Transcript Highlights:

• We represent over 5,000 cannabis workers in California under a UFCW contract.
• AB 506 protects consumers by voiding contracts between consumers and brokers that fail to include the
• AB 506 protects consumers by voiding contracts between consumers and brokers that fail to include the
• These contracts frequently require non-refundable deposits before even disclosing basic information,
• If the contract is deceptive, it's void, and the buyer gets their money back within 30 days.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with most measures drawing support from industry, professional, local government, and advocacy witnesses, and several receiving committee amendments before moving forward. AB 8 on hemp and cannabis drew the most extensive debate: supporters said it would close loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthen enforcement, and bring THC products into the regulated cannabis supply chain; opponents, including small cannabis farmers and environmental groups, warned it could undermine Proposition 64’s closed-loop system, harm California cultivators, and reduce tax revenues for youth, environmental, and law enforcement programs. The author said the bill was intended to protect consumers and children and to work further with stakeholders. AB 476 on copper theft was presented as a public safety and infrastructure bill to tighten reporting, documentation, and penalties for scrap metal theft; supporters from cities, utilities, broadband, and recycling-related groups described major losses and outages from copper theft, and the remaining opposition moved to neutral after amendments, with the bill advancing with committee support. The committee also heard AB 985, which would allow nationally certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice under direct supervision of licensed anesthesiologists to address anesthesia workforce shortages. Supporters, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, medical groups, students, and patients, said it would expand access and bring California in line with other states; nurse anesthesiology groups expressed concerns and sought further clarification, but there was no formal opposition at the hearing. AB 506, aimed at online pet sales, would void contracts that fail to disclose an animal’s origin or veterinary records or that require non-refundable deposits; animal welfare groups said it would curb puppy mill pipelines and deceptive online sales, and there was no opposition. AB 876, on certified registered nurse anesthetists, generated the sharpest health care policy dispute: supporters said it would codify existing practice and clarify CRNA duties, while physicians and medical associations argued it would expand scope too far and reduce patient safety. After a roll call, AB 876 passed the committee 9-0, as amended, to Appropriations. Other bills advanced with broad support after amendments. AB 432, the Menopause Equity Act, would require continuing medical education on menopause-related care for certain physicians; the author and medical experts said the bill addresses widespread gaps in menopause treatment and research, while CMA and ACOG opposed the mandate as an inappropriate CME requirement, though they agreed the underlying problem is real. The bill passed on call, as amended, to Health. AB 759 would allow eligible architectural candidates to use the title “architect in training” to encourage completion of licensure and improve diversity in the profession; it passed unanimously, as amended, to Appropriations. AB 967 would create an optional expedited licensure fee for out-of-state physicians to reduce delays in bringing doctors into California’s workforce; supporters said it would help address shortages and improve patient access, and the bill was presented with support from medical stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Human Resource Development that we want to go back to the four corners of the contract
• :14:15.320> the to go back to the four corers of the to go back to the four corers of the contract
• as much as possible, and if we do enter into an MOA that needs to be ratified the next contract cycle
• Are you going to, you know, pursue this into your next contract that you ratify?
• So, you know, I think so, to add provisions to the contract, right? There are two basic methods.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So whatever it costs for them to do for their Xerox contract, and surely they have a Xerox contract,
• So whatever it costs for them to do for their Xerox contract, and surely they have a Xerox contract,
• So whatever it costs for them to do for their Xerox contract, and surely they have a Xerox contract,
• So whatever it costs for them to do for their Xerox contract, and surely they have a Xerox contract,
• Like when wage contracts go up, the inflation is embedded already in that wage contract going up.

