Transcript Highlights:

• is transferring funds to the General Fund regularly.
• Fund.
• by $1.1 million General Fund one time and increases that special fund funding by a dollars General Fund
• funds.
• This proposal aims to reduce local development impact fees on state-funded affordable housing projects

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're focused on policy research thought leadership, workforce development.
• And I'll talk a little bit about workforce development as well.
• Nato clinical services will have perinatal workforce development, education and training social services
• As I mentioned, we have records University School of nursing, which will lead our workforce development
• So we're working on developing a New Jersey specific to the curriculum to increase the duo workforce.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• losing funds.
• Question: Wouldn't fetal development, human development, be included in the biology curriculum framework
• The Interdisciplinary Climate Literacy Trust Fund would ensure resources and professional development
• development that will be essential.
• The creative thinking and green workforce development that will be essential to bring our planet back

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with the largest portions focused on the Healthy Youth Act (S.340/H.656), comprehensive and inclusive curriculum bills (H.655/S.371 and related measures), climate literacy education (H.560/S.391), computer science coursework (H.534/S.362), arts education funding and STEM-to-STEAM proposals (H.561 and H.4297), and a homeschooling reporting bill (H.518). Supporters of the Healthy Youth Act argued it would preserve local control while requiring medically accurate, age-appropriate, LGBTQ-inclusive sex education and regular updates to state health frameworks; opponents raised parental rights, age-appropriateness, and opt-out concerns, with some calling for fetal development content. Supporters of inclusive curriculum bills said they would improve representation, belonging, and civic understanding, while opponents argued they could undermine parental authority or promote ideological content. Climate, computer science, and arts advocates emphasized workforce readiness, student engagement, and the need for state support and funding to expand access and teacher training. Testimony on the climate literacy bill described increasing climate impacts in Massachusetts and argued that interdisciplinary instruction would prepare students for science, policy, and green careers; witnesses said the bill was not a mandate but a support and funding measure. Computer science supporters said access remains uneven, especially for girls, students of color, and students with disabilities, and urged stronger statewide requirements and AI-related standards. Arts advocates backed both the STEM-to-STEAM bill and the Lowell Mason arts funding proposal, citing research on student achievement, attendance, creativity, and the economic importance of the arts sector. The homeschool bill was supported by a homeschool advocacy group as a modernization of reporting requirements. The committee closed testimony on numerous bills where no one remained signed up or testimony had concluded, including several education, curriculum, and commission proposals. No votes were taken during the hearing itself. At the end of the session, the committee closed out the remaining testimony and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do feel like, in our efforts with workforce development, especially the front end of the pipeline,
• > the Workforce Development especially uh the Workforce Development especially uh the the<00:27
• , if we would prioritize some pathways based on economic development plans of the state if the funding
• , if we would prioritize some pathways based on economic development plans of the state if the funding
• to testify on this measure. funds funds funds to<01:03:45.279> testify<01:03:46.279> on

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Fund for Bringing Families Home and $44.6 million General Fund for HDAP.
• It provides $25 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund to develop a career passport that provides
• (GGRF) to the general fund and the out-year shifts from GGRF to the general fund.
• development.
• Workforce development.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , uh, a federal grant that's towards workforce development, and how can we tap into that?
• How can we say we really need workforce development in New Hampshire and child care?
• :41.120> workforce grant that's towards workforce grant that's towards workforce development<01
• how can we say we really need workforce how can we say we really need workforce development<01:14
• funds and apply for those funds funds and apply for those funds thank<01:14:52.800> you<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with our local community colleges to support workforce development for algae and limu cultivation
• We have strong innovation in workforce development programs with groups like Purple Maiʻa and Kupu, who
• We have strong innovation<00:40:02.560> in<00:40:02.880> workforce<00:40:03.280> development
• innovation in workforce development innovation in workforce development programs<00:40:04.320>
• workforce housing. workforce housing.

Bills: SB2709, SB3154

Keywords: biosecurity, Department of Agriculture, quarantine, Akamai Arrival Program, importation regulations, pests control, plant health, animal health, compliance mechanisms, environmental review, transportation projects, NEPA, state sovereignty, federal compliance, streamlining, Hawaii Department of Transportation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Governor Hobbs proclaimed March 18th as Health Workforce Wellbeing Day of Awareness in Arizona in
• Whereas a healthy and well workforce is critically necessary to ensure access to high-quality care and
• And whereas Arizona is experiencing severe workforce shortages of physicians, nurses, advanced practice
• He has been honored by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero for his role in the development and training of the
• His work focuses on responsible and sustainable real estate development.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and we come at this bill from a workforce development standpoint.
• we come at this bill from a workforce we come at this bill from a workforce development<00:34:44.879
• are going to put them into the workforce are going to put them into the workforce here<00:34:52.800
• pursuing education and workforce pursuing education and workforce opportunities<00:36:17.520>
• So uh I think this not know developed.

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development program and the 15 full-time staff positions for DI.
• Establishes a state internship and workforce development program.
• the state internship workforce the state internship workforce development<00:04:08.879> program
• Establishes a state internship and<00:04:33.840> workforce<00:04:34.240> development<00
• and workforce development program. and workforce development program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees reconvened on April 25, 2025, and worked through a series of measures, mostly public employment cost items, appropriations, workers’ compensation, data sharing, and retirement-related bills. Several bills were briefly held for later action because Finance/FIN-WAM or related release had not yet been received, including SB 382, HB 423, HB 480, HB 214, HB 828, HB 717, HB 1065, and HB 1036, with some of those rolled over to a 2:30 p.m. meeting in Conference Room 16. HB 1424, relating to appropriations, was described as requiring the Director of Finance to report on transfers between position funding and operating expenses; the conferees agreed to a CD1 and voted to pass it. HB 430, relating to internships, was also agreed to in CD1 with technical amendments removing certain appropriation language and was passed after clarification that the funding covered both years and included the Helima program. The committees then moved through a block of public employment cost items. HB 1026, HB 1027, HB 1028, HB 1029, HB 1030, HB 1032, HB 1034, and HB 1035 were each reported as having CD1 agreement and Finance/WAM release, with appropriations tied to various bargaining units and governor’s messages; each was voted out. HB 1036 and HB 1037 were held over due to release issues, while HB 1038 was noted as having CD1 and Finance/WAM release and was passed for bargaining unit 13. HB 1039 was also rolled over for lack of release. Later, SB 336 on defense of state employees was agreed to with technical cleanup and passed as a CD, and SB 1491 on departmental data sharing was amended to add agencies to the state longitudinal data system and require aggregation/anonymization of certain data before being passed as a CD. Additional measures were also resolved. SB 935, relating to government, was amended to reduce the ERS multiplier for judges beginning in 2031, remove sheriff and deputy sheriff language, and require a DHR study on changing vesting from 10 to 5 years; it passed as a CD with no appropriation. SB 1567 required DERT to complete a comprehensive review of classification and compensation systems by October 31, 2026, allowed a third-party contractor, required legislative reports, and included $1.75 million in the budget; it passed as a CD. SB 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, clarified covered employers, required automatic enrollment unless employees opt out, repealed a fee cap, and added funding for FY26 and FY27; it passed as a CD. SB 743 established a data sharing governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and required a legislative report; after a brief recess it was passed as a CD. SB 717 and SB 1065 were both continued to the later 2:30 p.m. meeting because release was still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ICDBG, the Community Development Block Grants. Those funds are typically tied to regulations.
• So, something we are looking for is funding as we develop this homebuyer education.
• So, if a home is developed using NAHASDA funds, and, you know, maybe that whole community is 60% below
• A few things that they need help with include workforce development, right?
• So we're trying to connect the dots with folks who need that, with the workforce developers.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO GROW AND HOW TO BE DEVELOPED WORKFORCE TO MEET THAT.
• IT'S A HUGE JOB CREATION, HUGE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
• A FEW YEARS AGO YOU GAVE US AUTHORITY TO INVEST BUDGET WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS A PROGRAM.
• BEFORE THAT WE COULD ONLY DO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ON A PROJECT BY PROJECT BASIS.
• AT THE SAME TIME AS WE ARE FOCUSING ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WE ARE BUILDING THE STRATEGY AND IF WE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, we're talking about public funds, public money.
• We've had success developing processes to disrupt these places.
• We just need funding and be able to replicate it.
• We just need funding and be able to replicate.
• Texas faces a pressing oral health workforce crisis.

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• necessary funds for witnesses.
• fund.
• , and the Texas Share Fund is another fund that receives funding from the $1 fee on vehicle registration
• Our last contingency funding.
• So it's contingency funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when the bill was enacted, Caltrans and the Workforce Development Board quickly worked to develop
• Caltrans and the Workforce Development Board quickly worked to develop a scope of work, and we worked
• I believe the initial funding that was given to the California Workforce Development Board was part of
• I believe the initial funding that was given to the California Workforce Development Board was part of
• So first of all, I support workforce development, especially within the transportation space.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to energy,... ...basically integration from funding to energy to water to food.
• So we know how to do this when it comes to integrating workforce development solutions into new tech.
• This is a workforce development piece, and this makes sense when it comes to workforce development.
• This is a workforce development piece, and this makes sense when it comes to workforce development.
• Now, in terms of community development project, that’s a whole different animal.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as Since this appropriation was transferred to Workforce Solutions, all of this funding has really been
• Oh yes, that is Line 56 for the Economic Development Department Community Benefit Fund.
• That funding, the agency also receives recurring funding for this, and we believe they have a fund balance
• from the Permanent Land Grant Fund and the Early Childhood Fund, along with the existing funds that
• It's entirely General Fund funded.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funding.
• funded.
• We have grant funding from the federal government, Chancellor's Office funding, and funding that was
• **Justin Hurst, Department of Finance:** This proposal is $50 million in one-time funding for the development
• funded district and the lowest funded district was around $6,000.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of these are very complex issues that can be solved with funding, and we know that funding isn't
• development infrastructure.
• professionalization of the DSP workforce.
• Now we must invest in the workforce that makes those services possible.
• Statistically, this workforce is primarily women of color.

Keywords: Disability Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know how to do this when it comes to integrating workforce development solutions into new tech.
• So some of the workforce pieces that tie to ag we want to do the same thing with.
• This is a workforce development piece. And this makes sense when it comes to workforce development.
• Now, in terms of a community development project, As far as buying a container.
• here where they do a lot of that career and technical training and development.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony on the economic and regulatory effects of Arkansas’s raw milk law, Act 698. Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm said the law helped his family farm expand from 8 to 12 cows and from serving about 75 families to about 150, increasing sales by roughly $50,000 and allowing about $10,000 in raw cheese sales through retail outlets. He argued the law supports small-farm income, food security, and local processing, but said state health agencies still do not inspect raw milk producers unless they sell to a commercial buyer, which he said limits access to USDA grants and other opportunities. He and members discussed safety practices, including rapid chilling, sick-animal removal, sanitation, customer education, and whether any optional state certification or inspection program should be created without adding burdensome regulation. Members asked about herd management, bee production, market channels, and whether raw milk producers should receive training or certification. Ballard said his farm uses Jerseys, removes sick cows from production, sells on-farm and through retail locations, and relies on best-practice guidance from groups such as the Weston A. Price Foundation and the Raw Milk Institute. Several members expressed support for consumer choice but also raised concerns about food safety, especially for children and pregnant women, and about possible “mission creep” if the state creates a voluntary inspection or training system. The discussion ended without any vote or formal action on the raw milk issue. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terrence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container-based farming as a response to food insecurity, food deserts, and workforce needs. Bolden described a three-year career and technical education model using retrofitted shipping containers to grow food year-round with low water and energy use, paired with training in drones, robotics, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship. He said pilot projects are underway or planned with UAPB, the Little Rock School District, and other partners, and projected that five regional hubs could create significant economic impact and multiple jobs per container. Members asked about costs, target communities, school partnerships, food desert locations, and whether the model could include aquaponics or protein production; Bolden said the program is intended as a public-private partnership and that the committee could tour a container site once it is operational. The meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.