Transcript Highlights:

• legislation will enable Californians to access safe and effective medications to maintain their health and achieve
• I'm a practicing academic psychiatrist, a behavioral health AI researcher, and a resident member of SEIU

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee held its first regular bill hearing of 2025 and considered a wide range of measures on health care access, professional regulation, animal welfare, and consumer protection. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted its rules and then approved a consent calendar of several bills, including measures by Chen, Caloza, Carrillo, Arreguín, Berman, and Flora. The committee also took up AB 1082, which would allow California nursing students enrolled in out-of-state programs to complete clinical training in California; supporters said it would help address the nursing shortage and keep students closer to home, while opponents warned it could worsen already limited clinical placement capacity and reduce oversight. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations after a quorum was established. The committee then heard and advanced several health-related bills. AB 50, by Assembly Member Bonta, would ease Medi-Cal access to over-the-counter hormonal contraception by removing the need for a prescription for coverage purposes; pharmacists, reproductive health advocates, and medical groups supported the bill, and it passed unanimously to the Committee on Health. AB 489, also by Bonta, would prohibit AI systems from misrepresenting themselves as licensed health professionals; supporters from medical, psychiatric, behavioral health, and other professional groups said the bill would protect patients from misleading chatbot advice, and it passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 481, by Assembly Member Rubio, would expand the tasks that federally qualified lab personnel can perform under CLIA supervision to help address lab staffing shortages; labor groups raised concerns about training, certification, and supervision, but the bill passed to Appropriations with an amended do pass recommendation. The committee also considered animal welfare and access-to-care measures. AB 631, by Assembly Member Lee, would require animal shelters to post intake and outcome data online; supporters said the reporting would improve policy and resource allocation, while members discussed how the requirement would work for shelters without websites, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 867, also by Lee, would prohibit cat declawing except when medically necessary for the animal; animal welfare groups strongly supported the bill, while the veterinary association opposed it as an improper legislative regulation of veterinary surgery, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1307 would create a pilot program allowing a limited number of qualified dentists trained in Mexico to practice in underserved California areas; supporters framed it as a cost-neutral way to address major dental access gaps, the California Dental Association remained opposed unless amended, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Several members later added their votes on the various items after the hearing, and the committee kept the hearing open briefly to allow additional add-ons.

Transcript Highlights:

• virtually by providing them with appropriate pacing flexibility for schedules that often include work, academic
• I would just like to see us in a little more time and think of a way of achieving is without making it

Transcript Highlights:

• We achieved this in part by adopting the executive branch base reductions.
• We achieved this in part by adopting the executive branch base reductions.
• We achieved this in part by adopting the executive branch base reductions.
• </c> for high performing academic programs. for high performing academic programs. we<00:28:38.320><c
• He was a two-term academic ombudsman at UK.

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the only academic medical facility in the entire state, the only academic medical institution.
• </c><00:51:45.520><c> We</c> an academic medical uh institution.
• We an academic medical uh institution.
• We um are the only academic we conduct.
• </c> the only academic medical institution. the only academic medical institution.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Lauren Nagel is the vice chancellor of academic affairs at Maui.
• Deborah Halbert, Vice President for Academic Strategy.
• Good afternoon again, Deborah Halbert, Vice President for Academic Strategy.
• </c><00:10:56.560><c> We</c> vice president for academic strategy.
• We vice president for academic strategy.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education held a resolutions hearing on March 19 and heard testimony on a series of University of Hawaii-related measures. Topics included exploring an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements, establishing a BSN program at UH Maui, expanding student mental health services, supporting Hawaiian language resources at the Kawaihuani Center, creating a homeless student stability and housing resource program, forming a veterinary medicine expansion working group, and compiling a list of bachelor’s programs aligned with regional job needs. Testimony was generally supportive, with UH representatives often noting that several initiatives were already underway or that systemwide assessments and planning processes were in progress. For the veterinary medicine measure, UH said Windward Community College would not be the ideal location for a doctoral program, but the system would be willing to study the issue systemwide. For the Maui nursing program, UH said it had already received authorization to plan and was working through the curriculum approval process, with a goal of offering the program in fall 2026. For the student basic needs resolution, UH said a systemwide assessment covered all campuses and islands, with a report expected in summer or fall. In decision making, the committee recommended passage of HCR 31/HR 30, HCR 73/HR 66, HCR 96/HR 92, and HCR 97/HR 93 as is, and all were adopted without objection. HCR 124/HR 120 and HCR 125/HR 121 were passed with amendments, including a technical amendment and a request to send a certified copy to the Kawaihuani Center director. HCR 195/HR 188 was passed with amendments to add a UH Hilo representative to the veterinary working group, and HCR 196/HR 189 was passed with amendments to include UH and HMC in the list of schools developing job-aligned bachelor’s program lists and to incorporate HMSO style changes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> academic year. academic year.
• So our academic standards in our state.
• It gives them a huge start on their academic career.
• It gives them a huge start on their academic career.
• It gives them a huge start on their academic career.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you achieve quorum? It's difficult.
• How do you achieve quorum? last year. How do you achieve quorum? It's<00:18:47.039><c> difficult.
• </c><01:51:11.040><c> They</c> achieve lensure in their own state.
• They achieve lensure in their own state.
• </c> they have they have an academic provos. they have they have an academic provos.

Transcript Highlights:

• The senior management group achievement.
• Uh, I've reserved the balance achieve.
• This is what a clean five-year extension achieves.
• So, clean five-year extension achieves.
• </c><03:10:03.760><c> these</c> only path we can take to achieve these only path we can take to achieve

Transcript Highlights:

• This is better access than in many states, but it's still far from achieving the goals of the master
• With the administration's priority of the Master Plan, what's yet not achieved as well as children focused
• We look forward to continued partnership with the legislature to achieve this goal. Thank you.
• We lay the essential groundwork for children's success in kindergarten and throughout their academic
• Maintaining a skilled, stable workforce is achieved by giving providers the assurance that they need

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:46.399><c> in</c> and recognize student achievement in and recognize student achievement in
• But what it is is one small, positive, achievable step.
• In June I was actually approached by a very involved constituent who told me she was being academically
• </c> dismissal bell rings to end the academic dismissal bell rings to end the academic school<01:47:36.560
• House Bill 1221 will begin at 11:15. put academic information out there. put academic information out

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• occur any sooner than that date, but depending on the policy choices made, could potentially be achieved
• multi-generational strategies to saturate the target community with early childhood education, K-12 academic
• Partners and partner organizations aligned their data systems and practices to support achievement across
• In your agenda, the committee has asked about measurable outcomes that the Stop the Hate program achieved
• mission is to support and lift up low-income Californians so that they can meet their basic needs, achieve

Transcript Highlights:

• potentially ...sooner than that date, but depending on the policy choices made, could potentially be achieved
• multi-generational strategies to saturate the target community with early childhood education, K-12 academic
• Partners and partner organizations aligned their data systems and practices to support achievement across
• In your agenda, the committee has asked about measurable outcomes that the Stop the Hate program achieved
• mission is to support and lift up low-income Californians so that they can meet their basic needs, achieve

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:

• program has been awarded since 1982 and recognizes student-athletes based on excellence in athletics, academics
• Given all of these achievements and the remarkable dedication Akelyne has displayed, I am confident that
• for our nation to come together to honor and inform future generations about the sacrifices and achievements
• including the tech industry, can give me a date and a time when it will be safe, and when it will be achieved
• AB 5 will create clear and achievable metrics for when the vast majority of ballots must be counted by

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file with numerous guest introductions and recognitions, including tributes to outgoing University of California President Michael Drake, student and community advocates, and visitors connected to foster care, military appreciation, and college savings. The chamber also took up several procedural items, including concurrence in Senate amendments to ACR 75 on California Farm Week, which passed 59-0. Members then adopted AJR 7 on protecting federal special education funding and services for students with disabilities, with broad bipartisan support and a 65-0 vote after 63 co-authors were added. The Assembly also adopted ACR 82 recognizing Foster Care Month and ACR 85 recognizing 529 College Savings Day by voice vote after adding co-authors, and ACR 89 recognizing Military Appreciation Month, also adopted by voice vote after co-authors were added. These resolutions featured testimony and remarks emphasizing support for vulnerable children, foster youth, military families, and access to higher education. On policy bills, the Assembly passed AB 929 on groundwater and managed wetlands (41-14), AB 1026 on utility connection timelines for housing projects (52-0), AB 1332 on direct shipment of medicinal cannabis under specified conditions (55-0), AB 1356 on follow-up reporting in DHCS death investigations at treatment facilities (54-0), and AB 671 on streamlining restaurant openings through self-certification of certain plans (62-0). The chamber also approved AB 715 on anti-Semitism and school climate after extensive debate and cross-caucus support, 64-0, and AB 33 on autonomous vehicle deliveries requiring a human safety operator, 52-6. Later, AB 5 on election ballot-counting timelines passed 66-0, AB 27 and AB 28 addressing the Chiquita Canyon landfill disaster passed 61-0 and 44-6 respectively, and the Assembly began consideration of AB 43 to extend state authority over wild and scenic rivers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quite a bit of academic research and modeling to look at different scenarios and be able to kind of toggle
• low-hanging fruit, where it is easier to eliminate positions that people aren't currently in, but how do we achieve
• what we're trying to achieve with the rest of the budget through the staffing model?
• To achieve this level of partnership, however, capital markets require the stability of ongoing reliable
• in-person presentations because the requirements can be complex, and it just seems more personable and achievable

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first rules are the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.
• The maximum award per academic year is the lesser of the program cost or a maximum of $3,000.
• This one covers tuition and fees for up to 60 academic hours for a two-year program and 120 academic
• Which would have been their first-year amount under Academic Challenge.
• Academic Challenge is still in place. Okay, perfect. Thank you for the clarity.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Investing in the vitality of Minnesota's academic institutions promotes the success of future professionals
• Investing in the vitality of Minnesota's<00:04:53.960><c> academic</c><00:04:54.560><c> institutions<
• /c> Minnesota's academic institutions Minnesota's academic institutions promotes<00:04:56.280><c> the

Transcript Highlights:

• So they would complete two, four, six school years of documented, combined academic instruction.
• So there's the academic part of it.
• the line 49 through 52, the completing of the two, four, six school years of documented combined academic
• online line 49 through 52, the completing of the two, four, six school years of documented combined academic
• school level, when we give our children a diploma, it indicates that they have completed certain academic

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• MU Health Care is uniquely positioned in this part of the state, so there are just a few academic health
• We are the only academic safety net that is part of the state's land-grant university.
• MU Health Care... ...share is that the mission part of what MU Health Care is here to do as the academic
• We've gained access to specialist technology, infrastructure, and academic collaboration that has allowed
• We've gained access to specialist technology, infrastructure, and academic collaboration that has allowed

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• achievement and commitment to student success.
• and dedication demonstrated by these schools in providing high-quality education, helping students achieve
• 05:48.240><c> students</c> quality education, helping students quality education, helping students achieve
• > their</c><00:05:49.360><c> full</c><00:05:49.600><c> potential,</c><00:05:50.320><c> and</c> ...achieve
• their full potential and prepare them for success in future academic and personal endeavors.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> achievement. With that, I yield back. achievement. With that, I yield back.
• Miss Bearden, congratulations on this exciting achievement.
• Miss Bearden, congratulations on this exciting achievement.
• Miss Bearden, congratulations on this exciting achievement.
• Not only that, I achievement gaps.