Transcript Highlights:

• administration. ...rather than simply react to crises or changes from the federal administration.
• That will inform our CalFresh recipients of when an expected federal shutdown may occur.
• And even though Californians pay through their federal taxes a billion dollars a month for these federal
• And for the most part, because the federal government many years past reduced the number of federal immigration
• These federal cuts specifically impact vulnerable veterans.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> align New Hampshire with Federal align New Hampshire with Federal requirements<02:11:17.960><c>
• It's a federal program that lets eligible entities like qualifying hospitals and federally qualified
• <02:54:04.880><c> Federal</c><02:54:05.640><c> Community</c><02:54:06.080><c> Health</c> federally Federal
• Community Health federally Federal Community Health Center<02:54:07.399><c> and</c><02:54:08.000><c>
• </c> that 10% of safety net Federal that 10% of safety net Federal guarantees<02:58:20.720><c> the</c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to match it with the federal.
• We pulled it from a federal program, so that would be consistent between what the federal government
• We pulled it from a federal program.
• Is it my understanding that if it's a federal program, anything from the federal—that if somebody comes
• We allow for federal deductions for those.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Elmer Lazzardo, with the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.
• Elmer Lozardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions in support.
• government or interfere with federal functions.
• If we allow states to impede federal actions and trespass on what is clearly federal authority, If we
• allow states to impede federal actions and trespass on what is clearly federal authority, we do run

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely in support and some opposition on a few measures. AB 458 would direct the Department of General Services, in consultation with the Department of Justice, to develop model procurement guidelines for state purchases of firearms, ammunition, and accessories so agencies avoid vendors that violate gun laws; law enforcement and San Francisco representatives supported it, and members discussed adding oversight and vetting. AB 1729 would update state telework policy by requiring written telework plans for return-to-office decisions and restoring public reporting on telework savings; supporters cited cost savings, productivity, climate benefits, and worker flexibility, while the author clarified it would not alter collective bargaining under the Dills Act. AB 1754 would require post-completion reporting on bond-funded programs’ goals and outcomes; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure, while counties and water agencies opposed it unless amended, warning of added bureaucracy, delays, and litigation risk. AB 1841 would create a paid state holiday recognizing California Native American Day, and AB 2115 would issue a formal legislative apology to California’s first peoples and install a commemorative plaque at the Capitol; both drew strong tribal and labor support and broad committee praise, with members emphasizing education, historical acknowledgment, and healing. AB 2211 would allow craft distillers to operate a satellite room and use certain alcohol modifiers on premises, and AB 1991 would authorize wineries, breweries, and craft distilleries to conduct sensory tastings for research with guardrails; both had industry support, with AB 1991 drawing one opposition voice from Alcohol Justice. AB 1578 would require elected officials to take anti-hate speech training as part of existing sexual harassment training; it drew sharp First Amendment objections from opponents and mixed committee views, but the motion to send it to Appropriations passed on a recorded vote. The committee also heard AB 1807, which would bar state-owned property from being used for federal immigration enforcement operations; the author and supporters argued it would protect communities and prevent state complicity in federal actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pray we would seek you often and ask your direction in all we do.
• Family and Medical Leave Act and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
• enforce the federal law if it is already required.
• So we're looking at an incorporation of federal law into state law.
• So I would just argue that we are, in fact, incorporating federal law into this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The patient was monitored by federal agents for about a month.
• And we do not condone the federal government action.
• And we do not condone the federal government action.
• It looks like everybody's interested in going in the same direction.
• It protects a system already under federal scrutiny.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• It's changed what federal drinking...
• of course what security we might have for federal funding.
• Proposed federal standards.
• Why now would we go in the opposite direction?
• Why now would we go in the opposite direction?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief. A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist. The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities. Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Medicare beneficiaries, and that's a federal program.
• So... ...a federal program. We've made inroads with veterans benefits.
• Well, it doesn't have direct impacts on the Department of Aging.
• And now we have SNAP coming, the cuts from the federal government.
• So just the funding ratio between the federal and state government.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard a series of budget items focused first on the California Department of Aging and then on the Department of Social Services. For Aging, the director reported the state is at the midpoint of the Master Plan for Aging, with about 300 initiatives launched and roughly three-quarters completed, nearly $1 billion invested, and expanded local planning, research, and stakeholder engagement. The committee also discussed HICAP modernization, which would add ongoing funding from the Special HICAP Fund to expand Medicare counseling capacity, and senior meal programs, including support for virtual congregate/to-go meals and the use of prior one-time nutrition investments. The chair raised concerns about federal H.R. 1 and its downstream effects on older adults, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and the department said its direct budget was not affected but that other programs serving older adults could be under pressure. The committee then reviewed multiple CDSS proposals. These included implementing the federal Medicaid Access Rule by creating a statewide grievance process and critical incident reporting system for IHSS and other home- and community-based services; housing and homelessness programs such as CalWORKs Housing Support, Housing and Disability Advocacy, Home Safe, and Bringing Families Home, where the department described strong outcomes but warned that one-time funding is expiring and services are scaling back; and permanent position authority for the Housing and Homelessness Division. Members also heard about the facility management system modernization for Community Care Licensing, home care services branch solvency and regulation work, child care centers in multifamily housing, the Seizure Emergency Response Act, licensing during emergencies and disasters, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, and social services automation projects including CalSAWS, the enterprise data pipeline, and CalWORKs child support notices. The LAO and Department of Finance generally had no additional comments or were still reviewing several requests. A notable exchange occurred on the Community Care Licensing item, where Senator Grove pressed the department about the Autumn Oaks facility in Tulare County, citing dozens of complaints and severe conditions affecting seniors. The department said it had worked with the county and ombudsman on relocation, was reviewing what went wrong, and had authority to pursue administrative action even after a license surrender. The hearing ended with a stakeholder presentation from the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging supporting a $62.3 million Older Californians Act request, followed by public comment from advocates for housing, Meals on Wheels, HICAP, Home Safe, and H-DAP. The subcommittee adjourned without taking votes, and all items were held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Nebraska would be stuck with a mandate when the federal level wasn't mandated because the federal
• When you get in a capital stack, we're using federal funds, and the large projects use federal funds.
• When you get in a capital stack, we're using federal funds, and the large projects use federal funds;
• is illegal federally.
• It's a step in the right direction.

Bills: LR509 , LR510 , LR511

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:57.520><c> dollars</c> benefiting from taking federal dollars benefiting from taking federal
• My red flags, as I said, were federal dollars that I was involved in programs for, and the federal dollars
• </c> Community yet we have no direct Community yet we have no direct representation<00:59:47.359><c>
• If we pick a team and go in that direction, one compact over the other, we're going in that direction
• If we pick a team and go in that direction, one compact over the other, we're going in that direction

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal law requires that a majority of members of every local workforce board come from the private
• CWA will keep pressing for more federal investment, and we aren't giving up on that.
• The federal grant we received The federal grant we received was from the Department of Labor, and it's
• The federal grant we received a state grant that builds on this.
• That is the federal grant that we received, and that was a four-year grant.

Summary: The select committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment heard testimony on how California can support inclusive economic development through coordinated workforce, education, nonprofit, and industry partnerships. Chair Arambula opened by emphasizing that rural, low-income, and historically underinvested communities often face the greatest barriers to accessing state resources, and that the hearing would focus on successful collaboration models, the role of training and higher education, and future opportunities tied to economic mobility and social determinants of health. Witnesses from the California Workforce Association, Fresno State, and NextGen Policy described local and regional workforce systems in the Central Valley and beyond. They highlighted examples such as apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, employer-led partnerships, on-the-job training, support for women entering construction, programs for justice-involved and opportunity youth, and the need to braid federal, state, philanthropic, and private funding. Several speakers stressed that local workforce boards, community colleges, adult education, labor organizations, and community-based groups are best positioned to identify regional labor needs and that California should fund systems, not just individual grants, especially as federal workforce funding has declined and new work requirements tied to HR 1 and AI-related labor shifts create added pressure. A second panel focused on the Community Economic Mobility Initiative as a statewide model. Sierra Health Foundation and its partners said CME has helped community organizations build capacity, pursue more than $400 million in grants and contracts, and attract about $178 million back into California communities. Speakers from Siskiyou Economic Development Council, Fresno EDC, Edge Collaborative, and Líderes Campesinas gave examples of place-based projects in rural and urban regions, including business innovation centers, community-owned development, bioeconomy and restoration projects, subsidized employment, and farmworker-led cooperatives. They argued that long-term, locally driven investment produces stronger regional economies and better health outcomes, and urged the Legislature to provide durable funding and policy support rather than short-term extensions. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other way is direct certification. The other way is direct certification.
• </c> is regulated by uh the federal is regulated by uh the federal government<00:15:50.319><c> um</c>
• </c> that's called direct that's called direct certification<00:16:08.399><c> um</c><00:16:09.160><c>
• this year in federal aid.
• Are 350% of federal poverty.

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of School Finance provided an adequacy-funding training for Division II, led by Mark Mello. He walked the committee through the adequacy formula using Albany, Allenstown, and Alton as examples, explaining average daily membership, base adequacy aid, and differential aid for free/reduced-price meals, special education, and English language learners. He also noted a recent change requiring home-education differential aid and emphasized that these aid streams are generally unrestricted district funding rather than money tied to specific students or programs. A major focus was the ongoing litigation over the adequacy base amount and the statewide education property tax, or SWEPT. Mello explained the historical basis of the current base amount, the 2008 legislative report that set the original methodology, and the later court ruling that the adequacy amount should be $7,356, which is now before the Supreme Court. He also described how SWEPT currently raises a fixed statewide amount of $363 million and how that revenue is used to offset the state’s adequacy obligation. For the example towns, Albany and Allenstown receive state adequacy grants because their SWEPT revenue is below their calculated adequacy cost, while Alton is an excess SWEPT community because its local SWEPT revenue exceeds the cost of adequate education. The discussion then turned to the pending “excess SWEPT” issue in the Supreme Court and what would happen if excess collections had to be remitted to the state. Mello said the Department is preparing a hypothetical walkthrough and explained that, if the court upholds the Superior Court ruling, DRA would likely be directed to collect excess SWEPT. Members raised concerns about whether SWEPT must be used for educational purposes and about the cash-flow burden on towns if money had to move from municipalities to the state and then back to districts. Mello and members discussed possible administrative workarounds, such as credits against other state aid distributions, and noted that the committee would continue reviewing the mechanics if the court decision comes down during budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, due to actions at the federal level, the funding for these providers has been severely threatened
• </c><00:03:57.360><c> for</c> are just uh providing more direction for are just uh providing more direction
• Um, I'm still hoping we're going to see a federal change on it.
• And that agreement was struck between the federal government and state government for a while.
• Will all of from the federal government.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> housing</c> impact of our current federal housing impact of our current federal housing programs.
• For example, HR 3390 explicitly directs the Federal Reserve to evaluate whether extending operating hours
• The Federal US financial system.
• </c><04:46:45.680><c> the</c><04:46:45.840><c> Federal</c> substantially will direct the Federal substantially
• will direct the Federal Reserve<04:46:46.400><c> to</c><04:46:46.638><c> make</c><04:46:46.718><c> sure

Transcript Highlights:

• government goes a different direction.
• By the actions of the federal government through health care and human services.
• And this budget takes meaningful steps in that direction.
• H.R. 1, the ongoing federal funding reductions.
• But that is used to leverage federal funds, so that's a double loss.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and be able to direct and be able to direct and<00:04:52.000><c> lead</c><00:04:52.240><c> your<
• </c> outdoor stewardship besides just direct outdoor stewardship besides just direct appropriation.<00
• That is an and federal government.
• The<01:51:21.840><c> federal</c><01:51:22.280><c> HB1</c> The federal HB1 The federal HB1 included<01
• </c> run a foul of federal regulations. run a foul of federal regulations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they meet the requirements of the federal system, then they would be able to use the federal independent
• So if they meet the requirements of the federal system, then they would be able to use the federal independent
• Self-insured ERISA claims stay in the federal system. Thank you.
• more claims that should have been at the state to the federal level.
• more claims that should have been at the state to the federal level.

Bills: S0158 , S0314 , S0618 , S0684 , S0838 , S0990 , S1000 , S1082 , S1452 , S1494 , S1500 , S1568 , S1706

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard and advanced a wide range of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for emergency out-of-network claims. After extensive discussion about the relationship between the state and federal No Surprises Act processes, an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns about clarity and scope, but the bill itself was supported by providers and insurers and was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels, CS/SB 158 on pet insurance consumer disclosures and agent education, SB 1494 expanding breast cancer screening coverage, CS/SB 314 on digital assets and stablecoin issuers, and CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate procedures and small-estate administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance was amended to raise the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ compensation policies from 10% to 20% and then reported favorably, with supporters saying it would help keep higher-risk employers in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin and limit the program to existing stablecoins, then passed. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 838 on electronic payment convenience fees for retail installment contracts, with the sponsor emphasizing that a fee-free payment option must still be offered. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it covered My Safe Florida Home administration, insurance and licensing changes, unclaimed property updates, and other DFS-related provisions. The committee also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting owner-occupied condominiums at or below 80% of area median income, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which supporters said would modernize Florida’s captive insurance laws and encourage more competition. The meeting ended with all listed bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• EBT gets federal funding.
• So there's a lot of federal money that's being used.
• I'm going to direct all of my questions to the OBEI office.
• The federal civil rights law has no caps whatsoever on it.
• However, that was seen as a direct reversal.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> defined by federal regulations. defined by federal regulations.
• :11.440><c> require</c> For example, federal regulations require For example, federal regulations require
• You pay 25% and the federal government You pay 25% and the federal government pays<00:09:16.880><c> 75%
• ><c> has</c><00:11:47.800><c> this</c> And the federal government has this And the federal government
• </c> budget's set by the federal government. budget's set by the federal government.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• For this undertaking, our approach was direct.
• standard of below 6% for federal fiscal year 2026.
• So the federal government sets performance measures.
• So the federal government sets performance measures.
• And so we know we're headed in the right direction.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Florida Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views on abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, hormonal birth control, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board should apply Florida statutes, described himself as strongly pro-life and skeptical of some federal health guidance, and said he would be sympathetic when judging fellow physicians because of his own experience in practice. Supporters praised his medical background, military service, and family medicine experience, while opponents argued his stated views could affect his ability to fairly discipline other doctors. The committee voted 5-2 to recommend confirmation, with Senators Polsky and Rouson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined her background at DCF and APD and described department priorities including streamlining services, improving child welfare and behavioral health systems, expanding peer support, and reducing SNAP error rates. Members asked detailed questions about Hope Florida, the number and role of Hope Navigators, agency responsiveness on bill analyses, and accountability for community-based care contractors. Hatch said Hope Florida is a partnership-based navigation effort aimed at self-sufficiency, that 143 Hope Navigators are in place, and that the department is working to improve transparency and oversight through contracts, audits, and a proposed funding model. Senators also pressed Hatch on the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance history and on forensic audits of community-based care agencies, especially Northwest Florida Health Network. Hatch said the foundation is now in compliance and under audit, and that the contractor had completed corrective actions and was operating within current accountability limits. She said DCF had not yet conducted new forensic audits under her tenure but was preparing another round and was considering using contracted-services dollars to support that work. The discussion ended with continued questioning on oversight, staffing, and whether the agency could provide more formal bill analyses going forward.