Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• So the awards language is focused on existing subsidies and programs to facilitate the adoption of conservation
• Hunter Heavon said the awards language is focused on existing subsidies and programs to facilitate the
• the award language comes in.
• program ends up.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, if one could add language related to artificial fragmentation, similar language exists in other
• I mean, if one could add language related to artificial fragmentation, similar language exists in other
• This is rich discussion because our first program evaluation now is of child care programming.
• We may not be able to evaluate every program, but how do we select which programs we're going to evaluate
• We may not be able to evaluate every program, but how do we select which programs we're going to evaluate

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cap-and-trade. trade program is a tax and spend program.
• CRC program.
• TURCIP program and the LCTOP program.
• Thank you. program.
• On item 8, we oppose the trailer bill language to prematurely end the CalShade program, which would cause

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a pilot program for educators.
• programs to have that option.
• university programs to have that option.
• R1 language for the revisions to the NEPF, but there's inclusive language that we think strikes the right
• Would it be a motion to amend and do pass, including the language from fiscal as well as the language

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:17.200> legislators Northstar promise programs legislators Northstar promise programs
• <00:07:01.120> clear question was, was this language clear question was, was this language
• > is just clarifying language is just clarifying language that<00:07:11.840> the<00:07:12.160>
• language with what the intent is. language with what the intent is.
• reinvest it back into the program. reinvest it back into the program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've come, and advocates also have come over the years, to add language to the program to make it catch
• <00:57:15.080> to<00:57:15.320> the<00:57:15.440> program the years to add language
• to the program the years to add language to the program to<00:57:16.920> make<00:57:17.080>
• the<00:57:59.080> program<00:57:59.520> more language and make the program more
• language and make the program more clearly<00:58:00.240> align<00:58:00.760> with<00:58

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To get feedback on the language.
• Disability Advocacy Program.
• reductions for that program.
• For HSP, the one... ...severe program reductions for that program.
• She regained her confidence through our Stop the Hate program, through language-accessible support and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing focused largely on the implementation of federal HR1 changes and their effects on CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and related county workloads. CDSS, DHCS, DDS, CWDA, LAO, and Finance discussed the CalFresh able-bodied adult without dependents time limit, with CDSS saying about two-thirds of affected adults are already known to be exempt in the system and that roughly 200,000 more could be auto-exempt through new data matches with DHCS and DDS. Officials said those exemptions should be in place by mid-August, before the first possible discontinuance in October, and that counties would receive policy guidance, handbook updates, and client-facing materials. DHCS said Medi-Cal work requirements would be implemented later, with rules and testing completed ahead of a January 2027 rollout, and noted automatic exemptions for some IHSS-related cases. CWDA urged more county staffing and funding, citing examples where high-touch outreach improved exemptions, reduced churn, and increased participation, while warning that without additional resources counties expect delays, higher error risk, and reduced engagement. The committee also discussed a possible CFAP Plus expansion to provide state-funded food benefits to people losing CalFresh eligibility under HR1. CDSS said implementation could not occur before the planned October 1, 2027 CFAP expansion timeline and would depend on final policy choices, system design, and the complexity of adding new eligibility groups. Finance cautioned that any benefit expansion would carry significant General Fund costs, potentially in the hundreds of millions or more. Members asked for written timelines, county-by-county impact data, and feedback on trailer bill language, and CDSS agreed to provide follow-up materials and technical assistance. A separate item reviewed the CalFresh strategic plan and the revision of CDSS’s online mandated reporter training. CDSS said the strategic plan lead position should be posted in May and that the plan would be data-driven and collaborative. For mandated reporter training, CDSS reported that the revised curriculum is being developed with lived experts and stakeholders, will include content on structural racism, ICWA protections, implicit bias, and the distinction between reporting and supporting, and is on track to launch in fall/winter 2026 ahead of the statutory deadline. The committee also heard updates on Promise Neighborhoods, where advocates described strong outcomes and argued for continued and expanded state support, including AB 1969 to deepen partnerships with community schools; members emphasized the need for more stable braided funding and institution-building rather than short-term program funding. The hearing concluded with updates on the Stop the Hate program and housing assistance programs. CDSS said Stop the Hate has provided direct services, prevention and intervention programming, and statewide coordination, reaching millions through outreach and serving more than 11,200 people through transformative grants; advocates urged reauthorization and more targeted funding for solidarity, harm reduction, legal services, and education. Finally, CDSS said proposed one-time investments of $55 million for H-DAP and $105 million for HSP would help avoid funding cliffs and maintain homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services through 2026-27, while the absence of new funding would force reductions in emergency housing assistance, rental subsidies, and enrollments. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:56.799> justice<00:30:57.200> program the Vermont language justice program the
• Vermont language justice program project.<00:30:59.039> We project.
• us know what those 10 languages are. us know what those 10 languages are.
• native language.
• <00:40:38.720> for doesn't have a written language for doesn't have a written language for

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Connectivity Program.
• program.
• Is there any ads in other language that we need to come over that wraps up language?
• But language, let me clarify this: when we have the language wrapped up so we can vote on the language
• But language, let me clarify this, when we have the language wrapped up so we can vote on the language

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• violence prevention program.
• violence prevention program.
• violence prevention program.
• violence prevention program.
• personnel for um the whole new program. personnel for um the whole new program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County soil health um program study. County soil health um program study.
• The House language references the current program name, whereas the Senate references the name it changes
• The House language references the current program name, whereas the Senate references the name it changes
• improvement and development program. improvement and development program.
• loan program. loan program.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions. House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Removing the language for the Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program and Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program
• Startup Business Loan Program and Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program Special<00:19:35.200> Fund.
• shall not be eligible for loan program shall not be eligible for this<00:19:51.280> program<00
• Require the program to enable program.
• community improvement program areas. community improvement program areas.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony and then took up House Bill 1369, which would repeal several tax credits and exemptions, including the renewable fuels production tax credit. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed: Hawaii Gas, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, and the Tax Foundation all raised concerns, with opponents arguing the renewable fuels credit has supported major local investment, cleaner fuel production, and energy resilience, while Hawaii Gas warned repeal would raise costs for customers. The Department of Taxation said it did not take a position but provided revenue estimates, saying the bill would increase revenues by about $33.8 million in FY 2026 and $121.7 million in FY 2027; DBEDT said it would follow up on broader economic impacts. The chair proposed a series of amendments that removed some repeals, added five-year sunsets to certain exemptions, narrowed or conditioned others, and tied the renewable fuels exemption to a dollar-for-dollar match for renewable fuel production certified by the state energy officer. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the motion was adopted with multiple members voting with reservations. The committee then moved through a series of other measures. HB 159, HB 244, HB 280, HB 316, HB 716, HB 1298, and HB 1295 were recommended for passage, with HB 1295 amended to change a date to 2050. HB 455 was amended to remove the Hawaii Startup Business Loan Program language and instead fund DBEDT contracting for startup financing and support, excluding businesses already eligible for the community-based economic development loan program. HB 504 was amended to add non-recurring appropriations for the Hawaii Tourism Authority, conditioned on formal commitments to purchase local products under the HRS 27-8 timeline; members discussed the cruise passenger tax and where the revenue would go, and the bill was passed with amendments. HB 606 was amended to recognize DHHL authority over mercantile projects licenses, remove some reporting requirements, and replace the appropriation with $25 million for mercantile projects and $25 million for repair and maintenance. HB 1378 was amended to allow the foundation to enter public-private partnerships, adjust appropriation language, and cap a proposed limit at $15 million, with the committee noting the changes addressed concerns raised in testimony from BNF and the attorney general. HB 974 was deferred indefinitely because the House had already passed SB 1501. Finally, HB 1007 was amended to rename the transit-oriented development infrastructure district program as the transit-oriented community improvement program, consolidate the boards into one, expand board membership, add conflict-of-interest provisions, and allow legislative designation of areas; after discussion about HCDA’s role and the stadium district, the measure was adopted with one reservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very, it was a pilot program.
• The budget includes statutory changes to eliminate the pilot program. program however we maintain a certain
• And so, in the future, will there be funds available for this type of program, jury pilot program?
• So with regards to the reporting language, we're happy to consider any reporting language and we can
• We support the right grant program for rehabilitative programming in CDCR.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• real results to address program real results to address program integrity<00:01:46.560> this<
• assistance program.
• services program. services program.
• Um, I think this has been highlighted as a really important program integrity language, and if this bill
• :09.920> language<01:52:10.239> around<01:52:10.400> it, language or perfect language

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• a technical change setting the program a technical change setting the program name<00:25:09.919>
• Tori. the sustainable aviation fuel language. the sustainable aviation fuel language.
• that this is an appropriate um language that this is an appropriate um language at<00:33:14.960>
• amendment um uh to delete this language. amendment um uh to delete this language.
• It is the same language.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um you fund we do we create programs um you fund those<00:03:00.920> programs<00:03:01.440>
• program integrity."
• after program.
• program<00:30:39.320> I'm program after program after program I'm program after program after
• integrity of the program.

Bills: HF1, HF98

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• to the emergency program.
• :02:15.280> run supplement the program that had been run supplement the program that had been
• Program.
• creates a local food purchasing program. creates a local food purchasing program.
• :11:43.600> the<01:11:43.760> language finally the language uh the language finally the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Language access remains a priority, with 246 vital forms translated into 14 languages and new tools to
• As you mentioned, the PUA program was a lot different than the UI program is now.
• As you mentioned, the High Road program is a one-time funded grant program.
• program.
• I believe that the current trailer bill language for the SIBTF program does not adequately fix the problems

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget and trailer bill presentations focused on labor and public employment programs. The first item covered EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on customer service improvements, fraud prevention, language access, and the Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged stronger legislative oversight as the project enters its most difficult phase, and members questioned the revised schedule, total cost, change orders, stress testing, SB 1090 implementation, and how race and ethnicity data will be protected. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that the work is being phased with disability insurance and paid family leave first, and that fraud has been greatly reduced since pandemic-era programs ended. Members also asked for follow-up information on SB 590 outreach and equity impacts. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. The board and Department of Finance said the staffing reductions reflect the end of surge funding and that the proposal would consolidate roughly 10 to 12 reports into one annual report, with additional reporting only if new funds are appropriated for certain programs. Senator Durazo questioned the policy direction of reducing workforce staffing, while the administration said the positions were tied to temporary grant programs and that current staffing is sufficient for ongoing duties. Members also asked about the board’s role in AI-related workforce planning and the rationale for using state funds for the High Road Construction Careers Program. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund reforms and related staffing request at DIR. The administration and LAO described rapid growth in applications, backlog, and liabilities, saying the program’s eligibility has expanded beyond its original intent and that liabilities could reach about $30 billion by 2030 without reform. The trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply the changes to open cases, and use the QME process and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, evaluator capacity, and the relationship to other SIBTF legislation, while the LAO said the proposal largely aligns with its prior recommendations. DIR also presented a request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, which drew criticism from members who argued the cuts could weaken enforcement and backlog reduction efforts; the committee asked DIR to return with more detail on impacts and on its use of temporary-help authority. The final items addressed a request for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff and a trailer bill to make permanent the revised Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition timeline. DIR said the BOI staffing would help investigate fatalities and serious injuries more quickly, while members emphasized the importance of family contact and timely investigations. For the WCAB item, the chair explained that the 2024 change to Labor Code section 5909, which starts the 60-day decision clock when a case is transmitted rather than when a petition is filed, has reduced pending cases and should be made permanent; the remaining backlog was reported at 460 cases, down from 637 before the change.

Transcript Highlights:

• program rule.
• The agency intends to replace that language. That language is meant to be a catch-all.
• new program? new program?
• And so program.
• You'll see it says in a language.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and consent calendar, then moved through several Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid-related rules. Rule 25-220 from the Department of Energy was postponed until June so stakeholders would have more time to review revised language. Rule 25-240, involving Medicaid income verification and deductible provisions for medically needy applicants, was adopted after staff noted the cited sections had expired but the agency said it had continued operating under federal law and the state plan; the agency also said it had begun rulemaking on the cited provision. Rules 25-265 and 2633 were also adopted, with staff explaining that although parts of the rules had expired, the agency had continued implementing the policies through the Medicaid state plan, billing manuals, and related rules. The most extended discussion centered on rule 25-304 from the Bureau of Aging and Adult Services, which covers case management services for the CFI program. Staff and the agency explained that the amended conditional approval request clarified how case management agencies indicate staffing capacity, how telehealth decisions are evaluated, and that the department—not the case management agencies—sets the timeline for accepting or denying cases. The agency said the rule is intended to ensure participants are not pushed into telehealth when they do not want it or cannot use it, while leaving technical and clinical telehealth decisions to the provider. A case management provider testified in opposition to parts of the rule, arguing that the committee should not require agencies to admit unverified patients, that reimbursement-rate issues belong in legislation, that the quality-management section duplicates existing licensure oversight, and that the telehealth language improperly gives case managers authority over how other licensed providers deliver services. Committee members questioned whether the telehealth language was simply allowing case managers to determine whether telehealth fits a person’s care plan, and agency representatives responded that this was the intent. No final vote on rule 25-304 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's another extension of an existing program. It's another extension of an existing program.
• First, put in language that assures that the state will First, put in language that assures that the
• The loyalty program, it is extremely important to get that language right, and I do appreciate the conversations
• So I look forward to seeing the language to make sure that those loyalty programs are protected because
• And we'd argue that by the current language, if we're keeping the language at any strategy, the definition

Keywords: 1146, all