Transcript Highlights:

• It also included liquor control officers, park rangers, commercial vehicle officers, and gambling special
• So that brings us to today with animal control officers.
• limited authority law enforcement officers.
• Under statute, animal control officer is defined to also include humane officers, and those are folks
• And not part of the commissioned officers.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Office of Public Safety.
• We've been working with the Attorney General's office.
• , as well as Chairman Michael Witts' office, who have been amazing.
• Who took office? You know what happened January 20 of '25, right? We took office.
• Mariano of Quincy, officer, ordered the clerk to read the order.

Summary: The House first handled several routine matters, including adoption of a resolution honoring Caroline San Martino Moran on her 80th birthday and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition involving the City of Waltham and the Veterans Memorial Rink. It then advanced a bill authorizing DCAMM to release a sewer line easement in West Roxbury, adopting the Ways and Means amendment and ordering the bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up and advanced another bill, Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust, and Equal Constitutional Treatment (the “Protect Act”), after a brief recess and a quorum call. Most of the transcript focused on House Bill 5305, the Protect Act, which was described by supporters as a measure to separate state and local law enforcement from civil immigration enforcement, prohibit ICE arrests in courthouses without a judicial warrant, limit cooperation with ICE on civil matters, strengthen notice and language-access protections for detainees and workers, expedite U and T visa certifications, and create rules for sensitive spaces and enforcement by the Attorney General. Supporters from both parties and several caucuses argued the bill would protect due process, encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, and preserve public safety by maintaining trust in courts, schools, and communities. Several members also spoke from personal experience as immigrants, survivors of domestic violence, or law enforcement professionals. The House considered and voted on a series of amendments to H.5305. Amendment 6 to strike Section 4 failed; Amendment 7, which would have required ICE civil warrants to be presented to a court and reviewed for impact on justice, failed; Amendment 2, adding immigration judges to the bill’s definition of government, failed; Amendment 3, concerning 287(g) agreements and federal reimbursement, was withdrawn; Amendment 13, expediting U visa certifications when a family member is aging out, was adopted by roll call 150-3; Amendment 10, clarifying the definition of law enforcement agency/officer to include sheriffs’ correctional roles, was adopted 127-25; Amendment 5, expanding a release-date provision, was adopted 154-0; and Amendment 14, addressing school-related protections and ICE presence, was adopted 135-18. The bill itself was still under consideration at the end of the transcript, with debate continuing after the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive Office of Public Safety.
• We've been working with the Attorney General's office.
• , as well as Chairman Michael Witts' office, who have been amazing.
• Who took office? You know what happened on January 20 of '25, right? We took office.
• Roll call having been ordered, court officers will alert the members.

Transcript Highlights:

• officers have approximately 4,000 police officers in<00:45:07.680><c> the</c><00:45:07.760><c> state
• </c><00:47:03.119><c> We</c> officers in that unfair position. We officers in that unfair position.
• </c><00:52:22.880><c> will</c> how our law enforcement officers will how our law enforcement officers
• ,</c> um, the Attorney General's Office, um, the Attorney General's Office, Division<01:04:40.640><c>
• ,</c><01:13:23.840><c> the</c> of Safety, the Governor's Office, the of Safety, the Governor's Office

