Video & Transcript : 'assessment practices' :
Page 156 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> the</c><00:03:43.040><c> assessment</c> recommendations of the assessment recommendations of the
- assessment because<00:03:44.319><c> people</c><00:03:44.760><c> are</c><00:03:45.000><c> at</c><00:03
- our biggest issue is that um assessment our biggest issue is that um well<00:04:52.720><c> we</c><00
- Um, I do have sort of a practical, not having practiced law, question.
- law</c> practical not having practice law practical not having practice law question<00:14:46.120><c>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several Judiciary-related measures. SB 94 would increase the mandatory minimum jail term for a first knowing or intentional violation of a temporary restraining order from 48 to 72 hours. The Office of the Public Defender and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence opposed the bill, arguing the current penalty is effective, the measure treats very different conduct the same, and the mental health assessment language is unclear and could be harmful or misapplied. Some other testifiers were listed in support or opposition, but no vote was taken.
SB 15 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. The Hawaiʻi Financial Services Association offered comments rather than opposition, suggesting the bill should be clarified as applying to creditor claims rather than property taxes and possibly limited to a primary residence, with restrictions on frequency of use. Committee discussion focused on how the exemption would affect unsecured creditors, the role of recorded mortgages and judgment liens, and whether the bill should instead establish a clearer homestead-style exemption. The bill drew both support and comments, with no action taken during the hearing.
The committee also took testimony on SB 117, which would protect people making sexual misconduct claims from defamation suits unless made with malice; SB 121, a constitutional amendment to give the Senate more time to confirm judicial appointments; SB 14, a reapportionment amendment tied to the decennial census and resident population; SB 175, which would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices from 70 to 75; SB 173, creating a three-year pilot program for free child care for minor children of parties and witnesses attending First Circuit court hearings; and SB 261, increasing juror pay from $30 to $50 per day. Testimony on these measures was generally supportive in the case of SB 175, SB 173, and SB 261, with some opposition on SB 14 and SB 117. On SB 173 and SB 261, committee members asked questions about practical implementation, and on SB 261 the State Bar Association said the increase was overdue and intended to encourage jury participation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/07/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> in</c><00:39:06.440><c> there</c> a lot of practices in there a lot of practices in there that<00
- </c><00:39:43.280><c> first</c> install some of these practices first install some of these practices
- We lay out practices that would address the nitrate issue.
- </c> documented, and every major assessment documented, and every major assessment since<01:55:16.800
- </c><01:58:44.320><c> confirm</c> own modeling and assessments confirm own modeling and assessments confirm
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a practicing podiatrist here in Sacramento at Kaiser Permanente, and I support AB 1591. ...practicing
- I was in private practice, retired at UCLA Medical Center, and my son, who currently practices there,
- Without these standards, parity exists on paper, but not always in practice.
- Physicians who want to be independent practitioners can continue to practice that way.
- I'm a radiation oncologist in private practice in Eureka, Humboldt County.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a tool that assesses organizations' disability inclusion practices in areas such as culture,
- This is a tool that assesses organizations disability inclusion practices in areas such as culture, leadership
- So we discuss that in our hiring practices, our promotions, opportunities for individuals... ...because
- We want to advocate and promote communication and attitudes of best practices as we develop these modules
- So we also, as an ELG, try to bring more allyship practices and to ensure that individuals who don't
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on Disability Employment approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new commission member Victoria Gill, and heard an opening quote on leadership before moving to presentations and planning. The main presentation was from Kristen Grip and Katie McCarthy of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Disability Alliance employee-led group, which described its mission to build an inclusive workplace through education, community-building, and advocacy. They discussed monthly disability-awareness programming, intersectional events, accommodation and accessibility efforts, internal ableism, universal design, and BCH’s recognition in the 2025 Disability Equality Index. They also described their own lived experience and emphasized that employees with disabilities should lead disability-related workplace efforts.
Committee members asked how to start a disability employee resource group and what external partnerships might help. The presenters said BCH’s HR diversity team helped launch the group over about a year, and members noted related resources, including a Work Without Limits guide and possible connections with Spalding Rehabilitation and other hospitals. The committee also discussed BCH’s continued support for disability inclusion work despite broader political pressure, and members praised the hospital’s efforts and offered to share additional contacts and resources.
The subcommittee then turned to possible collaboration with SEED, the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, on Massachusetts as a model employer and benefit cliff analysis work. Members agreed SEED could help with policy framing, comparative data, stakeholder education, and youth disability employment efforts, and they approved inviting SEED to brief the subcommittee in January or February. The group also discussed possible links to CAPE-Youth, Commonwealth HR and DEI offices, and a future partnership with the Office of the Veterans Advocate. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 9th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe you're referring to the COVID assessment.
- And so Governor Baker bonded out that money, and then it is funded through an assessment, a COVID assessment
- The Gaming Commission is primarily self-funded through license assessments.
- The Gaming Commission is primarily self-funded through license assessments.
- So we encourage you to continue that practice.
Summary:
The hearing in Barnstable opened with remarks from the House and Senate co-chairs about the importance of holding Ways and Means budget hearings on the Cape, especially given the region’s seasonal economy and infrastructure needs. The committee then heard testimony from Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones on the governor’s FY27 budget proposal. She highlighted funding for workforce programs including the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, registered apprenticeship, YouthWorks, reentry workforce programs, and services for young adults with disabilities. She also discussed MassHire career centers, the MassHire Innovation Project, and the Department of Unemployment Assistance modernization effort, noting improved call wait times and claims processing, but acknowledging continued challenges and federal funding uncertainty.
Members asked about job-seeker barriers such as child care, housing, and transportation; domestic outmigration of young workers; youth work permits; unemployment insurance costs and the COVID assessment on employers; and the state’s unemployment rate and UI trust fund solvency. Jones and Undersecretary Josh Cutler explained the difference between workforce training funds and the unemployment trust fund, described the statewide trigger that extends unemployment benefits from 26 to 30 weeks when regional unemployment averages 5.2 percent, and said the administration is reviewing the trust fund with labor and business stakeholders. They also said the administration is trying to preserve front-line DUA staffing while shifting resources to customer service and adjudication, including a Friday adjudication pilot and seasonal hires.
Senators and representatives also pressed the administration on regional equity in workforce funding, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, which was described as serving a large rural area with fewer resources than other regions. Administration officials said they are reviewing MassHire funding formulas and modernizing the system with a policy committee and state workforce board input, but did not offer an immediate fix. The committee also heard that early childhood education apprenticeships are expanding quickly, with state funding leveraged to secure federal grants and support new Grow Awards. The hearing then moved to the Executive Office of Economic Development, where Secretary Eric Paley outlined House 2 proposals for economic development, including support for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, workforce partnerships, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, AI, small business assistance, tourism, and tax incentives. Undersecretary Leila D’Amilia followed with testimony on consumer affairs and business regulation, describing funding for consumer protection, banking oversight, occupational licensure, and public safety inspections.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there's also a practical side to the Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- I think there's also a practical side to this.
- I am the director of the services practice area at the National Health Law Program.
- I am the director of the services practice area at the National Health Law Program.
- She is a state supervisor of assessment and does just an incredible job for us in that realm.
Summary:
The meeting focused on Turtle Mountain’s public health and behavioral health priorities, especially access to rural health transformation funding and a long-running data use agreement with the state. Tribal public health leaders described how, during COVID, a temporary data-sharing arrangement allowed them to do their own contact tracing and case management, and they argued that a similar agreement is now needed to respond more quickly to very high syphilis rates and other infectious disease concerns. Committee members generally expressed support and said they would follow up with state officials, while tribal representatives emphasized that they already have the staff and infrastructure to use timely data effectively.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Turtle Mountain Recovery Center and the broader issue of the IMD exclusion and residential treatment capacity. Tribal leaders described the center’s opening, its five levels of care, its 16-bed limit, and its efforts to become financially sustainable through billing, grants, and partnerships. They shared success stories and argued for an IMD waiver or similar flexibility so the center could expand to 32 beds and better meet local need. Committee members discussed the policy barriers to expanding residential treatment, including federal approval timelines, state funding choices, and the need to preserve a continuum of care that includes outpatient and community-based services.
The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Hector Hernandez-Dogato of the National Health Law Program on the history and mechanics of the IMD exclusion and Section 1115 waivers. He explained that the exclusion limits Medicaid payment for services in facilities with more than 16 beds, but noted existing exceptions and alternatives such as state plan options, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He also reviewed mixed results from states that have used IMD waivers, warning that they do not automatically improve overdose deaths, emergency room use, or access to community care, and may risk reinforcing institutionalization if not paired with strong upstream services. The committee discussed a draft bill to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE for HHS to pursue an IMD waiver, with members suggesting the bill may need to explicitly include serious mental illness as well as substance use disorder and asking for department input at a future meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/09/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> got to and the best person to assess got to and the best person to assess that<01:11:40.159><c>
- </c> $750 and subject to a penalty assessment $750 and subject to a penalty assessment upon<03:44:57.600
- Um there will be a penalty assessment.
- </c> Second Amendment has also practical Second Amendment has also practical public<04:19:21.680><c>
- </c> in 2001, so it is a long-held practice. in 2001, so it is a long-held practice.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Moreover, the burning of agricultural waste, while an established practice, results in massive amounts
- This bill also encourages any state entity that funds ESVM programs to consider prioritizing practices
- The State of California lacks consistent criteria for assessing strengths and weaknesses of climate resilience
- However, the state lacks consistent criteria for assessing strengths and weaknesses of climate resilience
- This includes assessing the mechanical integrity, no less than annually, and continuous monitoring and
Summary:
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals.
SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor.
The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Mar 13th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, the agency has said that this is the common practice already that has just been clarified here Rider
- They currently fund an average daily caseload, so this would be going against current practices the agency
- Um, the agencies indicated they could have troubles assessing these performance measures on a case by
- Uh, this is, uh, a writer to study and assess the direct and indirect economic costs incurred by the
- The entity to provide an independent assessment of rules, regulations, and minimum standards for childcare
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (03/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The commission did not assessment.
- </c><00:11:59.440><c> during</c> complete a formal risk assessment during complete a formal risk assessment
- </c> reflect consiliation practices reflect consiliation practices authorized<00:14:22.160><c> by</c>
- Until disclose its screening practices.
- </c> include some credibility assessment? include some credibility assessment?
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met to hear the Legislative Budget Assistant Office’s performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. Auditors said the commission was inefficient and ineffective in investigating discrimination complaints and closing cases in a timely manner during fiscal years 2020 through 2023. The report contained 25 observations; the commission fully concurred with 24 and concurred in part with one. Auditors highlighted major problems with case processing delays, inaccurate case data, lack of a case management system, weak strategic planning and risk assessment, outdated and disorganized policies, confidentiality issues, expired administrative rules, fee-setting practices, incomplete financial-interest filings, and failure to complete required reports and reconciliations. Two recommendations, involving complaint screening and conciliation, may require legislative action.
Several observations focused on the commission’s intake and investigation practices. Auditors said complaints may have been screened out before docketing, potentially preventing commissioner review required by statute, and that the investigation process lacked clear rules and guidance. They also found investigators were assigned non-investigative tasks, training was inadequate, interview requirements were unclear, supervisory duties were burdensome, and confidential information was not always protected by encrypted email. The audit recommended clearer administrative rules, better internal controls, more focused staffing, a supervisory investigator position, and improved training and documentation.
Commission representatives said they had already made progress on several items since the audit began, including posting overdue biennial reports and moving toward a case management system expected to go live in June. They said they were working with EEOC counterparts and legal counsel, but emphasized staffing shortages and high turnover, noting the commission currently had nine people working out of 15 authorized positions, with three investigator vacancies and a vacant paralegal position. Committee members thanked the auditors and commission staff, discussed the history of the audit request, and raised concerns about how long the recommended corrective actions might take. The committee took no vote or formal action during the hearing.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 6, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The first is the annual assessment.
- THE FIRST IS THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT. 647 This section 400.54 was amended.
- It already requires the agency to do an assessment, but it enhanced the assessment that is required to
- So, we are required to conduct an assessment.
- This is already common practice and part of the requirements for the aide and delegation of tasks.
Summary:
The Health Facilities Subcommittee met to receive implementation updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration on three bills passed in prior sessions. First, Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer reported on the transfer of the Children’s Medical Services managed care plan from the Department of Health to AHCA under HB 1085. He said the move was administrative only, with no change to enrollment, providers, services, or clinical eligibility functions, and that it was intended to create efficiencies by aligning procurement and shifting staff resources between agencies. Members then questioned AHCA about reports of reductions in private duty nursing and therapy services for medically fragile children, including concerns about appeals, provider credentialing, and whether families were losing services or being transitioned appropriately. AHCA said it was reviewing denials, monitoring the plan, and using contractual remedies while focusing on maintaining access for members.
The committee also reviewed implementation of a bill creating permanent Medicaid eligibility for individuals with permanent disabilities. AHCA staff explained that the agency had submitted a federal 1115 waiver request after public comment and stakeholder meetings, but CMS had indicated it did not anticipate approving the requested authority. Members pressed AHCA on why the waiver was submitted later than the bill’s directive date and on whether the delay was avoidable. AHCA said the waiver was complex and required review, drafting, and public input, and noted that DCF already has a specialized unit to help with redeterminations while the agencies work on operational changes. The committee discussed the practical impact on families who struggle with annual eligibility renewals and the need for clearer communication and faster follow-up from the agency.
Finally, AHCA presented on the home health aide program for medically fragile children and related Medicaid eligibility changes. The agency described the 2023 law that created a family caregiver provider type and the 2025 changes that increased the hourly rate, expanded hours, reduced training requirements, and removed caregiver earnings from Medicaid eligibility calculations, subject to federal approval. AHCA said it had completed state public comment, submitted the waiver amendment to CMS, and was awaiting federal action. Members raised concerns that some families may have enrolled or begun work before the eligibility fix was in place and may have lost benefits, especially in Broward County. AHCA said it would work with affected families and plans, review outreach through DCF and the health plans, and continue rulemaking, system updates, and provider training. The meeting ended with the chair noting that the committee had received the updates and adjourned without objection.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 27, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 377, Heated Tobacco Products, is a simple bill to extend the practice as new products enter the market
- House Joint Resolution 213 changes the assessment increases from assessment increases from every year
- We thought slowing the assessment down to every third year was a better solution.
- If they are able to assess every year, they're going to tack the three percent on a non-homestead.
- value, their assessed value increased so their tax that they had to pay went up and increased.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/17/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So I think this amendment places what we want into a more practical and enforceable bill that we can
- But I would utility assessment for that.
- at a higher infrastructure assessment at a higher standard<01:05:11.520><c> than</c><01:05:11.760><c
- Um, so this would most likely be done through the utility assessment, and those can be recovered from
- utilities for the cost of a uh assess utilities for the cost of a consultant. consultant. consultant
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 29th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Nevada Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Bill 286, by Assembly Members Storey, Fawcett, etc., provides for a pilot program to assess
- the competency of applicants for a license to teach through alternative assessment methods; referred
- Assembly Bill 286 by Assembly Member Stores, Fawcett, etc., provides for a pilot program to assess the
- Health and Human Services provides for a priority review of certain applications for licensure to practice
- The amendment prohibits an installment lender from engaging in any deceptive trade practice.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Of those, only 846 said they practiced criminal law.
- of practicing law.
- I left West Texas and went back home to practice in 1995.
- I have questions for you about your practice.
- You are. ...from people who really aren't practicing. You are practicing. Yes, sir.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- The guidance created by AB 638 will outline best management practices for safely using stormwater irrigation
- They are registered with EPA, requiring human health and environmental assessments to demonstrate safety
- And its ongoing data gathering and assessment efforts are precisely what needs to happen to comprehensively
- assess risk, the impacts, or any impacts of public health.
- of a veterinary practice counts as a medical setting. I believe that it does. Okay.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The teams are tasked with producing needs assessments, very key, for each agency to facilitate better
- But we will have policies, standards, and best practices that measure objective.
- Policies, standards, and best practices that measure objectively, and they will be reporting back to
- I'm just wondering, practically. The accountability ultimately sits with the legislature.
- I'm just wondering, practically.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This role provides leadership, coordination, and accountability to align practice with policy.
- </c> and accountability to align practice and accountability to align practice with<00:42:06.960><c>
- By engaging students directly, processes and practices are strengthened.
- :51.839><c> are</c> processes and practices are processes and practices are strengthened.<00:48:52.880
- So there's various practices of how districts have gained student voice.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (11-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> decade of integrative health practice. decade of integrative health practice.
- We’re calling for practical reforms that align with this strategy.
- We're calling<00:25:28.480><c> for</c><00:25:28.720><c> practical</c><00:25:29.279><c> reforms</c><00
- practical reforms that align with<00:25:30.799><c> this</c><00:25:31.039><c> strategy.
- </c><00:42:08.000><c> and</c> already used in physician practices and already used in physician practices
Summary:
The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits.
The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks.
The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 18th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I just wanted to stand and speak in favor of him because he is remarkably accessible and practical.
- Because he is remarkably accessible and practical, as well as being visionary.
- For decades, I repeat, for decades, it's been a standard practice to integrate the cost of repairing
- For decades, I repeat, for decades, it's been a standard practice to integrate the cost of repairing
- This bill updates the exempt practice settings.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities.
The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote.
On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.