Transcript Highlights:

• We know this, but the acceleration of AI will call us to invent new ways of showing proof of human for
• We know this, but the acceleration of AI will call us to invent new ways of showing proof of human for
• We know this, but the acceleration of AI will call us to invent new ways of showing proof of human for
• I really appreciate the opportunity to provide an overview of the California Department of Education's
• To provide an overview of the California Department of Education's current efforts that align with goal

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on the Arts

Transcript Highlights:

• And for that, we're going to start off with the Department of Human Services. Ms.
• Total employment in the Department of Human Services is approximately 6,603 employees, and I think you
• For the Department of Human Services, total is 6,600 and maybe three; it's a little over 6,600, about
• So it's when TANF money transferred to the Department of Human Services, I believe that was on July 1
• DESE meaning Department of Education? Department of Education. Act.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ben Chan from the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Ben Chan from the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Ben Chan from the Department of Health and Human Services.
• </c> Department of Health and Human Services. Department of Health and Human Services.
• /c><03:47:35.040><c> Services,</c> Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Rutledge with the California Association of Adult Day Services.
• This bill is about continuity of support services.
• I think this is a measured approach to continuity of service.
• Any disruption to services for vulnerable adults should concern all of us.
• are categorized by the California Department of Social Services and their public-facing licensing and

Committee: House Aging and Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:

• research in the Department of Family, Community, and Preventative Medicine at the University of Arizona
• First reading of bills: SB 1014, Health and Human Services; SB 1017 and 141, Appropriations; SB 1064,
• Appropriations; SB 1170, Appropriations; SB 1177, Health and Human Services; SB 727, Health and Human
• Services; SB 1204, Appropriations; SB 1557, Health and Human Services; SB 1798, Education.
• Health Department Services. 1798. Education. Placed on file. Second reading of bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health now.
• We have money reserved specifically for Agency of Human Services caseload.
• </c> of the human services case load reserve. of the human services case load reserve.
• </c> reserved specifically for agency of reserved specifically for agency of human<00:48:48.720><c> services
• </c> human services human services case<00:48:50.640><c> load.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin with the Department of Health Care Services leadership with Dr.
• Michelle Boss, Director of the Department of Health Care Services.
• Department of Health Services, and the California Medical Association.
• Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is the second largest public health system in the United
• Our Department of Health Services also runs 27 health centers across the county.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, with duty stations in Minnesota
• Services,</c> Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Food
• Department of Health and Human Services to get us the funds.
• Department of Health and Human Services to get us the funds.
• And so as soon as they pass a continuing resolution, uh Department of Health and Human Services basically

Transcript Highlights:

• of Human Services, but in a few cases from the Department of Education or MDH or the Department of Public
• MFIP now, transferred from the Department of Human Services.
• MFIP now, transferred from the Department of Human Services.
• MFIP now, transferred from the Department of Human Services.
• Department of Human Department of Human Services<00:24:44.440><c> however</c><00:24:44.760><c> it's</

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one, E1, is with the Department of Shared Services.
• Number 17 is DHS Division of Medical Services with the Department of Health.
• Number 17, DHS Division of Medical Services with Department of Health.
• Service for aerial application services for the Tucker Farm. 63, Department of Ed with School-Based
• This is for pharmacy medication services for the Y and White program. 79, Department of Health with Service

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Department of Health and Human the Department of Health and Human Services<00:44:04.880><c>
• the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of this bill?
• /c><01:35:46.960><c> Services</c> Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human
• /c><02:04:46.000><c> Services,</c> Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Health and
• </c> Hampshire Department of Health and Human Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.<02:12

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And he was going over all the different types of community service.
• And he was going over all the different types of community service.
• This bill gives authority to the Department of Education in rulemaking.
• lack of respect for the dignity of human life starting in the womb.
• I trust the Department of Education to make that selection.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 461, which would allow registered or preregistered students to volunteer at polling locations to earn community service hours, including on weekends. The sponsor and several supporters, including the Duval County Supervisor of Elections and League of Women Voters representatives, said the bill would promote civic education and give students firsthand experience with elections. After brief questions and overwhelmingly supportive testimony, the committee voted unanimously to report HB 461 favorably. The committee then took up HB 1071, an omnibus education bill described by the sponsor as reinforcing parental rights, student safety, early learning accountability, and oversight of scholarship and instructional programs. Members adopted eight amendments, including provisions on charter school discipline during improvement plans, child care and attendance accountability, medically accurate embryologic/fetal development materials, school space calculations, reading notifications, law enforcement access to campuses and canine units, lab school admissions criteria, and the composition of the FHSAA advisory council. Debate and testimony focused heavily on the bill’s provisions restricting DEI- and activism-related spending, the fetal development video requirement, and the law enforcement amendment; supporters framed the bill as promoting merit, safety, and parental rights, while opponents warned about vague definitions, censorship, and potential impacts on students and school programs. Public testimony on HB 1071 was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters included organizations such as Florida Voice for the Unborn, the Christian Family Coalition, and various individuals who backed the fetal development instruction and limits on DEI-related spending. Opponents included Planned Parenthood Florida Action, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Equality Florida, the ACLU of Florida, the Florida Education Association, teachers, parents, and students, who argued the bill was too broad, could chill instruction and student activities, and could introduce ideological content into health education. The transcript ends during closing debate on the amended bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've highlighted Department of Health reports showing increasing numbers of sentinel events in our hospitals
• Health and Human Services. I'm sorry. Health and Human Services.
• Sure, we can go ahead Human Services?
• </c> move it forward to Health and Human move it forward to Health and Human Services.<01:08:50.239><
• </c> Human Services Committee. Senator Papis. Human Services Committee. Senator Papis.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the Human Services<00:09:18.480><c> Committee,</c> Services Committee, Services Committee
• Uh, and so one of the alarming numbers that we've seen in our human services budget from my point of
• I’d have to defer to the Department of Human Services in terms of whether they have analysis done on
• Department of Human Services in terms of noticing people who would have a change in their waiver eligibility
• There are requirements for the Department of Human Services in terms of noticing people who would have

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• E7, Department of Human, no, I'm sorry, E5, Department of Corrections.
• E7, Department of Human, no, I'm sorry, E5, Department of Corrections.
• E7, Department of Human Services.
• Paula Stone, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
• Members, we're going to move to item 12, Department of Human Services.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large set of agency rules and reports. Early items were routine filings: emergency-rule reports, subcommittee review reports, and administrative directive reports were filed without objection. One rule from the Department of Agriculture on maternal health providers and remote monitoring was noted as pulled by the agency and not considered. The committee then reviewed and approved several Agriculture rules, including repeal of equine ID-chip rules after Act 703 of 2025, updates to finance rules adding a new water and sewer treatment facilities grant and consolidating revolving-fund rules, and a pesticide rule creating a Class J pesticide category for feral hog toxicant use. It also approved a Commerce/Insurance rule removing duplicative workers’ compensation plan provisions, and a Corrections rule creating a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities and community correction centers. A member asked about prison visitation hours during COVID, and staff said they would check on that. The committee next approved multiple Department of Human Services rules. These included marketing rules for provider-led organizations under Act 301 of 2025, a comprehensive revision of the DCFS policy manual, changes to Medicaid eligibility to include fictive kin placements and to expand ABLE account eligibility under Act 875, presumptive eligibility changes for pregnant women to align with federal rules, and a follow-up SNAP/TEA/Work Pays rule with updated work requirements, mandatory employment and training, alien eligibility changes, and job-search requirements for certain applicants. DHS also presented a rule implementing federal coverage for certain incarcerated youth before and after release, and the committee approved it. Another DHS rule updated nurse aide training requirements to match federal CNA hour standards and moved criminal-records-check procedures to the agency website. The most extended discussion involved DHS Division of Medical Services’ dental rate rule under Act 1025. The agency explained that it was increasing pediatric dental rates and certain oral-surgery-related rates, but not orthodontic rates or a broader special-needs benefit limit because CMS would not approve a diagnosis-based limit. Members debated whether the statutory language was intended to cover general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, with legislators, the Dental Association, and DHS discussing legislative intent, fiscal impact, and whether a future fix or emergency rule might be needed. Despite the disagreement, the committee approved the rule. The committee also approved other DHS medical rules: adverse-decision appeal changes and prior-authorization posting requirements, an increased RSV administration fee for children, expanded emergency treat/triage/transport ambulance authority, and clinic-based physical and occupational therapy coverage. Later, the committee approved permanent rules for the new state insurance program under Shared Administrative Services, procurement rule revisions recommended after an ACASO review, and commodity-management rule updates including a new revenue distribution model. Under Act 595 of 2021, the committee granted two Department of Commerce/Insurance requests to be excluded from rulemaking requirements: one for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting, and one for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would promulgate rules later when clinical guidelines are available. Finally, the committee accepted a recommendation to keep and extend the Department of Education, Division of Career and Technical Education rules, filed outstanding rulemaking updates, and adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to this position, she was serving as the Director of the Department of Human Services.
• the California Department of Transportation.
• of Human Services.
• She started a long career in state service with the Department of Finance in 1999, and she also served
• in the Department of Social Services and the Healthcare Access and Information Office.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several routine announcements. Senator Weber Pierson removed SB 977 from the consent calendar. The chamber then took up a series of gubernatorial appointments, including Irena Ortega to the Public Employment Relations Board, Monica Erickson as director of the Department of Human Services, Armin Mayor as senior deputy commissioner at the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Uca Dunkay to the California State Lottery Commission; all were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls after brief presentations by Senator Grove. The Senate also considered several commemorative resolutions. SCR 152, by Senator Reyes, designated April 10, 2026 as Dolores Huerta Day. Senators from both parties spoke in support, praising Huerta’s lifelong labor, civil rights, and nonviolent organizing work, and noting her role in the farmworker movement and the contributions of Filipino farmworkers. The resolution passed unanimously. SR 91, by Senator González, recognized Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week; SCR 149, by Senator Valadares, marked World Autism Awareness Day and emphasized early intervention and adult services; and SCR 150, by Senator Choi, recognized National Librarian Day and the public value of librarians. Each of these resolutions was adopted with broad support. The Senate also passed SB 1078 by Senator Laird, an urgency measure giving Santa Cruz County voters the opportunity to consider a local tax increase above the combined local tax rate cap to help fund services, including medical services; the bill passed 29-9 on both urgency and final passage. SR 98 by Senator Wiener, designating Heat Pump Week in California, also passed with strong support, highlighting energy savings, emissions reductions, and the state’s electrification goals. After lifting the call, the chamber confirmed the earlier appointments and adopted the remaining consent calendar items without objection. The session ended with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Deanna Mooney, a nurse and community leader, with the Senate scheduled to reconvene on April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the Minnesota Department of Health, MDH also finds the pipeline of new workers isn't keeping
• According to the Minnesota Department of Health, MDH also finds the pipeline of new workers isn't keeping
• According to the Minnesota Department of Health, MDH also finds the pipeline of new workers isn't keeping
• of Health, MDH also finds the Department of Health, MDH also finds the pipeline<00:10:28.640><c> of<
• According to the Department of Revenue's 2024 tax incidence study, 77% of the 2024 tax incidence study

Transcript Highlights:

• inclusion of the rates proposal to allow the Department of Human Services to apply for a directed payment
• 08.639><c> Department</c><01:52:08.880><c> of</c><01:52:09.119><c> Human</c><01:52:09.360><c> Services
• </c> allow the Department of Human Services allow the Department of Human Services to<01:52:10.880><c
• proposal, which will bring funding to the Department of Human Services to strengthen the fraud and program
• </c> Department of Human Services to Department of Human Services to strengthen<02:04:06.880><c> um</