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Low-rise office parks with a lot of surface parking are much easier to replace than a high-rise office
• So that'll be a mix of office, retail, and residential.
• But we need to have, I think, the type of office space and the type of office environments that attract
• So I'm going to go back to, I'll just review this in the office.
• I'm going to go back to office before the Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The Select Committee on Downtown Recovery held an informational hearing on the future of public transit and its role in downtown recovery. Chair Haney framed the discussion around how downtowns have changed since the pandemic and how transit, walkability, housing, and street design can support more 24/7 activity. The hearing included three panels: transit agency representatives, street design and curb management experts, and housing/transit development advocates. Transit agency witnesses from BART, LA Metro, and Sacramento Regional Transit described post-pandemic ridership shifts, with more weekend, evening, and event-based travel and less reliance on traditional weekday commute patterns. BART highlighted downtown San Francisco’s dependence on transit, its event service, safety investments, and transit-oriented development pipeline, while asking the state to protect transit funding and honor SB 125 and greenhouse gas reduction fund commitments. LA Metro emphasized special event service, especially around the World Cup and Union Station activations, as a way to make transit a destination and improve customer experience. Sacramento Regional Transit reported bus ridership recovery above pre-pandemic levels, light rail lagging behind, new vehicles and stations, stronger security measures, and concerns about future funding cuts affecting student fares, capital projects, and service levels. The second panel focused on making downtown streets more walkable and transit-friendly. Jeff Speck argued that walkability depends on places being useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting, and urged cities to restripe streets, reduce lane widths, add bike protection, improve crossings, and redesign one-way streets. Mark Vuksevich of Streets for All said downtowns are statewide economic assets and called for frequent transit, bus priority, modern curb management, parking pricing tied to availability, and parking benefits districts that reinvest revenue locally. He also said the state should provide model enabling legislation and more flexibility for local experimentation. The final panel focused on housing near transit. California YIMBY’s Aaron Eckhouse supported AB 2074, which would encourage large-scale housing in transit-rich downtowns, and argued for more financing tools, condo reform, and building code changes to reduce costs. Transbay Joint Powers Authority Executive Director Adam Van Water described the Transbay Transit Center and surrounding district as a case study in transit-oriented downtown growth, with millions of square feet of development, thousands of residents, and a major portal project still awaiting funding and pre-construction work. Members discussed office-to-housing conversions, the need to repurpose underused office stock, and the importance of state funding and policy support for transit, housing, and downtown revitalization.

Transcript Highlights:

• They may use a portion of that house as an office.
• They may use a portion of that house as an office.
• They may use a portion of that house as an office.
• building, they are changed to an office building, they are changed to an office<00:16:00.240><c> commercial
• If it is a office commercial building.

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill addresses the authority of investigators in the Office of the Attorney General's Office of Attorney
• It's done a lot to create distrust in the Attorney General's office.
• that that office has today.
• And it is concerning that the AG's office has been involved in that.
• Last line: office vacancy in candidacy for the office exists.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1707 , HB1906 , HB1909 , HB2196 , HB2244 , HB2339 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2468 , HB2475 , HB2521 , HB2548 , HB2619 , HB2637 , HB2720

Summary: The House first took up House Bill 2156, which would expand the Attorney General’s investigative authority, especially for organized retail crime and related economic and financial crimes. Members debated a series of amendments on training standards, background checks, warrant service, scope limits, and definitions. Some amendments were adopted, including provisions clarifying electronic service of search warrants, background-check expectations, decertification standards, and a definition of economic and financial crimes; others were rejected or ruled out of scope. The bill was then amended, advanced, and passed 54-43. The House then considered several other measures. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2219 on child care operational efficiency passed overwhelmingly after amendments addressing opioid-related safety standards in licensed child care settings. House Bill 2124, adjusting the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2266, dealing with permanent supportive housing, traditional housing, and indoor emergency shelters, was amended to add local notice, transparency, community meeting, and siting protections, then passed 56-40. The chamber also passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1784, which updates certified medical assistant supervision rules for diagnostic radiologic procedures, by 96-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2523, codifying the Community Reinvestment Program, passed 88-9 after amendments adding accountability and local-government provisions. House Bill 2113, clarifying supervision authority for diagnostic radiologic procedures in rural hospitals, passed 97-0. House Bill 2632, modernizing statutory terminology by replacing “alien” with “non-citizen,” passed 58-39. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476, expanding theater seating rules for venues serving alcohol, passed 81-50. The House then began House Bill 2320 on regulating firearms manufacturing involving 3D printing and CNC milling; several narrowing amendments were rejected, a striking amendment was adopted, and debate continued with supporters citing ghost-gun risks and opponents raising constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, I want to call the Lieutenant Governor's Office up concerning their budget and the
• John Austin Lynch, Lieutenant Governor's Office. Sandy Hall, Lieutenant Governor's Office.
• And with that, there's three of us that are in the office full-time.
• And so it comes with a lot of work coming into the Lieutenant Governor's Office.
• coming out of your office and what’s coming out of Secretary Ward’s office.

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request. Office representatives said they wanted to move the office to the state pay plan to better align salaries with other constitutional offices and remain competitive, noting that OPM had approved the positions and grades. Senators questioned the size of the requested increases and the office’s workload, and after discussion the motion to adopt the proposal failed on an 8-8 tie. The committee then voted to expunge that vote and returned to the regular agenda. The committee approved a series of Governor’s letters involving position transfers and appropriation adjustments across several agencies. These included changes for AETN, the Department of Health and Nursing Board/Dietetics Board, multiple DHS divisions, DFA shared services and budget management, and the Department of Public Safety shared services division. Most of these items involved moving positions and associated salary appropriations between divisions, with no major opposition and motions passing. A lengthy discussion followed on the transfer of child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture. Education and DFA officials explained that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the funding and commodities are tied to USDA programs, and they clarified that both state and federal funding and all related positions would move. Senators raised concerns about the math in the letters, the split between state and federal funding, and whether all program resources were being transferred. After the explanation, the committee approved the Education side of the transfer and then approved the Agriculture companion letter. The committee also discussed the Educational Freedom Account program budget. Officials said the $309 million request matched current participation and included a $70 million reserve in case applications increase. Several senators expressed concern about the program’s growth and its effect on public education funding and adequacy, while others noted that the program’s rules and funding levels could be adjusted through the State Board and future legislative action. The committee then approved a Public Safety classification change and a member amendment changing a title at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor, with no change in positions or appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the chief counsel for the Office of the Attorney General.
• as well as the Treasurer's Office for record keeping, and that the Legislative Services Office will
• to LSO staff and Treasurer's Office.
• Any payments made based upon those contracts to the Treasurer's Office for payment.
• We have submitted it to the Attorney General's office for legal review.

Summary: The America 250 Advisory Council met with a quorum and first approved the prior minutes. Staff then provided a financial update showing most of the $250,000 celebration fund had been allocated, with about $9,147.70 expected to return to the commemorative fund after two outstanding grants are finalized, and total expenditures reported at $344,310.88 across related accounts. Members thanked staff for keeping the grants and payments moving so local events could be planned. The council then received legal guidance from the Attorney General’s Office on contracts and spending authority. Counsel explained that the committee as a whole controls the commemorative funds, may delegate contract work to subcommittees or individuals, and should clearly identify who is authorized to sign each contract. The council voted to require that any legally binding agreements approved by the committee be sent to the co-chairs for signature, and that signed agreements be shared with Legislative Services and the Treasurer’s Office for recordkeeping and payment processing, with questions routed back to the co-chairs. Members also discussed a specific $20,000 celebration contract for organizers, noting it had already been funded and was still being finalized for signature. Updates followed on the ambassador program, including nearly 2,000 ambassadors, extensive city/county/business/school logo participation, a large quilt display at the Capitol, service challenge progress, and plans for the Liberty Bell carriage and fountain projects. The governor’s task force report highlighted upcoming America 250 initiatives such as the July 8 “Sharing the Spirit of America” reading event, the youth art campaign “My America, From Ground Zero to Common Ground,” America’s Potluck, and website updates. The federal report covered the National Archives’ “America’s Time Capsule,” “America’s Block Party,” Flag Sojourn, America’s Field Trip, America Innovates, the expanded congressional caucus, and the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C. Finally, the council approved grant disbursements for Power County, the City of Nampa, the City of Heyburn, and Jerome County, and scheduled the next meeting for April 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services Office.
• I'm a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office.
• and the office of energy and mineral resources as a reminder Species Conservation and the Office of
• Species Conservation and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.
• We thank the governor's office for being here with us each day.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered several Department of Health and Welfare budgets and related language items. For the Commission on Aging, the committee first rejected an ongoing $129,900 general fund restoration for senior nutrition, then approved the same amount as a one-time restoration for Meals on Wheels. The Division of Welfare budget was then approved with adjustments for the SNAP federal-state cost split, Medicaid expansion work requirements, and Medicaid eligibility system changes; members discussed the growing state share of federal program costs and the need to implement legislative eligibility requirements. The committee also approved the Indirect Support Services budget, including a budget-neutral fund source change for the background check unit, replacement items, IT modernization and consolidation funding, and a reduction tied to Senate Bill 1314. It then approved a one-time $77,100 restoration for Mental Health Services, with supporters citing staffing needs for designated examiners and children’s mental health services. In addition, the committee adopted transfer-limitation exemption language for selected Health and Welfare divisions, after a substitute motion narrowed the exemption to Youth Safety and Permanency and Licensing and Certification. For Independent Councils, the committee approved a $60,000 ongoing general fund restoration for the Domestic Violence Council. It also adopted revised Idaho Child Care Program Capacity Grant language for Early Learning and Development after discussion about clarifying terms such as “under investigation,” “out-of-school care,” and “qualifying providers,” and then withdrew the earlier version of that language. Finally, the committee approved the new Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination budget to consolidate the former species conservation and energy/mineral offices, including funding for nuclear coordination, fisheries projects, and energy resiliency grants. The meeting ended with adjournment to the call of the chair, and one House Appropriations item was announced for the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Entrepreneurship might be providing, but part of that may be the role of the office is
• other office?
• Don't they have an office where this could fit in already, rather than create a whole other office?
• It's just not named entrepreneur office.
• You're building a business, come sit in my office.

