Transcript Highlights:

• all the counties.
• I think it's also fair to characterize what's happening in Riverside County as a county sheriff using
• all the counties this is a county matter should stay there I urge a no vote thank you seeing no further
• I think it's also fair to characterize what's happening in Riverside County as a county sheriff using
• Alameda County is one of the largest and highest-resource counties in California, yet it has a record

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It really aligns well with the state's economy and workforce.
• Again, that 53-county network, we’re all over the state.
• Living out our land-grant mission, strengthening health care from Cass County to Burleigh County to Stark
• It would still not meet the workforce needs of the state.
• Theme number seven is about workforce alignment and economic vitality.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're unable to hire or bill for critical members of their recovery workforce.
• And I applaud our L&O chairman from Bourbon County for setting the groundwork to make this happen.
• And I applaud our Eleanor Chairman from Bourbon County. gains for the Commonwealth.
• And I applaud our L&O chairman from Bourbon County for setting the groundwork to make this happen.
• To Economic Development and Workforce Investment, House Bills 576, 577, and 593.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:29 Report of Committees 05:19 Orders of the Day/HB 470 06:54 HB 49 13:46 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 16:47 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:04 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:37 ConC/Rules Report 33:49 Floor Amendments 35:16 Adjournment 37:07, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received favorable committee reports on several bills, including measures on background checks, proactive post-secondary admission, public post-secondary employment, tuition waivers, vehicle wheels, choking prevention in schools, state parks, veterans’ benefits, and a resolution on a VA accreditation pathway for private veterans’ benefits assistance companies. The chamber then considered and passed House Bill 470, relating to peer support specialists and declared an emergency. Members adopted a committee substitute and a floor amendment that extended the registration deadline for alcohol and drug peer support specialists to January 1, 2028, clarified employer and work group provisions, removed the temporary peer designation, and created a work group to modernize oversight of peer support specialists. The bill passed 97-0. House Bill 49, creating a scholarship program for professional engineering and land surveying students funded by board fees and fines in exchange for post-graduation service in Kentucky, also passed 97-0. During announcements, members recognized visiting groups, upcoming committee meetings, and events, including a Kentucky Justice Association reception, a magistrates and commissioners breakfast, Jewish Advocacy Day, and a Lewis Ridge pump storage project meeting. The House also adopted a citation honoring the Hopkins County Central High School High Voltage Dance Team for winning two national titles. New bills and resolutions were introduced, the Committee on Committees and Rules referred bills to committees and posted several measures for the next day’s calendar, and the House adjourned until 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are like two. ...COCs and also the county.
• Without funding an alternative to indigent care, counties will be forced to cut core services as county
• Second, on behalf of the Urban Counties of California, the rural county representatives of California
• workforce to keep as many people on CalFresh as possible.
• workforce to keep as many people on CalFresh as possible.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that live in the county, not outside, live in the county—200 local employees.
• I am a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, Lee County. I have lived in Lee County for 20 years.
• I've had the opportunity to visit Milan and Cibola County quite often. ...visit Milan and Cibola County
• Before redistricting, I used to represent Torrance County, and the Torrance County Detention Center was
• the facility in Cibola County.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• counties were properly notified. counties were properly notified.
• <00:24:26.760> She's She's assessed by the county. She's She's assessed by the county.
• health workforce. health workforce.
• . workforce. workforce.
• Today's mental health workforce.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I really would like to, especially in the Imperial County area, Especially in the Imperial County area
• But this is a big problem in San Diego County.
• But this is a big problem in San Diego County.
• While UC does have some workforce housing and continues to build workforce housing, it only has approximately
• Existing UC workforce housing has Existing UC workforce housing has not been focused on low-income employees

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met with a quorum and first approved a consent calendar containing AB 341, AB 1098, and AB 1316, sending those measures to the Human Services, Judiciary, and Appropriations Committees respectively. The committee then heard AB 977, which would require CSU to audit surplus land and work with California tribes to identify three regional burial sites for Native American remains that cannot yet be repatriated. Supporters, including tribal leaders and archaeology groups, said the bill is needed to honor ancestors and address the large number of remains still held by CSU; CSU said it is committed to repatriation but had no formal position. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. Members also heard AB 1093, creating a California-Mexico higher education exchange program, and AB 1035, expanding the California College Promise to cover tuition for students pursuing community college bachelor’s degrees. AB 1093 drew support for strengthening cross-border educational and economic ties, but some members raised concerns about border-region sewage problems and the bill’s budget implications; it was held for later consideration. AB 1035 received strong support from community college leaders and faculty who said it would help low-income and first-generation students complete workforce-focused bachelor’s degrees, but several members questioned whether it would stretch Prop. 98 funding and whether the state should prioritize broader affordability concerns. AB 1035 passed to Appropriations on a 3-2 vote. The committee next approved AB 922, which would let the University of California keep access to federal criminal-history information for hiring background checks, avoiding delays and added costs if statutory authority is required. UC said the bill is needed to maintain safety and hiring operations, and it passed to Public Safety on a 5-0 vote. AB 1346, protecting military dependents from losing in-state residency status because of family travel, also passed unanimously to Military and Veterans Affairs. AB 1212, allowing UC to use low-income housing tax credits to build affordable housing for faculty and staff on UC land, drew support from UC and labor groups but opposition from members concerned about preferential access to public resources; it was held for later action. Finally, the committee approved AB 500 and AB 684, both aimed at increasing transparency around UC admissions policy changes and UC BOARS decision-making, sending AB 500 to Education and AB 684 to Governmental Organization, each on 5-0 votes. The hearing then moved on to AB 1122 on dual enrollment, with the author and witnesses presenting the bill as a way to expand college access for high school students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just quickly, I live in Sandoval County.
• County, but also at the aware, maybe as part of your selection site, you know, Sandoval County is home
• There’s been some discussion today about workforce development and workforce redevelopment.
• I mean, our workforce is smaller.
• And then also just to mention the grow workforce money that has been instrumental in changing workforce

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And hear this graph shows that our LP and workforce is much colder than our in workforce.
• The program is allowed us to offer nursing program for Citrus County residents.
• We had a 12.3 million dollar donor at a Citrus County had to be for Citrus County residents.
• It's essential in addressing any of the workforce shortage us so kuz.
• The university has over 50 year commitment and track record of producing workforce.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also talk about investing in the workforce.
• We do advocacy for our learning, after we prepare, and for the workforce.
• And I think that, And for the workforce.
• And I think that our workforce is not appreciated, right?
• The eight-county Central Valley region is a focal point.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its third hearing, focused on how transitional kindergarten (TK) fits into California’s mixed-delivery early learning system, with an emphasis on the Central Valley. Opening remarks stressed that TK and child care should complement each other, not compete, and that families need both part-day school-based options and full-day, year-round care. Committee members outlined hearing goals around aligning TK with existing programs, understanding family needs, and examining the economic impact of early learning on workforce participation and local economies. Panelists from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Every Child California, Early Edge, Children Now, and others described TK’s rapid expansion to all four-year-olds, the growth in enrollment, and related changes to state preschool and after-school programs. Witnesses generally supported TK but warned that its expansion has shifted enrollment away from community-based providers, especially centers and family child care homes, creating financial strain, vacant classrooms, and staffing challenges. They urged stronger partnerships between school districts and community providers, more flexible licensing and facilities support, higher and more uniform reimbursement rates, permanent authority for state preschool to serve two-year-olds, and better compensation and training for educators across settings. Parents and providers testified about the importance of trusted, culturally and linguistically responsive care, the need for infant-toddler and home-based options, and the difficulty of affording child care when TK is not full-day or does not fit family schedules. Several speakers emphasized that many families still face long waits for subsidies and that reimbursement and payment delays threaten provider stability. Public comment echoed these concerns, with providers calling for true cost-of-care rates, more vouchers, support for transportation and nontraditional hours, and protection from insurance and facility costs that can force programs to close. State education officials said California’s UPK system works best when TK, state preschool, Head Start, and community-based providers are treated as a shared system, and noted that planning and implementation grants and local coordination efforts have helped build mixed-delivery partnerships. The hearing ended without formal votes or actions, but committee members indicated they would continue gathering input to inform future policy and budget decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roger Skraba said he represents all of Cook County, most of Lake County, part of Itasca County, and part
• Louis County.
• represent all of Cook County cooch represent all of Cook County cooch County<00:02:38.760> most
• <00:02:40.120> of County most of Lake County part of County most of Lake County part of itaska
• ><00:02:41.599> Louis itaska County part of St Louis itaska County part of St Louis County<00:

