Transcript Highlights:

• He waited 1,345 days just to have his BVA hearing scheduled.
• When you look at drug rehabilitation-type navigation centers, it comes to them.
• Drug rehabilitation-type navigation centers, it comes to them.

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget and staffing cuts on veterans and on California’s systems for delivering veteran services. In opening remarks, the chair argued that cuts to the VA, federal workforce, Medi-Cal, SNAP/CalFresh, and related programs would disproportionately harm veterans, citing impacts on health care, suicide prevention, housing, and employment. The committee then heard from the California Military Department, CalVet, county veteran service offices, and veterans legal and housing organizations about how state and local programs are responding. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness, training, equipment, and funding for programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, and counterdrug operations. Members asked about how service members access VA benefits, the impact of federal cuts on readiness, and what the Legislature can do to help. Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and stable funding, and he criticized some federal efficiency reviews as wasteful while warning that reduced readiness would ultimately affect Californians. CalVet Deputy Secretary Roberto Herrera, L.A. County veteran services director Jim Zenner, and Swords to Plowshares legal director Mo Cedar emphasized that county veteran service officers and legal aid are essential for claims, appeals, housing, and mental health access. They said the PACT Act and federal staffing strains have increased demand, while county offices remain underfunded. Testimony highlighted the value of CalVet strike teams, MHSA-funded legal services, and county programs that bring in federal benefits and reduce homelessness and incarceration costs. Committee members generally agreed that California should sustain and expand these supports, improve data sharing, and protect state programs from federal cuts. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, Herrera, Amy Fairweather of Swords to Plowshares, and Robert Storr of U.S. Vets described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative. They reported improved outcomes for veterans in supportive housing and expanded no-cost counseling statewide, but warned that step-down funding and federal uncertainty could jeopardize services. Members asked about wait times, access, and who can use VA services, and witnesses explained that the main barriers are workforce shortages and capacity, not just eligibility. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• egregious felonies such as child trafficking child pornography, sexual abuse of minors, violent crimes, drug
• There are other non-serious drug kingpins killing people in my name killing my family members.
• Printed in the journal, moving on to announcements, session schedules as follows.

Transcript Highlights:

• illness and substance use disorder, enhanced penalties for homeless providers that tolerate crime and drug
• Civil commitment, enforcement of drug laws, integrating treatment and housing, and removing barriers
• illness and substance use disorder, enhance penalties for homeless providers that tolerate crime and drug
• treatment centers. ...make for places like CCBHCs or drug treatment centers or things like that, versus
• So those are the kinds... ...for drug and other crimes going on under their noses.

Transcript Highlights:

• another gentleman accused of multiple illegal entries and histories of DUIs, including fatalities and drug
• The drug runners and the cartels are still active, and they're still working on trying to cross.
• And the drug cartels ruled the day. They brought the drugs up. And the drug cartels ruled the day.
• They brought the drugs up, the fentanyl, the poisons of our children.
• And when you have a porous border, they run them across and bring those drugs and the people who become

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee met for its second meeting, opened with a lengthy reminder about Senate decorum rules and the consequences for disruption, then approved the January 26, 2026 minutes. The committee first heard SB 1268, an emergency measure clarifying that a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability receives a full property tax exemption on a primary residence, including when the home is jointly owned with a spouse. County assessors said the bill was a needed cleanup to prior legislation and urged quick passage so applications could be processed before tax deadlines. The bill passed 7-0 with a do pass recommendation; one senator supported it in committee but objected to the emergency clause on the floor because it limits referendum rights. The committee then considered SB 1152, which would make people with pending asylum applications eligible for state or local public benefits until an immigration judge grants asylum. Supporters argued it would prevent state funds from going to people whose status is not yet verified and emphasized taxpayer responsibility; opponents said existing law already covers the issue, warned it could encourage racial profiling, and cited the economic contributions of refugees and asylum seekers. After debate, the bill passed 4-3. Next, SB 1156 appropriated $20 million to DPS to reimburse cities, towns, and counties for short-term detention costs for unauthorized persons. Supporters said local governments were bearing an unfair burden and needed backfill funding; opponents argued the money was unnecessary, not requested by DPS, and should not be spent on detention. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1157, which would appropriate $20 million for reimbursement of local border fencing or walls in high-crossing areas, drew the most extended and contentious testimony. Supporters framed it as a response to border gaps, cartel activity, and local security needs, while opponents said it would worsen fear, harm wildlife and communities, and divert funds from education and other priorities. The meeting briefly became disorderly during public testimony, prompting a rules clarification from the committee attorney about audience decorum and the chair’s authority. After debate, SB 1157 also passed 4-3. Finally, the committee heard SB 1213, as amended, which makes unlawfully present persons convicted of state or local offenses ineligible for probation and requires ICE notification; the amendment removed CBP from the notification provisions. The sponsor tied the bill to a recent child sexual assault case and said it would ensure convicted noncitizens are not placed on probation at taxpayer expense. Opponents raised due process and equal protection concerns and said the bill would profile noncitizens. The amended bill passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not just one, like drugs, or just child abuse, or it's all of the above. Is that correct?
• He was using drugs and alcohol to cope with his dad's recent death and his mother's alcoholism, with
• Okay, our final presentation is by Representative Redman, a drug use awareness program.
• Not every don't-do-drugs campaign works, actually.
• Again, this policy actually would be through the Office of Drug Policy.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on possible uses of temporary Millennium Fund dollars for youth- and family-focused prevention programs. Members first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard from the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, which requested $682,000 for mid-sized grants to community organizations for child abuse prevention, parenting support, family resource centers, and school-based programs. The presenter emphasized the link between adverse childhood experiences and later substance use, and described the fund’s statewide grant-making process and current projects. Committee members asked about grant selection, funding sources, and how families are identified for services. The committee also heard from Children’s Bridge, which requested $3.5 million over four years to build a shared-services infrastructure for child care providers. The proposal focused on helping providers stabilize their businesses through software, coaching, shared purchasing, bookkeeping, and access to benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. The presenter argued that child care is part of Idaho’s prevention infrastructure and said the model would transition toward earned income and employer support over time. Members asked about similar programs, infrastructure, and how the model would be sustained after 2029. Idaho Safety Assessment Centers requested $1 million to support 12 youth assessment centers that divert youth from court, ERs, and school discipline into screening, counseling, and family support. The presenter cited individual success stories and said the centers served more than 12,000 youth in a year, with an estimated return of more than $3 in benefits for every dollar invested. The committee also heard from the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, which requested $3 million in one-time bridge funding for 10 centers that conduct forensic interviews and coordinate child abuse investigations; members asked about coordination with state agencies and sustainability. Ross Edmunds of the Department of Health and Welfare requested $150,000 for a 10th recovery community center in Kamiah, explaining that the department already oversees nine centers through quarterly payments and reporting requirements. Finally, Representative Jordan Redman proposed a $5 million statewide drug-use awareness campaign using research, surveys, and targeted media buys; he said the campaign would be evaluated through impressions, reach, and frequency. No decisions were made, and the chair said the committee would return later to continue reviewing the requests, noting the fund is one-time money and that the governor’s recommendations and a $25 million request reduce the amount available.

Transcript Highlights:

• He told us that drug prices have come down a minimum of 500%.
• So I'm assuming you all have your checks that you get every time you go purchase drugs.
• He<00:04:14.080><c> told</c><00:04:14.239><c> us</c><00:04:14.400><c> that</c><00:04:14.640><c> drug<
• He's told us that soon purchase drugs.
• These are folks that again drug three governors in front of them on immigration.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a new drug that was approved in 2003 for kidney... a specific type of kidney cancer that was
• We have new drugs to treat Alzheimer's that have only been approved in the past several years.
• With no FDA-approved drugs, this is a drug that, while not a magic solution, slows down the progression
• A group that is in the process of taking a drug called...
• And that drug is helping with Alzheimer's to...

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , SB 5 , SJR 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We don’t want to normalize drug use or drug culture.
• We don’t want to normalize drug use or drug culture.
• </c> drug use in Hawaii's communities. drug use in Hawaii's communities.
• We want less drug activity. communities. We want less drug activity.
• want to normalize drug use or drug<01:38:08.560><c> culture.

Transcript Highlights:

• consideration, and we will start with the very motivated Representative Salzman for HB 477 regarding drug
• So we want all the tools to save lives so people can Representative: Outlive these deadly drugs.
• he realized how important it was that we put things in place to help save those individuals who are drug
• They're walking outside of their homes with guns and drugs.
• And they're always fighting the local drug dealer or the Anyone that wants to attack when children are

Transcript Highlights:

• for a therapeutically equivalent drug as limited by this section.
• Safeguards are put in there with regard to informing patients that the therapeutically equivalent drug
• There's also notice requirements to the provider within 24 hours of dispensing the drug.
• I think a sulfa drug, that kind of thing, would be a standard drug.
• I want a list of five drugs, and I feel like we got a pretty expansive scope bill instead, and so I was

Summary: The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion. The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• But right now we do have the pharmacy, the prescription drug price transparency program that was passed
• I think it was a fair shot to try to shine some light on the cost of prescription drugs.
• Section 14 is the repeal of the Prescription Drug Transparency Program.
• Section 16 transfers the existing funding from the prescription drug price transparency program into
• It does require us to enforce chapters of the Food and Drug Code, Chapter 19.

Committee: Senate Industry and Business

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• a tax on their illegal drugs?
• a tax on their illegal drugs?
• a tax on their illegal drugs?
• </c><00:18:29.919><c> purchase</c> people selling illegal drugs purchase people selling illegal drugs
• </c><00:18:34.320><c> as</c> upon the sale of their illegal drugs as upon the sale of their illegal drugs

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• , was to include the gross revenues that included rebates that the wholesale drug distributors might
• distributors and that for wholesale drug distributors and that any<01:02:51.680><c> rebate</c><01:02
• distributor to a customer, however drug distributor to a customer, however provided<01:02:58.000><c>
• wholesalers to report the full drug wholesalers to report the full invoiced<01:04:49.200><c> amounts
• That apply to wholesale drug distributors who use a rebate program with their customers.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The master plan schedule: they came on site April 16 and 17.
• That is scheduled to begin the end of this month.
• And so that will adjust the potential schedule here a little bit.
• Initially, it was scheduled for completion in the fall of 2027.
• That is scheduled to start maybe around September of this year.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• an increase in FDA approval of new drugs.
• The first is weight loss drugs.
• :44.440><c> in</c> care also covers weight loss drugs in care also covers weight loss drugs in the<00
• </c> expenditures uh for weight loss drugs expenditures uh for weight loss drugs covered<00:19:51.559
• </c> communities including intravenous drug communities including intravenous drug users<00:56:20.640

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• addressed these long-standing issues in drug sentencing.
• </c> you and and the story is the drug you and and the story is the drug sentencing<00:52:26.160><c>
• </c> years went by without the needed drug years went by without the needed drug sentencing<00:52:58.599
• </c><00:53:34.559><c> sentencing</c> within Minnesota's drug sentencing within Minnesota's drug sentencing
• </c> without the commission's imperfect drug without the commission's imperfect drug sentencing<00:53

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, requiring prescription drug manufacturers
• that the way this process is being set up here may interfere and actually delay certain brand-name drugs
• that the state is already governed by the federal government and we're dealing with pharmaceutical drugs
• that the state is already governed by the federal government and we're dealing with pharmaceutical drugs
• down the process or maybe even be a deterrent effect on these agreements that help get brand-name drugs

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee, chaired for the day by Senator John Liu, took up a long agenda of bills covering labor and benefits, corrections, health, taxation, government transparency, and public services. Early measures included increasing short-term disability benefits, adjusting a poverty-level-related earned income disregard, expanding correctional health staffing review, and authorizing the Inspector General to investigate sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities; each of these advanced to the floor. The committee also advanced bills on ovarian cancer screening access, retirement system membership changes, a trail stewardship program, live agency representative access, FOIL/open meetings fee awards, a Harriman campus development plan, court data reporting, educator conventions, park water testing, an energy storage tax abatement, a Native American Affairs office, adult changing tables in public facilities, Medicaid Inspector General audit standards, remote training certification for agency personnel, newborn Gaucher disease testing, electronic self-exclusion requests for gambling, and child daycare inspections and opioid antagonist requirements. Several bills drew discussion. The prescription drug transparency bill (Print 488A) prompted questions about possible overlap with federal Hatch-Waxman/FTC oversight and whether a New York notice requirement could slow generic-drug settlements; sponsors and staff said it was intended as a supplemental transparency measure for consumers. The court reporting bill (Print 1849A) raised concerns about mandates on local governments, but supporters said it mainly required OCA to compile data in one format. The Medicaid local-share phaseout bill (Print 5519) generated the most debate, with supporters arguing it would provide major property tax relief and should be addressed in the budget, while opponents emphasized the need to curb Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse first. Two major fiscal oversight proposals were defeated. Print 8661, which would have required the Comptroller to hire an independent private auditing firm to review state-funded programs for fraud and abuse, was opposed despite support from some members who argued outside auditing was overdue; it failed by one vote. Print 5519 was also ultimately defeated after a recount confirmed it lacked the required majority of the full 22-member committee. Most other bills were approved and sent either to the floor or, in the case of the drug transparency bill, to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• comprehensive range of medical and social services, including primary and specialty care, prescription drugs
• comprehensive range of medical and social services, including primary and specialty care, prescription drugs
• comprehensive range of medical and social services, including primary and specialty care, prescription drugs
• rather than the current schedule rather than the current semiannual semiannual semiannual requirement
• And again, thank you, Chair Schomacker, for scheduling this today.

Bills: HF1937 , HF2407 , HF1678 , HF1477 , HF2040 , HF1840 , HF257

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we'll do that this afternoon at the regular scheduled executive session for HCR, not HCR 113, but
• </c><00:06:25.199><c> executive</c> at the regular scheduled executive at the regular scheduled executive
• The next measure on our schedule is HCR 16. It also relates to the convention of the states.
• We, uh, had it scheduled twice, including today.
• </c> healthy eating and preventative drugs healthy eating and preventative drugs versus<04:54:40.240>

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Cases that involve drug abuse and misuse.
• I had my first son at 20, and while I was able to stop using drugs for short periods of time, I just
• I had my first son at 20, and while I was able to stop using drugs for short periods of time, I just
• </c><00:32:07.399><c> and</c> started experimenting with drugs and started experimenting with drugs and
• using drugs for short periods<00:32:22.919><c> of</c><00:32:23.200><c> time</c><00:32:23.919><c> I</

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first took up House Bill 479, which would require one hour of dementia training for DCBS workers. Representative Derrick Lewis and the Alzheimer’s Association said the bill was a straightforward, bipartisan effort to address dementia awareness and improve worker training, with no fiscal impact. Members spoke in support, including remarks about personal family experiences with dementia and the importance of recognizing symptoms early. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 574, the “Baby Maya” child protection bill, sponsored by Representatives Dossett and Lewis. The bill would require reporting when a child is born to a parent who previously had children removed for neglect or abuse, create a rebuttable presumption allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make an initial safety determination, authorize emergency custody procedures, and name the measure the Baby Maya Law. Sponsors said it was intended to add guardrails after the Baby Maya case and stressed that it would not automatically remove children or add new mandatory-reporter penalties. Members asked about hospital involvement, HIPAA, and information-sharing; the Cabinet commissioner said the agency would be open to better data-sharing with hospitals, but currently has no such system. The bill passed 12-1 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, with a committee substitute. The bill would expand sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of nonviolent offenses, allowing judges to consider family status and use options such as counseling, parenting classes, and related services. Supporters argued it would keep families together, reduce harm from parental incarceration, and save money; one witness cited a report estimating $4 million in direct incarceration savings and broader economic benefits. Another witness, Amanda Hall, gave emotional testimony about the long-term harm of parental incarceration and said access to help would have been better for her family than prison. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 12-1 with favorable expression.