Transcript Highlights:

• Start program.
• ECAP, as you all know, is the state's no-cost preschool program.
• Head Start is a federally funded no-cost preschool program.
• DCYF oversees those programs and does regular check-ins.
• Currently, ECAP requires programs participate in Early Achievers, and Early Achievers requires programs

Summary: The Early Learning & Human Services Committee held public hearings on several child care and disability-related bills. House Bill 2317 would exempt certain ECAP and Head Start programs from DCYF licensing when they operate part-day or school-day in public school buildings or on public school property. Staff and the prime sponsor said the bill would remove duplicative licensing barriers and help expand preschool seats, especially as Washington prepares to add more ECAP slots. Testifiers from Head Start, school-linked providers, and the Washington Federation of Independent Schools supported the bill, describing licensing delays, added costs, and lost classroom time; no one testified in opposition. The committee also heard House Bill 2099, which would expand ECAP access for military families with incomes up to Working Connections Child Care limits and adjust prioritization for families with deployed or single custodial military parents. The prime sponsor and multiple supporters, including retired military leaders, Head Start/ECAP advocates, ESD staff, and a military-community partnership, said military families face frequent moves, deployment-related strain, and child care shortages that affect readiness and family stability. Testifiers said the bill would help families access care without changing the program’s low-income focus or adding state cost. House Bill 2350 would require DSHS to notify residents, guardians, and family members when a residential habilitation center is found out of compliance with federal CMS requirements, and to provide follow-up notices on correction and enforcement actions. The sponsor said the bill responds to limited communication around recent noncompliance issues at Rainier School and would improve transparency; DSHS had requested a narrow amendment about how notice is provided to residents. Disability rights advocates strongly supported the bill, saying families need timely information to protect loved ones and make informed decisions. Finally, House Bill 2318 would let ECAP and Head Start children count toward the 5% subsidy participation threshold needed for Early Achievers quality improvement awards. Supporters said the current rule can discourage providers from enrolling ECAP children because it risks losing an award, even though ECAP already requires Early Achievers participation. The sponsor and testifiers described the bill as a small fix to reduce a funding disincentive for providers serving high-need children. The committee took no votes and adjourned after closing the hearings on all four bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• $100 million for the T's Green Line Transformation Program.
• So that's a very important program development in the Chapter 90 program for them.
• So this new program, since 2021, has just been a huge, huge important program for those cities and towns
• Similar to what I've noted for the Chapter 90 program, as MassDOT receives more investment in these programs
• With this proposal, Yarmouth would receive and programming perspective.

Bills: H4987 , S2905

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: transportation bond bill, municipal roads, municipal bridges, Chapter 90, road aid, highway funding, bridge repair, pavement, MassDOT, MBTA, rail reliability, commuter rail locomotives, Fair Share surtax, Commonwealth Transportation Fund, infrastructure financing, bond authorization, deferred maintenance, climate resilience, parkways, DCR

Transcript Highlights:

• The disability insurance program is actually EDD's largest benefit program.
• Those programs don't talk to one another.
• The program was very different from the state's underlying sort of bread-and-butter UI program, and as
• programs.
• or any of your programs?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just the programs within Jobs First, but all of our programs, incentives, and other things, whether
• Yeah, I mean, the only programs, the programs that we have are the programs that we have, right, is Go-Biz
• programming for small businesses as California's flagship trade program.
• Do they have programs? I know you're chair right now. Do they have similar programs?
• last fiscal year of the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the most successful cost emissions reductions programs ever created.
• Your success in extending the Cap-and-Invest program to 2040.
• You're not subject to the cap-and-trade program.
• For the trajectory the program is being asked to follow.
• Four billion in the program design should be the highest goal.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Summary: The committee heard an overview and discussion of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840. Chairs and members emphasized the program’s role in meeting climate targets while balancing affordability, and CARB described the proposal as intended to preserve market certainty, strengthen cost containment, address utility affordability, and support the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goal. CARB also noted the public comment period, the planned board hearing, and the goal of an effective date of September 1, 2026. Members questioned CARB on several implementation issues, including whether the rulemaking would be completed on time, the treatment of carbon capture and sequestration, the timing of the transfer of allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and the impact on ratepayers. CARB said it was on track to meet the May deadline, that CCUS/CDR could be further refined in the proposal and would also be addressed in a separate SB 905 rulemaking later in the year, and that it was seeking to protect ratepayers while inviting more utility data during the comment period. The committee also discussed refining-sector leakage risk, gasoline imports, and how imported fuel is accounted for under cap-and-invest versus the low-carbon fuel standard. A second panel of outside experts and stakeholders then testified. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and IEMAC representatives explained the major statutory changes, including putting offsets under the cap, shifting allowances from natural gas to electric utilities over time, and changing how allowance value is divided among utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. They stressed that CARB has significant discretion in setting the allowance “pie,” and that more free allocations to utilities or industry reduce GGRF revenues. EDF’s representative argued the proposal should be adopted this spring, said the utility transition should happen faster, and urged a tighter near-term emissions cap. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, opposed the proposed utility allocation changes, saying they would reduce expected allowances, undermine long-term planning, and could force higher rates or reduced decarbonization investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• Expanding the energy assistance program and keeping the program open through the summer months would
• Expanding the energy assistance program and keeping the program open through the summer months would
• to a year-round program.
• to a year-round program.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything from the work we're doing in our educator prep programs, our out-of-school time programs,
• Region and in our state, and then developing programs around that and ensuring that our programs are
• staff that CTE program.
• time program.
• School districts and charters have the ability to establish programming, including a virtual program.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this program, though, they're separate—there are only people that are going through this program that
• I know that program.
• of scary... ...programs will change.
• We’re looking at this program expanding into perhaps this could be an entry point to the program.
• We're looking at this program expanding into perhaps this could be an entry point to the program.

