Transcript Highlights:

• But if they can go on to other federal waivers or if they can, you know, qualify for something else at
• If a veteran is disabled, they are not going to be removed from the federal SNAP system.
• If a veteran is disabled, they are not going to be removed from the federal SNAP system.
• If a veteran is disabled, they are not going to be removed from the federal SNAP system.
• If a veteran is disabled, they are not going to be removed from the federal SNAP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• METS also interfaces with several federal databases.
• Administration for Children and Families for their approval.
• The next step is to obtain federal approval for this plan, which will allow us to leverage federal matching
• required study that is necessary for federal approval.
• Representative, I would just add that, yes, DHS also maximizes federal funding.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Since leaving the administration in 2020, Cash has written articles.
• To executive orders that have been issued as it pertains to the federal budget, federal spending, hiring
• Of the federal government, the FBI, to pursue its investigations of federal laws and respect local and
• I'm quoting it: Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6E prohibits.
• There's a lot of disruption in a new administration.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:34.880><c> or</c> definitions are direct either federal or definitions are direct either federal
• So basically administration took over.
• </c> put on us from a federal level. put on us from a federal level.
• So, I federal law at that time.
• </c><00:41:30.560><c> regulations,</c> currently under the federal regulations, currently under the federal

Transcript Highlights:

• So that it is a flow-through of state funds to pull down the federal funds.
• And that's the area wage index that we work on with the federal level all the time.
• And that's the area wage index that we work on with the federal level all the time.
• just to be administrative because we'll take prior authorizations, for example.
• Unfortunately, we have a game of votes that matter at the federal level.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the committee administrator.
• I'm also the committee administrator I'm also the committee<00:02:47.879><c> administrator</c><00:02
• </c> state um there are significant federal state um there are significant federal funds<00:09:39.880
• </c> that's when you combine with the federal that's when you combine with the federal funding<00:09:
• </c> in service in the pursuit of federal in service in the pursuit of federal state<00:45:34.079><c>

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:12.320><c> requirement</c> the pace requ the federal requirement the pace requ the federal
• </c><00:13:21.720><c> resources</c> Authority and administrative resources Authority and administrative
• </c><00:40:55.040><c> level</c> create complexity at the federal level create complexity at the federal
• </c> cost between state and federal cost between state and federal government<00:47:53.359><c> is</c>
• </c><00:52:11.640><c> who</c> in the healthcare administration who in the healthcare administration who

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal administration has a position on this.
• They do not enforce federal immigration law.
• If we could control the federal strings of the administration, different discussion.
• You have federal representatives there supporting? There are federal representatives there.
• contracts. sort of bridging the gap of our reliance on our federal contracts federal funding would you

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 725 by the State Affairs Committee regarding the Department of Administration.
• Speaker, the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee reports that we have enrolled...
• It is federally regulated.
• So a memorial to renegotiate that for the benefit of the federal government, who has...
• But we have to stand up to the federal government now. We have to tell them no.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, because it's already done in federal law.
• bill, federal law.
• What the federal law allows us to do...
• So if it would be a hospital, it would be their administrators.
• So we're above general creditors, but below administration.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Lots of different state and federal laws that do apply to debt collection.
• from jeopardizing federal funding.
• VoteCal was developed in response to a federal mandate.
• requirements applicable to federal elections.
• When will the federal funds be fully expended?

Transcript Highlights:

• So, federal authority to do this.
• </c><00:28:46.799><c> changes</c> responding to lots of federal changes responding to lots of federal
• </c><00:29:37.679><c> pressures</c> So uh diving into the federal pressures So uh diving into the federal
• </c> are scrutinized by the federal are scrutinized by the federal government.<00:32:36.240><c> In</c
• </c> just sort of these federal definitions. just sort of these federal definitions.

Bills: HF3379

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Lonnie, with that grant money, is that federal grant money? Mr.
• Chair, Representative Mitskog, yes, that's all federal dollars.
• Chair and Representative Mitskog, with the federal grant, we have the 10% administrative costs, so you
• Administrative costs so you don't have to report it.
• I just want to know who was the administrator that's being... because that would be the administrator

Committee: House Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Summary: The committee reconvened to work through the amended version of Senate Bill 2025, beginning with a clarification from the Department of Veterans Affairs on the source of funds used to cover the commissioner’s salary equity increase. Commissioner Lonnie Wong explained that the money came from federal highly rural transportation grant administrative/salary funds, within the allowable 10% administrative cap, and that the department had not exceeded that limit. The committee then reviewed the major House changes to the veterans budget, including funding for a veterans benefits specialist FTE, salary equity increases for veterans service officers, additional operating funds, one-time funding for homeless veteran services and the Veterans Post-War Trust Fund, carryover authority for Fisher House and veterans transportation projects, accrued leave, and a document scanning project. Members also discussed a section changing governance authority for veterans affairs and the veterans home, with questions about the ACOVA board and the governor’s appointment authority. The committee debated the appropriateness of using federal grant administrative funds for salary adjustments and the broader shift in authority over veterans affairs, with some members emphasizing legislative control over salaries and budget decisions and others supporting the reorganization as a way to improve administration. After discussion, Amendment 25.092.0203 was moved, seconded, and adopted on an 8-0 roll call. The committee then moved SB 2025 as amended, and that motion also passed 8-0. The meeting then shifted to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget issues, where members reviewed FTE reductions, salary equity funding for correctional officers and parole/probation officers, and the status of federal ARPA dollars that had previously been used to backfill salaries and bonuses. DOCR officials described pay levels for correctional officers and compared them with county jail wages, arguing that the proposed equity funding was needed for retention and competitiveness. Members also discussed transitional facility costs, women’s treatment unit funding, and county jail overflow housing, including new or planned bed capacity in Grand Forks, Burleigh-Morton, Rugby, and other facilities. The committee agreed to continue refining the budget through a new long sheet and planned to request amendments for consideration in the following days before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> be</c><00:15:43.360><c> taking</c> Our federal agents should be taking Our federal agents should
• </c> now somehow objecting uh to federal now somehow objecting uh to federal officers<00:32:23.440><c
• </c><00:33:47.200><c> law</c> local, state, and federal law local, state, and federal law enforcement
• enforcing Federal immigration law.
• </c> Federal property, to protect federal officers.

Bills: HR516

Keywords: riots, peaceful protest, law enforcement, California, immigration enforcement, public safety, vandalism, crime

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when federal rollbacks are threatening DEI, and certainly we know the federal government has
• Together, these federal investments are helping...
• SJR 6 urges the federal government to maintain those commitments.
• administration.
• California sends a lot of our resources to the federal government.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> school</c> administration.
• So the school administration.
• . administration. administration.
• </c> initiated by school administration. initiated by school administration.
• . federal. federal.

Bills: HB1838 , HB1870 , HB2445 , HB2540 , HB1886 , HB1839 , HB2269 , HB1939 , HB2037 , HB1635 , HB1941 , HB1576 , HB2568 , HB2267 , HB2590 , HB2266 , HB2597 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2502 , HB2607 , HB2137 , HB2357 , HB1782

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing. The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments. The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Caleb Horrell, the Deputy Director for Administration at EDD.
• They're the best the administration can do.
• for the outstanding federal UI loan.
• The administration wanted to try to eliminate 10,000 of those.
• Elmer Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions.

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:

