Transcript Highlights:

• super excited to share that, thanks to the support of the legislature, Evergreen Shelton Promise launched
• Thanks to the support of the legislature, Evergreen Shelton Promise launched in 2024.
• The Evergreen alumni mentor program was also launched.
• What we wanted to do was launch something that would be a positive recognition when students exhibited
• So we've launched something called a Wellington High Five. Wellington is our wildcat.

Bills: SB6325 , SGA9302 , SGA9286 , SGA9289 , SGA9290 , SGA9292 , SGA9293 , SGA9309 , SGA9310 , SGA9311 , SGA9312

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: higher education, student procedures, academic policies, enrollment processes, educational standards

Transcript Highlights:

• super excited to share that, thanks to the support of the legislature, Evergreen Shelton Promise launched
• Thanks to the support of the legislature, Evergreen Shelton Promise launched in 2024.
• The Evergreen alumni mentor program was also launched.
• What we wanted to do was launch something that would be a positive recognition when students exhibited
• So we've launched something called a Wellington High Five. Wellington is our wildcat.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard two work sessions focused on student access and retention, then held public hearings on gubernatorial appointments before taking executive action. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, created by Executive Order 2508, describing its advisory board, outreach strategy, dashboard tracking, and progress toward goals of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions and improved equity in completion rates. They also highlighted broader college access tools such as trainings, printed materials, completion events, Otterbot texting support, and the new “Changing the Narrative” report and College Toolkit, which emphasize multiple postsecondary pathways, relatable messengers, and short video content. The committee then heard from the Council of Presidents and Central Washington University and Evergreen State College on student support services. Presenters discussed retention data, FERPA-related limits on parent communication, and the impact of budget cuts on advising, tutoring, wellness, and other services. Evergreen described the Shelton Promise program, including recruitment, summer bridge, basic-needs supports, peer mentoring, texting outreach, and early retention results showing 52 of 53 students continuing. Central Washington outlined its learner access and support plan, including required advising, University 101, early academic alerts, peer mentoring embedded in coursework, the Students First Center, and a Paying for College Guide, while noting that budget reductions have limited some support offerings. In the public hearing, the committee considered Latasha Wortham’s appointment to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and a panel of student appointees to various boards and councils, including Evergreen, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, and Western Washington University. Testimony emphasized first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, student advocacy, basic needs, and the importance of student voice in governance. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and gave Senate Bill 6325 a due pass recommendation to Ways and Means; the bill would shift certain higher education cost increases from tuition to state funds over time and direct a WSIPP study on essential student services. The committee also recommended confirmation for the listed gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to highlight our teacher apprenticeship program launched in Polk County in partnership
• a new customer relationship management platform, a host of cyber defenses, along with that we've launched
• We launched several years ago the Florida Charter Institute, which is a statewide resource for charter
• We will also be launching a new strategic plan this year under the leadership of our new president, .
• We will also be launching a new strategic plan this year under the leadership of our new president, We

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to consider a large slate of confirmations and reappointments to boards of trustees for Florida’s colleges, universities, and the Florida Prepaid College Board. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the importance of trustee appointments to maintaining Florida’s higher education system, and the committee heard brief testimony from each nominee about their background, ties to the institution, and priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, and community partnerships. Several nominees highlighted personal connections to their schools, including alumni status, family legacy, or prior service on the board, while others emphasized experience in business, law, education, health care, or public service. Testimony focused heavily on workforce development and institutional growth. Speakers cited nursing, dual enrollment, applied programs, military and veteran support, broadband access, agriculture, law enforcement, and technical training as key areas for colleges to meet regional labor needs. University nominees discussed research expansion, affordability, strategic planning, and partnerships with industry and government, with Florida Atlantic, Florida Polytechnic, the University of West Florida, and the University of South Florida each described as being in periods of growth or transition. Miami-Dade College, Tallahassee State College, Polk State College, and other state colleges were praised for enrollment, economic impact, and job placement outcomes. The committee also heard from the Florida Prepaid College Board reappointee, who described the program as a long-term promise backed by public trust and reported recent technology and customer-service improvements. After testimony, the committee took up the nominations as a group. One nominee, Drew Weatherford, had withdrawn and was not voted on. The remaining trustees were approved unanimously by roll call and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd also like to highlight our teacher apprenticeship program launched in Polk County.
• I'd also like to highlight our teacher apprenticeship program launched in Polk County in partnership
• Along with that, we've launched a new web experience for our fellow citizens, and we've simplified our
• We launched several years ago the Florida Charter Institute, which is a statewide resource for charter
• We will also be launching a new strategic plan this year under the leadership of our new president, We

