Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction

Transcript Highlights:

• Mayor Carolyn Harris continued: “Arkansas that can create jobs so that we can have livable wages for
• Where are the jobs that are coming to southeast Arkansas for livable wages? I said livable wages.
• Livable wages. So that we can create businesses. Like I told you, I had a business...”
• Arkansas that can create jobs so that we can have livable wages for our citizens in the surrounding communities
• For livable wages. I said livable wages. I'm not talking about $11 an hour. Livable wages.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior minutes and then received a series of audit and compliance updates. Staff reported on delinquent private water and sewer reports, delinquent 2013-2023 water reports, and several municipal accounting code noncompliance cases. Denning and Gum Springs were recommended to be removed from the 60-day clock after staff visits showed improved records, while Fargo, Lead Hill, Almy, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove were discussed for repeat findings involving missing audits, poor bookkeeping, unpaid or misapplied street funds, deficit balances, and other accounting deficiencies. Several of these entities were given additional time or had reports filed without objection, while others were deferred for later review. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was working to improve its accounting systems; the committee voted to defer the matter to the August meeting. Lead Hill’s mayor described efforts to complete overdue water audits and improve office procedures, and the committee also postponed action for 60 days. Almy’s mayor and recorder-treasurer were present, and the committee placed the town on the 60-day clock for repeat accounting issues. Biggers and Gilmore both acknowledged long-running audit problems and said they were working with auditors and the IRS; their reports were filed. Holly Grove’s treasurer said she had only recently taken the position, and that report was filed as well. The committee spent considerable time on the street-fund misuse cases for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho was found to have exceeded the statutory threshold tied to fines and costs, with staff noting the town had since become current on its repayment plan; the committee deferred the report to September. Haynes was also behind on its repayment plan for street funds, with staff saying the town had recently made up the shortfall and was current as of the meeting, but the committee still deferred the report to September. Members and staff also discussed how the speed-trap law is applied, whether certain fines and costs count toward the threshold, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in deciding whether to take further action. The committee then reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which had six findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, competitive bidding, electronic funds controls, and unusually high advertising spending. District Director Craig Douglas said the board had delegated some authority, that receipts were missing during a temporary staffing gap, and that advertising was needed to educate the public; he also defended the sale of trailers and other equipment as a way to exit the trailer business. Several members questioned the explanations and the low resale value of equipment, but the committee ultimately deferred the report to September. The meeting also included a recognition of accounting students interning with audit staff and a final set of actions on deferred water and sewer reports: 11 were filed, seven were deferred for lack of proper responses, and a private report on Shannon Hills Water, Sewer, and Fire Department was noted as involving misappropriation by an office manager and inadequate internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Among those who are working, nearly one in two earn low wages with limited opportunities... ...to earn
• low wages with limited opportunities for advancement.
• It allows them to graduate high school with the skills needed to step into high-wage careers and helps
• more students can develop an entrepreneurial mindset and access CTE pathways leading to robust, high-wage
• to keep pace with inflation, or that's that their district can simply not afford to increase wages to

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills. SB 1154 would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. The author and community college supporters argued it would give colleges flexibility similar to K-12, UC, and CSU and help avoid delays and costly change orders. Contractors and electrical subcontractors opposed the bill, saying its skilled-and-trained workforce requirement and safety provisions would narrow competition and disadvantage small and nonunion firms. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass vote and was placed on call. SB 1347 would clarify that stock albuterol may be stocked in all public schools, including preschool programs. The author and a physician testified that the bill would remove confusion in existing law and improve access to emergency asthma medication for students. School nurses, respiratory care advocates, and small school districts supported the measure, and there was no opposition. The bill passed unanimously on a due-pass to the floor vote and was placed on call. SB 1222 would create a pilot program to designate a lead county office to help regions struggling with career technical education implementation. Supporters said many students remain disconnected from school and work and that the bill would spread proven regional CTE practices. Some committee members questioned whether another pilot was needed, arguing existing CTE programs need more funding and fewer new structures, while the author and sponsor said the bill would build regional capacity and share successful models. The bill passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1378 would create a California Excellence in Service Learning Designation Program to recognize schools and districts with strong service-learning programs. Supporters said it would validate existing work and encourage civic engagement, while one member raised concerns about adding more designations and workload for schools. The bill passed as amended to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1048 would create a Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students demonstrating climate science knowledge through coursework and hands-on learning. Supporters, including the Department of Education and climate education groups, said it would align students with growing clean-energy careers; some members cautioned against adding more curriculum-related seals and noted equity and implementation concerns. The bill passed to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, SB 1101, the Higher Education Data Sharing Transparency Act, was presented. It would require CSU, community colleges, independent colleges, and request UC to notify students, faculty, and staff when their personal information is shared with federal agencies such as the Office for Civil Rights, and to limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters said recent federal investigations and subpoenas have created fear and a lack of transparency on campuses. Committee discussion focused on subpoena authority, constitutional limits, and whether notice should be required; one member said she would abstain because of legal concerns, while another said the bill would continue to be examined in the next committee. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 1101 before a final vote is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Among those who are working, nearly one in two earn low wages with limited opportunities...
• To earn low wages with limited opportunities for advancement.
• It allows them to graduate high school with the skills needed to step into high-wage careers and helps
• more students can develop an entrepreneurial mindset and access CTE pathways leading to robust, high-wage
• to keep pace with inflation, or that's that their district can simply not afford to increase wages to

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to be able to give our workers a fair wage with overtime, with hopefully a better minimum wage
• /c><00:28:22.240><c> workers</c><00:28:22.960><c> a</c><00:28:23.080><c> fair</c><00:28:24.040><c> wage
• </c> be able to give our workers a fair wage be able to give our workers a fair wage with<00:28:25.320
• 28:30.320><c> better</c><00:28:30.720><c> minimum</c><00:28:31.280><c> minimum</c><00:28:31.760><c> wage
• </c> hopefully a better minimum minimum wage hopefully a better minimum minimum wage than<00:28:32.159

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , you want to ask constituents to give you a blank check, and you won't even increase their living wages
• That we're going to make you more successful by changing entry wages, by modulating sales tax, the only
• And if people aren't doing that, the system is so rigged against them to escape poverty in wages alone
• And then they have wages in their pockets, whether they're employees or independent contractors.
• I've got a report in front of me that says the average wage of a worker in Missouri.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• navigate with these increases we are experiencing, and school boards have been forced to pay lower wages
• But after 25 years of underfunding by the state of Minnesota, our wages and benefits have not kept up
• Wages are health insurance.” Not everyone takes the insurance, but everyone takes the wages.
• :08:41.120><c> our</c> year after year, much faster than our year after year, much faster than our wages
• The last renewal we had in my wages.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And for staff, it provides the dignity of a living-wage job in classrooms led by trained, certificated
• No individual provider can sustain a rate cut given the current pressures of wages, staffing shortages
• Even modest wage adjustments to retain staff have a significant impact on already thin margins.
• These dollars would go directly into wages and resident care in your local communities.
• Those wages are already being paid, and reversing course creates workforce instability and access issues

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And for staff, it provides the dignity of a living-wage job in classrooms led by trained, certificated
• No individual provider can sustain a rate cut given the current pressures of wages, staffing shortages
• Even modest wage adjustments to retain staff have a significant impact on already thin margins.
• These dollars would go directly into wages and resident care in your local communities.
• Those wages are already being paid, and reversing course creates workforce instability and access issues

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on the Senate operating budget proposal, beginning with a staff briefing from James Kettle. He described the budget as built on relatively flat revenue after multiple forecast updates, with substantial mandatory cost growth, especially in Health Care Authority, DSHS, and DCYF. He highlighted major policy-level additions and savings, including large tort liability costs, continued support for long-term services, reductions tied to child care and K-12 items, several assumed revenue bills, and major transfers from reserves and other accounts. Kettle also noted the four-year outlook remained positive overall, with about $1 billion ending fund balance in the final year and roughly $3 billion in total reserves. A committee member asked about a diagram showing the loss of federal funds, and staff said they would follow up. Public testimony then focused first on K-12 education, where school leaders, teachers, OSPI, PTA, and rural district representatives largely opposed the proposed cuts to local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, bus depreciation, and related school funding items. Many argued the reductions would disproportionately harm rural and property-poor districts and weaken early learning access, while several students and educators spoke in favor of career and technical education and IT Academy funding. The committee also heard support for wildfire prevention funding from the Commissioner of Public Lands, who thanked the Senate for restoring those dollars but raised concerns about recreation program reductions. Higher education testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the Senate proposal compared with the governor’s budget. Community and technical college leaders warned that the budget still shifts compensation costs to tuition and reduces Running Start funding, while university representatives from Western, Eastern, Central, WSU, and UW thanked the committee for avoiding deeper cuts. Private vocational college students and administrators urged extension of Washington College Grant eligibility for students already enrolled, and others asked to preserve IT Academy and related certification funding. In early learning, child care and advocacy groups praised the decision not to cap Working Connections Child Care but warned that child care and transition to kindergarten still bear a disproportionate share of cuts; they also requested continued support for Dolly Parton Imagination Library and Pierce County early childhood programs, including Family Connects. The hearing continued with testimony on employee compensation, mental health, and human services. State employee and retiree groups supported the budget’s COLA and wildfire funding but objected to cuts in retiree health benefits. Behavioral health and public safety advocates supported mentoring, Trueblood-related funding, crisis stabilization, and the Recovery Navigator Program, while others opposed reductions to those programs and to community-based recovery services. In human services, witnesses thanked the committee for funding victim services, child welfare supports, health homes, adult day care, community health centers, energy assistance, and disability services, while urging the committee to avoid further reductions to skilled nursing, case management, and recovery navigation. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Direct care is just hard for us to recruit right now with what we offer for CNA wages and nursing wages
• </c><00:12:42.800><c> offer</c><00:12:43.040><c> for</c><00:12:43.279><c> CNA</c><00:12:43.760><c> wages
• </c> with with what we offer for CNA wages with with what we offer for CNA wages and<00:12:44.480><c>
• nursing</c><00:12:44.880><c> wages.
• </c> and nursing wages. and nursing wages.

Bills: SF0010 , SF0005

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, bankruptcy, hospital, county, healthcare, financial stability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Solomon, Chessler, aye, Shumake, Short, Slater, Stanford, Horace, Boers, Boers, Trudeau, Valdez, Wage
• in our labor and industry section that have made it very challenging for our small businesses, our wages
• Her boss is a small business owner who can't afford right now to give her a greater wage.
• No hope of making a living wage, and yet they are training our children to move up into jobs that pay
• a good living wage.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB6016 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5609 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5975 , SJM8016 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB5909 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB6045 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5762 , SB6032 , SB6066 , SB6082 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6319 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB5046 , SB5387 , SB5637 , SB5647 , SB5839 , SB5888 , SB5962 , SB6018 , SB6037 , SB6047 , SB6078 , SB6130 , SB6147 , SB6151 , SB6197 , SB6220 , SB6256 , SB6311 , SB6343

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• A COVERED AMENDMENT WHO HAS ACCESS TO TRADE SECRETS, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION, AND EARNED MINIMUM WAGE
• OF TWICE ANNUAL MEAN WAGE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE EMPLOYEE'S MAIN OFFICE IS LOCATED IN FLORIDA FOR THE
• >> YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> TWICE THE MEAN WAGE TO BE $130,000.
• BUT THE MEAN WAGE FOR THE STATE WOULD HAVE BEEN 120. >> Chair: SENATOR PIZZO, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >>
• Senator Pizzo: IT DOESN'T TANTAMOUNT TO USING THE MEAN WAGE BECAUSE WHEN YOU DOUBLE IT ALL OF A SUDDEN

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the highest performance. teachers in Dallas are at $110,000 and so those are those are pretty good wages
• So that's not just an average wage increase, it was an average wage increase.
• particular labor market, how that compares to that self-sufficient wage.
• Board, the Workforce Commission, and the TEA, including student, employment, and wage records.
• They're capable of earning a pretty good wage right then and there.

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when wages do not keep pace and coverage is out of reach, Medi-Cal fills the gap.
• I represent cities in a county where the fastest-growing jobs being created are low-wage jobs.
• A 2026 report found that at many of the nation's largest low-wage employers, a family of three still
• qualifies for Medi-Cal, even on a full-time wage. costs here in California.
• Only 34% of low-wage workers receive employer-sponsored coverage.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• of the market and that we are looking at kids that can go out in the workforce and earn a working wage
• </c><00:59:28.880><c> for</c> workforce and earn a working wage for workforce and earn a working wage

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It only survives because early educators have subsidized the industry by accepting low wages.
• Next slide, please. shortage of qualified early childhood educators, in large part because of the wages
• or friends to turn to for child care support and often will not. qualify for jobs that will pay a wage
• rise, and without adjustments to reimbursement rates provided struggle to pay teachers competitive wages
• Our center... payroll has increased 35% post-COVID wages, I'm sorry, pre-COVID wages. changes. us to

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do work with our partners around the direct support workforce, but we have to again pay the wages
• Because it's indexed to certain things like the wages, right?
• Wage index—Federal Bureau of whoever, okay.
• </c><00:38:11.640><c> right</c> like um um the um the the wages right like um um the um the the wages
• :14.119><c> of</c><00:38:14.760><c> whoever</c> wage index Federal Bureau of whoever wage index Federal

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the Developmental Disabilities Council and related agencies. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, including a pilot project for guardian ad litem and capacity evaluations in guardianship/conservatorship cases, a supported decision-making bill, a health disparities study for people with disabilities, an ABLE savings outreach/staffing measure, a Medicaid buy-in proposal, an adult changing tables equity bill, and a resolution on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Council representatives emphasized that supported decision-making would complement tools like powers of attorney and medical releases, and that the health disparities study would help identify unmet needs by ZIP code and improve state data on the intellectual and developmental disability population. The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii described its role as the research and training arm within the DD system, working with the DD Council and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. It reported activities such as interdisciplinary training, community education, technical assistance, research collaborations, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, publications, telehealth, ECHO Autism, and counseling for Maui fire survivors. The center said it leveraged about $16 million in outside funding last year and highlighted goals focused on workforce development, community capacity, research with direct participation from people with disabilities, and accessible dissemination of information. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, the state’s protection and advocacy agency, supported the Council’s priorities, especially supported decision-making, which it said could help some people avoid guardianship while preserving liberty and reducing state resource use. The center also raised concerns about the DD system budget and urged legislators to review whether the Developmental Disabilities Division is requesting enough funding, noting possible backsliding in services and eligibility. The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health then outlined its statewide waiver program serving just over 3,500 people, its service array, and its budget request for increased waiver funding, a federal initiatives coordinator, and IT upgrades to comply with the new HCBS access rule; no votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And communities like mine in South Central, too many workers remain concentrated in low-wage occupations
• In fact, the highest grossing percentage of jobs created in my county are low-wage jobs.
• And we know when we have low-wage jobs that perpetuates housing crisis, food crises, educational gaps
• It's influenced by housing costs, wages, transportation, health care, agriculture, emergency food systems

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a progressive wage.
• And so, you know, typically we see the entry-level wage for an apprenticeship might be less than the
• entry-level wage for, you know, a typical person, but they very quickly make that up.
• You know, they have to have a progressive wage so that they see some increases during the course of their

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the January minutes. Members then heard from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler, who gave an update on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s apprenticeship efforts and emphasized apprenticeship as an earn-while-you-learn model that can help address workforce shortages while including people with disabilities. He described growth in apprenticeships across sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, and noted recent milestones including the state’s 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to support program development. Committee members focused on how apprenticeship could be adapted for human services and disability-related jobs, including early education, direct care, PCA work, sterile processing, and related health occupations. They asked about funding structures, employer participation, community college involvement, and how to make programs accessible to people with disabilities. Cutler explained that apprenticeship programs are employer-designed but must meet core requirements such as paid employment, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages. He said the state can support programs through the registered apprenticeship tax credit, which he said is $4,800 per apprentice and can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit, and through Grow grants, which were most recently awarded at about $2.1 million statewide. Members and Cutler discussed using intermediaries such as trade associations, nonprofits, and disability organizations to help employers set up programs and navigate incentives. He said the commission could be useful as a convener and suggested a targeted panel or information session with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and existing sponsors to identify a few specific occupations and build a proof of concept. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on potential partner employers, including Eastern Bank, and on possible next steps for a focused panel or pilot opportunities.

Transcript Highlights:

• In any way, even covering cases of health care, I know we calculate out people's wages and they're going
• And then you're like, okay, this person may... ...calculate out people's wages and they're going to work
• wanted to ask you about is something that I’ve done some work in, which is just narrowing the gender wage
• And so I’m wondering if you can speak—you know, the numbers still show that there is a significant wage

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met with quorum and first approved several non-appearance items, including the appointments of Armin Meyer to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and Uca Danka to the California State Lottery Commission. The committee also approved references to bills, a request to suspend Senate Rule 55 for guest access on the Senate floor, and floor acknowledgments, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard the appointment of Arania Ortega to the Public Employment Relations Board. Members questioned her about her background at CalHR and Finance, PERB’s case backlog, implementation of AB 288, recusal rules tied to her prior work, the ride-share caseload, and the board’s role in legislative employee unionization. Ortega said PERB currently has no backlog, is prepared to implement AB 288 if litigation changes, and has strong recusal procedures; she also said the state employee cases affected by her recusal would be a small share of PERB’s workload. Public testimony supported the nominee, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard Monica Erickson’s appointment as Director of the Department of Human Resources. Questions focused on labor negotiations, CalPERS fiduciary responsibilities, recruitment and retention, telework, discipline and accountability, DEIA efforts, hard-to-fill classifications, degree requirements, return-to-office implementation, and the gender pay gap. Erickson said CalHR is working on recruitment tools, class consolidations, apprenticeship pathways, policy forums, and a skills-matching pilot to help applicants, while also addressing pay equity and reducing barriers such as unnecessary degree requirements. Public witnesses spoke in support, and the committee approved her appointment 5-0 to advance to the Senate floor before adjourning.