• We also have Caleb Horrell, the deputy director for the administration of EDD.
• They're the best the administration can do.
• for the outstanding federal UI loan.
• The administration wanted to try to eliminate 10,000 of those.
• Elmer Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard presentations on labor and public employment issues from the Employment Development Department (EDD), the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). The committee first focused on EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on online claims, call center upgrades, language access, fraud prevention, and the Integrated Claims Management System (ICMS). The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged closer legislative oversight, especially as the project moves into the most difficult phase. Senators asked about the revised timeline, total cost, fraud reduction, stress testing, transparency around change orders, and the decision to phase in disability insurance and paid family leave before unemployment insurance. EDD said the overall project cost remained about $1.2 billion, that it had no major cost overruns, and that it had saved more than $20 million by shifting some shared customer portal work into ICMS. The subcommittee then considered CWDB’s request for additional operational resources and trailer bill language to streamline reporting. CWDB and the Department of Finance said staffing had been expanded during the pandemic-era surge in grant funding and should now be reduced as one-time grant programs wind down. Senators questioned the proposed staffing reduction, arguing that workforce development needs remain strong and that the board’s policy role still requires adequate capacity. The committee also discussed a proposal to consolidate multiple annual and interim reports into a single biennial report, with LAO supporting the streamlining. Members asked about reporting for specific programs and the cost savings from reducing duplicative evaluations. A major portion of the hearing addressed DIR’s proposed reforms to the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and related workload funding. DIR and LAO described rapid growth in applications, a large and growing backlog, and sharply rising liabilities and employer assessments. The administration’s trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply reforms to open cases, and use contemporaneous evidence and QME reports to document preexisting disabilities. LAO said the proposal largely matched its prior recommendations and would help return the program to its original intent. Senators raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, the effect on workers with undocumented preexisting conditions, and whether the QME system could absorb the added workload. The committee also heard DIR’s request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, with members objecting that some vacancies reflect unmet enforcement and safety needs rather than excess capacity. The hearing continued with DIR proposals for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff, permanent changes to Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition deadlines, and apprenticeship-related funding increases. DIR sought 14 permanent positions for its Bureau of Investigation to handle serious workplace fatalities and injuries, and members emphasized the importance of timely investigations and family communication. The WCAB requested making permanent a 2024 change that starts the 60-day reconsideration clock when a case is transmitted rather than when the petition is filed; the board said this had reduced the number of cases awaiting decisions from 637 to 460. Finally, DIR proposed increasing apprenticeship training grants from $3 million to $20 million annually using the Apprenticeship Training Contribution Fund, citing an $80 million fund balance and workforce demand tied to rebuilding and infrastructure needs, and then began discussion of a separate request to expand pre-apprenticeship programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, we also want to thank the committee for funding the county administration... ...trailer bill
• And lastly, we also want to thank the committee for funding the county administrative portion of the
• Thank you so much for the county administrative funding to implement H.R. 1.
• And as you know, the federal administration is placing folks that have U visas in deportation and detention
• , so... ...services, and as you know, the federal administration is placing folks that have U visas in

Transcript Highlights:

• of the network and serves as the workforce administrative entity for the state.
• But like I said, we're trying to go beyond the federal requirements.
• So those are, that one's all encompassing with our federal reporting requirements.
• It's a federal requirement that really focuses those dollars on out-of-school youth.
• And that's the direction that the federal legislation is moving. Thank you.

Summary: The subcommittee met to receive an informational presentation from CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrian Johnson, joined by Anthony Gagliano of CareerSource Suncoast, on the structure, funding, and services of Florida’s workforce development system. Johnson explained that CareerSource serves job seekers and businesses through 21 local workforce development boards and nearly 100 career centers, using federal and state funding streams such as WIOA, Wagner-Peyser, SNAP Employment and Training, and TANF. She described services including case management, training, wraparound supports, job matching, rapid response for layoffs and disasters, and business services such as recruitment, customized training, and on-the-job training. She also highlighted the REACH Act’s role in consolidating local boards from 24 to 21, creating the Master Credential List and Credential Review Committee, and implementing performance-based letter grades for local boards. Members asked detailed questions about funding formulas, letter grade metrics, apprenticeships, youth services, small business access, and the demand occupation list. Johnson said federal allocations are driven largely by unemployment and poverty formulas, which has reduced Florida’s WIOA funding by about $27 million over four years because of the state’s low unemployment rate. She explained the letter grades measure outcomes such as increased earnings, reduced public assistance, employment and training outcomes, work-based learning, business engagement, and service to individuals in certain programs, and said the system is being reviewed for possible changes, including removing extra credit and adjusting weights. On youth services, she said Florida has a waiver allowing a 50/50 split between in-school and out-of-school youth funding, and that local partnerships drive outreach. On the demand occupation list, she said it is based on state labor market data and projections, but local boards can submit evidence of local demand when data does not reflect conditions in their area. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on apprenticeships and workforce training grants. Johnson and Gagliano described apprenticeship navigators funded by the $7.75 million apprenticeship expansion allocation, which help employers navigate registration and expand apprenticeships into nontraditional fields such as IT, health care, education, and hospitality. Gagliano gave examples from CareerSource Suncoast and said navigators helped employers move faster through registration and develop programs with local education providers. Johnson also discussed Incumbent Worker Training Grants and Quick Response Training Grants, noting recent awards of nearly $3 million to 69 businesses and $6.5 million to 24 businesses, respectively, and said these programs are targeted toward high-skill, high-wage occupations and priority industries. The meeting ended with no votes or formal action; the chair thanked the presenters, invited follow-up questions, and adjourned the meeting without objection.