Bills: HF5

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview of the governor’s transportation budget recommendations from fiscal staff Andy Lee. He explained that the spreadsheet showed only proposed changes, not base spending, and highlighted General Fund and trunk highway adjustments for MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety, including operating changes, extensions of prior appropriations, increased state road construction and Blatnik Bridge authority tied to anticipated federal funds, State Patrol hiring and a metro headquarters item, aeronautics changes, and revenue adjustments in the Driver and Vehicle Services special revenue account. The main testimony came from Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, who outlined three budget-related items: advancing funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway reconstruction with a transitway project, making Metro Mobility riders eligible for free fixed-route transit, and reducing the Metro Transit general fund appropriation by $32.454 million annually. He said the advance would speed delivery and reduce disruption, the free-fare pilot had been successful and could save money if even a small share of Metro Mobility trips shifted to fixed-route service, and the general fund reduction was manageable in the near term because of new revenue streams but could constrain future expansion and capital maintenance. Members questioned the long-term effects of the proposed reduction, possible impacts on safety, service expansion, and capital maintenance, and whether federal funding uncertainty could affect operations and bus procurement. Zelle said the cuts would not affect immediate operations but could limit future BRT, microtransit, and transitway expansion, while also noting that capital maintenance needs include platform rebuilds, track work, rolling stock, and station repairs. He also said the 2023 funding package had accelerated projects and that the council was opening three transit lines this year. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce Solutions.
• We know that this is a huge part of our workforce.
• We're working families that make up 13% of the workforce.
• We are working families that make up 13% of the workforce.
• with a workforce angle.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sandra Michel, and I am with the Southeast LA County Workforce Development Board. Great.
• My name is Sandra Michel, and I serve as a deputy director for the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce
• But we also know that workforce solutions cannot exist in isolation.
• County.
• They're about investing in the workforce California needs tomorrow.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in Paramount as part of its “Pocketbook Tour,” focused on affordability, cost pressures, and household impacts in Los Angeles County. The first panel centered on workers and learners, with testimony from the UCLA Labor Center and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board. Speakers described how rising living costs, tuition, and low wages force many students to work long hours, often in unrelated, low-wage jobs, while struggling with food, rent, bills, anxiety, and limited financial aid. Recommendations included expanding state-funded work study, creating a statewide internship tax credit for small businesses, improving financial aid formulas to reflect regional cost of living, increasing flexibility for students, and strengthening worker-rights education and career pathways. The second panel focused on microbusinesses and small business affordability. Testimony from microenterprise advocates, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Center Network, and local business owners described rising commercial rents, labor costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, insurance, utilities, and disaster-related pressures as major threats to small businesses. Witnesses emphasized that small businesses are central to local economies and asked the state to expand technical assistance, low-interest financing, disaster support, supply-chain development, and community-based outreach. They also urged more intentional support for microbusinesses and home-based entrepreneurs, including networks that connect them to resources and help them build collective buying power. Committee members asked about possible state actions, including tax credits for hiring local workers or interns, support for trades and apprenticeships, and ways to partner more closely with SBDCs and chambers of commerce. Public comment echoed the hearing themes, with speakers highlighting student hardship, nonprofit mental health funding, renewable energy jobs and internships, and the need for state support for clean-energy incentives. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks and adjournment at 11:05 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rob Kupec, Senate District 4, which is most of Clay County and a good chunk of Becker County, more head
• Rob Kupec, Senate District 4, which is most of Clay County and a good chunk of Becker County, more head
• Rob Kupec, Senate District 4, which is most of Clay County and a good chunk of Becker County, more head
• Rob Kupec, Senate District 4, which is most of Clay County and a good chunk of Becker County, more head
• Rob Kupec, Senate District 4, which is most of Clay County and a good chunk of Becker County, more head

