Transcript Highlights:

• the district's expanded learning opportunities program and evaluate the program's compliance with applicable
• school district and the city of Coachella and other contractors to ensure that they complied with applicable
• Objective three is to evaluate whether the district complied with applicable laws and regulations for
• Californians deserve to know how this money is being used and whether it complies with applicable laws
• DPR provides guidance to CACs for inspecting licensed pest control advisors and applicators.

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently accepting applications for a next fiscal year cycle.
• Those applications are open and will be available until...
• Those applications are open and will be available until June 3rd.
• And I did submit an application for that.
• I just want to be clear: those applications are already in. Okay.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conversations can start building a real pragmatic application versus years and decades of trying to figure
• writing by the Attorney General, conducted for the sole purpose of ensuring compliance with any applicable
• Well, sir, the goal is for the most qualified applicant, regardless of their race or.
• Ethnicity or gender, for the most qualified applicant to be on that level playing field to be hired.
• Decisions are made based on merit, regardless of the race, sex, or ethnicity of the various applicants

Bills: SJR12, SCR39, SB7, SB8, SB27, SB29, SB125, SB241, SB371, SB396, SB406, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB608, SB617, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB707, SB731, SB732, SB763, SB779, SB836, SB854, SB857, SB875, SB878, SB879, SB906, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB942, SB965, SB985, SB996, SB1029, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1084, SB1098, SB1101, SB1185, SB1188, SB1321, SB1332, SB1366, SB1388, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1563, SB1596, SB1610, SB1619, SB1737, SB1738, SB1741, SB1816, SB1822, SB1841, SB1939, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SJR36, SJR12, SJR81, SJR50, SCR22, SCR12, SCR39, SB765, SB62, SB666, SB888, SB687, SB847, SB1248, SB504, SB857, SB305, SB296, SB284, SB241, SB304, SB1023, SB204, SB609, SB670, SB850, SB854, SB413, SB1346, SB1033, SB1220, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB447, SB406, SB985, SB1119, SB1505, SB1215, SB1302, SB583, SB673, SB681, SB1172, SB608, SB955, SB957, SB1120, SB541, SB1737, SB266, SB1415, SB125, SB53, SB1352, SB785, SB1450, SB1502, SB1566, SB414, SB1062, SB578, SB711, SB746, SB942, SB1404, SB1448, SB1738, SB507, SB689, SB1026, SB1349, SB1355, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596, SB1403, SB763, SB667, SB1059, SB617, SB1567, SB310, SB311, SB505, SB1209, SB1210, SB1470, SB264, SB1029, SB1358, SB1364, SB1569, SB1376, SB1228, SB519, SB878, SB1350, SB462, SB827, SB1585, SB1396, SB920, SB1484, SB1273, SB1741, SB7, SB927, SB1227, SB1229, SB1353, SB1366, SB1464, SB1709, SB1729, SB1733, SB1744, SB1772, SB1816, SB1841, SB2188, SB1147, SB879, SB1008, SB1536, SB2016, SB1453, SB1173, SB1163, SB996, SB27, SB568, SB1370, SB1321, SB1101, SB906, SB860, SB1563, SB993, SB693, SB1610, SB1537, SB836, SB1332, SB1307, SB963, SB493, SB922, SB984, SB1084, SB619, SB1098, SB1122, SB455, SB522, SB1057, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1877, SB464, SB1277, SB32, SB732, SB660, SB731, SB921, SB268, SB1822, SB1188, SB1939, SB1589, SB397, SB1388, SB2230, SB1058, SB1036, SB1267, SB2112, SB1930, SB532, SB1035, SB2155, SB508, SB29, SB292, SB291, SB901, SB1333, SB1436, SB1494, SB964, SB779, SB1378, SB2312, SB1719, SB1386, SB287, SB2143, SB1245, SB261, SB1247, SB1948, SB2406, SB2407, SB1882, SB1197, SB1814, SB618, SB38, SB393, SB2065, SB1371, SB1394, SB1365, SB2243, SB2226, SB2039, SB1919, SB1895, SB1598, SB1493, SB1810, SB1791, SB1706, SB1644, SB1238, SB783, SB458, SB22, SB651, SB897, SB7, SB125, SB578, SB608, SB617, SB763, SB836, SB878, SB906, SB920, SB942, SB985, SB1084, SB1366, SB1388, SB1563, SB1737, SB1738, SB1816, SB1939, SB406, SB689, SR327, SR346, SR351, SR352

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Transcript Highlights:

• allow the Hawaiian version of the law to supersede the English version may lead to ambiguities in application
• recommend amending the proviso at page three, lines 2 through 5 of the bill to define the bill's application
• <00:03:52.959> and ambiguities in application and ambiguities in application and interpretation
• <00:04:06.879> to<00:04:07.120> laws define the Bill's application to laws define the
• Bill's application to laws originally<00:04:08.200> drafted<00:04:08.640> in<00:04:08.840

