Transcript Highlights:

• where all the... the different areas of the state and what their percentage is, To have the death rate
• The city I represent has the highest rates of Alzheimer's in the state of Texas.
• You're going to see rates of Alzheimer's and dementia continue to go up.
• third reading House bill 685 The clerk will read the bill HB 685 by Bell of Montgomery relating to rates
• Speaker, this bill promotes fair pricing of water and sewer rates by municipalities. Move passage.

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB48 , HB27 , HB144 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB1775 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB3707 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB1757 , HB2986 , HB972 , SB365 , SB1786 , SB5 , SJR3 , HB14 , HB43 , HB36 , HB26 , HB149 , HB 121 , HB206 , HB136 , HB3114 , HB2733 , HB1732 , HB3700 , HB467 , HB 1130 , HB1846 , HB1442 , HB 1147 , HB2176 , HB2701 , HB805 , HB2890 , HB 1154 , HB1644 , HB2118 , HB1718 , HB2488 , HB2596 , HB2468 , HB484 , HB2578 , HB3204 , HB 1041 , HB307 , HB685 , HB538 , HB2525 , HB3125 , HB2027 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB 106 , HB18 , HB 11 , HJR72 , HB48 , HB27 , HB144 , HB37 , HB1481 , HB581 , HB1696 , HB2216 , HB 1035 , HB1633 , HB742 , HB754 , HB1689 , HB1690 , HB2669 , HB391 , HB517 , HB1775 , HB 1024 , HB1607 , HB252 , HB1716 , HB1562 , HB4116 , HB1866 , HB1741 , HB2103 , HB2637 , HB2884 , HB3707 , HB503 , HB 1089 , HB1757 , HB2986 , HB972

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, tax exemption, intellectual disability

Transcript Highlights:

• analysis suggests Operation Metro Surge was deeply implicated in the state's increased unemployment rate
• ><c> is</c><00:24:47.600><c> driving</c> And today, global instability is driving And today, global instability
• </c><00:59:40.240><c> They</c> fear, and instability accumulate.
• They fear, and instability accumulate.
• ,</c> chronic fear, household instability, chronic fear, household instability, poverty. poverty. poverty

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• As we just heard, California's air rate has been historically low.
• , right, and we want to improve error rates, why?
• Administration, do we have any numbers on our burn rate yet?
• What is our burn rate?
• , as well as the potential drivers of the denial rate.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services opened its first hearing of the year with a discussion centered on CalFresh, the Department of Social Services, and related anti-poverty and immigrant services programs. Chair Jackson framed the hearing as a response to the “historic and enormous challenges” created by H.R. 1, emphasizing that the committee’s goal was to minimize harm to vulnerable Californians. No votes were taken in the hearing. The first major topic was the impact of H.R. 1 on CalFresh eligibility and administration. CDSS estimated major federal funding reductions, with hundreds of thousands of Californians potentially losing benefits under new time limits and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, and additional losses among certain non-citizen groups. County welfare directors, eligibility workers, SEIU, and other advocates argued that counties are underfunded and understaffed to implement the new rules, and urged release of the previously authorized $20 million General Fund, a county match waiver, and an additional ongoing workforce investment. LAO and the Department of Finance said they were reviewing the administration’s proposals and emphasized the need to use existing data, automation, and statutory direction to reduce administrative burden and improve implementation. A second panel addressed county administrative backfill and the broader fiscal effects of H.R. 1. CDSS explained that the law shifts more administrative costs to the state and counties beginning in federal fiscal year 2027 and could also create future state benefit costs tied to payment error rates. County and food bank representatives warned that many counties will struggle to absorb the higher match and that penalties tied to payment error rates could worsen budget pressure. Members pressed Finance and CDSS for clearer timelines, written responses, and more detailed workload assumptions, while Finance said it was still analyzing the federal guidance and county resource needs. The final major topic was the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and possible state responses for people losing federal CalFresh eligibility. CDSS said CFAP remains limited by statute and by the federal structure it currently uses, but that the planned expansion to Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status remains on track for October 1, 2027, subject to funding. Immigrant advocates urged the state to fold newly excluded humanitarian immigrants into CFAP and to invest in outreach and administration, while Western Center on Law and Poverty proposed a broader state-funded anti-hunger response for people cut off by H.R. 1. LAO noted that the CFAP expansion is difficult to estimate and that further policy and technical work would be needed to assess costs and implementation options.

Transcript Highlights:

• timeline, and resources for major purchases and replacement, but also overall stability in our tax rates
• funds are financed by internal rental payments paid to each one of these funds by city departments at rates
• that it was a blanket rejection for us to locate anywhere in their city, even though they experienced rates
• And I would say that Housing instability and homelessness, despite progress in certain areas, certainly
• Providing solutions and adequate resources that include shelter capacity to address housing instability

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• :52:28.079><c> to</c><00:52:28.240><c> miss</c> financial instability forced us to miss financial instability
• ,</c><00:56:01.599><c> and</c> vacuum of unknowns, instability, and vacuum of unknowns, instability,
• We are experiencing instability. And in human services, instability is dangerous.
• </c> experiencing instability. experiencing instability.
• </c><01:48:34.480><c> is</c> And in human services, instability is And in human services, instability

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite high usage rates, these products are not consistently regulated by state consumer finance agencies
• 00:04:51.440><c> despite</c><00:04:51.840><c> High</c><00:04:52.039><c> usage</c><00:04:52.440><c> rates
• </c> instability despite High usage rates instability despite High usage rates these<00:04:53.080><c>
• Minnesotans, but to provide transparency and protection through disclosure and an annual percentage rate
• Minnesotans, but to provide transparency and protection through disclosure and an annual percentage rate

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• The high rate of peer health systems.
• ><c> and</c> HHS's uncompensated care rates and HHS's uncompensated care rates and trends<00:15:45.520
• At this rate, we could lose about 36% of our internists by the end of the year.
• Our financial instability is affecting us in this way.
• <00:24:46.280><c> us</c><00:24:46.480><c> in</c> financial instability is affecting us in financial instability

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Those with prior sexual offense convictions, despite pervasive myths, have very low rates of recidivism
• That instability stresses the individual, makes supervision more difficult, increases demands on law
• The sensationalized characterization of frightening and high recidivism rates is widely repeated but
• Housing instability and homelessness also hurt one's ability to maintain employment.
• The false allegations of mental instability were used to discredit me.

Bills: S0212 , S0656 , S0682 , S0810 , S0812 , S0890 , S0892 , S0900 , S0928 , S1084 , S1284

