Transcript Highlights:

• It restores something essential to good policymaking: the ability to study, evaluate, and compare.
• AB 2647 proposes that California evaluate what modern nuclear technology can bring to California, and
• Requiring air districts to perform futile analysis will lead to deadly delays in emissions reductions
• It'll help us perform these critical fuel management projects much faster.
• So because it will help expedite performance of these projects, reduce costs, and reduce uncertainty

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh review and our program evaluation uh review and our program evaluation review.<00:02:46.080><
• And these tend to be more in our program evaluations.
• And we identify where evaluations.
• </c> OLA's Program Evaluation Division. OLA's Program Evaluation Division.
• When we go in to do a financial performance audit or program evaluation, you know, we are looking generally

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• after this bill was filed, I learned that coroners will often contract with a forensic pathologist to perform
• I can tell you with a physician today, the initial diagnosis, the initial evaluation, they prefer to
• labor, delivery, or any procedure involving the reproductive organs of a pregnant patient, or performing
• labor, delivery or any procedure involving the reproductive organs of a pregnant patient or performing
• LDH can use these complaints to evaluate the hospitals, or LDH can evaluate the hospital's websites directly

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction. The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future. The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes clear targets and performance measures and strengthens coordination with the Department
• It establishes performance goals for wildlife connectivity alongside other transportation objectives
• commission has been using for the last 10 years around the criteria that it's using to make that evaluation
• So it’s really—I agree with the commission should have all that discretion to be able to evaluate: Is
• As we managed through the two incidents, our water system performed exceptionally well.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen the steelhead trout report card program, extend and refine Dungeness crab management, and clarify vessel transit rules in closed crab fishing areas. The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and other supporters said the measure implements long-standing task force recommendations and supports both conservation and coastal fishing communities. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved forward on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, set performance targets, and coordinate with wildlife agencies. Supporters from conservation, animal welfare, land trust, and local government groups said the bill would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve public safety, and better integrate crossings, culverts, and fencing into routine highway projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to a neutral position after amendments clarified the bill would apply to transportation right-of-way planning and not create exactions on private property. Members discussed the bill’s relationship to Caltrans planning authority and existing funding, and it was passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. Senator Gonzalez’s SB 1268, which would codify the state’s Outdoors for All initiative, also received broad support from environmental justice, conservation, parks, and recreation groups. Testimony emphasized inequitable access to parks and nature, especially for low-income communities and communities of color, and said the bill would make the initiative more durable by placing it in statute. The chair and members spoke in favor of expanding outdoor access, and the bill was approved on a 3-0 vote with some members not yet voting. The committee then heard three Western Joshua tree bills from Senator Ochoa Bogh. SB 1061 would streamline relocation of limited numbers of trees without fees in certain cases; SB 1062 would require proportionate or tiered mitigation fees for public utilities and agencies; and SB 1063 would create an expedited, fee-free permitting path for basic residential utility and wildfire-hardening projects. Supporters, including local water agencies, counties, and farm and business groups, said the current law imposes heavy costs on desert residents and ratepayers. Opponents, including wildlife and conservation organizations, argued the bills would weaken protections for a species they said is threatened by climate change and habitat loss, and noted that existing administrative processes are already addressing fees and permitting. After amendments, opposition was withdrawn on SB 1061 and SB 1062, and both bills advanced on 3-0 votes to Appropriations; SB 1063 remained under discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes clear targets and performance measures and strengthens coordination with the Department
• It establishes performance goals for wildlife connectivity alongside other transportation objectives
• commission has been using for the last 10 years around the criteria that it's using to make that evaluation
• So it's, it's really, I agree with the commission should have all that discretion to be able to evaluate
• As we managed through the two incidents, our water system performed exceptionally well.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. Supporters from The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, CalTrout, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations said the bill would strengthen the steelhead report card program, refine crab fishery rules, and clarify vessel transit through closed crab areas. There was no opposition, and the bill was accepted with amendments and moved on a 4-0 vote to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, with performance targets and coordination with wildlife agencies. The author and supporters argued it would improve ecosystem connectivity, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and save money by integrating crossings, culverts, and fencing into planned projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to neutral after amendments clarifying the bill would apply to transportation rights-of-way and not create exactions on private property. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1212, which would repeal California’s ban on importing and selling kangaroo products. The author argued kangaroo harvest in Australia is tightly regulated and that California’s ban is outdated, while opponents from Humane World for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and others said the bill would reopen the market to products from a cruel commercial slaughter industry and undermine long-standing wildlife protections. No motion was taken at that point. The committee also heard SB 1268, codifying the Outdoors for All initiative, which supporters said would protect and expand equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation; it advanced 3-0. Finally, the committee heard three Western Joshua Tree bills from Senator Arreguín: SB 1061, SB 1062, and SB 1063. Supporters from water agencies, local governments, and industry said the bills would reduce fees and streamline permitting for tree relocation, public infrastructure, and basic utility hookups in desert communities. Opponents withdrew or softened opposition on the first two bills after amendments, but objected to SB 1063 as too broad. SB 1061 and SB 1062 each passed 2-0 to Appropriations, while SB 1063 was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes clear targets and performance measures and strengthens coordination with the Department
• It establishes performance goals for wildlife connectivity alongside other transportation objectives
• commission has been using for the last 10 years around the criteria that it's using to make that evaluation
• So it's, it's really, I agree with the commission should have all that discretion to be able to evaluate
• As we managed through the two incidents, our water system performed exceptionally well.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1154 allows districts to evaluate contractor experience, safety records, technical expertise, and
• SB 1154 allows districts to evaluate contractor experience, safety records, technical expertise, and
• At Crafton Hills College, we recently built a performing arts center with state-of-the-art equipment
• the safety of the contractor, but creates a carve-out for a handful of contractors to avoid being evaluated
• I'm not off the top of my head, but we are signatory to union contractors that perform carpenter laborer

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills. SB 1154 would let community college districts use best-value procurement for public works over $1 million. The author and community college supporters argued it would improve project quality and reduce delays and change orders, while contractor groups opposed it, saying the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce and safety provisions would narrow competition and add subjectivity. The bill passed the committee on a 4-2 vote and was placed on call. SB 1347, a cleanup bill clarifying that stock albuterol may be kept in all public schools, including preschool programs, drew support from school nurses, respiratory care advocates, and a physician who said it would help schools respond to asthma emergencies. With no opposition, it passed unanimously and was placed on call. SB 1222 would create a pilot program designating a lead county office to help regions improve career technical education implementation; supporters said it would expand access and build regional capacity, while Senator Cabaldon questioned the need for another pilot and urged more direct funding instead. The bill passed and was placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1378, which would create a California Excellence in Service Learning designation for schools and districts. Supporters said it would recognize and encourage service-learning programs without mandating curriculum changes, while some members raised concerns about adding more state designations and administrative work. It passed and was placed on call. SB 1048 would create a Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students; supporters said it would recognize climate-related learning and connect students to green careers, while members cautioned against using seals to influence curriculum and noted equity and implementation concerns. It also passed and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1101 would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when their personal information is shared with federal agencies in OCR-related investigations or subpoenas. Supporters framed it as a privacy and free-speech protection in response to recent federal requests for campus information, while the author said the bill would not block lawful subpoenas but would require notice and limit voluntary disclosures. The committee discussed legal and constitutional issues, but no vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Military Families at Syracuse University, transitioning military members are promoted faster, perform
• and Military Families at Syracuse University, transitioning military members are promoted faster, perform
• They have performed life-saving procedures under high-pressure conditions in combat zones, disaster responses
• Without consistent funding, these agencies risk losing the ability to collect data, evaluate programs
• Without consistent funding, these agencies risk losing the ability to collect data, evaluate programs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This one simply modifies definitions to remove the definition of the job evaluation committee, as it
• This one simply modifies definitions to remove the definition of the job evaluation committee as it is
• We clarified the definitions for performance increase, promotional increase, clarified the definitions
• for performance increase, promotional increase, and reclassification adjustment, temporary increase,
• A regulatory analysis was not requested, but we did perform it to determine if the proposed rules were

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• harmful impacts on students with protected class status, and appropriate questions and criteria for evaluating
• be curious to see if you have suggested language that addresses your concerns, so I can kind of evaluate
• virtual site visit of each program to assess the program's alignment with knowledge, skill, and performance
• the components, the PESB will determine a response to any areas of practice where the program's performance
• the components, the PESB will determine a response to any areas of practice where the program's performance

Summary: The House Education Committee heard several bills related to special education records, artificial intelligence in schools, financial aid access, educator preparation, school health, and student mobile device use. Substitute Senate Bill 6268 would require OSPI to keep an online public record of final special education community complaint decisions for 20 years; the sponsor and several parents, attorneys, and open-government advocates said the records help families, schools, and researchers understand past decisions and remedies, while no one testified in opposition. Substitute Senate Bill 5956 would limit school use of automated decision systems, school surveillance technology, biometric data, and facial recognition in student discipline and safety contexts; the sponsor and supporters said it would prevent harmful false positives and discriminatory impacts, while an industry witness warned the bill could unintentionally reduce school safety by limiting emergency facial-recognition uses. Committee discussion focused on the bill’s scope, especially whether it affects classroom grading or only discipline-related decisions, and staff noted the bill does not require teacher training. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5841, which would add financial-aid application data to the High School and Beyond Plan platform and require students to receive information about the Washington Opportunity Scholarship Program. The sponsor said the bill would make aid status more transparent and easier to track, especially for families facing language or access barriers, and a student advocate testified in support; a committee member raised concerns about privacy for immigrant and DACA students, and the sponsor said the portal would be opt-in and guided by privacy protections. Senate Bill 6278 would codify and update Professional Educator Standards Board review of teacher and principal preparation programs, including program standards, educator role standards, evidence, and input from P-12 partners, while allowing field placement plans to be submitted on a less frequent schedule; PESB staff said the bill largely reflects current practice and adds flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 5240 would expand who may administer epinephrine in schools and allow use of any available epinephrine when a student with a prescription on file has anaphylaxis; school nurses supported broader access to stock epinephrine but warned against using one student’s medication for another and raised legal and ethical concerns, while the sponsor emphasized faster response in emergencies. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5346 would direct OSPI to study and report on school mobile-device restrictions and update digital citizenship resources to include research and best practices on student phone use. Staff said OSPI already has some guidance, but the bill would create formal legislative reports and expand the state’s digital citizenship materials. The committee began taking testimony on that bill as the hearing time ran short, and the chair noted there were ten people signed in to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've evaluated their performance.
• we were teaching tactics without knowing, in a scientifically defensible way, how they actually performed
• we were teaching tactics without knowing, in a scientifically defensible way, how they actually performed
• responsibilities would include providing the aforementioned representation and consultation services, performing
• have to be a certified peace officer, which requires a background investigation, psychological evaluation

Bills: HB1982, HB2156

Keywords: Indian rights, treaty rights, convictions, tribal members, criminal justice reform, Attorney General, AG investigators, limited authority peace officer, peace officer certification, economic crimes, financial crimes, white-collar crime, fraud investigation, search warrant service, electronic service, business records, law enforcement authority, criminal background check, training requirements, Washington RCW

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of our National Guard service members have civilian jobs, uh, while serving in uniform and perform
• When called to serve abroad, the National Guard performs duties to further, um, the United States' national
• I have the statistics with me, the, um, The army grades our armories in terms of their ability to perform
• just gives you an idea of the, of the number of interactions, uh, that our volunteers have, have performed
• They'd gone for evaluation and There's nothing wrong with you, undiagnosed, and then they went into seizure

Transcript Highlights:

• It will support prototype development, performance evaluation, emissions measurement, and pilot programs
• It will support prototype development, performance evaluation, emissions measurement, and pilot programs
• It will support prototype development, performance evaluation, emissions measurement, and pilot programs
• It will support prototype development, performance evaluation, emissions measurement, and pilot programs
• It will support prototype development, performance evaluation, emissions measurement, and pilot programs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, all of our grants are required to submit an evaluation plan at the start of the grant to
• describe how they plan to evaluate their outcomes... ...and they are required to submit an evaluation
• First, California DOJ's agents continue to increase their performance and set records.
• But the APPS program is also not designed as a resource at scale to perform this essential safety work
• We are evaluating the resource, the funding level for the DOJ's federal accountability work in the May

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sergio's unforgettable performance at the 1999 Masters tournament, where he famously battled against
• HB 3749 by Angelia Orr relating to the regulation and practice of medicine, including the performance
• HB 3755 by Giovanni Capriglione relates to the biometric identifiers used for the performance of artificial
• HB 3771 by Ana Hernandez relates to the efficiency of state agencies evaluated by the Legislative Budget
• 3845 by Oliverson relates to the regulation of certain compensation contracting, employment, and performance

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once mediation is scheduled, the adjuster performs evaluation and prepares the authority request report
• Their report had no major findings, and they felt the TPA was performing adequately.
• The ones that don't perform don't keep patients coming. place to live, but if you look at our national
• The ones that don't perform don't keep patients coming. Can go to another one.
• The ones that don't perform don't keep patients coming. We don't have that ability here.

Bills: SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Once mediation is scheduled, the adjuster performs evaluation and prepares the authority request report
• Their report had no major findings, and they felt the TPA was performing adequately.
• The ones that don’t perform don’t keep patients coming. Can go to another one.
• The ones that don't perform don't keep patients coming. We don't have that ability here.
• If they're on a period of probation, the court still has the opportunity to do the type of evaluation

Bills: HB99, HJR5, HM39, HB206, HB213, SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Summary: The committee first took up a lengthy informational presentation on the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and New Mexico medical malpractice insurance. Teresa Hassey, a plaintiffs’ attorney, described the PCF’s origin in the 1976 Medical Malpractice Act, its role as a state-backed excess coverage system, and her view that it was mismanaged when hospital participation expanded without individualized risk assessments. She argued that hospitals underpaid surcharges, that the fund was depleted by claims, and that the 2021 amendments and later legislative infusions were meant to shore up deficits and phase hospitals out. Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane and LFC analyst Julia Rodriguez presented a different perspective, emphasizing recent general fund infusions, current surcharge collections, the use of actuarial reviews, and the PCF’s budget and settlement activity. Kane said the market is highly concentrated, New Mexico’s malpractice costs and defense expenses are high, and the fund still provides lower-cost coverage than the open market, while also noting ongoing issues with future medical claims, TPA transition, and investment management. Committee members questioned the presenters at length about why New Mexico malpractice premiums are so high, whether defense costs were being conflated with claim payouts, how the PCF works with primary coverage and excess coverage, and whether hospitals were properly assessed when they entered the fund. Several senators raised concerns about punitive damages, corporate practice of medicine, and whether the state’s legal environment is driving doctors away. Others challenged the data comparisons, noting differences between one-year figures and multi-year averages, and asked why New Mexico’s costs remain far above neighboring states. Kane and Hassey disagreed on the causes, with Kane pointing to high claims and defense costs over time and Hassey arguing that hospital participation and punitive-damage exposure distorted the market. The chair concluded the discussion by saying the committee had not exhausted the topic and that he still wanted a clear path to reducing doctors’ insurance costs. After a break, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 41. Senator Charlie introduced the bill, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes in New Mexico. He argued that trauma, coercion, fear, and delayed disclosure often prevent survivors from reporting promptly, and said the law should reflect that reality. The bill was presented as a response to survivor testimony heard in a prior hearing, and the sponsor framed it as part of a broader effort to modernize the justice system for sexual violence cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you go to slide five, this is evaluating the decade from 2011 to 2020, the goals that we had in the
• If you go to slide five, this is evaluating the decade from 2011 to 2020, the goals that we had in the
• If you go to slide five, this is evaluating the decade from 2011 to 2020, the goals that we had in the
• </c> go towards more performance-based go towards more performance-based approach<00:39:17.599><c> and
• </c> this bill towards that performance this bill towards that performance standard<00:54:26.000><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There were no differences in performance measures, Chair members of the committee, and then just.
• Moving through the packet, you can see the performance measures for both recommendations.
• It's very difficult for us to meet the performance metrics, and we're not able to meet the performance
• There are different levels of audits that you have to perform.
• With that, I will turn it over to you. over to Monica, who will talk about performance.

Transcript Highlights:

• with, and I just want to acknowledge that he has a very difficult job, and he does amazingly well performing
• Idaho Water Resource Board contracted with IWRRI, the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, to evaluate
• Idaho Water Resource Board contracted with IWRIE, the Idaho Water Resource Research Institute, to evaluate
• with the commission, soil and water conservation districts across the state, and agency staff to evaluate
• This slide depicts a timeline of the evaluation process that I undertook with the commission.

Keywords: 989, all