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs opened its first meeting of the 33rd Legislature with housekeeping announcements, including live streaming, a two-minute testimony limit, and notice that the committee would reconvene later if technical problems forced an early adjournment. Members introduced themselves, and the chair explained that written testimony was already on file and that public testimony would be taken measure by measure. On SB 109, which concerns the relationship between Hawaiian and English versions of state laws, the Department of the Attorney General raised concerns that broadly allowing the Hawaiian text to supersede English could create ambiguity, and recommended narrowing the bill to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were never later amended in English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language, while OHA and several individuals also supported it. Testimony in support emphasized the importance of honoring Hawaiian language and preventing it from being treated as secondary. The committee then heard SB 268 on burial councils and SB 269 on the OHA budget. SB 268 drew strong support from OHA-related witnesses and many members of the public, who said burial council quorum problems and delays have hindered protection of iwi kupuna; one Moka representative opposed the bill, arguing the island had not been adequately consulted and that the real issue was the state process rather than council size. SB 269 received support from OHA and public testifiers who said OHA should be strengthened and better funded to serve Native Hawaiian needs. The committee also heard SB 624 relating to Prince Jonah Kūhiō, with DHHL and OHA supporting the measure to display portraits of Prince Kūhiō in public buildings; testifiers said the bill would promote cultural pride, education, and recognition of his legacy. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That said, drones can be useful in many applications in schools, but with this in mind, Drones can be
• useful in many applications in schools, but with this in mind, it would require written permission from
• week, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration relaxed the under-the-hood testing rules for CDL applicants
• This was a decision that was released... ...applicants working in public transit.
• Current application of the language by the VA includes total blindness and deafness in one ear, a double

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses. The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications. Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• An analysis of 37 million mortgage applications submitted between 2018 and 2024 showed that Black borrowers
• An analysis, in fact, of 37 million mortgage applications submitted between 2018 and 2024 showed that
• black borrowers, million mortgage applications submitted between 2018 and 2024 showed that black borrowers
• highlight, and, you know, there's nothing that can really be done about this, but it's the uneven application
• highlight, and, you know, there's nothing that can really be done about this, but it's the uneven application

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My recommendation is to take a look at her application and just say, this is what we want to do at a
• And if the state puts together an application that receives more points vis-à-vis the HUD Continuum of
• The term nurse practitioner is replaced with the term applicant.
• The term nurse practitioner is replaced with the term applicant.
• Let's do it and keep our fingers crossed that our application is complete and accepted.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Until fraud is defined in administrative rule or applicable state law to include kickbacks, it is unclear
• Intel fraud is defined in administrative rule or applicable state law to include kickbacks.
• disclosures or... ...reports to OLA are covered by the whistleblower protections that are more broadly applicable
• So everybody just remember that applications didn't open until January and they don't need to be done
• And so hence, I think the applicability because of that shared process between the federal and the state

Transcript Highlights:

• This will cost approximately $4,000, and I talked to the applicant that I would not request taxpayer
• Otherwise, I'm hopeful we go straight to the House floor and I would have the applicants there.
• 15.919> the the uh house floor and I would have the the uh house floor and I would have the applicants
• 17.279> could<00:26:17.360> honor<00:26:17.679> them<00:26:18.559> uh applicants
• We could honor them uh applicants there.

Bills: HF3475, SF3832, HF3508, HF3917, HF3404, HF3593

Keywords: agriculture, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, investment, relief initiative, farm support, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances

Transcript Highlights:

• changed here is that, in addition to asking them to come back with some estimation of commercial salt applicator
• /c><00:09:28.720> salt estimation of uh commercial salt estimation of uh commercial salt applicator
• 29.839> fees,<00:09:30.640> uh<00:09:30.880> this<00:09:31.200> includes applicator
• fees, uh this includes applicator fees, uh this includes municipal<00:09:32.480> as<00:09:32.800
• So the New Hampshire program started 10 years ago with just commercial applicators and then recently

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that you look at the historical building code or look at the existing building code for the waiver application
• request of the chair included that the project be, or that the project be a qualified, that the applicant
• requirements would be with this program, but in order to become a qualified grantee, there's an application
• Then there's also going to be a universal multifamily application that gets submitted, which looks at
• get these dollars to rural New Mexico because of the lack of service providers, because of the application

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Leader, yeah, the process for our state's Medicaid program is they must put that in the CMS applications
• written in a way that actually limits it to that conduct, and there's no effective way to limit its application
• written in a way that actually limits it to that conduct, and there's no effective way to limit its application
• 11, then, just talking about compensation, what happens if the district court determines that an applicant
• Rule 74 is the application of that statute to the rules of civil procedure.

Bills: HB99, HB38, HB165, HB127, HB72, HB151, SB40, SB104, SB136, SB164

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The evidence that we have and the data we have, aerial applications are generally not effective in New
• So aerial applications are not as cost effective usually in our state unless there's been an emergency
• where there's a lot of rain and it's been hot and there will be a need for responsible pesticide application
• So we do not require any direct applications to work with this program with the existing network of food
• the food pantry's prerogative to distribute that at their regular distribution, but there is no application

Bills: SB66, SB79, SB108

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the summer and fall, ACA solicited input and developed an application based on the state's priorities
• On November 3, 2025, ACA submitted the application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• I'm happy to share I'm happy to share that many of the initiatives from the bill are part of the application
• CMS will review all state applications and announce awards by December 31, 2025, with funds distributed
• The other general recommends, and this bill provides, clearer application deadlines so that the school

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SB 250 on rural communities by Senator Simon, was described as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and transportation investments, added funding for rural education consortiums, and health care initiatives for rural areas. Senator Harrell asked about overlap between road funding programs, and the sponsor explained that eligible counties could receive both SCRAP and FARM funding. Several organizations waived in support or spoke in support, and the bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee then heard SB 318, the committee substitute for educational scholarship programs by President Gates. The bill was presented as a response to Auditor General findings about the rapid growth and administration of Florida’s school choice and scholarship programs. It would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding from the FEFP, require more frequent student enrollment verification, lower scholarship funding organization administrative fees, require return of overpayments, create a student ID system, establish a $250 million stabilization fund, require annual audits, and direct DOE to recommend future program administration through competitive procurement. Gates also offered five amendments, including technical changes to eligibility documentation and a substantive amendment requiring a DOE report on future administration and competitive selection; all five amendments were adopted. During debate and public testimony, senators and witnesses discussed accountability, software solutions, reimbursement delays, monthly attestations, and impacts on public schools and families. Supporters and opponents alike raised concerns about bureaucracy, fraud prevention, special education services, and whether the bill would help or burden parents. Gates said the bill aimed to fix tracking and payment problems without capping the program, and he noted the IEP timeline would be aligned with public school timelines. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 318 favorably by unanimous vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sheep provided she applied to the behavioral Humana Behavioral application and she submitted this in
• And better was a which is an arm of 17 and sunshine, agreed to issue an application and contract and
• So that application went to Medicare or commercial Humana Healthy Horizons.
• percentage in reimbursement if they're able to reduce readmission rates and we are per 1000 and other applicable
• He just a metrics that are applicable to that particular population.

Transcript Highlights:

• Attention was being paid to DHS being asked to process applications for providers faster.
• Sources that a frontline county worker would need in order to evaluate a Medicaid application.
• collection of that data so that it would come in more accurately in a way that we could process applications
• because when I sat down with them, the first thing they showed me is that the vast majority of their applications
• DOS application.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, we've seen a decline in the percentage of DCCA applicants receiving funding, going from
• To put it simply, some project applicants are placed at a disadvantage due to the rigidity of the state
• the NDAA, typically publishing a notice of funding in the late spring, early summer, receiving applications
• If we are going to see impacts, it would be for the next application cycle, which would be for the 2027
• continue the outreach efforts while shifting focus toward more technical assistance to prospective applicants

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you remember this bill by Senator Hughes relating to the Applicability of law protecting minors
• protections, SB 2881 will mandate that digital service providers, so these are, um, social media applications
• So the definition of a digital service is a website, an application, a program, or software that collects
• So if there's a, if you have a setting on there, um, if that application has a setting process, then
• Yeah, so any of these applications that have parental settings, you'll be able to go in and change them

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you remember this bill by Senator Hughes relating to the applicability of law protecting minors
• those protections, SB 2881 will mandate that digital service providers, including social media applications
• So, the definition of a digital service is a website, an application, a program, or software that collects
• So if there’s a setting on there, if that application has a setting process, then the default will need
• Yeah, so any of these applications that have parental settings, you'll be able to... ...go in and change

Bills: SB1361, SB2105, SB2690, SB2713, SCR38, SB2637, SB2881

Keywords: SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business

Transcript Highlights:

• changes that would give them the option, but not the requirement, to hire a third party to review applications
• The engineer must have a branch of engineering applicable to the duty they are performing, as designated
• The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association may determine that if the structure does not conform to applicable
• House Bill 23 gives applicants the unrestricted ability to... to review ordinances, zoning overlays,
• , more specifically... ...the adding of additional insureds for the regulatory authority and the applicant

Bills: SB2784, HB23, HB247, HB1533, HB2011, HB2013, HB2273, HB2421, HB2464, HB3120, HB3424, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HJR34, HB23, HB247, HJR34

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure