Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:55.040><c> So</c> school funding formula this year. So school funding formula this year.
• ><c> stands</c><00:46:06.960><c> now</c><00:46:07.359><c> is</c> formula as it stands now is formula
• </c> Serot and Tagard, also Senators Bridges Serot and Tagard, also Senators Bridges and<02:03:34.080
• </c> lever uh to set a formula for a number. lever uh to set a formula for a number.
• House Bill 1383 by Representatives Brown and Soda, also Senators Bridges and Bridges?

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our roads and some of those bridges cannot sustain the log trucks.
• They come off the asphalt and get on the bridge.
• That's the reason why you see the dips on either side of the bridge.
• They won't be able to go over bridges that they can now.
• So, if you increase the axle weight, the bridges can't take it.

Bills: SB46

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• change from the federal government or a formula update from the federal government.
• Those formulas have not been updated since the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being updated.
• Question on the Emergency Child Care Bridge.
• And then on the Emergency Child Care Bridge, which was just addressed by the chair...
• So we are asking for that bridge funding.

Summary: The committee heard an extensive Department of Social Services presentation on child care budget issues, including the Governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, federal CCDF changes, Prop. 64 revenue adjustments, and a one-time $11.5 million disaster-related infrastructure grant for licensed child care facilities affected by 2025 declared disasters. DSS said federal formula updates and lower Prop. 64 revenues would reduce funding and could result in about 4,176 CCTR slots being reduced, but the department said it was working to avoid impacts to currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning general child care funding with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant. Members pressed DSS and Finance on why reductions were not being backfilled and why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unused; DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment challenges, and that some unspent funds revert to the General Fund. The committee also discussed whether some contract dollars should be shifted to vouchers and whether more flexibility should be allowed for infrastructure and expansion costs. A second panel focused on the state’s commitment to expand child care and on rate reform. DSS reported that nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded since 2021-22, but speakers from Stanislaus County Office of Education, Parent Voices California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that unmet need remains large and that the system still leaves many families without access. Stanislaus County described a large local shortage of infant and toddler care and said reimbursement disparities between child care programs and state preschool create disincentives for providers. Parent Voices gave testimony about the burdens and instability families face when trying to access care, especially for survivors and low-income parents, and called for a universal, publicly funded system. The Budget Center said only about 16% of eligible children were enrolled in 2024, urged expansion across the mixed delivery system rather than concentrating investment in TK, and called for faster rate reform and new revenue. LAO estimated that bringing certain CCTR adjustment factors up to CSPP levels would cost $88 million to $131 million ongoing. Members and witnesses discussed the single rate structure, automation needs, and the need for deadlines and a ramp-up plan; DSS said the goal is to eliminate disparities, but that policy decisions are still needed before automation can proceed. The committee then reviewed several trailer bill proposals. DSS outlined a 2026-27 COLA proposal that would apply a 2.41% increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, though the department said it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program and would revise the proposal; LAO recommended making the COLA methodology uniform across programs. DSS also proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology on a triennial schedule, limiting temporary absences in family child care homes to 20% of monthly hours, defining excessive unexplained absences as more than 30 days in a year, and aligning family fee deductions with new federal requirements so providers receive the full voucher value. Members generally supported the temporary absence change and asked about implementation timing for the family fee deduction, with DSS saying it was in contact with Riverside County. The committee also heard a brief update on the Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation, which would extend unused funds through June 30, 2028 because prior costs came in higher than expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we kick-start the conversation to overhaul the funding formula for local aid to make it more equitable
• It's time for that panel to begin shaping a future K-through-12 funding formula, one that accounts for
• It's formula.
• impossible education budgets, maintaining public safety, library senior centers, managing road and bridge
• to finally address the root cause of the inequities in education. 70 funding formula to finally address

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Senate convened briefly for ceremonial business, including the Pledge of Allegiance, adoption of two resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to refer House petitions to committees. The chamber also welcomed Diane Talk, a retiring dispatcher from the South Shore Regional Emergency Communications Center, in recognition of her 30 years of public service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills on final enactment: House 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional off-premises liquor license, and House 473, relating to the Westwood town charter. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means FY27 budget presentation and extended floor discussion. The committee described a $63.3 billion budget built on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in new revenue over FY26, with no new taxes, no tax cuts, and no use of the stabilization fund. The chair highlighted major spending areas including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 school aid, $137 million for MassEducate free community college, $36.4 billion in health and human services spending, $22.7 billion for MassHealth, $2.67 billion for debt service, $5.1 billion for pension obligations, and $150 million for OPEB. Members also discussed the fair share surtax, federal funding assumptions, and the absence of collective bargaining agreements in the budget. Senators from both parties emphasized local aid, education funding, food security, housing, child care, and health care costs, while the minority leader pressed for details on revenue, debt, pensions, OPEB, tax policy, and program integrity. The chair said MassHealth caseloads were projected at about 2 million enrollees, with rising per-enrollee costs driving spending growth, and said the budget includes controls for fraud and waste through DTA staffing, technology, and Inspector General support. Other highlighted items included continued funding for the C-3 child care program, homelessness and supportive housing initiatives, jail diversion, public libraries, and a proposed Foundation Budget Review Commission to revisit the K-12 funding formula. No votes were taken on the budget itself during this portion of the session; the debate was presented as the opening discussion before amendments and later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we kick-start the conversation to overhaul the funding formula for local aid to make it more equitable
• It's time for that panel to begin shaping a future K-through-12 funding formula, one that accounts for
• 90%, and in beginning the steps that will be necessary to finally reform a dysfunctional Chapter 70 formula
• It's ...formula.
• impossible education budgets, maintaining public safety, library senior centers, managing road and bridge

Summary: The Senate first adopted two resolutions commending the Plimpton Historical Society for Deborah Sampson Day and Megan’s Light for recognizing May 2026 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It also suspended Joint Rule 12 on several House petitions, referred those matters to committees, and later took up final passage of two local bills: one authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional off-premises liquor license and another relative to the charter of Westwood. Both bills were passed to be enacted and sent to the Governor. The main business of the session was the opening debate on the Senate Ways and Means FY27 budget, which was described as a balanced $63.3 billion proposal. The chair and supporters highlighted major investments in unrestricted local aid, Chapter 70 education funding, regional school transportation, rural aid, community college affordability, food security, housing, and health and human services. They also emphasized that the budget was built on the consensus revenue estimate, included no new taxes or tax cuts, did not use the rainy day fund, and relied in part on federal funds and Fair Share revenue. In extended questioning, the minority leader pressed for details on the budget’s assumptions and cost drivers, including federal participation, Fair Share revenue, debt service, MassHealth caseload and spending, pension and OPEB liabilities, settlement reserves, collective bargaining funding, and controls against waste, fraud, and abuse. The chair responded that federal funds account for about 22% of budgeted revenues, Fair Share revenue is estimated at about $2.7 billion, debt service is about $2.67 billion, MassHealth and related health and human services total about $36.4 billion, pension funding is $5.1 billion, and OPEB receives a $150 million payment. Members also discussed the C-3 child care program, DTA program integrity, and housing permitting reforms, with several senators speaking in support of the budget’s priorities and urging further debate and amendments before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• change from the federal government or a formula update from the federal government.
• Question on the Emergency Child Care Bridge.
• And then on the Emergency Child Care Bridge, which was just addressed by the Chair...
• Have we seen if this program was successful in bridging...
• So we are asking for that bridge funding.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• back to the department about the conditions of those bridges.
• Road and bridge infrastructure, those types of technologies would, I would expect, be included in the
• I mean, I know we're talking about the revenue from the things in the bill, but as for the formulaic
• Bridge Program money to be able to leverage the state investment.
• Under the formula, they're supposed to be replaced every 12 years.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• We want good bridges. We want good signs. We want good striping.
• back data to the department about the conditions of those bridges.
• As technology improves and as we integrate that into our Road and Bridge Infrastructure, those types
• Right now, I think the tribes, at least for some of them are going after the Tribal Transportation Bridge
• Under the formula, they're supposed to be replaced every 12 years. Some don't make it to 12 years.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and in order to get this bridge and in order to get this bridge completed<00:31:11.440><c> we</c
• Maybe that would also feed into the adequacy formula.
• Maybe that would also feed into the adequacy formula.
• Maybe that would also feed into the adequacy formula.
• We have a motion of interim study on the adequacy foundation formula HB 772.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session began with HB 656, as amended, which would treat federal funds received by school districts as unanticipated money unless already listed in the annual report, and would require notices and school board minutes to identify the grant and summarize any obligations attached to accepting it. Supporters said the bill was aimed at transparency so voters would understand the “strings attached” to grants, while opponents raised concerns that the amendment was new, potentially vague, and could require districts to publish lengthy or redundant information, increasing costs and administrative burden. Several members suggested alternative approaches, such as a state-level list of common grant obligations or posting grant documents online. No vote was taken, and some members argued the bill was not ready for action. The committee then moved to HB 665, which would expand eligibility for free school meals to households at up to 300% of federal poverty guidelines and use education trust fund money to cover the added cost. Representative Damon strongly supported the bill, citing food insecurity and arguing the fiscal note likely overstated costs because the bill requires at least one free meal, not necessarily both breakfast and lunch. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote or final action on HB 665 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm pleased to present AB 2430, the Bridge and Booth Act, sponsored by the California After-School Advocacy
• You know, I first looked at the local control funding formula.
• budget subcommittee where we spent a lot of time developing and adopting the local control funding formula
• It became clear to me that with my skills in math and bilingualism, I could help bridge the gap between
• Now, after completing five years of teaching, my students continue to show me the need to bridge math

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when it comes to bridges, many rural towns are still held back by fragmented funding, long waits,
• But in rural Massachusetts, when a bridge fails, it can take eight or more years to replace.
• Last May, in my hometown of Great Barrington, the Brookside Bridge was abruptly shut down overnight.
• or replaced more than 200 bridges in less than a decade.
• bridges with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 41 bills covering accessibility, motorcycles, vehicle operation, and water transportation. The chair and vice chair outlined the hearing process and noted the committee members present. Testimony was taken in person and remotely, with written testimony accepted throughout the hearing. Several bills drew testimony in support. Representative Lee Davis supported H. 4130, which would renew and expand the accelerated bridge program, arguing it would speed repairs to structurally deficient bridges, especially in rural areas, and reduce long-term costs. Testimony also supported H. 4402 and S. 2639, which would authorize automated curb enforcement and improve parking violation procedures; witnesses said automated curb management could reduce double parking, improve safety and traffic flow, and should include privacy protections and local opt-in authority. The committee also heard strong testimony for S. 2611, which would require motor coach passengers to wear seatbelts, with witnesses from Sarah’s Wish Foundation citing a fatal crash involving their daughter and low seatbelt usage on buses. Senator O’Connor and Vincent DeAndrea testified for S. 2430, which would tighten motorcycle permit rules for drivers under 18 by requiring rider training, a junior operator’s license, and a clean driving record; they cited teen crash risks and Mr. DeAndrea’s son’s death in a motorcycle crash. The hearing ended after a brief recess and a final request to report out another bill concerning breakdown lanes and fines, followed by a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we kick-start the conversation to overhaul the funding formula for local aid to make it more equitable
• It's time for that panel to begin shaping a future K through 12 funding formula, one that accounts for
• 90%, and in beginning the steps that will be necessary to finally reform a dysfunctional Chapter 70 formula
• It's formula.
• impossible education budgets, maintaining public safety, library senior centers, managing road and bridge

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• have problems with salaries and county governments is because we base their salaries off arcane formulas
• And we need to update The formulas, as well as the funding sources, I mean, and that's not, I mean, isn't
• And we need to look at those formulas rather than you know, rather than this.
• committee that all of our counties are whole and healthy, and then all we need is some kind of a formula
• making sure that the citizens in a county have access to adequate services from that county: roads, bridges

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, you said to explain the formula... ...the formula component of the lump-sum reductions?
• Chairman, in terms of the total education budget, it's over $8 billion, formula and non-formula dollars
• On the education bill, you said that there's a 2% increase for inflation in the formula.
• This bridges the gap between education and employment.
• It's English, and that is: no formula programs are impacted.

Summary: The joint appropriations committee met on April 28 to review the FY 2027 budget package, including the general appropriations feed bills (HB 4138 and SB 1831) and related budget reconciliation measures. Staff described the budget as including about $17.96 billion in general fund appropriations, a one-time transfer of state monies to increase revenues, a 5% lump-sum reduction to most agencies’ discretionary general fund budgets, and several one-time restorations or continuations for items such as school facilities, child care, child safety, corrections stipends, and public safety operating costs. Members spent much of the meeting debating how the across-the-board cuts would be implemented, which programs might be affected, and how fund sweeps from prior-year appropriations and special funds would work, including questions about universities, public safety, rural hospitals, transportation grants, the Corporation Commission, and health insurance costs for state employees and troopers. A major point of discussion was the impact on universities and higher education. Arizona Board of Regents representatives said the proposed reductions and fund sweeps would affect already obligated dollars, research, staffing, and student aid programs, and could force difficult decisions about programs such as the Promise Program, Teachers Academy, and other pass-through funds. Committee members also raised concerns about whether the cuts could lead to tuition increases or reductions in services, while majority members emphasized that agencies and the executive branch should decide how to absorb the reductions. Another major topic was health care and the state employee health plan: staff explained that the budget includes a $228 million general fund infusion to stabilize the plan, while a separate reconciliation bill would raise employee premiums over three years. Members also discussed whether the budget’s changes to AHCCCS/Access and hospital eligibility rules could increase costs for hospitals and reduce coverage. Public testimony largely opposed the budget. Speakers from Opportunity Arizona, the Arizona Board of Regents, and local governments argued that the proposal would shift costs onto working families, reduce support for education, housing, SNAP, health care, and rural infrastructure, and protect tax benefits for data centers and higher-income taxpayers. A mayor from Globe asked for state help after severe flooding damaged roads, water lines, and homes, while a motorcycle safety advocate asked the committee to review a DPS motorcycle safety fund appropriation. Committee members and staff repeatedly clarified that some items discussed were one-time appropriations not continued into FY 2027, that some fund sweeps were from unspent or unencumbered balances, and that the committee planned to take a mass roll-call vote on the budget bills at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...ruling and state funding formulas. That's my question number one. Mr.
• The formula for that is not done.
• It specifically ties to the teacher index piece of the funding formula.
• Index, is funding formula related to the education for Native American students.
• Act formula. How would you change that?

Transcript Highlights:

• I know in this body we talk a lot about how we have taken our roads and bridges infrastructure from some
• Number one is an additional $43.75 million dollars that’s going to flow through a Strong Readers formula
• That formula is split up into three parts.
• That is an old ODOT bridge from when the highway by my house was a dirt road.
• Safe roads versus little single-lane dirt roads with old concrete bridges that can only handle one car

Bills: HB3257, HB3176, HB3544, HB3619, HB3546, HB1782, HB2293, HB4358, HB3081, HB3983, HB3790, HJR1023, HB4139, HB3297, HB3041, HB3673, HB4105, HB3338, HB3048, SR33, SCR21, SCR20, HB4030, HB4031, HB4032, HB4034, HB4036, HB4037, HB4038, HB4040, HB4041, HB4042, HB4043, HB4045, HB4046, HB4047, HB4048, HB4044, HB4050, HB4051, HB4052, HB4053, HB4054, HB4056, HB4057, HB4071, HB4065, HB4067, HB4072, HB2992, HB4338, HB4170

Keywords: veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, social AI companions, minors, emotional attachment, safety protocols, civil penalties, parental controls, geographic information

Transcript Highlights:

• We are providing a bridge, and I want to talk about that bridge for members of our community to become
• We are providing a bridge, and I want to talk about that bridge for members of our community to become
• We are providing a bridge, and I want to talk about that bridge for members of our community to become
• We are providing a bridge, and I want to talk about that bridge for members of our community to become
• I made a mistake in my formula.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Berg then asked whether the funding is discretionary or formula funding.
• Representative Berg then asked whether the funding is discretionary or formula funding.
• Representative Berg then asked whether the funding is discretionary or formula funding.
• Representative Berg then asked whether the funding is discretionary or formula funding.
• We have roads and bridges to take care of.

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• formula f like the seek formula.
• , but the formula f like the seek formula.
• We know when a jet bridge hooks up, and we know now because we track it.
• They operate the jet bridges." "These are ground handlers for Sun Country Airlines.
• So they can operate the jet bridge. They will go down and actually throw bags.

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting was prematurely interrupted. The full version will be uploaded in the next few days., 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• change from the federal government or a formula update from the federal government.
• Those formulas have not been updated since the COVID-19 pandemic and are now being updated.
• Question on the Emergency Child Care Bridge.
• And then on the Emergency Child Care Bridge, which was just addressed by the Chair...
• So we are asking for that bridge funding.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy budget hearing focused on child care, child welfare, and immigration-related services, with most of the discussion centered on child care funding, slot utilization, and rate reform. Department of Social Services officials said the Governor’s budget would provide $6.8 billion for child care programs in 2026-27, including $11.5 million in Prop. 64 funds for mini-grants to licensed facilities affected by 2025 disasters. They also described federal CCDF and Prop. 64 revenue reductions that would reduce general child care funding by about 4,176 slots, while emphasizing that the cuts should not affect currently enrolled children. The LAO supported aligning spending with lower revenues and asked for more detail on the disaster grant program. Members questioned why so many awarded slots remain uncontracted or unfilled, and DSS said delays are largely due to providers building new infrastructure, licensing, staffing, and enrollment work. One senator criticized the repeated explanation, argued unspent funds revert to the General Fund instead of being redirected to child care, and urged shifting more funding from contract slots to vouchers and increasing flexibility for infrastructure and expansion costs. DSS said it is exploring more flexibility, better readiness screening, and quicker redistribution of relinquished slots. The committee also discussed the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, with DSS saying it can redistribute funds among counties to avoid disenrolling children. A second panel addressed the state’s broader commitment to expand child care and move toward a single rate structure. DSS reported that since 2021-22 nearly 125,000 new slots have been awarded across CCTR, CAPP, CMAP, and the Emergency Child Care Bridge program, bringing monthly service levels to more than 366,700 children. The department and CDE described progress on rate reform, including completion of the alternative methodology and joint recommendations from the labor-management committee on a single-rate framework. County and provider testimony emphasized persistent unmet need, especially for infant and toddler care, and argued that current reimbursement disparities between CDSS-funded programs and state preschool create inequities and discourage expansion. Stanislaus County Office of Education said rate differences can materially affect local program revenue and staffing, while Parent Voices California described the child care system as difficult to navigate and inequitable, especially for Black families and survivors of domestic violence. The California Budget and Policy Center argued that only a small share of eligible children are served, that Universal TK has concentrated investment in school-based settings, and that providers are still paid far below the cost of care. Members pressed the administration for deadlines on automation and implementation of the single-rate structure, and DSS said some work can proceed before collective bargaining concludes, though policy decisions are still needed. The committee also reviewed several trailer bill proposals. For the COLA, DSS proposed applying the 2026-27 increase through cost-of-care-plus payments, but acknowledged it had inadvertently excluded CalWORKs Child Care and the Emergency Child Care Bridge from the initial calculation; the LAO recommended making the COLA increase uniform across child care and state preschool programs. On the alternative methodology survey, DSS proposed replacing the market rate survey with the federally approved alternative methodology and aligning the timing with the federal CCDF state plan cycle. On licensed family child care homes, DSS proposed limiting temporary absences to 20% of monthly care hours and allowing more flexibility for medical appointments, jury duty, training, and union activities. On excessive unexplained absences, DSS proposed a statutory definition to align state policy with federal rules allowing disenrollment after 30 days of unexplained absences. The committee also discussed a proposal to require contractors to collect family fees directly so the full voucher value reaches providers, with DSS saying it is working with Riverside County on implementation and CDE asking that the same policy apply to state preschool. Finally, the committee reviewed an Early Childhood Policy Council reappropriation and reporting proposal, with DSS explaining that prior funds were underused because participation costs are hard to estimate and that additional staffing and contractor support would be needed for the expanded annual report requirements.