Committee: Senate Industry and Business

Summary: The Senate Industry and Business Committee met to take up remaining business, focusing mainly on House Bill 1191, which would create an Office of Entrepreneurship within the Department of Commerce, and noting that House Bill 1584 on pharmacy benefit managers would be held until amendments were ready. Members discussed whether the entrepreneurship effort should be housed in Commerce, whether it would duplicate existing private and nonprofit resources, and whether the state should be creating a new government function at all. Supporters said Commerce is the right place, the bill contains no appropriation, and the office would mainly direct small businesses and startups to existing resources and report back on demand and staffing needs. Opponents warned it could grow into another government entity and argued private industry and existing programs are better suited to provide coaching and mentorship. Testimony and discussion referenced small business development centers, the Kauffman/Right to Start model, and other startup support programs already operating in the state or elsewhere. Members also cited a local entrepreneur’s experience as an example of the value of mentorship, networking, and guidance from private-sector groups, while others stressed that government should focus on pointing people to those resources rather than running the assistance itself. The committee emphasized that the bill would ask Commerce to identify how it could support entrepreneurship with existing staff and to report on its efforts. A motion for a do pass recommendation on House Bill 1191 was made and seconded. The committee voted 3-2 in favor, with Senators Klein, Kessel, and Chairman Barta voting aye and Senator Inget voting nay; Vice Chair Bame’s vote was not recorded in the final tally as read. Senator Kessel was designated as the carrier. The committee then noted it would reconvene later in the day after floor session, with the PBM bill expected to be taken up once amendments were available.

Transcript Highlights:

• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Natalie Gonzalez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• The Chancellor's Office is able to provide The Chancellor's Office is able to provide technical assistance
• Lisa King with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Lisa King with the legislative analyst's office.

Summary: The committee first heard updates from the California State University on its turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment has grown for three straight years, but some campuses—especially in Northern California—continue to face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The system described campus-specific strategies such as outreach to stopped-out and adult learners, guaranteed admissions, partnerships with community colleges and high schools, expanded high-demand programs, and cost reductions including hiring freezes, program suspensions, and shared administrative services. The LAO said the plans were reasonable but urged regular reporting so the Legislature can track results. Committee members pressed CSU for ongoing implementation updates, stronger recruiting efforts, and safeguards around AI use; CSU said it would continue regular check-ins and share best practices across campuses. The second item focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and its request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay a special fund loan used for litigation costs. DCA and BPPE said the bureau has long had a structural deficit and has already cut positions, streamlined operations, and shifted some costs to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, but still needs fee increases through the sunset review process. The LAO opposed the General Fund backfill, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its loan, that litigation costs should generally be borne by regulated entities through fees, and that using General Fund money could set a precedent. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a way to avoid larger fee increases on institutions and to isolate the litigation expense from the bureau’s ongoing structural shortfall. Members asked how the bureau would avoid repeating the problem; BPPE said it has updated policies and practices, including disability accommodation procedures and non-discrimination training. The committee then reviewed Cal Grant funding and program updates from CSAC, UC, CSU, and the community colleges. CSAC said the Governor’s budget would increase Cal Grant funding to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by enrollment growth and higher tuition at UC and CSU, and highlighted efforts to improve payment processing and financial aid data. UC and CSU emphasized that Cal Grants are central to affordability and debt reduction, while also warning that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce access to loans and harm graduate and part-time students. Community colleges reported rising aid applications and awards, but said students still face major affordability barriers, especially mixed-status and undocumented students, and asked for more support for aid administration and completion grants. The chair repeatedly asked for data on eligible students who are not receiving Cal Grants and for a phased-in path to implement the Cal Grant Equity Framework; Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions and the state is not currently in a position to fund it. Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC said the program helps low- and middle-income students cover total cost of attendance, not just tuition, and warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance. CSU and UC said the program is important for reducing student debt and supporting affordability, and CSU noted recent administrative changes have reduced workload and award adjustments. The hearing continued into the next agenda item after these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then online, it was, you know, pretty one-sided. office which will ensure that every office which
• </c><01:02:28.839><c> for</c> the Secretary of State's office for the Secretary of State's office for
• </c><01:24:17.679><c> declared</c> time however the AG's office declared time however the AG's office
• </c><01:42:50.119><c> receive</c> we occasionally in our office receive we occasionally in our office
• </c> declared a conflict with the F's office declared a conflict with the F's office and<02:26:07.640