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1084, which exempts certain identifying and location information for non-legal support staff in state attorneys’ offices from public records requests, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, created new restrictions related to sexual offenders and predators, including a 200-foot restricted presence provision near certain locations and updated notification/supervision requirements; it drew strong opposition from researchers, advocates, and affected families who argued it lacked evidence and would increase homelessness, but it was reported favorably. SB 682, addressing domestic violence, coercive control, strangulation, animal abuse, injunctions, and related training and enforcement issues, received emotional survivor testimony and support from animal welfare and law enforcement groups and was reported favorably. SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, was amended and reported favorably and unanimously. The committee also considered SB 810 on sealing criminal history records, which would expand eligibility for some non-conviction records and one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review; supporters said Florida is unusually restrictive, while one senator raised concerns about the scope, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery by strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, was reported favorably after the sponsor said it would close a gap in current law. SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, was reported favorably, with defense lawyers supporting the clearer pretrial notice. SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of certain dangerous crimes, was amended to include computer pornography/child exploitation offenses and reported favorably after a family member of the namesake victim testified in support. Later, SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant statutes, expanding judicial summons options for some misdemeanors and broadening warrant/arrest authority in certain DUI, injunction, domestic violence, and misdemeanor force cases; defense lawyers supported the judicial-discretion portions but raised concerns about DUI/BUI arrests, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 812, a technical companion to SB 810 updating public records treatment for sealed criminal history records, was amended to clarify prosecutorial access for later cases and reported favorably. Several bills were supported by law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocacy groups, while others drew opposition from civil liberties, treatment, homelessness, and criminal defense advocates. The meeting adjourned after members recorded additional votes on selected tabs.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the gas climate credit to further reduce electric rates.
• Most Californians have seen their rates double over the last 10 years.
• It would increase their rate base by 50%.
• The biggest way is our credit rating, correct? Yeah, yeah.
• The biggest way is our credit rating. Correct. Yeah, yeah.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard two bills focused on electricity affordability and utility costs. AB 745, by Assembly Member Irwin, would restructure the California Climate Credit by shifting it from lump-sum payments to direct reductions in volumetric electricity rates and moving the credit to the summer months when bills are highest. The author and UC Santa Barbara economist Dr. Kyle Meng argued this could significantly lower summer rates and better help households during extreme heat. Supporters, including UCS, NRDC, and some labor representatives, favored the concept, with some urging that the gas climate credit also be redirected. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill passed 18-0 to the floor. The committee then considered AB 825, also presented as an affordability package aimed at reducing electric bills by addressing wildfire mitigation costs, transmission financing, permitting delays, and a review of ratepayer-funded programs. The bill would authorize securitization for undergrounding expenses, remove the first $15 billion in undergrounding capital investments from the rate base for return purposes, create a public transmission financing program using Proposition 4 funds and IBank support, revive the California Power Authority as a public sponsor, and establish a task force to review energy efficiency and demand response programs. The author and witness Matt Friedman of The Utility Reform Network said the bill could save ratepayers billions over time through lower-cost public financing and securitization. Testimony on AB 825 was mixed. Support came from several consumer and clean-energy groups, while utilities and labor raised concerns about the bill’s impact on utility financial stability, wildfire fund participation, liability, and whether the $15 billion securitization cap could discourage undergrounding. Some witnesses also objected to the task force’s potential effect on energy efficiency and demand response programs. Committee members discussed the need to balance affordability with utility creditworthiness and wildfire safety, and several asked for more analysis of market impacts and liability issues. Despite those concerns, AB 825 passed the committee 13-0 and was sent to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• when the rate and the risk is actually known better.
• This bill does not change underwriting processes or rate making.
• This bill does not change underwriting processes, rate making.
• For decades, practice has been clear: the title insurers file title rates.
• Title insurers file title rates, while underwritten title companies file escrow rates.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• could increase the payment error rate in federal fiscal year 2027.
• But we also know that, um, ...disruptions, as well as keeping error rates down.
• To the state error rate, as you mentioned, and additional penalty costs.
• for K-12 students, and high school graduation rates.
• And we have in the past provided estimates of the rate of homelessness and housing instability in CalWORKs

Transcript Highlights:

• could increase the payment error rate in federal fiscal year 2027.
• , cured sanctions, and also prevented program disruptions, as well as keeping error rates down.
• for K-12 students, and high school graduation rates.
• And we have in the past provided estimates of the rate of homelessness and housing instability in CalWORKs
• Right. ...able to help mitigate the level of instability this could cause in communities.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused on the impacts of federal HR1 on CalFresh and Medi-Cal, along with related state mitigation efforts. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, county representatives, LAO, and Finance discussed automatic exemptions, data-sharing between departments, county workload, and the timing of implementation. CDSS said about two-thirds of adults ages 18 to 64 are already known to be exempt in CalFresh, and that administrative data matches could newly exempt about 200,000 of the roughly 955,000 adults potentially at risk. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would begin in 2027 and the department is working to automate exemptions, including for IHSS recipients and some caregivers, while DDS said its population is expected to be covered by auto-exemptions. County welfare directors emphasized that individualized worker contact is critical, that counties need more staffing and stable funding, and that without it they expect delays, higher error rates, and reduced exemption screening capacity. Members pressed for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and clearer guidance; the administration said it would provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a separate discussion on a proposed CFAP expansion or “CFAP Plus” concept to provide state-funded benefits to additional populations affected by HR1, including lawfully present non-citizens and ABODs. CDSS said implementation could not occur before October 1, 2027 because of policy and system-design constraints, and that adding unique eligibility rules would increase complexity and cost. Finance cautioned that any expansion would have General Fund impacts likely in the hundreds of millions to multiple billions. Members asked for cost estimates and technical feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS said it would review the proposal and respond. The hearing also covered CDSS’s CalFresh strategic plan and mandated reporter training updates. CDSS said it is hiring a strategic plan lead to develop a long-term, data-informed CalFresh plan, and that the revised mandated reporter training is on track for launch in fall/winter 2026, ahead of the July 1, 2027 statutory deadline. The training will include updated content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting families. Members praised the work and asked for continued updates. Later panels focused on Promise Neighborhoods, Stop the Hate, and housing programs. Promise Neighborhood advocates and CDSS described the state’s prior $12 million investment, a positive evaluation showing roughly a 4-to-1 return, and a new proposal to support place-based partnerships and community schools through AB 1969. Stop the Hate grantees and CDSS reported that the program has provided direct services, prevention, and statewide coordination to millions of Californians, and urged reauthorization before funding expires; members asked for best-practice language and discussed focusing future funding on solidarity work, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS presented on the CalWORKs Housing Support Program and Housing and Disability Advocacy Program, saying proposed General Fund investments of $105 million and $55 million would prevent funding cliffs and allow the programs to continue through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in housing assistance, subsidies, and enrollments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just looking at Anoka-Hennepin, if we were to go to EGIP and the plan rates would remain the same as
• Third, fiscal instability.
• significant</c> instability.
• Districts face significant instability.
• . potential instability.

Bills: HF3422 , HF3461 , HF2904

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• day, we need to make sure that faux library exists in Los Angeles and prop houses are closing at a rate
• In Los Angeles, prop houses are closing at a rate that we have not seen.
• As California faces a multitude of challenges, whether it's climate instability, the Inland Empire is
• Eighty-four were enrolled in college or vocational training, with a recidivism rate of less than 6%.
• And if California wants to stem the tide of closures and instability facing beloved arts organizations

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on the Arts

Transcript Highlights:

• Food insecurity, lower rates of graduation from high school, higher rates of homelessness, higher rates
• The tiered rates are an investment.
• So right now, the STRTP rate is a bundled rate that's only paid when the child's within that STRTP.
• How are we building in that instability now into our current rate structure and the rate structure we're
• Future rate structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• While 86% of survey respondents reported overall positive well-being, with quality of life rated as good
• Many survey respondents report overall positive well-being, with 86% rating quality of life as good or
• We must be clear that transgender women of color continue to experience some of the highest rates of
• One hundred percent of Alignment's members are in plans rated four or five stars by CMS.
• One hundred percent of Alignment's members are in plans rated four or five stars by CMS.

Transcript Highlights:

• While 86% of survey respondents reported overall positive well-being, with quality of life rated as good
• Many survey respondents report overall positive well-being, with 86% rating quality of life as good or
• We must be clear that transgender women of color continue to experience some of the highest rates of
• One hundred percent of Alignment's members are in plans rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS.
• One hundred percent of Alignment's members are in plans rated four or five stars by CMS.

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBT Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support needs of older LGBTQ Californians, including older adults living with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Committee members and state officials discussed the California Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, and the need to address discrimination, social isolation, housing insecurity, economic instability, and gaps in culturally competent care. Several speakers emphasized that older LGBTQ adults often lack traditional family caregiving supports and may face vulnerability in nursing homes or other institutional settings. Testimony from advocates and people with lived experience highlighted the impact of federal actions, including H.R. 1, on Medi-Cal, housing, and benefits, and called for stronger state action, outreach, and navigation services. Justice in Aging urged more investment in home- and community-based services and warned that Medicaid cuts could increase institutionalization. The Department of Aging described its survey findings and said it had convened a lived-experience advisory board, updated data tools, and incorporated HIV as a factor in local aging plans under SB 258, though members pressed for clearer implementation and accountability. CalHHS described coordination across departments, Medi-Cal coverage of gender-affirming care, PACE, and other services, while the Department of Public Health outlined Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP programs serving older adults with HIV. The hearing also featured extensive testimony from people aging with HIV, who described fragmented systems, benefits cliffs, housing costs, and the need for legal and case-management support. One witness urged funding for HIV-specific housing and navigation services, while another described how case management and safety-net programs help clients manage medication, food, transportation, and housing needs. In the final panel, the Department of Social Services reviewed protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219, nondiscrimination notices, resident rights postings, required staff training, and complaint investigations. No formal votes were taken; the chair repeatedly asked departments to follow up on implementation gaps, data visibility, and possible budget or policy responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• They list three of those, and broad evidence of genome instability with impaired DNA repair.
• ,</c> contributing to genomic instability, contributing to genomic instability, epigenetic<01:50:48.800
• </c> morbidity the decrease in mortality rate morbidity the decrease in mortality rate the<02:28:42.720
• </c><02:48:01.040><c> Um</c> um COVID test with a 33% error rate.
• Um um COVID test with a 33% error rate.