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: The committee/task force met with several disability service providers to discuss integrated employment, transition services, and barriers to community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described creating their own businesses when community employers were not hiring their clients, and said rigid service rules, employer readiness, bullying, and reimbursement structures often force the person to fit the service rather than the service fitting the person. They said they have not seen clients lose benefits, but they do closely manage reporting to Social Security and related supports. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial work, city beautification, state-use contracts, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said many employers are hesitant because of productivity and cost concerns, and that businesses are often more open to contracting with her agency than hiring individuals directly. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model with sheltered work, volunteer sites, paid contracts, and a Transition Academy. She said the academy is a two-year program focused first on independent living and then on employment, with internships and an 85% placement rate, but funding is a major barrier because the program is not accredited and students cannot access traditional aid. She also cited dual diagnoses, inconsistent job coaches, and employer uncertainty as major obstacles. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described DRTC’s long-running enclave contracts, a new Community Skills and Connections program, and a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage use by the end of the year. They said the new program is designed to keep people engaged in community-based skill-building and networking while families still need day supports, and that DRTC has developed more than 100 community partnerships. Senator Kirt, Rep. Hefner, and participants discussed broader system issues, including the need for better school-to-work transition, more social integration, transportation, safety, and employer education. DRS staff said the agency is already required to provide pre-employment transition services in schools starting at age 14 and offers employer accommodations support and job-carving assistance, though they acknowledged federal reporting expectations and service rules can be restrictive. Several participants raised concerns about line-of-sight restrictions, congregate living rules, benefit cliffs, and the difficulty of moving from DDS to DRS services. The group also discussed the need for better data and possible working groups focused on in-school transition, program support and blending services, and community integration. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some see program what which is what we now call the last several iterations of our managed care program
• The LTC program also uses he this information to inform us of the quality of the program, but they are
• So lots we have the dental program. Again, he does is So lots we have the dental program.
• program components, a data-driven goals for the programs and reporting for the plans.
• And when I talked about the evolution of our quality program and kind of learning from past programs

Transcript Highlights:

• And our program impacts.
• With regard to SYTF programming, core programming may include dual enrollment and higher education access
• So that would include diversion programs supporting transitional age to TGI youth, programs providing
• Okay, so the IT program... Okay, so the IT programs don't get funded.
• At the local level, these are the IT programs that The IT programs at CDPH.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or an existing program that is being suggested as an expansion of the program by an agency, these various
• The request for either a new program or an existing program that is being suggested as an expansion of
• the purpose and benefits of the program, problems or needs that the program will address, other possible
• This is rich discussion because, you know, our first program evaluation now is of child care programming
• We may not be able to evaluate every program, but how do we select which programs we're going to evaluate

Summary: The task force approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, striking language about contracting with a security vendor. Members then reviewed a draft bill on concessions procurement (LC 27.0161), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, update language for vending and merchandising machines, and clarify where concession proceeds are deposited. OMB explained the bill and said it was open to further changes, including language to address artificial fragmentation, clarify which government entities are covered, and possibly set contract-length limits. Members raised questions about whether the bill would apply to school districts, park districts, airports, and other political subdivisions, and about whether concession agreements could direct proceeds to nonprofits or other secondary recipients; OMB said the statute is intended to require proceeds to go to the government entity’s operating fund or general fund. OMB also reported on other survey suggestions. It said a proposed general authority for agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is best limited to high-volume agencies. On legal notices, OMB said it had made progress with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernizing online notices, improving ADA compliance, and discussing rate and definition changes. On click-through agreements, OMB and the Attorney General’s office concluded no statutory change was needed after revising internal guidance; the $20,000 threshold was described as a practical cutoff for adhesive, nonnegotiable software terms. OMB also said issues raised by the Center for Distance Education on alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures had been resolved through policy clarification. The University System gave a brief update on its collaboration with OMB and said it was continuing to review concessions, surplus property, and capital project statutes with all institutions involved. The task force then discussed a draft bill on requirements for new or expanded spending, intended to require agencies to identify program purpose, needs, alternatives, success measures, and budget details, and to report on outcomes over time. Members and staff debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how much should be real-time versus periodic, and whether the bill should include full implementation costs for pilot programs. Legislative Council staff said the new program evaluation division is still being built out, that staffing remains limited, and that the office plans to continue working with OMB and the executive branch to refine the proposal before the next meeting. No final action was taken on the draft bills beyond directing further work and follow-up for the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The funds were used for various programs, one of which was a respite care program that provided direct
• There's also a program, the New Mexico Health Service Corps, which is a stipend program.
• on board with the J-1 visa program.
• program.
• They've adapted well with the forest programs and the allied health programs.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This is going to be an overview of the Community Services Block Grant program.
• as public benefit programs subject to immigration-status verification, including programs that have
• , initiate new service programs, and expand their capacity to self-determine the programs that they need
• contract, the Senior Nutrition Program, Meals on Wheels program, the Energy Efficiency Training Academy
• They lost the Head Start project contract, the Senior Nutrition Program, Meals on Wheels program, the

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both both programs. >> correct? Both both programs.
• </c> companies will bring to this program. companies will bring to this program.
• </c> managing the program. managing the program.
• . program. program.
• with a Medicaid program.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee to study long-term managed care met to approve the prior meeting minutes, with a clarification that “OB3” referred to the “one big beautiful bill.” The minutes were then approved. Chair Jim Kofalt outlined the day’s agenda, which included testimony from the Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and later DHHS. He also noted that future meetings were expected soon and that the meetings were being livestreamed on YouTube. Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, represented by Kellyanne Totten and Amy Moore, urged inclusive planning and a cautious, phased approach if managed care is considered. They emphasized that home care providers are not uniform, with different licensing and service models, and said any pilot should include varied provider types, rural and southern regions, and agencies of different sizes. They warned that workforce shortages, inflation, and a possible 9% CMS cut to Medicare home health payments could force agencies to reduce service areas or service types. They also said the 2023 Medicaid CFI rate increase has begun to lose its effect. In response to questions, they said the rural health transformation fund may help with planning and telehealth but likely cannot be used directly for rates or recruitment/retention. They also described the New England Home Care Nurse Residency Program, a Department of Labor grant, as a way to bring new registered nurses into home care with added training and school partnerships. The New Hampshire Association of Counties, through county nursing home administrators Craig Labore and David Ross, revisited the earlier Step Two managed care discussions from 2016-2018. They said prior consultants found the long-term services and supports system was underfunded and needed investment to stabilize providers and expand community-based care. They argued the same concerns remain today and said a managed model would jeopardize the Medicaid quality incentive payment program and, for county nursing homes, the proportionate share payment program. Their testimony was generally opposed to moving forward with managed long-term services and supports without significant additional funding and safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the National School Lunch Program and Breakfast Program, you all are paying the difference between
• This program is different from the Teacher Residency Program because these aspiring teachers do not have
• Expand or remodel for a CTE program?
• program.
• Four out of five educator fellows, Grow Your Own, clinical programs. How are those programs?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Program Youth Internship Program 500,000.<00:25:54.960><c> STEM</c><00:25:55.600><c> grants</c><00:25
• </c> personnel for um the whole new program. personnel for um the whole new program.
• So, in other words, this program is not a high-contact, custom, tailored program that offers in-person
• ><c> participants</c> other words, uh program participants other words, uh program participants most<
• offers</c> um tailored uh program that offers um tailored uh program that offers inerson<00:42:53.359

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:00.120><c> we</c> left we have 150 different programs we left we have 150 different programs
• </c> pharmacist to photomy so our programs pharmacist to photomy so our programs can<00:03:28.280><c>
• The long-term program has been in Rochester; it goes back all the way to 1978 when the program started
• </c> the expenses of running the program the expenses of running the program things<00:13:56.240><c>
• </c><00:15:27.839><c> as</c> program is paying for the program as program is paying for the program as

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• program.
• program.
• programs.
• of programs.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Interim Committee met for its final meeting on August 19, 2026, approved the June 16 minutes, and heard a series of informational presentations focused on policy, siting, community engagement, and fuel-cycle issues. Committee members also received an update on a recent injury to Representative Mitskog, who participated virtually after surgery. Rod McCullum of the Nuclear Energy Institute discussed DOE’s “innovation campus” initiative for used nuclear fuel. He said DOE has narrowed responses to five states—Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Louisiana—and that any host agreements will likely require state legislation and decisions on funding. He argued industry should not need a restarted nuclear waste fee and said the effort should proceed through appropriations and changes to federal law, including removing Yucca Mountain exclusivity. In response to questions, he said Yucca Mountain failed because it was imposed top-down rather than through consent-based siting, and he rejected deep seabed disposal as impractical and treaty-laden. Chase Blazer and Austin Blanche of Envoy Public Labs described state-led community engagement models for advanced nuclear projects, highlighting examples in Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Illinois, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. They emphasized that successful projects depend on early education, local support, workforce planning, and clear communication about benefits, safety, and siting. Members asked about how broad engagement should be, and the presenters said the scope depends on the project but should at least include the host county and nearby communities, with broader regional outreach where appropriate. Senator K.L. Case and Rita Meyer of Wyoming Energy Futures outlined Wyoming’s legislative path to support TerraPower’s Natrium project in Kemmerer. They reviewed earlier state laws that effectively blocked nuclear waste siting and later legislation that opened the door to on-site storage of spent fuel from an active in-state reactor. Meyer said the project is being built with federal ARDP support and private investment, but faces major supply-chain challenges, especially for HALEU fuel and specialized components. Both speakers stressed that Wyoming’s approach has relied on legislation, community support, and private capital rather than direct state funding, and that the project is expected to create substantial construction and permanent jobs if it reaches completion.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're not subject to the cap-and-trade program.
• You're not subject to the cap-and-trade program.
• I mean, they are still getting free allowances through this program.
• I mean, they are still getting free allowances through this program.
• Four billion in the program design should be the highest goal.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that we do operationalize the program that we do operationalize the program um,<00:03:03.200><c>
• , not only for these state-run auto IRAs, but also in 401(k) programs and all retirement savings programs
• ><c> programs.
• And as the expenses of operating the program are much less and, again, a more efficient program than
• As the expenses of operating the program are much less and, again, a more efficient program than as the

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Labor and Technology Committee met on April 4, 2025, to consider four governor’s messages involving nominations to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board and the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. Barbara Creek, nominated to the Retirement Savings Board for a term ending June 30, 2029, testified that she had already served two years on the board, had prior experience with deferred compensation plans, and wanted to help operationalize the program quickly and efficiently. In response to a question about Senate Bill 855, she explained that an opt-out auto-enrollment model is the gold standard for retirement savings programs, would increase participation and contributions, and would help Hawaii avoid being an outlier and improve the chances of joining a multi-state compact for a cost-effective program. Amber Aana, nominated to the Workforce Development Council for a term ending June 30, 2029, emphasized her maritime-industry background and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and training opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. Scott Collins, nominated to the same council for a term ending June 30, 2028, said he had served on the board since 2022 and could contribute public-sector and union experience to help address government workforce challenges. Pane Mayonga II, also nominated to the Workforce Development Council for a term ending June 30, 2029, was absent due to union travel, but the committee heard extensive testimony in support from labor, industry, and community representatives. Support testimony was recorded for all four nominees, including from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, United Public Workers, Hawaii State AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Hawaii Ports Maritime Council, and other organizations and individuals. For Pane Mayonga II, the committee noted support from a broad coalition including labor unions, maritime and construction groups, and community advocates. No opposition testimony was presented, and members did not raise substantive questions on the Workforce Development Council nominees. After a brief recess, the committee reconvened for decision-making and voted to recommend advice and consent on all four governor’s messages: GM 727 for Barbara Creek, GM 744 for Amber Aana, GM 717 for Scott Collins, and GM 728 for Pane Mayonga II. Each recommendation was adopted unanimously, and the committee congratulated the nominees before adjourning with no further business.