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:31.359> and of Lake County and of Lake County and Beyond<01:09:33.679> alv<01
• <01:10:17.040> training health ecosystem this Workforce training health ecosystem this Workforce
• <01:14:15.000> with a similar program in Lake County with a similar program in Lake County
• industry tracks within the workforce industry tracks within the workforce division<01:37:52.320>
• fund uh and inserting the Workforce fund uh and inserting the Workforce Development<01:42:07.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's how you deliver workforce.
• And so I retain um a ready workforce.
• , county, county, three<00:35:05.599> foundational<00:35:06.240> workers<00:35:06.720><
• <00:35:41.200> health foundational work in that county health foundational work in that county
• of the local health department workforce of the local health department workforce is<00:37:52.480

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Human Services met to review budget items carved out in the prior session budget, including long-term care surveyor contracts, funding for local health departments, and expansion of the central laboratory. The committee approved the June 4 minutes and then heard an update from the Office of Inspector General’s Division of Health Care on long-term care certification surveys and complaint investigations. Officials said the $1 million annual appropriation for contracted survey work, along with salary increases and other resources, helped the state reduce its backlog. They reported that Kentucky completed 101 long-term care certification surveys in fiscal year 2024, up from 28 in fiscal year 2023, and had completed 186 surveys by July 7, 2025, with a goal of 40 to 50 more before the end of fiscal year 2025. Outstanding complaints fell from 1,565 at the end of fiscal year 2024 to 695 by July 7, 2025, and outstanding priority-one or immediate-jeopardy complaints were reduced to zero. Members asked about the definition of priority-one cases, survey timing, the number of facilities still overdue, vacancy rates, federal funding reliance, and the use of contract surveyors. Officials said priority-one cases involve serious harm or high risk of harm, that surveys are required within a 12- to 15.7-month window, and that the agency now has 40 contract surveyors and an outside team option. Several members praised the progress but warned that delays in surveys can endanger residents and urged continued funding and monitoring. The committee then began hearing from Mike Tuggle of the Department of Public Health on the Public Health Transformation Initiative, with Tuggle noting the legislation’s importance to public health financing. The transcript cuts off as he began his remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• It has the fast-track workforce incentive grant.
• department. ...and workforce development.
• The Workforce Diploma piece takes just the sunsets off of the workforce diploma and doesn't touch anything
• and the counties outlying counties.
• Louis County, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• back down to the counties?
• a letter to the counties with an attachment that lists the name of the county and the amount of money
• I'm from Placer County.
• Thank you, Mark Clannery. from the Orange County Food Bank and Orange County Diaper Bank and we'd also
• Lastly, and most importantly, a well-trained workforce. workforce leads to better individual-level outcomes

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The veteran health administration workforce constitutes 90% of the VA's workforce.
• Association of County BSOs.
• That's 27,000 self-identified veterans in two county departments in L.A. County.
• That's 27,000 self-identified veterans in two county departments in L.A. County.
• So two county departments, and we have over a quarter of the veterans in our 4,000 square mile county

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, Catron County, Harding County, and Sierra County have the highest percentage of people
• Richards to talk about workforce. So thank you, Madam Secretary. So, Mr.
• Chair, I think that we've had lots of conversations about health care workforce.
• And again, but I'll say that that... ...to include physicians at the county level.
• I mean, you say Clayton or, not Clayton, Catron County, and the rural counties are harder to serve, yeah

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach