Transcript Highlights:

• Sean K. said the fiscal year-end for these structures is September 30, and that in November 2024 they
• He said he issued unqualified, or clean, opinions on the results for each of the structures, again on
• Sean K. said the audit results were very clean, as is customary with these structures.
• finally I'll just highlight structures finally I'll just highlight as<01:11:21.840> it<01:11:
• we identified no fraud the structures we identified no fraud all<01:11:59.320> of<01:11:59.440

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted. The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously. The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted. During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the way the Texas University... fund was structured.
• So when we structured. university fund we set it up so that when those things inevitably occurred the
• than what is available in the community, those that need a structured and supervised setting. setting
• So we've had a rate structure that's existed for the past 40 years. and we're moving to this new rate
• structure.

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the structural pieces that DAS needs for this policy to work are living in AM 2980.
• That language, the language and structure from DAS, does not exist in LB 878 without that.
• We need the structure from DAS to make sure this law actually works.
• That structure has to go in for LB 878 to be functional law. Thank you. We need AM 2980.
• That structure has to go in for LB 878 to be functional law. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Greca.

Bills: LB815A, LB838A, LB912A, LB972A, LB1126A, LB962A, LB1114, LB921, LB937, LB803, LB803A, LB1032, LB1032A, LB1075, LB1075A, LB889, LB878, LB933, LB304, LB304A, LB1096, LB1096A, LB1165, LB1165A, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787

Keywords: LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund, motor fuel tax, gas tax, fuel tax, tax enforcement, tax collection, cash fund, budget, state spending, per diem, salaries, fiscal year, enrollment and review, final reading, Nebraska

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• And then last part on 12.29 updates that structural literacy practices that are minimally aligned or
• written, create a structure written, create a structure in<01:01:57.560> which<01:01:58.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operative line is at the end: not less than 20,000 contiguous acres and containing no residential structures
• Again, not less than 20,000 contiguous acres, and containing no residential structures.
• Again, not less than 20,000 contiguous acres, and containing no residential structures.

Summary: The House Civil Law Committee met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several bills and resolutions. It reported favorably without objection Senate Bill 466, which bars foreign adversaries from using expropriation authority in Louisiana and creates a narrow expropriation category for very large aerospace/LED projects of at least 20,000 contiguous acres with no residential structures. The committee also reported favorably House Bill 986, requiring child support payments from persons convicted of vehicular homicide for the benefit of a child who lost a parent. The committee then considered two constitutional amendments by Senator Morris. Senate Bill 123 would allow judges to be removed for cause by a majority vote of the legislature and certification by the governor; it was amended to change the ballot language to refer to removal for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence, and was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 5 yeas and 1 nay, with Representative Carter voting no. Senate Bill 97 would require prosecutorial consent for a defendant to waive a jury trial, except in capital cases; after adopting Amendment Set 5277 to clarify the capital-case exception, the committee heard opposition from Chris Alexander of the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group and then reported the measure favorably by a 5-1 vote, again with Representative Carter voting no. The committee also heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 35, which urges the Louisiana State Law Institute to study remote online notarization for authentic acts. Testimony in support came from the Louisiana Bankers Association, which argued the study is needed because of declining notary availability, especially in rural areas, and noted similar practices in other civil law jurisdictions. SCR 35 was reported favorably without objection. Finally, House Bill 1098, by Chairman McFarland, was reported favorably without objection; it provides a limited liability framework for FAA-licensed aerospace flight entities operating in Louisiana. House Bill 375 was voluntarily deferred, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 959 addresses that challenge by creating a formal structure to align stakeholders, improve standards
• existing geospatial infrastructure within the state of Missouri and strive toward immediate access. structure
• , like, for us, for 911, we actually mark the center of the road so that we know when we place a structure

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 905, moving the bill do pass. After roll call, the motion passed 6 ayes to 4 nays, and SB 905 was reported do pass. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 959, presented by Senator Doug Beck on behalf of Senator Roberts, who was on active duty. The bill would establish the Missouri GIS Council within the Office of Administration to improve statewide geospatial data coordination, planning, training, and education. Supporters, including Greater St. Louis, Inc., the State 911 Service Board, Bio-STL, and Next Missouri, said the council would improve emergency response, infrastructure planning, broadband and transportation mapping, economic development, and government efficiency, while also including privacy protections against collecting personally identifiable information. One witness from Armour Vine opposed the bill, arguing it was “Big Brother” and could enable government tracking or broad public access to location data. Committee members questioned that concern, with supporters responding that the bill concerns maps and address data for public safety and planning, not tracking individuals, and that the bill expressly prohibits collecting personally identifiable information. No vote was taken on SB 959, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• SOME FOLKS FOR EXAMPLE IF THEY HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE OVER 50% THEY HAVE A CHOICE TO ELEVATE THAT STRUCTURE
• I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE THAT PART OF THE HOME OF THE STRUCTURE IS NOT COUNTED TOWARDS LIVING AREA, THAT
• WE'RE TRYING TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO ELEVATE THEIR STRUCTURE AND IF THEY HAVE TO REBUILD TO REBUILD WITHIN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the basic structure of a response using the incident command system.
• There were 1,700 structures. I don't remember how many were homes.
• Looking at that structure, we did send a bridge engineer there to assist in the assessment of that structure
• They understand the incident command structure. structure, how to mobilize and use the incident command
• structure, and our folks are using the same language with them.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in place to ensure that robust structure in place to ensure that we<00:14:35.800> have<00:14:
• So we were one of the 17 structures before, and now we are down to 16.
• So we were one of the 17 structures before, and now we are down to 16.
• So we were one of the 17 structures before, and now we are down to 16.
• But I really do think that this in the law enforcement structure really, I would like to see more of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to provide you some general updates related to the new office's structure, its stand-up, in
• its stand up uh in addition to structure its stand up uh in addition to providing<00:10:47.600> you
• changes some of these the structural changes some of these concerns<01:13:38.280> were<01:13:
• So we tried to create a structure that allows DHS to bring back to us outcomes as they're working on
• So we tried to create a structure that allows DHS to bring back to us outcomes as they're working on

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Internal Revenue Service's fee structure begins at a couple hundred and includes fee amounts well
• To rely on a structure that could bring in small fees for several months to sustain the salaries for
• The Internal Revenue Service's fee structure begins at a couple hundred and includes fee amounts well
• To rely on a structure that could bring in small fees for several months to sustain the salaries for
• While no doubt there are details of the program to be worked out regarding timing, fee structure, etc

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was somewhat anticipating that budget action, so the current structure of the bill before you
• That's sort of how it's structured. And then there is an opportunity to extend that timeline.
• Traditional grant-heavy incentive structures, while foundational, face natural scaling limits.
• The structure of SB 1075 and the committee analysis raise a fundamental policy question: Why?
• The structure of SB 1075 and the committee analysis raise a fundamental policy question: Why should a

Summary: The committee heard a series of Senate bills on environmental, climate, recycling, wildfire, outdoor access, and clean transportation policy. SB 958 would clarify CEQA treatment of impacts tied solely to increased building height, and SB 1230 would increase penalties and create CalRecycle support tools for repeat commercial illegal dumping. SB 1341 would revise how processing fees are calculated for bag-in-a-box wine under California’s recycling program. All three measures received due-pass recommendations to Appropriations, with roll calls showing majority support and the bills left open for absent members. Members then took up SB 1300, which would create a more permanent legislative role in California’s international climate cooperation and establish a climate secretariat at UC; SB 1370, which would codify and streamline wildfire fuel-reduction permitting with added safeguards, geographic and size limits, and pesticide-related amendments; and SB 1260/1268, which would codify the Outdoors for All initiative and the Deputy Secretary for Access position at the Natural Resources Agency. Each drew support from environmental, utility, business, and local-government witnesses, while SB 1370 also drew opposition from environmental and advocacy groups concerned about reduced CEQA review and herbicide use. The committee discussed amendments at length, especially on SB 1370, and all three measures advanced with due-pass recommendations. The committee also heard SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transparency Act, requiring baseline pricing disclosure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks tied to state incentives and directing agencies to explore alternative financing. Support came from clean-air, business, and environmental groups, and the trucking/manufacturing opposition moved to neutral after amendments; the bill advanced on a due-pass vote. Finally, SB 1075, the Clean Air Promise, sought to strengthen AB 617 implementation and clarify community emission reduction planning, but it generated substantial opposition from air districts, business groups, and others over enforceability, funding, and the distinction between formal SERPs and community L-SERPs. The author described additional pending amendments to narrow L-SERP provisions, and the bill also received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was somewhat anticipating that budget action, so the current structure of the bill before you
• That's sort of how it's structured. And then there is an opportunity to extend that timeline.
• Traditional grant-heavy incentive structures, while foundational, face natural scaling limits.
• Traditional grant-heavy incentive structures, while foundational, face natural scaling limits.
• The structure of SB 1075 and the committee analysis raise a fundamental policy question: why should a

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, the current policy structure makes it difficult for greater numbers of high schools to
• According to our estimates, the combination of structural reforms and extending the reimbursement schedule
• budgets, provoking us to try to work with this committee through this legislation on ideas for structural
• So what this bill does, and I'll be very brief, is it makes both structural and financial reforms to
• Again, I believe it's the state's duty to find a structural and financial path forward that takes the

