Transcript Highlights:

• Our committee administrator, uh, David Zack, and our committee co-administrator, Bryce Hinst.
• </c> um so this uh Nets out the the federal um so this uh Nets out the the federal reimbursement<00:29
• </c> entitlement program Federal matching entitlement program Federal matching funds<00:30:09.279><c>
• <00:30:43.799><c> minimum</c> federal minimum federal minimum requirements<00:30:46.399><c> um</c><00
• </c><01:15:11.480><c> position</c> considered an administrative position considered an administrative

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• to train for a federal mission.
• a federal asset?
• Them into federal assets for federal missions that are not at all clear.
• The administration, or those in the administration of probation or parole, at least, are saying that
• the authority of the legislature is subsumed by federal law or federal regulations.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:33:10.080><c> small</c> administrative burden off of small administrative burden off of small
• </c> one would be benefits administration. one would be benefits administration.
• </c><01:45:19.520><c> burdens</c> take off those administrative burdens take off those administrative
• I'm not the federal government either. I'm not an inspector. I'm also not the federal government.
• I'm not the federal government either. I'm not an inspector. I'm also not the federal government.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• And on August 14th, as Don stated, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded Texas $75 million through
• So we're still awaiting the details from the Federal Railroad Administration on the exact amount of each
• The Federal Railroad Administration has competitive federal grant programs available very frequently
• Prior to joining the association, I spent 28 years with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Over the past 15 years, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has uncovered CDL scams across

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks on its interim charges: rail grade crossing safety, autonomous vehicle deployment, and commercial driver’s license oversight. Members emphasized transportation’s importance to safety, mobility, and the economy, and the chair outlined the plan to take invited testimony first on each charge, followed by public testimony. For the rail grade crossing charge, TxDOT’s Don Franks described implementation of SB 1555, the Texas Off-System Rail Grade Separation Program, including rules, applications, and awards. He said 36 local governments submitted 57 applications requesting about $2.3 billion against the $250 million state program, and TxDOT awarded $160.4 million to five projects in four districts. He also explained that the state set aside remaining funds as federal match, helping Texas secure nearly $756 million in federal FRA funding for 12 projects, bringing the total value of the rail crossing projects to more than $1.2 billion. French Thompson of the Texas Railroad Association supported continuing the program, said the demand far exceeded available funding, and recommended maintaining the $250 million investment while also considering other mitigation tools such as siding relocations and digital traffic-routing solutions. Members asked about how projects were selected, how success should be measured, blocked crossings, maintenance responsibilities, and whether railroads should share costs. Franks said projects were chosen based on safety, economic development, mobility, readiness, community support, and match leverage, and said future success should be measured by reduced crashes and fatalities at treated crossings and by getting projects to construction within about three years. Thompson distinguished between occupied and blocked crossings and said railroads are working on capacity, communication, and alternative solutions. He and Franks explained that railroads maintain crossing equipment, while the public can report malfunctions using the blue ENS sign. Public testimony on rail grade separations included support from the North Houston Association, Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership, and Texas Rail Advocates for continued and expanded funding, while Rhonda Ward argued taxpayers should not subsidize railroad infrastructure and said railroads should bear more of the cost. The committee then closed testimony on the rail charge. The committee next took up autonomous vehicle deployment under SB 2807. Clint Thompson and Corey Thompson of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles explained the new authorization system for Level 4 and Level 5 automated motor vehicles used in commercial passenger or freight operations. Clint Thompson described the differences between SAE levels, the requirement for an authorization in addition to title, registration, insurance, and other credentials, and the need for a first responder interaction plan filed with DPS. He said DMV adopted rules, built a web-based application system, and began accepting applications in April, with enforcement beginning after the statutory rulemaking timeline. He reported 16 companies currently hold authorizations, including both passenger and freight operators, and said the department uses existing staff and its motor carrier credentialing system to administer the program. Corey Thompson then showed how law enforcement and the public can verify AV authorizations through the DMV’s truck stop database, which displays company status, vehicle information, and related motor carrier credentials where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the federal administration who right now is using division and fear to justify robbing our tax dollars
• It's the federal administration who right now is using division in... Washington.
• It's the federal administration who right now is using division and fear to justify robbing our tax dollars
• The federal administration targeted immigrant communities with force, and we are targeting them through
• In fact, this morning, the federal administration has announced that they've just released the personal

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and proceeded to floor business, with the main item being SB 101, the state budget bill. Before debate on the bill, Assembly Member Sanchez offered amendments to redirect funding toward Proposition 36 implementation, wildfire prevention, Medi-Cal provider reimbursement, developmental services, and other priorities; the majority moved to lay those amendments on the table, and the motion passed 43-18. The chamber then took up SB 101 as the budget bill for immediate effect. Debate on the budget was extensive and sharply divided. Supporters, including Assembly Member Gabriel and several committee chairs, described the budget as a difficult but responsible compromise that protects Medi-Cal, IHSS, child care, housing, wildfire prevention, and other safety-net programs while responding to a projected deficit and federal uncertainty. Opponents criticized the budget as fiscally unsound and argued it relied on accounting gimmicks, did not adequately fund Proposition 36 or wildfire prevention, and continued spending on high-speed rail and Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented immigrants. Several members also raised concerns about gas taxes, provider reimbursement, probation funding, and the impact on vulnerable Californians. After debate, the Assembly voted on SB 101 and passed it 57-19. The measure was sent immediately to the Senate. The body then announced upcoming session schedules, with no floor or check-in sessions on June 14 and 15, and a floor session set for June 16 at 1 p.m., before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a federal law, and Missouri is just trying to implement it.
• bill, federal law?
• I didn’t have the copies of the federal law that I passed out this time.
• Sure, so if it would be a hospital, it would be their administrators.
• So we're above general creditors, but below administration.

Committees: House Insurance , House Insurance and Banking

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Education and policy and administration Education and policy and administration committee<00:09:
• administrative administrative rules<00:11:31.519><c> special</c><00:11:31.959><c> education</c><00:11
• </c><00:53:25.000><c> Ida</c> two that is covered under Federal Ida two that is covered under Federal
• </c> gives the exact reference to the federal gives the exact reference to the federal definition<00:
• </c><01:38:02.440><c> law</c> educational environment federal law educational environment federal law

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on HB 222, which would repeal the requirement that a chartered public school and the resident school district sign a memorandum of understanding on how students with disabilities will receive special education services. The prime sponsor, Rep. Peggy Balboni, said the bill was requested by the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators and the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She argued that federal and state law already require districts to provide FAPE and that the MOU requirement has created extra work, legal costs, and delays without improving services. She said many MOUs remain unsigned, but students are still receiving services and complaint numbers have not changed. Rep. Mooney also supported repeal, calling the MOU duplicative and impractical because IEPs and 504 plans already govern services. Testimony from Jane B. Brulu of the special education administrators’ association and Beth McLure of the charter schools alliance echoed that view, saying the MOU has not helped students, has added hours of work and legal fees, and has mostly been a source of disputes over funding and service costs. McLure said her school has worked with more than 15 districts and has always been able to reach agreements, though the first year of the requirement took substantial time and money. Committee members asked about the original purpose of the law, unsigned MOUs, and whether disputes could be resolved without the requirement. A representative from the Department of Education said the MOU was originally proposed to address reports that some students were not getting services on time and to provide some oversight, but the department has no authority to order charter schools or districts to agree and no appeal process if they cannot. The department also said it does not currently audit charter school special education services because it lacks authority to monitor charter schools directly, and it urged the committee to consider some alternative oversight if the MOU requirement is repealed. The hearing on HB 222 was then closed, and the committee announced it would begin the hearing on HB 699 after a short break.

Transcript Highlights:

• Elmer Lazzardi, here on behalf of the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support.
• Melissa, on behalf of the California Federation of Labor Unions, in support. Thank you.
• national climate, is vulnerable to federal misuse.
• And that's federal. That's not us, right? Let's stick to CADA.
• It's not getting them to federal money. No, I got that.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student access, workforce needs, and higher education governance. SB 761 would connect Cal Grant applicants with CalFresh eligibility notices and expand qualifying programs of study; it drew broad support from student, university, anti-hunger, and advocacy groups, with members sharing personal stories about food insecurity and no opposition was heard. SB 520 would create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund to expand master’s-level midwifery training, especially to address maternal health shortages in rural and underserved areas; supporters emphasized the shortage of providers and poor maternal outcomes, while one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of the term “birthing people.” SB 640 would establish a statewide direct admissions process for eligible high school seniors to CSU campuses using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers and improve enrollment, while members asked about special education, dual enrollment, rural access, and measuring effectiveness. The committee also heard SB 744, which would create a state “safe harbor” so California institutions would not lose accreditation or student aid if a federally recognized accreditor loses federal approval; there was no opposition testimony, but the roll call showed some no votes and the item was held open. SB 494 would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge, similar to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported it as a due process and parity measure, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. Finally, SB 550 would authorize a pilot public law school partnership in San Jose between San Jose State and a nonprofit law school; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest pipelines, while UC and private college representatives opposed it as inconsistent with the master plan and a piecemeal approach. The committee also took up consent items SB 244 and SB 271, which passed 6-0, and several bills were advanced by roll call, including SB 761, SB 640, and SB 494, while SB 744 received a split vote and was held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• That work includes analyses of administrative data from both federal and national or federal, state,
• What we saw during that 2016 to 2020 period was very little federal investment and engagement.
• HMIS is the federally governed system used by all 44 of California's Continuums of Care.
• HMIS is the federally governed system used by all 44 of California's Continuums of Care.
• And so we are doing all of that planning in response to the changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government continues to reduce its support of higher education and research.
• Despite the declining federal support, UC's impact continues to grow.
• The federal government, expect them to subside anytime soon.
• Despite the declining federal support, UC's impact continues to grow.
• But you also started when we received the number of tax from the federal administration.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview hearing on the 2026-27 budget and policy issues for California’s three public higher education segments: the Community Colleges, CSU, and UC. Chair David Alvarez emphasized shared responsibility to expand access, right-size campuses to enrollment trends, improve transfer pathways, align programs with workforce needs, and measure success by completion, transfer, and job placement rather than participation alone. The chancellors and president each described their systems’ current enrollment trends, budget priorities, and efforts to collaborate more closely across segments. Chancellor Sonia Christian said community college enrollment has rebounded strongly and asked for 3% enrollment growth funding, more support for the Common Cloud Data Platform, credit for prior learning, AI literacy, and recovery-related workforce training in Los Angeles. She highlighted right-sizing efforts such as Peralta’s proposed consolidation into Oakland City College, and described partnerships with CSU, UC, employers, unions, and housing projects. Chancellor Mildred García said CSU is focusing on CSU Forward, enrollment growth, student success, facilities, and fiscal health monitoring, while reallocating enrollment and resources to higher-demand campuses. She cited intersegmental programs such as nursing pathways, 2+2 and 3-year degree programs, and AI curriculum work, and said the system is also addressing labor and compensation issues. President J.B. Milliken said UC is facing federal funding threats, investigations, and rising costs, but has reached record enrollment of more than 300,000 students, including over 200,000 California resident undergraduates. He supported continued compact funding, said UC is exploring more use of technology, experiential learning, and short-term credentials, and stressed the need to adapt while preserving UC’s research and medical mission. Members pressed all three leaders on common course numbering, transfer outcomes, enrollment reallocation, BSN capacity, deferred maintenance, and the role of the master plan; the leaders generally agreed more collaboration and flexibility are needed, and several committed to follow up with updated data and timelines. No formal votes were taken. Public comment followed, including support from the CSU employees union for the Governor’s budget and full funding of CSU obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• For over a century, the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or MBTA, had allowed. the federal government
• So join me in urging the federal administration to reconsider these cuts and not only that not only threaten
• Governor Newsom's administration missed a key March 31st deadline to submit a proposal to the federal
• Speaking about the federal government and leadership in the federal government is above board.
• So, AB 881 picks up where the federal administration left off. to enable the safe deployment of carbon

Transcript Highlights:

• side of the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
• The new administration combines the legacy Aging and Long-Term Support Administration with the case management
• And those are fully funded by federal Money Follows the Person dollars.
• And then the administrative rate covers all of the administrative costs.
• So here, this is the federal health plan price transparency tool codified in federal regulation.

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Summary: The committee held a work session on the long-term care workforce, hearing first from DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector and then from representatives of Washington Health Care Association, SEIU 775, and Behavioral Health Solutions. Presenters described rapid growth in the 85-and-older population, increasing demand for home- and community-based services, and persistent shortages in direct care, nursing, and behavioral health staff. They cited low wages, unstable hours, benefits, certification and testing delays, immigration-related workforce concerns, and burnout as major barriers to recruitment and retention. DSHS highlighted recruitment and retention initiatives funded with federal dollars, including high school training programs, a retention toolkit, transportation support, workforce navigators, tribal partnerships, and remote caregiving pilots. Industry and labor witnesses urged higher reimbursement and compensation, better training pathways, and more worker voice; they also noted that Washington ranks highly nationally on some workforce measures but still faces shortages and turnover. Behavioral Health Solutions added that credentialing delays and mental health staffing gaps are affecting nursing home behavioral care, and that its programs aim to reduce hospital transfers and improve resident outcomes. No votes were taken. The committee then received an overview from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on the palliative care benefit work group created by 2024 legislation. OIC explained that the work group, with actuarial analysis from Milliman and input from multiple stakeholder organizations, studied a proposed palliative care benefit for commercial plans, Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. The report concluded that a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about 28 cents per member per month overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. OIC said the evidence was insufficient to conclude that palliative care would produce offsetting savings, though several provider members disagreed and submitted response letters. Members asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said the issue remains unsettled and that additional data may emerge as other states implement similar benefits. Finally, the Health Care Authority provided a broad overview of health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Staff described federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, consumer-facing price and quality tools, prescription drug price transparency reporting, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, and the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. They emphasized that these tools provide useful but incomplete information because of data lags, proprietary restrictions, limited self-insured employer participation, and the complexity of machine-readable files. The committee also discussed the role of AI in making transparency data more usable and the limits of current tools in helping consumers afford care. No formal action or vote was taken on any item.

Transcript Highlights:

• And down below, we reference federal law.
• And down below, we reference federal law.
• government has in fact. ...referring to the authority that the federal government has in federal law
• But I attempted to say, referring to the authority that the federal government has in federal law, and
• take those federal dollars.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> year across five federal fiscal years. year across five federal fiscal years.
• , administration, administration, but<00:43:10.960><c> in</c><00:43:11.280><c> your</c><00:43:12.000>
• In terms of the administrative costs, CMS set a cap of 10% on administrative costs, and they told us
• Go ahead. administrative costs at grantees. Um, so administrative costs at grantees.
• </c> contracts goes down, the administrative contracts goes down, the administrative costs<00:45:10.160

Bills: HF1925

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: nurse licensure, multistate license, healthcare, public safety, interstate compact, nursing regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrollment-based pay had been a policy instituted by the Biden administration.
• Trump administration.
• I'm the administrator.
• My name is Sam Mokashi, Administrator at Avamere Rehab Physical.
• Needs due to state or federal cuts.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on proposed substitute House Bill 2289, the House operating budget. Budget staff Mary Monroe gave a detailed overview of the proposal’s near general fund outlook, reserve levels, major revenue assumptions, and major spending and savings items. She highlighted assumed revenue from capital gains and a proposed “millionaires tax,” a transfer from the budget stabilization account, administrative reductions across agencies, and several major policy shifts, including changes affecting Working Connections Child Care, K-12 education, higher education, long-term care, behavioral health, wildfire response, and state employee compensation. Members then asked questions, including about the higher education building account/operating fee swap and its interaction with the capital budget and Climate Commitment Act funds. The committee also announced amendment deadlines for the budget process. The bulk of the meeting was public testimony, with many speakers generally supporting or opposing specific parts of the budget. Supportive testimony praised funding for wildfire prevention, public health, reproductive health, civil legal aid, the Poison Center, some higher education institutions, and certain disability and child welfare services. Many speakers urged restoration or protection of funding for K-12 education, especially transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, bus depreciation, and Running Start; others opposed cuts to child care, early learning, public defense, long-term care, adult day and home care services, occupational/physical/speech therapy for Medicaid patients, and community and technical colleges. Several local government, health, and nonprofit representatives also asked the committee to preserve public works, homelessness, energy assistance, environmental justice, and recovery/diversion programs, while some business and public safety groups sought continued funding for organized retail crime prevention and related initiatives. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee recessed briefly and later resumed with virtual testimony, where additional witnesses repeated concerns about education cuts, long-term care, health care access, disability services, dispute resolution, early childhood programs, and the need for ongoing or increased funding in those areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I think I don't want to pay a federal receiver.
• Under the previous administration, the administration... unlawfully president in the United States.
• Under the previous administration, the administration, Kimmy Dillon, America First Works here in Arizona
• This force multiplies federal efforts.
• Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.

Bills: SB1032 , SB1055 , SB1107

Committees: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement , House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Keywords: corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think this has anything to do with the Trump administration.
• Yes, the answer is this has nothing to do with the Trump administration.
• Okay, so the Trump administration, hold on.
• Going to tie public records reform to the Trump administration right now.
• State or federal agency. So I just want you to show me what number.

Bills: H5004

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: public records, public records law, transparency, open government, government accountability, legislature, general court, governor's office, executive records, legislative records, constituent communications, policy drafts, deliberative process, freedom of information, FOIA, records access, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 66, Chapter 4, veterans services records, initiative petition

Transcript Highlights:

• As I did yesterday, I'm going to continue to ask the administration to work closely with us to develop
• Does that mean that we are deciding not to leverage $20.2 million in federal funding? No.
• In terms of need, there’s perhaps an ease of administration if you give it to everyone.
• How much of that is general fund money, and how much of that is federal match?
• There’s a very significant federal match. Yes, we do put up some non-federal share.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to talk a little bit about the administration buy-in.
• So I want to talk a little bit about the administration buy-in.
• And they comprise not only federal workforce programs.
• They're able to get a federal tax credit.
• It could be Employment Training Administration rules in there.

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and deliberately targeted by a federal and deliberately targeted by a federal administration<01:
• The federal immigration law is the federal government's responsibility.
• . administration. administration.
• Let this resolution redeem us or help us to redeem our federal administration.
• Thank you. redeem our federal administration. redeem our federal administration.