Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:38.239><c> must</c> expenditures that the legislator must expenditures that the legislator
• </c><00:05:34.360><c> so</c> every year to fund public education so every year to fund public education
• Legislation like HF 4 will only make it harder, if not impossible, to fund our schools, support educators
• they deserve we elect you our education they deserve we elect you our legislators<00:12:16.800><c> to
• </c><00:12:26.680><c> from</c> will handcuff future legislators from will handcuff future legislators

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• legislators.
• It takes parents educating children. It takes educators educating children.
• And it takes us as legislators doing our part.
• It takes parents, educating children. It takes educators, educating children.
• And it takes us as legislators doing our part. as a preschool educator. educating children.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:05:08.400><c> remains</c><00:05:08.720><c> at</c> education equity partnership remains at education
• /c><00:05:49.759><c> data</c> statewide longitudal education data statewide longitudal education data
• It's uh Higher Education Board.
• </c> not the same thing as educating fosters. not the same thing as educating fosters.
• This weight list will education.

Bills: HF2312

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• See, it's a partnership with education between families It's a partnership with education between families
• Education is a partnership.
• Your legislation does not ban three-cueing, right? Right.
• And so what we really want to get back in education is schools and parents as partners in the education
• This legislation is not a mandate on anyone.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:06:56.079><c> and</c> uh smoking and and drug education and uh smoking and and drug education
• And so we passed that legislation to require sexual abuse, child sexual abuse prevention education in
• Board of Education case in 1954.
• </c> legislate is adopted. legislate is adopted.
• </c> professionals to special education. professionals to special education.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we reached out with an inform and educate letter, educated the employer that it's not a choice whether
• So we reached out with an inform and educate letter, educated the employer that it's not a choice whether
• So we reached out with an inform and educate letter, educated the employer that it's not a choice whether
• c><00:35:07.760><c> the</c><00:35:07.920><c> public</c> education uh uh educating of the public education
• </c> uh through this in this education uh through this in this education process<00:38:01.200><c> there

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• We introduced those pieces of legislation, and they're making their way through the legislative process
• We're a coalition of parents, students, and educators in LAUSD.
• systematic breakdowns in the education-to-workforce pipeline.
• His dad had a fourth-grade education.
• From that tour, a couple of pieces of legislation came to light.

Summary: The Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color held its second hearing, focused on cradle-to-college-and-career pipelines and education. Members opened with remarks emphasizing bipartisan support, the need to address opportunity gaps, and the committee’s prior hearing in Los Angeles, which helped generate legislation. The chair framed the day around school safety and discipline, community schools, and college/career pathways, and noted that public comment would be included at the end. In the first panel, witnesses described persistent disparities in school discipline and policing, even as suspension rates have declined statewide. Dr. David Turner cited reductions in suspensions tied to reforms such as bans on willful defiance suspensions, but warned that Black and Native boys remain disproportionately suspended and that “ghost suspensions” and police referrals still push students out of class. Other advocates called for stronger accountability, more restorative and culturally rooted practices, and greater investment in community-based supports. Members asked about the role of state and local policy, rural versus urban differences, and how to measure which interventions work best. The second panel centered on community schools. Advocates from Californians for Justice, Reclaim Our Schools LA, MILE, and the Sierra Health Foundation argued for the governor’s proposed $1 billion ongoing investment in the California Community Schools Partnership Act. They said community schools improve attendance, reduce suspensions, strengthen belonging, and create shared decision-making with families and students. Panelists described the role of community school coordinators, the importance of authentic partnerships, and the need to track informal discipline practices. Committee members pressed for a plain explanation of community schools and heard that the model is intended to be a high-return equity strategy that can save the state money over time. The final panel addressed college and career pathways. Speakers from the California Faculty Association, UC Student Association, Brotherhood Crusade, A Men, and Improve Your Tomorrow highlighted barriers facing Black, Latino, Native, and other boys and men of color in higher education, including financial aid gaps, weak transfer pathways, underinvestment in student support, and low campus belonging. They urged continued funding for community schools, expanded dual enrollment and ELOP access, and support for mentorship and culturally responsive programs. Public commenters echoed support for community schools and youth investment, including calls to redirect prison spending toward education and prevention. The chair closed by thanking the panelists, reflecting on his own school struggles and the role of mentorship, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> importantly uh multiple public education importantly uh multiple public education campaigns<00:08
• </c><00:24:24.840><c> them</c> about cannabis and simply educate them about cannabis and simply educate
• </c><00:39:14.480><c> um</c> piece to any piece of legislation um piece to any piece of legislation um
• just as we would give them education just as we would give them education<00:43:16.920><c> on</c><00
• that's what needs to there's education that's what needs to there's no<01:54:55.360><c> education</c

Transcript Highlights:

• I have uh 9:00, and this is the Senate Education Committee.
• <00:11:33.720><c> people's</c> legislate people's legislate people's beings<00:11:36.480><c> out</c><
• I'm an attorney with the Department of Education.
• </c> health and safety in the educational health and safety in the educational environment<01:57:50.079
• </c><01:58:23.119><c> actually</c> department of Education actually department of Education actually

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And then this, again, the session will end in one legislative day.
• K-12 education, providing policy and funding for general education.
• Those are the big changes with the education policy bill.
• We will need to look in every line for funding to save special education.
• that you're the education governor when you forced $420 million cuts on us.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, [laughter] Hawaii P20 Partnerships for Education and Department of Education budget and
• </c> education and education and workforce education and education and workforce data.<00:03:15.920><
• So, we are the state office of career and technical education. Technical education.
• </c> board of education. We are the Senate. board of education. We are the Senate.
• </c> legislators and again other legislators legislators and again other legislators that<01:40:03.199

Bills: SB2901 , SB2902 , SB2903 , SB2904 , SB2905 , SB2906 , SB2907 , SB2908 , SB2909 , SB2910 , SB2911 , SB2912 , SB2913 , SB2914 , SB2915 , SB2916 , SB2917 , SB2918 , SB2919 , SB2920 , SB2921 , SB2922 , SB2923 , SB2924 , SB2925 , SB2926 , SB2927 , SB2928 , SB2929 , SB2930 , SB2931 , SB2932 , SB2933 , SB2934 , SB2935 , SB2936 , SB2937 , SB2938 , SB2939 , SB2940 , SB2941 , SB2942 , SB2943 , SB2944 , SB2945 , SB2946 , SB2947 , SB2948 , SB2949 , SB2950 , SB2951 , SB2952 , SB2953 , SB2954 , SB2955 , SB2956 , SB2957 , SB2958 , SB2959 , SB2960 , SB2961 , SB2962 , SB2963 , SB2964 , SB2965 , SB2966 , SB2967 , SB2968 , SB2969 , SB2970 , SB2971 , SB2972 , SB2973 , SB2974 , SB2975 , SB2976 , SB2977 , SB2978 , SB2979 , SB2980 , SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2984 , SB2985 , SB2986 , SB2987 , SB2988 , SB2989 , SB2990 , SB2991 , SB2992 , SB2993 , SB2994 , SB2995 , SB2996 , SB2997 , SB2998 , SB2999 , SB3000

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education will come to order.
• Sarah Cortez with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Dillon Hux-Letza with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• Andrea Ball here on behalf of the Orange County Department of Education and a coalition of local educational
• I'm an education case manager at Voices Solano.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are several groups that will benefit from this legislation if passed.
• There are several groups that will benefit from this legislation if passed.
• We appreciate the consideration for this legislation. Thank you, Steve.
• Simply put, these two bills modernize legislation for PAs in Massachusetts.
• session or this current legislative 2025 session.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it includes the Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act legislation I co-lead
• </c><03:21:34.399><c> Speaker,</c> legislation. And with that, Mr. Speaker, legislation.
• </c> legislation within this this one bill. legislation within this this one bill.
• This legislation will fix that.
• . legislation. legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation does not ban innovation.
• By Education and Employment Committee, Education Administration Subcommittee, and Representative Casello
• By Education and Employment Committee, Education Administration Subcommittee, and Representative Cassell
• And so those that we, all of us here that talk about public education, private education in general,
• That's what this legislation is doing.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two fallen service members, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including law enforcement officers and visiting students and advocates. Members then adopted the special order report and moved into the special-order calendar. The first major item was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which was explained as a broad measure covering sales tax holidays, property tax changes, tax credits, pari-mutuel tax reductions, vacation-rental tax collection, and decoupling from federal tax changes. Members asked about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution and the package’s mix of consumer and housing provisions, while opponents objected to the gun-related tax holiday. The bill passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations 107-0, with supporters saying it would strengthen Florida’s competitiveness in commercial aerospace. CS for SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed unanimously after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened specialty-plate financial and nonprofit requirements. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed 100-0 after supporters said it built on prior PBM reforms by requiring fairer pharmacy reimbursement and limiting forced losses on drugs. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed 109-0 after an amendment clarifying fingerprinting requirements, and CS/CS HB 527 on insurance claim denials passed 100-0 with a requirement for human review before claims are denied or reduced solely by AI. The House also passed CS HB 1449 on the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program 100-0 after narrowing the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims at or below $50,000. CS HB 93 on protection from surgical smoke passed 178-0 after extensive emotional debate, with supporters describing it as a long-sought patient and worker safety measure requiring smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers. Later, CS HB 1217 on prohibited governmental greenhouse-gas policies passed 29-0 after questions clarified that it would bar net-zero policies and related funding arrangements but not general energy efficiency or incidental emissions reductions; opponents argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts, while supporters said it protected energy reliability and affordability. The House then began debate on CS/CS HB 1461 on advanced nuclear reactors, with sponsors describing a framework for licensing and oversight of small modular and microreactors and supporters arguing it would help meet future energy demand and improve reliability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not trying to re-legislate that.
• We're not trying to re-legislate that.
• Just want to let you know this legislation is on the This legislation is on the cusp of becoming model
• This is good legislation.
• over the nursing education programs.

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2308, which would prohibit a dental insurer or its holding company from owning interests in dental practices regulated by the Arizona Board of Dental Examiners. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill is meant to prevent vertical integration and insurer control over provider care, while Delta Dental opposed it, saying the measure would block nonprofit insurers from investing in clinics for indigent care and create divestment burdens. After discussion of possible exemptions and market-share caps, the committee passed HB 2308 on a 7-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 4001, as amended, which creates a licensing and enforcement framework for alternative nicotine products beginning in 2028, increases penalties for sales to minors, restricts youth-oriented marketing, and licenses manufacturers and distributors. Supporters, including the sponsor, Border Security Alliance, Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, and Vapor Technology Association, said the bill would improve supply-chain transparency and help curb illegal products and youth vaping. Opponents, including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, argued it should instead use a full tobacco retail licensing model and that the bill’s enforcement structure lacks sufficient resources. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 6-1. House Bill 2873, as amended, was also approved unanimously. The strike-everything amendment allows a person or organization that filed a city or town referendum petition to withdraw it before ballot qualification, applies the rule retroactively to withdrawals filed on or after January 1, 2026, and bars tallying or canvassing votes for referenda with a withdrawal notice. The sponsor described it as a common-sense governance fix, and the committee gave it a 7-0 do-pass recommendation. The committee next heard House Bill 2408, which revises Arizona Board of Nursing complaint procedures, confidentiality, investigation timelines, expungement authority, and related disciplinary processes. Nursing board officials opposed parts of the bill, warning that changes to nursing education oversight and tighter deadlines could weaken patient safety and increase costs and liability, while the Arizona Nurses Association and several nurses supported the bill as a way to prioritize serious complaints, improve timeliness, and allow expungement in appropriate cases. After adopting the amendment, the committee passed HB 2408 on a 5-2 vote. The committee also passed House Bill 2342, which limits HOA restrictions on backyard shade structures, and House Bill 2323, which extends Arizona’s motor vehicle lemon law protections to lessees, both by unanimous votes. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 4010 on creating a Board of Genetic Counselors, with the sponsor and supporters describing it as a licensure and patient-safety measure; the transcript ends during testimony on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will now come to order.
• It applies to local governments and local educational entities.
• It applies to local governments and local educational entities.
• As you know, OPAGA is a joint legislative research unit.
• And I see that I also skipped the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee as I stand here in the Joint Legislative

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education have caused confusion about the future of higher education and, ultimately, the
• So as a champion of public education, especially higher education access as a gateway to opportunity
• , STEM, and bilingual education.
• But this is what higher education is designed to do, and higher education will endure.
• So what can the legislator do now?

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on the impact of federal actions on California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing shared governance, student access, and the importance of protecting California’s public systems. The first panel included leaders from CSU, UC, California Community Colleges, and the University of the Pacific, who described major disruptions from federal policy changes, including grant terminations, changes to Pell and loan programs, the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, tighter loan limits, and uncertainty around immigration, CalFresh/SNAP, and Medicaid-related rules. UC and CSU leaders said federal research and student-support cuts threaten research capacity, workforce pipelines, and services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and international students, while the community colleges highlighted uncertainty around TRIO, HSI/MSI/AANAPISI grants and the need to preserve student services and economic mobility. Members asked about the scale of funding losses, intersegmental partnerships, workforce impacts, indirect cost caps, H-1B hiring costs, and the effect of federal changes on health care and research. Witnesses said the federal environment has created instability, delayed planning, and could reduce access to graduate and professional education, especially in health fields and other high-need professions. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to support research bonds, housing and capital outlay, and continued state investment to offset federal retrenchment. The committee also discussed how cuts could affect student debt, food insecurity, and the diversity of future cohorts, with witnesses warning that the changes could narrow access and weaken California’s workforce pipeline for years. The second panel focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, the Golden State Teacher Grant, and a proposed state FAFSA alternative for students who cannot access federal aid, while urging reforms to Cal Grant, better integration with CalFresh, and more support for foster youth and adult learners. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy uncertainty are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and putting basic needs, transfer support, and workforce programs at risk. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities said federal loan caps, research cuts, and attacks on DEI and HSI funding are harming access and retention, especially for first-generation and low-income students, and called for stronger state support, including transfer aid and a state-backed loan option. The CSU Academic Senate also testified that abrupt federal changes to MSI and related programs have disrupted student research, summer programs, and equity-focused initiatives, with one campus example losing $2.7 million in student-centered funding on short notice.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:46.280><c> is</c><00:37:46.680><c> education</c> the department of education is education
• the department of education is education we<00:37:47.880><c> develop</c><00:37:48.319><c> the</c><00:
• It's factors outside of education.
• It's factors outside of education.
• > are</c> legislators where and legislators are legislators where and legislators are great<02:40:21.000

Summary: The Committee on Education held an informational/budget briefing with presentations from the State Library System, the School Facilities Authority, and the Department of Education. The chair opened the meeting by outlining the order of presentations and noting that members would hold questions until after all three agencies had testified. The discussion focused on each agency’s priorities for the upcoming biennium and their budget requests. State Librarian Stacy Aldridge described library usage and services, emphasizing strong demand for physical and digital materials, internet and Wi-Fi access, programs, Kanopy streaming, and PressReader. She highlighted digital literacy classes, RFID self-check and smart shelving improvements, and the role of libraries as community hubs. The library’s budget request included an additional $1.2 million for security guards, $48.484 million for FY 26-27 to support popup libraries during temporary closures and other needs, $500,000 for repair and maintenance, $2 million for Kap planning and design, and $25 million each year for lump-sum capital funding. Mallerie Fujitani said the lump-sum funding is needed to keep roughly 50 projects moving and to avoid delays in construction. School Facilities Authority Executive Director Ricky Fujitani explained the agency’s startup history and its programs for preschools, Central Maui schools, and workforce housing. He said the authority is using standardized, prefabricated, programmatic approaches to speed delivery and improve maintainability, citing prior preschool renovations as a successful model. He reported that of $389 million appropriated, $106 million was released, with $81 million for preschools, $20 million for Central Maui schools, and $5 million for workforce housing; he also noted the workforce housing program was reduced after Maui fire-related reallocations. He said the pilot workforce housing site at Mililani High School has been awarded and pointed to University of Hawaiʻi student housing projects as a model. Superintendent Hayashi then began the Department of Education presentation, introducing DOE leadership and outlining the department’s mission to support academic achievement, character development, and student well-being. He noted the department serves more than 152,000 students in 258 public schools and employs over 42,000 people, with nearly 54% of students facing significant challenges. He framed the budget request around the department’s strategic plan to prepare graduates for college, careers, or military service. The transcript ends during the DOE presentation, before any committee votes or formal actions are taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:25.840><c> to</c> today we will be hearing legislation to today we will be hearing legislation
• Section 12, Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission, creates a legislative advisory commission
• </c> the public hearing that the legislative the public hearing that the legislative uh<00:19:05.840>
• </c> questions the office of legislative questions the office of legislative auditor<00:20:45.559><c>
• </c> between the office of the legislative between the office of the legislative auditor<00:27:08.880

Committee: Senate State and Local Government