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a lengthy hearing on a large slate of bills focused primarily on charter school policy and vocational technical education. Committee members opened with ground rules for testimony, including a two-minute limit, written testimony acceptance, and a live-streamed format. The committee then heard testimony on bills to expand collective bargaining rights in Horace Mann and Innovation Schools, reform charter school funding and reimbursement, allow enrollment preferences for high-need students in charter lotteries, and require BESE to consider district impacts when approving new or expanded charters. Several witnesses, including union leaders, parents, educators, and legislators, argued that charter growth has strained district budgets and that funding formulas should be reworked to better protect public schools; charter advocates and alumni countered that charter schools serve high-need students well and should not be penalized for their success. A major portion of the hearing focused on vocational technical education bills, including proposals to expand access and capacity, create a large grant program, and increase MSBA reimbursement rates for vocational school construction. Supporters described long waitlists, strong labor-market demand, and the higher cost of building and maintaining vocational schools, while municipal officials emphasized the tax burden on local communities. The committee also heard testimony on charter school reimbursement bills that would extend the state’s reimbursement schedule, with witnesses from districts such as Boston, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford describing large net losses to charter tuition and arguing for longer reimbursement periods and structural reform. The committee took no final votes during the hearing. In one instance, the chair said a bill would be held open until a missing senator could testify. Members asked several detailed questions about charter admissions lotteries, special education placements, funding formulas, and the practical effects of proposed charter caps and reimbursement changes. The hearing remained informational, with witnesses and committee members presenting sharply different views on whether the bills would improve equity and opportunity or harm existing public school systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1400 will modernize the governance structure of the Alameda Health System, providing Alameda County
• labor, which created an ad hoc committee on governance to identify gaps in the current governing structure
• What we learned through the process is that our current structure, while well-intentioned at the time
• am the chief shop steward ...of the John George campus that's located within the Alameda County structure
• In 2023, an ad hoc committee identified gaps in the current structure and called for more direct involvement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1400 will modernize the governance structure of the Alameda Health System, providing Alameda County
• labor, which created an ad hoc committee on governance to identify gaps in the current governing structure
• What we learned through the process is that our current structure, while well-intentioned at the time
• am the chief shop steward ...of the John George campus that's located within the Alameda County structure
• In 2023, an ad hoc committee identified gaps in the current structure and called for more direct involvement

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fusion center network operates mostly in secret, with opaque authorities and governance structures
• The fusion center network operates mostly in secret with opaque authorities and governance structures
• Governance structures and virtually no public accountability or independent oversight from elected state
• Tenants report ongoing pest infestations, serious mold problems, and structural hazards that are not
• At the same time, tenants have documented significant structural and maintenance issues during state

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've tried to spend some time talking to folks about it and try to build ideas and structure around that
• at that time us to do several things related to the assessment, including change the assessment's structure
• of the year. us to do several things related to the assessment, including change the assessment's structure
• Yeah, so not in this bill directly, but in the broader structure of the education code.
• there's a whole host of mechanisms to 499 Yeah, so not in this bill directly, but in the broader structure

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do also have some recommendations for the structure of ELOP, given that it's kind of reaching full
• We do also have some recommendations for the structure of ELOP, given that it's kind of reaching full
• . have some recommendations for the structure of ELOP, given that it's kind of reaching full funding
• An advisory structure, then a lot of kids just get lost in the shuffle.
• You have a lot of structures that—I mean, the counselors are great—but it's very hard to care for 500

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s education budget proposals for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Learning Recovery Block Grant, and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), followed by testimony from State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. On LCFF, Finance outlined the proposed 2.43% COLA, repayment of prior deferrals, and a trailer bill penalty for LEAs that fail to adopt Local Control Accountability Plans on time. The LAO said its COLA estimate was slightly lower and raised concerns that the Governor’s proposed TK staffing ratio increase may be more costly than estimated. Members also discussed whether the current COLA formula should better reflect California-specific or district staffing costs, and whether TK should be more clearly separated from the K-3 grade span adjustment to avoid larger K-3 class sizes. The chair asked staff to work with the LAO on both the TK/K-3 issue and alternative COLA calculations. For the Learning Recovery Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring the first of three delayed payments, $378.6 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund, while the LAO recommended adopting the proposal but extending the expenditure deadline by at least a year. The LAO reported that districts had spent $1.6 billion of the $6.8 billion received through 2023-24 and said most districts were only now shifting from federal COVID relief to block grant spending. Members questioned whether the large state and federal investments were improving outcomes, citing declining reading and math trends, while Finance and the State Board president pointed to some signs of improvement, especially in math, attendance, and gains for some student groups. Darling-Hammond emphasized that student needs have grown, that recovery spending has gone to devices, ventilation, staffing, tutoring, summer school, and community schools, and that targeted interventions appear to be helping some districts recover faster than others. On ELOP, Finance proposed adding $435 million to expand universal access by lowering the Tier 1 threshold from 75% to 55% unduplicated pupils, bringing ongoing funding to $4.4 billion. The LAO said the estimate was reasonable but recommended delaying implementation for a year, aligning ELOP with ASES to reduce overlap, moving toward funding based on participation rather than enrollment, and considering a fixed Tier 2 rate. Members and witnesses discussed staffing challenges, the use of funds for students with disabilities, and uncertainty in Tier 2 funding caused by unspent dollars and opt-outs. Darling-Hammond supported ELOP as part of California’s broader after-school and summer learning strategy, said most districts are now offering full-day TK and expanded learning, and urged the state to reduce fragmentation across categorical programs and build more unified systems for funding, reporting, and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, and should, should that factor into any decisions that you may have related to the role and structure
• recommendations on how we could better streamline the process and make a more current regulatory structure
• It's really hard to have that structure in place and so that really Leads to our next slide which talks
• It replaces the 40 year old rate structure where you've heard of we have kids that are basic or um all
• credentialing process and in fact over the weekend, the first youth transition to this, this rate structure