Transcript Highlights:

• So, what I'm so proud about this program is that this is a proven program.
• </c> program has meant to his district. program has meant to his district.
• </c> through this program. through this program.
• </c> leadership program. leadership program.
• </c> that a separate program altogether? that a separate program altogether?

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We only look at the nursing program.
• Within the nursing program of any academic institution, we look to make sure that that program will meet
• programs.
• When I was a nursing program... ...program director, I had three students take that pathway.
• Nursing programs in this state.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with opening remarks emphasizing legislative oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are efficient and effective. BRN leaders reported progress since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, expanded nursing program enrollment, and new statewide data collection on faculty. Committee members then questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, English proficiency, online nursing education and clinical placements, military and veteran pathways, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, the LVN-to-RN 30-unit option, and the role of the board’s RN executive officer. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, the 500-hour direct patient care clinical requirement, and its use of nursing education consultants and board-approved programs to oversee schools and placements. Members also discussed retention problems, especially for new graduates, and the board said shortages are often driven by burnout, lack of support, and employers’ reduced use of new-grad training programs. Public comment largely centered on proposed BRN sunset issues affecting advanced practice nursing, education oversight, and workforce development. Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthesiology groups generally supported the BRN sunset report but asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, support for APRN-to-RN delegation authority, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and protection of the current population-focus model. The California Medical Association raised concerns about out-of-state nurse practitioners practicing independently without California transition-to-practice requirements, specialty delegation, ratios, and data collection. Higher education representatives from UC, CSU, private nonprofit colleges, and nursing associations urged the board to reduce duplicative documentation, modernize clinical placement rules, improve parity between in-state and out-of-state programs, and address bottlenecks in securing clinical sites. An online nursing school argued that California should create a pathway for distance-learning programs so students can complete clinicals in-state rather than traveling out of state. Several speakers also highlighted the need to expand access for rural and underserved communities, support diverse and nontraditional students, and preserve affordable pathways into nursing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a degree program or is that a certificate program? >> Yes.
• Is that a degree program or is that a certificate program? >> Yes.
• Is that a degree program or is that a certificate program? >> Yes.
• These funds allow us to enhance our programs, to expand our programs, and be innovative in the programs
• That's just the 4-H program in the AD program in our farm and food safety program.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Then lastly there is the large program which is called the [BEAD program](link from function call) and
• teeth in that program?
• So we have already staffed up that program.
• It's a voucher program, okay?
• So for the first program, Boot One, it was a broad open program that the ISPs were able to draw their

Bills: SB 1 , SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• A government program that's a loan program that is not self-sustaining is not a loan program.
• A government program that's a loan program that is not self-sustaining is not a loan program.
• A government program that's a loan program that is not self-sustaining is not a loan program.
• A government program that's a loan program that is not self-sustaining is not a loan program.
• ><c> loan</c><01:25:28.480><c> program</c> government program that's a loan program government program

Transcript Highlights:

• program and our 4 program we Gardener program and our 4 program we have<00:09:24.040><c> four</c><00
• program.
• program.
• awarded</c> this program the program has awarded this program the program has awarded 17<01:04:23.680
• </c><01:42:00.199><c> serves</c> programs each year the program serves programs each year the program

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The program engaged 31 partner organizations, including training programs, community-based organizations
• So we continue to have a vocational nurse program at Madera, a nursing program, a bridge program; all
• In all of these programs, and I could go on, but I'll say, all of these programs are made possible by
• And, you know, obviously was thinking about programs that may be programs prior to folks getting out
• Many of those folks that come through this program, it's word of mouth from the program prior to them

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are programs that we have an interest in.
• X dollars into that program.
• Our programs are not currently reaching the caps on their respective programs yet.
• Our programs are not currently reaching the caps on their respective programs yet.
• So this is a very diverse program.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The Agriculture Committee first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 24-22 do pass by a vote of 18 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 present. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bills 2713 and 2716, both sponsored by Representative Deal. HB 2713 was described as the larger agriculture tax credit package, including removal of sunsets from several existing ag-related credits and technical changes to programs such as biodiesel, meat processing, specialty crops, wood energy, and rolling stock. HB 2716 focused on the short-line rail tax credit and related rail infrastructure incentives, including track rehabilitation and industrial development credits. Representative Deal said the bills were intended to provide long-term certainty for agriculture and rail investment and noted the programs’ positive return on investment. Committee members raised concerns about eliminating sunsets, how future legislatures would review the credits, and whether some credits could be used if Missouri moved toward eliminating income tax. Questions also focused on whether abandoned or minimally used rail lines would qualify, and on the transferability of rolling stock credits to entities with different tax liabilities. Deal and witnesses said the rail provisions were aimed at active short lines and that data on the credits’ performance could be provided. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybeans, the Biodiesel Coalition of Missouri, Missouri Dairy, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Bankers Association, Missouri Eastern Railroad, Missouri Economic Development Council, Osage Valley Electric Cooperative, and the Missouri Railroad Association. Supporters said the credits have stimulated ethanol, biodiesel, dairy, specialty crop, meat processing, and rural economic development projects, and that rail credits help preserve and expand short-line service, reduce truck traffic, and attract industrial investment. No opposition testimony was offered on either bill, and the hearings on HB 2713 and HB 2716 were adjourned without any recorded committee vote on those bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• child health programs.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.
• Medicaid to schools program is another program that we administer.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> tolerance for fraud in our programs. tolerance for fraud in our programs.
• on state program fraud.
• on state program fraud.
• on state program fraud.
• </c><01:26:28.920><c> title</c><01:26:29.280><c> programs,</c> programs, federal title programs, programs

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• , the overall size of the program is less than the overall size of the reinsurance program.
• </c> program. So this isn't completely new. program. So this isn't completely new.
• program and the current<01:10:55.360><c> reinsurance</c><01:10:56.040><c> program.
• </c> reinsurance program to the individual. reinsurance program to the individual.
• So this subsidy program is market.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• And whenever I hear of a new program, I think, okay, I've got to stand up a brand new program, right
• It took a while for our behavioral wellness program to put a program in place.
• and a lot of these residential treatment programs are 90-day programs.
• That's the exact same program.
• of neglect of the program.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• beverage container recycling program.
• for nonprofits specific in the beverage container program.
• And it's good that we have volunteers that work on these programs.
• And it's good that we have volunteers that work to work on these programs.
• Switching gears to our safer consumer products program.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:08.879><c> for</c><00:03:09.120><c> 1</c> Program for 1 Program for 1 million<00:03:11.440><c>
• ,<00:03:21.280><c> 1</c> Program, 1 Program, 1 million<00:03:23.519><c> for</c><00:03:23.840><c> public
• On page three, for program.
• ,</c><00:04:03.120><c> 1</c> Rail Service Improvement Program, 1 Rail Service Improvement Program, 1
• </c><00:04:43.919><c> 15</c> inflow and infiltration grant program 15 inflow and infiltration grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• We provide funding to a program So it would depend on the program and what the parameters of the program
• It's this program.
• They want this program.
• Homeland Security Program.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:35.840><c> from</c><00:21:36.000><c> 10</c><00:21:36.240><c> to</c> program from 10 to program
• </c><00:21:52.880><c> of</c> additional spending to the program of additional spending to the program
• farmer tax credit program.
• </c> beginning farmer tax credit program. beginning farmer tax credit program.
• </c><01:05:58.319><c> program.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• “A lot of those programs, whether they’re an AA/BA program at a community college or out in the community
• The fiscal health monitoring program is now in place everywhere and will continue to be a program where
• That program has been cut.
• But I assure you, every university has food insecurity programs, housing insecurity programs.
• Every university has food insecurity programs, housing insecurity programs, and mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• type of program, is that in place?
• proposals for these programs.
• That program has been cut.
• That program has been cut.
• But I assure you, every university has food insecurity programs and housing insecurity programs.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an oversight hearing on the California State University system covering enrollment, core operations, Title IX/civil rights, and basic needs. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s 2026-27 budget does not change CSU enrollment targets from the prior year and proposes a 5% ongoing General Fund increase for core operations as the final year of the compact. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended a lower resident undergraduate enrollment target than the Governor’s proposal, separate funding for enrollment growth rather than folding it into base, a smaller or no base increase tied more closely to inflation, earmarking some base funds for capital renewal, retiring deferred payments, and avoiding new multi-year compact commitments. CSU said enrollment has rebounded for three straight years, but growth is uneven across campuses, with several Northern California campuses still facing structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. CSU described a multi-year reallocation plan shifting about 10,000 FTE and $89 million in ongoing funding toward higher-demand campuses, plus $40 million in one-time support, and said seven campuses submitted turnaround plans aimed at recovering enrollment over the next several years. The system highlighted strategies such as dual enrollment, guaranteed admission pathways with community colleges, outreach to high school students, retention and advising efforts, and new degree models for working adults and military-connected students. Members raised questions about how campus targets are set, whether the May Board of Trustees discussion will address a systemwide enrollment framework, and how CSU will manage future deficits if projected out-year funding does not materialize. On core operations and facilities, CSU said it faces about $320 million in mandatory cost increases in 2026-27 and is pursuing shared services, procurement consolidation, campus administrative sharing, and program redesigns to reduce costs. CSU and the LAO emphasized the system’s large deferred maintenance backlog, estimated at $8.6 billion, and discussed whether CSU’s bond/debt capacity is sufficient to address it; CSU requested up to $1.1 billion for deferred maintenance, while the administration did not propose new funding. The committee also heard CSU’s annual Title IX and civil rights update: CSU said it has implemented 15 of 16 State Auditor recommendations, has dedicated Title IX coordinators at every campus, is using a systemwide case management dashboard, and is piloting centralized investigations at five campuses. Finally, on basic needs, the Governor maintained current funding levels for food assistance/basic needs, rapid rehousing, and mental health. CSU reported heavy use of food pantries, CalFresh support, emergency housing, and counseling services, while warning that federal changes to CalFresh and related funding could make it harder to serve students in need.

Transcript Highlights:

• so far, the in-state program.
• in-state investment program maps directly to the policy specific to the in-state investment program.
• we have, economic development programs.
• investment program that looks at it.
• Programs that are out there.

Committee: Joint Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 22 minutes, and received an update on the planned Legacy Fund transparency website. Jody Smith said the site is in contract negotiations after six bidders responded, with a target go-live around November 1 after added security review. The website is intended to provide downloadable, more detailed public information on the Legacy Fund, including historical changes, legislative allocations, and investment breakdowns. Members asked about comparables and data detail, and Smith said North Dakota would likely be the first state to offer this level of sovereign wealth fund transparency. Scott Anderson of the Retirement Investment Office then reviewed Legacy Fund performance through January 31, 2026, describing strong returns, low fees, and the benefits of diversification. He noted that real estate had been a drag on returns, but it is a small portion of the portfolio, and he discussed market effects from geopolitical events, inflation, credit spreads, and private credit. Members also questioned the in-state investment program and the BND CD-Match program. Representative Bosch moved to pause new transfers to the CD-Match program until the bank reports back, and the motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also agreed to request a cost-benefit analysis from RVK on that change. After lunch, the committee heard from RVK consultant Jim Voidko on the investment policy statement, focused on the in-state investment provisions. He reported that, after interviews with implementers and stakeholders, RVK found no major policy impediments in the current IPS and no strong calls to change the size limits or core guardrails. He emphasized the importance of risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, exit strategies, and governance, and warned that foregone returns or higher spending obligations can pressure the fund’s long-term mission. He also recommended clearer terminology around “infrastructure,” distinguishing public infrastructure from commercial infrastructure, and noted unresolved policy questions about nexus and economic diversification. The committee then began reviewing proposed IPS updates with Rio staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:42.599><c> we</c> the water quality reducation program we the water quality reducation program
• </c> programs that we operate of this program programs that we operate of this program in<00:10:37.880
• program is a nation<00:17:36.320><c> leading</c><00:17:36.679><c> program</c><00:17:37.200><c> that<
• a water quality certification program a water quality certification program program program implements
• <c> but</c> so the program the programs worked but so the program the programs worked but the<01:24:22.360

Committee: House Taxes