Transcript Highlights:

• Have you gotten feedback from, like, and maybe we'll get it today, I don't know. We never know.
• So it'd be good to get their feedback as part of this. Let's see.
• Feedback from school districts or taxing districts or those kind of things?
• No feedback from them yet.
• The feedback I've seen online about this legislation is that some taxpayers want the tax exemption to

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2923, which would give homeowners a temporary property tax exemption of up to four years on qualifying home improvements between $7,500 and $75,000, so long as the property is the owner’s homestead and the required intent and completion forms are filed. The sponsor said the bill is meant to encourage reinvestment in homes, including after catastrophic events, and said the fiscal note showed no impact. Members asked about the bill’s effect on assessors, taxing districts, school districts, the definition of homestead, and whether the state would reimburse lost revenue. Testimony in support argued the bill would reduce ambiguity in new-construction assessments, encourage repairs and improvements, and help homeowners avoid being penalized for fixing damaged homes. Concerns were raised about routine maintenance, the four-dwelling language, possible burdens on assessors, and whether the bill could affect senior tax freezes. The hearing on HB 2923 ended without a vote. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 3256, adopted a committee substitute, and voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of five yes and one no. Discussion focused on criminal penalties in the bill, with the ranking member objecting to those provisions and noting that other states do not include them. The sponsor explained changes in the substitute, including broader retail-establishment language, explicit coverage of sports venues and concert halls, and removal of banks and credit unions from the bill. Members suggested further floor amendments and additional review of other states’ statutes. Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 95, which would create the Show Me Prosperity Fund as a constitutional endowment intended to eventually replace all state-imposed taxes with investment earnings. The senator said the fund would be seeded by a one-time appropriation, managed by the treasurer, audited by the auditor, and protected from borrowing or diversion, with distributions capped at 3 percent. Supporters said the proposal would use compound growth to create long-term tax relief and eventually make Missouri the first state to eliminate state taxes; one witness called it straightforward and honest. Members questioned the size of the needed appropriation, how the fund would work if state income tax changes separately, whether state law allows the needed investments, and how the fund would avoid becoming unstable if distributions begin before it is large enough. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded without action on SJR 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the same thing where we're giving them that authority to work with the feedback from the court,
• You made a point to talk about the legislative process as a way for people to provide feedback into ballot
• The feedback on those measures and the summary statements were about 99% to 1% opposed to in favor.
• And so, like, when we talk about the idea of the feedback, right, you know, the courts are kind of a.
• .. ...of the feedback, right?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3146, sponsored by Rep. John Simmons, which would expand ballot summary statements from 50 to 100 words and create a process for the Secretary of State and courts to revise ballot language after a challenge. Simmons said the bill largely mirrors last year’s SB 22 but removes the section the Missouri Supreme Court struck down, and he argued the measure is needed to preserve the General Assembly’s intent and improve clarity for voters. Supporters said the longer summary limit and back-and-forth review would give voters more information and keep ballot language with elected officials rather than courts. Opponents argued the bill would politicize ballot language, encourage misleading drafting, and create a process that could run out the clock before challenges are fully resolved. Denise Lieberman of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition said the courts must remain the final check on whether ballot language is fair and sufficient, and she warned the bill’s timelines are not workable. Other opponents, including the League of Women Voters, Jobs with Justice, and citizen and initiative-petition advocates, said the measure would make it harder for citizens to get initiatives to the ballot and would let misleading language stand longer. Several witnesses and members debated the role of the courts, the Secretary of State, and the legislature in drafting ballot summaries, with supporters emphasizing separation of powers and accountability to voters, and opponents emphasizing judicial review and practical timing concerns. The Secretary of State’s office testified in support, saying the process had worked well in practice and provided transparency. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, rebalanced that distribution after feedback from the work group.
• We got a lot of feedback from members yesterday.
• We got a lot of feedback from members yesterday.
• There was a lot of member feedback on that one being important.
• There was a lot of member feedback on that one being important.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would appreciate your feedback on that, because I think it is something that the Legislature should
• direct sustain engagement with a group of pregnant and parenting mothers who provided extensive feedback
• We've got really positive feedback that it's easier for people to find information, including sample
• So thank you, colleagues, for your comments and feedback.
• all individuals who spoke in public testimony today, thank you very much for your comments, your feedback

Summary: The committee first handled several routine items, approving three gubernatorial appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. It also approved referral of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators questioned him extensively about rural and financially distressed hospitals, Medi-Cal reimbursement, eligibility redeterminations, work requirements, fraud controls, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s evaluation. He said DHCS is working on expedited payments, hospital monitoring, county technical assistance, targeted audits, and community supports such as medically tailored meals. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Dr. Chris Thayer, nominated to lead the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and risk communication to inform other agencies and policymakers. Senators focused on the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and how OEHHA communicates risk to the public. Thayer said the office relies on a mix of data sources where direct evidence is limited, is updating CalEnviroScreen, and is working to reduce Prop 65 over-warning through guidance and outreach. The discussion did not reach a final vote on his appointment in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would appreciate your feedback on that, because I think it is something that the Legislature should
• We've got really positive feedback that it's easier for people to find information, including sample
• So thank you, colleagues, for your comments and feedback.
• individuals who spoke in public testimony today, thank you very much for your comments, for your feedback
• individuals who spoke in public testimony today, thank you very much for your comments, for your feedback

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee opened with quorum and approved several routine items on a 5-0 vote, including three governor’s appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. The committee also approved references of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, each by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard testimony on Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director for Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators focused on hospital financial distress, rural access, Medi-Cal redeterminations and work requirements, provider reimbursement, fraud oversight, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s effectiveness. Public commenters from county, hospital, and provider groups supported the nomination. The committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. Next, the committee considered Chris Thayer’s appointment as director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer emphasized OEHHA’s role in providing transparent, rigorous science to inform regulation, and senators questioned the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, risk communication, and research gaps such as PFAS. Public testimony from environmental and health advocates supported the nomination and highlighted OEHHA’s biomonitoring and other science-based programs. The committee approved the appointment 3-1, with Senator Grove voting no, and sent it to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I am hearing in this committee is so similar to the feedback, the consistent patterns of feedback
• Comments and feedback that we hear with the Children, Youth Behavioral Health Work Group, which is why
• , as the workgroup members heard this continuing pattern of feedback, they identified that solution of
• And we tried to do our best to represent not just our own judgments, but specifically their feedback,
• the feedback we've heard from them through many meetings.

Bills: HB1634

Keywords: mental health, behavioral support, education, school districts, student assistance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What I am hearing in this committee is so similar to the feedback, the consistent patterns of feedback
• strategic planning process that we did with Washington's Thriving and the consistent comments and feedback
• that we hear with the Children, Youth Behavioral Health Work Group. ...comments and feedback that we
• And we tried to do our best to represent not just our own judgments, but specifically their feedback,
• the feedback we've heard from them through many meetings.

Summary: The House Education Committee held a work session on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group and its school-based behavioral health and suicide prevention subgroup, followed by a public hearing on House Bill 1634, as amended in a proposed second substitute. Work group leaders Lisa Callan and Tisha Kirschbaum described the group’s statewide, cross-agency structure, its Washington Thriving strategic plan, and the goal of moving toward a more integrated “system of care” for children and youth. They emphasized that behavioral health, physical health, and education are interconnected, that families and schools often face a fragmented system, and that Washington’s youth flourishing outcomes show a need for stronger supports. Committee members raised concerns about regional disparities, rural access, language and cultural responsiveness, and the burden on schools and educators, while the presenters stressed that schools should be supported to identify needs and connect students to outside clinical services rather than carry the full burden themselves. Representative My-Linh Thai and Christian Stark then outlined the school-based subgroup’s work and recommendations. They said the subgroup meets monthly, includes students, parents, educators, providers, and agencies, and has focused on prevention, early identification, early intervention, and crisis response in schools. For the 2026 session, the subgroup recommended maintaining current investments in school behavioral health programs, strengthening statewide guidance on school behavioral health, and creating a coordinated technical assistance and training network for schools. They explained that the proposed substitute for HB 1634 would direct OSPI and the educational service districts to work with behavioral health agencies and community partners to conduct a needs assessment, map resources, and build a statewide framework for technical assistance and training, with public posting required by August 1, 2027. Testimony in support came from school staff, OSPI, behavioral health professionals, students, parents, and advocacy groups, who described high student anxiety, suicide risk, staffing shortages, and the need for coordinated, accessible supports. One witness from a psychiatric watchdog group opposed the bill, arguing it could increase labeling and drugging rather than holistic care. No vote was taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the first largest pieces of feedback that we received is, we don't even know when providers are
• So we had a lot of robust conversations, and it was amazing how much the feedback that we got from the
• lobbying for policy here so that I can actually understand, like when you're saying that there's feedback
• and questions and all of that, I would say as a new legislator, it's a really that there's feedback
• They also give us policy feedback on a regular basis.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce officials described their agency’s role in housing, energy, local government, broadband, and other capital programs, and reported on a $5 million pilot under Senate Bill 5200 that used trusted community messengers and technical assistance to help historically excluded organizations prepare for capital funding. They said 18 organizations received direct support and 79 smaller projects were also funded, but emphasized that statutory match rules, reimbursement-based payments, site-control requirements, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting rules remain major barriers. Commerce outlined efforts to expand outreach, digital modernization, internal contracting improvements, tribal MOUs, and innovation centers, and members asked about small business support, housing program placement, and outreach to Eastern Washington and communities of color. RCO described its grant programs for recreation, conservation, education, and salmon/orca recovery, and reviewed equity work done before and after a 2021-23 proviso. The agency had already created a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, piloted stipends for advisory committee members, and reduced match requirements where allowed. Under the proviso, RCO completed an equity review and a planning program that funded 54 projects across 34 counties, with many applicants being new or long-absent grantees. Staff said the review led to changes in scoring criteria, clearer application guidance, more objective data measures, expanded technical assistance, and targeted community engagement. Members asked about application burden, project sizes, outreach, and how the agency is broadening participation and representation on advisory committees. The final presentation summarized a planning study on SCAP, which examined rising construction costs, fragmented grant programs, local funding barriers, and uneven district capacity. The report recommended nine major changes, including stronger planning support, a new minor-modernization category, a mechanism to use unused funds more quickly, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of non-SCAP funds, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better account for grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost factors. Additional recommendations included ongoing monitoring and evaluation, facilities-impact reviews, matching SCAP increases to construction-cost inflation, earlier locking of funding estimates, flexible program spaces, and updated statewide building-condition assessments. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's important that Senator Davis for your comments and your feedback.
• But I'm sorry, the second part of your question was, where is the feedback?
• Yeah, where is the feedback?
• Where is the feedback coming from? Sure.
• Where is the feedback coming from? Sure.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism took up several measures, beginning with SB 1666, which would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, smart contracts, blockchain, and NFTs. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. It also approved CS/SB 480, a proposal to create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model; the bill drew significant questions about preexisting conditions, ACA coverage, costs, and whether the plans would function like insurance, but it was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from some members and outside groups. The committee then unanimously advanced CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program; an amendment added military-spouse hiring preferences and protections for private employers that adopt them voluntarily. The committee also approved CS/SB 1400, a bill aimed at non-consensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes. The measure requires covered platforms to provide a removal process, post clear notice of that process, and remove identified content within 24 to 48 hours, with liability under the Florida Unfair Trade and Deceptive Practices Act for noncompliance; an amendment carved out internet service providers from liability. Members raised concerns about repeat uploads and the meaning of “reasonable efforts,” but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adopted SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, despite testimony opposing it as unnecessary and constitutionally questionable. It also passed SB 1252, which would create a centralized statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies; the sponsor said the first step would be a $250,000 feasibility study, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 922, which revises Florida’s restrictive covenant laws by creating a streamlined process for certain non-compete and garden leave agreements involving employees with access to sensitive information and higher wages. The bill drew extensive debate over worker mobility, global scope, and whether it would strengthen employer leverage too much; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. The last major item was SB 1776, a Florida Whistleblowers Act revision that adds a notice-to-cure requirement, narrows retaliation and employer definitions, and limits claims where another statutory remedy exists. Members and public speakers raised concerns that it could make whistleblower claims harder to bring and give employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was amended and then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• classrooms at our lowest-performing schools and monitor that instruction and to provide real-time feedback
• It gives real-time feedback for the first time to teachers and leaders.
• School Improvement who are actually still able to be on-site and walk those classrooms and provide feedback
• in research, we pulled in modeling and professional learning to support that need, and continuous feedback
• Looking at numbers, we also want to ensure that we're looking at qualitative feedback.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see in the positive campaign feedback section, those of the people who had never seen our
• As you can see in the positive campaign feedback section, those of the people who had never seen our
• As you can see in the positive campaign feedback section, those of the people who had never seen our
• As you can see in the positive campaign feedback section, those of the people who had never seen our
• As you can see in the positive campaign feedback section, those of the people who had never seen our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As an immediate next step, the state should incorporate feedback from CCPU and others to create a more
• As an immediate next step, the state should incorporate feedback from CCPU and others to create a more
• Have you received any feedback?
• We hosted four listening sessions throughout the fall of 2025 to gather feedback.
• Another feedback I've heard is that, yes, there are the big no-names, right?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from DEED and then some feedback from the Minnesota Initiative Foundation.
• </c><00:36:36.720><c> from</c> including um NDC also some feedback from including um NDC also some feedback
• some feedback from the Minnesota<00:36:40.000><c> Initiative</c><00:36:40.560><c> Foundation.
• But the whole idea is that we wanted to make sure that we were hearing feedback from everyone.
• But the whole idea is that we wanted to make sure that we were hearing feedback from everyone.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are currently conducting focus groups to obtain feedback on the current training.
• I would be remiss if I did not say how important it is to have feedback from the workers that are actually
• So we're getting a lot of feedback, everything from sort of the high-level summary that I provided, that
• about the ways to do... ...about to launch another work group in order to get even more feedback about
• the ways to do that, and releasing the RFI so that we can get feedback from organizations about the

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was another piece of feedback I heard from members of the committee.
• I heard, strangely, I heard a lot of feedback on this.
• I heard, strangely, I heard a lot of feedback on this.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session with a quorum present and took up three bills. House Bill 3262 was moved do pass and approved unanimously, 15-0. No discussion was recorded on that measure. House Bill 3157 was then considered with a House Committee substitute ending in .02C. The sponsor explained the substitute cleaned up language with DHSS, clarified definitions, required one license per vehicle, extended the licensing timeline to 30 days, and preserved local inspection authority through collaborative agreements with state reimbursement. Members asked about inspection standards, local control, county reimbursement, and concerns raised by Kansas City; the sponsor said the substitute addressed those issues. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the bill do pass, 15 ayes and 2 present. House Bill 2886 was also taken up with a House Committee substitute ending in .04C. The sponsor said the substitute aligned speed standards with existing technology, adjusted eligibility for middle-mile and related broadband funding, clarified treatment of second-place finishers, and removed language limiting other forms. After brief questions and support from members, the committee adopted the substitute and voted it do pass by 17-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• been sharing and giving feedback on.
• That's overwhelmingly a good thing based on the feedback we've received.
• </c><01:03:17.280><c> we've</c> thing based on the feedback we've thing based on the feedback we've received
• So, the feedback you'll hear employees.
• On this slide, you'll see feedback relating to slow approvals and inconsistent information.

Bills: HF3545, HF4004

Keywords: energy efficiency, construction standards, building codes, environment, sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We welcome any questions you may have and appreciate any comments or feedback. Thank you very much.
• </c><00:41:01.720><c> is</c><00:41:01.880><c> welcome</c> thing the the the feedback is welcome thing
• the the the feedback is welcome and<00:41:02.720><c> I</c><00:41:02.800><c> think</c><00:41:02.960><
• The immediate feedback basically was, what about everybody else? Very reasonable.
• </c> that um we've received feedback that um we've received feedback throughout<01:03:26.200><c> the<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, colleagues, for your comments and insights and feedback and questions.
• I really appreciate all your comments, feedback, and insights.
• Do they take our feedback serious or into consideration?
• I appreciate all of your feedback and your thoughts behind this.
• I really appreciate your patience and your feedback.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department must make reasonable efforts to establish an ongoing feedback mechanism with incarcerated
• gather information regarding the availability of, and need for, additional benefits, as well as feedback
• And so one of the things is important is that we continue to have a feedback loop and a way that we're
• Equally as important as these activities is incorporating incarcerated individuals' feedback, Equally
• as important as these activities is incorporating incarcerated individuals' feedback regarding their

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5917, which would change how the Department of Corrections and Department of Health distribute abortion medications from state stockpiles. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure would remove pricing restrictions, allow the medications to be donated or sold more flexibly to health care providers, and help avoid expiration of existing supplies. Supporters, including the Washington State Women’s Commission, the governor’s health policy advisor, DOH, physicians, and Pro-Choice Washington, said the bill would improve access to medication abortion and miscarriage care, especially for people facing barriers. Opponents argued it would expand state involvement in abortion, shift costs to taxpayers, and raise safety concerns. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing portion shown. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6080, which would require written contracts before local jails accept people in federal custody and would prohibit some out-of-state transfers absent a valid judicial warrant. Senator Cleveland said the bill was prompted by a situation in Clark County and was intended to provide clarity, reimbursement, and accountability for local governments. Supporters from the Latino Community Fund, the Association of Counties, and the City of Vancouver said it would protect taxpayers and local discretion. The sheriffs’ association supported some of the bill’s goals but raised concerns about unintended consequences for routine federal arrests and wanted more clarification. The hearing on SB 6080 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6085, which would revise the Institutional Welfare Account, formerly the incarcerated individual betterment fund, to require more input from incarcerated people and their families on how the funds are spent and to change some allowable uses. The sponsor said the bill would ensure the account reflects current needs and supports family contact, reentry, and institutional safety. Testimony was mixed: the Washington State Reentry Council supported the concept but objected to requiring legislative appropriations and to using the funds for reentry services; a Department of Corrections representative supported the intent but raised concerns about removing law library funding without replacement. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and considered several bills and amendments, including SB 5940, SB 5945, SB 5957, and SB 5966. Multiple amendments were offered and mostly failed on SB 5940 and SB 5945, while one amendment on SB 5945 passed. The committee advanced SB 5940, SB 5957, and SB 5966 with due-pass recommendations, and the transcript ends with the committee adjourning after the final action on SB 5966.

Transcript Highlights:

• , all working to make every single moment count, that we see through our data, as well as direct feedback
• And this item in particular reflects direct feedback from partners as well as parents that we heard,
• In model, incorporating feedback received last session, a refined funding methodology.
• In model, incorporating feedback received last session, it is actually sound, cost base, scaled for the
• Thank you for your feedback, and I'll be sure that Dr.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard presentations on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 budget for the health and human services agencies. Kendall Kelly outlined the overall HHS budget at $48.5 billion, with AHCA accounting for the largest share, and agency heads then highlighted major proposals for Medicaid behavioral health redesign, APD waiver enrollment and facility needs, DCF child welfare, opioid, and mental health investments, DOEA funding for Alzheimer’s, home care, and community services, DOH funding for cancer research, public health initiatives, and lab capacity, and VA funding for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management. Several members praised specific proposals, including increased reimbursement for private duty nursing, Alzheimer’s supports, and the Florida FIRST blood-in-ambulance initiative. Senators also questioned the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), with the Surgeon General explaining that the department expects a reduction in covered patients from about 30,000 to about 20,000 because of funding pressures tied to rebates, federal changes, and premium tax credit issues. Public testimony strongly criticized the ADAP changes, citing lack of transparency and warning that many patients could lose access to medications. Other questions focused on the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, DCF’s substance abuse and mental health data dashboard, Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, APD bed and facility planning, and the FX Medicaid technology project. DCF said about $7 million is set aside for the dashboard system, and AHCA said the governor’s budget includes $124.4 million for FX maintenance and continued module development, with $13.5 million to begin claims processing work. The committee did not take a substantive vote on the budget presentations and adjourned after questions and public testimony.