Transcript Highlights:

• I would make sure that the review process that's in place in most of the most of the... ...that the review
• process that's in place in most states, which is retrospective, so there are child fatality reviews
• Those fatality reviews often point to policies that can be strengthened.
• There are states that have very strong child review, child death, child fatality review commissions that
• So these are DCYF reviewable critical incidents.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy update on Washington child welfare from Casey Family Programs and DCYF. Dr. David Sanders said Washington has sharply reduced out-of-home care and increased kinship placements, but he flagged concerns about low screening-in rates, long stays in foster care for many children, and a recent rise in repeat maltreatment and child fatalities, especially among infants. He urged more focus on infants and young children, better coordination among child protection, health care, and law enforcement, and more proactive review and investigation practices. Members asked for disaggregated data on children lingering in care, fatalities, and causes such as fentanyl exposure. DCYF said it has increased relative placements and guardianships, but also reported a concerning rise in 2025 critical incidents, mostly near-fatalities involving children age three and under, many opioid-related. The department described responses including safe child consults for opioid cases, more training, hotspot analysis, and proposed investments in peer support, public health nurses, community referrals, and an updated safety framework. Members also discussed whether a broader commission on child abuse prevention would be useful, and DCYF said it was open to that idea. The committee then received a DSHS reorganization update from Secretary Angela Ramirez, who described the “Reimagined” plan to consolidate four administrations into three new ones, with the stated goals of reducing silos, improving customer experience, and making transitions between services smoother. She said the agency is seeking statutory changes and CMS approval to align the new structure, and members asked about preparing for federal HR1 impacts, especially SNAP. Ramirez said DSHS is monitoring those impacts closely and emphasized the need for accurate data and cross-agency coordination. Finally, DSHS’s Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration updated the committee on residential habilitation centers and implementation of Substitute Senate Bill 5393, which phases out Rainier School by June 30, 2027 and limits new admissions. Officials reported current census and staffing levels at the state’s RHCs, said Rainier has had some residents transition to supported living or adult family homes, and explained that emergency and permanent rulemaking was needed to implement the law. They also said Rainier was recently cited by federal surveyors for not meeting the active treatment requirement for two residents, and that the facility has 90 days to return to compliance before possible payment penalties or further remedies. Members pressed for details on the citation, the meaning of active treatment, the assessment process for admissions, and whether Rainier could be repurposed for other services; DSHS said it is working on corrective action and will follow up in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• vaccines in our state, and vaccines that are based in the science and evidence that the FDA has reviewed
• and that the collective health of our states can be stronger if our states collaborate together to review
• The collective health of our states can be stronger if our states collaborate together to review the
• So I mentioned that we will be referring to a review be informed by national professional organizations
• The alliance itself will not be reviewing multitudes of studies and papers, et cetera.

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who described her background in public service and emphasized collaboration, relationships, and responsiveness to legislators as she begins her tenure. Members thanked her and noted they looked forward to working with her on the governor’s priorities and the state’s budget and service challenges. The committee then heard a presentation on the West Coast Health Alliance from Governor’s Office, Department of Health, and state health leadership. Witnesses said the alliance was formed by Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii to provide unified, science-based public health guidance, especially on vaccines, amid federal instability and misinformation. They said the alliance has already issued vaccine recommendations and statements rejecting a vaccine-autism link, and is working on return-to-work guidance and responses to federal ACIP actions. Members asked about workload and coordination with an East Coast public health group; witnesses said the main challenge is communicating unified guidance rather than reviewing studies themselves. Next, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange reported on open enrollment and the effects of federal changes, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and HR1 provisions affecting immigrant eligibility and future auto-renewal rules. Officials said premium increases are driving some customers to drop coverage, while state actions such as silver loading and Cascade Care Savings are helping blunt the impact for many enrollees. They also described outreach through navigators, brokers, tribal organizations, and community groups, and noted rising website traffic and more customer questions during open enrollment. Members asked about enrollment trends, carrier participation, and how to communicate upcoming federal changes. Finally, the Health Care Authority and Office of the Insurance Commissioner reviewed the state’s health reform history and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and the individual market. They highlighted ongoing state efforts on affordability, prescription drug oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, preventive services, and rural health funding. Witnesses said agencies are coordinating across DSHS, HCA, OIC, the Exchange, Employment Security, and others to prepare for Medicaid work requirements and other HR1 changes, while also trying to reduce administrative burden and preserve access to care. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2023, you passed House Memorial 51, which directed LASC staff to review the SEG.
• Last, on page 11, as we continue to implement the new EL factor, we think it's important for PED to review
• authorizers, they primarily approve charter applications, establish charter contracts, monitor and review
• administration and compliance guidance and support, the management of voucher payments, financial reviews
• of revenue are generally responsible for the administration of those credits to donors, financial reviews

Transcript Highlights:

• responsibly reduces barriers to opening new restaurants in California by fast-tracking front-end plan review
• It stops local agencies from dragging out the process by sending applications to outside reviewers and
• When local agencies fail to comply with established permit review timeframes, AB 660 would close loopholes
• enforceable remedies when timelines are missed, local agencies that refuse to permit third-party reviews
• Indeed, it requires them to review these inspections, and it provides them with an additional tool to

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local government finance. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assemblymember DeMaio proposed changing SANDAG board selection to give rural unincorporated areas a stronger voice; members raised concerns about the approach and local input, and the bill ultimately did not receive a second at the time it was heard. The chair later clarified that because no second was made, the bill was held rather than voted out, though the transcript also reflects confusion and later attempts to revisit the item. Several housing and permitting bills advanced with committee amendments and broad support. AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks would streamline restaurant permitting through self-certification and faster plan review; AB 920 by Assemblymember Caloza would require a centralized online portal for housing permit tracking in larger jurisdictions; AB 1061 by Assemblymember Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing in historic districts with limits to protect historic character; AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Farías would streamline temporary manufactured housing after disasters; AB 660 by Assemblymember Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assemblymember Haney would expand downtown revitalization financing tools for mixed-use housing. Each of these measures drew support from housing, business, and industry groups, with some local-government and special-district stakeholders seeking continued amendments on certain bills. The committee also approved AB 1156, which updates the solar use easement program to better accommodate renewable energy development on water-constrained agricultural lands, and AB 964, which would let local governments offset certain state mandate reimbursement debts against amounts the state owes them. AB 1223, by Assemblymember Wynn, would let Sacramento-area transportation authorities propose sales tax measures for portions of the county and keep revenues local; it advanced despite some transportation and taxpayer concerns. Consent items AB 36 and AB 1131 were also approved. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, often with committee amendments and some members noting they would continue working on the measures in later committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• And most of it is around the review period and the rescission period.
• And most of it is around the review period and the rescission period.
• And most of it is around the review period and the rescission period.
• And most of it is around the review period and the rescission period.
• And most of it is around the review period and the rescission period.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions. Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused. Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products. The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I review a lot of this, I've been watching just like you all have with media reports.
• And the same on NEPA reviews. Yes, sir, that's also the law.
• evaluate any proposed cuts should. be, you know, proposed for wildland firefighting cuts and and review
• In my past position at the Department of the Interior, I had the stress of reviewing the United States
• familiar with that plan and I want to say that the law itself has a really important consistency review

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, a systematic review of existing literature found no evidence to favor the complete elimination
• It's a JAMA review, and this was a study from 2022.
• This is a second stop of this bill, so just kind of reviewing some things that happened in your first
• to where the Board of Medicine will then review it and can ascertain whether they also believe that
• to where the Board of Medicine will then review it and can ascertain whether they also believe that

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The February 10th meeting of the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee is called to order.
• requirements for permit holders that manage, dispose of, and process waste to change the registration review
• virtual, and remote learning programs; provide a point of emphasis regarding the adoption and annual review
• :14:10.519><c> adoption</c><00:14:10.959><c> and</c><00:14:11.120><c> annual</c><00:14:11.440><c> review
• </c> regarding the adoption and annual review regarding the adoption and annual review of<00:14:11.920

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met on February 10 with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then reviewed a long agenda of agency regulations, most of which were accompanied by staff-suggested amendments for drafting conformity under KRS Chapter 13A. The Department of Financial Institutions’ 808 KAR 9:10, the Secretary of State’s 030 KAR 2:11, the Office of the Attorney General’s 04 KAR 5:10, the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology’s emergency 201 KAR 17:120, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ 301 KAR 2:41, the Department for Environmental Protection’s 401 KAR 47:110 and 48:320, the State Police regulations 502 KAR 1:012 and 1:121, the Department for Public Health’s 902 KAR 4:15, the Department for Medicaid Services’ 907 KAR 1:15, and the Department for Community Based Services’ 921 KAR 1:400 were all discussed and, where applicable, staff amendments were approved without objection. The Workplace Standards emergency regulation 803 KAR 2:320E was also presented without amendment, and the Department of Insurance’s 806 KAR 9:360 was taken up but ultimately deferred at the agency’s request. Several regulations drew brief substantive discussion. The Fish and Wildlife rule on foxhound training enclosures was explained as expanding both commercial and non-commercial provisions for training with dogs involving red fox and coyotes, with enclosure standards intended to protect wildlife inside and outside the facilities. The environmental protection rules were tied to House Bill 478 and addressed permit-by-rule timelines, reporting, and operating standards for certain construction and demolition debris landfills, including sites up to two acres; members asked whether these facilities were private or municipal, and staff said they were a mix, often tied to private demolition contractors or single projects. The State Police fee increase for hazardous materials endorsements was described as reflecting a federal TSA fee change, and the witness estimated the new fee at about $23. The most extended debate concerned the Board of Education’s 704 KAR 3:535 on full-time virtual and remote learning programs. The agency amendment would cap enrollment in such programs at 10% above a district’s prior-year in-person enrollment, while also clarifying accountability, staffing, and monitoring requirements. Education officials said the cap was intended to address concerns about district capacity and student performance, and they cited Cloverport as an example of a district with high virtual participation and participation-rate issues. Members expressed concern that the amendment was too open-ended for regulation and suggested the issue might be better addressed in statute; no motion was made to adopt the agency amendment, so the regulation was left to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The Department of Insurance also discussed implementation of Senate Bill 188, saying it had received more than 3,000 complaints since the law took effect and was still working through enforcement and complaint processing before asking to defer its PBM licensing regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• this was something very significant to us in the next slide, and I want to point it out for your review
• On the statutory requirements from the passage of Senate Bill 64 to review and schedule serious youthful
• offender hearings in FY 2026, we identified 37 inmates who were possibly eligible for review.
• What we're trying to do now is work with the Attorney General's Office to review the administrative time
• Of scheduling, reviewing their case dockets, reviewing victim notifications, and reading those letters

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Enforcement, State Courts, Attorney General's Office of Legal Affairs, and Commission on Offender Review
• Enforcement, State Courts, Attorney General's Office of Legal Affairs, and Commission on Offender Review
• Administrator Ryan Schenk, please, from the Commission on Offender Review. You're recognized.
• The commission has the discretion to review the entire record and place any condition of supervision
• That be through victims' public testimony, submission of a letter for commissioners to review, or our

Summary: The Justice Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the justice budget and the major agencies within it. Chair Maney explained that the committee would hear broad presentations rather than detailed budget questions, and the first panel included the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections, Commission on Offender Review, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the Attorney General’s Office. Each agency described its mission, staffing, budget, and major responsibilities, with repeated emphasis on public safety, rehabilitation, staffing shortages, technology needs, and the importance of mental health services and education in reducing recidivism. Secretary Hall described DJJ’s prevention-to-aftercare continuum, including civil citation, detention, probation, and residential commitment programs, and highlighted reductions in juvenile arrests and commitments. Secretary Dixon said DOC’s biggest issues are staffing, overtime, and inflation, while noting progress in education, reentry, and a low recidivism rate. FDLE Commissioner Glass outlined the agency’s investigative, forensic, intelligence, and protective functions, including work on fentanyl enforcement and crime reporting systems. The State Courts Administrator emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional role, case volume, and challenges in providing interpreters, experts, and technology support. Chief Deputy Attorney General Guard described the office’s litigation, criminal appeals, consumer protection, and opioid recovery work, especially defending state laws and recovering opioid settlement funds. Members then asked questions about prison conditions, immigration enforcement, court filing fees, crime reporting, staffing ratios, and transnational gangs. Agency leaders responded that they were not aware of ICE contracts in some cases, that FDLE works with immigration authorities and detention facilities under existing authority, and that filing fees are a legislative policy decision. The committee also heard from the Justice Administrative Commission, prosecutors, public defenders, guardian ad litem, regional conflict counsel, and capital collateral regional counsel, who focused on indigent representation, dependency and death penalty cases, and persistent staffing and retention problems. No votes were taken, and the meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is reviewed frequently and extensively.
• So, it is highly reviewed, and we work really hard to address items that may come up.
• </c><01:23:57.199><c> benefit</c> peer and federal reviewed benefit peer and federal reviewed benefit
• 24:02.159><c> and</c> program is reviewed frequently and program is reviewed frequently and extensively
• And the program is reviewed by future.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• During that review, we often require additional information from the applicant.
• as opposed to post-completeness technical reviews.
• 37:21.920><c> reviews.
• </c><01:37:22.560><c> If</c> postcompleteness technical reviews.
• If postcompleteness technical reviews.

Bills: HF1587 , HF2293 , HF2218 , HF1208 , HF1482

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have submitted it in writing already, we have reviewed all the testimony, so there is no need
• If you have submitted it in writing already, we have reviewed all the testimony, so there is no need
• We want the regulatory agency in Hawaii to simply review them and approve them along the way.
• </c><01:25:58.760><c> them</c> agency in Hawaii to Simply review them agency in Hawaii to Simply review
• </c><01:38:08.199><c> Studies</c> because over 2,000 peer-reviewed Studies because over 2,000 peer-reviewed

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The joint Senate hearing focused primarily on SB 1201, a wildfire measure that would create a wildfire recovery fund and allow securitization for electric utilities. Hawaiian Electric strongly supported the bill, saying it would help protect customers, property owners, insurers, and the broader economy from future catastrophic wildfire liability while improving the utility’s credit profile and lowering financing costs. Support also came from DCCA Consumer Advocacy, the Attorney General’s office on written comments, Ulupono Initiative, Clearway Energy Group, IBEW Local 1260, Par Hawaii, KIUC, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Plus Power, and numerous organizations and individuals. Opponents or commenters raised concerns about the liability cap, victim compensation process, and fund structure, including the Hawaiʻi Association for Justice, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, and the Hawaiʻi Insurance Council; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land supported the concept of a fund but questioned the catastrophe threshold and whether the fund would be empty without a prudency finding. Much of the discussion centered on whether the proposed fund would actually help restore Hawaiian Electric to investment grade, with senators comparing the proposal to California’s wildfire fund. Hawaiian Electric said the bill was only one part of a broader process, alongside physical risk reduction and settlement finalization, and argued that without the bill the utility would not regain investment grade. Senators also questioned the proposed $1 billion fund size, the fairness of ratepayer contributions versus shareholder contributions, and whether customers should pay for consulting and administrative costs; Hawaiian Electric said its proposed amendment would remove those consulting-related charges. The company also said the fund would accrue interest and, if unused, could be returned to customers, and that there would be replenishment and supplemental contribution mechanisms if the fund were exhausted. The Attorney General’s office said it still had further amendments to discuss, and the departments had not yet resolved where the fund should reside administratively, though Hawaiian Electric said it believed DCCA was the appropriate place but was open to alternatives. KIUC requested two amendments. No vote or final committee action was taken during the hearing, and the measure remained under discussion with questions and proposed amendments still outstanding.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> Multiple peer-reviewed studies including Multiple peer-reviewed studies including the<01:21:34.239
• </c> registration review for atrizine registration review for atrizine concluded<01:22:00.159><c> in<
• That review is conducted by the same chief justice that now reviews such requests, but without first
• It is a fair, independent review of the appearance of bias.
• ><c> now</c><01:45:27.760><c> reviews</c><01:45:28.159><c> such</c> chief justice that now reviews such

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky's Special Committee on AI Task Force is tasked with a comprehensive review of existing artificial
• In Arkansas, a working group launched by the governor is reviewing a set of pilot projects on unemployment
• And then also Ohio developed an AI tool called Reg Explorer to reduce and review redundancies in administrative
• called Eva, and that is through their secretary of state's office to help election administrators review
• Particularly, what I've used it for is kind of just a review of what I've written.

Committees: House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation , House House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• The assets are reviewed and audited, and that goes to the board in November and is approved in November
• And you talked about how you guys go and you review it every year so that you can put together your forecast
• So those audits are available on our website for anyone to review at any time.
• we're happy to continue to provide information as requested, but there has not been a formal federal review
• As requested, but there has not been a formal federal review released at this point.

Transcript Highlights:

• The assets are reviewed and audited, and that goes to the board in November, and it's approved in November
• thinking about, and I'm being a little selfish here, and you talked about how you guys go and you review
• So those audits are available on our website for anyone to review at any time.
• we're happy to continue to provide information as requested, but there has not been a formal federal review
• As requested, but there has not been a formal federal review released at this point.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement and the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement held a joint hearing required by law to receive an independent report from the California Actuarial Advisory Panel on CalPERS. Chair McKinnor and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opened by emphasizing CalPERS’ importance to retirement security for public employees and to the state budget. Scott Tarando, CalPERS Chief Actuary and a CAP member, presented on the statutory disclosure requirements in Government Code Section 2029, including the use of CalPERS’ 6.8% discount rate and the need to show how changes in investment return assumptions and amortization periods affect liabilities, contribution rates, and budgets. Tarando explained that lower investment returns increase contribution rates and unfunded liabilities, while higher returns reduce them. He also described CalPERS’ 20-year amortization period for new unfunded liabilities, comparing it to a mortgage and noting that shorter periods raise near-term costs but reduce long-term interest costs. He said the CAP has recommended a 15- to 20-year range and that CalPERS’ current approach is intended to smooth volatility for a large, ongoing plan. Members asked about the meaning of average service lifetime, the timing of valuation data, whether more current data could be used, the effect of AI and workforce changes on assumptions, and whether contribution changes affect retiree benefits. Tarando said retiree benefits do not change with annual valuations, that CalPERS uses audited year-end data because it is the most reliable basis for rates, and that AI impacts are being monitored but are too early to quantify. Committee members also discussed CalPERS’ funded status, with Tarando saying it had improved from the mid-60% range about 10 years ago to around 79% at fiscal year-end and over 80% more recently, reducing pressure on employers and the state budget. Michael Cohen, CalPERS’ investment operations chief, said CalPERS had complied with federal information requests and that its annual audits are publicly available, but no formal federal review had been released. In public comment, a representative of the California State Association of Counties praised the improved funded status and the role of PEPRA reforms. The chairs closed by reaffirming CalPERS’ fiduciary duty and the goal of protecting retirement security for public workers; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The assets are reviewed and audited, and that goes to the board in November, and it's approved in November
• And you talked about how you guys go and you review it every year so that you can put together your forecast
• So those audits are available on our website for anyone to review at any time.
• we're happy to continue to provide information as requested, but there has not been a formal federal review
• As requested, but there has not been a formal federal review released at this point.

Transcript Highlights:

• It directs cities and counties to apply only administrative design review for step housing, if applicable
• This allows cities and planning counties to review operation plans for step housing, including but not
• would like to actually be partners in this endeavor with these providers and, you know, be able to review
• And by taking this amendment, we would be reintroducing subjective review back into the permitting process
• And by taking this amendment, we would be reintroducing subjective review back into the permitting process

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee met in executive session on several housing-related House bills. Staff briefed bills expanding affordable housing on religious-organization property (HB 1859), requiring cities and counties to allow various forms of supportive and emergency housing in certain zones (ESHB 2266), making changes to common interest community law and WUCIOA (SHB 2354), changing service requirements for rent-increase notices and unlawful detainer notices (SHB 2452 and HB 2664), and exempting limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA (2SHB 2590). The committee also reviewed fiscal notes and noted that most bills had no state fiscal impact, while the limited equity cooperative bill had a small Department of Revenue cost that would be absorbed. The most extensive discussion centered on ESHB 2266. Senator Gildon offered amendments to require step housing to be near transit, allow local review of operational plans, require 24-hour on-site supervision unless otherwise justified, and limit new requirements for smaller cities; Senator Gaynor offered a population-based amendment for cities under 10,000. Supporters of the underlying bill argued it would reduce barriers and expand needed shelter and housing, while opponents raised concerns about local control, neighborhood impacts, and operational oversight. None of the amendments were adopted, and the committee advanced the striker and underlying bill. The committee then voted to send HB 1859, SHB 2354, SHB 2452, 2SHB 2590, and HB 2664 forward with due-pass recommendations, with HB 1859 and ESHB 2266 sent to the Rules Committee and 2SHB 2590 sent to Ways and Means. Members generally expressed support for expanding housing options, though some noted concerns about implementation, local impacts, and the need for further work on WUCIOA-related issues. The meeting concluded with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They will be found starting on page 149 of your legislative review book.
• They will be found starting on page 149 of your legislative review book.
• These rules will be found starting on page 124 of your legislative review book.
• They'll be found starting on page 128 of your legislative review book, and sorry to disappoint, these
• It will be found starting on page 144 of your legislative review book.

Committee: House Business