Committee moves dozens of bills to suspense file; limited public testimony on several measures

The Senate Committee on Appropriations called a long docket of bills and moved most to its suspense file, generally after sponsors waived presentations and with little substantive debate.

The chair said 44 measures were on the day's agenda and noted the Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments. For many bills the committee offered the public an opportunity to testify and, when no witnesses stepped forward, moved the items to the suspense file without objection.

Where witnesses did speak, the record was brief. Marlon Lar, identified with the California Restaurant Association, testified in opposition when SB 869 was called. Julie Sherman, director of public policy for the ARC and United Cerebral Palsy California collaboration, and Jasmine Lopez, project coordinator with The LARC of California, both spoke in support of SB 1052. Jesse Hernandez Reyes testified in support of SB 1422 on behalf of the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition and later supported SB 1255 on behalf of the Campaign for College Opportunity.

The chair closed the agenda after the calls and adjourned the committee. Most items will remain on the suspense file pending future committee action or amendment.