.

“Unfortunately, many of us have a personal experience with a loved one who has struggled with substance use disorder. We know how incredibly difficult it can be for those battling addiction to successfully complete treatment,” Costa said.

Juliana Vries, who testified on behalf of League of California cities, said one of the key reasons her organization was in support of Proposition 36 was the focus on treatment and diversion instead of mass incarceration.

Vries claimed that even though the legislature provided 100 million for the implementation of Prop 36 last year, the money did not go towards probation and other assessment needs for complex cases. Instead, it only went towards behavioral health, trial courts and public defenders. She said SB 926 would ensure these support systems are adequately funded to provide proper treatment and services.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the San Bernardino County Police Chiefs and the Sheriff’s Association, also expressed their support for the bill at the hearing.

Kapri Walker, from Californians for Safety and Justice, expressed her opposition to SB 926, calling it “a fiscally reckless solution that misallocates the state’s resources.” Walker said the bill would channel a large amount of money from the state’s general fund with no proper framework to ensure transparency and accountability.

Other organizations opposing the bill included the Justice Law Center, the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice, and the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office Union Local.

Bond proposals advance: The Senate and Assembly housing committees each endorsed proposals to place $10 billion affordable housing bond measures on the November ballot. The Senate Housing Committee gave an 8-1 vote on AB 736, authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) while the Assembly Housing Committee endorsed Sen. Christopher Cabaldon’s measure (SB 417) the nod on a 10-2 vote. Both measures move to their respective Appropriations Committees.

Speaking of housing: California Secretary of State Shirley Weber announced that a proposal spearheaded by former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg to place a $25 billion bond measure to provide low-interest, downpayment-assistance loans to eligible middle-class Californians has qualified for the November ballot. The proposal would allow middle-class homebuyers to put down 3 percent of a home’s purchase price rather than the standard 20 percent, with the state funding picking up the rest. The bonds would be repaid by homeowners’ mortgage payments and not the state.

California stays kangaroo safe: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee rejected SB 1212, a bill from Sen. Brian Jones (R-San Diego) that would have lifted California’s longstanding ban on the import, sale or possession of kangaroo parts. California first enacted the prohibition in 1971.

This week’s Capitol Briefs were compiled by editor Rich Ehisen and Capitol Weekly interns Jasleen Kaur and Chris Ramirez.