Transcript Highlights:

• the Survivor Benefits Program under the Military Service Retirement and Surviving Spouse Benefits Payment
• I was not told that they wouldn't receive payments.
• AB 97 will ensure that those well-deserved settlement payments are received in their full amounts and
• I don't think that's the intent of these reimbursement payments.
• Students, including myself, I still have about $18,000 of student loan payments that I have to pay off

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its second regular hearing of the 2025-26 session and announced that, under reinstated suspense-file rules, every bill on the agenda would be referred to suspense rather than voted on immediately. The committee first heard AB 53, which would create a state income tax exemption of up to $20,000 for military retirees and certain survivor benefits. Supporters, including veterans’ groups, military retirees, and local officials, argued California is the only state taxing military retirement pay in full and that the exemption would help retain veterans and their families. Committee members voiced strong support, but the bill was sent to suspense. The committee then heard several wildfire-related tax relief bills. AB 429 would exempt certain wildfire settlement payments from gross income for victims of fires from 2020 through 2026; the author and a Greenville fire victim described the burden of taxing settlement funds, and rural county and forestry groups supported the measure. AB 97 proposed similar relief for Bobcat Fire settlement payments, and AB 389 would create a personal income tax credit for home-hardening expenses in high fire-risk areas, with Cal Fire and realtor representatives supporting the bill as a way to reduce future losses. Each of these measures drew no formal opposition in the hearing and was referred to suspense. AB 386 would create a tax credit for employers that help full-time employees repay student loans, up to $3,000 per employee per year. Supporters said it would help recruit and retain workers and reduce student debt burdens, while the California Tax Reform Association opposed the bill because it lacked allocation criteria and would reduce General Fund and education revenues. Committee members expressed interest but asked for clearer eligibility standards, and the bill was sent to suspense. AB 490 would allow a deduction for interest paid on qualified personal vehicle loans; the author framed it as relief for families dependent on cars, but opposition again came from the tax reform group, which argued the deduction would mainly benefit higher-income taxpayers. The bill also went to suspense. The committee also heard AB 547, which would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 for IVF and other fertility-treatment expenses. The author and a witness who described a long and costly IVF journey said the credit would help families afford treatment and support parenthood; members responded sympathetically and asked why the proposal was structured as a tax credit rather than a health coverage mandate. Finally, AB 330 would extend the prepaid mobile telephony services collection act through 2031, preserving an 80-cent surcharge that supports 911 and local government revenues; local government representatives and cities supported the extension, and it too was referred to suspense. The hearing ended with the committee adjourning after all measures were held for suspense-file consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• by $6.1 million, bringing the total estimated payment in 2026-27 to $668.3 million.
• In 2026-27, EDD is requesting an increase of $12.3 million for the CEP benefit payments.
• The first is the assessment payment via electronic funds.
• With regards to the UI insurance loan, we're at $670 million interest payment.
• And then we have $220 million of interest payments that we don't have to make anymore.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes. Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing. Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• or missed a second missed one payment or missed a second payment payment payment uh<00:50:26.400>
• It’s not just payment of rent.
• It's not just payment of of payment.
• It's not just payment of rent.<00:57:07.599> It's<00:57:08.079> payment.
• It's payment. It's it could be rent. It's payment.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Water and Land met on March 25, 2025, and first announced it had deleted HCR 3 and HCR 4567 from the agenda pending similar Senate measures. It then heard HR 35/HCR 40, which urges DLNR and other state agencies to work with community groups to co-steward community forests on public lands. DLNR’s urban and community forester testified in strong support, and several organizations and individuals submitted support; there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee next heard HCR 64, asking OPSD to convene a working group on establishing and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. OPSD and the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience supported the resolution and suggested friendly amendments, including replacing county civil defense representatives with mayors or their designees and allowing subject-matter experts to serve. Members questioned the office’s role, funding, and relationship to other resilience and emergency management offices, and the witness explained it was created after the Maui wildfires to coordinate long-term recovery, with special-project funding and a focus distinct from response and mental health functions. The committee also heard HR 59/HCR 65 on coordinating concurrent reviews of general plan, district boundary, and zoning amendments during land reclassification. OPSD testified with comments and warned that the proposal could facilitate spot zoning if individual landowners could use the concurrent process, recommending it be limited to county-initiated actions. A related discussion followed on HR 118/HCR 122, which would create a collaborative working group on surveying and protecting iwi kūpuna and related coastal erosion issues; DNR, OHA, and others supported it with suggested additions, and testimony emphasized cultural sensitivity and community-specific decision-making. Members asked about burial practices and a recent court ruling, and witnesses said the working group could help guide broader policy and communication. Finally, the committee heard HR 145/HCR 151, requesting DLNR to report on its lease enforcement process and procedures. DLNR said it was recruiting staff to conduct lease inspections but had difficulty filling positions due to compensation, and explained that new or extended leases can include inspection requirements, while retroactive cost-shifting would raise contractual issues. Members asked for information on lease renewal timelines and whether inspection provisions were being added to renewals; DLNR said those decisions are made in public sunshine meetings and agreed to provide additional information. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 6% given to the homeowner for a down payment for homeownership.
• And so that access to capital in order for the down payment is really kind of a big barrier.
• Down payment assistance is important. Down payment assistance is important.
• Down payment assistance is important.
• We're incurring costs from taxes, insurance, the holding, and the payment of those loans.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine California’s housing finance system, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for practical recommendations to the Legislature and Governor. Co-chairs described the committee as an educational and problem-solving forum focused on financing housing production, first-time homeownership, mixed-income developments, and affordability across the income spectrum. Witnesses from state agencies and the development sector were invited to explain how housing is financed and where the system is breaking down. Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee/State Treasurer’s Office, CalHFA, and Related outlined the “capital stack” used to finance affordable housing, stressing that projects typically rely on multiple public and private sources, including federal and state low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental income. Speakers noted that affordable housing rents generally cannot support full project costs without public subsidy, and that recent federal changes—especially the expansion of the 4% and 9% tax credit programs and the reduction of the bond financing threshold for 4% credits—should allow California to finance substantially more units. CalHFA also described its homeownership programs, including My Home, Dream For All, and disaster-related mortgage assistance, as well as its multifamily lending and bond issuance programs. Several witnesses and committee members emphasized that the system remains too complex, too slow, and underfunded. They pointed to the need for more state funding, a housing bond, a permanent funding source, and better coordination among agencies, while also citing recent streamlining efforts such as AB 434’s SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency reorganization. Members raised concerns about equity, access, missing-middle housing, gender and racial disparities, and whether current programs adequately serve extremely low-income households and those at risk of homelessness. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing; the discussion ended with committee members and witnesses agreeing that both funding and administrative reform are needed to increase production and improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second change, which was referenced earlier, is the payment error rate, which is a reflection of
• But if that payment error rate is above 6% to less than 8%, now for those direct benefits the state's
• And so, internally we're doing a lot to make sure, as much as we can, that that payment error rate is
• actual support of the program, you may be saving a couple bucks here, but there are delays in the payment
• but there are delays in the payment but there are delays in the payment error<00:21:10.800> rate

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• it on to the end of the loan or stretch it out over the loan, lower the interest rate, change the payments
• 00:10:52.720> rate,<00:10:53.200> change<00:10:53.519> the<00:10:53.760> payments
• , the interest rate, change the payments, the interest rate, change the payments, things<00:10:55.120
• So, we're changing your monthly payment, we're changing your interest rate, something like that.
• , we're changing your monthly payment, we're changing your monthly payment, we're<00:13:22.240>

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• They're different payment mechanisms and depending upon the need or the quality of the provider, part
• What is the process to identify and ensure the payments are being sent Pro-law?
• Can you explain to me what is the process to identify and ensure white payments are not being made this
• I would also echo that if providers are having are experiencing and have been sent of payment issues,
• Another problem that I mentioned earlier about physicians not being paid and receiving payment for the

Transcript Highlights:

• for down payment assistance.
• Wilson: Down payment. OK.
• And that's the main key thing for that loan assistance is the down payment.
• They help you with your down payment.
• And part of that down payment is private donations that would assist with that.

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• reduced, suspended, or withheld payments reduced, suspended, or withheld payments and<00:37:14.400
• Uh, where we think there's enough there to stop payment.
• We're just enough there to stop payment.
• we're concerned enough to stop payment we're concerned enough to stop payment while<00:39:33.240
• payments back on. payments back on.

Bills: HF3542, HF3819

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, child care, licensing, inspections, compliance, program integrity, 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3542, authored by Representative Hudson, and first adopted the February 25 minutes. Hudson explained that the bill, as amended in a DE1, would require agencies to disclose to the public, legislators, or the press the existence of certain investigations only after the subject has been notified and the agency has decided to reduce, suspend, or withhold payments. He said the amendment was intended to avoid tipping off subjects before notification while still increasing transparency about investigations involving public funds. A separate A3 amendment was withdrawn after the DE1 was adopted. Several members questioned the bill’s scope and timing, asking what “existence of an investigation” meant and whether the proposal would disclose information before findings were complete. Hudson clarified that the bill was aimed at identifying who is being investigated, not revealing investigative details. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from child care providers and advocates, who opposed the bill and argued it would expose providers to harassment, threats, and stigma before any findings were made. Testifiers described recent threats, ICE-related disruptions, audits, overpayment findings, and the burden of CCAP compliance, saying the bill would punish providers for paperwork errors and worsen safety concerns, especially for Somali and other providers of color. A board member of the Minnesota Child Care Association also opposed the bill, saying providers had been chilled from speaking publicly because of death threats and harassment, and warning that disclosure of investigations could intensify that climate. In response, Hudson said the bill was not about targeting child care providers generally and was limited to confirmed ongoing investigations after notice to the subject. The committee then heard from Inspector General Keys, who explained that CCAP investigations are administrative, not criminal, and are based on evidence of repeated errors or financial misconduct rather than intentional fraud. He said the office looks for patterns beyond simple mistakes and that the bill’s notice requirement would not impede investigations. The discussion ended amid a brief procedural dispute over comments directed at Hudson, after which the chair returned to the bill and the Inspector General’s testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• things up while we can and while we have this opportunity, as we prepare for those reduced federal payments
• The phased down or the reduced payments to the hospitals don't start to phase down until FY 28.
• Chair, Senator Brandt, I'm typically talking about the hospital payment reductions that will go down
• We are going to have to reduce those provider payments down to 100% of Medicare, and it gives us a period
• of time by which we can phase those payments down.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1873 by again relating to certain reimbursements and discounts allowed for the collection and payment
• HB 1962 by Bernal relating to disposition of rental payments received by public housing authorities from
• AP 2303 by Bell of Montgomery relating to the electric markets, payments and an exemption sales from
• HB 2369 by Patterson relating to the processes for and the adjudication and payment of certain claims
• For the Committee on State Affairs, HB 2392 by Martinez Fisher relating to the payment and installation

Transcript Highlights:

• rather than the rental payment number. rather than the rental payment number.
• But when we notified the payment number.
• , willing to accept even partial payments, willing to accept even partial payments, which<01:15:32.080
• <01:26:40.159> of eviction action based on non-payment of eviction action based on non-payment
• And as we reach out to landlords to navigate payment, all have been so kind and willing to work with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that happened way past the time payment that happened way past the time payment was<00:26:22.080
• Some products are so far from the original payment date that even the payer no longer has records to
• explain what the original thinking was in paying the payment.
• Unpredicted clawbacks or payments over one year under my own budget plan.
• Some were clawbacks from payments back as far as 2021.

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in strong support of this measure, making sure that residents can get timely payments in the face
• We're in strong support of this measure, making sure that residents can get timely payments in the face
• <00:19:01.240> had<00:19:01.440> been<00:19:01.640> in this payments had been
• in this payments had been in place<00:19:03.720> right<00:19:04.320> this<00:19:04.480
• <00:26:22.440> and bill as far as individual payments and bill as far as individual payments

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety heard testimony on several bills. HB 628 HD1, relating to education, would reinstate a prior law allowing veterans whose high school education was interrupted by wartime to receive a diploma. Testimony was generally supportive from the Office of Veterans Services, the Department of Education, the Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and an individual testifier, with one person in opposition. The committee later recommended passage of HB 628 HD1 as is, and the motion was adopted. The committee also heard HB 1158 HD1 and HB 1159 HD1, both relating to commercial harbors. HB 1158 HD1 concerns firefighting at commercial harbors and drew support from the Department of Transportation; the committee recommended passage as is and adopted the recommendation. HB 1159 HD1 would require masters or persons in charge of vessels to comply with a Harbor Master’s order to evacuate a commercial harbor during emergencies. Testimony included support from Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Transportation, and comments from the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. Members raised concerns about small boat operators and safety, and the committee passed the bill with reservations. The committee then discussed HB 1262, relating to the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, and HB 1296, relating to the major disaster fund. Supporters of HB 1262 included the Climate Advisory Team and AARP Hawaii, while the Department of Budget and Finance cautioned about duplication of benefits with federal disaster aid and the need to preserve the fund’s primary purpose. Members questioned how the bill would interact with federal assistance and whether the fund could be used more broadly; no vote was taken, and the bill was deferred to decision-making. On HB 1296, HEMA and Budget and Finance opposed the measure, citing the need for flexibility in emergencies and concerns that added reporting requirements could hinder response efforts, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii noted the major disaster fund is much smaller than the EBF. The committee likewise deferred HB 1296 to decision-making, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The average payment was $916.
• The average payment was $916.
• <00:49:01.960> or refund um whether it's in one payment or refund um whether it's in one payment
• The totality of those payments made, he can file them every 10, not every single $5 payment, but every
• <01:10:03.679> are contribution the year's payments are contribution the year's payments are

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, banks and payment processors are embracing crypto. We need to be prepared.
• Under this bill, borrowers can request an initial forbearance on their monthly mortgage payments for
• That forbearance required no documentation for relief and no balloon payments, as outlined on the Department
• Now these families face the overwhelming challenge of managing mortgage payments for homes that no longer
• This legislation would allow homeowners impacted by wildfires to pause their mortgage payments for up

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This additional coverage saves the state money in Medicaid payments by taking the brunt of many costs
• They may ask for the co-payment, but they do not charge an individual for the full cost.
• They may ask for the co-payment, but they do not charge an individual for the full cost.
• They may ask for the co-payment, but they do not charge an individual for the full cost.
• They may ask for the co-payment, but they do not charge an individual for the full cost.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or assisted living facility occurs, and the facility is not suspended, terminated, or subject to a payment
• AHCCCS, at the request of the new owner, AHCCCS is required to continue processing claims and issuing payments
• or assisted living facility occurs, and the facility is not suspended, terminated, or subject to a payment
• AHCCCS, at the request of the new owner, AHCCCS is required to continue processing claims and issuing payments
• So what this bill does during the change of ownership process is to address that payment gap.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and memorials across several policy areas, with most items presented as consent or third-read measures and little debate. Topics included special license plates for the Arizona Space Commission, local land-use and housing restrictions, liquor regulation updates, limits on municipal delays in permitting and exactions, election equipment security and timekeeping requirements, precinct committeeman vacancy procedures, assisted living and deed-fraud measures, a Freedom of Speech Monument committee, renaming Wesley Bolin Plaza, and a ban on gender transition procedures for minors. Members also discussed health and human services bills on behavioral health technician standards, Medicaid billing during ownership changes, breast cancer screening cost-sharing, naturopathic IV administration authority, safe-haven newborn surrender at hospitals, and access claim-processing timelines. The Judiciary portion covered probation limits for dangerous crimes against children, a civil cause of action related to prohibited gender reassignment surgery on minors, elimination of the statute of limitations for failure to register as a sex offender, probation incentive calculations, victim-rights expense recovery, unlawful flight penalties, vulnerable adult theft definitions, motor fuel theft, unlawful alerting, and evidence rules in sexual-assault-related hearings. In discussion, members asked for clarifications on several bills, including the definitions of “malicious” delay, internet access on election equipment, the scope of the breast screening bill, and the meaning of unlawful alerting. Supporters repeatedly described bills as common-sense, fraud-prevention, patient-access, or public-safety measures, while one member noted a no vote on extending the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee. Additional measures in land, agriculture, water, public safety, and transportation included foreign-entity restrictions on land transactions, limits on transporting Mexican gray wolf puppies, water reuse and groundwater fee extensions, a larger water supply revolving fund loan cap, congressional memorials on EPA authority and the San Carlos irrigation project, expanded traumatic event counseling coverage, reimbursement of legal costs for certain disciplined law enforcement officers, data sharing with the federal government on unauthorized aliens, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting rules, military-property sign placement, a towing and impound study committee, photo enforcement penalties, and highway renaming memorials. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and the meeting ended after the transportation items and memorials were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• have a target rate of 6% on our debt ratio, which is calculated by using our current debt service payments
• I think this year, as a side note, our payment to the Budget Stabilization Fund this year will put us
• The first two payments...
• Leader Berman: The first two payments, I understand, $750 million each, would technically happen before
• general revenue, it doesn't say 10%, 20%; it says if there is a decline in general revenue, that payment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard three measures focused on state finances. SB 1906 by Senator Brodeur would add a ninth element to the state debt reduction strategy report and create a program to transfer $250 million annually from the General Revenue Fund to accelerate retirement of outstanding state debt, while exempting the Department of Transportation and Florida Turnpike Enterprise. Members questioned the fiscal tradeoffs and flexibility, but the bill was supported in debate and reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 1908 by Chair Hooper, which would amend the Constitution to raise the Budget Stabilization Fund cap from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require $750 million annual deposits until the cap is reached, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by separate bill with a two-thirds vote, while keeping existing rules for emergencies and revenue shortfalls. Testimony and debate centered on whether Florida already has sufficient reserves, how “critical state need” would be defined, and whether the new requirement would reduce flexibility during recessions or federal funding cuts. Despite opposition from advocacy groups and several senators, the resolution was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 7031 as the vehicle for the tax package and adopted a delete-everything amendment to place it in the proper posture for conference. As amended, the bill was described as reducing the state sales tax by 0.75%, lowering the commercial rent tax from 2% to 1.25%, eliminating the business rent tax, and creating permanent sales tax exemptions while preserving sales tax holidays. The amended bill was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:24.640> withhold example if there was a payment withhold example if there was a payment
• <01:43:00.000> are know is that uh stop payments are know is that uh stop payments are um<
• so stop payment is to 79 CCAP providers so stop payment is a<01:43:47.119> tool<01:43:47.679>
• earlier tools such as pausing p payments earlier tools such as pausing p payments or<01:43:53.960
• 01:43:57.280> the or reviewing payments um before the or reviewing payments um before the ability

Keywords: 1183, house