Transcript Highlights:

• retroactive pay processing, for example, the implementation of the state's labor contracts and compensation
• 00:26:36.280><c> and</c> uh the state's labor contracts and uh the state's labor contracts and compensation
• <00:26:37.000><c> plans,</c> compensation plans, compensation plans, uh<00:26:38.280><c> retirement</
• 00:39:39.640><c> ethics,</c> such as risk assessment, ethics, such as risk assessment, ethics, compensating
• <00:39:40.960><c> controls,</c> compensating controls, compensating controls, um<00:39:43.200><c> which

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• If we pull the state out, what is to prohibit?
• serving Kentuckians mostly without seeking money, if not any, and I will also add mostly without any compensation
• /c><02:03:41.199><c> any</c> will also add mostly without any will also add mostly without any compensation
• <02:03:42.239><c> within</c><02:03:42.719><c> Kentucky</c><02:03:43.199><c> higher</c> compensation within
• Kentucky higher compensation within Kentucky higher education's<02:03:44.080><c> performance</c><02:

Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• games that's HP um rel uh prohibiting games that's HP 1013<01:43:42.080><c> prohibiting</c><01:43:42.560
• Just some things that shall be prohibited.
• Just some things that shall be prohibited.
• </c> its own put out guidance of prohibited its own put out guidance of prohibited practices<01:58:59.679
• </c><04:26:37.920><c> on</c> &gt;&gt; Yes, there is no prohibition on &gt;&gt; Yes, there is no prohibition

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• spouse of someone, but you can't be the person who's married to someone who needs care and get fair compensation
• should find a way expeditiously to partner with the federal government to allow particularly the compensation
• Number two, Madam President, allowing them to be compensated as caregivers would allow them to provide
• that provides this type of care and using an uneconomic model by providing them a higher rate of compensation
• that may be trying to work and provide care, or maybe foregoing work to provide that care without compensation

Summary: The Senate took up a series of local and statewide measures, including bills on parking fines in Scituate, a conservation restriction in Middleton, park and field dedications in Boston, toxic-free medical devices, a regional school district vote, and several local personnel and land-use matters. It also approved or engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District, fire and police employment in Conway, reclassifying Beverly fire alarm operators, a Waitley Water District dissolution, a Dighton conservation land/public way issue, Milton liquor licenses, Billerica bike path land transfer, and an easement exchange involving Eversource. Several of these were advanced by suspending rules, ordering third readings, or concurring in House amendments; the Senate also accepted a committee report consolidating S. 545 with H. 899 and passed the consolidated park-dedication bill to engrossment. A major focus was the bill requiring health care employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs. Senators and sponsors described the measure as a compromise aimed at protecting health care workers through annual risk assessments, prevention plans, paid leave, reporting requirements, privacy protections, and a narrow warrantless-arrest provision for assaults on health care workers. The Senate adopted a number of amendments, including changes to employee definitions, complaint protections, disfigurement language, paid leave coverage, federally qualified health center exemptions, de-escalation and community-based response language, mental health treatment coverage, and a one-year pause for certain DDS-related provisions. Some proposed amendments were adopted, while others were rejected or withdrawn, and the bill was ultimately ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also considered the home care and long-term services bill, with members emphasizing home care licensure, oversight, and planning for long-term care financing. Amendments added or modified provisions related to home care training, evacuation procedures, minority-party representation on commissions, MassPACE participation, and representation for people living with dementia; one amendment on family caregiving was withdrawn after discussion. The chamber likewise advanced an economic development bond and appropriation package through a Ways and Means substitute and adopted a conference committee process on a separate energy affordability bill after the House disagreed with the Senate’s version. The session included ceremonial moments honoring guests and memorializing Jane Yolen and Charlene M. Naylor, and it ended with the Senate adjourning to meet again the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• coroner's office retain their bargaining rights, union representation, seniority, retirement status, compensation
• SB 13, 17. status compensation and other employment protections.
• Instead, it puts reasonable caps on consultant compensation and requires full transparency throughout
• the process so that decisions... ...consultant compensation and requires full transparency throughout
• We think it's important to place these guardrails around both the compensation level and the duration

