Transcript Highlights:

• And as they progress throughout the program and gain skills, they will get a wage increase.
• And they might also have some related skills, but that's not always necessary.
• And so then we've just had things updated and improved based on that.
• , you know, or somebody who has the skills.
• who has the skills.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee held a discussion focused on using registered apprenticeships to address workforce shortages, especially in disability services, human services, healthcare, and other high-need fields. Subcommittee members and presenters emphasized that apprenticeships can help employers build pipelines, improve retention, and create career ladders by combining paid on-the-job training with related technical instruction and credentialing. The group also noted that apprenticeships can be adapted for nontraditional occupations and for people with disabilities, including neurodiverse learners, with examples such as Bridgewater State’s Excel program and a developing medical interpreter apprenticeship. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained the state apprenticeship process, including employer and intermediary roles, program registration, apprentice tracking, quality assurance, and available grants. Melissa Chabelli described how her workforce board serves as an intermediary, working with employers to design programs, recruit apprentices, manage compliance, and support training. She highlighted employer benefits such as tax credits, retention, and the ability to update outdated training models. Lisa Morris described UMass Chan’s effort to build a medical interpreter apprenticeship, using a pre-apprenticeship, employer interviews, and a structured sequence of classroom hours and certification exams. Members and audience participants asked about recruitment, intermediary capacity, wage progression, and how programs can serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Presenters said apprentices can come from youth programs, career centers, incumbent workers, community colleges, ESL centers, and job fairs, and that accommodations and modified curricula can be built into programs. No votes were taken; the meeting concluded with encouragement for interested organizations to contact the Division of Apprenticeship Standards or local intermediaries and to review the shared materials and recording.

Transcript Highlights:

• A short, crucial understanding of these important life skills.
• We identified that students lack the skills necessary to...
• And these are lifelong skills that we teach that last forever.
• With the web-based, To pages if we wanted it to.
• With the web-based, with the web-based usage of the dashboard, it does open up other possibilities because

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because obviously, you hired aides based on their political savvy and not their golf skills.
• You have to trust them based on their actions and what they do.
• This bill provides expanded home and community-based care for mental illness.
• It defines team-based in this state.
• It also creates guidelines for funeral licensure based upon criminal history.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will choose an expensive drug uh they will choose their<00:15:30.800><c> plan</c><00:15:31.199><c> based
• <c> on</c><00:15:31.839><c> which</c><00:15:32.160><c> plan</c><00:15:32.800><c> uh</c> their plan based
• on which plan uh their plan based on which plan uh provides<00:15:33.360><c> me</c><00:15:33.600><c>
• He said people choose a health plan based on those factors.
• There's a um a rebate zero- sum game.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Survivors of sexual violence and privacy-based crimes may face a heightened risk of unnecessary copying
• Property based only on a preponderance of the evidence.
• Based money laundering is well-intentioned, SB 1208 inadvertently creates a tool that could be misused
• We think that part of the legacy of the games is to have a trained workforce here in California.
• And why shouldn't these workers get skilled training?

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's around 9,000 codes within our program, and you can see that based on the Medicare base rate
• </c> tell you personally I think CTS skills tell you personally I think CTS skills is<00:26:59.080><c
• And when we have destroyed the ability for skills to happen, nobody's providing skills, nobody's going
• </c><00:28:49.320><c> to</c> destroyed the ability for skills to destroyed the ability for skills to
• nobody's providing skills happen nobody's providing skills nobody's<00:28:52.159><c> going</c><00:28

Bills: HF1005

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: health insurance, medical assistance, behavioral health, reimbursement rates, primary care services, physician fee schedule, managed care, residential services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill, the argument has been made in other committee hearings about skilled and trained.
• For some crafts, the minimum skilled-and-trained percentage on a job site is 60%.
• The bill, the argument has been made in other committee hearings about skilled and trained.
• Skilled and trained, as we all know, is in California law, specifically skilled and trained as we all
• If we're using taxpayer money, we do want, at the very least, a skilled and trained workforce.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Support skills-based hiring through a career passport, building on industry-recognized certifications
• and credentials, working with our employer groups, competency-based education, and work-based learning
• Through sector pathways based on employer demand, these can lead to marketable skills and industry-recognized
• They need a skilled person to be able to do the job.
• for work-based learning such as skills for the workplace and expand opportunities for work-based learning

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s new Career Education Master Plan and related budget items. Labor Secretary Knox described the plan as an effort to reduce fragmentation across K-12, community colleges, workforce boards, and other systems by improving statewide and regional coordination, data sharing, skills-based hiring, career pathways, and wraparound supports such as child care, housing, food, and transportation. Members asked how success would be measured, how the plan would serve disconnected youth and adults, and whether the proposed data integration would rely on Cradle to Career; the secretary said it would. The Department of Finance said it was available to answer questions on the education side. The committee then reviewed existing CTE funding and oversight. The LAO, CDE, and Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office described the major ongoing programs, including CTIG, Perkins, K-12 Strong Workforce, and Community College Strong Workforce, and noted that many programs overlap in purpose and administration. Members repeatedly raised concerns about duplication, annual applications and reporting burdens, lack of clear outcome metrics, and whether funding incentives should be better aligned to regional collaboration. CDE and the Chancellor’s Office said they support alignment and dual enrollment, and Finance and CDE said LCFF/local match dollars are part of the funding structure. The committee also discussed child care as a barrier to participation and the need for better tracking of enrollment, completion, and job outcomes. On the consolidated application proposal, Finance proposed a study directing CDE to examine whether three long-standing CTE grant programs—Specialized Secondary Programs, CTIG, and California Partnership Academies—could be streamlined into a single application and reporting process. The LAO supported reducing administrative burden but noted that the largest programs, CTIG and K-12 Strong Workforce, were excluded from the proposal even though districts most often cite them as burdensome. CDE said it did not oppose the study but warned that statutory differences may limit consolidation. Members said the proposal should better address regional coordination, multi-year funding stability, and outcome measures rather than only simplifying paperwork. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a $5 million ongoing California Education Interagency Council. GovOps said the council would provide a neutral venue for statewide coordination across education and workforce systems. The LAO opposed the proposal, arguing that existing bodies already provide coordination, the proposal does not change agency incentives, and the council would lack authority to implement decisions. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a coordinating body and others questioning whether it would differ from past efforts. No votes were taken during the portions summarized here, and the committee indicated it would hold some items open for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to talk about the base budget.
• Based on the findings of our study...
• , is developing a future-ready workforce development system that anticipates emerging and evolving skill-based
• This priority... ...anticipates emerging and evolving skill-based needs.
• This priority reflects the strategy's commitment to skills-based pathways and lifelong learning.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• The skills that I learned during speech and debate.
• We're increasing the base student allocation by $50.
• We're increasing the base student allocation by $50.
• I try to follow along based on what we did last year.
• Senator Osgood, it's in the base funds.

Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do acknowledge that this is just based on a one-month snapshot.
• And so the reentry skills that they need is not just lacking in college or vocational.
• The objectives are to improve and build upon investigators' skills and knowledge.
• If the elements are there, there's no—it's not evidence-based.
• Universidad Popular, a community-based organization rooted in North County, San Diego.

Summary: The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse. The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you know she is, in my opinion, generally unrivaled in baking skill, and I hope you all agree
• and I hope you unrivaled in baking skill and I hope you all<00:26:52.880><c> agree</c><00:26:53.200>
• identified four connections they have been working on and call them Connect Four, after the board game
• :42:16.200><c> that</c><00:42:16.400><c> back</c><00:42:16.560><c> in</c><00:42:16.680><c> the</c> game
• if you remember that back in the game if you remember that back in the day<00:42:17.800><c> um</c><00

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I oppose this based on science and the broad definition.
• Bipartisan, common sense, and science-based.
• And based on that three-legged stool of bipartisan, common-sense, science-based, I would ask for your
• It is actually a researched base.
• It raises the base. base tax rate, expanding the kinds of productions that qualify.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they were able to use their science skills and their math skills to help them in that process.
• I am teaching them all the soft skills, the educational skills, the leadership skills that it takes for
• I am teaching them all the soft skills, the educational skills, the leadership skills that it takes for
• Is it based on need or population?
• The way our formula works now, it's based on population and it's also based on square area that they

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> in</c><00:36:53.040><c> Henry</c> The organization is based in Henry The organization is based in
• </c><02:11:25.360><c> nonprofit</c> Centers, an Irvine based nonprofit Centers, an Irvine based nonprofit
• -based facilities and employing nearly 100 Americans.
• For those feeling the MAGA base.
• </c> threat level with FIFA World Cup games threat level with FIFA World Cup games beginning<07:57:17.040

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because obviously, you hired aides based on their political savvy and not their golf skills.
• You have to trust them based on their actions and what they do.
• This bill provides expanded home and community-based care of mental illness.
• It defines team-based in this state.
• It creates guidelines for funeral licensure based upon criminal history.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions, including the doctor of the day and a lighthearted “Cannoli Day” introduction. The chamber then held an extended farewell celebration for Senator Joe Gruters, with numerous senators, colleagues, and family members praising his loyalty, political skill, family focus, and service in the Legislature and Republican Party. Gruters was presented with a commemorative gift recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety and immigration bill that prohibited sanctuary cities and required local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Senate adopted a motion to spread Gruters’s remarks upon the journal and then recessed briefly. After recess, the Senate returned to regular business and took up third-reading bills. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 354, relating to blue ribbon projects, was temporarily postponed. The chamber then considered Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1758, relating to public assistance, with Senator Gates explaining that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system discussed earlier in session. During debate on SB 1758, Senator Berman opposed the bill, saying he could not support it in its current form because he believed the Medicaid-related provisions would create a coverage cliff after the one-year transition period and could leave people without care while increasing costs to hospitals and taxpayers. He also said SNAP error reduction should be a priority, but argued the state should focus on fixing administrative errors and fraud rather than imposing a work requirement whose costs and effects were uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because obviously, you hired aides based on their political savvy and not their golf skills.
• This bill provides expanded home and community-based care of mental illness.
• It defines team-based in this state. It updates the definition of athletic coach.
• It defines team-based in this state.
• It also creates guidelines for funeral licensure based upon criminal history.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the growing importance of social skills the growing importance of social skills in<00:08:25.360>
• </c><00:10:14.320><c> later</c><00:10:14.839><c> skills</c><00:10:15.399><c> get</c> skills<00:10:22.079
• </c> these investments in community-based these investments in community-based Child<00:20:36.159><c>
• </c><01:32:18.800><c> on</c> serve but right now it is um based on serve but right now it is um based
• </c> equipped with those basic work skills equipped with those basic work skills before<01:39:47.159>

Bills: HF2582 , HF2266 , HF2518 , HF2039 , HF1941

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• We're increasing the base student allocation by $50.
• We're increasing the base student allocation by $50.
• I try to follow along based on what we did last year.
• I try to follow along based on what we did last year.
• Senator Osgood, it's in the base funds.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• training reporting to just a couple years ago, we changed the professional skills training reporting
• Often employers may want one type of skill, but they want additional ones.
• The Office of Skills Development funds much of the short-term training in our state.
• ; it was need-based, and that had an impact on the lottery.
• There was a specific skill that they needed.

Summary: The committee first approved the November 3 minutes, then received an extensive update from Arkansas Division of Higher Education and Division of Career and Technical Education officials on LEARNS and ACCESS implementation. Witnesses said the state’s goal is for students to graduate employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and described expanded career pathways, student success plans, merit and distinction diplomas, and school accountability measures tied to pathway completion and tangible credentials. They reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment and concurrent enrollment, and explained that some secondary career center programs were reduced or eliminated because they no longer aligned with state workforce demand. Members asked detailed questions about how merit/distinction affects school letter grades, how AP, concurrent credit, CTE completers, apprenticeships, and work-based learning fit into the system, and whether homeschool and private school students can access the same opportunities. Officials said multiple pathways can satisfy the requirements, including AP Scholar, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships, and that counselors are being trained to advise students. They also discussed scholarship changes: ACCESS broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar awards, with diploma of merit or distinction now qualifying students for additional aid, while the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself remained unchanged. Questions were raised about whether homeschool and private school students can meet the new diploma-of-distinction criteria; officials said the intent is to make them eligible if they meet the same standards, and that guidance is being finalized. The discussion also covered workforce scholarships and grants. Officials said the Workforce Challenge was expanded to include vocational-technical schools and increased funding, and that the Division is reworking policy around “professional skills training” to support shorter-term, stackable programs. They reviewed the new federal Workforce Pell Grant, noting its narrow hour and duration limits and the need for programs to meet completion, placement, and earnings thresholds. Members also asked about the state lottery scholarship fund balance and whether more aid should be directed to students; officials said the fund remains healthy and that ACCESS has already increased awards and expanded eligibility, with more implementation data still to come. The final presentation came from the Director of Workforce Connections on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund. Arkansas will administer the national fund, which is aimed at expanding advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships across the country through a pay-for-performance model. Officials said the program will support occupations in aerospace, automotive, biotech, maritime, nuclear, semiconductors, supply chain, and automation, and that applications will open soon. Members asked who can apply and how the money will be distributed; the answer was that registered apprenticeship sponsors—sometimes companies, sometimes colleges, sometimes intermediaries—will apply, with Arkansas setting eligibility criteria, vendor requirements, and outreach efforts.