Video & Transcript : 'wildfire management' :
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OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee On Legislative Audits 06/17/2026 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- The challenges within OPRIS have led agency management to begin pursuing a new asset management system
- In early 2026, OPRD delivered targeted training for field managers and central operations managers, and
- managers.
- by DAS but managed by the agency.
- We have a lot of lawnmowers, tractors, and equipment that are not DAS-managed but are agency-managed,
Summary:
The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation.
The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews.
The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Earlier this year, Mukhtar was appointed acting manager of Assembly Reprographics.
- The next file item is 56, SB 97, being floor managed by Assembly Member Rubio. The clerk will read.
- Fran worked for more than 20 years as the office manager at National Auto Parts in Vallejo.
- She worked for more than 20 years as the office manager at National Auto Parts in Vallejo.
- The following committees are meeting right now: Emergency Management, Room 444.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son.
On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction.
The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 8th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- did, thanks to Senator DeKay's leadership, extend opportunity for online comment due to the tragic wildfires
- , it looks like there were like four... ...the tragic wildfires.
- macro-level question: if this is private funding, then why are we creating a government program to manage
- Why wouldn't the private donor manage it and just... ...for these schools?
- Why wouldn't the private donor manage it and just leave the government out of it?
Bills:
LB878 , LB958 , LB958A , LB762 , LB1187 , LB966 , LB929 , LB962 , LB1209 , LB937A , LB962A , LB1050 , LB1050A , LB965 , LB1022 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR495 , LR496 , LR497 , LR498 , LR499 , LR500 , LR501 , LR502 , LR503 , LR504
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Address to Congress by the President of the United States (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Bureau of ocean Energy Management Bureau of ocean Energy Management relating<02:18:19.639><c> to
- Mass terminations of Forest Service employees in my district working on wildfire mitigation.
- </c> their needs so they can better manage their needs so they can better manage their<04:22:32.840><
- </c> of critical chronic Care Management of critical chronic Care Management services<04:23:11.840><c
- </c><04:32:46.080><c> their</c> seat when it comes to managing their seat when it comes to managing their
Keywords:
HIV, AIDS, public health, World AIDS Day, bipartisan support, uterine fibroids, fibroids, leiomyoma, women's health, reproductive health, pelvic pain, abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, miscarriage, hysterectomy, Black women, Hispanic women, health disparities, awareness month, screening
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 17, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the government relations manager with Wyoming Outdoor Council, and I'm going to hand it over to my
- </c> I'm the government relations manager I'm the government relations manager with<00:25:45.800><c>
- Some of the most dramatic cost drivers are from skyrocketing wildfire liability insurance.
- > skyrocketing</c> cost drivers are are from skyrocketing cost drivers are are from skyrocketing wildfire
- </c> wildfire liability insurance. wildfire liability insurance.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, what this bill, just real quick, is about: last spring, we had some horrific wildfires in Oklahoma
- Members, what this bill, just real quick, is about: last spring, we had some horrific wildfires in Oklahoma
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Wildlife
Summary:
The committee took up several agriculture and wildlife-related bills. Senate Bill 1550, presented by Senator Axson, would give county commissioners more authority to issue burn bans during drought conditions and provide liability protection for those decisions; it passed 13-0. Senate Bill 2065, presented by Senator Bullard with help from Lucille Morehouse, would designate several native pollinators and recognize the importance of pollinators to agriculture and food production; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2152, by Senator Kern, would allow the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to move black bear muzzleloader and archery season earlier, starting no earlier than September 1; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2159, by Senator Peterson, would designate wheat as the state crop; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2172, also by Senator Peterson, would prohibit future ownership, sale, trade, or breeding of primates while allowing existing lawful owners to register and comply with rules, with exceptions for sanctuaries, research, veterinary, law enforcement, and zoo settings; it passed 11-0.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 2110 from Senator Murdoch, which would allow farmers to sell ungraded eggs. Members raised concerns about the low egg limit and asked about sales to restaurants and urban farms; the author said he would work on the number and other details. The bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 2111, also by Senator Murdoch, would remove the orange-clothing requirement for hunters on private hunt reserves or private hunt facilities; it passed 12-0.
Finally, Senator Guthrie presented Senate Bill 2114, as amended by committee substitute, to make it unlawful to knowingly, recklessly, or negligently allow a dog to harass wildlife on property without permission, while excluding lawful hunting, livestock protection dogs, and brief accidental crossings. Members discussed dog hunting, property rights, and possible GPS or collar language; the chairman struck the title to allow further work on the bill. The measure passed 12-1. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted the committee would continue with more bills in future meetings.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In 1977, Jensy sales manager in 1969.
- Let's fix Social abysmal management.
- </c><04:50:37.680><c> to</c> severe impacts from wildfires to severe impacts from wildfires to atmospheric
- </c> the throws of the worst wildfire the throws of the worst wildfire recorded<06:17:41.520><c> in</
- </c> wildfires worse." wildfires worse."
Keywords:
EPA, pollution control, California emissions standards, NOX regulation, congressional disapproval, HJR87, H.J.Res. 87, Congressional Review Act, CRA, EPA waiver, California waiver, preemption, vehicle emissions, heavy-duty trucks, engine emissions, Advanced Clean Trucks, zero-emission vehicles, ZEV, zero-emission airport shuttle, powertrain certification
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, July 21, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> management strategies. management strategies. after<02:59:57.200><c> the</c><02:59:57.439><c> Veterans
- And I affordable wildfire insurance.
- :22.319><c> these</c> private entities are managing these private entities are managing these parks<04
- ,</c><05:21:33.920><c> investment</c> investment management, investment investment management, investment
- </c> um the manager has no further speakers. um the manager has no further speakers.
Bills:
HB3351 , HB3095 , HB1450 , HB1716 , HB1764 , HB3395 , HB2384 , HB3357 , HB3339 , HB1469 , HB3343 , HB3382 , HR1043 , HR131 , HR183 , HR672 , HB2625 , HB2170 , SB201 , SB423
Keywords:
small business, capital formation, financial regulation, Securities Exchange Act, Paperwork Reduction Act, ZIP Code, postal service, community designation, local governance, postal infrastructure, OFAC, Office of Foreign Assets Control, sanctions, licensing, investigators, private sector firms, nominal transactions, financial transactions, pilot program, FinCEN
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, February 26, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><02:54:27.680><c> and</c> it's devastating wildfires and it's devastating wildfires and hurricanes
- closely with park managers to improve the fuel management plan.
- closely with park managers to improve the fuel management plan.
- closely with park managers to improve the fuel management plan.
- </c><07:52:14.478><c> us</c> park the Bureau of Land Management us park the Bureau of Land Management
Keywords:
environment, EPA, waste emissions, petroleum, natural gas, environmental protection, methane, regulatory disapproval, Charlie Kirk, political assassination, free speech, First Amendment, public safety, official photography, House of Representatives, session, government transparency, public engagement, payment system, Bureau of the Fiscal Service
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our air quality management districts would not permit any power plant that didn't meet its world-class
- I'm the senior plastic pollution initiative manager.
- I'm the co-founder and managing director of Netsura, California, and we're proud to co-sponsor SB 887
- My name is Michael Chan, senior manager for Audubon California.
- To conserve those species, California needs to manage valuable habitats in places like the Grasslands
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, with SB 1350 by Senator McNerney presented first. The measure would expand California’s use of renewable hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with supporters emphasizing grid reliability, clean-energy goals, in-state investment, and construction jobs. Support came from labor, clean-energy, municipal utility, and local government representatives; NRDC Action Fund withdrew opposition after amendments, while a few groups remained opposed or neutral. The committee later took a roll call and SB 1350 passed out on a due pass recommendation.
The committee also heard SB 1180 by Senator Allen, which would set operational rules for the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund created under SB 54, including clearer eligible uses, transparency, technical assistance, and access for tribes and smaller community groups. Environmental justice, ocean, conservation, and local government groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would ensure the fund addresses plastic pollution’s public health and environmental harms. Industry and manufacturing groups opposed unless amended, arguing the bill should stay tightly tied to plastic waste reduction and not broaden into source-reduction policy. After quorum was established, the committee approved SB 1180 on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
SB 1326 by Senator Wahab was then heard to strengthen tribal consultation and tribal cultural resource protections under CEQA by recognizing tribal registers and requiring feasible avoidance or mitigation measures when tribes identify resources. Tribal representatives and supporters said the bill would better protect sacred sites and tribal knowledge, while cities, counties, utilities, builders, and rural county groups opposed unless amended, citing implementation concerns, possible litigation, and uncertainty for infrastructure and housing projects. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
Finally, SB 954 by Senator Blakespear was presented as a cleanup of last year’s SB 131 advanced-manufacturing CEQA exemption, narrowing eligible projects and adding guardrails such as setbacks, air-quality limits, tribal consultation, labor standards, and habitat protections. Environmental and labor groups supported the bill as a needed correction to an overly broad exemption, while business, manufacturing, housing, and local-government groups opposed, warning it could make the exemption unusable and slow investment. Members debated the balance between environmental protection and manufacturing competitiveness, and the committee voted SB 954 out on a due pass recommendation to the Labor and Employment Committee; the transcript then moved on to SB 1031 on compostable plastics, which was introduced but not acted on in the portion provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- referring it to an outside agency to do some follow-up or they're giving that information to the manager
- We recognize that the LA wildfires have appropriately taken precedence, and we hope that discussions
- This is a requirement of the managed care plans, though it is optional for county child welfare agencies
- We've had to try to identify savings to balance there while managing the downstream impacts to our local
- is just one more thing, especially for our non-minor dependents who are on their own in trying to manage
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability.
The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action.
The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- State law provides unemployment insurance benefits to military families to help them manage the real-life
- State law provides unemployment insurance benefits to military families to help them manage real-life
- That means a service member responding to a wildfire, flood, or other emergency here in California may
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Republican Leaders Media Availability Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2275, there was a utility wildfire fund that would have meant insanely high electric rates
- the J.R. travesty that's happening at Green Hill and allow the agency some more flexibility for managing
- They've been adding middle managers at an alarming rate for years while holding a constant or even declining
Summary:
House and Senate Republican leaders held a press availability focused on the late-session legislative agenda, with repeated criticism of Democratic proposals they said would raise costs and expand state control. Their main targets were a proposed state income tax on high earners, which they described as an unconstitutional income tax likely to expand over time, and an anti-initiative bill they said would make it harder for voters to use direct democracy. They also objected to bills they said would restrict local authority over camping bans and housing permits, and to a series of tax and fee increases affecting bottles, tires, groceries, food, health care, energy, labor, and licensing costs.
The Republicans said the income tax proposal drew more than 60,000 opposition sign-ins and argued that the level of opposition showed Washingtonians broadly reject it. They said any legal challenge would likely come from outside the Legislature, not from caucuses, and cited former Attorney General Rob McKenna’s testimony as support for their view that the measure violates the state constitution. They also discussed capital flight and said prior tax increases, including the estate tax and capital gains tax, were already prompting businesses and wealthy residents to leave the state.
The caucus highlighted several Republican-backed affordability bills they said remain alive, including a diaper tax exemption, a prepared-food tax exemption, repeal of last year’s services tax, and sales tax exemptions for certain continuing education and licensing fees. They also said they had helped block or weaken several Democratic bills, including proposals involving grocery stores, wildfire utility costs, college encampments, plastic bag fees, and a juvenile justice bill they said would have allowed earlier release of violent offenders. On child welfare, members criticized a bill addressing the Keeping Families Together Act as insufficient and said they would keep pushing to change the “imminent harm” standard, while also supporting a separate bill to add fentanyl exposure to the child endangerment statute. No formal votes were taken in the press event itself.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Development Board for flood mitigation projects, $315 million to the Texas Division of Emergency Management
- for capital construction costs associated with regional emergency management operations.
- million to the Texas A&M Forest Service Agency to increase the state's firefighting capabilities with wildfire
Committee:
House Appropriations
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the senior advocacy and sustainability manager for the biopolymers business at BASF, and I'm also
- I'm a senior government affairs manager at BPI, also a long-time, born-and-raised resident of California
- Good morning, my name is Lisa Tanaka from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
- Madam Chair, Dominic Demire here on behalf of the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District in
- Hello, Randy Thomas, business manager, Boilermakers Local 549, Pittsburgh, California.
Summary:
The committee heard SB 1375 by Senator Cortese, which would streamline environmental review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive prior review. Supporters, including VTA, San Jose transportation staff, BART, Caltrain, MTC, and Climate Reality Silicon Valley, said the bill would reduce duplicative analysis, save time and money, and help advance projects like the Diridon Station modernization in San Jose. Committee members emphasized the bill’s narrow scope and the added amendments requiring displacement planning, legal services for displaced residents, construction-impact mitigation, and natural resources planning. The bill was approved on a 5-0 vote and sent to Transportation as amended.
The committee also took up SB 1031 on compostable plastics labeling and waste-stream impacts. The author and supporters such as Californians Against Waste argued the bill would reduce greenwashing, clarify labeling, cut contamination in compost and recycling streams, and direct OEHHA to study health and environmental effects. Opposition from manufacturers, BPI, retailers, and others focused on concerns that the bill would effectively ban compostable products in California, create costs, and fail to fix a separate federal/NOP labeling problem. After extensive discussion about composting capacity, labeling clarity, and costs, the bill passed 3-2 to Appropriations.
