Transcript Highlights:

• Three, launch public awareness campaigns.
• Three, launch public awareness campaigns.
• Three, launch public awareness campaigns.
• Three, launch public awareness campaigns.
• Launch public awareness campaigns.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there's a lot of work to be done in this space as well.
• One of the things that we've combated in this disease space is still that stigma.
• So thank you guys for all the work you're doing in that space as well. All right.
• That makes it very consistent what's happening again in the space that we're seeing right now.
• There's solutions there, I think, and MemoryNet has worked good in some spaces.

Committee: All ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has been at the forefront of space exploration, being home to NASA's Johnson Space Center.
• The birthplace of mission control for the Apollo moon landings and cornerstone of our nation's space
• Round Rock has a significant industry and, as you probably know, Firefly just recently launched. a successful
• I know that there is a spaceport in Houston and a spaceport in Midland, both with launch capabilities
• just wondering about the levelness. of the playing field with regard to privately-operated spaceport launch

Bills: SCR3 , SCR30 , SB2375 , HCR35

Committee: Senate Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Through this funding, we launched the All About Love Young Women's Group, a nurturing space, Through
• this funding, we launched the All About Love Young Women's Group, a nurturing space for young women of
• and gender-expansive spaces, which is Transgender Day of Remembrance.
• When you invest in youth spaces, you invest in stronger and more united communities.
• When you invest in youth spaces, you invest, you invest in youth spaces, you in this.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m an entrepreneur in the hotel space, and my work revolves around complex negotiations, budget analysis
• To meet that need, NFC must continue to grow its physical space, facilities, and training capacity, and
• 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
• I've been very focused at the college on reaching and developing the K-12 space.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> session has been launched or awarded. session has been launched or awarded. listening<00:04:56.639
• to make that space available for veterans.
• So, and so thank you. it's it's a very complicated space. You it's it's a very complicated space.
• </c> great interest, you know, in this space great interest, you know, in this space and<00:46:22.000
• ,</c> the LCCMR, I mean, in other spaces, the LCCMR, I mean, in other spaces, we've<00:57:35.200><c>

Bills: HF4148

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Programming space is limited.
• We envision outdoor space.
• Today, when you come visit, there is no outdoor space, and I think we all know how powerful green space
• today when you come visit there is no outdoor space and I think we all know how powerful green space
• day to care And staff spaces, right?

Bills: SB6062

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> positions and we're excited to launch positions and we're excited to launch this<01:16:28.239><c
• We are the only nonprofit community space and arts venue in South Maui.
• We are the only nonprofit community space and arts venue in South Maui.
• </c> peer connection please help us launch peer connection please help us launch youth<02:11:47.639><
• </c> a 69 person classroom uh office space a 69 person classroom uh office space for<03:17:00.640><c>

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs that have a the goal to launch programs that have a goal<00:20:06.919><c> to</c><00:20:07.039
• ><c> launch</c><00:20:07.280><c> in</c><00:20:07.440><c> the</c><00:20:07.559><c> fall</c><00:20:07.919
• ><c> under</c><00:20:08.240><c> bright</c> goal to launch in the fall under bright goal to launch in
• and we were fortunate enough to be space and we were fortunate enough to be awarded<00:26:04.080><c>
• I've been working for the past year to launch a teacher apprenticeship model with the University's four

Transcript Highlights:

• It had been, we had been sharing space with AGC at the Riverside facility.
• Colorado launched the Seal of Climate Literacy model in 2024. Maine launched their seal last month.
• Mark Landgraf, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, in strong support.
• And so action in this space really is critical.
• You cannot pay for ongoing investments in that space.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, we launched our brand-new Star of the North tourism campaign.
• We will launch that soon along with all of our other ads.
• We will launch that soon along with all of our other ads.
• We will launch that soon along with all of our other ads.
• We will launch that soon along with all of our other ads.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• parking garage facility, nursing logistics centers, and additional graduate medical education training spaces
• And then the OSU Medical Center expansion, which has the new ORs, has the pharmaceutical research space
• We launched our new outpatient ABA building, which was an ARAF-funded project.
• You had talked a bit about the portal launched in October, and there has been some difficulty with the
• We've processed over 30,000 patient licenses since the launch. So, things are working.

Committee: House A&B Health Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks to the support of the legislature, Evergreen Shelton Promise launched in 2024.
• We created low-risk study spaces. We had always had a peer mentor and a tutor in the room.
• The Evergreen alumni mentor program was also launched.
• So we've launched something called a Wellington High Five. Wellington is our wildcat.
• My commitment to service began when I promised myself that I would implement equity into every space

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:

• Thanks to the support of the legislature, Evergreen Shelton Promise launched in 2024.
• We created low-risk study spaces. We always had a peer mentor and a tutor in the room.
• The Evergreen alumni mentor program was also launched.
• So we've launched something called a Wellington High Five. Wellington is our wildcat.
• My commitment to service began when I promised myself that I would implement equity into every space

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:

• As part of our effort to launch the program, we worked closely with other partners to screen initial
• Through this funding, we launched the All About Love Young Women's Group, a nurturing space, Through
• this funding, we launched the All About Love Young Women's Group, a nurturing space for young women of
• The spaces are more than just a meeting room.
• When you invest in youth spaces, you invest in stronger and more united communities.