Transcript Highlights:

• He was an educator of civil and human rights, a role model, and He was an educator of civil and human
• She fought for the rights of the poor and for global human rights, ensuring that Dr.
• Day is the only federal holiday that is officially recognized as a National Day of Service to volunteer
• King was a symbol of love, respect, and humanity.
• Colleagues, I rise to ask that we adjourn in memory of Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine announcements and motions. Senator González obtained unanimous consent to print a letter in the journal. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 107, honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with extensive floor remarks from many senators reflecting on King’s legacy, civil rights, nonviolence, economic justice, solidarity across communities, and current concerns about discrimination, immigration enforcement, and threats to democracy. Speakers from multiple caucuses and affiliations supported the resolution, including Senators Richardson, Archuleta, Choi, Smallwood-Cuevas, Blakespear, Pérez, Weber, McNerney, Wiener, Reyes, Cabaldon, Rubio, and Alvarado-Gil. Their comments emphasized King’s leadership, the Letter from Birmingham Jail, the Poor People’s Campaign, and the need to continue his work through policy and civic action. Senator Richardson closed on the measure, and the Senate adopted SCR 107 by roll call vote. After the resolution, the Senate moved to adjournment in memory. Senator Pérez honored Alhambra Police Department Officer Alex Sanders, who died in a vehicle pursuit accident while on duty. Senator McGuire remembered Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, with additional remarks from Senators Becker and Laird about his cultural impact and philanthropy. Senator McNerney and Senator Alvarado-Gil then honored the victims of a Stockton mass shooting, including children Journey Rose Guerrero, Maya Lupian, and Amari Peterson, and a 21-year-old, Susanna Archeletta, describing their lives and the community’s loss. The session ended with the Pro Tem noting the day’s reflection and announcing the Senate would reconvene on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Louisiana's Department of Corrections pays upwards of $50 to $60 a day to house an inmate
• the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
• the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
• the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
• or with a victim of human trafficking; and the residual of any offense under the laws of this state,

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on March 25, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 884. The committee then took up HB 806, which strengthens Louisiana’s hit-and-run laws by adding rapid notification procedures through law enforcement systems and clarifying investigative protocols. Vice Chair LaFleur and several family members of hit-and-run victims testified in strong support, describing the bill as a needed accountability and public-safety measure; it was adopted as amended and reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 143, which raises the per diem paid to sheriffs for housing state inmates in parish jails from $26.39 to $29.39 to match current appropriations practice. Sheriffs and committee members emphasized that local jails are underfunded and provide important programming and cost savings to the state; the bill was reported favorably. The committee next approved several local or criminal justice measures. HB 93, which places the Lincoln Parish jury commission under the clerk or deputy clerk, was reported favorably without opposition. HB 166, which removes Vermilion Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District, drew discussion about regional juvenile detention funding and representation, with members noting similar concerns from other parishes; it was reported favorably. HB 429, which adds theft or unauthorized entry of critical infrastructure as a predicate crime for terrorism and expands protections for energy facilities, received support from industry groups and law enforcement, with one opposition card filed; it was amended and reported favorably. HB 231, creating the crime of intentional evasion of service of process for certain court orders, especially protective orders, was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from the sponsor and support from domestic violence and women’s advocacy groups. The committee then advanced a package of bills by Chairwoman Villio aimed at protecting minors and addressing impaired driving. HB 58 and its companion constitutional amendment HB 51 would restrict post-conviction bail for offenders convicted of aggravated offenses against minors; the Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the measures, while the Southern Poverty Law Center opposed them, and both measures were reported favorably. HB 69 would make it a misdemeanor to tamper with or circumvent court-ordered ignition interlock requirements while on probation or otherwise required by law, and HB 82 would increase penalties for repeat DWI offenders with prior serious injury or death-related convictions; both were supported by prosecutors, police, sheriffs, and MADD, amended where needed, and reported favorably. The committee adjourned after completing action on the listed bills.