Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Mike Warner, and I'm the fire chief for the city of Red Wing Fire Department.
• But as we move into a total funding mechanism for EMS, and it's great because you're a fire person too
• We need to look at this as a statewide problem, and I get it, outstate is hurting a little bit, but we
• person too um which has easily been fire person too um which has easily been funded<00:36:58.400>
• problem and I get it outstate Statewide problem and I get it outstate is<00:38:07.200> hurting

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Korematsu, a 22-year-old welder and citizen, was fired from his job due to Japanese ancestry but refused
• KORAMATSU, A 22 YEAR-OLD WELDER AND CITIZEN WAS FIRED FROM HIS JOB DUE TO JAPANESE AN ZEST BUT REFUSED
• Would that — any permit at all that's pulled from the codes department or however they do their work
• here in Albany, but it is the reality On the ground for a number of municipalities that often share code
• If you want to make housing more inexpensive, you could use the National standard for the building code

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Major Brittany Wooten, then took up Senate Resolution No. 1749 designating March 19, 2026, as West Point Day in New York State. Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Senator Skoufis, Minority Leader Ortt, and several other senators spoke in support of West Point, its cadets, and the academy’s history and role in national service. Colonel Daniel R. Stuewe, commander of U.S. Army Garrison West Point, also addressed the chamber, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between West Point and New York and the academy’s mission to develop leaders of character. The resolution was adopted, and the West Point Day observance included recognition of cadets and academy staff. The Senate then moved through a calendar of bills, passing measures including amendments to the Public Health Law, Election Law, Executive Law, Penal Law, Elder Law, Real Property Tax Law, General Municipal Law, and Public Authorities Law. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote or debate. Senator Mayer spoke in support of a bill establishing Fred Korematsu Day, framing it as a reminder of the injustice of Japanese American internment and the need to defend civil rights. Senator Ryan supported a bill streamlining the senior citizen property tax exemption process, calling it a way to reduce burdens on older residents. Senator Helming opposed a local government planning mandate as an unfunded mandate, while Senators Walczyk and Martins criticized a housing-related reporting bill as burdensome and ineffective. The most debated item was Calendar 457, a housing-data and reporting bill sponsored by Senator May. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help the state understand zoning and housing capacity, while opponents said it imposed new reporting burdens on municipalities and could penalize poorer communities by threatening CDBG funding. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and ultimately passed by a vote of 37-23. The Senate then adjourned until the next legislative day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2000 8, the legislature set a statewide goal to recycle 75% of municipal solid waste by 2020.
• Bar code 2, 5, 3, 3, 6, 2, >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
• DP to taking calls about people complaining about general air quality, whether it's pollution, fog, fire
• Chairman this amendment changes references of DP to Dbpr as this agency oversees Florida building code
• Those boroughs provide protection, extreme climate fire and from predators.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we engage statewide with local jurisdictions.
• So we engage statewide with local jurisdictions. ...are critical components.
• So we engage statewide with local jurisdictions.
• And then statewide initiatives? Can you tell me about statewide initiatives effort?
• As well as the urban forest program that's administered by Cal Fire.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do you Sorry, we're just going to fire do you Sorry, we're just going to fire questions<00:07:40.160
• of money to campaigns for statewide of money to campaigns for statewide office.<02:29:18.000>
• That's not a difficult code to write.
• It That's not a difficult code to write.
• reading code.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those projects are based on information the department puts out through the statewide transportation
• I do want to apologize; this week is actually the week for our annual statewide equipment rodeo at Expo
• Kef Canyon fire in Mora, San Miguel County.
• Sewer, GRT, capital outlay, and we've set them up with recruitment and retention for police and fire.
• You'll see that the Fire Protection Fund, the Local Government Road Fund, and the DWI Grant Fund are

Transcript Highlights:

