Transcript Highlights:

• I will now turn it over to Susan Phillip, our Deputy Director for Health Care Delivery Systems, to talk
• I will now turn it over to Susan Phillip, our deputy director for health care deliveries to talk about
• It was co-funded funding that allowed us to hire outreach workers and delivery drivers to get thousands
• , housing deposits, housing tenancy and sustaining services, recuperative care, medically tailored meals
• and I want to thank DHS for really updating its guidance to be able to focus on medically tailored meals

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the barriers to health care delivery is the challenges associated with cost.
• support the ABCD program and also support child health care after-school initiatives. health care delivery
• Okay, it's a full meal deal. And we are adjourned. start time tomorrow.
• Okay, it's a full meal deal. And we are adjourned.

Bills: HB2367 , HB1974 , HB2650 , HB2626

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, New Hampshire law only requires schools to offer one meal a day to students.
• as each bill pertaining to school meals as each bill would<01:06:26.400><c> amend</c><01:06:26.799><
• are critical in ensuring School meals are critical in ensuring that<01:06:57.559><c> every</c><01:06
• a day to students the offer one meal a day to students the vast<01:07:20.559><c> majority</c><01:07:
• this measure is and reduced price meals this measure is outdated<01:21:59.360><c> inaccurate</c><01:

Transcript Highlights:

• Disabilities Department, Health and Human Services, the de-vector of the delivery division related division
• Eight, conference fees, meals, lodging, travel by the office, and staff involved in activities related
• Nine, in the case of the candidate committee for the governor, conference fees, meals, lodging, travel
• Three, federal commercial... the parent, the school receives... school meals depending on whether the
• school qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C

Bills: LB764 , LB815A , LB839 , LB888 , LB955 , LB972A , LB1029 , LB1087 , LB1091 , LB1126A , LB1181A , LB1237A , LB1261A , LB304A , LB762 , LB889 , LB929 , LB966 , LB1022 , LB1187 , LR508

Transcript Highlights:

• These conditions often present significant barriers that can pose challenges to service delivery across
• How do you know it's a meal just because a person is purchasing a snack or something?
• How do you consider that a meal?
• meals.
• But spaghetti in a can, that isn't technically a meal; that really is almost like a.

Bills: HB2510 , HB3589 , HB4611 , HB4655 , HB4665 , HB4666 , HB4670 , HB4700 , HB4730 , HB4798 , HB4838 , HB5136 , HB5243 , HB5302 , HB5539

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:09:03.520><c> after</c><01:09:03.839><c> delivery</c> big stores get delivery after delivery big
• stores get delivery after delivery after<01:09:04.560><c> delivery,</c><01:09:05.279><c> and</c><01:
• >> The delivery of alcohol.
• Uh, I learned today that Jackson County meal is over a million dollars and Sharkey County meal is like
• ><c> is</c> dollars and uh Sharky County Meal is dollars and uh Sharky County Meal is like<01:19:47.840

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, is we would start the free meal program, the universal meal program, a year early.
• Are there any kids that are refused meals?
• And that's with us providing one meal a day.
• Seventy-nine percent said school meals.
• Homeschoolers pay for their own meals.

Bills: HB1621 , HB1624 , HB1623 , HB1622 , HB1625 , HB1626 , HB1627 , HCR3038

Summary: The House convened in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge, confirmed a quorum, and recognized visiting students from Shiloh High School. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Representative Cindy Shriver Beck, and the House adopted the Employment Committee report approving special-session staff appointments. The chamber then considered House Bill 1621, which would require the presidential physical fitness test in K-12 physical education courses with exemptions for students with disabilities and an effective date of August 1, 2027. Supporters framed it as a return to a historic fitness standard and a response to federal direction; the bill passed 90-0. The House next took up House Bill 1624, a universal school meals bill that would place the program in statute rather than the Constitution, start it a year earlier than the initiated measure, and appropriate $65 million for the first year. Debate centered on whether universal meals were needed, whether the bill would preserve legislative flexibility and property-tax relief, and whether it would help families or subsidize those who could pay. The bill passed 55-38. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 1623, the rural health transformation package tied to federal grant funds and a Bank of North Dakota loan program to support rural health projects, EMS, behavioral health, and related infrastructure. The sponsor and supporters emphasized North Dakota’s strong grant award, the need to move quickly, and the bill’s role in filling rural health gaps statewide. Some members raised concerns about federal spending, inflation, and telehealth, while others stressed the need to address EMS and workforce shortages. The transcript ends during debate on HB 1623, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• meals to go.
• meals to go.
• meals to go.
• </c><00:54:46.480><c> meals</c><00:54:46.720><c> to</c> LSS meals has been serving meals to LSS meals
• </c> meals and contracted meals for youth meals and contracted meals for youth programs<00:54:59.280>

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• And certain other state funds are for the Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency.
• SB 314 by Hughes relates to prohibiting student food additives from being included in meals provided
• And certain other state funds are for the Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency.
• SB 314 by Hughes relates to prohibiting student food additives from being included in meals provided
• SB 1819 by Zaffirini relates to the use of an epinephrine delivery device by certain entities for the

Bills: HJR99 , HB1399 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HCR35 , SB14 , HB 12 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HCR35 , HCR123 , HCR124 , HR57 , HR87 , HR111 , HR228 , HR230 , HR322 , HR624 , HR625 , HR626 , HR627 , HR628 , HR630 , HR631 , HR634 , HR635 , HR636 , HR637 , HR638 , HR639 , HR640 , HR645 , HR646 , HR648 , HR649 , HR651 , HR652 , HR653 , HR654 , HR664 , HR665 , HR668 , HR675 , HR676 , HR678 , HR679 , HR680 , HR683 , HR686 , HR688 , HR689 , HR694 , HR695 , HR697 , HR698 , HR699 , HR472 , HR622 , HR632 , HR633 , HR643 , HR655 , HR657 , HR660 , HR661 , HR662 , HR663 , HR667 , HR670 , HR674 , HR681 , HR682 , HR696

Transcript Highlights:

• free meals for all meals served in the state.
• 100 million meals served each year.
• </c><01:37:44.000><c> That</c><01:37:44.239><c> additional</c> meals per meal served.
• That additional meals per meal served.
• 100 million meals served each roughly 100 million meals served each year.<01:37:52.639><c> That</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• The GOP held their messaging hearings on, you know, repealing the gas tax and repealing the delivery
• </c><00:37:05.000><c> Um,</c> tax and repealing the delivery fee.
• Um, tax and repealing the delivery fee.
• Stum, Miss Beck, and yes, anchovies and mac and cheese, as well as it's one of the favorite meals we
• , $112 million we could have put meals, $112 million we could have put into<01:18:09.280><c> basic</c

Transcript Highlights:

• Tom Cat Branch, LLC, and more than 225 members of the School Meals for All Coalition on Item 1 in strong
• The program is helping to realize the full potential of California's School Meals for All program by
• The program is helping to realize the full potential of California's School Meals for All program by
• to School prioritizes students in underserved communities, ensuring that those who rely on school meals
• helping schools move away from heat-and-serve models and more toward freshly prepared, nutritious meals

Transcript Highlights:

• Partners coordinated to create a web of services to eliminate gaps in service delivery for families.
• California has made bold investments, CalKIDS, Universal Preschool, Universal School Meals, community
• schools, California has made bold investments: CalKIDS, universal preschool, universal school meals,
• We have also assessed the grantee's delivery of meaningful and effective services through three main
• We have also assessed the grantee's delivery of meaningful and effective services through three main

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.

Transcript Highlights:

• private-public partnerships that help local food systems work at scale, aggregation, cold chain, delivery
• private-public partnerships that help local food systems work at scale, aggregation, cold chain, delivery
• And as part of this, providing meat products that are hoped to provide the meals that the Senator from
• 15:56.560><c> the</c> products that are hoped to provide the products that are hoped to provide the meals
• that the senator from Campbell uh meals that the senator from Campbell uh is<00:15:59.199><c> mentioning

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers. The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every day, nutrition services staff are busy preparing meals for over 12 schools.
• We are pushing towards more scratch-cooked meals, which means more recipes in breakfast and lunch.
• component, which gives us the five meal components: vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein, and grains.
• Healthy, nutritious meals support student wellness and achievement.
• Chairman, you know, I think that we need to look at the delivery of instruction. Okay?

Transcript Highlights:

• My next question has to do with school lunches or school meals.
• I'm sorry, it's not just lunches anymore, it's school meals. Whenever we are putting over.
• God dang, this number is staggering. $200 million into our school meals.
• Cause we do want that the meals going to the students.
• Our delivery of education.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that's used to project meal that's used to project meal reimbursement costs<00:47:21.480><c> this
• this, it only shows from the fiscal year 2024 forecast and beyond, and so because the free school meals
• program prior to the introduction of the free school meals program.
• For the free school meals program, it would be the entirety of lines 142 and 143 of the spreadsheet for
• Program called ADSIS, or Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• supports to our earliest learners and our providers who are struggling to develop the new mixed-delivery
• supports to our earliest learners and our providers who are struggling to develop the new mixed delivery
• system. providers who are struggling to develop the new mixed delivery system so we appreciate that
• We want to thank the Legislature for fully funding the CalFood Program and funding universal school meals
• We are grateful for the Legislature's championing of universal school meals and the SUN Bucks program

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• and expenditures from WSDOT data and reviewed recent studies on statewide transportation project delivery
• The study that was in the 2025 budget asked us to evaluate delivery, and I'm just going to quote, because
• I think this really shows what this study is about: recommendations on improvements to program delivery
• Because I want to see the differential—I want maximum service delivery, right?
• At its core, public-private partnership is simply another project delivery tool.

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So medically tailored meals and medically supportive food for people with qualifying health conditions
• Medically tailored meals is one of the services with the highest utilization.
• The other area that I'd like for you to just talk a little bit about is labor and delivery departments
• So can you speak a little bit to labor and delivery departments in rural California, in particular the
• We know that the concerns surrounding labor and delivery units closing, or the prospect of their closing

Committee: Senate Rules