Transcript Highlights:

• It was heard in the House version, was heard in the House Pensions Committee, voted out of there unanimously
• Next up is House Bill 3533 by Representative Nat. Mr.
• Chair, members of the committee, Jeff and I, the 142nd, here to present House Bill 3533 in the House
• This bill... ...and a House committee on April 28th.
• Seeing none, that concludes the hearing on House Bill 3533.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee on Crime and Public Safety heard testimony on Senate Bill 1652, which would create a permanent office in the Missouri Department of Public Safety focused on missing and murdered African-American women and girls. Senator Angela Mosley said the office would review cold cases, improve data collection, support community organizations, and include a proposed Phoenix Alert for missing persons. Supporters, including family members and advocates, described long-standing disparities in how missing Black women and girls are treated, said cases are often mislabeled as runaways, and argued the state needs dedicated staff and resources. Some members raised questions about whether the office should serve all missing persons and about the bill’s estimated cost and staffing, but the bill was generally supported in testimony and no vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1572, sponsored by Senator Mike Henderson, which would change the membership structure of the St. Louis Police Retirement System board. The bill would stagger the mayor’s two appointments and require the three elected board members to be active commissioned officers elected by active members of the system, with travel time provided for board duties. Henderson said the change was prompted by a prior quorum problem caused by vacancies and illness. The St. Louis Police Retirement System and related city stakeholders supported the bill, describing it as a technical fix to avoid future quorum failures. The measure had already passed the Senate 31-0 and was reported to have passed the House pension committee unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3533, which would raise casino admission fees and gaming taxes and direct additional revenue to state funds, including natural resources, historic preservation, education, and the Gaming Commission. The sponsor framed it as a revenue measure, while the Missouri Gaming Association opposed it, arguing the bill would significantly increase costs on casinos, could reduce reinvestment, and might require voter approval for some sports betting-related changes. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce also opposed the bill in principle, saying it did not want to pick winners and losers through targeted tax increases. No action or vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after the HB 3533 testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So without further delay, we will open the hearing today with House Bill 3359.
• Bill 3359. ...and presenting House Bill 3359, which I am doing so, as the chair mentioned, on behalf
• Hello, my name's Sarah Waldron, and I'm here to speak in support of House Bill 3359.
• House Bill 3359 was not written by a lobbyist or a policy organization.
• We need to invest in these students, and House Bill 3359 gives us that reason.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, curriculum, and employee volunteer hours, beginning with the 2027 tax year. The credit would be 20% of the donation value, capped at $10 million annually, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued and limited, whether the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or the Department of Economic Development would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Several members also questioned the fiscal note and the impact on a tight state budget. The main witness in support was Sarah Waldron, an 18-year-old Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team leader who said she wrote the bill. She argued that robotics programs are expensive, that private investment is needed to improve workforce readiness, and that the bill would help schools in both urban and rural areas. She clarified that the volunteer-hours provision was intended for business employees, not general individual volunteerism, and said the bill could be amended to add guardrails and better target under-resourced schools, including a possible tiered credit based on free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Committee members praised her initiative and testimony. One witness testified in opposition, State Public Advocate Arne C. Dinoff, who said robotics is worthwhile but the state cannot afford another tax credit given the budget deficit and the cumulative cost of tax credit programs. He objected particularly to subsidizing volunteerism and said schools should support robotics locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken; the hearing was closed and the committee adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Committee Substitute, House Bill 2974, as amended.
• I move that the House adopt the Senate substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2974
• I move that the House adopt the Senate substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2108.
• House Bill 2426.
• House Bill 1758 and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2426.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 57th day by a 125-0 roll call vote. The chamber then spent significant time on points of personal privilege honoring former member Kenny Waller and commemorating Keaton O’Neill of Rawls County, a teenager who died after a battle with brain cancer; the House observed a moment of silence for O’Neill. Members also introduced several special guests, including military family members, interns, and relatives, and the Speaker announced committee reports and Senate messages. The House took up several Senate-amended bills. On House Bills 2637 and 3155, the House voted to refuse the Senate substitute and request the Senate recede, with a conference committee to be formed if needed. Members discussed the bill’s technical sentencing and effective-date changes, sex offender registry revisions, drone restrictions tied to World Cup events, health care treatment provisions, and prosecutor salary-related language. The House then adopted and finally passed House Bill 2593, the military and veterans bill, by 137-1 and 138-1 votes after debate highlighting expanded military leave, TRICARE and Service Members Civil Relief Act protections, cybersecurity and emergency-response provisions, and National Guard benefits. House Bill 2974, dealing with licensed reciprocity and telehealth access, plus interstate compacts for certain health professions, was adopted and finally passed by 109-29 and 108-30 votes. House Bill 2108, a land conveyance and local infrastructure measure for Jefferson City’s viaduct area and related property transfers, was adopted and finally passed by 138-1 and 138-2 votes after discussion of safety, parking, and additional property language. The House also received Senate messages stating that the Senate refused to recede on HB 2596 and on HB 2637/3155, and appointed conference committees for those bills. The Speaker named House conferees and also appointed conference committees for budget bills HB 2002 through HB 2013. The day ended with committee meeting announcements and adjournment until Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that House Bill 3143, by Representative Parker, be voted do pass. Is there any questions?
• By your vote of 12 ayes and zero noes, you have voted House Bill 3143 do pass. I now move.
• House Bill 3143 do pass.
• It's not even house districts. It's nothing that makes sense.
• It's not even house districts. It's nothing that makes sense.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and first considered House Bill 3143 by Representative Parker. After a roll call vote, the committee voted 12-0 to do pass the bill. The committee then took up the Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1023 and a committee substitute ending in 0.09C. The chair and members explained that the substitute combined several library-related measures with other provisions, including changes to political subdivisions, municipal candidacy language, city-county library boards, dissolution of a public water supply corporation, and a Kansas City liquor-sales issue tied to Chapter 311. Members discussed concerns about mixing unrelated topics into the bill, especially the Kansas City liquor provision and the state preempting local control, while others noted the language cleanup and removal of special carve-outs. Representative Reedy also flagged a salary commission language issue involving assistant prosecuting attorneys, suggesting it could be fixed on the floor. The committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and then voted on House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute No. 2 for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1023. The bill received a do pass recommendation by an 8-4 roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• How would the House Republican Caucus describe the state of the state? Fraudulent.
• And you've been in the House Chamber for several of these speeches, both with Governor Walz, even former
• Uh, my own bill, House File 3, is law. on down the stretch? Affordability. on down the stretch?
• ,<00:02:05.320> my<00:02:05.480> own<00:02:05.640> bill,<00:02:05.880> House

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: A House Republican Caucus member described the state of Minnesota as “fraudulent” and “expensive,” arguing that the state is leading the nation in fraud-related headlines and that taxpayers are being burdened by higher taxes, fees, and spending. He said the caucus sees affordability and fraud prevention as its main priorities, along with pushing single-subject bills and strengthening oversight through the Legislative Auditor and the fraud committee. He said the caucus is focused on rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse and believes ordinary constituents want answers about whether reported fraud numbers are real and how they affect them. He suggested that pressure near the end of session and the upcoming election could lead some DFL lawmakers to support more “reasonable” anti-fraud policies. Asked what he hoped to hear from the governor’s State of the State address, he said he wanted Governor Walz to take responsibility for the fraud problem, saying he had not yet heard a full acknowledgment of responsibility from the governor’s office. He also characterized the governor as a lame-duck leader trying to shape his legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• State of the State speech, or see it in clips, but not many people are actually able to be in the House
• And you're going to have to have bipartisan support here in the House.
• housing, health care for Minnesotans. housing, health care for Minnesotans.
• bipartisan support here in the house. bipartisan support here in the house.
• > to For housing, we're trying to For housing, we're trying to make<00:02:20.720> sure<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The discussion focused on the upcoming State of the State address and the DFL’s priorities for the remainder of the session. Jamie Long described the speech as a special event in the House chamber and said Minnesota is in good shape overall, crediting Governor Walz with steady leadership through recent challenges, including Operation Metro Surge, economic pressures, and calls for action on gun violence after the Annunciation shooting. Long said the caucus’s main focus is the cost of living, especially rising gas, food, housing, child care, and health care costs. He said the DFL is pursuing proposals to lower prescription drug prices, limit corporate homebuying, and reduce child care costs, and he emphasized that these issues have broad public support even if they face resistance in the Legislature. He said the caucus hopes to win bipartisan support for these measures. On the governor’s legacy, Long praised Walz as a strong partner to the Legislature and pointed to the 2023 and 2024 sessions as among the most impactful in state history. He cited accomplishments including investments in public schools, paid family and medical leave, 100% clean energy, and gun violence prevention, and said Walz can be proud of his eight years leading Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olson, um, your motion is recommendation for House File 3532 to be placed on the general register.
• This bill, House File 3532, is going to make a slight adjustment to the way that we allow service members
• House File 3532 is going to make a slight adjustment to the way that we allow service members to be buried
• Olson's motion to refer House File 3532 to be placed on the general register.
• <00:03:02.040> is<00:03:02.160> very forward with resolutions is very forward with

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 3532, authored by Rep. Olson, which would adjust eligibility for burial in Minnesota state cemeteries. Olson explained that current law generally requires 181 days of active military service, and argued that this excludes many long-serving National Guard, Air Guard, and Reserve members who may not have had uninterrupted active-duty time despite years of service. The bill would allow burial eligibility for individuals who complete an entire contract with an honorable discharge, or who die while serving. Members spoke in support, saying Guard and Reserve service should be recognized regardless of whether members were called up for active duty and that their assigned status should not affect burial rights or benefits. One member also praised the bill as an example of representative democracy and thanked Olson for bringing forward an issue close to affected service members. The committee then voted to recommend House File 3532 be placed on the general register. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposition noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• :19:22.280> field<00:19:22.560> trips.
• <00:19:28.080> And<00:19:28.919> so<00:19:29.080> thank<00:19:29.400> you
• <00:19:30.400> It<00:19:30.520> also<00:19:30.800> talks<00:19:31.159> about
• <00:19:36.080> boards,<00:19:36.560> because<00:19:37.400> I've<00:19:37.679>
• this house floor. this house floor.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, approval of the prior day’s journal, adoption of committee reports, and the first readings of several House and Senate files. The chamber also received Senate File 476, which was referred to Ways and Means, and Senate File 4807, which was sent for comparison with a House file. The Speaker announced members to escort the Governor to the joint convention on April 28. The main floor action was House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to survivor testimony and explained that it would prohibit staff from being alone with students in certain circumstances, create felony penalties for grooming, make grooming grounds for educator license discipline, add grooming to mandatory reporting and training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further in investigations. Bennett and several members also noted the bill’s fiscal note, including added investigative staffing and prison costs. During debate, multiple members from both parties voiced support, emphasizing student safety, mandatory reporter training, clearer field trip rules, and better communication with licensing boards. Several members thanked survivor Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and some members stressed that grooming is a deliberate process and that the bill is intended to protect children without vilifying educators. Representative Jordan also highlighted prevention through education about consent and grooming. No amendments were offered, and the bill was given its third reading; members repeatedly urged a green vote, though the transcript provided does not include the final roll-call result.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:03.200> we<00:19:03.320> will<00:19:03.440> pass<00:19:03.760> in<
• > house<00:19:04.280> floor.
• Um<00:19:05.640> and<00:19:05.800> for<00:19:05.919> that,<00:19:06.159> you<
• /c><00:19:06.240> can<00:19:06.360> be<00:19:06.480> very<00:19:06.679> proud
• Your<00:19:07.360> Your<00:19:07.880> Your<00:19:08.120> efforts<00:19:08.480>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3489, an education bill establishing field trip supervision rules and creating the criminal offense of grooming, was debated on the House floor. Representative Bennett described the bill as a response to student sexual grooming, saying it would prohibit staff from being isolated alone with students except in limited circumstances, create a felony offense for child grooming, add grooming to mandatory reporting and educator discipline rules, require enhanced reporter training, and allow the Department of Education to look back further than three years in investigations. He also noted an ongoing fiscal cost of a little over $1.4 million, largely tied to additional investigative staff and anticipated prison-bed costs. Several members spoke in support, including Representatives Bakeberg, Jordan, Altendorf, Ryer, Knudson, and Mueller. They emphasized protecting children, strengthening field-trip safeguards, improving communication with licensing boards, and training educators to recognize grooming behavior. Multiple members thanked Hannah LaPresto and Detective Chad Clausen for their work and testimony, and several referenced Hannah’s survivor story as central to the bill’s development. Some members also stressed that the bill was not aimed at the teaching profession generally, but at bad actors who exploit trust and authority. The discussion repeatedly highlighted survivor testimony and the need to believe victims, with some members calling for broader prevention efforts such as education on consent and grooming. Representative Bennett and others said the bill was necessary because grooming is often hidden and can take years to disclose. After debate, the House took the roll, and the bill passed 133-0 with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• These<00:19:06.280> studies<00:19:06.600> found<00:19:06.919> that<00:19:07.120>
• <00:19:14.080> key<00:19:14.560> health<00:19:14.880> care<00:19:15.159>
• I<00:19:16.800> think<00:19:16.960> it's<00:19:17.080> important<00:19:17.520>
• And<00:19:25.120> that<00:19:25.320> these<00:19:25.560> states<00:19:26.000>
• House. House.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, there is an amendment, but first let me say: Is your motion to move House File 3230 to be placed
• c> have<00:05:19.360> not<00:05:19.520> heard<00:05:19.680> that people's house
• and I have not heard that people's house and I have not heard that mentioned<00:05:20.400> very
• <00:08:11.919> is that come visit the people's house is that come visit the people's house
• I will renew Chair Mohler's motion that House File 3230, as amended, be placed on the general register

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3230, a security package combining several bills related to political and Capitol security. Members first adopted the DE6 amendment, described as reflecting the negotiated allocation and appropriations language, and then heard Chair Mullen explain that the bill covers judicial security and courthouse grants, continued Capitol grounds screening, hardware and hardening improvements, legislative services home security, temporary local law enforcement support for credible threats, a new task force, funding for the BCA threat assessment team, and DPS deficiency funding tied to recent events. Discussion focused largely on the balance between security and public access. Representative West objected to the Capitol screening and metal detectors, arguing the Capitol is the “people’s house” and questioning the cost and fairness of the measures; he also asked whether the bill changed who controls Capitol security. In response, members said the scanners were not created by this bill but were already decided by the governor and security commission, and that the bill includes a provision clarifying the chain of command and training responsibilities. Other members supported the package as a necessary response to political violence and threats, emphasizing protection for lawmakers, staff, visitors, and the public. After discussion, the committee renewed the motion to place House File 3230, as amended, on the general register. The motion passed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, up next we have our House File 4223. Trey Elkins. Rep.
• insurance rates have been climbing rapidly over the last few years, hitting certain portions of the housing
• <00:00:51.280> the hitting certain portions of the the hitting certain portions of the the housing
• House File 4223 is being laid over for further discussion.
• House File 4223 is right, thank you.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4223 was presented as an appropriation to implement and jump-start the Strengthening Our Homes program enacted in 2023. Rep. Elkins said the goal is to help homeowners strengthen roofs using standards promoted by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, citing other states such as Alabama as examples where hardened homes performed better in major storms. He emphasized rising homeowners insurance costs, especially for affordable apartments, older condo buildings, and seniors on fixed or limited incomes, and said the grants would help people who may not have the upfront cash to make improvements. Committee members generally supported the concept, describing it as a way to reduce storm damage and lower insurance premiums. One member highlighted that the income threshold for grant eligibility could reach a large share of Minnesota homeowners and potentially harden nearly a million homes, while another noted the program’s focus on lower-income households. A Commerce Committee discussion was referenced in which an alternative approach was raised: tax incentives, including possible sales tax relief, for materials and labor used to harden homes against hail and other weather risks. Rep. Elkins responded that labor is an important part of the cost and that many potential beneficiaries are seniors with little taxable income, making a grant program more practical than a tax-based incentive. Another member agreed the upfront cost is a major barrier and said the grant design appears thoughtful. No vote was taken; the bill was laid over for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a reminder, in the even years, a budget resolution is not necessarily required in the House rules
• c> in<00:00:27.439> the<00:00:27.599> House necessarily required, um, in the House
• > BUDRES06 resolution, it's titled BUDRES06 resolution, it's titled BUDRES06 on<00:01:05.920><
• Housing as well. Um public safety heard. Housing as well.
• set resolutions for those as well. Yeah. set resolutions for those as well. Yeah.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Nonpartisan staff presented House budget resolution BUDRES06, explaining that it is an updated budgetary solution reflecting bills previously heard or passed out of Ways and Means, as well as bills being heard that day. The resolution showed a total additional change of $41.1 million for the 2026–27 biennium, with existing budget reserve and cash flow account amounts unchanged. Staff highlighted several committee bills included in the resolution, including elections, higher education, housing, public safety, and the workforce committee bill, which was listed at $358,000 on line 1.14. The workforce bill also included $41,000 from the workforce development fund outside the general fund, and the healthcare access fund was set at a zero-change limit. A member asked whether additional budget resolutions were expected later in session, and staff responded that more resolutions would be set as other packages moved out of committee. After the explanation and brief questions, a motion was made to adopt the budget resolution as described. Members voiced support, there were no recorded oppositions, and the resolution was adopted.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eastland has said, "Our house is flooded."