Bills: SB3302, SB2061, SB2050, SB2102, SB2694, SB2089, SB847

Keywords: SB3302, homemade food products, farm kitchens, home kitchens, Department of Health, DOH, food safety, food labeling, value-added agriculture, small farms, agricultural land, commercial food establishment permit, cottage food, direct-to-consumer sales, local food systems, Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapter 91, farm-to-table, food processing, public health regulation

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 9, 2026, and heard testimony on several measures. SB 3302 SD1 HD1, dealing with homemade food products, would require the Department of Health to adopt rules for farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than rules for home kitchens. The Department of Health said it supported the bill with technical amendments, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii also supported it. No opposition was heard. A lengthy discussion focused on SB 2061 SD2 HD1, which concerns a 99-year leasehold residential condominium project and HCDA’s rules for sales, income restrictions, and buyback pricing. HCDA supported the bill and said the House draft clarified unclear provisions and would help move the project to pre-sales. Testimony and committee questions centered on whether the project should remain owner-occupied in perpetuity or allow investor purchases after an initial sales period. HCDA explained that the bill was revised to make the project feasible in the market, that 60% of units would be income-restricted for buyers at or below 140% of area median income, and that the remaining units could be sold without owner-occupancy restrictions. Some members and testifiers expressed concern that the bill had shifted away from the original owner-occupancy vision and could become an investment property model, while others argued the changes were necessary for the project to pencil out and compete with fee-simple developments. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee also heard SB 2050 SD1 HD1, which would allow chiropractic students in accredited programs to engage in clinical practice beginning July 1, 2028. The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the measure, and one testifier described personal experience with student chiropractic care in California. Members questioned why the board requested delaying implementation until 2030, and the board said it needed more time to develop rules because it meets only a few times a year and rulemaking is lengthy. Finally, SB 2102 SD2 HD1, on industrial hemp in commercial feed, was introduced; the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered comments, the Department of Health raised concerns about regulating pet food and possible jurisdictional conflict, and a farmer testifying in support suggested narrowing the bill to federally approved livestock feed rather than pet food.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the qualified independent contract with the qualified independent Actuarial<00:36:50.359> uh
• procurement for the uh for Contracting procurement for the uh for Contracting with<00:52:33.520> the
• value that we had over the two contract value that we had over the two over<00:53:21.280> the
• <00:53:32.440> uh it's given us again some contract uh it's given us again some contract uh
• Chair, Representative Schultz, just as a point of clarification, the total contract value, I believe,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A few examples include reductions due to the consolidation of service contracts for equipment leases,
• of historical spending trends, maximizing economies of scale through consolidated cybersecurity contracts
• This is broken into two categories, $170,000 for contracted services.
• This is broken into two categories, 170,000 for contracted services.
• This will cover the additional court report $70,000 for contracted services.

Summary: The committee first took up confirmation of five water management district appointees: Ted Everett and Jerome Pate to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, Michael Romano to the Big Cypress Basin Board of the South Florida Water Management District, and Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Senator McClain moved confirmation, the roll was called, and the committee recommended all appointees favorably. Members then received the Governor’s Florida First budget presentations for environmental agencies. The environmental package totaled about $5.8 billion and emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, resilience, land conservation, state parks, hazardous waste cleanup, wildlife management, wildfire response, and citrus support. DEP highlighted more than $1.4 billion for water resources, including $810 million for Everglades restoration, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state parks, and $221 million for contamination cleanup. FWC, Agriculture, and Citrus funding priorities were also outlined. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a reduction at the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and beach renourishment funding for storm damage. The committee also heard the General Government portion of the budget, which totaled about $2.9 billion and covered DBPR, Lottery, Financial Services, Management Services, Revenue, PERC, and the Gaming Control Commission. DBPR requested funds for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, fleet replacement, and IT retention. FGCC sought new enforcement squads and an IT licensing/enforcement system. The Lottery proposed marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding. DMS emphasized building modernization, fleet telematics, 911 and radio upgrades, cybersecurity, a local government cybersecurity grant program, and data interoperability. PERC described a sharp increase in labor cases and elections after SB 256 and requested staffing, election administration, and hearing officer pay increases. DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation. Revenue requested operational and IT funding and support for fiscally constrained counties. Questions focused on DBPR’s condo and HOA initiatives, cybersecurity grant reductions, and the My Safe Florida Home program’s abandoned grants and matching requirements. No additional votes were taken, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE 21 REGIONAL DETENTION CENTERS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA STAFFED BY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES AND IN CONTRACT
• CONTRACTS WERE SIGNED IN JULY THIS YEAR 2025 AND WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH ACHA TO FINALIZE THE DESIGNS
• YOU FACTOR IN BIDS AND CONTRACTS AND SEQUENCING OF VENDORS AND SERVICES AND TO THIS POINT IF YOU ACTUALLY
• IT IS SEVERAL MONTHS OUT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR THE ENGINEERING SERVICES. >> Chair
• A CONTRACT WAS NEGOTIATED AND SIGNED END OF THE LION'S SHARE OF THE WORK ON THE PARKING GARAGE IS WE