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• anonymized, some challenges and gaps that we're noticing thus far, and then plans for the statewide launch
• We began piloting in three counties—King, Clark, and Spokane—on July 1st of 2025, with a statewide launch
• outreach meetings so far, and we're in the process of developing a statewide outreach plan for the launch
• but 301 in the first five months, do you know how that compared to what Oregon had and how they launched
• For HearMeWA, which is the youth tip line from its pilot launch in April 2024, they received 261 tips

Summary: The committee received agency updates on several behavioral health and justice programs. The Health Care Authority reported that assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) has expanded from two counties to eight, with a ninth expected in December, and described AOT as a court-ordered, least-restrictive treatment model that depends on close coordination among courts, treatment providers, and local officials. The agency also reviewed Joel’s Law, which lets family members, guardians, conservators, or tribes petition for an initial involuntary detention when they disagree with a designated crisis responder’s decision. Judges Ferreira and Larson said petition use has increased significantly statewide and in Snohomish County, but many cases do not proceed beyond the initial detention stage; they also noted family frustration, disjointed processes, and bed shortages as ongoing issues. Committee members asked about expansion criteria, the law’s effectiveness, and how the system fits together with other mental health interventions. The Attorney General’s Office presented on the hate crimes and bias incidents hotline created by SB 5427. The hotline began a pilot in King, Clark, and Spokane counties on July 1, 2025, with a statewide launch planned for 2027. Officials said the advisory committee helped shape the referral process, intake questions, outreach materials, and public branding. In the first five months, the hotline received 301 reports, with roughly 45% from King County and about 38% from outside the pilot counties; 42% requested follow-up, and only about a quarter of those wanted law enforcement referral. Testimony emphasized that the hotline is non-emergency, anonymous if desired, and focused on referrals rather than investigation. Members asked about why callers do not seek law enforcement involvement, how the hotline compares with Oregon’s launch, and what kinds of incidents are being reported. The Office of Independent Investigations reported progress on its work investigating police deadly force fatalities. Director Roger Rogoff said the agency has grown to 66 employees, including 31 investigators, and has completed six fatality investigations, with two public final reports posted. He said the office now operates in Region 1 and plans to expand statewide as staffing allows, with a future east-side expansion dependent on additional investigators. He also said the office has 29 requests to review prior cases, but those reviews are time-intensive and limited to cases with new evidence. Committee members asked about staffing needs, local cooperation, and whether the office conducts parallel investigations; Rogoff said OII performs the criminal investigation, while agencies may still do administrative reviews. The committee then heard a lengthy panel on public defense caseload standards and funding. The Washington State Bar Association, Washington Defender Association, county representatives, and city representatives all discussed the new caseload standards and the implementation timeline. Speakers said the standards reflect modern public defense realities but warned that funding, attorney recruitment and retention, office space, and data collection remain major barriers. Survey results from county offices showed wide variation in readiness, with many counties uncertain about timelines and most citing lack of funding as the biggest obstacle; attorney attrition was also described as high. County and city representatives argued that the new standards will require far more attorneys and support staff, and that local governments cannot absorb the cost without substantial state funding. They urged the Legislature to increase state support, improve workforce pipelines, and address structural issues in the public defense system.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so our question is, at what point is it that we can launch a drone?
• :58.880><c> If</c><00:08:59.120><c> you</c><00:08:59.279><c> are</c><00:08:59.440><c> the</c> can launch
• If you are the can launch a drone?
• :22.880><c> person</c><00:10:23.200><c> flees</c><00:10:23.680><c> and</c><00:10:23.839><c> a</c> launch
• that uh if the person flees and a launch that uh if the person flees and a lot<00:10:24.079><c> of</

Transcript Highlights:

• It is in the planning and faculty recruitment phase, with work to launch this coming fall, 2025.
• </c> recruitment phase with work to launch recruitment phase with work to launch this<00:24:44.679><c
• Minnesota State launched a partnership with Mantra Health in September of 2024.
• Since the launch of the program, we have dispersed over $3 million to students across our system.
• </c> initiative we were able to launch initiative we were able to launch because<00:31:18.360><c> of<

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• loan fund to provide mission-driven lending solutions to our partner cooperatives, and we recently launched
• </c><00:03:20.680><c> or</c> business owners who lived on site or business owners who lived on site or
• We've deployed $6.8 million to preserve 448 home sites across eight communities, and we anticipate an
• We've deployed $6.8 million to preserve 448 home sites across eight communities, and we anticipate an
• </c> and on-site staff. and on-site staff.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• The senior mill site in Sierra County is in jeopardy of closing. Luna County, I know...
• Trost's site in Grant County. ...and he does this sense to do a satellite site, and although he no longer
• It's on the site.
• Take the bus, walk, drive, or otherwise get to the distribution site.
• Site itself that, you know, if you're a smoker, it can increase your premiums up to 50%.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, DEED conducts at least one on-site monitoring visit before a final payment of the state's grants
• </c><00:13:29.120><c> monitoring</c> conducts at least one site monitoring conducts at least one site
• </c><00:13:31.760><c> a</c><00:13:32.000><c> final</c> on-site monitoring visit before a final on-site
• If they're $250,000 or more, we do an on-site annually.
• And so we going on site um at that time.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Housing and Land Management was just officially launched July 1 of last year.
• </c><00:53:22.079><c> at</c> direct legal services on site at direct legal services on site at Kukuokhi
• Uh because it's really site development.
• Uh because it's really site and<01:36:42.239><c> project</c><01:36:42.719><c> specific.
• </c> among others but it can include off-site among others but it can include off-site infrastructure

Bills: HB1721 , HB1714 , HB1718 , HB1732 , HB1740 , HB1777 , HB1842 , HB1919 , HB1701 , HB1923 , HB1741 , HB1734 , HB1739

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Housing Committee met on February 4 and heard testimony on several housing measures, beginning with HB1721, which clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certificate-of-occupancy requirements for expedited permits. Testimony on HB1721 was uniformly supportive from the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Grassroot Institute, and individual testifiers, who said the bill would fix insurance issues for design professionals and encourage more participation in the expedited-permit program. No opposition was heard and no questions were raised. The committee then heard HB1714, which would raise salary caps for the executive director and deputy executive director positions at the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and allow more autonomy in personnel matters, including employment contracts. HHFDC supported the bill, saying greater flexibility is needed to recruit and retain staff and that current pay ceilings are not the main issue because the agency lacks operating funds to reach them. The Department of Human Resources Development offered comments and raised concerns about autonomous personnel authority and employment contracts, saying state personnel matters are governed by existing statutes and collective bargaining rules; the Hawaii Public Housing Authority also offered comments, and one board member and one individual opposed the measure. Members questioned whether performance-based pay or existing incentive policies could address retention instead of statutory salary changes. The committee also heard HB1718, which would make permanent county authority to facilitate mixed-use developments and issue county bonds for low- and moderate-income housing projects. Support came from OPSD, HHFDC, the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Housing and Land Management, and Housing Hawaii’s Future, all emphasizing that permanent authority is needed to finance long-term mixed-use and transit-oriented projects. A member asked whether the sunset provision would make bonding impractical, and the city representative agreed that temporary authority would make financing difficult because development takes time. Later, the committee took up HB1732, establishing the Kamina Homes program to fund counties’ purchase of voluntary deed restrictions from eligible buyers. The Department of Taxation and several groups, including HHFDC, AARP Hawaii, the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Holomua Collaborative, and others testified, with most supporting the bill as a way to help local families remain in Hawaii and age in place. Holomua said a recent survey found 75% of 3,200 working families were considering moving, and argued the bill could preserve housing for local residents. Members asked about the bill’s 8% cap on deed-restriction cost and why the program focuses on residency rather than resale restrictions; the bill’s proponents said the cap allows flexibility for county negotiations and that the measure is aimed at workforce preservation rather than land-trust-style appreciation limits. Finally, the committee heard HB1740, which would modify a prior HHFDC housing pathway by reducing the qualified-resident requirement from 100% to 80% and allowing more flexibility for long-term rental instead of owner occupancy. HHFDC and Holomua Collaborative supported the change, saying the earlier 100% requirement had produced no developments or applicants and that the revised standard would make projects more feasible while still preserving housing for local residents. The committee did not take final votes on these measures during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our system builds on NASA's tow glider air launch system heritage and is designed to provide rapid on-demand
• 40:00.320><c> company</c><00:40:01.359><c> proposing</c><00:40:01.920><c> to</c><00:40:02.240><c> launch
• </c> aerospace company proposing to launch aerospace company proposing to launch operations<00:40:03.200
• Mahalo. toad glider air launch system heritage toad glider air launch system heritage and<00:40:27.520
• This bill supports financing and planning and construction of a space launch platform in Hilo, helping

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on economic development, tourism, business climate, and related policy areas. On HB 1943, which would support a DBEDT office in Korea, DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in support, emphasizing Korea’s importance as a market for investment, trade, and tourism and the value of helping small and midsize Hawaii businesses access Asian markets. A later witness also tied the proposal to broader free-trade and APEC-related goals. The committees heard no opposition on that measure. The committees then heard HB 1612 and HB 1614, both supported by multiple organizations and agencies. Testimony for HB 1612 stressed Hawaii’s weak business climate and the need for policies that improve economic growth and competitiveness; the Hulamua Collaborative cited survey results showing only 19% of respondents viewed Hawaii as a good place to do business. HB 1614 also drew support, with HTC saying its focus is on economic growth. For HB 1968 and HB 1967, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the University of Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce, and Hulamua Collaborative largely stood on written testimony in support; the hearing notes reported nine supporters and one opponent on HB 1968, and seven supporters with one comment on HB 1967. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 1589, a bill to create dementia training and recognition for businesses. Testifiers included a private citizen sharing a personal family story, the Alzheimer’s Association, and DBEDT. Supporters said the measure would help families affected by dementia, reduce stigma, and make businesses more dementia-friendly. DBEDT said the issue would be better handled by an agency with dementia expertise, while the Alzheimer’s Association said it could provide training at no cost and suggested amendments to shift implementation toward the Executive Office on Aging and to use the term “dementia business champion.” The final major topic was HB 1608, involving a space-related project and financing. Phoenix Space testified that the bill would help launch responsive space access operations at Hilo International Airport, create local jobs, and support partnerships with Hawaii institutions, while another supporter said the project could diversify the economy. A committee member raised a timing concern, noting bond cap capacity was already allocated through 2028, and the witness said they were willing to work on a solution. The hearing also included HB 1850 on capital gains taxation, where supporters argued the bill would make the tax system fairer by increasing taxes on investment income, while the Chamber of Commerce opposed it. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• program structure for the new preservation program, which will then be the means through which we launch
• Because of that, the Governor was pleased to announce in May the launch of several programs, many of
• But they were launched.
• The Governor announced in May that they were launching, and in June they're all going to be available
• And in most cases, these programs are closed to new applications after successful launch starting in