Summary: The committee met as a special House committee on COVID response efficacy, noted absences, and restated its mission to review New Hampshire’s pandemic response, including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID treatment, patient bill of rights implementation, and vaccination policies. The main business was discussion of a proposed letter or report language concerning current COVID vaccine recommendations for young children, especially those under age two, and how to support any conclusions with cited scientific and state sources. Representative Polozov argued that the committee should ask the governor or agencies to reconsider current recommendations, saying the committee should focus on whether vaccination is needed for that age group, whether it is effective, and whether the risks outweigh the benefits. He said he had distributed articles and wanted the committee to pair its conclusions with scientific and statistical data. Other members asked him to identify the specific New Hampshire DHHS and American Academy of Pediatrics sources for the recommendation, clarify the age range being discussed, and separate any evidence about adverse effects in other age groups from the infant/toddler demographic so the letter would be transparent and not misleading. Members generally agreed the letter should be carefully sourced and refined, with citations for each claim. The chair said the committee would treat the request as urgent and try to finalize a version by the next meeting, noting that some members would be traveling. The committee also discussed scheduling additional testimony in September and October, possibly with extra meetings, to continue gathering evidence and to hear from witnesses. The chair then began reviewing supporting articles, including studies he said were new since the 2024 report, and introduced a 2025 South Korea cohort study and another 2025 Italian cohort study as examples of the evidence he wanted to incorporate into an updated 2026 report.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment also allows farm workers to earn up to 55 hours of paid time off per year, earned at a rate
• Intense federal pressure, volatile immigration policies, and targeted rhetoric create deep fear and instability
• The same instability that is shrinking... ...fear and instability, the same instability that is shrinking
• regulations associated with that, with financial scams also a part of that; and the use of territorial rating

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on An Act Fostering Agricultural Resilience in Massachusetts and considered a series of amendments focused on farm economics, land preservation, energy, labor, and agricultural education. Senator Tarr’s Amendment 5, allowing local-option tax exemptions for newly constructed farm buildings for up to five years, was adopted by a roll call vote of 38-0. Several other Tarr amendments were debated but not adopted, including proposals on APR criteria and climate resilience, a one-stop permit and grant portal, a foreign-ownership farmland registry, horse-riding instructor licensing, expanding farm-based renewable energy, a farm stand waiver process, non-agricultural conversion notice requirements, and a health and wellness amendment. Senator Mark’s Amendment 20, creating a Massachusetts Food Tourism Task Force to support marketing and procurement of agricultural goods, was adopted. Senator Gomez’s Amendment 41 on farmworker fairness and wage protections was withdrawn after discussion, with Senators Eldridge and Comerford speaking in support of continued work on the issue. Senator Fattman’s Amendment 34, directing a study of agricultural schools and regional workforce needs, was adopted by roll call vote 37-0. The chamber also took up several procedural matters and extension orders. The Senate adopted a Ways and Means amendment and then ordered the agricultural bill to a third reading before passing it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 39-0. Separately, the Senate adopted extension orders for the Committee on Revenue and the Committee on Financial Services, with Senators Eldridge and Feeney explaining the need for additional time on revenue and financial services bills; Senator Tarr raised concerns about the scope and duration of some of the extensions. The Senate also approved an extension for a financial technology services bill. In addition to legislative action, the Senate observed a moment of silence in memory of Mark K. Harris after a motion by Senators Collins and Miranda, and recognized guests for Youth Mentoring Day and the Mass Mentoring Program. The chamber also passed a memorial overpass designation for U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville and a local alcohol-license bill for the town of Topsfield. The session concluded with an order to adjourn until the next day at 11 a.m., with the adjournment also dedicated to the memory of Mark K. Harris.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment also allows farm workers to earn up to 55 hours of paid time off per year, earned at a rate
• Intense federal pressure, volatile immigration policies, and targeted rhetoric create deep fear and instability
• The same instability that is shrinking... ...fear and instability, the same instability that is shrinking
• regulations associated with that, with financial scams also a part of that, and the use of territorial rating