• You've got Bug House; you can see the water line on Bug House.
• They all ended up in the Bug House Tree.
• Four little girls ended up in the Bug House Tree. Four little girls ended up in the Bug House Tree.
• Friday, July 4th, 2025, 4:19, and 7 seconds. July 4th, 2025, 4:19, and 7 seconds.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will act on House Bill [questionable: 2379?]. We will act on House Bill 2379.
• The bill has a distributed House Committee substitute with no amendments.
• I now move that House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
• By your vote of seven ayes and two noes, you have voted do pass House Committee Substitute for House
• By your vote of seven A's and two nos you have voted do pass house committee set for house bill 2379

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and took up House Bill 2379, which had a House Committee Substitute. The sponsor, Rep. Cecily Williams, explained that the substitute was intended to align the bill with a Senate version and to clarify how local early childhood sales tax revenues would be handled. The bill would define key terms, limit application to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, expand eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, broaden the types of eligible providers, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Members spent much of the discussion clarifying that the bill does not create a new tax. Instead, it would require that if a city or county already authorized to seek an early childhood sales tax places the measure on the ballot and voters approve it, the revenue would be deposited into a dedicated Children’s Service Fund rather than general revenue. Supporters said this would improve transparency and ensure the money is used for early childhood education and licensed providers, while some members raised questions about whether the bill changed existing tax authority or simply redirected funds. Rep. Taylor and others expressed support for the clarified licensing and dedicated-fund provisions. The committee first adopted the House Committee Substitute by voice vote, then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of 7 ayes and 2 noes. The committee then adjourned.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met briefly and called the roll, establishing a quorum. The committee noted that SB 73 by Senator Svantez was added to the day’s referral list and double-referred to the Elections Committee and Public Safety Committee. One member requested that item 14 be removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration. The committee then approved the remainder of the consent agenda by roll call vote. Item 14, SCR 152, was also taken up separately and approved by roll call vote, with one member not voting on that item. After the votes, the chair announced the roll would remain open briefly for additional members to add on, and then the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have 19 non-IT budget change proposals, as well as the budget estimates for the program of WIC
• We also have 19 non-IT budget change proposals as well as the budget estimates for the program of WIC
• Over in our Center for Healthcare Quality, rather, we have six different BCPs of the 19 you mentioned
• In our Center for Lab Sciences, finally, to round out the 19 different proposals, we have two proposals

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget and several budget change proposals, including environmental health, healthcare quality, healthy communities, lab sciences, and family health programs. CDPH said its $5.1 billion budget is split between state operations and local assistance, with major estimates showing WIC participation essentially flat but food costs rising due to inflation, and the Genetic Disease Screening Program remaining relatively stable as birth-related caseloads decline slightly. Members and public commenters raised concerns and support around WIC continuity during federal shutdowns, the California Reducing Disparities Project, lead poisoning prevention, school nutrition implementation, prenatal vitamin testing, vector-borne disease work, and the hospital bed capacity registry. Dr. Erica Pond presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting improvements such as record-low all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular mortality, an all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years. She also noted continuing problems, including rising behavioral health-related deaths among younger adults, persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, and major geographic health gaps. She emphasized the importance of prevention, the Behavioral Health Services Act, and public health preparedness for emergencies, fires, and other environmental threats. Members discussed the need to invest upstream in prevention and to address social drivers of health, environmental hazards, and mental health. In a separate update on California’s response to federal public health actions, CDPH described efforts to preserve vaccine confidence and public health coordination through new partnerships such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, and the FACT Coalition. CDPH also explained how it is implementing AB 144 by posting and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations based on evidence and consultation with medical organizations, while declining some federal changes it found unsupported. Members asked about measles outbreaks, vaccine uptake, and how quickly the new initiatives might affect outcomes. The committee also reviewed the AIDS Drug Assistance Program estimate, which CDPH said would decrease because of lower caseloads and the expiration of one-time funds. Public commenters urged reinvestment of ADAP rebate funds into HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, disease intervention staff, and related services. The final and most contentious item was public health information technology systems: CDPH said Sapphire and CalReady are funded, but CalConnect, CARE, and the vaccine management system are not proposed for funding while the administration evaluates utilization and costs. Members and local health officials strongly opposed defunding the systems, arguing they are essential for disease investigation, vaccination tracking, outbreak response, and avoiding a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. The hearing ended without votes or formal action.