Transcript Highlights:

• These are mandated services.
• Regional service centers are voluntary cooperative service organizations that enable schools to efficiently
• We've connected families to health and dental services.
• And also customer service. So I have to work with clients face-to-face. And also customer service.
• Back home, I run weekly meetings and plan NHS community service events.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> personal service contracts and MOAs. personal service contracts and MOAs.
• </c> vendor self-service system. vendor self-service system.
• service contracts.
• </c> for those services. for those services.
• </c> vendor self-service system. vendor self-service system.

Committee: Joint State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a veteran service officer.
• I'm a veteran service officer.
• And we know service members trying to decide where they're going to retire.
• Association of County Veterans Service Officers, strong support.
• It's offensive to the husbands and wives of service members.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California. Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants. The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI may not be the sole means used to deny, delay, or modify health care services.
• Another issue is the carrier's retrospective denial of services, despite the service having received
• That plan required step-down treatment with wraparound psychiatric services.
• versus the services that were actually authorized.
• , including trauma-related services at Harborview.

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on several bills and a joint memorial. SB 5915 would update the health technology assessment program by adding technologies recommended for Medicare populations or in national guidelines to the review priority list, requiring broader evidence review for life-threatening or rare diseases, and setting timelines for posting and deciding review requests. Supporters, including rare disease advocates and providers, said the current process is outdated and too rigid; the bill was then held for later action. SJM 8002 urged Congress to strengthen original Medicare, oppose privatization, add benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, and reduce Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud. Supporters from labor and senior groups argued it would protect beneficiaries and send a message to federal officials; the memorial was also held after testimony. The committee also heard SB 5395 on prior authorization. Staff explained it would tighten notice requirements, require a licensed clinician—not AI alone—to deny requests based on medical necessity, add transparency around policy changes, and change how retrospective denials are treated. The prime sponsor and provider groups said the bill was a negotiated compromise meant to reduce delays and inappropriate denials, while insurers were generally neutral but sought a narrow amendment. Testifiers described prior authorization as a major source of delay and administrative burden, and the bill was held after public testimony. SB 5845 would require carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days, set timelines for non-clean claims and information requests, and allow penalties for repeated noncompliance. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems supported it as a way to improve predictable payment, while insurers were neutral and asked for a narrow amendment; the bill was also held. The committee heard SB 6025, which would change the definition of fetal death so gestational age is calculated using the best clinically accurate age rather than the last menstrual period. Obstetric and nursing witnesses said the current law can force inaccurate records and unnecessary burdens on grieving families, while opponents objected to the bill’s abortion-related definitions. The bill was held after testimony. Finally, SB 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge fees to support that work. The department and the sponsor said the measure would preserve a patient-centered accreditation option amid budget pressure, and the committee closed testimony and held the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; has participated in early ECEAP or the Early Childhood Intervention and Prevention Services program
• services.
• Yakima is a priority area for ECEAP services. Classroom services.
• Fees should pay for the services being provided.
• Ambulance service providers are reimbursed through HCA's fee-for-service program.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or there's no service charge, and the customer pays in more than four installments.
• And how do they deal with customer service?
• in which this transaction or service is available?
• , education training, professional services, and home and repair services, and I'm sure you've encountered
• American Express card is not to be used for delivery service.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service.
• Services and a member of the West Valley Mavericks.
• My dad was in the state service for over 30 years.
• Health and Human Services. House Bill 17, informed consent signatures. Health and Human Services.
• Senate Bill 1100, patient rights and health care services. Health and Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• a motor vehicle services.
• Motor vehicle services again, same thing here are tax collectors. I deliver these services for us.
• Thank you for your service at visit Florida.
• The primary focus of the Division of Workforce Services is to provide services to job seekers and job
• through training or career services.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities to repair and service more customers' vehicles.
• Online services to implement certain measures concerning minors' use of online services.
• But it lists several services, for example.
• Services to...
• It reads, the Legislative Services Commission shall direct the Office of Legislative Services to prepare

Transcript Highlights:

• For me, the services needed for youth, services I needed, were not available.
• We provide services to more than a hundred youth a day and house hundreds more.
• I'm the Director of Housing Services for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
• I'm the Director of Housing Services for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
• And for these young people who you've heard from, they need such services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the reimbursement rate uh for services the reimbursement rate uh for services as<00:01:12.640><c
• ><c> really</c> ambulance services uh are really ambulance services uh are really struggling<00:02:15.040
• . service. service.
• </c> significant boost to services. significant boost to services.
• We have<00:13:38.240><c> two</c><00:13:38.720><c> services</c> have two services have two services and

Bills: HB0122 , SF0004 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067 , SF0070 , SF0124

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> okay for um Health and Human Services okay for um Health and Human Services same<00:11:04.680><c
• </c> 105 calendar for Health Human Services 105 calendar for Health Human Services and<00:14:17.160><
• </c> lmy providing comments Barbara service lmy providing comments Barbara service and<00:21:14.080><
• </c> disability for an Esa or or service disability for an Esa or or service animal<00:27:32.279><c>
• </c><00:36:55.480><c> joint</c> Health and Human Services joint Health and Human Services joint committee

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:48.920><c> operating</c> driver and vehicle services operating driver and vehicle services
• </c> my district do need language services my district do need language services and<00:59:05.520><c>
• and vehicle services.
• most</c><01:14:37.840><c> of</c> services and vehicle services most of services and vehicle services
• our staff and if we don't U Services are our staff and if we don't U Services are going<01:17:06.520>

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:12.320><c> these</c> another option to service these another option to service these buildings
• or three or four three selected services or three or four selected<00:56:47.760><c> services</c><00:
• </c> Social media provides free services. Social media provides free services.
• would be a taxable service. would be a taxable service.
• </c> lower costs and provide other services lower costs and provide other services and<01:40:58.159><

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Civil Service Law in relation to transfer of sick time.
• An act to amend the Civil Service Law in relation to the hearing officers.
• Civil Service Law in relation to hearing procedures for certain public employees.
• an exit service for designing employees.
• Legislative session of the Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions.

Committee: Senate Civil Service And Pensions

Summary: The Civil Service and Pensions Committee met on January 28, 2026, with a quorum present and 13 bills on the agenda. Chair Robert Jackson opened the first committee meeting of the 2026 session and noted members present in person and by voting sheet. The committee then took up a series of civil service, retirement, and public employee labor bills, with brief motions and votes on each measure. Several bills concerned retirement and benefits, including changes to membership eligibility in the New York State and Local Retirement System (S-1011), transfer of sick time (S-3354), identical skilled nursing care health benefits for public retirees (S-4724), teleworking extension (S-5211), beneficiary changes for retirees (S-625A and S-6750), and an exit service requirement for designated employees (S-6999A). Other bills addressed public employee hearing procedures, collective negotiation disputes, preventing outsourcing during a hiring freeze, and related civil service law changes, including measures sponsored by Chair Jackson and other senators. Most bills were approved unanimously or with one abstention and were reported either to the Finance Committee or to the floor, depending on the bill. The committee also reported S-1011, S-3354, S-4724, S-4773, S-4894, S-4901, S-5211, S-6750, and S-6999A to Finance, while S-1540, S-2264, S-625A, and some others were reported to the floor. The meeting concluded after all agenda items were acted on, with no further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• They include syringe services.
• They include peer syringe services.
• </c> services and the prevention services services and the prevention services that<01:03:23.520><c>
• </c> access dental services at all. access dental services at all.
• </c> Department of Health and Human Services. Department of Health and Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1592 relates to public defense services.
• or virtual currency mining services.
• and the affordability of those services.
• and the affordability of domestic services.
• But the calls for service go up.

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• services services my<00:55:57.160><c> name</c><00:55:57.359><c> is</c><00:55:57.520><c> Jerry</c><00
• </c><00:56:17.440><c> Hospital</c> like Physician Services Hospital like Physician Services Hospital
• </c> schedu Bas mainly the ambulance services schedu Bas mainly the ambulance services uh<00:56:30.000
• </c> is how how how do ambulance service is how how how do ambulance service providers<01:05:13.720><
• So it differs from ambulance service to ambulance service.

Summary: The committee took up HB 297 with a non-germane amendment proposed by the Insurance Department to create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Commissioner DJ Beton explained that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce rising insurance premiums and avoid surplus lines coverage by funding proactive home and property improvements such as roof fortification, exterior and foundation work, flood protection, and tree removal. He said the proposal was developed after leadership asked for more statutory detail and for the idea to be vetted through policy committees rather than handled only in the budget process. Beton said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. He described the program as modeled on similar efforts in other states, with means testing tied to the Department of Energy’s weatherization/home heating assistance criteria. He also said the department would administer the program using one existing staff position, with coordination through Treasury, and that unspent funds would roll over for several years before reverting to the general fund. Members asked about the unusual use of a non-germane amendment and how the bill would be handled procedurally, since the underlying bill and the new insurance proposal were unrelated. The chair explained that the amendment was being used as a vehicle to move the department’s proposal through the committee process and that the committee could later accept one part, both parts, or neither. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting shown; the discussion ended with questions about administration, staffing, and the relationship between the underlying bill and the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> deny services to a patient? deny services to a patient?
• . services. services.
• </c> will be provided services. will be provided services.
• </c> health services. health services.
• . basic medical services. basic medical services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:33.120><c> Schools</c> programming, and services. Schools programming, and services.
• </c><00:37:14.880><c> Uh</c><00:37:15.359><c> in</c> service fund. Uh in service fund.
• And so as a service fund balances.
• equipment and service areas.
• food service equipment and service<00:48:14.480><c> areas.

Committee: Senate Education Finance