Transcript Highlights:

• And then we did some research looking at best practices across North America.
• </c> is being recommended as a best practice is being recommended as a best practice nationally<00:58
• best practice to Minnesota.
• </c><02:14:54.199><c> we're</c> Community needs assessments we're Community needs assessments we're supporting
• </c><02:14:57.360><c> to</c> to bring this best practice to to bring this best practice to Minnesota<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's practically happy hour, but I don't see any cocktails. I double-checked over there.
• </c><01:03:36.160><c> um</c><01:03:36.960><c> in</c> um forecasting practices um in um forecasting practices
• </c><01:03:49.119><c> That's</c><01:03:49.280><c> a</c> practices for metroomobility.
• That's a practices for metroomobility.
• The change uh uh assessment provision.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For living suspects, typically a search warrant, best practice.
• The practical impact is that investigators cannot simply request medical records.
• One of the things we do at FDLE is the behavioral threat assessment and management program.
• law enforcement agencies, to include federal agencies, have a specific focus on behavioral threat assessment
• safe in the state of Florida, and we do everything that we can to make sure that we put those into practice

Summary: The committee met with Senators Garcia and Simon excused and heard a presentation from FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard on homicide and violent-crime investigations, focusing on access to blood evidence, toxicology, medical records, mental health records, and the legal limits imposed by Florida law, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2. He explained that autopsy evidence collected by medical examiners is generally available to law enforcement, while hospital records and mental health/substance abuse records usually require subpoenas, court orders, or consent, which can delay investigations. He also discussed the difference between DNA testing and toxicology testing, the role of warrants and probable cause for living suspects, and the special rules that apply when a suspect is deceased. Members asked detailed questions about what toxicology panels include, whether medications can be tested for, how medical examiners review prior medical history, and whether FDLE tracks data linking violent crime to mental health issues or follow up with regulators after incidents. Pollard said the agency follows investigative leads where relevant, but regulatory follow-up depends on the circumstances. He also discussed behavioral threat assessment and management, and said risk protection orders have been used effectively to prevent violence and can lead to court-ordered evaluations and services. The committee then shifted to crime lab capacity and turnaround times. Pollard said the average DNA turnaround time was 208 days for some evidence, with anything over 30 days considered backlog, but that sexual assault kits are prioritized and generally handled much faster, with rush cases sometimes completed within 24 hours. Members expressed concern about delays in unsolved violent and sexual assault cases and asked what resources would help reduce backlog; Pollard said additional analysts would improve turnaround times. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenter and adjournment after Senator Bernard moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• then another transfer of 25,000 that is made from this agency to the Sign Language Interpreting Practice
• And so right now, for state-funded guardianships, we train our guardians to practice supported decision
• I will tell the court my young child would like to go home to their mom, but it is my assessment based
• They provide not duplicative assessments, but they will do a quick assessment and review assessments
• an attorney, you're saying that there's a social worker that's basically providing evaluation or assessment

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Much of this bill is new language, but it is not new in practice, just updated and reorganized.
• and to provide a report to Legislative Management. ...assessment and to provide a report to Legislative
• President, as said, House Bill 1209 is regarding a foreign adversary threat assessment. ...regarding
• a foreign adversary threat assessment.
• The responsibility for this deep threat assessment is now being assigned to the Department of Emergency

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then moved through a series of conference committee appointments and reconsideration motions. Senator Axtman successfully moved to reconsider House Bill 1160, which had previously failed, and the chamber later passed it. HB 1160 creates a statewide bell-to-bell policy restricting personal electronic devices during instructional time; supporters argued it would reduce distractions, improve mental health and academic outcomes, and help teachers, while opponents raised local control concerns. The bill passed 42-4. The Senate also passed several other measures, including HB 1247 on protecting student victims of sexual offenses, HB 1489 consolidating civil protection orders into one chapter, HB 1032 making municipal courts courts of record and updating related procedures, HB 1487 authorizing a Minot facility for the Highway Patrol and Bureau of Criminal Investigation with a line of credit and emergency clause, HB 1469 requiring annual online statements of interest for public officials, HB 1199 creating the Missing and Indigenous People Task Force and related MMIP initiatives, HB 1169 regulating paid veterans benefits claim assistance with consumer protections, HB 1209 directing a foreign adversary threat assessment, and HB 3018 as amended to study water, wetlands, and taxation of inundated lands. Most of these passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 1169 drew substantial debate over veterans’ service options and HB 1209 passed on a narrower 40-7 vote. The chamber rejected or declined several other measures. HB 1455, which would have required the Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications, failed 7-40 after concerns about an unfunded mandate and duplicative duties. HB 1259, which would have put North Dakota on year-round daylight saving time, was defeated 15-32 after debate over time zones, construction, recreation, and whether the issue should be left to future legislatures. HB 1555, dealing with statements of ownership for foreign organizations of concern, also failed 3-44. The Senate then moved to announcements and committee scheduling for later meetings and conference committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the existence of anti-union practices of the existence of anti-union practices and<00:20:08.240
• </c><00:25:50.560><c> and</c> anti-union messaging, assessments and anti-union messaging, assessments
• and reporting back regularly assessing and reporting back to<00:31:04.520><c> union</c><00:31:04.800
• </c><01:02:38.880><c> Um</c> public money and anti-union practice.
• Um public money and anti-union practice.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We began our process in July of 2025 with a situational assessment, and I'll explain what that process
• Then in October, we held a workshop where we took the input that we gathered through the assessment and
• The situational assessment phase is a process that we implement a lot in our projects, where we, with
• And then as Director Weaver mentioned, assessment and translated that into recommendations and then as
• We have to follow hiring practices.

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved the minutes from its February 17 and February 19, 2026 meetings and then heard a presentation from the Department of Water Resources and the Langdon Group on a proposed merger of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Department of Water Resources. The presenters described an eight-to-ten month evaluation process that included stakeholder interviews, a broad survey, and a workshop, and said the goal was to preserve the commission’s non-regulatory identity while gaining administrative efficiencies and technical support. They recommended placing the merged commission within IDWR, retaining commission oversight of programs and funding, preserving branding and legislative reporting, and formalizing a conservation partnership framework to protect the voluntary nature of the commission’s work. Committee members asked about the cost of the study, which was reported at about $90,000 total, split between the two agencies, and about expected savings. Director Weaver said the current legislation and fiscal note anticipate about $110,000 in immediate personnel savings from eliminating the administrator position, with additional modest savings possible over time in operations, equipment, IT, and office space. He also explained that the bureau chief would be hired with commission participation in the selection process, similar to the existing relationship with the Idaho Water Resource Board. Weaver said the merger has received broad support from stakeholders, including the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts, while the Idaho Farm Bureau had initially opposed it but later became neutral. He said the next steps are to complete the pending legislation, work through the executive agency legislative services process, and return with additional statutory changes and a combined budget in 2027. The meeting ended with a brief water supply update noting statewide snowpack at about 74% of normal and concerns about a warm forecast and possible drought conditions later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• 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.
• closely with our disability practice area, which handles our work around mental health services.
• This is a very ambiguous policy from CMS that has really been shown to have no teeth in practice.
• She is a state supervisor of assessment and does just an incredible job for us in that realm.

Summary: The meeting focused heavily on behavioral health and substance use treatment, especially the IMD exclusion and whether North Dakota should pursue a Section 1115 waiver to allow Medicaid reimbursement for services in institutions for mental diseases for adults ages 21 to 64. Turtle Mountain representatives described major local needs, including limited access to care, high syphilis rates, and the importance of timely public health data. They also discussed the tribe’s recovery center, which opened the prior year, now operating five levels of care with 16 beds, and the desire to expand capacity, possibly through an IMD waiver or related policy changes. Committee members also raised related issues such as rural health transformation funding, telehealth, workforce retention, and the need for better coordination between tribal and state public health systems. A central issue was Turtle Mountain Public Health’s long-running effort to secure a data use agreement with the state so it can receive surveillance data and respond directly to infectious disease cases among tribal members. Speakers said the tribe had a successful COVID-era agreement that allowed faster contact tracing and case management, but that agreement ended with the pandemic. They argued that current delays in sharing data, especially for sexually transmitted infections, leave the tribe unable to respond quickly, while the state and county epidemiology workload is too distant and stretched to be effective. Committee members expressed support and said they would look into the issue, noting that other tribes have secured similar agreements. The committee also heard a detailed presentation from the National Health Law Program on the IMD exclusion. The presenter explained that federal Medicaid law generally bars payment for care in facilities with more than 16 beds, but that states can use other tools such as state plan amendments, managed care arrangements, telehealth, and community-based services. He said IMD waivers are administratively complex, time-limited, and have shown mixed results in other states, with some gains in residential treatment access but limited evidence of improved overdose outcomes or stronger community-based care. He urged the committee to consider broader continuum-of-care solutions and cautioned that waivers alone are not a cure-all. No final vote was taken on the bill draft during the portion shown, but the committee discussed the proposal to appropriate $49,000 and one FTE to HHS to pursue an IMD waiver and report back in the next interim. Members also debated the policy rationale for the 16-bed limit, the role of the state versus tribal sovereignty, and whether the bill should move through the Health Care or Human Services committee in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the proposal gives the department more authority to assess and mitigate ...
• . practices. practices.
• :16.280><c> partnership</c> assessment about the partnership assessment about the partnership opportunities
• To the extent that is public, the Data Practices Act allows us to get it to you.
• They asked under the Data Practices Practices Practices uh<01:32:20.360><c> Act</c><01:32:20.640><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , gathering data for in to best practices, gathering data for in to inform<01:01:28.160><c> decision<
• this risk assessment is a new<01:23:10.120><c> procedure</c><01:23:11.120><c> and</c><01:23:11.360><
• </c> assessment of the property. assessment of the property.
• what their capacities are at assessing what their capacities are at both<01:39:23.280><c> harbors.
• In a normal sort of practical way, you should always do a study before spending that kind of money.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills on water, land, housing, permitting, and historic preservation. For SB 746/SD2/HD1 on invasive species, DLNR and the Department of Agriculture supported the intent but warned that a bounty approach for coconut rhinoceros beetle could have unintended consequences, divert resources from biocontrol research, and be vulnerable to abuse; Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure. The committee also heard SB 1541 on the WoE water system, with testimony from ADC, Kunia Village Title Holding Company, and Farm Bureau in support, emphasizing the importance of the system for agriculture and the high cost of water on lands already dedicated to farming. The most extensive discussion was on SB 66, relating to building permit review and county permitting authority. DPP opposed the bill, saying the problem is not just agency review time but the broader permitting process, including applicant corrections, outside-agency review, staffing shortages, and low pay that make it hard to fill vacancies. DPP said it already meets or beats existing review deadlines for residential permits and is using tools like electronic plans and AI to help applicants submit better plans. Several supporters, including Iron Workers Local 625, an individual witness, and Hawaii Food Industry Association, backed the bill but urged a pilot program or other safeguards; some also asked for broader permit coverage beyond single-family homes. Committee members questioned DPP about whether applicant correction time should count against the clock, whether self-certification could be used, and whether the state should fund any new mandate. The committee then took up SB 26 on affordable housing, with HHFDC, OPSD, and HCDA in support and no opposition noted. Finally, on SB 1263 relating to historic preservation, HHFDC and DLNR supported the bill, while OHA offered comments and requested amendments, especially on the new risk-based review process for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas. OHA said the new procedure should be implemented carefully and allowed more time, describing it as a pilot that should be done well to be useful while still protecting cultural and historic resources. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education is already in common practice education is already in common practice in<00:06:01.479>
• <00:14:32.920><c> system</c> assessment system assessment system evaluations<00:14:35.320><c> right</
• c><00:14:36.199><c> assessments</c><00:14:37.199><c> as</c> evaluations right assessments as evaluations
• discriminatory practices.
• discriminatory practices.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Policy Committee opened a hearing on HB 748, which would establish a local education freedom account (EFA) program. The prime sponsor, Rep. Kevin Verville, described the bill as enabling legislation that would let local voters decide whether to create a local EFA program by petition and ballot vote, with a 60% threshold to approve or repeal it. He argued that public education is about funding rather than a specific school building, said the proposal would expand parental choice, and cited Deerfield’s move from a single high school option to multiple tuitioned options as an example of local flexibility. Verville said the local EFA would be funded at twice the state adequacy amount, with the district matching the state portion, while other aid categories such as free and reduced meals, English language learner, and special education aid would not be doubled. He said students using a local EFA would still count in average daily membership, that unspent EFA funds would revert to the district, and that the bill would prohibit double-dipping with other scholarship or EFA programs. He also said special education services would remain under district discretion and that local EFA participants would still take statewide assessments for accountability. Committee members pressed him on several issues, especially special education, transportation, and fairness. Rep. Woodcock and Rep. Murray asked whether districts would still have to provide special education and transportation services if a student used a local EFA; Verville responded that special education would remain in the local district at district discretion, while transportation would generally become the family’s responsibility unless already required in an IEP. Rep. Cornell raised an equity concern about no income eligibility cap, asking whether higher-income families should receive the same public support; Verville replied that New Hampshire does not means-test public education and that the local EFA is a public funding mechanism, not a tuition subsidy that would cover full private-school costs. No vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent MassHealth policy changes, such as new assessment mandates and additional at-home observation
• So that wouldn't have been a CHIA assessment done on it just to get some fiscal numbers on it from CHIA
• I've practiced as a behavior analyst in Massachusetts for 22 years and currently serve as senior clinical
• Is fully recognized in practice. And I respectfully urge you to give this bill a favorable report.
• The 2026 MassHealth ABA policy introduces new assessment, scheduling, and documentation requirements,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on several health care bills focused primarily on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by outlining hearing procedures, testimony rules, and filing deadlines, and noted the hearing would be recorded and written testimony accepted. They said the day’s topics included affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable populations, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would add board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) as a recognized mid-level supervisory role in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field, actuaries, clinicians, and autism service providers testified that the current two-tier model limits workforce capacity, contributes to long delays, and leaves families waiting months for care. Supporters said the bill could expand access, improve retention, and potentially reduce MassHealth costs, while also helping providers meet growing demand and new administrative requirements. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow Massachusetts residents under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Legislators, dialysis advocates, and patients described high out-of-pocket costs under Medicare, barriers to kidney transplant eligibility without secondary insurance, and the financial strain on patients and families. Testifiers said the change would affect about 846 residents, could modestly increase premiums, and might reduce Medicaid spending by preventing asset spend-downs. Senator Gomez and others spoke from personal experience with dialysis and transplant care. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular data-driven review of MassHealth ABA reimbursement rates. Providers and association representatives argued that reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation, workforce shortages, accreditation costs, and new 2026 MassHealth policy requirements, and said the bills would improve transparency and ensure rates reflect the true cost of care. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs thanking participants, inviting additional written testimony, and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you sort of do things that you learned that you didn't want to do out of the historic practices?
• that was bipartisan in its request through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee of some particular practices
• that was bipartisan in its request through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee of some particular practices
• Maybe closer to best practices, and we've been able to do that.
• In different conditions that exist in different places, like making sure you can truly assess that they're

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and routine committee actions. The committee first approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, appointments to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, the appointment of Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, a reference of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Members then heard testimony from Trista Gonzalez, nominee to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, who described her long career in tax administration, efforts to improve taxpayer compliance and service, readiness for the state’s lithium extraction tax, and the department’s work on online sales tax, cannabis, and tobacco enforcement. Senators asked about responsiveness to legislators, small business support, accountability, and enforcement; public commenters from tax and accounting groups supported her nomination. Her appointment advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, nominee to lead the Board of State and Community Corrections. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention-facility inspections, large grant programs for violence intervention and reentry, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audit transparency, statutory authority for in-custody death reviews, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, site visits, audits, and compliance reviews to reduce fraud and ensure grant funds are used appropriately, and that trailer bill language had clarified access to records for death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in some juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with counties and the courts to improve conditions. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. His appointment also advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent MassHealth policy changes, such as new assessment mandates and additional at-home observation
• So that wouldn't have been a CHIA assessment done on it just to get some fiscal numbers on it from CHIA
• I've practiced as a behavior analyst in Massachusetts for 22 years and currently serve as senior clinical
• I've practiced as a behavior analyst in Massachusetts for 22 years and currently serve as senior clinical
• The 2026 MassHealth ABA policy introduces new assessment, scheduling, and documentation requirements,

Bills: H4353, H4425, H4453, H4623, H4770, S2587, S2737

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid, reimbursement rates, healthcare providers, service delivery, accreditation, Medicare, end-stage renal disease, healthcare access, patient coverage, renal failure, MassHealth, asset limit, personal vehicle exemption, vehicle value, healthcare, autism, ABA services, assistive technology, children

Transcript Highlights:

• Quinn suggested that we ask DES about how to assess how a municipality could assess the adequacy of the
• how you know a municipality to um assess how you know a municipality could<00:29:50.760><c> assess</
• </c> something that's called best practices something that's called best practices um<01:01:26.039><c
• assessment on the assessed<01:24:18.960><c> value</c><01:24:19.280><c> of</c><01:24:19.440><c> all</
• c><01:24:19.760><c> property</c><01:24:20.760><c> and</c> assessed value of all property and assessed

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes assessments and the Daily Living Activities-20 functional assessment tool.
• Requires regular treatment plan reviews and standardized use of the DLA-20 assessment tool across child
• It also includes short-term residential treatment, requires regular reviews to assess the need for more
• It requires regular reviews to assess the need for more short-term residential treatment facilities,
• Specifically, it changes the due dates for semi-annual assessments to allow financial institutions two

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action. The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote. Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules. At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because when assessing the alienation.
• </c> and develop a new statewide assessment and develop a new statewide assessment aligned<00:36:33.880
• It provides practical, balanced clarity.
• > this</c><01:08:50.600><c> new</c> The New This practice, this new The New This practice, this new practice
• with the practice of human composting.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we have such a range, we start very clearly with a very thorough assessment of the individual
• That includes looking at criminogenic factors through our COMPAS risk assessment, health care, substance
• We look at all opportunities through these assessments.
• So as we said earlier, when we assess everyone who comes in, we're looking at their educational needs
• So what we do is we assess what’s needed.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met with a new member from Prisoners’ Legal Services and approved the July 11 minutes. The main presentation came from Department of Correction Commissioner Sean Jenkins and Deputy Commissioner Mitzie Peterson, who gave an overview of DOC facilities, population trends, and the department’s broad mission, including sentenced prisoners, pretrial detainees, civil commitments, Bridgewater State Hospital, and the Section 35 program. They noted the custody population has fallen from about 10,000 in 2016 to roughly 6,000–6,600, while the share serving first- or second-degree sentences has increased. They also reviewed the department’s facility footprint, including Souza-Baranowski, MCI Norfolk, MCI Framingham, Bridgewater, and the planned transfer of the Section 35 program to Health and Human Services by the end of 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on programming, education, health care, and reentry. DOC described tablet access for all incarcerated people, free phone calls, email, and more than 330,000 hours of educational, vocational, and reentry use. They highlighted partnerships with colleges and universities such as Tufts, Boston College, Emerson, and others, along with HiSET completion, vocational training, and programs like The Last Mile and Persevere. Health care spending was discussed in detail, including a total annual health-related contract cost of about $300 million, with separate contracts for prison health care, Bridgewater State Hospital, MassAQC, and MAT services. DOC said it has nearly eradicated Hep C and MRSA and now offers all three FDA-approved MAT medications, including long-acting injectables when clinically indicated. Commissioners also asked about specialized programming, language and disability access on tablets, and how programming is distributed across facilities. DOC explained that nothing is mandatory, but program participation is encouraged and can affect parole consideration. Staff described assessments using COMPAS, criminal thinking interventions, trauma-related treatment, and specialized units for emerging adults, mental health, and substance use. The department said programming costs were about $101 million in fiscal year 2025, or roughly 12% of the operating budget, excluding health care. Members praised the elimination of restrictive housing and the rollout of body-worn cameras, while DOC said the cameras required new policy and union negotiations but are now used for training, accountability, and de-escalation. The meeting ended with a plan for DOC to return in September with more detailed information on SAUs, programming statistics, and facility structure, and the commission voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• that end, we have scheduled a tentative hearing in April to review any federal policy changes and assess
• The Department of Finance will of course assess that.
• Yeah, so we are that We are continuing to assess the situation.
• That's something that we are actually assessing. I'll defer to Adrian Barraza.
• So we're continuously assessing, and at this time, we don't have any other information.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy costs for drain pumps now exceed 50% of an annual agricultural reclamation district assessments
• That’s why we support community-wide adoption of proven practices.
• , wildlife biology, Human-wildlife conflict mitigation practices, wildlife biology, urban community,
• And when those conflicts occur, California will not only have the practical management tools necessary
• This is a practical, common-sense approach.

Summary: The committee heard several wildlife and water-related bills. SB 872, by Senator McNerney, would create a Delta Levees and Canal Subsidence Fund and allow waiver of local cost-sharing for Delta levee repairs to protect the State Water Project and Delta infrastructure. Supporters from water agencies, environmental groups, counties, and agricultural interests said the bill is needed to address levee failure and canal subsidence; there was no opposition, and the bill was held open until a quorum was present, with broad support expressed. SB 1108, by Senator Caballero, would establish the Grasslands Ecological Area Conservancy in the Central Valley to coordinate conservation, habitat restoration, public access, and voluntary easements in a region described as the largest remaining wetland/grasslands complex west of the Mississippi. Support came from the Grasslands Water District, Audubon, conservation groups, and local stakeholders, who emphasized the area’s importance to migratory birds, wildlife corridors, and land-use transition under groundwater sustainability. There was no opposition, and the bill received favorable committee support. SB 1135, by Senator Blakespear, would reestablish and strengthen the statewide wildlife coexistence program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal deterrence, education, and compensation for livestock losses. Supporters cited rising wildlife incidents, wolf depredation, and the need for proactive tools; opponents and some committee members raised concerns about rural impacts, funding, and the absence of law enforcement/public safety as a specifically named advisory role. After discussion and amendments that moved the cattlemen and Farm Bureau to neutral, the bill passed out of committee on a due-pass motion, though some members voted no or abstained. SB 1305, by Senator Richardson, would direct CDFW to study the feasibility of grizzly bear reintroduction and prepare a roadmap, with tribal consultation and stakeholder engagement, but would not itself authorize reintroduction. Tribal sponsors and conservation groups supported the bill as a planning and cultural restoration effort, while hunting, ranching, and county groups opposed it, arguing California already faces major wildlife-management and funding challenges and that the proposal would create new conflicts. Committee members debated costs, appropriations, and whether the study should include funding estimates; the bill was amended and passed on a due-pass motion. The committee also heard SB 1250, by Senator Cortese, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning; supporters said it would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, and the bill was presented in support as the hearing continued.