Summary: The committee met for a series of information sessions focused on housing stabilization, rental assistance, senior housing, and heat resilience. In the first panel, OHCS and NOAA described the state’s affordable housing preservation work, including the $35 million in 2025 stabilization funding used to reduce debt and keep distressed affordable rental projects operating, plus manufactured home park preservation efforts. OHCS said the portfolio remains under strain, with about a third of projects at debt coverage ratios of 1.0 or less and rising insurance and operating costs. NOAA urged faster closings on the stabilization awards, more funding in 2027, and broader rent assistance and process reforms. Committee members asked about the gap between current appropriations and need, and OHCS explained that the new Article 11-Q bond preservation program is structured differently and requires full refinancing rather than simple cash infusions. The committee then heard a detailed discussion of the state’s eviction prevention and rental assistance program, ORDAP. OHCS said the program is administered through community action agencies, prioritizes households at imminent risk of eviction, and is now funded at a much lower level than in the prior biennium, reducing expected service to about 8,200 households this biennium. The Oregon Law Center, a county community action agency, and Multifamily Northwest all agreed the program prevents homelessness and is effective, but they differed on whether assistance should be tied so closely to eviction court. Legal aid and community action witnesses said the current system is underfunded and that eviction filings are the clearest indicator of need, while Multifamily Northwest argued the process can push people into court unnecessarily and should be moved earlier when possible. Legislators raised questions about whether a pre-eviction model could be developed and about the costs of court involvement; one member shared a personal story about how rental assistance helped keep their family housed. Next, the governor’s office, OHCS, and OHA presented on the new senior housing initiative and healthy homes work. The governor’s housing director said Oregon is making progress on homelessness and housing production, with reductions in homelessness outside Multnomah County and an estimated 50,000 future units added to the pipeline through recent state actions. OHCS outlined the senior housing programs launched in May: a debt-financing program using elderly and disabled bond authority, an older adult housing development program funded through the senior property tax deferral revolving account, and a rehousing program for older adults that will use bridge funding and services to move at least 400 unsheltered older Oregonians into housing. OHA also described its Healthy Homes Grant Program, including $24.6 million already awarded, a new $5 million grant round for seniors and people with disabilities, and examples of home repairs and weatherization that help people remain safely housed. The final information session focused on home cooling and heat resilience. OHA presented data showing rising extreme heat days, more heat-related emergency visits, and likely undercounted heat deaths, especially among older adults, people with disabilities, low-income communities, and people without access to healthy homes. ODOE reviewed implementation of Senate Bill 1536, including a cooling needs study that found 58% of surveyed households in the studied housing types needed permanent cooling, with estimated statewide costs of $582 million to $1 billion. ODOE said its rental home heat pump and community heat pump programs have supported 4,638 installations so far, with a temporary reopening planned using remaining funds. The session ended with a remote presentation from a Community Action Partnership of Oregon representative, continuing the discussion of how community action agencies help deliver energy and anti-poverty services.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that time, we've also launched into Kentucky, into the CVG airport, a direct non-stop flight from
• In that time, we've also launched into Kentucky, into the CVG airport, a direct non-stop flight from
• In that time, we've also launched into Kentucky, into the CVG airport, a direct non-stop flight from
• We're really just getting<00:28:23.679><c> it</c><00:28:23.919><c> launched.
• So I I would love getting it launched.

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100 on a roll call vote, with Chairman Douglas voting no but the items still passing. It then took up a Kentucky Department of Tourism contract involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany/Austria/Switzerland markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the effort supports marketing, public relations, and familiarization trips. The committee approved that contract as well, with Chairman Douglas voting yes after expressing support for tourism promotion. Next, the committee reviewed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services items involving engineering and architectural services for a specialized lab expansion project. Members discussed why the design work was expensive, and the cabinet explained that the project’s pathogen-related complexity required specialized firms. Chairman Douglas said he believed some architectural and engineering reimbursement rates were too high and should be reexamined, but the committee still approved the items by roll call. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on an MOA related to substance use disorder funding. Senator Meredith asked how the commission’s work coordinated with behavioral health programs, and staff explained that the commission allocates funds based on applications and includes relevant state officials. The contract was approved. After that, the committee considered behavioral health items: one new 988 chat-and-text contract to expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage, and a Voices of Hope amendment that doubled funding to continue services into the next fiscal year. Officials said the 988 contract would move more chats and texts in-state, and that the Voices of Hope increase reflected continuation of SAMHSA-funded services; both were approved. Finally, the committee reviewed DCBS contracts, including a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit and a Building Bridges Initiative training contract. Members questioned whether the food survey group’s advocacy role created a conflict, but DCBS said the organization was chosen for its statewide network and that the cabinet would receive the raw data. For Building Bridges, DCBS said the program began in the fall and provides training and peer mentorship for residential child care providers, with results still too early to assess. Both items were approved. The last set of contracts, under the State Treasurer for the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, prompted questions about why the funding flowed through the treasurer’s office and about a sexuality-related capacity-building initiative. Staff explained the treasurer serves as the designated state agency for federal DD Act funds, and that the sexuality initiative is part of a broader five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, system change, and capacity building; the committee then moved to approve those contracts as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've used these slides from our 2024 bargaining just because, since we're just launching into bargaining
• So I've used this slides from our 20, from our 2024 bargaining, just because since we're just launching
• into bargaining, 2024 bargaining, just because since we're just launching into bargaining for 2026,

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Employment Relations

Summary: The Joint Committee on Employment Relations met for work sessions on Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) bargaining agreements and an overview of the collective bargaining process. OFM staff said supplemental bargaining for the 2025-27 biennium produced ratified tentative agreements for WPEA general government and higher education after earlier agreements were not ratified and the legislature declined funding because the October 1 deadline had been missed. Staff reported the current agreements were submitted for an OFM financial feasibility determination, with estimated 2025-27 general fund costs of about $12 million for general government and $7 million for higher education, and total funds of about $22.25 million and $13.5 million respectively. The agreements also include wage increases, an $18 starting wage, targeted classification adjustments, and some premium pay items related to wildfire work. Staff then gave an educational briefing on collective bargaining, explaining which employee groups OFM bargains for, the statutory framework, the annual bargaining timeline, and the role of interest arbitration. The presentation described how proposals are developed, how June revenue forecasts shape bargaining parameters, and how financial feasibility is assessed after agreements are reached. Staff also outlined bargaining priorities such as general wage increases, targeted recruitment and retention adjustments, maintaining the health care premium split, and keeping the starting wage above the minimum wage. Members asked why OFM bargains for certain non-state employee groups, and staff explained that those groups are required by statute and have separate bargaining and arbitration provisions. In executive session, the committee voted to keep the current co-chairs in place through 2026, to recognize that it met twice in 2025, and to set the 2026 meeting schedule at two meetings. All motions passed by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm launching a studio program with the Juvenile Department of Corrections, and I'm also launching an
• I'm here to... ...launching an economic and workforce development program that I'll bring back at the

Committee: House Judiciary

Summary: The California Assembly Judiciary Committee heard AB 1349, authored by Assembly Member Bryan, which would prohibit speculative ticketing by requiring ticket sellers to own, possess, or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them for resale. The bill also aimed to increase transparency by requiring disclosure of seat locations, recordkeeping and refund capabilities for secondary platforms, and banning fake websites that mimic official event pages or mislead consumers. Bryan argued the practice is anti-consumer and leaves fans paying marked-up prices for tickets sellers may never obtain. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, artist James Fauntleroy, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, and several sports and entertainment organizations. They said speculative ticketing harms fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts groups by driving up prices, causing fraud, and diverting revenue. Some supporters, including sports teams and venue groups, noted they had implementation concerns and were working with the author on amendments. Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeatGeek, TickPick, and Vivid Seats, which said they opposed the bill in its current form but supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing. They argued the bill could create problems around consumer transfer rights, terms and conditions, and market structure, and pointed to the federal Ticket Act and ongoing antitrust litigation involving Ticketmaster as relevant context. Committee members generally expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while urging continued work on the implementation issues raised by opponents. Several members said they would vote for the bill and emphasized the need to protect consumers, artists, and small venues without strengthening existing monopolies or limiting legitimate ticket transfers. The author said he was committed to working with all sides and that the bill was not intended to affect the larger federal litigation. The committee then voted do pass as amended to Appropriations, with the bill passing on recorded votes and later an additional aye from Vice Chair Dixon added to the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please send written testimony to the email provided on the hearing site.
• routers, cameras, and other connected devices are routinely used these days to build botnets and launch

Bills: S3082 , S3090 , H5425 , H5130 , H5114

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on late-filed bills, with testimony heard both in person and remotely. The committee reviewed several measures, including H. 355 and S. 3082 on veterinary telemedicine/telehealth, H. 5445 on additional liquor licenses for East Hampton, and S. 3090/H. 5114 on consumer-connected devices and software support disclosure. The chair outlined hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and written testimony submission, and noted that Lawrence High School students were present to observe. On the veterinary bills, supporters of H. 355 argued that allowing veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship remotely would improve access to care for pets whose owners face transportation, mobility, or anxiety-related barriers, and could help veterinarians continue practicing through telemedicine. Opponents of S. 3082, including the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians, said the initial in-person exam is essential to detect conditions that cannot be seen on video, avoid misdiagnosis, and preserve the standard of care; they emphasized that teletriage and follow-up telemedicine are already used after an in-person relationship is established. Committee members pressed both sides on the distinction between teletriage and establishing the relationship, the timing of annual exams, and whether limited exceptions for sedatives or other pre-visit needs might be workable. Senator Lovely testified in support, citing a recent Lyme case where follow-up telemedicine would have been useful. On H. 5445, Representative Gomez and East Hampton Mayor Salem Derby urged approval of the bill to authorize eight additional liquor licenses, saying the city has reached its current cap, needs economic development, and wants to support downtown revitalization and new restaurant growth. Members asked about public safety and the number of licenses sought; the mayor said local public safety officials support the request and that the licenses would be for restaurants, not bars. On S. 3090 and H. 5114, consumer advocates and cybersecurity experts supported requiring manufacturers of connected devices to disclose software support timelines, arguing it would improve consumer transparency, cybersecurity, and reduce e-waste. Industry groups opposed the bills, saying fixed disclosure requirements could be impractical, create confusion, burden small businesses, conflict with federal efforts, and be difficult to apply to appliances, lighting, and other products with long lifecycles. The committee did not take a substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; at the end, staff announced a forthcoming poll for House members, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please send written testimony to the email provided on the hearing site.
• routers, cameras, and other connected devices... ...are routinely used these days to build botnets and launch

Bills: S3082 , S3090 , H5425 , H5130 , H5114

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Keywords: animal telehealth, veterinary telemedicine, veterinary telehealth, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, pet care, companion animal, livestock, remote veterinary care, synchronous audio-video, telemedicine, prescription drugs, antimicrobial drugs, controlled substances, xylazine, compounding pharmacy, veterinary practice, Massachusetts Controlled Substances Act, animal owner

Transcript Highlights:

• We have made significant progress, launching CalKIDS, children's savings accounts, investing in community
• primary threat to our students' success, we integrated a housing and financial continuum into our school sites

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda focused largely on CalWORKs, child care access, early childhood supports, and family stability. Measures discussed included AB 1655, which would protect CalWORKs benefits for families when a child or family member is temporarily absent due to immigration detention; AB 1746, which would require counties to give CalWORKs applicants the actual child care request form and respond within 10 days; and AB 1755, which would repeal the CalWORKs 100-hour work penalty for two-parent families. Supporters across these bills emphasized reducing poverty, preventing administrative barriers, and avoiding punishments that can destabilize working families. No opposition witnesses appeared on these items. All three bills were moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes, with committee amendments accepted where noted. The committee also heard AB 2072, creating a state contingency fund to keep CalFresh and WIC benefits flowing during a federal shutdown, with support from the California Retailers Association and anti-poverty groups; AB 2429, which would make targeted changes to the early childhood mental health consultation model by making one screener optional and reducing required observations; AB 1969, the "It Takes a Village Act," establishing a grant program for cradle-to-career place-based partnerships; and AB 2092, giving the Department of Social Services lead authority over an early childhood integrated data system and creating an interagency governance structure. Testimony on these bills stressed the need for coordinated services, better data, and more flexible implementation. Each advanced out of committee, with AB 1969 receiving the most discussion and a split vote before later being finalized on the record. Two additional bills addressed county administration and emergency aid. AB 2278 would authorize a Contra Costa County pilot to test technology to speed IHSS eligibility and reassessments amid heavy caseloads and penalties, while AB 2567 would let counties issue emergency CalWORKs aid without first requiring applicants to apply for all other potentially available income sources. Both were presented as ways to reduce delays and help families in crisis faster. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing several other measures. At the end of the hearing, the committee returned to open votes and finalized the roll on all items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have made significant progress, launching CalKIDS, children's savings accounts, investing in community
• primary threat to our students' success, we integrated a housing and financial continuum into our school sites

Committee: House Human Services