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> WE HAVE THE CONTRACT IN PLACE SO THERE ARE VENDORS THAT CAN SELL THE VEHICLES. >> YOU PIGGYBACK.
• >> IT IS THE CONTRACT FOR THEM.
• SO I AM GUESSING THAT YOU DON'T REALLY MEAN IT 2000 AT A TIME BUT PERHAPS THERE IS A CONTRACT OVER THE
• FOR YOUR AND, YOU KNOW, PART OF THIS WILL BE DICTATED BY WHAT WE PROCURE AND WHAT THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT
• CAN THESE THINGS CAN BE BUILT INTO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. >> Chair: IT MAY DOES NOT SEE

Transcript Highlights:

• We're providing $500,000 to the Office of the Chief Inspector General to contract for an independent
• On outside counsel contracts. Representative Hart-Lowman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• On outside counsel contracts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• On outside counsel contracts, or you don't know. Representative Mani. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• no-bid contracts down there in the Everglades, which went to campaign donors.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move on to the Department of Administration provisions, which strengthen state contracts
• and grants and expand the responsible contract law.
• responsible contract law. responsible contract law.
• <00:53:50.560> as<00:53:50.720> well<00:53:50.880> as contract as well as contract
• contracts and grants. contracts and grants.

Bills: HF4364, HF4821, HF4543, HF3945

Keywords: Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia

Summary: The committee first approved the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held an informal hearing on House File 4364, which would establish a Central and Eastern European Ethnic Council in Minnesota. Representative Jordan and testifiers Mykola Mager and Julia Miller described the large Central and Eastern European community in Minnesota, its contributions to the state, and the need for a formal advisory body to help address barriers to government services, support refugees, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and cultural understanding. Members expressed general support and noted the bill’s importance, but no formal action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House File 4543, a bill to create a centralized payroll reporting portal for prevailing wage projects. Representative Frazier said the bill would reduce administrative burden on project owners, improve transparency and accountability, and help prevent wage theft, misclassification, tax fraud, and insurance fraud. Testifiers from county, city, and contractor groups largely supported the idea of streamlining reporting, but contractor representatives raised concerns about employee data privacy, public access to sensitive payroll information, duplication of existing systems, interoperability with contractor software, and the need for stakeholder engagement. Members echoed both support and caution, and the bill was laid over as amended rather than advanced. Finally, the committee considered House File 4821, described by Chair Klevorn as addressing the “penny problem” and a related change to high-deductible insurance plans. The bill would authorize state agencies to round cash transactions because of the penny shortage and would change MMB’s obligation to offer certain high-deductible health plans from “must” to “may,” producing modest administrative savings. Members questioned the drafting of the rounding language and asked about cash transactions at state agencies and the handling of cannabis tax payments. The chair noted the bill had missed the deadline and would be caught by the chief clerk’s office; the discussion ended with the bill being laid over as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• is done for the state it's an contract is done for the state it's an auction auction auction and<00:
• There's a most of the planting is done by contracted crews, and the Nature Conservancy hires contracted
• They make and supervise the contracted crews. Great, thank you. Any other questions?
• <00:59:07.040> um actual completion and contracting um actual completion and contracting um
• And but if we were to contract this project in 2027, 2028, that time frame, we would probably do that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, how many different congregate care agencies do we have contracts with in the state of Arizona?
• I actually am often employed privately, contracted privately, with clients who are opposing DCS.
• For the record, I still am not satisfied with who sets contracts with the group homes, what that looks
• RFP process, what are those questions in the RFP to get group homes to bid on them, to contract?
• I've managed over $15 million in early Head Start contracts, and I helped pass the Missing Children's

