Transcript Highlights:

• Our work is based on progression of actual competencies, actual skills acquired by their learners.
• Our work is based on progression of actual competencies, actual skills acquired by their learners.
• Yeah, just highlighting the fact that, you know, we're a skills-based program, so the seat-time model
• education board, which is really focused on high-quality, skills-based outcomes, as well as the Institute
• , time-based model.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• These contractors are community-based infrastructure.
• And can you share the base is jumping from 50 to 250,000? The admin base. The admin base.
• The admin base. Correct.
• One is based on your age, and it can be age alone. But another is based on your dependent status.
• And we still don't know the base. Okay.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you came in and you were given a plan, that plan would include education, job skill training, etc.
• </c> would include education, job skill would include education, job skill training,<00:04:26.080><c>
• And so who is the other member that represents, I guess, the faith-based?
• And so who is the other member that represents, I guess, the faith-based?
• </c> represents, I guess, the faith-based? represents, I guess, the faith-based?

Committee: Joint Economic and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Two, they are driven by evidence-based interventions.
• Do we have an evidence base?
• But it would be a game changer if it was. Okay.
• They're more the resource base.
• We are a nonprofit community-based organization.

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Benefits through the program include job readiness, mentorship, and skill development.
• There's a provision in which they can basically get their parents' own tax base.
• Right now, our numbers are based on what we have from the LA County Assessor's Office.
• So we have seen quite a shift in the tax rate based on those add-on taxes.
• compliance fund and the cannabis tax fund, based on our seizure volumes.

Summary: The subcommittee first received an informational update on the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in College Corps, Youth Service Corps, and Climate Action Corps, along with outreach results from OCPSC and the Trusted Messenger Network. The Department of Finance said the programs remain a priority but noted prior budget reductions, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations. Committee members raised questions about program diversity, geographic reach, administrative costs, and whether the programs duplicate existing volunteer opportunities; one member criticized the programs as costly and duplicative, while another emphasized the value of volunteerism and asked about the men’s service challenge. The item was informational only. The committee then heard an overview of the Board of Equalization’s property tax responsibilities and its first budget proposals since the 2017 reorganization. BOE described its role in county assessment oversight, state-assessed property valuation, and related tax administration. Members asked about BOE’s interaction with counties, property tax reassessments, and local tax notices; BOE explained it mainly works with county assessors and handles technical property tax questions, while local special district charges are generally outside its scope. The committee also considered a BOE proposal to implement SB 293, which would give additional time for certain intergenerational property tax transfer claims after the 2025 wildfires. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response work, saying the change is urgent for wildfire-affected families, especially in Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and the item was held open. BOE also presented an information technology modernization proposal for its state-assessed property program, seeking $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28 to replace a 30-year-old mainframe system. BOE said the current system relies heavily on manual data entry and paper processes, creating inefficiencies, cybersecurity risks, and delays, while modernization would free staff for more audits and valuation studies. The LAO supported the need but urged a high bar for new IT projects; Finance said the project met the threshold of necessity. Members generally supported the upgrade but asked about audit gains, revenue impacts, and implementation risks, and the item was held open. Finally, CDTFA gave its department overview and then discussed a proposal to require all delivery network companies, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, to be treated as marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the current carve-out creates confusion for restaurants and small businesses because some DNCs collect and remit tax while others do not, and the change would improve compliance and shift reporting to larger platforms. Members debated whether the proposal amounts to a tax increase for consumers, with CDTFA and Finance arguing it is a consistency and compliance measure rather than a new tax, while others said it would likely raise consumer costs. The committee also discussed broader CDTFA issues, including local sales tax districts, revenue-sharing agreements, and the growth of special taxing jurisdictions. No votes were taken, and the agenda items were informational or held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• A NATIONAL FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION.
• UNITS BASED IN 55 COMMUNITIES.
• THE NUMBER OF BEDS WE PROVIDE FOR SKILLED NURSING BUT ALSO ASSISTED LIVING.
• BUT ALSO IN THE COMMUNITY BASED OUTPATIENT CLINICS.
• WE WANT TO PROMOTE THE VALLEY OF THE MILITARY SKILL SET THAT THE JARGON MIGHT BE DIFFERENT BUT THE SKILLS

