Transcript Highlights:

• you're here in person and would like to testify but did not sign up online, please let a member of my staff
• If you do not have a link to testify or have any technical issues, please send my staff or Tom sitting
• And I will tell you honestly, you're not the only one that ran into the situation, which my staff and
• And I will tell you honestly, you're not the only one that ran into the situation, which my staff and
• The staff is preparing a poll for the members.

Bills: S3082, S3090, H5425, H5130, H5114

Keywords: animal telehealth, veterinary telemedicine, veterinary telehealth, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, pet care, companion animal, livestock, remote veterinary care, synchronous audio-video, telemedicine, prescription drugs, antimicrobial drugs, controlled substances, xylazine, compounding pharmacy, veterinary practice, Massachusetts Controlled Substances Act, animal owner

Transcript Highlights:

• analysis was done, HCD anticipated needing to build out a completely new program with 25 new full-time staff
• HCD anticipated needing to build out a completely new program with 25 new full-time staff to administer
• massive authority to charge, and their fee structure totals $7.2 million for a staffing level of 22 staff
• be for continued funding of the 15 positions that were previously approved, funding for temporary staff
• We support a practice of artistic quality and equity for California's over 16,000 varied nonprofit arts

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And staff, if we might have briefings, please. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• And staff, if we might have a briefing, please. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Members of the committee, for the record, Jacob Ewing, staff to the committee.
• Are there any questions of staff on this bill?
• Are there any questions of staff on this bill?

Bills: SB6226, SB6305, SB5924, SB5990, SB5185, SB5845, SB6071, SB6258

Keywords: SB 6226, Washington, audiology, audiologist, hearing aid specialist, speech-language pathologist, telehealth, teleaudiology, clinical autonomy, clinical judgment, in-person care, remote care, Board of Hearing and Speech, hearing instruments, hearing aids, dispensing hearing aids, standards of care, professional licensure, health professions regulation, patient-centered care

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm supportive of this line item. and closer equity with peers on.
• The QSP, the staff there for personal care and homemaking, respite, companion care, nursing.
• The QSP, the staff there for personal care and homemaking, respite, companion care, nursing.
• I tell you the other challenge we have is, right, we have a limited number of staff and a lot of rates
• Recently to 1915(i), we've had a change in our administration staff as well.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• and successfully escort someone undetected off of grounds through extensive security, medical, and staff
• and successfully escort someone undetected off of grounds through extensive security, medical, and staff
• I'm here today to express my strong support for AB 880, a straightforward, necessary step toward equity
• AB 880 is part of the California Contracting Equity Initiative, backed by over 550 nonprofit leaders.
• It sets reasonable timelines, removes red tape over small discrepancies, saves state staff time, and

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach. Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have any issues filling out the form, please ask a staff member to assist.
• And, and the, the public utility commission staff will have better data on, on that because there's a
• Private markets, OK, private debt and, and, um, and equity infusions.
• That, um, again, I'll defer to the Public utility commission staff because they have a process by which
• I send an application to the Public Utility commission staff.

Bills: HB 29, HB 685, HB 1633, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 1918, HB 2010, HB 2500, HB 2608, HB 2626

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we've seen a ton of turnover in our AWAX staff that we had before.
• Um, so we've seen a ton of turnover in our AWAX staff that we had before.
• Um, so we've seen a ton of turnover in our AWAX staff that we had before.
• </c><00:42:24.640><c> About</c> Awax staff that we had before. About Awax staff that we had before.
• Uh gets the the staff the ability cost.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• equity homes.
• I think a lot of equity equity homes.
• So to all staff, to our partisan staff, thank you.
• So to all staff, to our partisan staff, thank you.
• I want to thank the staff.

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: HCR6, HCR36, HCR175, HCR197, HB48, HB54, HB86, HB127, HB139, HB177, HB202, HB212, HB214, HB244, HB256, HB286, HB306, HB309, HB344, HB348, HB369, HB370, HB371, HB395, HB423, HB428, HB429, HB432, HB433, HB437, HB448, HB454, HB455, HB472, HB480, HB510, HB549, HB563, HB596, HB606, HB620, HB664, HB697, HB698, HB701, HB706, HB714, HB740, HB773, HB782, HB784, HB833, HB850, HB904, HB918, HB939, HB988, HB1020, HB1036, HB1037, HB1039, HB1050, HB1059, HB1079, HB1145, HB1155, HB1161, HB1164, HB1167, HB1260, HB1294, HB1295, HB1297, HB1308, HB1320, HB1325, HB1345, HB1391, HB1427, SB21, SB26, SB71, SB109, SB146, SB177, SB183, SB228, SB253, SB298, SB299, SB325, SB382, SB401, SB414, SB440, SB657, SB717, HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations

Bills: HCR6, HCR36, HCR175, HCR197, HB48, HB54, HB86, HB127, HB139, HB177, HB202, HB212, HB214, HB244, HB256, HB286, HB306, HB309, HB344, HB348, HB369, HB370, HB371, HB395, HB423, HB428, HB429, HB432, HB433, HB437, HB448, HB454, HB455, HB472, HB480, HB510, HB549, HB563, HB596, HB606, HB620, HB664, HB697, HB698, HB701, HB706, HB714, HB740, HB773, HB782, HB784, HB833, HB850, HB904, HB918, HB939, HB988, HB1020, HB1036, HB1037, HB1039, HB1050, HB1059, HB1079, HB1145, HB1155, HB1161, HB1164, HB1167, HB1260, HB1294, HB1295, HB1297, HB1308, HB1320, HB1325, HB1345, HB1391, HB1427, SB21, SB26, SB71, SB109, SB146, SB177, SB183, SB228, SB253, SB298, SB299, SB325, SB382, SB401, SB414, SB440, SB657, SB717, HB2001

Keywords: emergency medical treatment, abortion services, pregnancy care, reproductive health, hospitals, EMTALA, healthcare access, sister-state relationship, cultural exchange, international relations, Okayama, Hawaii, trade, tourism, Pacific governance, legislative cooperation, inter-parliamentary assembly, climate resilience, sustainable development, Hawaii-Japan relations

Transcript Highlights:

• education, and And give teachers the freedom to teach, ensuring every school is well-resourced and safe. staff
• ruling the employment practices regarding diversity prohibiting the implementation of diversity, equity

Bills: HB630, HB420, HB767, HB1708, HB2842, HB1404, HB2457, HB140, HB333, HB227, HB913, HB201, HB2198, HB 109, HB2763, HB519, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB1318, HB2358, HB2415, HB2765, HB2735, HB3307, HB1373, HB694, HB 1242, HB272, HB1437, HB1888, HCR78, HCR12, HCR128, HR7, HR11, HR37, HR69, HR83, HR89, HR100, HR123, HR129, HR137, HR254, HR258, HR289, HR293, HR318, HR324, HR350, HR368, HR370, HR372, HR379, HR406, HR407, HR432, HR445, HR471, HR504, HR506, HR507, HR528, HR567, HR572, HR591, HR592, HR593, HR603, HR614, HR621, HR673, HR684, HR685, HR687, HR700, HR701, HR711, HR712, HR754, HR757, HR758, HR760, HR764, HR765, HR766, HR767, HR768, HR769, HR770, HR771, HR772, HR774, HR776, HR777, HR778, HR779, HR780, HR783, HR784, HR784, HR6, HR6, HR17, HR17, HR18, HR18, HR49, HR49, HR170, HR170, HR236, HR236, HR247, HR275, HR355, HR356, HR364, HR672, HR690, HR690, HR755, HR755, HR756, HR756, HR759, HR759, HR762, HR762, HR763, HR763, HR781, HR781, HR785, HR785, SB2, SB260, SB569, HB2, HB2000, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 420, Texas Water Code, special district, water district, board meetings, meeting location, teleconference, videoconference, remote meeting, public hearing, tax rate hearing, special districts, Cedar Creek Reservoir, county boundary, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of California purchases and our local government fire departments take possession of and staff
• Now they cannot find the workers to staff that, so there are delays in that.
• Companies such as the REV Group and Oshkosh Corporation, along with private equity partners, now dominate
• I definitely appreciate you shining a light on some of the issues with private equity and the fairness
• But you also, you also, you know, ...the issues with private equity and the fairness of competition,

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the rising cost and long delivery times for fire apparatus and related equipment, with opening remarks stressing that aging fleets, supply chain problems, and delayed replacements are affecting emergency readiness across California. Cal OES and Cal Fire described statewide procurement challenges, including higher prices, multi-year delivery timelines, two-year encumbrance limits, and the strain on mutual aid when engines remain in service beyond their intended replacement cycles. Cal Fire said it operates 537 engines, with 300 meeting replacement criteria and 243 at least 16 years old, and explained the difference between mandatory contracts and one-time acquisitions. The Department of General Services said vendors have cited labor costs, chassis pricing, and the need for longer production timelines, while also noting that statewide contracts can include nominal price increases but not open-ended price hikes. Local fire chiefs from Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles County, Napa, and Fullerton testified that apparatus prices have risen sharply while delivery times have stretched from under a year to three to five years or more. They described specific examples of engines and ladder trucks costing far more than prior purchases and arriving years later, forcing departments to keep older reserve apparatus in service, spend more on maintenance, and defer other budget priorities. Several witnesses said industry consolidation has reduced competition and contributed to delays and price increases, with Los Angeles County and Fullerton noting they have pursued antitrust complaints and litigation against major manufacturers. Napa also described proprietary parts and software limiting in-house repairs, and Santa Barbara County said a vendor’s unfulfilled delivery promise caused the department to lose its place in line. Members asked about possible solutions, including whether the state should consider manufacturing apparatus itself, whether procurement rules or prototype requirements could be streamlined, whether DGS staffing or contract processes could be accelerated, and whether more stable long-term purchasing commitments would help manufacturers plan production. Witnesses said safety-driven specification changes are necessary but can add time, and that the main bottlenecks are industry capacity, consolidation, and vendor performance. The vice chair raised concerns about how grant funding windows and local matching requirements are affected by multi-year delays, especially for small and rural departments that rely on grants and on used apparatus passed down from larger agencies. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with committee members indicating interest in possible legislative, regulatory, and antitrust follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of California purchases and our local government fire departments take possession of and staff
• Now they cannot find the workers to staff that, so there's delays in that.
• Companies such as the REV Group and Oshkosh Corporation, along with private equity partners, now dominate
• I definitely appreciate the kind of you shining the light on some of the issues with private equity and
• But you also, you also, you know, ...the issues with private equity and the fairness of competition.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the last one on here is just a measure of how much equity is being...
• Now, the current level of equity holdings is now at 200% of disposable income.
• Longer term, our staff did do some quantitative... ...account.
• All of them today, but just to give a preview for your staff to be prepared in subcommittee hearings
• Sure, and we can work through staff to get that information to you all. Thank you very much.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee heard opening remarks on the Governor’s 2026-27 budget and presentations from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Chair Laird described the proposal as roughly balanced with $23 billion in reserves, while Vice Chair Niello argued the revenue estimates were overly optimistic and warned of a structural deficit, calling for a deeper review of programs and concern over the state’s $20 billion unemployment insurance debt. Finance said the budget is balanced in the budget year but still leaves a roughly $2.9 billion deficit, with out-year gaps above $20 billion, and characterized the plan as largely a workload budget with limited new spending or cuts. The LAO said its office sees substantial downside risk to the revenue forecast, emphasized the volatility of stock-market-driven revenues, and urged the Legislature to begin addressing the structural deficit now rather than waiting until May. Members focused on the implications of federal policy changes, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and the MCO tax, as well as the state’s reserve strategy. Senators Menjivar and Richardson raised concerns about health coverage reductions, county costs, hospital finances, and the lack of a broader revenue solution, while Finance said the state cannot fully backfill federal cuts and is still assessing the impacts. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal to suspend the rainy day fund deposit and setting aside the proposed Proposition 98 settle-up rather than using it for spending. Finance defended both proposals as necessary to balance the budget year and said it plans to begin discussions with legislative leaders before the May Revision. The committee also discussed climate and transportation funding, including cap-and-trade/GGRF allocations for Cal Fire, interest earnings from the fund, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and AB 617 air quality investments. Senator Reyes questioned the focus on light-duty ZEV incentives instead of heavy-duty vehicles, and Finance said the proposal is intended to partially replace the federal consumer tax credit and that some heavy-duty funding remains from prior years. Senator Richardson also raised concerns about Olympics-related infrastructure, courthouse repairs, and displaced workers, while other members stressed homelessness funding and the need for more immediate action on out-year budget problems. No formal votes or actions were taken during the portion provided; the hearing was informational and moved into member questions after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• fulfill the achieve equity and fulfill the constitutional<00:43:22.000><c> obligation.
• And for the record, the reason why staff is not here is that they're probably in the Senate.
• ><c> and</c><00:49:42.319><c> everybody</c> should mention the staff and everybody should mention the
• staff and everybody who<00:49:42.960><c> supports</c><00:49:43.280><c> us,</c><00:49:43.520><c> but<
• , the reason why staff is not here<00:49:51.119><c> is</c><00:49:51.359><c> that</c><00:49:51.520><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on SB 145, which would require sexual assault evidence kits to be delivered to the state forensic lab within seven business days and analyzed more promptly. Pamela Kyle of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said the bill was developed after survivor concerns and extensive discussions with the Departments of Safety and Justice. She explained that most agencies already deliver kits quickly, but some kits sit for months, and the bill is intended to add structure without penalties while preserving chain of custody. Members discussed the use of common carriers or courier services for transport, the need for clear rules, and whether carriers would know what they were transporting. Representative Papovich offered amendment 2025-2301H to remove the reimbursement program for police shipping costs, arguing it would add administrative overhead and was unnecessary. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, and the committee then voted OTPA on SB 145 as amended, with members voting yes on the roll call. The committee then opened a work session on SB 295, and the sponsor presented a replace-all amendment intended to simplify and clarify the Education Freedom Account bill without changing its purpose. The amendment would remove income-cap language, define priority enrollment groups, establish an enrollment cap for the EFA program, and create rolling enrollment rules. It would set a 10,000-student cap for the 2025-2026 school year, allow the cap to increase by 25% if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior cap, and ensure current participants can remain enrolled. The amendment also provides that certain sections would later be repealed once the Department of Education certifies that applications have not exceeded the cap for two consecutive school years. The sponsor walked through the amendment section by section, explaining that the bill is structured in two phases: one while caps exist and another after they are no longer needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Equity markets provide both upside and downside risks to the forecast.
• If equity markets continue their current upward trend, we will see greater levels of consumer spending
• Equity markets present both upside and downside risks, as I've already mentioned.
• and compensation and benefits for staff and serve<00:21:00.200><c> a</c><00:21:00.280><c> growing</c
• who reviews it and determines DHS staff who reviews it and determines whether<00:26:50.280><c> to</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm sorry, Senator Stewart: It's not county staff, for example, it would be no.
• Representative Chavez: Gabriela Ibanez Guzman, the staff attorney at Somos.
• I think our staff could probably clean that up in the committee report.
• Masters, who is here, they are part of the staff that is hired by the Interstate Commissioners.
• In other words, how do I get, Apollo Global Management Private Equity to come to New Mexico and defend

Transcript Highlights:

• He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. So, this is for Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington.
• He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. So, this is for Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington.
• He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. So, this is for Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington.
• He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. So, this is for Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington.
• He was posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant. So, this is for Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> H. 550, an act relating to gender equity H. 550, an act relating to gender equity within<00:13:57.560
• </c> H. 550, an act relating to gender equity H. 550, an act relating to gender equity within<00:14:14.440
• This is onerous for small school library staffs.
• . staffs. staffs.
• </c> library staff. library staff.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• really</c><00:01:34.560><c> four</c><00:01:34.960><c> different</c> Uh, the first is a nonpartisan staff
• </c><00:20:36.000><c> in</c> diversified and now provides equity in diversified and now provides equity
• The Weights and<00:21:09.520><c> Measures</c><00:21:09.840><c> staff</c><00:21:10.080><c> strives</c>
• </c><00:32:41.840><c> throughout</c> role in providing equity throughout role in providing equity throughout
• Yeah, I was just kind of wondering for the nonpartisan staff.

Keywords: 1183, house