Transcript Highlights:

• They closed when the train stopped going there.
• The Cuesta Public Library has a business bridge program which provides free classes and trainings to
• I think coming from the School of training that I received at the time, endowments were the way to go
• Border Patrol Training Academy and the Indian Police Academy, where all cadets receive their basic training
• in high schools, but soft skills training is still desperately needed.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These sections modify definitions, licensing and training requirements, and guidelines related to child
• This modifies the mandated reporter training required contents. And that concludes Article 2.
• . security cameras and related training.
• Section 11 sets out training requirements for legal non-licensed child care providers, and then Section
• All of our ECE professionals are trained in mandated reporting if neglect and abuse are suspected.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• We do require that they have work search or they're going through training.
• I've been able to attend some of their training.
• It's our workforce and ensuring that we have a trained workforce is something.
• Our two primary services there, we offer. to 10 and 30 hour trainings.
• They're they do a great deal of training.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would develop the training. would develop the training.
• They can get the training online, but they've got to get the training.
• They can get the training online, but they've got to get the training.
• They can get the training online, but they've got to get the training.
• They can get the training online, but they've got to get the training.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our workers go through three years of extensive training.
• Somebody that's properly trained, or you can roll the dice?
• Somebody that's properly trained, or you can roll the dice?
• Somebody that's properly trained, or you can roll the dice?
• in went to the training school we train in went to the training school we train in our<00:28:04.519

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Labor and Technology, Transportation, and Culture and the Arts heard testimony on Senate Bill 396 and Senate Bill 47, then later the Labor and Technology committee took up Senate Bill 136 and Senate Bill 1523. SB 396 drew support from the Metropolitan Planning Organization and others, with a question raised about implementation costs; the director said costs would depend on the scope of the benefit package and the transportation mode involved. The committees recommended passing SB 396 with technical amendments and added appropriation language with a blank amount, and the motion was adopted by recorded votes in both committees. SB 47, which would designate the Lunar New Year as a state holiday, received support from the Office of Collective Bargaining and several individuals, including Charlene Chun, who spoke about family traditions and cultural recognition. Members asked about the cost and whether the day would be a paid day off for state employees; the response was that observance would be subject to collective bargaining. The committees moved SB 47 forward with amendments, noting the collective bargaining and cost issues, and adopted the recommendation by vote. In the Labor and Technology committee, SB 136 on the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund drew strong support from iron workers and related supporters, who argued the bill was about safety, training, and keeping dismantling work within the ironworkers’ trade. Several other unions, including operating engineers, carpenters, laborers, and plumbers and fitters, opposed the bill as too broad and potentially infringing on their jurisdiction. The measure was not decided in the portion provided, but members discussed possible amendments and jurisdictional concerns. SB 1523, which would expand private-sector collective bargaining rights under the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and others under NLRB jurisdiction, received broad labor support, including from IATSE, AFL-CIO, Hawaii Nurses Association, Unite Here Local 5, and many individual testifiers. Supporters framed it as protecting workers’ rights and strengthening labor protections, while the Hawaii Labor Relations Board warned it could significantly increase workload and require more staffing, space, and operating resources; the board estimated the bill could expand its caseload substantially and suggested an appropriation would likely be needed. The committee then moved on to the next measure, SB 1440, before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I get that we're talking about having training and this training that's needed, but whether it's
• The training, in my opinion, it really... ...could possibly happen without having this initial training
• I've trained him. That works. Wow, that was good. That's my husband. I've trained him well. Wow.
• Lastly, and most importantly, a well-trained workforce leads to better... ...like training and improved
• , including implicit bias training.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Training.
• So we began to leverage this Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, which is a two-day training
• We're going to train more of our volunteers with train-the-trainer so we're able to do more in-house
• <01:14:01.280> or go towards additional assy training or go towards additional assy training
• have the mental train Mental Health Training<01:14:13.320> Professionals<01:14:13.960> in<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But are there, like, the issue of training, right? The issue of internal turnover...
• I think a lot of people that we serve can be trained to be... ...other one, PCAs.
• So I'd like to see people with disabilities in some of those training programs.
• You know, that's why you do pilots, to find out where weak areas in the training are.
• You know, that's why you do pilots to find out where weak areas in the training are.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Status of Persons with Disabilities met, approved the prior November minutes, and heard a presentation from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) on its 2025 workforce metrics survey. ADDP described its membership and the survey’s scope, noting 102 of 132 members responded. The report showed continued improvement in staffing: overall vacancy rates fell from 19% in 2024 to 15% in 2025, with declines across programs such as adult long-term residential, community-based day supports, supported employment, and day rehabilitation. However, vacancies remain high, especially for licensed practical nurses and clinicians, and nearly 4,000 positions were still unfilled. Providers also reported that almost 1,800 people remain waiting for day services. A major new focus in the survey was health insurance costs. Nearly 90% of respondents reported premium increases averaging 11%, and providers said those increases make it harder to offer competitive wages and benefits and hurt recruitment and retention. ADDP said the survey will be repeated in the fall and emphasized that while Chapter 257 investments appear to have helped reduce vacancies, rising insurance costs, immigration-related workforce pressures, and other affordability issues could threaten progress. Commissioners and presenters discussed the need to maintain gains, the importance of keeping the survey manageable while preserving historical comparisons, and the role of immigration and workforce policy in staffing stability. The subcommittee then elected new co-chairs, unanimously approving Rachel Caprillion and Leo Sarkisian. Members discussed possible topics and speakers for the next meeting, including training and turnover, direct support professional pipelines, apprenticeships, PCA training, and workforce models from other states. Several names and organizations were suggested for outreach, including Josh Cutler, Juan Vega, JVS, HSRI, and NASDDDS. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• While such training in the medical community is important, broad required instruction at this stage is
• So our team works to look at trend data, to identify opportunities for education and training that can
• The bill aims to better support individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders by requiring training
• The bill aims to better support individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders by requiring training
• for five years, and specifically includes charter schools in the training program.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the little girl's sister said she got on a train.
• We have to train the community. We have to train law enforcement.
• So does your office handle the training?
• So does your office handle the training?
• So does your office handle the training, and do you feel like the training is sufficient in teaching

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing it as a major criminal enterprise in Florida driven by online recruitment, local victims, and organized traffickers. She outlined Miami-Dade’s task force, victim-centered prosecution practices, training efforts for schools, hotels, transit workers, and other partners, and community-supported services such as the Project Phoenix shelter and Thrive Clinic. She also urged better interstate communication about known traffickers and noted that prior legislative changes, including restrictions on tattooing minors, came from trafficking cases. Senators asked about school-based exploitation, technology and social media recruitment, and information-sharing with other states; Fernandez-Rundle said training and technology remain essential and offered to share materials and tour the facility. The committee then considered CS for SB 656, which Senator Bradley said would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force funding program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a needed response to online child exploitation and was reported favorably by unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892 by Senator Martin, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related designations by reducing paperwork delays tied to clemency and requiring clearer notice before pleas; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on SB 164, which would expand Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow civil damages for the death of an unborn child. Senator Graal said the bill uses existing statutory language defining an unborn child and is intended to let parents recover damages when negligence causes a pregnancy loss. Supporters argued it recognizes unborn life and should be strengthened; opponents warned it would function as a personhood measure, create liability risks for doctors, businesses, friends, and family members, chill miscarriage and abortion-related care, and worsen Florida’s OB-GYN shortage. Several speakers raised concerns about abuse by rapists or abusive partners and about impacts on IVF and emergency care. The committee heard extensive questioning about the bill’s scope and its relationship to existing criminal statutes, but no vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• because inadequate training was given.
• Is there documentation of training? Yes. Of the plan, but they're not trained in it.
• Is there documentation of training? Yes.
• How about training? Did they get training in just the basics of taking care of eight-year-olds?
• Need training, which didn't exist.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by incorporating it into their existing sexual harassment training.
• This is a censorship strategy dressed up as training.
• Hate speech training can be used as a means to inflict self-censorship.
• And I akin this training similar to training that we have on sexual harassment.
• You know, I generally question more training. ...question more training in certain things.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The guidelines developed by the Judicial Council will include insurance guidelines, staffing training
• training to over 2,100 delinquency practitioners.
• What constitutes adequate training and who decides that?
• I received many hours of hands-on construction training.
• So we put them through our training so that they can obtain the certifications.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety met on April 14, 2006, beginning without a quorum and taking up several bills while waiting for members to arrive. SB 1157 by Senator Archuleta proposed a framework for less restrictive juvenile placements in the probation system, including Judicial Council guidelines on insurance, staffing, background checks, risk assessment, notice to local governments, and zoning compliance. Supporters, including county probation and local government representatives, said the bill would add needed oversight and safety standards; opponents, including youth defenders and public defenders, argued it would impose rigid rules on a diverse set of placements and that the Judicial Council was the wrong body to set substantive standards. The bill drew mixed comments from committee members but no final vote was recorded in the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 1012, the Fire Camp to Career Act, which would connect incarcerated fire camp participants to state-approved apprenticeships and require apprenticeship programs to consider their training and experience. The author and supporters, including labor groups, a former incarcerated apprentice, and a fire academy representative, said the bill would recognize real skills, improve reentry, and create career pathways. Members generally supported the measure while noting that certification still must reflect demonstrated competence. The bill was presented favorably, but the transcript does not show a final roll call vote in the excerpt. SB 1401 by Senator Stern sought to align felony incompetent-to-stand-trial procedures with existing misdemeanor rules by adding timeframes for assessment, allowing certain information-sharing with courts, and permitting preliminary findings for conservatorship referrals. Supporters said it would close gaps that leave seriously mentally ill defendants without timely treatment; Disability Rights California and other opponents warned it would expand court control, weaken confidentiality, and increase conservatorship referrals. After discussion, the committee took a roll call and passed SB 1401 to the Appropriations Committee on a 4-0 vote, with one member absent. SB 1027 by Senator Strickland, as amended, would create a task force to study street prostitution and human trafficking impacts, victim services, and best practices; it received support from local officials, law enforcement, and district attorneys, while civil liberties and drug policy groups registered concerns with the original version. The committee approved SB 1027 as amended and sent it to the Governmental Organization Committee on a 4-0 vote, with absent members held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• professional not affiliated a trained professional not affiliated with<00:28:50.320> the<00:28
• colleagues, there have been um training colleagues, there have been um training events<00:40:28.240
• the judicial branch to those trainings as well.
• the judicial branch to those trainings as well.
• > to<00:42:56.960> prepare we've um had trainings to prepare we've um had trainings to

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have full training. What we are ostensibly doing is extending that service for three months.
• I think a lot of folks don't understand that when you have crews that work together, train together,
• This innovative first-of-its-kind program does more than just train individuals to fight fires.
• This innovative first-of-its-kind program does more than just train individuals to fight fires.
• It equips them with life-skilled. program does more than just train individuals to fight fires.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• training is a lot less than a physician. training is a lot less than a physician.
• It's just an extra layer of training. It's just an extra layer of training.
• , >> the ability with some training, >> the ability with some training, optional<00:30
• :48.680> training, optional training, optional training, to<00:30:50.440> be<00:30:50.560
• this 8-hour training. It's voluntary. this 8-hour training. It's voluntary.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs train professionals to work directly with the client and help build the staffing capacity
• We have an entity, CalMHSA, which then takes those standards and ensures that any training organizations
• Going through those different core competencies in that 80-hour training period, then taking a test for
• And thank you so much for bringing up some of the things that they do have to be trained on in order
• So these are all things that someone must be trained in for 80 hours prior to receiving certification

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• began the process to locate the space, have the construction done, purchase the equipment, hire and train
• Bill 1501 now authorizes the agency to approve third-party vendors to provide required employee training
• courses, including curriculum and in-person training standards.
• It was also said that inspectors go through training and generally keep the body cam on the whole time
• He's putting together a better Training Academy than we've had for our inspectors because there have

Summary: The Executive Advisory Council met without a quorum, so no votes were taken, but the meeting proceeded with public comment and agency updates. Public commenters focused on medical marijuana issues including transparency in OMMA proceedings, delays and accreditation at the OMMA quality assurance lab, THC potency inflation, recall and embargo procedures, and the need for more public data and patient safety protections. One commenter also urged consideration of allowing first responders access to cannabis off duty, while another praised OMMA staff professionalism during inspections and enforcement actions. OMMA leadership responded with updates on the QA lab, saying the agency has been building the lab since receiving authority in 2023 and funding in 2024, and that validations and accreditation are being phased in. They reported current accreditation for pesticides, flower, potency, oils and concentrates, with additional validations for terpenes, water activity, filth and foreign material expected by the end of the month, and heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvents, and microbial testing to follow. Officials also said a website page will be launched to provide ongoing lab transparency. Compliance and enforcement updates included 779 inspections, 83 investigations, 65 administrative actions, and the hiring of a recall coordinator. The council also discussed legislative developments. OMMA said seven bills affecting the agency remain active, including HB 4454 on clearer THC labeling and child-resistant packaging, HB 3143 and HB 3144 on extending the grow-license moratorium and capping grow licenses, and amended bills SB 640, SB 1242, SB 1501, and SB 3 addressing cleanup, training, vendor standards, and THC products outside dispensaries. Members asked about access to METRC data, recall timing, inspector training, body cameras, and whether OMMA considers itself a public health agency. OMMA said METRC data is used internally and is confidential under state law, recalls are handled through a combination of agency notice and industry action, inspectors do wear body cameras under policy, and the agency is still building out its public health and education functions. The next meeting was announced for July 17 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do undergo rigorous training and continuing education as wildlife rehabilitators.
• How would people get proper training?
• Proper training.
• It tells the public that care is about compassion, not training. care is about compassion, not training
• There are, um, I lost my train of thought. I'm so sorry.

Bills: HB448, HB448

Keywords: wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, good samaritan, injured animals, orphaned animals, debilitated wildlife, wild birds, wild animals, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, permit exemption, animal rescue, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, veterinary licensing, animal cruelty, wildlife care, rehabilitation act, non-federally protected species, endangered species

Transcript Highlights:

• We invest pretty robust training.
• We invest pretty robust training.
• You see people that go into the training programs.
• We have mentors who meet our staff on the very first day at basic training.
• We provide training to We provide training to first responders, including municipal police systems, State

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony. Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection. The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.