Transcript Highlights:

• You know, when we have people who, by the way, these are jobs that aren't just PhD jobs, you know, or
• There are a bunch of jobs that go along with those jobs that support middle-class families, middle-class
• You know, when we have people who, by the way, these are jobs that aren't just PhD jobs, you know, or
• , so it's a way to create jobs and help to sustain these jobs.
• and help to sustain these jobs.

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:34:50.800><c> You</c> economic mobility out of poverty.
• You economic mobility out of poverty.
• That's your jobs. We hope you guys can come up with a solution.
• That's your jobs. We hope you guys can come up with a solution.
• That's your jobs. We hope you guys can come up with a solution.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Economic Development and Tourism heard three measures. HB 450, which would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, drew support from DBEDT, the State Foundation, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, DAGs, and individuals. Members asked about the bill’s purpose and the relationship between arts administration and international/cultural considerations. The committees voted to pass HB 450 with amendments, including a housekeeping change allowing specific legislative direction in narrow cases; the measure was adopted with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. HB 437, relating to out-of-state offices, received testimony in support from DBEDT and representatives of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and another individual. The discussion focused on whether an overseas office in the Philippines was the best use of funds, given existing offices and trade relationships in places like Beijing and Taiwan. Members questioned the return on investment, fiscal priorities, and whether DBEDT had a broader strategic plan for selecting markets. The committees ultimately passed HB 437 with a Senate Draft 1 and technical amendments, with some members voting with reservations. HB 1391, relating to trade and creating a Hawaii-Ireland trade commission, also advanced after a lengthy discussion. DBEDT said it offered comments rather than a firm recommendation and explained that the bill appeared intended to build economic ties with Europe through Ireland, but members questioned why a commission was needed, how it would be structured, and whether similar efforts should focus on other countries. DBEDT said it would provide reports on sister-state relationships and office performance, and noted that trade initiatives would likely require private-sector participation. The committees passed HB 1391 with amendments and reservations from some members.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the interim, there were additional pieces put in that I think staff did a good job of explaining
• If we take the other bill and let the staff go back to their other job.
• our two-year colleges do at offering flexible and affordable and accessible pathways to higher-wage jobs
• years old, the transit is free, which is extremely convenient since I don't have the time to get a job
• public transportation empowers rural students giving them access not only to education, but also to jobs

Bills: SB6252, SB6265, SB6081

Keywords: transit support grant, free transit, fare-free transit, zero-fare policy, community college students, technical college students, public transportation, youth transit, student transportation, Washington State, Department of Transportation, local sales tax, voter-approved sales tax, equity, environmental justice, low-barrier access, bus pass, rail transit, public transit agency, transit agency grants

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to know what his full-time job is.
• and she didn't give him the job.
• You guys are doing an amazing job.
• They do an amazing job.
• You guys are doing an amazing job.

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They may also refer that person to our mobile crisis outreach team.
• Maybe this type of job or this role would be a better place to put them.
• We also mobile population is very necessary.
• The third module is job readiness for...
• With that being said, it was also closer to my job, and it was a...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, members, any questions for Senator House job?
• Seeing questions for Senator House job?
• These are union jobs directly at our plant. These jobs are not easily automated or outsourced.
• These jobs are not easily automated or outsourced. They're local.
• </c><00:43:08.800><c> with</c> Second, all projects are mobilized with Second, all projects are mobilized

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to invest more for the people that's doing a great job within our community.
• I am very familiar with this because my part of my job at Aurora St.
• I am very familiar with this because my part of my job at Aurora St.
• A December 9 article, 'Mobile home residents seek rent relief from Lake Elmo.'
• A December 9 article, 'Mobile home residents seek rent relief from Lake Elmo.'

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, when we have people who, by the way, these are jobs that aren't just PhD jobs, you know, or
• sustain these jobs.
• So it's a way to create jobs and help to sustain these jobs. our landfills are being overcapacitated,
• so it's a way to create jobs and help to sustain these jobs.
• So people aren't losing their jobs.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We weren't necessarily mobilized in a way to use all of that.
• We weren't necessarily mobilized in a way to use all of that.
• We weren't necessarily mobilized in a way to use all of that.
• So there was a subsequent investment from. necessarily mobilized in a way to use all of that.
• The agenda does a very good job describing the proposal.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard a series of budget items focused first on the California Department of Aging and then on the Department of Social Services. For Aging, the director reported the state is at the midpoint of the Master Plan for Aging, with about 300 initiatives launched and roughly three-quarters completed, nearly $1 billion invested, and expanded local planning, research, and stakeholder engagement. The committee also discussed HICAP modernization, which would add ongoing funding from the Special HICAP Fund to expand Medicare counseling capacity, and senior meal programs, including support for virtual congregate/to-go meals and the use of prior one-time nutrition investments. The chair raised concerns about federal H.R. 1 and its downstream effects on older adults, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and the department said its direct budget was not affected but that other programs serving older adults could be under pressure. The committee then reviewed multiple CDSS proposals. These included implementing the federal Medicaid Access Rule by creating a statewide grievance process and critical incident reporting system for IHSS and other home- and community-based services; housing and homelessness programs such as CalWORKs Housing Support, Housing and Disability Advocacy, Home Safe, and Bringing Families Home, where the department described strong outcomes but warned that one-time funding is expiring and services are scaling back; and permanent position authority for the Housing and Homelessness Division. Members also heard about the facility management system modernization for Community Care Licensing, home care services branch solvency and regulation work, child care centers in multifamily housing, the Seizure Emergency Response Act, licensing during emergencies and disasters, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, and social services automation projects including CalSAWS, the enterprise data pipeline, and CalWORKs child support notices. The LAO and Department of Finance generally had no additional comments or were still reviewing several requests. A notable exchange occurred on the Community Care Licensing item, where Senator Grove pressed the department about the Autumn Oaks facility in Tulare County, citing dozens of complaints and severe conditions affecting seniors. The department said it had worked with the county and ombudsman on relocation, was reviewing what went wrong, and had authority to pursue administrative action even after a license surrender. The hearing ended with a stakeholder presentation from the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging supporting a $62.3 million Older Californians Act request, followed by public comment from advocates for housing, Meals on Wheels, HICAP, Home Safe, and H-DAP. The subcommittee adjourned without taking votes, and all items were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding, and the university has a total annual economic impact of over $6 billion, supporting 68,704 jobs
• They talk about how they set up these mobile clinics; they have thousands of people come, there's never
• Button suffered permanent brain damage, skull and facial fractures, loss of vision in one eye, and mobility
• suffered permanent brain damage, the skull and facial fractures, loss of vision in one eye, and mobility
• And mobility issues requiring lifelong 24-hour care.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions, including family members, university guests, local officials, and student groups. The chamber then moved to special order bills, beginning with two Open Government Sunset Review measures: SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both bills passed unanimously after brief explanations and no amendments. The Senate also passed SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, and SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. SB 832 drew debate over a possible lawsuit and created a narrow strict-liability defense for landowners who survey and record notice of former phosphate property. SB 700 generated the most extended debate, especially over a provision removing fluoride from public water systems and related amendments on public health, local control, and study requirements; several fluoride-related amendments failed, while a technical amendment passed. The bill also included provisions on agricultural regulation, labeling, drones, lending, charities, housing for agricultural workers, and youth programs. The Senate then approved several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric Miles Jr. and Jennifer Miles, and Marcus Button, all involving catastrophic injuries and settlements paid by the relevant public entities. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements passed after an amendment that increased penalties for texting while driving and added a distracted-driving education component. SB 1718, preserving a public records exemption for minors seeking an abortion without parental consent or notification, also passed unanimously. Several other bills were temporarily postponed. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and move CS for SB 7016 back to second reading; all motions were adopted. The Senate then adjourned until Wednesday, April 16, at 2:00 p.m. or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also heard loud and clear from Californians who have asked for things like mobile crisis, reproductive
• emergencies, and federal cuts to the health care system, the losses that we've seen in journalism jobs
• of the things that I was really proud to see, and many of them my colleagues did a really wonderful job
• I believe those dollars are better spent investing in people, housing assistance, food security, job
• California. ...incentives that support research, innovation, hiring, and job creation in California.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another provision is the mobile home park provision.
• What that provides for is if somebody owns their mobile home but they lease their pad within a mobile
• State attorneys and public defenders have difficult jobs.
• State attorneys and public defenders have difficult jobs.
• But we have got to do a better job of taking care of those individuals.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mobile cigar retailers must obtain an annual permit tied to a specific mobile unit and must display that
• So our job here is, obviously, we all know, to pass a budget for every department.
• I think the sponsor did a great job. Thank you, Mr. President, Senators.
• That's our job, and we agree, we agree.
• Because it helps people stay in their jobs.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present, heard prayer and the Pledge, approved the corrected journal, and then moved through committee reports, gubernatorial messages, and House messages. Several bills were reported, enrolled, or transmitted, including Senate bills and resolutions sent to the Governor or House, and House bills referred to committees. The chamber also received new Senate bills on taxation, ICE agreements, refugee accountability, and deportation-related enforcement, and then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider amendments on the general calendar. On final passage, the Senate approved a series of measures. Senate Bill 1410, a technical Medicaid bill authorizing state plan amendments for encounter-rate changes, passed 33-0 with two absent. Senate Bill 1426, an Idaho Transportation Department appropriation/enhancement bill, passed 30-4 with one absent. Senate Bill 1427, a Department of Lands appropriation with fire preparedness, radio equipment, waterways, and geological survey funding, passed 25-9 with one absent. House Bill 797, requiring fire protection subdistrict appointees or electors to live in the district, and House Bill 843, eliminating homestead exemption proration and applying the full exemption once a complete application is approved, both passed on shared roll calls. The Senate also passed House Bill 711, creating an alternative administrator certification pathway for principals and superintendents in traditional school districts; supporters emphasized rural recruitment and local control, while opponents warned about lowering qualifications and retention issues. House Bill 832, revising CTE industry-experience requirements for instructors, passed with broad support. House Bill 795, cleaning up definitions of obscene material and lewd matter, passed without debate. House Bill 817, updating tobacco retailer permitting rules for premium cigars and adult-only cigar operations, passed after debate focused on small business and youth protections. House Bill 831, changing how schools used as polling places are handled by prohibiting in-person instruction at those sites and adjusting instructional-time rules, passed 30-4 with one absent. House Bill 872, allowing constitutional amendments and initiatives to be printed on available ballot space instead of a separate page, and House Bill 893, a codifier’s corrections bill, both passed unanimously on shared roll calls. The Senate also passed House Bill 650, a states’-rights measure directing agencies to construe federal power narrowly under the Tenth Amendment, and House Bill 674, which streamlines telecommunications service discontinuance by removing a duplicative state process in favor of the FCC process, after a split debate over state versus federal decision-making. Finally, House Bill 810, as amended, adding a 120-day fixed-habitation requirement for legislative candidates while exempting active-duty military, passed 20-14 with one absent despite constitutional concerns raised by opponents. The chamber then returned to committee and calendar business, including a recess for page graduation and a Committee of the Whole session that began considering amendments, including one to House Bill 730 changing SNAP eligibility check intervals from four months to six months.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not doing the job that needs to get done with the repairs and maintenance of Morgan County. the
• that needs to they're not doing the job that needs to get<00:38:00.880><c> done</c><00:38:01.280><c>
• They're not doing their job. They're not spending the money where it needs to be spent.
• </c> are not doing their job. are not doing their job.
• </c> Colorado mobile. Colorado mobile.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's lower job growth than could be expected otherwise. So there's certainly a jobs impact.
• Low-wage, bad jobs. And my community is suffering now from low-wage, bad jobs through the...
• Sorry, having Medicaid helps people get a job and maintain that job. Okay.
• and find a job.
• To maintain a job and find a job.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the discussion around major federal changes to work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, immigrant eligibility, and financing rules, while noting the state’s own structural budget deficit and the need for a second hearing later in March on county and safety-net impacts. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center. LAO and Finance described H.R. 1 as driving major enrollment losses and cost shifts. LAO estimated that Medi-Cal work requirements and six-month redeterminations could affect 3.5 million people, with 1 to 2 million potentially disenrolled, while CalFresh changes could subject more than 800,000 people to work requirements and cause over 600,000 to lose food assistance. They also highlighted new ineligibility for certain non-citizens, reduced federal matching for emergency Medi-Cal services, tighter provider tax rules, and higher state and county administrative costs for CalFresh. Finance said the governor’s budget reflects about $1.4 billion in new General Fund costs in 2026-27 and a $2.4 billion reduction in federal funds, with larger out-year impacts and up to 2 million Medi-Cal disenrollments by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, though it said the state could limit losses by choosing not to apply some new requirements to state-funded populations and by keeping some immigrants in full-scope state-funded coverage. The Food Research and Action Center argued that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, homelessness risk, and health costs, while also hurting local economies and increasing administrative burden. Committee members from both parties questioned the fiscal sustainability of Medi-Cal growth, the 11% CalFresh error rate and possible $2 billion penalty, county indigent care costs, and the effect of work requirements; several Democratic members argued the federal changes and state cuts would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color, while Republican members emphasized program growth, work incentives, and the need for budget restraint. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do a great job. The quality of the building is top notch.
• I will speak to the exemptions we made for mobile homes. Yeah.
• So excellent job. So I look forward to supporting it today. All right.
• And, of course, our job as educators is to teach reading, math, and writing.
• And I think the witnesses did a beautiful job describing that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they can assess an entire region and they can say this community partner has been doing a really good job
• In response to this hate crime, the Jewish community mobilized the best that they could.
• Across the two workshops, dozens of elders strengthened their mobility, practiced situational awareness
• She felt belittled and feared losing her job if she spoke up about it.
• She felt belittled, she feared losing her job if she spoke up about it.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee held an informational hearing with members of the API Legislative Caucus on California’s Stop the Hate Program and broader efforts to address hate incidents. Opening remarks emphasized the rise in hate during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of culturally and linguistically competent services, and the program’s role in serving not only AAPI communities but also Latino, Black, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other impacted communities. Legislators and presenters repeatedly highlighted the value of trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) in reaching people who may not report to law enforcement or seek traditional services. The first panel included the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), and the Commission on the State of Hate. They described the program’s origins in the state’s equity budget, its funding structure, and its service model: direct victim services, prevention, and intervention. CDSS said 180 organizations statewide have participated, with grantees selected based on experience, capacity, and service to priority populations. The Commission on the State of Hate reported that hate remains widespread and underreported, citing survey data showing about 3.1 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year and that many victims need mental health, legal, and other supports beyond police response. Members asked about best practices, youth impacts, administrative costs, and the role of regional leads; CDSS said it would provide more detail on funding distribution and that the final evaluation is still in progress. The second panel featured grantees from Jewish Family Service San Diego, Inland Chinese American Association, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, and Equality California. They gave examples of how Stop the Hate funding supported culturally specific response teams, counseling, language-access services, self-defense and safety workshops, youth and elder programming, legal navigation, and reporting tools. Several speakers said the program helped build trust, reduce isolation, and connect people to services they otherwise would not use. Legislators pressed the panel on lessons learned, whether the model should be reauthorized, and what would be lost if funding ends. Panelists emphasized that the program’s flexibility, regional convenings, and support for small, trusted organizations were key strengths, while also noting the need for more direct funding to frontline providers and more data on what interventions work best.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess if there was one thing that I would say is that I think we all have to do a bit of a better job
• down on those things because if we are able to fight for this investment again we have to do a good job
• In response to this hate crime, the Jewish community mobilized the best that they could.
• She feared losing her job if she spoke up about it.
• She felt belittled, she feared losing her job if she spoke up about it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we need to mobilize our communities. People want to be helpers.
• My grandfather's house, that he worked three jobs to pay off and where I spent much of my childhood,
• Our mobile van treated 50 additional patients, including 10 daily wound care cases.
• A lot of the nonprofits are really the glue that keep us together, and you all did a really fine job,
• I love my job. I love serving the citizens of Pasadena.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the health impacts of wildfires and the effects on health care systems and access to care. The first panel focused on public health consequences, with testimony from UCLA and UCSF physicians, a community organizer, and an Altadena recovery leader. Witnesses described acute and long-term physical harms from wildfire smoke and ash, including asthma and COPD exacerbations, cardiovascular and stroke risks, pregnancy impacts, infection risk, and possible added hazards from lithium-ion battery fires. They also emphasized mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, “firebrain,” and the need for psychological first aid, trauma-informed community networks, and youth-focused resilience programs. Community advocates stressed that Latine, Indigenous, undocumented, and Black communities face disproportionate harm because of language barriers, unsafe work conditions, lack of insurance, and exclusion from disaster aid, and they called for stronger language access, worker protections, permanent disaster relief, and better outreach. Committee members asked about air monitoring, masks, wind events, lithium-ion batteries, and how to reach communities with translation and emergency information. Panelists said AQI is useful but incomplete, that N95s help for smoke but P100 masks are needed for ash/asbestos exposure, and that communities should be warned to stay indoors and avoid windy dust-ups after fires. They also discussed the importance of building relationships during non-emergency periods, using text alerts and trusted community organizations, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information. Several members and witnesses highlighted the need for more research on long-term health effects, especially for people with chronic lung disease, workers who cannot stay indoors, and residents exposed to repeated disasters. The second panel addressed health care system response and access to care. DHCS and DMHC described emergency flexibilities used during the Southern California fires, including federal waivers, extended Medi-Cal renewal deadlines, reinstated coverage for some disenrolled members, suspension of prior authorization and prescription refill barriers, out-of-network access at in-network cost-sharing, and communication through websites, toll-free numbers, and social media. Hospital and community health center leaders described major operational strain: emergency room surges, canceled surgeries, dialysis disruptions, staff displacement, temporary housing needs, and financial losses. Huntington Health and AltaMed reported using incident command systems, temporary care spaces, bilingual and culturally tailored services, mobile clinics, infection control measures, and community health workers to keep care going. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better disaster staffing pools, more flexible facility rules, stronger mental health coverage, child care planning, and statewide coordination for future emergencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:14.720><c> is</c> mitigation efforts um so our job is mitigation efforts um so our job is
• Hazardous fuel management is a part of the job.
• </c><00:48:47.920><c> together</c> expertise but they mobilize together expertise but they mobilize together
• Okay, so whose job is it to look at the whole right area?
• </c><01:29:00.280><c> but</c> necessarily do the land owner job but necessarily do the land owner job

Keywords: 912, senate, all