Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last decade we've made significant improvements to child nutrition.
• You know, science improves and changes over time. We know that.
• Improving Children's Health.
• their lives. and improve their diets.
• I've been the School Food Service Director in Montague Area Public Schools and North Muskegon Public

Bills: SB222

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public comment will be taken at the end of the hearing.
• improvements, whereas EDD Next not only takes on the technology improvements but looks at process changes
• improvements, whereas EDD Next not only takes on the technology improvements but looks at process changes
• I will say that the improvements in technology and...
• So this improvement does not stop with EDD Next.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration held an informational hearing on whether the Employment Development Department is ready for the next recession, with a focus on EDD Next, the department’s long-running technology modernization effort. The Legislative Analyst’s Office reviewed EDD’s major benefit programs, the history of prior modernization attempts, the current Integrated Claims Management System work, and the department’s remaining risks, including continued reliance on a COBOL-era mainframe and the challenge of adapting quickly to future federal or state policy changes during a downturn. The LAO also explained that most pandemic-era fraud was tied to temporary federal unemployment programs rather than California’s core UI system, and that the state’s UI loan repayment is not largely attributable to fraud. Members raised concerns about the cost of repeated modernization efforts, paper versus online claims, appeal overturn rates, WARN notices, and legislative oversight of the project. EDD’s panel said the department has made substantial customer-service and processing improvements, including online self-service tools, improved call center features, identity verification, fraud controls, language access upgrades, and a new document management system. Officials reported that as of early 2026, about 83% to 85% of claims across programs were being processed timely within two weeks, and said paid family leave delays in 2024 were tied to the transition into the disability insurance online platform and seasonal workload patterns. They also said EDD is working with the Department of Technology on EDD Next and that the project will proceed in phases, with paid family leave and disability insurance first and unemployment insurance later. Members pressed EDD on persistent paid family leave backlogs, the share of paper applications, response times for constituents, and whether the department tracks long-running cases and WARN notice trends. EDD said its service standard is generally immediate response through phone, chat, or callback tools, while more complex cases can take longer because the department may be waiting on claimants or medical providers. The department also said it tracks call outcomes and outstanding cases, and that it can provide additional data on WARN notices. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with plans to continue discussing EDD Next and paid family leave at a later March 10 budget hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this will better manage our curb space, improve safety, improve the effectiveness of our traffic laws
• So this bill makes several changes to improve those incentives.
• Senate Bill 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, relating to public works.
• Public health and safety shouldn't have to be risked for economic development.
• Improved road safety. The first provision, broadens the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage the public to provide written testimony by visiting the committee website.
• in, despite the strain it puts on our public resources.
• At its core, SB 1250 is about protecting California's natural resources while improving public safety
• and recognizing... ...protecting California's natural resources while improving public safety and recognizing
• A coalition of over 50 leading unions, public agencies, and companies. U.S.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll speak maybe on behalf of counties and public entities.
• to give public comment.
• This is the public comment portion, so...
• Is there any other public comment? Let me just give you. Is there any other public comment?
• Is there any other public comment? Let me just give you. Is there any other public comment?

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, focusing on how the federal anti-poverty funds are administered and used by local community action agencies. Department of Community Services and Development Director Jason Wimbley explained that CSBG is a flexible funding stream used to address housing, employment, education, food insecurity, health, transportation, and disaster response needs, with 60 organizations serving all 58 counties. He noted California received $68.4 million in federal fiscal year 2025 CSBG funds and that the program served about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023. He also described how CSBG helped with wildfire response and emphasized the risk posed by proposed federal elimination of the program, though he said federal staffing and program operations were currently stable. Representatives from CalCAPA and several funded agencies described CSBG as essential “braid” funding that supports staffing, leverages other grants, and fills gaps for people who do not qualify for other safety net programs. CalCAPA leaders stressed local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and the ROMA performance system, while agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service gave examples of housing assistance, food distribution, employment training, utility aid, rural service delivery, tribal services, and disaster or emergency support. Several witnesses warned that federal cuts or elimination of CSBG would force service reductions, layoffs, and loss of leverage for other funding sources. The hearing also included discussion of CalAIM coordination, contingency planning for possible funding losses, and the limits of county ability to backfill federal reductions. During public comment, one speaker raised concerns about compliance and transparency issues involving community action agencies and asked the committees to ensure agencies follow California law. The chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters, reiterated the importance of CSBG in addressing poverty and homelessness, and adjourned the hearing after noting the need to sustain the investment and adapt services to changing statewide needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Remember, we took up public testimony as we went through the article.
• So the public has. had an opportunity to weigh in on these issues.
• On page 44, item number three for public public access improvements, 615,000 is adopted.
• Page 38, start the public community and junior colleges.
• Item number four was support for the public engagement public meetings that was five hundred and eleven

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with significant changes and improvement in the medical care provided, we've improved medical-behavioral
• We have another member of the public. Please go ahead.
• I think that's an easy fix to make and actually an improvement.
• We are to establish a shared vision across both public and private sectors.
• We are to establish a shared vision across both public and private sectors.

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Public Counsel for the Office of Injured Employee Counsel.
• Next, we have the Office of Public Insurance Counsel, LBB presentation.
• An increase for a Deputy Public Counsel. I had a tough time hiring one.
• Section 1403 has been substantially rearranged for improved readability.
• We do have public testimony, so I will thank you, LBB, and open public testimony.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public input. public input.
• </c> clear improvements in outcomes. clear improvements in outcomes.
• </c> and the public drainage manual. and the public drainage manual.
• Public<01:09:19.719><c> money.</c> Public money. Public money.
• </c> public money has been spent. public money has been spent.

Bills: HF4211 , HF3426 , HF4819 , HF3466 , HF3793 , HF3339

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Public health, we're cutting a million dollars there in home visiting.
• public schools?
• public schools?
• public education.
• public education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and I don't... on the public records request...
• And I don't, on the public records request, how do you—is there a distinction between a public records
• These funds support critical public priorities across Arizona.
• Many of the improvements that you see here, because we already were underway with working on these improvements
• Consistency in enforcement is key to public safety.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met as the House Commerce Committee of Reference to hear sunset reviews and a performance audit covering the Department of Gaming, the Racing Commission, the Boxing and MMA Commission, the Barbering and Cosmetology Board, and the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. The Auditor General reported that the Department of Gaming and the two commissions generally met some statutory duties, but identified major issues: the department had not consistently reviewed independent audit reports for event wagering and fantasy sports operators, had disclosure and conflict-of-interest compliance gaps, lacked comprehensive complaint-handling processes, and was late distributing some compact trust fund payments to tribes. The Racing Commission needed better public records procedures, and the Boxing and MMA Commission had licensing and fee-setting issues. The department and commissions said they agreed with the findings and were implementing recommendations, with the department noting it had already begun look-back reviews, updated guidance, and additional staffing. Members also discussed consumer protection, illegal gambling, prediction markets, and whether out-of-state enforcement actions should affect Arizona licenses; the department said it would evaluate such matters case by case and generally wait for final adjudication or final regulatory action before acting. The committee then voted to recommend continuation of the Department of Gaming for two years until July 1, 2028, the Racing Commission for six years until July 1, 2032, and the Boxing and MMA Commission for six years until July 1, 2032. The Department of Gaming motion passed 7-4, the Racing Commission motion passed 10-1, and the Boxing and MMA Commission motion passed unanimously. The committee next heard the Barbering and Cosmetology Board audit. The Auditor General said the board timely processed many applications and complaints and had adopted curriculum rules, but it failed to enforce disciplinary guidelines consistently, sometimes issuing different sanctions for similar violations without documenting why it deviated from policy. The audit also found problems with reciprocity education requirements, application review quality control, inspections, open meeting and public records compliance, conflict-of-interest processes, fee-setting, and statutory clarity on scope of practice and training requirements. The board said it agreed with the findings, had already updated disciplinary parameters and documentation policies, and was working on the remaining recommendations and possible legislation. The committee then voted to continue the board for six years until July 1, 2032, and the motion passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, the committee began hearing the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority performance audit, but the transcript provided cuts off before that presentation was completed or any action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, UK reported 14 lease improvements between $10,000 and a million dollars from July 1, 2024
• between $10,000 and a improvements between $10,000 and a million<00:02:07.720><c> dollars</c><00:02:
• </c> a private framework, but from a public a private framework, but from a public framework,<00:04:12.480
• plants to improve efficiency, reduce annual cost, and to ensure connectivity of the old and new.
• , and UK will be the sole improvements, and UK will be the sole customer. customer. customer.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote. The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote. Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• . improving the health and nutrition of Texas.
• public health.
• Madam Chair, if the committee wants to move... ...the needle to improve public health, lower healthcare
• So we kind of do this even in our own STAAR test in our public schools.
• Public testimony is closed. We will leave this bill pending at this time.

Bills: SB 25 , SB25 , SB314

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And as we heard earlier as well, health care, not just public sector.
• work at improving that process as well.
• We ran a public service campaign.
• So improving patient safety starts with improving the information landscape.
• , these early adopters are also improving their own bottom lines.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• self- agency and overall I have improved self- agency and overall I have improved<00:42:42.000><c> and
• </c><00:45:46.440><c> their</c> 98% said that it did improve their 98% said that it did improve their
• Please introduce yourself for the record and proceed. improve service delivery support our improve service
• , not just software improvement, but systems improvement.
• </c> better outcomes for motans and improved better outcomes for motans and improved efficiency<01:42

Bills: HF1380 , HF1166 , HF487 , HF1553 , HF1472 , HF258 , HF1911

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: psychiatric treatment, human services, mental health funding, per diem rate, Clay County, disability services, assistive technology, remote support, advocacy, training programs, HF487, Wellness in the Woods, Minnesota human services, grant funding, general fund appropriation, peer support, substance use recovery, addiction recovery, reentry services, reentry after incarceration

Transcript Highlights:

• As it's already been expressed in terms of CalFresh, improving customer service.
• I want to thank our final panel, and I'm going to invite members of the public to make public comment
• I want to thank our final panel, and I'm going to invite members of the public to make public comment
• the room, please provide a public comment.
• Any other members of the public? I'm just going to have some closing remarks.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing of the Assembly Human Services and Agriculture Committees focused on food insecurity in California, with members and witnesses discussing the state’s nutrition safety net, food access barriers, and the connection between agriculture and hunger. Opening remarks emphasized that California’s high agricultural output contrasts with widespread food insecurity, especially among families with children, communities of color, farmworkers, and other low-wage workers. Members also raised concern about federal policy changes, including possible cuts to nutrition programs, immigration enforcement impacts on farm labor, tariffs, and the need to protect state and federal food assistance resources. Testimony from the Department of Food and Agriculture highlighted several state programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local producers, including the California Nutrition Incentive Program, senior farmers’ market nutrition, healthy refrigeration grants, community food hubs, farm-to-school, urban agriculture, and a new tribal food sovereignty effort. Officials said these programs help stretch CalFresh and WIC dollars, expand healthy options in corner stores and farmers’ markets, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. The Department of Social Services described CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, TEFAP, CalFood, emergency food boxes, and tribal nutrition grants, noting that CalFresh participation has risen to about 81% of eligible Californians and that the state has taken steps such as simplified applications for older adults and outreach in multiple languages. Witnesses and members discussed the need to reduce administrative barriers, improve call center service, and keep benefits aligned with inflation. Research testimony from PPIC said 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households of color. The researcher said CalFresh, school meals, and WIC reduce both food insecurity and poverty, but federal rules, immigration-related eligibility limits, and California’s high cost of living constrain their reach. In the second panel, farmers, food hub operators, and food system advocates described how local procurement, food banks, and institutional markets can support both hungry households and small farms. Speakers pointed to pandemic-era programs such as USDA’s food box and local food purchasing efforts as models, while warning that short-term funding and market consolidation threaten long-term resilience. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; members used the session for oversight, questions, and discussion of possible budget and policy follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's the one thing that would significantly improve transparency and improve the bill.
• Just let the public know, then the public can have a debate with the water district.
• Just let the public know, then the public can have a debate with the water district.
• and improve the spill.
• Just let the public know, then the public can have a debate with the Water District.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is do pass to the Senate Public Safety Committee.
• Assembly Bill 2523 increases transparency in California's public higher education systems by improving
• public access... ...increases transparency in California's public higher education systems by improving
• public access to governing board members.
• outside of the public domain.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's a real draw for the public schools.
• Vice Chair Rouson for public comment.
• There is public comment, Mr. Vice Chair. There is public comment, Mr. Vice Chair.
• There is public comment, Mr. Vice Chair.
• No public appearance forms. Is there a debate? No debate.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects. Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the public schools analyst for LFC.
• Public school support.
• Operating budget for public education, the Public Education Department.
• Line 165 is for school improvement and transformation.
• So we're going to go to public comment and work to set 5 minutes for public comment.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance