Transcript Highlights:

• They want the accountability.
• I am here for accountability. This bill is all about accountability.
• Is there any specific sort of bank account or receiving account that a 1099 employee would have to have
• and $50 into my bank account?
• So the contributions to the account from that account are made the payments to the insurance company

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a discipline issue; it is a statewide accountability crisis.
• Accountability is my goal. Prevention has to happen.
• I do appreciate the conversation on accountability and assessment reform.
• We need an assessment, and we need accountability.
• So part of what our school takes into account are...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> divisions and from different accounts. divisions and from different accounts.
• Also from the ATV account, program.
• And then this other account that's in the game and fish one, the heritage enhancement account, has a
• </c> the game and fish operating in account the game and fish operating in account in<00:21:43.320><c
• </c><00:26:45.360><c> I</c> contingency action trust account. I contingency action trust account.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds. Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027. Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• E3 requires the state auditor to audit the institutional welfare account.
• victim's compensation account.
• and to operate the account within appropriations.
• victim's compensation account.
• We are moving on to Senate Bill 6085, Institutional Welfare Account.

Bills: SB5977, SB6184, SB5681, SB5917, SB5942, SB6024, SB6036, SB6080, SB6085

Keywords: child safety, near fatalities, public reporting, child welfare, transparency, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates the Washington Wildlife Corridors Account and the Washington Wildlife Crossings Account in
• the state treasury and defines authorized uses for each account.
• It creates the Washington Wildlife Corridors account and the Washington Wildlife Crossings account in
• the state treasury and defines authorized uses for each account.
• And then in terms of the other account that's created for the air pollution control account, that is

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 20, 2026, hearing several bills related to retirement systems, school employee health coverage, port district pensions, environmental fee accounts, developmental disability services, legislative budget transparency, and a new Apple Health employer assessment. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 5834, which would make permanent a temporary expansion allowing certain retirement trust fund earnings to pay broader administrative expenses, and SB 5835, which would raise the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold for Plan 2 members from $50 to $250. Both bills were presented by Department of Retirement Systems staff and supported by the department, with questions focused on the scope of the administrative-expense language in SB 5834 and the technical nature of SB 5835. The committee then entered executive session and moved three bills without recommendation to the Rules Committee: Substitute SB 5249, allowing kit homes as emergency housing; Substitute SB 5053, allowing certain counties to include school district boundaries when forming a public facilities district; and Substitute SB 5203, directing state agencies to develop a wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and creating related accounts. After returning to public hearing, members heard SB 5883 on SEBB eligibility for school employees in their second school year of employment. Supporters, including labor representatives and individual school workers, said the bill would reduce coverage gaps and improve recruitment and retention, while school district officials and administrators argued it would create an unfunded mandate, increase costs, and add administrative burden. No action was taken on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5905, which would exclude certain port district employees from PERS if they are covered by the federal Railroad Retirement Plan or a collectively bargained defined benefit pension plan. Port representatives, labor stakeholders, and the Department of Retirement Systems described it as a narrow technical fix to avoid duplicate pension coverage and retroactive liabilities, and the bill drew support. SB 6151 would create dedicated accounts for Ecology fee revenue tied to laboratory accreditation and landfill methane work; Ecology and county representatives supported the measure as a way to reinvest fees in the programs that generate them. SB 6163 would require the Individual and Family Services waiver for developmental disability services to be budgeted at maintenance level; advocates said it would stabilize services and prevent waitlists, and no opposition was heard. The final two bills were SB 6177, which would require LEAP’s budget website to display additional budget detail such as carry-forward data, program and subprogram expenditures, and balance sheets for all public accounts, and SB 6173, which would create an Apple Health employer assessment on larger private employers with workers enrolled in Medicaid expansion coverage. SB 6177 was framed as a transparency measure, while SB 6173 drew extensive testimony both in support and opposition: supporters said it would help offset expected Medicaid losses after federal work requirements take effect and stabilize the health safety net, while opponents argued it would be an unfunded tax, create administrative and legal complications, and could discourage hiring or reduce hours. The committee heard no final votes on the public hearing bills, and staff reminded members that signature sheets would be held for 24 hours under Senate rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chase Bank shut down the account of Arkansas Family Council.
• We opened up our bank accounts at Chase Bank because we wanted a national reach.
• In April of 2022, just three weeks later, our account was closed by Chase Bank.
• One, a customer comes in to open a new account.
• Most of all, I see a total lack of accountability for where the money goes.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are validated and accountable. are validated and accountable.
• </c> the accountability in these proposals? the accountability in these proposals?
• . accountability. accountability.
• </c><00:54:08.600><c> that</c> MMB to have the accountability that MMB to have the accountability that
• </c> Families with its own accountability Families with its own accountability measures,<01:05:16.200

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Tax Preparation Act only exempts those licensed in California; however, under the Accountancy Act
• The Tax Preparation Act only exempts those licensed in California; however, under the Accountancy Act
• What we're seeing is challenges in accountability because the turnaround times are so quick.
• So the normal process for either reputational accountability or regulatory accountability is tougher.
• Conditions, inadequate veterinary care, and no meaningful accountability.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several bills, including SB 788 by Senator Niello, which clarified that CPAs and CPA firms, including employees and out-of-state CPAs authorized to practice in California, are regulated by the California Board of Accountancy rather than subject to Tax Preparation Act registration requirements. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplicative regulation and confusion; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 351 by Senator Cabaldon, aimed at strengthening enforcement of California’s corporate practice of medicine rules as they relate to private equity and hedge fund involvement in medical and dental practices. The author and physician supporters argued that private equity can interfere with clinical decisions and patient care, while opposition from the American Investment Council said the bill could sweep in legitimate business practices and requested a narrow amendment. The bill passed to Judiciary. SB 312 by Senator Umberg was heard next and would require health certificates for imported dogs sold in California to be submitted to CDFA and made publicly available, with supporters describing it as a transparency and consumer protection measure to combat puppy mills and misleading online sales. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Agriculture. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing SB 291, SB 387, SB 517, SB 602, and SB 773, all moving to their respective committees. The meeting ended after additional roll calls and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• is created as a sub-account within the existing capital building construction account.
• is created as a sub-account within the existing capital building construction account.
• Really mechanical issue: what we're going to do is create this account as a sub-account to an existing
• account that aims to do some of the same things and then allow... ...to an existing account that aims
• It's using an existing account to let this become the new account inside that account.

Bills: SB5188, SB6313

Keywords: broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are approximately 200 accounts open. memorandum and balancing accounts that never expire.
• There are approximately 200 accounts open, creating more work for the CPUC to give each account the time
• SB 1098 does not eliminate these accounts altogether, as it allows for the use of these accounts when
• And if the commission approves one of these accounts, they must explain why the account is necessary
• Oftentimes these accounts are created, and then once they determine it cannot be forecast, the accounts

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But used to deny account access, it becomes something very different.
• An account is part of our infrastructure of digital belonging.
• If a policy reduces account access, but youth move to private accounts, anonymous spaces, gaming communities
• Would you then be moving to private accounts, anonymous spaces?
• Would you then be moving to private accounts, anonymous spaces?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this includes our action plan goals and accountability commitments.
• HDIS data is the backbone of statewide accountability.
• And so that's why I asked, are we taking into account the real estate market?
• We also want to just really clearly communicate that we welcome accountability.
• Regarding accountability, we use subcontractors for our HAP contracts.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These assessments are used for accountability.
• Also accountability purposes.
• Progress monitoring that is used for accountability purposes.
• I'd only state accountability requirements, bill. So federal accountability requirement.
• And we had to be held accountable to solve those problems.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This system is designed to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.
• And so many options are available. education savings account to be created.
• Taking that into account, would you agree that? Mr.
• All schools should be held accountable to ensure high academic standards.
• All schools should be held accountable to ensure high academic standards.

Bills: SB 2

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , commonly referred to as Trump accounts.
• I will just point out that there are a lot of different savings accounts, retirement accounts, even at
• to accumulate tax in the account tax-free over a period of time, and to account for those, if the state
• The big city mayors welcome accountability.
• I want to thank the accounting officers.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• recreation account, habitat conservation, and the farm and forest account.
• So the outdoor rec account is broken into five sub-grant programs.
• The next account is the Habitat Conservation Account.
• Each of those accounts are broken to those percentages.
• Each of those accounts are broken to those percentages.

Bills: HB2470, HB2353, HB2420, HB2338

Keywords: HB2470, school construction assistance, capital budget, school facilities, on-base schools, military base schools, military installations, public school construction, school plant projects, state funding assistance, superintendent of public instruction, OSPI, school capital funding, instructional space, school district construction, alternative learning experience, ALE, free and reduced-price meals, special housing burden, district growth

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> MDA I'd like to add that are accounted MDA I'd like to add that are accounted is<01:04:21.960><c
• </c> financial review from our accountant financial review from our accountant wasn't<01:04:37.079><c
• </c> have any thoughts on the accounting have any thoughts on the accounting standards<01:15:41.960><
• accounting can be accepted, along with accrual-based accounting, and they're all different.
• Faulk, that was helpful. um tax-based accounting versus um tax-based accounting versus cash-based<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• More inclusive elections lead to more accountable and representative leadership.
• I am here to present SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act.
• SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act.
• Passing incomplete measures that don't take into account...
• You have a reserve account, and what do you do?

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's about spending accountability.
• There is a homelessness accountability unit, which is—so each homelessness program has accountability
• So about 30 are in the housing accountability, the housing and homelessness accountability...
• Knowing that there's accountability, Knowing that there's accountability, I know I would offer to my
• It's like saying, go raid your savings account to balance your checking account, while every other county

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Architecture, Accountancy line 10.6 Six.
• Um general contingent accounts 10.14.
• :15:14.320><c> engage</c> accounting services division to engage accounting services division to engage
• </c><00:25:33.039><c> a</c> the consumer litigation account a the consumer litigation account a revolving
• > that</c> revolving fund. that's an account that revolving fund. that's an account that supports<00:

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant