Transcript Highlights:

• But a lot of that federal turbulence is real; it has an impact.
• Federal turbulence is real; it has an impact.
• We did that at the start of my administration.
• We did that at the start of my administration.
• Our top recipient of defense funding in federal fiscal year 2021 was Moderna.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee held a hearing on Governor Healey’s economic development proposal, H.5386, the Mass Winds Act, with the governor and administration officials describing it as a follow-on to the 2024 Mass Leads Act. They said the bill is intended to help Massachusetts compete globally for capital, talent, and companies by creating a Global Mass initiative, including a proposed $50 million innovation access fund and $20 million for site development to help international firms locate or expand here. The administration also highlighted about $305 million in new bond authorizations, plus operating proposals such as lowering the LLC filing fee, expanding the small business energy tax exemption, funding internship incentives, and supporting downtown revitalization and the creative economy. Committee members and witnesses focused on several policy areas within the bill. On talent, Northeastern University supported the internship tax credit, and the Latino Empowerment Advisory Council backed a provision waiving redundant English testing for internationally trained nurses who have already demonstrated proficiency in practice. On labor mobility, the governor defended changes to the non-compete law as closing a loophole, while attorney Russell Beck opposed the revisions, arguing they would upset the 2018 compromise and could reduce employer-provided compensation. Municipal and housing witnesses supported codifying site plan review and broader zoning reforms, while others urged attention to affordable housing, tiny homes, and commercial-to-residential conversions. Local officials and municipal groups generally supported the bill’s downtown, arts, and planning provisions but asked for more detail on implementation and infrastructure, especially around energy, water, and data centers. The Massachusetts Municipal Association said the bill’s standardized site plan review and downtown investments could help communities, but stressed the need for close state-municipal partnership. The AFL-CIO asked for trigger language to preserve labor rights if federal protections weaken. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office opposed the LLC fee reduction, warning of significant revenue loss and possible fraud concerns. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee accepting written testimony afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do facilitate administrative rulemaking on behalf of the Idaho Hops Commission.
• So no need for the additional administrative rule chapter.
• and implementing some of those federal grants.
• Again, it's a program disease that is driven by federal code and USDA.
• Again, it's a program disease that is driven by federal code and USDA.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, we have some federal agencies asking to come to us to assist veterans.
• That's under, you know, the Veterans Administration.
• This is a case that involved a federal funding freeze, and it would have impacted $12 billion of federal
• Last year, the Commission adjudicated about a hundred administrative complaints that were formal administrative
• There are certain allowable costs to the federal government for representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything that's already covered in federal or state statute or federal CFR administrative rule at the
• federal level, we don't duplicate here.
• So these programs are, because they're federal in nature, governed by federal law, and so eligibility
• it is substantially federally funded.
• with the federal law in order to go with those.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• The amount of federal funds is $64,200.
• There is no increase in the general fund and no increase in the federal fund.
• Senators, I have some administrative bills working on here, primarily.
• Senators, I have some administrative bills working on here.
• They're adding a juvenile justice administrator or adult misdemeanor probation administrator to that

Transcript Highlights:

• encumbered encumbrance of the money in order to get the federal reimbursement?
• What's the timeline to get the federal reimbursement?
• Have we got any federal reimbursements from that? **Mr.
• Call the federal government to see if they could come in and support. Now, Mr.
• And so, well, is the state paying for that, or is that federal? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• They assume further easing of monetary conditions with the Federal Reserve lowering the federal funds
• The recent federal shutdown disrupted the usual collection and dissemination of federal statistical data
• Uh policy changes at the federal level Uh policy changes at the federal level while<00:31:38.240><c>
• ><c> on</c><00:33:52.720><c> this</c> there more federal impact on this there more federal impact on
• </c> were recently deontrolled um, federally were recently deontrolled um, federally in<00:42:21.760>

Transcript Highlights:

• The Federal Railroad Administration conducted safety culture audits on all of the Class 1 railroads this
• Railroads are regulated by the federal government.
• Administration (FRA) on this topic.
• administrators on that site-specific hospital.
• That's left up to whoever's in that administration, and maybe the next administration changes the way

Transcript Highlights:

• As federal funding uncertainty continues, As federal funding uncertainty continues, we are threatened
• And so this is an optional coverage per federal guidelines.
• consistency with federal... ...state law to the federal definition, ensuring clarity and consistency
• with federal requirements.
• At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration does not review dietary supplements for safety

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, every month or so, whether it's Democrat administration or Republican administration, there's
• I mean, every month or so, whether it's Democrat administration or Republican administration, there's
• So a lot of these statutes tie into some level of an existing federal sanctions program or federal enabling
• So a lot of these statutes tie into some level of an existing federal sanctions program or federal enabling
• I sanctions program or federal enabling program.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest of which is the Endowment Earnings and Administrative Fund.
• Many of this difference has to do with federal funds, so appropriation, we understand that with federal
• federal agencies can pay quite a bit more for those positions.
• Those positions are paid for by the federal government through the timber receipts.
• Just as a reminder, this table is capturing all funds, including those federal funds.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard budget presentations for the Endowment Fund Investment Board, the Department of Lands, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The EFIB presentation emphasized its small staff, low administrative costs, and a modest request for a laptop replacement. The Department of Lands presentation focused heavily on fire suppression funding, the fire suppression deficiency fund, and the agency’s endowment and forest management work. Director Dustin Miller said 2025 fire costs were just over $40 million, noted that the Legislature had previously funded the deficiency account, and warned that current holdbacks could reduce staffing for fire operations, especially in eastern Idaho. He also explained a proposed shift of 1.25 FTE and $160,000 from the Abandoned Mines Lands Fund to the Navigable Waterways Fund, and discussed House Bill 511 as a possible future fire-preparedness funding source. Committee members asked detailed questions about how the fire suppression deficiency fund works, when it can be used, and whether it can cover prevention or only active fires. Staff explained that the fund is for active suppression and that any negative balance would later be settled through a supplemental request. Members also asked about staffing, vacancy rates, and the impact of budget reductions on fire readiness and forest health work. Miller said the agency had filled many key vacancies but still faced recruitment challenges, and he described the Eastern Idaho Forest Protective District and the agency’s growing Good Neighbor Authority work with the U.S. Forest Service. The Department of Environmental Quality presentation covered staffing, water infrastructure funding, loan and grant programs, air and water quality, and solid waste oversight. Director Jess Byrne said targeted pay increases had reduced turnover and vacancies, and that DEQ had distributed more than $835 million in grants and low-interest loans over five years, mostly to small communities. He also said the agency has fewer staff than 25 years ago despite a much larger population, leading to permit backlogs and reduced monitoring. Byrne explained that the Drinking Water Loan Fund is built from federal capitalization grants, state match, and repayments, and that its rising balance reflects awarded but not yet reimbursed projects rather than unused money. He also said DEQ is considering fee increases in air quality and drinking water programs, and supported a proposed solid waste transfer only if it includes a fee structure. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rod Miley, the administrative director for the Judiciary, in support.
• Rod Miley, the administrative director for the Judiciary, in support.
• Rod Miley, the administrative director for the Judiciary, in support.
• You talked about collaborating with federal agencies.
• </c><00:26:24.880><c> for</c> support Cory wrecking administrator for support Cory wrecking administrator

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The committees met on February 19, 2025, to hear advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with GM 645/GM 650 for Mike Lambert as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state officials, community leaders, nonprofit representatives, and others, who praised Lambert’s collaboration with communities, communication skills, and practical approach to public safety. Several speakers highlighted his work on homelessness, game rooms, community policing, and his ability to work across public health and law enforcement lines. Lambert told the committee he has 22 years of law enforcement experience, including patrol, community policing, training, narcotics/vice, and work on fentanyl, internet crimes against children, and ghost guns, and said his priorities would include building community trust, improving training and discipline, and addressing fireworks and firearms enforcement. Senators asked about fireworks, federal collaboration, ports and airport screening, recruitment, pay parity, and whether the department should expand into a more formal state police force; Lambert said he would need time to learn the new port/shipping environment and would support a state police class and expanded enforcement capacity. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then heard GM 567 for Jean Dello Jr. as chairperson of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Supporters, including Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice and Hawaii Paroling Authority staff, described him as honest, ethical, fair, and experienced in balancing public safety with rehabilitation and re-entry. Dello said he came out of retirement in 2021 to serve on the board, and that his background in federal probation and state corrections led him to favor evidence-based practices over simple compliance monitoring. He emphasized the need to weigh public safety with giving inmates a real opportunity to transition successfully back into the community. No final action or vote was announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• administration is impacting our local ports.
• administration is impacting our local ports.
• The contributions of immigrants are not insignificant, and it is time this federal administration create
• The contributions of immigrants are not insignificant, and it is time this federal administration create
• This administration is not targeting criminals.

Summary: The Assembly met on July 17, 2025, after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through a long ceremonial and floor session. The chamber recognized the 2025 Science and Technology Policy Fellows, the 2024-25 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellows, and the 2025 Assembly Fellows, and also heard guest introductions honoring Brad Webb of Legislative Counsel, youth advocates supporting AB 1231, the Live Oak Lady Lions softball team, the new UC President J.B. Milliken, the Rohnert Park 11-and-under Cal Ripken All-Star team, and arts leaders from Auburn. The Assembly also took up several procedural motions, including removing some bills from the consent calendar and noting absences. On the floor, members adopted ACR 12 designating November 1 as Fernando Valenzuela Day, with broad support and 66 co-authors, and later adopted H.R. 56 recognizing August 2025 as Chicano Heritage Month, with 65 co-authors. The Assembly also adopted ACR 101 naming a portion of State Highway Route 46 the James Dean Memorial Highway, and H.R. 50 proclaiming November 25, 2025, as Elimination of Violence Against Women Day, with members emphasizing survivor support and prevention. In each case, authors and supporters highlighted the cultural, historical, or public-safety significance of the measures. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments on several bills, including AB 359 on the Political Reform Act, AB 594 on student health insurance protections, AB 1085 banning license plate obstruction devices and penalizing sellers, AB 1286 on public employment transparency, and AB 1505, the Agriculture Committee omnibus bill. AJR 14, urging federal attention to the impact of tariffs on California ports, passed 44-1 after debate over trade policy and port jobs. AJR 17, calling for modernization of immigration law and a pathway to lawful status for long-term undocumented residents, passed 47-7 after extensive debate focused on immigrant families, the economy, and federal enforcement actions. The Assembly also adopted the resolutions by voice vote where required and recorded the roll-call results for the joint resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to note that based on recently updated federal data... ...local programs.
• We'd like to note that based on recently updated federal data, the COLA appears to be tracking slightly
• base for some of these school districts, some of that is administrative cost.
• We know that the uncertainty in some of the data from the federal government administration has created
• We know that the uncertainty in some of the data from the federal government administration, so it's

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Biden administration, federal regulators addressed this issue in its January 2025 Regulation
• and the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• and the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• . ...Association of Environmental Health Administrators and strong support.
• In federal fiscal year 2025 alone, we received over 1,700 complaints.

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:08.600><c> problems</c> this fall to address Federal problems this fall to address Federal
• That's outside of all the federal pressures, though.
• We had uncertainties when the Biden administration was increasing the federal deficit, and we saw inflation
• </c> given the unknowns like at the federal given the unknowns like at the federal level<00:17:51.480
• </c> capital leaders from 11 federally capital leaders from 11 federally recognized<00:26:25.480><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• for administering federal programs.
• responsible for that administration.
• The SPI and the Governor and the administration.
• We think that an administrator can administrate, if you will, the CDE differently than elected officials
• We think that an administrator can administrate, if you will, the CDE differently than elected officials

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the very current federal conference committee budget—the one that comes out of federal Senate
• And so we have minimized those administrative costs.
• estimate of lower federal, while the LFC kept federal flat.
• The agency's estimate of lower federal, while the LFC kept federal flat.
• Again, it's not a science, and we follow the federal definitions, but the federal government, the Bureau

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes important steps to address what both the administration and the LAO has pointed out.
• But this was already something that the Legislature and the administration have agreed to.
• So our focus is, as the Newsom administration... Dollars or more.
• will not be here; there will be a new administration when moving this forward.
• But also, too, there's limitations from federal law in terms of our ability to do that.

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's any school that receives federal financial assistance, so if a private school doesn't receive federal
• And the amendment refers to state or federal student privacy laws, and it should say state and federal
• It also has to delineate what disciplinary actions the administration took, so the administrator has
• And these administrators—literally 3,000 students per administrator—can have a student sitting in an
• Any administrator can handle this function, and I think, as we all know, there is no lack of administrators

Committees: House Education , House House Education Committee of Reference