Committee: House Election Law

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• S OFFICE.
• TO SUMMARIZE THE KEY CHANGES ONE PERSON OFFICERS ARE ADDING PROBATIONS OFFICERS CAN CARRY CONCEALED WHILE
• LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND CORRECTIONAL PROBATION OFFICERS WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY CONCEALED OFF DUTY
• I SUPPORT THE TRAINING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS RECEIVE AND OUR CORRECTION OFFICERS AND SPECIFICALLY
• OUR SERVICE MEMBERS SO I SUPPORT US OFFICERS RECEIVE AND OUR CORRECTION OFFICERS AND SPECIFICALLY OUR

Transcript Highlights:

• > manager,</c> Ruby Jordan, my office manager, Ruby Jordan, my office manager, Hayley<00:08:54.080><c
• In the gallery today is my wonderful office manager, Janette Lum. It is Janette's birthday today.
• </c> showcased in your offices. showcased in your offices.
• </c> sugar up for that blood drive, my office sugar up for that blood drive, my office is<00:17:49.520
• </c><00:18:12.920><c> by</c> drafts with the chief clerk's office by drafts with the chief clerk's office

Bills: SCR48 , SCR28 , SCR74 , SCR62 , SCR60 , SCR89 , SCR147 , SCR179 , SCR182 , SCR59 , SCR54 , SCR180

Transcript Highlights:

• The fiscal office also recommends approval. All right.
• The fiscal office also recommends approval. All right.
• Jeff Harlan with the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
• I'm Rachel Dunaway on behalf of the Office of Risk Management.
• Rachel Dunaway, on behalf of the Office of Risk Management.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget met on March 19, 2006, and first approved a fiscal status statement and five-year baseline budget with no changes. The committee then approved several B.A. 7 budget adjustments, including additional authority for the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism for cultural development activities, a federal Rural Health Transformation Program grant for the Department of Health with 15 added positions, and a $1 million increase from the major events incentive fund to reimburse costs tied to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The committee also reviewed a Louisiana Military Department project to convert Building 2013 at Jackson Barracks into a cyber warfare operations facility, increasing total funding authority to $29.7 million to add a SCIF component. Members approved clarifications of legislative intent for several prior appropriations, including parish drainage and local government items, and approved extensions or amendments to contracts for tourism advertising, the Office of Risk Management’s third-party claims administrator, and a DEQ contract with RTI International. The committee heard presentations on two university-related items: Louisiana Tech’s plan to shift campus buildings from its aging in-house cogeneration system to utility service from the City of Ruston and a local gas provider, which is expected to save money even after debt service, and UL Lafayette’s request to extend a consulting contract for continued support of its Banner ERP system. Members asked questions about the Louisiana Tech project’s scope and savings, but no objections were raised on the items before the committee. The meeting concluded with adjournment after a motion by Senator Fesi.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robin Temple [Office of Motor Vehicles]: No, sir.
• Yes, Torella Ragus with the Office of Motor Vehicles.
• I think, as you mentioned, that other bill was related to the actual public offices, the state offices
• Just things that it's hard for a government office to do.
• Office of Multimodal Commerce present and has spoken.

Bills: SCR58 , SB309 , SB514 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HB401 , HB487 , HB722 , HB730 , HB745 , HB988 , HB989 , HB1001 , HB1024 , HB1032 , HB1050 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1108 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1175 , HB1192 , HB1218 , HB1244

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• Michael Alferes, for the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Currently, County Office of Education County offices of education receive coordination grant funding
• County offices of education play a unique and essential role.
• I'm with the Alameda County Office of Education.
• I'm with the Alameda County Office of Education.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing on the Governor’s proposal to convert the California Community Schools Partnership Program from a one-time grant model into an ongoing $1 billion Proposition 98 program. Finance and CDE described the expansion as a way to sustain existing community schools and add thousands more, with county offices, regional/state technical assistance centers, annual self-certification, and a future accreditation process intended to support fidelity to the state framework. The LAO opposed shifting to an ongoing categorical program and recommended continuing one-time grants, while suggesting longer-term funding for technical assistance and, if ongoing funding is adopted, stronger planning, reporting, phased expansion, and clearer accreditation timelines. Committee members pressed the administration on how the new proposal could fund far more schools with less money than the original $4.1 billion program, how much of the funding would go to existing cohorts versus new schools, and whether the proposal sufficiently requires planning and implementation before funds are received. Testimony from practitioners and advocates largely supported ongoing funding but emphasized that money alone is not enough. Speakers from LPI, CTA, San Diego Unified, Fresno County, the Partnership for the Future of Learning, and Sacramento County urged stronger requirements for shared governance, explicit commitment to the community schools framework, annual reporting beginning in year one, and continued or expanded support for coordinators and technical assistance. Several witnesses said the proposal should better protect county office coordination roles, maintain preferences for partnerships in the technical assistance structure, and ensure the system can support more than 6,000 schools. Others highlighted the need for specialized supports for middle and high schools, better integration with other state programs such as ELOP, universal meals, TK, and the LCFF equity multiplier, and more detailed accountability and accreditation processes. No formal vote was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript. The chair indicated that the committee wanted additional information on the funding breakdown, the use of reverted funds, and the proposed support structure before taking action, and administration witnesses said a more detailed proposal would be brought forward in the May Revise.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no person at a DA's office who's going to understand how that office runs better than the district
• Attorney's Office? Yes. What is that?
• Attorney's Office, and two of them were making assistants to the U.S.
• That creates a tremendous stress level in your office.
• So it really is not a factor for me at our office.

Summary: The Governor’s Advisory and Review Commission on Assistant District Attorneys met to consider whether additional state-funded assistant district attorney positions should be approved. Louisiana District Attorneys Association Executive Director Zach Daniels presented a report proposing a formula that combines objective factors such as population, violent and sex crime caseloads, civil body representation, and courthouse coverage with subjective input from district attorneys about local needs. He said the combined approach supported a statewide request of 120 to 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with the commission focusing on the higher end of that range in the report packet. Several district attorneys described staffing shortages and funding pressures in their districts. Colin Sims of the 22nd Judicial District said fast growth in St. Tammany, a long period without added warrants, and recent funding cuts had left his office under strain, especially with felony and sex crime caseloads. Hillar Moore of East Baton Rouge said his office was significantly understaffed, could not fill all existing warrants because of salary and benefit costs, and was asking for 25 positions instead of the formula’s 23 due to a homicide backlog and difficulty recruiting lawyers at current pay levels. James Stewart of Caddo Parish said his office was losing attorneys to higher-paying public offices, handling a heavy homicide and felony trial load, and needed both more warrants and higher salaries to remain competitive. Commission members asked about split warrants and recruitment challenges. Moore said split warrants were not a major issue for his office, while Sims said his office had no split warrants. Daniels said the association wanted the commission to approve the requested positions and continue working with the legislature on funding. The commission then adopted a motion to recommend 164 additional assistant district attorney positions, with members noting that the recommendation would not remove legislative discretion. The meeting then adjourned unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelvin Pham, our wonderful chief financial officer.
• And lastly, is our office lease, which increases 3% per year, negotiated by the Division of Capital office
• We've asked the same questions within the office.
• I personally have visited all 23 of our area offices across the state, as well as our regional offices
• and a Pittsfield office and Springfield.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began. MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.