Transcript Highlights:

• </c> receiving claims and paying benefits receiving claims and paying benefits under<00:29:43.520><c>
• Uh, the health benefits of family leave are clear. The economic benefits are clear.
• Uh, the health benefits of family leave are clear. The economic benefits are clear.
• ,</c><00:39:28.720><c> you</c> state has some public benefits, you state has some public benefits, you
• </c><00:47:36.079><c> uh</c> uh Vietnam will not only benefit uh uh Vietnam will not only benefit uh

Bills: SB2198 , SB2140 , SB3055 , SB3090 , SB3091 , SB3092 , SB2761

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> health, and overall societal benefits health, and overall societal benefits such<00:16:28.399><c
• The investment benefits significant.
• The benefit of this taxpayer funding.
• </c> and they won't benefit from the program. and they won't benefit from the program.
• It is unclear benefit from reinsurance.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• They go spend that money in the economy, create jobs, etc. so that's the economic benefit.
• Any benefit that you've promised, so that sort of limits your, um, the responses you can do.
• For all of the, uh, for all of these retirement benefits. OK, um, thank you for that.
• I see the benefit of it.
• What are the benefits, and how have they been changed?

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a solution that would provide significant benefits to all Minnesotans.
• It's a forward-thinking solution that would benefit all members of our community. Thank you.
• It's a solution that would provide significant benefits to all Minnesotans, first and foremost.
• It's a forward-thinking solution that would benefit all members of our community. Thank you.
• all members of our community benefit all members of our community thank you<00:02:12.640><c> good</c

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:30.440><c> to</c> think think that' be a great benefit to think think that' be a great benefit
• </c> social service agencies that'll benefit social service agencies that'll benefit from<00:10:17.640
• </c><00:13:05.920><c> packages</c> and negotiations and benefit packages and negotiations and benefit
• </c><00:14:24.160><c> and</c><00:14:24.320><c> the</c><00:14:24.440><c> benefits</c> the fringe benefits
• and the benefits the fringe benefits and the benefits that<00:14:25.040><c> they</c><00:14:25.199><c

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, districts are benefiting from So, districts are benefiting from one additional payment over the entire
• In that capacity, because we cover benefits, in essence, an increase in benefits, in essence, an increase
• in their benefits, our teachers next year their benefits, our teachers next year are in a support staff
• Middle schools and elementary schools also benefit from SRO support.
• Um, there's a dual benefit to that.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:06.000><c> from</c> various people that are benefiting from various people that are benefiting
• Those benefits have been critical.
• So, I don't think benefits package.
• She said she benefits from and appreciates the importance of business in the state and community.
• </c> businesses receive a lot of the benefit businesses receive a lot of the benefit of<00:26:15.520>

Summary: The committee took up House File 3874, the Judiciary budget bill, and first moved it to the Ways and Means Committee. The bill was described as funding the judicial branch’s budget request, including courthouse and judge security measures, home safety for judges and staff, a $1 million courthouse safety grant program, and funding related to paid family and medical leave costs that the courts must absorb. A court administrator explained that some base adjustments were budget-neutral internal shifts within the court system, moving money from district courts to other courts to better meet overall needs. Members then debated several amendments. The A7 amendment, which reduced some of the requested security funding for administrators and aligned it more closely with legislative security levels while retaining flexible Supreme Court security personnel, was adopted. The A1 amendment, which would have deleted the additional operating adjustment for paid family and medical leave, failed on a 7-7 tie after debate over whether the courts should bear the employer share of that cost and whether the program itself was an unfunded mandate. The A2 amendment, also related to paid family and medical leave funding, likewise failed on a 7-7 tie after similar discussion about the judiciary’s ongoing employment costs and the branch’s inability to raise its own revenue. The committee then adopted the A4 amendment, which increased the courthouse safety grant program from $1 million to $4 million. Supporters said there was unmet demand for courthouse security grants and that the money would help with hardware such as screening equipment, while the court administrator said the branch would not spend more than it could use and that the grants would be reviewed by a committee including law enforcement and county representatives. The administrator noted the funding would be one-time money and would not cover staffing costs. The committee also discussed the judiciary’s ongoing need for funding, with members arguing both that the courts should be treated like other employers and that the judicial branch, as an independent branch of government, must be funded by the legislature. The final A5 amendment was then introduced, with staff noting it would delete a section already covered by the adopted A7 amendment and reduce an appropriation on page four, line 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to me, this is really an example of something that has such clear benefit directly.
• And we do that for the benefit of Californians and the people.
• of Californians and for the benefit of future generations.
• And then they enhance those ecosystem benefits that we're hoping to get out of moving them there.
• . ...which actually was to our benefit so that we could access areas where nutria were.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy convened for its first hearing and heard an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency. The LAO emphasized California’s strong current revenues but warned of a structural budget problem, projected out-year deficits, and the need for a high bar on new spending. It generally supported the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plan as reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, while urging legislative oversight and caution about using special funds and adding ongoing commitments. Secretary Wade Crowfoot responded with an overview of climate, wildfire, water, coastal, and conservation challenges and highlighted progress under the Newsom administration, including clean energy growth, wildfire resilience investments, land conservation, tribal co-management, and outdoor access initiatives. He also discussed federal staffing cuts affecting California’s response capacity and said the state has had to fill gaps in flood forecasting, land management, and park access. Members then questioned the secretary about the Delta conveyance tunnel and broader water reliability issues. Crowfoot said the project remains important, is being pursued as a beneficiary-pays project, and is moving through the State Water Resources Control Board’s permitting process, while also stressing that it is only one part of a broader water strategy that includes levee strengthening, subsidence, groundwater storage, recycling, and conservation. Senators also raised concerns about permitting delays, invasive species, and the impact of position cuts on agency capacity; Crowfoot said streamlining is needed but that staffing remains essential. The committee then moved to the Department of Parks and Recreation, where Director Armando Quintero described the state park system, tribal agreements, wildfire and deferred maintenance work, and outdoor access programs such as the State Library Park Pass and Adventure Pass. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing $6.75 million General Fund transfer for the library park pass, arguing it did not meet the high bar for new ongoing spending, but several senators strongly supported the program as a low-cost way to expand access. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and campsite no-shows. Department staff said they are updating website guidance, working with the reservation vendor, and implementing new no-show and reservation-modification rules effective July 1, including penalties for repeated no-shows and immediate reopening of vacant sites. The committee then heard a low-cost accommodations proposal, which Parks said would fund planning and construction at several sites using Proposition 68, reimbursements, and donations; the LAO said it had no concerns. Finally, the new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Megan Hurdle, introduced herself and outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 requests, including funding for salmon genetic tagging, hatchery repairs, and public access improvements. She said the department is focused on biodiversity, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict prevention, and noted that the agency is still updating its service-based budgeting analysis to identify gaps and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to studies reviewed by the California Health Benefits Review Program, also known as CHBRP,
• Health Access is pleased to support and believes the new required benefits will provide significant benefit
• It's crucial that we focus on proposals that deliver clear, actionable benefits.
• SB 257 may benefit a few, but it does so at the expense of the many.
• pay back the benefits that they received underneath the insurance company.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, staffing, and coverage. A major special order was SB 306 by Senator Becker, which would reduce prior authorization requirements for services and drugs that are routinely approved. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association, California Hospital Association, Health Access, Planned Parenthood, and others, argued prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. Opponents from health plans, insurers, the Chamber of Commerce, and physician groups raised concerns about preserving utilization management, the bill’s 90% approval threshold, drug coverage, and how “modifications” are counted. After late amendments and discussion with the Department of Managed Health Care, Local Health Plans of California withdrew opposition, while the bill remained opposed by some groups. Committee members discussed patient stories, cost concerns, and the bill’s amended structure, and the author asked for an aye vote. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities and counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if the Department of Health Care Services does not act on complaints within set timelines. Supporters, including the League of California Cities and several local governments, said the bill responds to inadequate state enforcement and growing problems with unlicensed facilities. One county behavioral health group opposed unless amended. Members largely supported the bill, citing community impacts and the need for stronger oversight. SB 62, also by Senator Becker, would codify California’s proposed essential health benefits update if approved federally, adding hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility/IVF coverage. Health Access California and several advocacy groups supported the measure, while the California Family Council opposed. The committee then heard SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the definition and use of hospital on-call lists in the nurse staffing ratio enforcement process. Nurses and labor groups supported the bill as closing a loophole, while the California Hospital Association and other hospital groups opposed, arguing it would reduce staffing flexibility and increase costs. Finally, SB 40 by Senator Wiener would cap insulin copays at $35 per month and limit step therapy for insulin; it drew broad support from medical, patient, labor, and student witnesses, with no opposition testimony heard. The committee ended with discussion of SB 363, which would address health care coverage and independent medical reviews, but the transcript cuts off before that item was fully taken up.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're the national trade association that represents America's pharmacy benefit managers.
• At the same time, everyone agrees people cheating the system shouldn't get free benefits.
• I really feel that we're not going to find out that it's not going to be a cost benefit.
• It's not going to be for 2.8% of the people, not going to be a cost benefit.
• I said that they can do that, but they shouldn't get the benefit of in-state tuition.

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:51.920><c> Group</c> benefits to their employees. Group benefits to their employees.
• existing benefit levels.
• So, someone actually donates to a hospital, which is to the benefit of the county, the benefit of the
• of the county, the to the benefit of the county, the benefit<01:00:00.559><c> of</c><01:00:00.720><c
• ><c> of</c><01:00:02.079><c> the</c> benefit of the city, the benefit of the benefit of the city, the

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:04.559><c> is</c> to provide some tangible benefit is to provide some tangible benefit is
• There was a benefit that occurred when those properties were sold.
• </c><00:48:44.480><c> uh</c> were divested um there was a benefit uh were divested um there was a benefit
• </c> and the public benefit and the public benefit property<00:51:57.520><c> owners</c><00:51:57.960>
• My husband and I feel that the environmental benefit and future benefit to the general public outweighs

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• from this program, so it truly does benefit all students.
• from this program, so it truly does benefit all students.
• This new law provides an opportunity to deliver significant additional benefits to these students for
• And what's alarming to me is that STOs' tax credits largely benefit those who already have the means
• I support students in Arizona, and I think that we should enable students in Arizona to benefit from

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first heard SCR 1028, a voter-referral constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for state fee and assessment increases set by agencies, closing what supporters described as a loophole that has allowed fee hikes without direct legislative approval. The sponsor argued the measure would restore accountability and prevent agencies from using fees as a workaround for tax increases, while opponents from business and economic groups warned it would make agencies less responsive, delay needed adjustments for inflation and program costs, and shift costs to taxpayers or reduce funding for services. After debate, the committee returned SCR 1028 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent. The committee then took up SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations and set eligibility requirements for those organizations. Supporters said the program would bring in private dollars at no state cost, expand school choice, and help students with tutoring, special needs, transportation, and other educational expenses; they also argued that if Arizona does not opt in, donations could flow to other states. Opponents, including the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, said the federal program was not yet fully written, lacked guardrails, and could further strain public schools by diverting resources away from the majority of students who remain in district schools. The committee returned SB 1142 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and qualify for them for benefits and keep them in their home.
• the benefit.
• They don't qualify for the benefit the way that the statute is written.
• They don't qualify for the benefit.
• They don't qualify for the benefit.

Bills: HF3727 , HF3684 , HF3467

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• ESSB 6262 concerns increasing the maximum weight of certain vehicles subject to transportation benefit
• By way of background, a transportation benefit district is a special purpose taxing district that may
• Currently there are about 54 cities that do implement transportation benefit district fees.
• The city supports the proposed bill that changes the exemption for transportation benefits.
• The city supports the proposed bill that changes the exemption for transportation benefits.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have CS/HB 277, Albert and Alvarez, Veteran Benefits Assistance.
• I think all of your benefits need to be given to you by what other means necessary.
• So I can see what has a benefit to doing this. Thank you. Any other debate?
• I have not had a successful claim for any benefits.
• For me personally, my brewery, we will not benefit from this bill.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been of great benefit to homeowners who are navigating, obviously, a very difficult time dealing
• critical flaw in the system that unfairly penalizes disabled veterans by counting their disability benefits
• In recent years, both California and the federal government have recognized that disability benefits
• are fundamentally different from earned income and have taken steps to exclude disability benefits from
• So Social Security benefits also contribute significantly, and as a result, a 100% disabled veteran..

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard two main bills before taking up a consent calendar. SB 1053 by Senator Nilo would allow county boards of supervisors in counties affected by a governor-declared disaster on or after January 1, 2026, through January 1, 2031, to extend by up to three years the five-year period for transferring a property tax base-year value to replacement property. The author said the measure responds to recent wildfires and other disasters that make rebuilding within five years difficult, and committee members broadly supported local control and disaster recovery flexibility. No opposition was heard, and the bill was approved 5-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 888 by Senator Seardo, as amended, which would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. The author argued that counting disability benefits as income creates a catch-22 for disabled veterans and can disqualify them from tax relief despite fixed incomes and high medical costs. Members described the bill as a common-sense, bipartisan fairness measure that would help veterans remain housed in California. No opposition was presented, and the bill passed 5-0 to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 999, SB 1073, and SB 881. After the consent items, SB 1053 was again called up and confirmed out of committee on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been of great benefit to homeowners who are navigating, obviously, a very difficult time dealing
• critical flaw in the system that unfairly penalizes disabled veterans by counting their disability benefits
• In recent years, both California and the federal government have recognized that disability benefits
• are fundamentally different from earned income and have taken steps to exclude disability benefits from
• So Security benefits also contribute significantly, and as a result, a 100% disabled veteran and spouse

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> witnessed their retirement benefits witnessed their retirement benefits which<00:25:54.919><c> they
• </c> benefits it simply restores benefits benefits it simply restores benefits that<00:28:07.399><c>
• </c> it can provide art which would benefit it can provide art which would benefit them<00:39:38.240>
• </c><00:45:38.839><c> wealthy</c> vouchers primarily benefiting wealthy vouchers primarily benefiting
• </c><02:17:21.800><c> and</c> for bonit bone bonuses benefits and for bonit bone bonuses benefits and

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• My family benefited from subsidized housing. My family had food stamps.
• They were not given the fighting chance to also benefit from what I benefited from, and Lynn, Massachusetts
• My family benefited from such rate housing. My family had food stamps.
• They were not given the fighting chance to also benefit from what I benefited from, and Lynn, Massachusetts
• was not transformed because of the benefit that it made in me.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its final hearing of the session on H. 5187 and S. 3022, the Enough Act, with Chair Andy Vargas and Senator Adam Gomez opening by thanking committee members and stakeholders for their work during the session. The bills were described as a grant-based, place-based anti-poverty initiative intended to support cradle-to-career services by funding local nonprofits, schools, community organizations, and backbone entities that can coordinate housing, education, health, workforce, and family supports in high-poverty neighborhoods. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of the bills. Speakers including Strategies for Children, Chelsea Public Schools, Bunker Hill Community College, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Rep. Antonio Cabral, the Harlem Children’s Zone’s Kwame Owusu Kesse and Jeffrey Canada, former Education Secretary Paul Reville, AFT Massachusetts, United Way, the Boston Foundation, Give Black Alliance, Eastern Bank Foundation, and others argued that poverty is a systems issue that schools alone cannot solve. They emphasized the need for local control, community voice, coordinated services, and long-term public-private investment, often citing examples from Chelsea, New Bedford, Springfield, Lowell, Boston, and other communities, as well as the Harlem Children’s Zone and Maryland’s similar model. Committee members asked several questions about how the bill would function in practice, including what organizations would do on day one, how it would interact with existing efforts like community schools, McKinney-Vento, and the Student Opportunity Act, and how it would be sustained over time. Witnesses said the act would help create or strengthen backbone organizations, reduce duplication, align existing resources, and leverage philanthropy and future revenue sources for long-term sustainability. No vote was taken during the hearing, but multiple speakers urged the committee to report the bill favorably and quickly.