Transcript Highlights:

• color a lot of how we think about what successful policy looks like as we start to transition gas-based
• So that's a long-winded way of saying that this is an estimated projection based on a very objective
• It's kind of nebulous based on that description you just gave me. The idea is to seal wells.
• And based on... That's if, even if we do lose one of our refineries, we still need...
• The skills are similar to geothermal.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s transportation fuels sector, especially the risk of refinery closures, fuel supply stability, and how the state should manage a long transition to cleaner transportation. Committee chairs and agency leaders said California’s fuel market is becoming more fragile as demand declines, refinery capacity shrinks faster than demand, and the state relies more on imports and a smaller number of critical pipelines. Professor Emily Grubert framed the issue as a managed transition problem in which the public already bears much of the risk and should also capture benefits from any state intervention. CARB Chair Leanne Randolph reviewed California’s climate and air-quality framework, including AB 32, the low-carbon fuel standard, clean vehicle rules, and the state’s at-berth regulation for port vessels. She said these programs are intended to reduce fossil fuel demand while protecting public health, and she noted that California remains in litigation over federal attempts to block some waivers. CEC Vice Chair Sivagunda described the administration’s market-stabilization work, saying the state is trying to preserve fuel supply and investor confidence during a “mid-transition” period. He said the CEC’s recommendations fall into three broad areas: stabilizing the existing fuel system, aligning regulatory tools such as a possible pause on the CEC’s margin cap, and planning for worker and community impacts. Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucasey outlined the administration’s petroleum market stabilization proposal, centered on returning California crude production to a 125 million-barrel annual stabilization target to support pipeline throughput and domestic supply. The proposal would codify the ban on hydraulic fracturing, validate Kern County’s oil and gas permitting ordinance, create a temporary CEQA exemption for new wells in existing fields paired with a two-for-one plug-and-abandon requirement, and strengthen spill prevention and pipeline safety rules. Several members questioned the CEQA exemption, tribal consultation, environmental review, and whether the proposal would adequately protect communities and workers. Mayor Steve Young of Benicia testified that a Valero refinery closure would sharply reduce city revenue and jobs, while also creating redevelopment and remediation challenges; he said the city wants a cleaner future but needs time and support to manage the economic loss. No formal vote was taken at the hearing, though CEC officials said a vote on a margin-cap pause was expected at an upcoming business meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> work-based learning and employment Based work-based learning and employment Based training<00:45
• </c> local businesses and community- based local businesses and community- based organizations<00:46:
• </c><00:48:43.240><c> training</c> participating in youth skills training participating in youth skills
• </c> equality education and highering base equality education and highering base continue<01:15:04.840
• <01:29:47.639><c> and</c> skills and skills and self-competence<01:29:49.560><c> I</c><01:29:49.719><

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• You're using evidence-based practices and so forth.
• You're using evidence-based practices and so forth.
• and regulation skills that we are asking of them.
• and regulation skills that we are asking of them.
• This includes crisis prevention, which uses evidence-based practices like skill building to proactively

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This arbitrary cap set by AB 1950 moved away from an evidence-based model, which resulted in limiting
• This approach is consistent with evidence-based Programming to address underlying risks and needs.
• coming toward you and be able to apply what you know and the skill set that you have.
• What LEAD does is based on the well-established LEAD model.
• However, this bill is not evidence-based and will not lead to increased road safety.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...good stuff before it would even come to the floor, which, based on process, would have
• I think I would have liked to have seen it be more income-based.
• Your income is going to be high because you have a high skill set.
• They're going to... ...or the tax advantage to Delaware is we're getting a skilled worker.
• I retired out of Dover Air Force Base. So did my husband at the time.

Summary: The House Revenue and Finance Committee met to consider two tax-related measures sponsored by Representative Holofsky. The first was House Substitute 1 for House Bill 386, the Tipped Worker Tax Relief Act of 2026, which would allow a temporary Delaware income tax deduction of up to $15,000 for qualified tips for tax years 2027 through 2029, with phaseouts at higher incomes and a refundable credit for lower-income workers. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill applied to residents and non-residents, whether credit-card tips were included, the need for an updated substitute, and the expected fiscal impact. The Office of the Comptroller General said the bill would likely reduce general revenue and that the fiscal note had not yet been fully reviewed, while Deputy Secretary Goldsmith said the Department of Finance could administer it and that implementation costs would be modest. After public comment, the committee voted on a motion to release the bill, but it did not receive enough votes, so the chair said she would walk it for additional signatures. The committee then heard Senate Bill 219, which would phase in an increase in the military pension income exemption from $12,500 to $25,000 by tax year 2029. Representative Holofsky argued the measure would help attract and retain military retirees, support the economy, and provide a strong return on investment through spending, taxes, and community participation. Members raised concerns about whether the benefit should be income-based, with one member arguing that higher-income retirees may not need the tax break, while supporters emphasized the multiplier effect and the value of veterans to the state. Public testimony from Veterans of Foreign Wars representatives strongly supported the bill and described how the exemption could influence retirement decisions and local economic activity. A motion to release the bill also failed to get enough votes, and the chair said she would walk it for signatures before adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They contributed $220 million to our tax base last year.
• They contributed $220 million to our tax base last year.
• Dollars to our tax base.
• They contribute to the tax base. They contribute.
• They're imploring us to reject this offer, not simply based on its cruelty, but based on the damage it

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> businesses build up their soft skills businesses build up their soft skills and<00:40:16.079><c>
• </c><00:41:33.560><c> as</c><00:41:33.760><c> teamwork</c> skills and soft skills such as teamwork skills
• Soft skills should be changed to durable skills because these skills are things that actually overlap
• should be changed to durable skills should be changed to durable skills<00:46:05.079><c> because</c>
• </c> skills because these skills are things skills because these skills are things that<00:46:07.319>

Bills: HF339 , HF1272 , HF2121 , HF2122 , HF1216 , HF1003 , HF2319

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• By allowing innovations in technology to replace traditional paper-based processes.
• Another area ripe for technology and data-based improvements are appraisals.
• All of his skills are in Lexington, Mass., and he will not cross, and this is a small town, right?
• I will give one caveat if I may like it's got to be based on the production of units God don't make it
• based on the rules because they can with the rules anyway you want.

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: affordable housing, government investment, barriers, legislative solutions, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the significant issue of affordable housing in America. Members expressed concern over the persistent barriers faced in the housing sector, despite substantial government investment aimed at alleviating these issues. It was highlighted that government interference plays a critical role in complicating the housing landscape, and discussions revolved around potential legislative approaches to mitigate these challenges. Several witnesses provided testimony, contributing to a thorough exploration of the topic.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're helping these businesses have those skill sets and resources to adapt to this growing industry
• And, yeah, we're going to start producing a skilled labor force, but it's going to start drawing from
• That decision was made, again, based on a discussion.
• That decision was made, again, based on discussions with the union and Mexico.
• I am curious, the transition, based on what you just presented, and the assumption of, you know...

Committees: House International Trade , House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• became increasingly clear to me when I entered into my first career as a banker that these are not skills
• So it is a mistake for us to believe that all of our educators actually are equipped with the skills
• So it is a mistake for us to believe that all of our educators actually are equipped with the skills
• Currently, OSPI provides administrative services based on its own...
• And so there was a disparity across districts based on their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 1662 would move several education-related boards and commissions—the State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and the Charter School Commission—toward operational independence from OSPI by July 1, 2027, including separate administrative services, asset and employee transfers, and transition planning by OFM. The prime sponsor and supporters said the bill would improve transparency, fiscal accountability, and agency flexibility, while OSPI-related testimony emphasized that small agencies need more nimble administrative support. No one testified in opposition; the hearing record noted 2 pro, 1 con, and 5 other sign-ins, and members were told the bill was substantively the same as the version passed the prior year except for date changes. The committee then heard House Bill 1683, which would require most school districts with 2,000 or more students to elect at least some school board members from director districts rather than entirely at-large, with larger districts needing more district-based seats and districts under 2,000 students exempt. The sponsor and supporters argued the change would improve geographic and demographic representation, especially for lower-income communities and communities of color, and would help ensure school boards reflect the students and families they serve. Opponents, including a school directors association representative, said the bill would be an unfunded mandate, reduce local control, and create added election costs and recruitment challenges; one witness also suggested the bill should consider broader proportional-representation options. Staff noted that 23 districts would currently be out of compliance, and the hearing record showed 12 pro, 163 con, and 2 other sign-ins. No executive action was taken on either bill during this portion of the meeting. At the end of the hearing, the chair reminded members that several bills heard that week would be on next Thursday’s executive session agenda, urged prompt amendment requests, and announced that the committee would adjourn to caucuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> addresses are uh bid eligibility based addresses are uh bid eligibility based on<00:10:06.040><c
• </c> NTI original um map uh that was um based NTI original um map uh that was um based on<00:15:02.600
• </c> amount that we were allocated was based amount that we were allocated was based on<00:24:51.919>
• </c> great have has a good big customer base great have has a good big customer base a<00:37:47.160><
• Then, based on those... Failure.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The Workforce Skills Cabinet, which is comprised of executive-level leadership from Health and Human
• The Workforce Skills Cabinet, which is comprised of executive-level leadership from Health and Human
• care to one based in that community.
• And I'm going to begin with direct care and the home and community-based services grant program.
• So with an additional level of training and skills advancement, CNAs can work across home and community-based

Summary: The subcommittee met to approve the April and May minutes, welcome a new member, and hear an update from Gina Frey of EOHHS on statewide health and human services workforce development efforts. Frey described cross-secretariat initiatives under the Workforce Skills Cabinet, including MA Repay loan repayment awards, expanded community college and tuition supports, ESOL/work-readiness programming for immigrants, and efforts to build career pathways and reduce attrition in nursing, behavioral health, direct care, and primary care. She also reviewed a $46 million ARPA-funded home and community-based services grant program that supported 82 grantees, led to hiring 8,752 new staff, over 1,000 interns, 2,000 new certifications, and a drop in vacancy rates from 22% to 12%. Members raised concerns about the impact of immigration policy changes on the direct care workforce, including losses of trained workers in provider agencies, and asked whether any exemption or other relief efforts were underway. Frey said EOHHS is tracking the issue closely but did not identify a specific exemption effort. The discussion also touched on Medicaid and related program changes, with Frey noting the administration is focused on understanding potential impacts to eligibility and work requirements. Rep. Howard asked about initiatives for direct support professionals and wraparound supports, and Frey said those efforts are often led by individual agencies such as MassAbility and DDS, with EOHHS coordinating across them. The latter part of the meeting shifted to planning FY26 subcommittee goals and possible events. Members discussed using the Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center and possibly asking for a study comparing compensation in DDS and related direct care roles against health care and education jobs. They also discussed a possible cross-state public event on immigration’s impact on the workforce, especially for people with disabilities and direct support services, and agreed to continue refining goals and event ideas by email and at the next meeting. Frey provided a website link and contact information for Amy Doyle at the Health Policy Commission to facilitate future presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was based on some of the earlier data, before generative AI became this popular.
• </c> carrying and then offering wages based carrying and then offering wages based on<00:25:27.840><c
• I would say the most urgent need there is a shortage of AI skill set, and a number of companies have
• They know the process really well, but they don't have the right level of skill set.
• </c> they don't have the right level of skill they don't have the right level of skill set.<00:32:23.840

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• Working with a highly talented and skilled individual out of Jackson.
• </c> because they're not using the skills because they're not using the skills that<02:22:26.800><c>
• I think this remote testing is going to be a game changer for us.
• We don't move anybody out based on test scores. It's usually based on that.
• </c> surveys that come in, so I'm basing surveys that come in, so I'm basing those<03:34:51.279><c> estimates

Committee: Joint Education