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:

• launch on the employer revenue side.
• “So in August we launched a pilot. We actually took this concept from Oregon.
• So we launched a Competitiveness Council at the end of last year.
• And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 15, 15, And since CHAMP launched in the fall of 2018, 56%
• We get the benefit of the modern model, but a protected data space for us to innovate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an entrepreneur in the hotel space, and my work revolves around complex negotiations, budget analysis
• To meet that need, NFC must continue to grow its physical space, facilities, and training capacity, and
• And so I had a lot of work in that space.
• I'd also like to highlight our teacher apprenticeship program launched in Polk County in partnership
• I've been very focused at the college on reaching and developing the K-12 space.

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:

• And so there's a lot of work to be done in this space as well.
• And so there's a lot of work to be done in this space as well.
• So thank you guys for all the work you're doing in that space as well.
• You're doing in that space as well. All right. Any questions before we go to the next?
• MemoryNet has worked good in some spaces. That's something I'll pitch later on. Not to do.

Committee: All ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met to introduce members, adopt its rules and procedures, approve prior minutes, and authorize the co-chairs to approve special expenses. The main discussion focused on updating the Arkansas State Plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, with David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association outlining major changes in prevalence, caregiving burden, diagnostics, and treatment since the prior plan. He noted rising disease and caregiver numbers in Arkansas, the expansion of amyloid PET access, the growing use of blood-based biomarkers, and the availability of FDA-approved treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla, while emphasizing that access, insurance coverage, and provider education remain major barriers. Members and presenters also discussed the need to better reach rural primary care providers, who may not be aware of new diagnostics and therapies, and the bottlenecks caused by limited specialists and infusion capacity. There was concern about overreliance on blood tests without confirmatory evaluation, and several members stressed the importance of collaboration, public education, and promoting brain health through exercise and diet. The council also heard about existing programs such as the dementia services coordinator, the BOLD grant, caregiver respite grants, workforce training, and a pilot dementia resource center with UAMS Centers on Aging. The council approved a new four-part outline for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction and brain health/early detection, strengthening family caregiver support, improving access to diagnostics and treatment, and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce and crisis response. Members also agreed to consider future agenda items on new treatments, brain health and lifestyle prevention, workforce training, and possible legislative changes to the enabling statute. The meeting ended with discussion of scheduling the next meeting, tentatively set for August 12 in Hot Springs, and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are hoping that this becomes a standard feature once we are through this outcome space model that
• We've launched a series of non-credit conferences.
• So, um, but are in a different sequence of launching over the next couple of years.
• So since it's launched in 2022, we've engaged over 80 school districts.
• Students who are eager to learn are being turned away because of limited space and funding.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard updates on several higher education budget items, beginning with a pulled follow-up item on the State Library’s administration of the Imagination Library. The chair said the committee had received new documentation from the State Library and the Department of Finance late the prior evening, and staff would review it before deciding whether additional oversight or accountability measures are needed. The committee then turned to the California Community Colleges budget request, with Chancellor Christian outlining strong post-pandemic enrollment recovery, asking for 3% enrollment growth funding, changes to the three-year average formula, removal of the 10% growth cap, and support for several one-time and ongoing initiatives including the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, Rebuild L.A., veterans services, Calbright College, and the Chancellor’s Office. Senators raised concerns about district reserves, part-time faculty conditions, veterans’ credit pathways, and fraud prevention in enrollment systems; the chancellor said the system is using DMV and other identity verification tools, AI screening, and audits, and that reported final enrollment numbers are clean. The committee then reviewed the student-centered funding formula. The Department of Finance described the governor’s proposal to fully repay $408.4 million in deferrals, provide a 2.41% COLA, and add one-time funding to cover current-year apportionment costs, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended prioritizing the proposals within available Proposition 98 funding. Community college finance staff said most districts are growing, many would benefit from current-year funding rules, and that without the proposed apportionment funding districts could face a deficit factor and reduced course access. Members asked about infrastructure prioritization, deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, and campus police; staff explained that life safety projects are prioritized first, followed by modernization and growth-related facilities, and that colleges are built to high safety standards under the Field Act. Enrollment growth was discussed separately, with Finance and LAO supporting the governor’s 1.5% growth proposal split across two fiscal years, while noting that growth is being driven in part by dual enrollment, regional demographic shifts, and unemployment. The Chancellor’s Office said 54 of 72 districts grew year over year and that funding more growth could help districts move off hold harmless status, though some districts face long-term demographic challenges. The committee also heard from Calbright College President Agita Menon, who described Calbright’s role serving adult learners statewide, its completion and wage gains, and the governor’s proposed $38 million ongoing funding. The LAO recommended transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula beginning in 2027-28, arguing that the current proposal lacks a clear funding rationale and performance linkage; Calbright responded that its competency-based, non-credit model is structurally different and should be funded separately, while agreeing to continued accountability reporting. Finally, the committee received an update on the Community College Higher Education Student Housing Program. Finance said the governor proposes about $11 million ongoing General Fund for debt service on approved student housing projects, and that 11 projects are in the financing pipeline, with two completed, three under construction, four in working drawings, and two in preliminary plans. Finance also noted that some projects have withdrawn and that about $81 million in bond authority remains unallocated, which the Legislature may need to address going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• These help in telling many stories of Texas history, state and local. will have its public launch of
• The quality of service is evident to occupants and those who visit the historic spaces in the Capitol
• It's a $300 million concert space.
• Texas' culinary scene received international recognition. with the launch of the first ever Michelin
• , the national, international convention space. hotels, our restaurants, transportation services, and

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism