Video & Transcript Research : 'underserved communities'
Page 199 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services May 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And so that's all taken into account for those communities as well.
- And so we are resourcing communities that have been under-resourced.
- We'll move on to Community Services and Development, item number 53.
- I'm the chief deputy director of the Department of Community Services and Development.
- These are communities that rely on this critical health care to survive.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, with no votes taken. The first major topic was child care and early education, where the Department of Social Services and Department of Finance outlined proposed changes to absorb federal Child Care and Development Fund and Proposition 64 revenue reductions, shift some funding between child care programs, end funding for prospective pay implementation now that the federal requirement has been rescinded, adjust the alternative payment administration structure, and fund child care infrastructure grants and a Low-Income Investment Fund contract closeout. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the budget makes progress on the structural deficit but recommended maintaining the administration’s solution level, making reserve deposits, and avoiding new ongoing commitments; it also raised concerns about shifting reductions to the California Alternative Payment Program and about the proposed administrative-rate change. Committee members strongly criticized the proposed loss of child care slots and said they would oppose eliminating those slots, while also expressing support for child care as essential infrastructure.
The committee then reviewed California State Preschool Program proposals. Finance and CDE described reductions to the preschool COLA from 2.41% to 2.01%, removal of prospective pay funding, and increases for the QRIS block grant, audit support, and rate reform implementation. Trailer bill language would codify age-based rate categories, inclusion-rate documentation, family fee collection rules, portability, and excused absences. CDE supported the QRIS increase and some attendance and family-fee changes, but warned that aligning three- and four-year-old rates could reduce support for three-year-olds and that the budget does not fully cover enrollment growth. Members also questioned whether the preschool and child care slot reductions should be reallocated rather than terminated, and the administration said the reductions were intended to reflect current utilization and avoid harm to currently enrolled families.
The hearing then moved to CalFresh and nutrition programs. CDSS said the May Revision includes a one-time CalFood augmentation, funding to cover federal SNAP administrative cost-share pressures, and additional staffing and technical assistance to implement HR 1 changes, including the able-bodied adults without dependents time limit and new non-citizen eligibility rules. The department estimated HR 1 could cut CalFresh funding by $2.3 billion to $3.7 billion annually and affect about 500,000 people, with roughly 806,000 adults potentially subject to the time limit and about 34,000 non-citizens expected to lose eligibility once fully implemented. Members pressed for stronger harm mitigation, including a $98 million backfill to protect families from losing food benefits, and raised concerns about county workload and the “chilling effect” on immigrant participation. The final portion of the transcript began the IHSS presentation, noting a revised budget of $33.7 billion total funds and $12.8 billion General Fund, with proposed reductions tied to Medi-Cal asset-limit changes and other federal conformity items.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:58.759>
Services providing important Community Services providing important Community - center, community hub, serves the wider community.
- center, community hub, serves the wider community.
- center, community hub, serves the wider community.
- <00:09:47.560>
and it's so important to our communities and it's so important to our communities
Summary:
The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes, then heard Senate File 255, which would exempt American Legion and VFW buildings from property tax. The bill’s author and the American Legion Department of Minnesota testified that many posts are struggling financially, that the tax burden can threaten building ownership, and that the posts provide important community services such as charitable gambling support, youth sports, food insecurity assistance, suicide prevention training, and meeting space for veterans and local residents. Several members voiced support, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
The committee then took up Senate File 30, a proposal to allow Minnesota estate tax portability for married couples, so a deceased spouse’s unused $3 million exclusion could transfer to the surviving spouse, similar to federal law. The author said Minnesota is an outlier compared with other estate-tax states and that the bill would simplify planning and reduce tax burdens, especially for family farms and other illiquid assets. A CPA and a Minnesota Farm Bureau representative testified that the order of death should not determine tax liability and that portability would help keep family farms intact. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
Next, the committee adopted an A1 amendment to Senate File 211 and heard the bill, which would create a Minnesota subtraction for Foreign Service pension income, treating it more like military pension income. The author said the change would cover a small number of retirees and would have a minimal fiscal impact, while the testifier described Foreign Service work and said the benefit would recognize their service. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion.
Finally, the committee heard Senate File 132, which would revise property tax language related to electric power systems by replacing references to attachments and impertinences with broader system-based language. The author said the bill would clarify tax treatment for power co-ops, restore the original intent of the law, and provide stability for Greater Minnesota, with an estimated property tax shift of a little over $700,000. Testimony was beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote on the bill was recorded in the excerpt.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- And we are also joined by Emilio Perez, the Chief Consultant of the Communications Committee, and Elizabeth
- I also look forward to continued conversations with labor, local governments, and the business community
- Good afternoon, Yvonne Melton, Communication Workers of America District 9, and I rise to oppose this
- Hi, my name is Sean Heap, I'm with Communication Workers of America.
- , Parent Engagement Academy, Trio Plus, Southeast Community Development Corporation, Vision Equality.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 19, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- woman Kaji W the Wahu Filipino Community woman Kaji W the Wahu Filipino Community Council<00:58:
- Understands the communication, yep.
- immigrants uh are part of our community immigrants uh are part of our community and<02:30:09.720
- K Palama resident and longtime Community K Palama resident and longtime Community organizer<02:30
- our own family our own Community our own family our own Community families<02:37:34.920>
apart
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on February 19, 2025, and first heard House Bill 150, which would prohibit lending a firearm to someone who does not have a firearm permit or a registered firearm. The Department of Law Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, though HPD said enforcing any time limit on a loaned firearm would be difficult. Several members of the public opposed the measure, arguing it would interfere with lawful lending for hunting, competitions, training, military-related use, and family situations, and could create unintended criminal liability. One supporter said the bill would strengthen gun safety and encourage more responsible ownership. No vote was taken during the testimony portion described.
The committee then heard House Bill 186, which would make harassment by stalking a class C felony. The Office of the Public Defender requested deferral, arguing the bill would remove a misdemeanor option that can help deter escalation and could be unnecessarily severe and burdensome. Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying stalking can be a precursor to more serious violence. The Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney raised concerns about how the new felony would fit within the existing grading scheme, noting that aggravated harassment by stalking and first-degree terroristic threatening are already class C felonies. April Bautista testified in strong support, describing her own experience with domestic violence and stalking and urging passage of the bill. Committee members discussed whether other penalty structures might be possible, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.
The committee also heard House Bill 991, which would delete the term “agent of the contractor” from criminal history record check provisions to comply with FBI requirements. The Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center supported the bill with comments, explaining that the FBI had found the term too broad for fingerprint-based background checks tied to access to federal tax information. In addition, House Bill 995 was introduced, changing deadlines for annual firearms carry reporting; the Department of the Attorney General supported it, saying the revised deadlines would allow a more complete report, and HPD was also heard on the measure. The transcript ends before any votes or final committee actions on these bills.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- The responsible gun-owning community is not your enemy.
- the gun violence that plagues our community.
- What I found wasn't just a hobby, it was a community.
- Laws like Chapter 135 don’t make our communities safer.
- My grandparents escaped communism.
Summary:
The hearing focused heavily on firearms legislation, especially bills to repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (including H. 2618/S. 1671 and related repeal measures) and bills on firearm industry accountability (H. 2672/S. 1653). Supporters of repeal, including Senator Peter Durant, Rep. Ken Sweezey, gun owners, instructors, sportsmen, and women’s gun-rights advocates, argued that Chapter 135 overreaches, creates confusion in licensing and training requirements, burdens lawful gun owners, restricts pepper spray and semi-automatic firearms, and is being enforced in ways they said criminalize responsible conduct. Committee members defending the law said it was the product of years of work, public listening sessions, and multiple drafts, and argued that Massachusetts remains the safest state for gun violence and that implementation issues, such as live-fire training, had been delayed to allow time for regulations and infrastructure.
Several witnesses also testified on H. 2672/S. 1653, which would create firearm industry standards of conduct and allow civil actions against manufacturers, distributors, and dealers that engage in unsafe or unlawful practices. Supporters from the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown, Brady, Giffords, and survivors described the bill as a way to hold the industry accountable, reduce the flow of crime guns, and give victims and the Attorney General a path to sue bad actors. They cited data on crime-gun traces, disproportionate impacts on communities of color, and examples from other states that have enacted similar laws. Opponents, including gun dealers and industry representatives, argued that existing law already punishes illegal sales, that most crime guns are stolen or diverted after lawful sale, and that the bill would improperly target manufacturers for the actions of others.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to remove the non-resident ban on semi-automatic firearms for hunting (H. 2710/S. 1676), with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers supporting the change as a way to restore access for returning residents, veterans, and hunting programs that had been displaced. Later testimony returned to repeal and related gun-law bills, with sportsmen’s groups arguing Chapter 135 was rushed, confusing, and harmful to youth hunting and lawful ownership. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; it was a public testimony session with extensive questioning by committee members.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:34 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- One is to advance community and economic development.
- , and since they're all 80 of these are located in the rural communities.
- Both LESC and LFC have community schools on line 132.
- And as far as I'm able to assess, it's with our community school model.
- It's not an elimination but Community schools.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Conservation Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Senate Conservation
Transcript Highlights:
- communities like mine, who are larger, and really need it.
- My name is Brooke Garcia, and I'm from the Raymond Avaugh community.
- We've heard from other rural communities, and especially from tribal communities, how important this
- And amongst those were a high number of smaller communities.
- There is a need out there in the community.
Keywords:
SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, SB46, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, compost feedstock, waste characterization study
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 6th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It works for young people as they're reintegrating back into the community.
- How do we bring localities together to try and start in their own communities some of these community-based
- To community-based programs in lieu of a formal arrest.
- "You're destroying our barrios, our communities.
- That they're able to communicate with their loved ones in their last days.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 15, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The at-large always seems to work for us based on our community.
- The at-large always seems to work for us based on our community.
- I represent District 1, and we have single-member districting in our community.
- Thank you. government decisions reflect those unique needs of the community.
- , with one being a large agricultural community.
Summary:
The subcommittee met to discuss Florida county commission districting options, with an overview from Ginger Delagall of the Florida Association of Counties. She explained the constitutional, statutory, local charter, and federal Voting Rights Act framework governing county commissions, including the default five-member at-large model for non-charter counties, the option for seven-member mixed boards with a referendum, and the broader flexibility available to charter counties, which can choose different board sizes, election methods, and term limits. She also described the current distribution of county structures across the state and noted a few counties in transition or litigation, including Orange, Lee, and Alachua.
County commissioners from Bay, Madison, Pinellas, Polk, and Bradford counties testified about how their current systems work in practice. Commissioners from Bay and Polk defended at-large systems as promoting countywide accountability, broader perspective, and collaboration, especially in large or diverse counties. Commissioners from Madison and Bradford supported single-member districts as improving local access, clarity, and responsiveness, particularly in smaller rural counties. Pinellas Commissioner Dave Eggers described a mixed system in a large charter county and said it balances district-level responsiveness with countywide accountability. Several members asked about Orange County’s mayor-chair structure, the effects of single-member versus at-large representation, and whether counties had considered changing their systems.
In questions and discussion, members raised concerns about accountability, representation, gerrymandering, countywide versus district-specific interests, and whether certain structures better serve rural or urban counties. Delagall said the association had not done cost or equity studies comparing systems. The panel repeatedly emphasized home rule and local choice, with commissioners and Delagall urging the Legislature to let counties and their voters decide their own form of government. No votes were taken on any bill or proposal, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and discussion.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 9/30/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That offer included provisions that we feel very strongly about, that the community feels very strongly
- That offer included provisions that we feel very strongly about, that the community feels very strongly
- and keep our kids and our communities and keep our kids and our communities safe<00:02:38.720>
<00:09:34.080>to have that opportunity to communicate to have that opportunity to communicate - For the community of Minneapolis and for many other communities, they view it as a crisis that requires
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Emergency Management
Transcript Highlights:
- Communities devastated by disasters often face these significant financial barriers.
- We know what our communities need and this is part of that. So thank you. Awesome.
- And the irregular updates have led to communities relying on outdated risk assessments.
- It's going to exacerbate the disasters that are impacting our communities.
- The well-being of our students in California schools and the surrounding communities.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- In regards to the communication services tax, it freezes local communication services tax rates until
- In regards to the communication services tax, it freezes local communication services tax rates until
- In regards to the communication services tax, it freezes local communication services tax rates until
- In regards to the communication services tax, it freezes local communication services tax rates until
- In regards to the communication services tax, it freezes local communication services tax rates until
Summary:
The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably.
Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:29.360>
bear into silence while our communities bear into silence while our communities - I was elected by the community. I answer to my community.
- <00:23:38.160>
differ communities differ communities differ differ<00:23:39.440>dramatically - We as the community members, right?
- <00:40:50.160>
I and my community is outraged. I and my community is outraged.
Keywords:
municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations
Summary:
The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register.
Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets.
Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- and community-driven.
- led and community driven.
- And the third amendment that I offered would be to add a member from the community so that community
- DBD military and community community relations office and support and.
- So, so developing community placements, we're creating incentives for people in the community to take
Keywords:
image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EIG-TRS, EIG-JDC Public Hearings 04-07-2026
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:13.040>
and <00:04:13.280>foster <00:04:13.720>environments communities and - Uh, we've seen an increase in hate crimes towards the transgender community, and the transgender community
- I already read the bill, but this is not just for LGBT community.
- I know you guys are under community.
- all of the community. all of the community.
Keywords:
Civil Rights Act, discrimination, employment, housing, public accommodations, LGBTQ+ rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, Equality Act, civil rights, federally funded programs, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Transportation, and later Judiciary heard two sets of resolutions. The first, SCR 132 and SR 124, urged the City and County of Honolulu to take steps to finalize the Makakilo Drive Extension Project. Testimony from a Makakilo resident emphasized the lack of a second access route and raised safety concerns about being trapped in the area in an emergency. Both committees voted to pass the resolutions unamended.
The second set, SCR 11 and SR 9, requested that the U.S. Congress amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. Supporters from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, IMUA Alliance, and Pride at Work in Hawaii argued that stronger anti-discrimination protections are needed to reduce vulnerability to violence, housing insecurity, and exploitation, and to provide federal protections that mirror state law. One senator asked whether state protections already exist and was told the resolutions seek federal-level protections because federal law can supersede state law. Both committees adopted recommendations to pass SCR 11 and SR 9 unamended, with votes in favor and some members excused.
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- As opposed to that, we want to create this process so that the community that's going to be impacted
- with the local community in the same way.
- locally, and relocation can often come at the expense of people who live in that community.
- In New York City, a 10-mile move could leave the local community without access to services.
- The speaker continued that, in New York City, a 10-mile move could leave the local community without
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted.
The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations.
Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I am grateful for my home church community of St.
- God of us all, we come to you longing to have compassion for our communities.
- Help us to cultivate a community where no one is in need and where our possessions and blessings are
- It's a group of awesome women doing awesome things in our community, AKA Day at the Capitol.
- Together, let us honor the traditions that enrich our lives and strengthen our communities.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 14th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- would protect minority communities.
- That would protect rural communities.
- I represent a community that's less than 2% Indian American registered voters.
- A dedicated public servant and educator, Ed continued to serve his community.
- His loss is a profound and heartbreaking blow to the Lake Forest community, the veterans community, local
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Fighting Fraud / Removing Barriers to Mental Health Services / Capital Investment Considerations May 18th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's just the communication for seniors instead of being isolated all alone.
- instead<00:05:09.759>
of communication for seniors instead of communication for seniors instead - So that for my residents of Forest Lake and the veteran community has been a really huge thing.
- with it for so long uh in my community with it for so long uh in my community that<00:21:19.919>
- <00:26:55.440>
It We gain something as the M community.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Business and Professions Committee and Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee May 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today I'm Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development.
- , we want to make sure that we Resources available and accessible to our development community.
- We also have resources in our affordable housing sustainability community pot. We have.
- I'm here on behalf of Enterprise Community Partners and All Home.
- and resources for California's non-entitlement communities.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs.
Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs.
Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.