SB 958 by Senator Weber Pierson addressed the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego. The bill, as amended, would no longer create a full CEQA exemption but instead clarify CEQA treatment of building-height impacts in the project’s future EIR. Supporters said the project would deliver thousands of housing units, including affordable housing, along with parks, a new arena, and economic benefits on underused city land. The committee voiced support for the project’s housing and revitalization goals, and the bill passed 3-0 to Local Government as amended. The committee also heard SB 1075 on strengthening AB 617 community air protection plans, with environmental justice supporters backing stronger enforcement and local implementation while local governments, business groups, and air district representatives warned it could create uncertainty, raise costs, and function as a land-use mandate; the bill was held on a 2-2 vote after the author accepted several amendments and continued negotiations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- plan. ...a natural resources management plan that identifies and considers how to protect the natural
- I'm the senior advocacy and sustainability manager for the biopolymers business at BASF, and I'm also
- My name is Lisa Tanaka from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
- Madam Chair, Dominic Demire here on behalf of the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District in
- Randy Thomas, business manager, Boilermakers Local 549, Pittsburgh, California.
Committee:
Senate Environmental Quality
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee Jun 9th, 2026
Natural Resources and Water
Transcript Highlights:
- When spills occur, local governments are often left managing the consequences.
- My name is Tom Love, general manager of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.
- Imported water replenishment is not optional; it is a foundational component of basin management.
- I'm the general manager for the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.
- As California faces increasing threats from climate change, drought, and catastrophic wildfire, the health
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources and Water
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Sep 12th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- You all increased that appropriation last year because of the wildfire risk and flooding that we've been
- So, we can do them directly, or we can make them through fund managers. If we make.
- On page 4, I've highlighted the fund manager qualifications. This is a rigorous list.
- A lot of small fund managers here.
- We actually went and looked for a manager that would be able to do gap-filling flexible debt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services and Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- First, the wildfires in 2017 and 2019, which destroyed 14 child care facilities in our community, and
- Our case management and enrollment team expanded from 25 to 45 people.
- my parents also got sick with cancer, and I had to take care of them while trying to find work and manage
- This need is even more severe for child care providers impacted by wildfires and the families that lost
- This makes the $11.5 million included in the budget to support providers impacted by wildfires an important
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services and Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- First, the wildfires in 2017 and 2019, which destroyed 14 child care facilities in our community, and
- Our case management and enrollment team expanded from 25 to 45 people.
- my parents also got sick with cancer, and I had to take care of them while trying to find work and manage
- This need is even more severe for child care providers impacted by wildfires and the families that lost
- This makes the $11.5 million included in the budget to support providers impacted by wildfires an important
Summary:
The hearing was a joint budget discussion focused first on California preschool and child care, then on universal transitional kindergarten (TK), with later movement toward a reading-difficulties screener item. Members emphasized the need for a coordinated early childhood system that better serves families’ real schedules and needs, rather than forcing families to fit existing program structures. The preschool panel reviewed access, quality, workforce, facilities, and information systems, with repeated concern about whether current funding and program design are sufficient for infants, toddlers, three-year-olds, and full-day/full-year care.
Witnesses from the Learning Policy Institute, CDSS, CDE, and community providers described major growth in preschool and child care enrollment, especially for two- and three-year-olds, but also noted persistent gaps, waitlists, workforce shortages, low reimbursement rates, and the need for more stable funding. Several witnesses urged expansion or permanence of two-year-old eligibility in CSPP, more support for mixed-delivery systems, facility conversion and renovation grants, better statewide enrollment and referral systems, and continued funding for one-time grants such as UPK coordinators and planning/implementation supports. Provider and parent testimony stressed that rate reform, enrollment-based reimbursement, and continued hold-harmless protections are needed to keep programs open and accessible.
The TK panel reviewed the Governor’s budget proposal for full implementation of universal TK, including Proposition 98 funding for expansion and lower adult-to-child ratios, plus a multilingual learner screening implementation budget change proposal. LPI and CDE reported that TK enrollment has grown rapidly but uptake is now a little over half of eligible four-year-olds, with families citing lack of awareness, preference for other care, and logistical barriers such as location and hours. CDE and providers said the UPK planning and implementation grant, mixed-delivery planning grants, and UPK coordinators have been critical, but these one-time funds are set to sunset. Members pressed for more information on eligible population projections, full-day/full-year demand, teacher credential data, and how administrative credential programs are preparing leaders for early childhood settings. The committee held the issues open and requested follow-up data from the departments.