The Senate Committee on Appropriations convened and, without objection, moved the vast majority of its 93 suspense-file measures to the committees suspense file, while sending one bill directly to the Senate floor and rescheduling two bills for a later hearing.

The action matters because the suspense file is where bills with identified fiscal impacts are held while the Legislature determines whether to advance them. Chair Caballero opened the hearing noting the department of finance did not provide fiscal files for the measures and that the authors for the suspense items had waived presentations; the committee nonetheless allowed public testimony limited to fiscal aspects.

Committee action and notable outcomes

- Without objection the committee moved dozens of individual bills to the suspense file (each recorded on the hearing record as "will move to suspense").
- SB 547 (Perez) was sent directly to the Senate floor pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, as announced at the start of the hearing.
- SB 322 (Menjivar) and SB 593 (Hurtado) were rescheduled for next week.

Committee members and several testifiers repeatedly emphasized fiscal uncertainty. Senator Perez challenged the reliability of some agency fiscal estimates, saying agencies sometimes produce inconsistent numbers and that "it's $300,000 in this estimate so that a couple of financial aid officers can go to a committee meeting 3 times in a year," urging agencies to provide accurate cost information.

Outside witnesses flagged several fiscal risks. Chris McCailey of the Civil Justice Association of California warned of potential federal litigation and related state liability under the Federal Arbitration Act, saying "we think that this bill is also subject to FAA preemption, and we just note the fiscal consequences of that." Will Abrams of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition argued some wildfire-related measures did not account for unpaid losses to fire victims, saying omission of those costs "neglects those impacts and undermines the recovery and resiliency of our victims and our communities." Glenn Allen of the California Welfare Fraud Investigators Association disputed a Department of Social Services preliminary cost estimate for a bill affecting administrative hearings, saying local agencies believe the state estimate was low and could rise "many millions of dollars."

Other testifiers included representatives for cities and county boards of supervisors, public-safety and industry groups, and associations for regional centers and recreation districts who spoke in support or opposition limited to fiscal effects; for example, Claire Sullivan spoke on behalf of multiple cities and associations in support of several measures, and Clifton Wilson spoke on behalf of multiple county supervisors and professional associations.

Procedure and next steps

Chair Caballero repeatedly noted that authors had waived presentations and that the Department of Finance had not provided files for the hearing; the committee therefore relied on public commenters, sponsor-submitted letters, and staff analysis to assess fiscal impact. Bills placed on the suspense file remain eligible for staff review and could be recalled for a vote later in the legislative session or advanced to the floor depending on further fiscal analyses and committee action.

Votes at a glance

- SB 547 (Perez): Sent directly to the Senate floor pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 (announced at hearing start).
- SB 322 (Menjivar): Rescheduled to be heard next week (announced at hearing start).
- SB 593 (Hurtado): Rescheduled to be heard next week (announced at hearing start).
- Remaining measures on todays agenda (the hearing record lists 90+ additional SBs identified as suspense-file candidates): Each was recorded by the clerk and, "without objection," moved to the committees suspense file.

The committee adjourned after completing the listed agenda.