• The tenant that started the fire on the first floor was screaming, 'The house is on fire.'
• The Taunton Fire Department did an excellent job extinguishing the fire, but we lost the entire first
• Fire prevention was trying to interview us, as well as the building inspector that was there at the fire
• It's never dealt with the fire. They're going to mess with the fire scene.
• I've probably been at over 10,000 fire scenes myself, and I know what it takes at that fire scene.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on affordable housing insurance, homeowners insurance practices, climate resilience, and consumer protections after property losses. Senators and representatives testified in support of a resolve to create a commission on affordable housing insurance (S. 768/H. 1279), arguing that rising premiums and deductibles are threatening the viability of affordable housing properties and new development. Supporters also backed bills to establish private flood insurance standards (S. 719), create climate-resilient home retrofit grants (S. 720), expand the MVP climate resilience program (H. 1310/S. 686), and protect urban trees and limit insurer-driven tree removals (H. 1316). Several lawmakers and advocates said these measures would help reduce risk, preserve insurability, and address the effects of increasingly severe storms and flooding. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing insurer use of aerial imagery (H. 1242/H. 2142) and notice periods for nonrenewals or repairs (H. 4042 and related measures). Supporters said insurers should be allowed to use drones and satellite images but with stronger guardrails, including current photos, disclosure of risk factors, an appeals process, and time to cure defects. They argued that homeowners are sometimes blindsided by nonrenewals based on inaccurate aerial photos or given too little time to make repairs. Opponents from the insurance industry said aerial imagery is already regulated by the Division of Insurance, that additional statutory requirements could create confusion and litigation, and that existing notice rules already provide 45 days for nonrenewals and 60-day limits on cancellations. Industry witnesses also warned that some proposed timelines conflict with current law and could restrict useful underwriting tools. Another major topic was H. 1077, which would restrict solicitation by restoration companies and public adjusters at fire scenes. A homeowner described being approached immediately after a house fire by restoration and public-adjuster representatives and said the experience was intrusive and overwhelming; supporters said homeowners need time and space to make informed decisions after a disaster. Public adjusters and restoration contractors opposed the bill, saying they provide needed guidance, emergency mitigation, and claims assistance when homeowners are under stress, and that some existing protections already allow consumers to cancel contracts. The hearing ended after all listed witnesses testified, and the committee voted to close the hearing; no bill dispositions were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing cor collaboration statewide. housing cor collaboration statewide.
• We've seen New Market go to a form-based code that increases density.
• formbbased code that increases density. formbbased code that increases density.
• capacity to participate in statewide capacity to participate in statewide housing<00:33:19.279><
• <03:49:22.800> quite I know the criminal code quite well.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• or something, can the local fire departments handle it, who's going to pay for it?
• To deal with a fire of the magnitude that we're talking about for multiple days.
• To deal with a fire of the magnitude that we're talking about for multiple days.
• Many zip codes in Boston, for example, are part of a designated equity community.
• But on other things at the Quabbin, I'm thinking about the fire tower as a perfect example.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single fire station was a voting center. Why?
• I urge you, committee, to vote no to protect access in all Arizona regardless of zip codes.
• And as Chairman Finchem here said, there's fire departments here and there, but on the reservation, in
• our reservation, we probably have five fire departments scattered throughout the whole Navajo Nation
• Probably have five fire departments scattered throughout the whole Navajo Nation.

Bills: HB2006, HB2085, HB2109, HB2167, HB2205, HB2410, HCR2016

Keywords: sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL PROVIDES REINFORCEMENTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES STATEWIDE.
• ENSURES THAT THE BUILDING CODE IS CONSISTENT WITH INTERNATIONAL CODE AS IT RELATES TO IT.
• WE ARE EXEMPTING SPACE X FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE? SENATOR GRALL.
• FROM THE BUILDING CODES? SENATOR GRALL.
• THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL HAS VETTED THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE STRUCTURES INCLUDING FIRE RESISTANCE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the gas-to-VMT tax swap would have modest impacts statewide.
• And you mentioned that Hawaii and Oregon have instituted similar statewide...
• VMT tax on EV vehicles statewide? I believe it was. I believe it was for all people.
• He was promptly fired.
• He was promptly fired.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• And support the fire department so much, and you have a great sheriff.
• However, there is more data coming out regarding wildland fires as well. Thank you, Mr.
• And then the Black Fire, Camp Fire, Skyline Fire, Seven Springs Fire.
• So, being that each local fire chief, Mr.
• ... ...that would be under our criminal code, the federal criminal code, and specifically filing the

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB109, HB128, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB49, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB124, HB145, HB154, HB158, HB164, HB180, HB291, HJR6, HJR7, HR1, HJM1, HM13, HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Too many families find themselves trapped by their zip code.
• Members of the panel, we will be using a color-coded timer system.
• Well, our statewide... Year. And then ACE is at, I forget there are statewide numbers.
• The average statewide expenditure per student is $16,792.
• Consider putting ESAs to a statewide vote to gauge genuine demand.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• , building code and frankly, rightfully so 11, Florida.
• As we see the Florida building code is changing often.
• You have a code to strong statewide to you, bill, to a code in to inspect to it, too.
• If we change it every 3 years and have a new code, you see to the code.
• In that regard, the building code changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation sources are 42% of the risk from air pollution statewide, and the risks from transportation
• and it comes tests when we have fires and it comes down<00:37:29.760> through<00:37:30.440>
• Our criminal code is designed to spell out prohibited conduct and prescribe punishment for violating
• our criminal code is designed to<00:59:01.799> spell<00:59:02.079> out<00:59:02.240>
• You can’t yell fire in an elevator either.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans in their homes and reduce the risk of homelessness or housing instability by ensuring the tax code
• Well, hypothetically, we have a fire that's raging near the border of Arizona and California.
• Well, hypothetically, we have a fire that's raging near the border of Arizona and California.
• Bond Act on the 2026 ballot before voters on the November 3 election, and that election will be statewide
• And furthermore, CalVet offers competitive, competitively priced casualty and fire And furthermore, CalVet

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California. Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants. The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Healthcare Affordability last time this subcommittee held a hearing, and we looked at the statewide
• Budgets are proportionally reduced based on the statewide staffing, excuse me, the state figure that
• How do we light a fire under this to get some urgency? There's definitely a fire under this.
• . ...pediatric specialty physicians statewide.
• This is not something we take lightly; it lights a fire under us.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've identified that we want to make some amendments to code.
• Currently, code identifies that the Pueblo Tribal Nation will work with the superintendent to determine
• We can identify that; the team can identify that by looking at the class code.
• So this... is Adopted Rule 660.11 New Mexico Administrative Code.
• . 664.10 New Mexico Administrative Code.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we looked at their taxable sales data by the 5132 NAICS code, which is software publishers.
• I know you called it the LA fires, but just— District to deal with the Eaton and Palisades fires.
• And in terms of that statewide number, why?
• There are people who are in house because of the fires that happen that we heard about.
• I really appreciate your words and your fire. It motivated me.

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.