Transcript Highlights:

• Arkansas Codes 14-59-101 through 119.
• The town was in noncompliance with these codes as noted below.
• It was in a storage building.
• And so you have to follow the rules as set out in the code.
• It's a few code sections later.

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• and a reference to help cities build and a reference to help cities build that<00:11:04.079>
• And I would say, you know, if they can build three single-family homes, they can build a triplex.
• <01:04:56.599> Codes<01:04:57.400> existing<01:04:57.880> public Building Codes
• existing public Building Codes existing public infrastructure<01:04:58.920> environmental<01:04
• Why are you not building townhomes? This building feels very large.'

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on all public streets, roadways
• It authorizes county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on all public streets, roadways
• It authorizes county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on all public streets, roadways
• next agenda item today is Senate Bill 66, relating to housing, which requires counties to grant building
• requires counties to Grant building requires counties to Grant building permits<00:04:04.159>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing met on February 11, 2025, to hear Senate Bill 662 and Senate Bill 66. SB 662 would require HHFDC to transfer the public roads in the Villages of Kapolei to the City and County of Honolulu by January 1, 2026, and would authorize county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on all public streets and highways. Testimony on the measure was in support from H50, the City and County of Honolulu, and an individual testifier. HHFDC Executive Director D. Minomi said the agency had been negotiating with the city over a $60 million transfer of road and infrastructure maintenance responsibility, but no formal agreement had been drafted; negotiations were paused when related bills were introduced. He said that if the bills do not pass, HHFDC would continue negotiations because the amount is less than the estimated cost of rehabilitating the roads itself and would free up staff time. The committee recommended SB 662 be passed with amendments, including a deferred date and report language referencing the ongoing negotiations, and the recommendation was adopted with aye votes from the chair, vice chair, Senator Kino, and Senator Kuha. The committee then heard SB 66, which would require counties to issue building permits within 60 days when applications are stamped and certified by a licensed engineer and architect and other conditions are met. Testimony was mixed, with the Department of Planning and Permitting for the City and County of Honolulu in opposition, and several groups including the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, RMS Sales, Hawaii Realtors, NAHawaii Chapter, BIA Hawaii, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce in support; several individuals also testified both for and against. The State Historic Preservation Division testified with comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended SB 66 be passed with technical, non-substantive amendments and with additional amendments from the State Historic Preservation Division, including requiring a complete application and specifying qualified professionals under SHPD rules for architecture, archaeology, architectural history, and/or physical anthropology. The committee adopted the recommendation by a vote of the chair alone, with no objections noted. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the source law from which they were derived, and revise codes as part of codes enacted during the preceding
• or or relettered duplicate official citations, corrected enacted codes to confirm the codes to the source
• law from which they were derived, and revised codes as parts of codes enacted during the preceding legislative
• Similar to the bill that Senator Kolkhorst just laid out, this is a code update.
• This bill is the update to the Code of Criminal... providers in this space.

Bills: HCR7

Keywords: memorial, tribute, military service, community contribution, Texas legislature

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with six members present and took up several commemorative and code-revision measures, along with one hospice/palliative care resolution. Senator Hall presented HB 2703, designating July as American Patriotism Month, and HCR 7, designating September 29 as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Day; both drew no public testimony and were reported favorably. Senator Kolkhorst presented HB 1615, a non-substantive Texas Legislative Council recodification bill relating to water and wastewater special districts, which was also reported favorably. Senator Parker presented HCR 86 recognizing Denton’s “31 Days of Denton Halloween,” and Senator Johnson presented HB 1620, another non-substantive code update; both were left pending at first and later reported favorably. Senator Johnson also presented SB 644, creating Hospice and Palliative Care Day on the second Saturday in October, which was left pending and later reported favorably. The committee also heard HCR 75, HCR 93, HCR 126, and HCR 92. HCR 75 concerned a local designation tied to marina/guide services and was left pending initially, then later reported favorably. HCR 93 would renew Nacogdoches as the Garden Capital of Texas, HCR 126 would designate Corrigan as the Timber Products Capital of Texas, and HCR 92 would designate the fourth Thursday in March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day; all were heard without public opposition and later reported favorably. Several members emphasized the historical, cultural, or economic significance of the local designations, while the code-update bills were described as non-substantive recodifications prepared by the Texas Legislative Council. After taking up pending business, the committee voted to report the measures favorably, with most also recommended for the May 14, 2025 local and uncontested calendar. The committee certified the local and uncontested calendar list for that date, with some items removed because they had already passed earlier in the day or had other issues. The meeting concluded with a motion to recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I'm reading House Bill 727, it makes an, it makes a, a change to 3004 of the penal code.
• it got, it was, it was, I think it was, I mean, based on this is it was originally already in the code
• Because it affects you, it affects your ability to build relationships.
• And so, well, the, the actual penal code. Is I've seen it.
• That it's disconsonant with other aspects of the penal code.

Bills: HB268, HB305, HB307

Keywords: gun show, firearm sales, criminal background check, firearm regulation, gun show promoter, election procedures, voter registration, residence requirements, change of address, voter eligibility, youth camp, flood safety, life jackets, grant program, flotation devices

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations that own these buildings organizations that own these buildings or<00:23:01.440>
• The bill explicitly excludes school buildings, town halls, general government buildings.
• halls, general buildings, town halls, general government<00:58:25.920> buildings.
• We'll work with you to build these roads, build the pipes that you need, build the parking structure.
• to build these roads, build the with you to build these roads, build the pipes<01:01:01.440> that

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had to be, you know, worked by the code had to be, you know, worked by the code of<00:16:37.839>
• Code 231.
• and 48 US Code 231. and 48 US Code 231.
• There's talk about zip code inequality and zip code discrimination.
• There's talk about zip code inequality and zip code discrimination.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we're working to standardize the categories for our service codes.
• We have eight different service codes, for example.
• Is it just the fact that you need to find a building and then?
• Before I turn to our specific recommendations, I want to build on what Mr.
• Karina Hendren, L.A.O., just wanted to build off the point that Mr.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and then took public testimony from the administration, LAO, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and an aging/disability advocacy group. The administration described IHSS as a large Medi-Cal long-term services program serving more than 900,000 recipients and proposed three changes: shifting some growth costs tied to authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the statewide backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The administration also discussed the earlier CFCO reassessment penalty change for counties and said overdue reassessments had dropped significantly. LAO said the governor’s overall IHSS cost estimates appeared reasonable, but raised concerns about the hours-per-case cost shift, including unclear root causes for growth, limited county control over statewide averages, and uncertainty about the eventual savings. County Welfare Directors Association, SEIU, and consumer/advocacy witnesses opposed the hours cost shift, arguing counties use state tools, the proposal would pressure counties to cut services, and it could harm older adults and people with disabilities by increasing institutionalization and shifting costs elsewhere. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the rationale for the proposal, the lack of a defined baseline, and whether the current assessment tools or MOE structure should instead be revisited. On the backup provider system, the administration said the program is underused and costly to administer relative to service spending, while LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced instead of eliminating it. County, labor, and consumer witnesses opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical emergency safety net even if utilization is low, especially for rural areas and people with complex needs. Members also asked about data quality, county backup systems, and whether consumers know the program exists. On the Medi-Cal/IHSS alignment proposal, the administration said automation would stop General Fund-only spending when recipients lose Medi-Cal and restore IHSS automatically when Medi-Cal is regained; LAO and others noted the proposal had been rejected before and urged better notices and safeguards. Witnesses warned that automatic termination could create gaps in care and unpaid work for providers, while the department said counties already manually terminate in some cases and that automation is ready if approved. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair indicated the committee would continue with public comment and later items before a hard adjournment time.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:42.960> at<00:24:43.200> DLI codes and licensing division at DLI codes and licensing
• <00:26:04.559> and necessary construction code and necessary construction code and licensing
• provide pass through grants to build provide pass through grants to build trusted<00:43:01.280><
• Ideally that were used to build them.
• , done on time, uh people in buildings, done on time, uh people in buildings, people<01:12:34.800

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• In October, a construction crane toppled over on a building in downtown St.
• about co-location in a public school building.
• That code of student conduct is in the...
• So then who's paying for the grounds, the insurance on the building, the electricity on the building?
• So then who's paying for the grounds, the insurance on the building, the electricity on the building?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most often, the most commonly used benefits, there are 257 reimbursable codes or fees to provide dental
• This is a code that they then need to implement within their EMR and billing support services, but we're
• The Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers to think through place of service codes and
• We start with that, some level of trust-building and comfort that you can do this.
• We're asking here—there is no reimbursement code for this—so that could be a potential barrier.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The MAPOC Women and Children’s Health Subcommittee heard a presentation from Kate Parker Riley, executive director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, on the Husky Dental Program and efforts to improve oral health during pregnancy. She reviewed the structure of Connecticut’s Medicaid dental benefit, the ASO model, provider network, utilization trends, and member barriers to care. She noted that children’s dental measures remain above the national median, but adult utilization is lower and the dental provider network has been shrinking, with longer wait times in rural areas. A major focus was the state’s goal to raise the rate of oral evaluation during pregnancy from about 17.5% to 25% by 2030. Riley described planned outreach to OB/GYN practices using a draft “snapshot” report showing each practice’s pregnancy oral-health rate compared with the state average, along with education materials based on ACOG and AAP guidance. Committee members and guests discussed barriers such as lack of provider training, workflow burden, access to dentists who will see pregnant patients, and the need for stronger referral bridges. Suggestions included adding simple oral-health screening questions in OB settings, using human support to make appointments, and exploring co-located dental hygienists or other embedded models. Riley also highlighted partnerships with DSS, DCF, Head Start, WIC, Read to Grow, YMCA programs, refugee resettlement agencies, and school-based and hospital partners, as well as data-sharing and navigation efforts. She said pregnant members newly identified through HUSKY will now receive outreach and navigation support. DSS dental director Carolyn MacArthur introduced herself and said she supports the initiative, noting the literature linking untreated maternal dental disease to poor child oral-health outcomes. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with thanks and a preview of upcoming July presentations on integrated behavioral health and home visitation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just building upon that.
• And this is about building heart health thought...
• And this is about building heart health thought processes throughout their life.
• So this is just a fantastic bill to build upon all of this that's been done in the past. Mr.
• But again, moving forward, I would love to continue to build bridges as opposed to gaps.

Summary: The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met as a subcommittee and heard three youth-sports safety bills. AB 310 would require youth sports organizations to have written emergency response plans for cardiac emergencies, maintain and test AEDs, and ensure coaches have training in AED use and CPR. The author and supporters, including the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation and the California chapter of the American College of Cardiology, argued the bill would save lives and build on last year’s AED requirement. Youth soccer organizations opposed the bill’s broader AED mandate on cost grounds, saying compliance could total millions statewide and could force higher dues, while asking for grants, liability protections, and public-field AED installation. The committee discussed costs and funding options, then passed AB 310 on a 9-0 vote. The committee then considered AB 437, which would add sports-related injuries, including head injuries, to the health and safety information the CIF must report to the Legislature and Governor. Support came from the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and there was no opposition. Members said the measure would improve reporting on athlete safety and accepted technical amendments. AB 437 was approved 9-0 as amended. Finally, AB 708 would allow parents to choose soft-shelled helmet add-ons for youth football to reduce concussion risk. The author described the bill as a parental-choice and safety measure, noting studies showing reduced concussion risk. Members praised the bill as a common-sense alternative to banning the sport and emphasized that it would let families choose additional protection. There was no opposition, and the committee passed AB 708 9-0. The committee also adopted a consent calendar item with amendments before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• the future they do it, they are in alignment with DAGS in terms of using the 2024 International Building
• Code design criteria moving forward.
• <00:14:10.160> something to amend it that when we build something to amend it that when we
• build something new,<00:14:10.800> we<00:14:11.040> would<00:14:11.199> factor<
• <00:14:48.720> code the 2024 international building code the 2024 international building code

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard STR 73 SD1, which requests the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Wellness and Resilience testified in support, saying it was eager to work with local researchers on evidence-based, community-informed recommendations. Support also came from a Zoom testifier, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii Community Foundation. The testifier emphasized the need for trauma-informed supports for children who were ages zero to five during COVID, especially in communities also affected by the Kilauea eruption and the Maui wildfires. Members discussed the long-term impacts of the pandemic and natural disasters on children, and one member said they would support the measure but vote with reservations because they wanted the phrase “climate crisis” changed to “natural disasters.” The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the resolution as is, with some members noting reservations. The committee then took up SCR 239 SD1, which asks DAGS, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation to provide universal changing accommodations in state and county facilities and parks. DAGS submitted comments, DLNR State Parks testified that it supported the intent but raised concerns about the cost and feasibility of retrofitting existing facilities, noting it has 73 comfort stations statewide, ongoing vandalism and maintenance issues, and possible ADA space conflicts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, with testimony stressing that accessible changing facilities are important for independence and equity for people with disabilities. In response to questions, DLNR said it had not received complaints about the lack of such infrastructure and that any future installations should be considered in new designs rather than existing facilities. After discussion, the chair moved to defer the resolution, citing budget and implementation concerns and suggesting the issue be revisited in the future with a revised approach and possible needs assessment. The committee agreed to defer SCR 239 SD1 and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• middle of a lot of small-town conservation commissions when we might just need a scalpel in some building
• codes and things like that.
• just need a scalpel in some building just need a scalpel in some building codes<00:10:17.760>
• 10:18.240> that<00:10:18.399> right<00:10:18.640> in<00:10:18.720> the codes
• Things like, um, you know, you got to build it on a slab.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll have presenters Rick Owen, Senior Staff Counsel, Committee on Revision of the Penal Code; Francis
• I'm Senior Staff Counsel for the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.
• crime, mainly under Penal Code Section, I mean, sorry, Health and Safety Code 11395.
• Some of us do not have a building to walk that many people in.
• And now to the Penal Code...

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reduced state investment, rising inflation, and tougher building codes have hampered our ability to keep
• Reduced state investment, rising inflation, and tougher building codes have hampered our ability to keep
• our tougher building codes have hampered our tougher building codes have hampered our ability
• and cooling and ventilation systems, resolves building code and accessibility deficiencies, improves
• code and accessibility resolves building code and accessibility deficiencies,<01:16:51.600> improves

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that is needed for a school in this case, how is it determined what code is used?
• <01:31:21.760> and bill and and required CPT codes and bill and and required CPT codes and
• Like, what's that process code is used? Like, what's that process look<01:31:52.840> like?
• We need to build on what we started.
• We need to build on what we started. We need to build on what we started.

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• So our recommendation to build more reserves, the reason and the thinking is with implications of what
• I'll now move on to the next item, which is limited public contract code exemption authority.
• allow existing caseworkers to process more complaints and reduce manual processes, enable rapid low-code
• Specifically, the grant supports mentorship, community building, focused trainings, and the fostering
• For new organizations, that's why we did the grace period for new organizations as they build up and

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we choose support over punishment, we begin to repair generational harm and build the foundation
• If I may, I will just say that removing this from the Penal Code does absolutely nothing to stop the
• And putting truancy and absenteeism in the Penal Code does nothing to address the root causes of why
• Mike Montagan, on behalf of the Building and Construction Trades Council, in support. Mr.
• My name's Arthur Calloway, and I just want to say, in order to build trust within the community...

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only. The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously. The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

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Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.