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We service about 50,000 people a year through those services contracts.
• This has also led to a collapse of. contract care.
• We used to be able to contract out with private providers for youth that were committed to us.
• Our contract care providers cannot meet the needs of the youth. that are coming in with us today.
• contract out with, like? No, our staff does do those.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can change ownership after the fact, which I would say makes something like an option contract
• working on a contract extension to preserve continuity.
• is working on a contract extension to preserve continuity.
• is working on a contract extension to preserve continuity.
• with uh you know pre-arranged contracts with uh you know pre-arranged contracts that<01:03:17.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Commerce Committee held its inaugural meeting with Chair Tim O’Driscoll and co-chair Representative Greg Davids opening the session and inviting members to introduce themselves. Members briefly described their districts, business backgrounds, and priorities, with recurring themes including small business competitiveness, insurance and health care access, property and real estate issues, agriculture, and making Minnesota easier to do business in. Committee staff also introduced themselves and reminded members and testifiers about sign-in procedures and microphone use. The committee then heard an overview from Eric Toell, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management, on the agency’s work and budget priorities. He said the office now oversees adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, has grown from about nine employees to 90 full-time staff plus temporary workers, and has been working with a Cannabis Advisory Council on testing, warning labels, and implementation issues. He also described outreach efforts, including webinars, newsletters, guidebooks for local governments, and office hours for applicants, along with enforcement of hemp-derived product rules through more than 3,000 inspections and an increase in compliance rates from about 35% to 75%. Toell also reported that the medical cannabis program has surpassed 51,000 patients and nearly 2,500 registered health care providers, and that a chronic pain report found more than a third of patients reported decreased pain. On the adult-use side, he said the office has posted proposed rules for public comment, plans to adopt them after review, and will open a licensing window from February 18 to March 14. He explained that the office is also managing community reinvestment grants and a technical assistance grant, with an emphasis on safeguards to ensure funds reach intended recipients. No votes were taken during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Our work highlights the significant growth in contract pharmacy arrangements, many of which are tied
• Notably, 21% of contract pharmacies serving Massachusetts patients are located outside the Commonwealth
• In fact, the top 340B contract pharmacy in Massachusetts is Caremark.”
• “In fact, the top 340B contract pharmacy in Massachusetts is Caremark, the largest PBM in the United
• We also note that 64% of contract pharmacies in Massachusetts are located in affluent neighborhoods,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket of bills focused on MassHealth benefits and reimbursement, health equity, behavioral health, public health, dental access, 340B drug pricing, tobacco cessation, and coverage for children. The chairs emphasized rising health care costs, provider shortages, administrative burdens, and persistent inequities by income, race, geography, and immigration status. Much of the testimony centered on H.1416/S.901, an act to advance health equity, with legislators and members of the Health Equity Compact arguing for statewide benchmarks, stronger health equity leadership, reimbursement for interpreter services, community health workers and patient navigation, Medicaid graduate medical education support, and a health equity zone trust fund. Witnesses described disparities in life expectancy, maternal mortality, access to primary care, and the impact of federal Medicaid and social service cuts, and urged the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee also heard strong support for H.1368/S.847 on rapid whole genome sequencing for critically ill MassHealth children. Testifiers from industry, academia, hospitals, and families said early sequencing can end long diagnostic odysseys, improve treatment decisions, shorten hospital stays, and save money, while also providing emotional relief and information for families. The hearing then moved to H.1407 on MassHealth rate parity for inpatient behavioral health providers, where Rep. Scanlan and the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems said the bill would codify existing administrative parity so managed care plans cannot pay less than the MassHealth fee-for-service rate. On H.1392/S.853 to preserve and protect public health, witnesses supported higher vaccine administration fees to improve provider participation and immunization rates. The committee also heard testimony on H.770/845 to protect 340B providers in MassHealth, and on S.848 to require reporting and transparency around 340B revenues and outside administrative costs. Additional bills drew testimony on tobacco cessation coverage for MassHealth members, with advocates supporting broader access to counseling and medications through medical, behavioral health, and dental providers. On H.1409, a nursing home operator asked for more flexibility in a MassHealth staffing-related penalty tied to patient days per resident. On H.1401/S.888, supporters of the “Take 10” dental access proposal said adult MassHealth dental coverage is underused because too few dentists accept MassHealth, leading to long travel times and avoidable emergency room visits; they urged incentive payments for dentists serving new adult MassHealth patients. Finally, on H.1403/S.855, “Cover All Kids,” advocates and immigrant community members urged removal of immigration status as a barrier to full MassHealth coverage for children, while also backing a related bill to ensure 12 months of continuous coverage for children. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and asked questions on costs, reimbursement levels, and implementation details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it because they’re saying it can be contracted? It doesn’t have to really be installed, correct?
• These are contracts for surrogacy and contracts for pregnancy.
• And I was causing some conversation about contracting the front line or moving away from the contract
• Do y'all contract those front-line individuals, or how does that work right now? There.
• Do y'all contract those front-line individuals, or how does that work right now?

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it because they're saying it can be contracted? It doesn't have to really be installed? Correct.
• You can do a contracted service to make sure that you... They can't be pricey, right?
• These are contracts for surrogacy and contracts for pregnancy.
• And I was causing some conversation about contracting the front line or moving away from the contract
• Do y'all contract those front-line individuals, or how does that work right now?

Summary: The committee first heard SB 145, which would require adult residential care providers, especially assisted living centers, to have generators or other backup power arrangements and to submit preparedness plans to LDH. After technical amendments and testimony from the sponsor, LDH, and the assisted living industry clarifying the bill’s scope and cost concerns, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. It then took up SB 433, which would require Medicaid coverage of medically necessary FDA-approved weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications, subject to appropriations and fiscally sustainable coverage criteria; the bill was reported favorably after discussion of current Medicaid coverage and costs. The committee also approved SB 52, which requires better coordination between DCFS and LDH so SNAP and Medicaid benefits can follow children more quickly when they are removed from or returned to a home. Technical amendments changed reporting deadlines and required written notice, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 4 on public water fluoridation was amended to allow local governments or voters to opt out through a petition and election process, with support from the Louisiana Dental Association and others after compromise language was adopted; it was reported favorably with amendments. SB 152, which would prohibit the sale of cultured or lab-grown food products for human consumption, was also reported favorably with amendments after brief testimony in support and opposition. The committee next approved SCR 37, which asks the Surgeon General to review Louisiana’s informed consent laws and report back on any gaps, after discussion that the existing medical disclosure panel had not met since 2018. It then considered SB 194, a public assistance bill aligning Louisiana Medicaid and SNAP rules with recent federal changes on non-citizen eligibility and tightening Medicaid’s reasonable opportunity period for citizenship verification. After extensive debate over immigration, emergency care, and whether the bill could harm eligible applicants or rural hospitals, the committee adopted an amendment allowing LDH discretion for emergency health care services and reported the bill favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, HCR 113 created a task force to study gestational carrier agreements and assisted reproductive regulation; after debate over surrogacy, ethics, and referral to Civil Law, the committee rejected the referral motion and then reported the resolution favorably, and the meeting moved on to SB 333 on child-in-need-of-care proceedings and legal representation funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the methodology used last year was April multiplied by 13 for a 13-month contract. Got it.
• And I think... ...for a 13-month contract. Got it. Thank you.
• So if a tribe had a contract with an existing call center, they would be eligible for those funds, or
• So if a tribe had a contract with an existing call center, they would be eligible for those funds, or
• When performance gaps are identified, we work with our administrative entity, again, AHP, who contracts

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the methodology used last year was April multiplied by 13 for a 13-month contract. Got it.
• And I think... ...for a 13-month contract. Got it. Thank you.
• So if a... ...if a tribe had a contract with an existing call center, they would be eligible for those
• Through this structure, DHCS contracts with AHP, which in turn subcontracts with and funds the 988 crisis
• with D.A. line pursuant to federal and state law under contract with DHS as Medi-Cal plans.

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision eight on page six and seven deals with nullifying contracts in violation of this section,
• just formal contracts.
• covering pre-contract things like terms<00:40:54.520> and<00:40:54.640> conditions<00:
• So that's kind of belt formal contracts.
• yet they're allowed to enter a contract yet they're allowed to sign<00:45:12.320> over<00:45:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have contracts in place with Sandia National Laboratories and Livermore National Laboratory.
• So personnel contracts in the other category.
• and then worry about coming back on a travel contract.
• and then worry about coming back on a travel contract.
• Act on a travel contract.

Keywords: 996, all