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they then compensated? Yes.
• If you're participating in this program, there's compensation from the load-serving entity.
• That compensation goes to the aggregator, and then the aggregator would have a deal with the individual
• customers so that they're compensated.
• They're compensated for their costs. Yes, absolutely. And so forth. Okay.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard several energy, telecommunications, and regulatory bills. SB 929 by Senator Jones would require the California Energy Commission chair to appear annually and report to the Legislature on the commission’s activities, plans, and outreach; it was presented as a low-cost oversight measure and drew no opposition. SB 1138 by Senator Padilla would let load-serving entities trade hourly resource adequacy obligations under the CPUC’s slice-of-day framework to reduce overprocurement and lower ratepayer costs; supporters said it could save tens of millions of dollars, while questions focused on reliability and whether savings would reach customers. SB 913 by Senator Becker would create a clearer pathway for customer-sited distributed energy resources, such as home batteries and smart thermostats, to participate in resource adequacy markets; supporters said it would unlock existing clean capacity and reduce costs, and members asked about reliability, opt-in participation, and compensation for homeowners. The committee also heard SB 1197 by Senator Niello, which would move California to permanent standard time if federal law allows, with testimony from a sleep medicine physician supporting the health and safety benefits of ending the time switch and opposition from golf industry representatives who urged a broader analysis of economic, recreational, and public safety impacts. Members debated whether the 2018 voter approval required another vote and whether Congress would need to act. SB 1265 by Senator Richardson would codify and expand the Go Green financing program by creating a new fund and allowing broader partnerships beyond current IOU service areas; supporters said it would expand access to clean energy financing statewide. SB 1337 by Senator Richardson would create a working group to coordinate fuel transition policy and refinery-related issues following SB 237, with supporters emphasizing the need for better interagency coordination and some members asking how it would avoid duplicative work. The committee also considered SB 1191 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which would extend the California High-Cost Fund A and B programs for rural telephone service through 2033; supporters said the surcharge-funded program is essential for affordable service and emergency connectivity in remote areas. After discussion, the committee adopted amendments where offered and voted all of the bills out of committee, generally on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with SB 1265 receiving one no vote. Several bills were held on call briefly and then later passed when the committee reconvened, and the hearing adjourned after all listed measures were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• the fund is going to be used for, and that most of this should be taken care of under workers' compensation
• will you be able to really take care of, and that this should be covered already under workers' compensation
• already have an extremely liberal pattern of additional benefits and legal interpretation for compensation
• It should be already covered under workers' compensation. Do you, do you...
• It should be already satisfactory under workers' compensation.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on April 7, 2026, with a quorum present. After housekeeping and announcements, the committee noted several bills were voluntarily deferred, including HB 603, HB 619, HB 763, HB 810, HB 222, HB 490, and HB 981. The committee also recognized a visiting Jack and Jill group before taking up legislation. The committee reported favorably HB 82 on DWI penalties, HB 670 on wood pellet manufacturing, HB 672 on brick manufacturing, HB 773 on state procurement preferences for prison enterprises and nonprofits serving blind, disabled, and veteran workers, HB 145 on extraordinary medical and dental expenses for injured police and firefighters, HB 430 on health insurance coverage for families of Lafayette Parish officers killed in the line of duty, HB 143 on the per diem for housing state inmates in parish jails, HB 874 on adding credentials to LA Wallet, HB 160 on penalties for domestic violence strangulation offenses, HB 445 on moving the STEM Advisory Council to Louisiana Works, and HB 781 on fleet vehicle registration. HB 82, HB 670, and HB 773 were amended before passage; HB 430 also received amendments narrowing coverage terms and age limits. Most of the discussion centered on fiscal impact and policy scope. Members questioned whether several bills created new costs or unfunded mandates, and sponsors repeatedly emphasized zero or already-budgeted fiscal notes. HB 773 drew the most debate, with members raising concerns about competition, preferential treatment, and the shift from a 15% cap to fair market value; the sponsor said the bill was intended to give blind, disabled, and veteran-serving nonprofits a fair chance to compete. HB 145 prompted questions from the Louisiana Municipal Association about exposure and whether the benefit should already be covered by workers’ compensation, while HB 430 was narrowed to Lafayette Parish after concerns about statewide costs. The meeting ended with all remaining bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they then compensated? Yes.
• If you're participating in this program, there's compensation from the load-serving entity.
• customers that they're compensated, and what that looks like will differ among aggregators, but the
• individual homeowner or business, they receive compensation for participation.
• Okay, so they are compensated for their costs. Yes, absolutely. And so forth. Okay.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• the fund is going to be used for, and that most of this should be taken care of under workers' compensation
• will you be able to really take care of, and that this should be covered already under workers' compensation
• already have an extremely liberal pattern of additional benefits and legal interpretation for compensation
• It should be already covered under workers' compensation. Do you, do you...
• It should be already satisfactory under workers' compensation.

Bills: HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB222 , HB430 , HB445 , HB490 , HB603 , HB619 , HB670 , HB672 , HB763 , HB773 , HB781 , HB810 , HB874 , HB981

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, firefighters, law enforcement, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, domestic violence, domestic abuse, battery of a dating partner, domestic abuse battery, strangulation

Transcript Highlights:

• not apply to country clubs, golf clubs, travel, meals, lodging, or enhanced benefits for highly compensated
• Employers may already deduct compensation generally, but employees can still be taxed on receiving this
• Employers may already deduct compensation generally, but employees can still be taxed on receiving this
• today in support of AB 1550, which would allow Californians to deduct qualified tips and overtime compensation
• These deducts to deduct qualified tips and overtime compensation from state income tax.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and announced that all bills on the agenda had revenue impacts placing them on the suspense file, so none were eligible for immediate vote. The chair also reviewed procedural rules, including the deadline for position letters and the suspense-file threshold, and later established a quorum before proceeding through the agenda. Most measures were presented, heard, and then referred to suspense without committee votes. Several bills focused on tax credits or exclusions tied to housing and property. AB 1606 proposed a five-year tax credit for small businesses facing cleanup costs from illegal dumping and encampments; AB 1971 would clarify that home-hardening retrofits are not assessable for property tax purposes; AB 2394 would create a capital gains exclusion to encourage long-term homeowners to sell and downsize; AB 1714 would offer a credit for sellers who complete required repairs for CalHFA-assisted first-time buyers; and AB 2389 would extend the property tax exclusion for newly installed solar systems. Supporters generally framed these bills as targeted relief or affordability measures, while opponents raised concerns about revenue loss, policy effectiveness, or implementation. The committee also heard a series of agriculture-related bills. AB 2427 proposed a tax credit for qualified agricultural producers to offset labor, equipment, infrastructure, and production costs, and AB 2192 would extend the state’s farm equipment sales tax exemption to local sales taxes with a General Fund backfill for local governments. Supporters argued both measures would help preserve California agriculture, jobs, and food security amid rising costs and regulatory burdens; opponents questioned the need for the subsidies and the size of the fiscal impact. Both bills were referred to suspense. Other measures included AB 1611, which would end a tax break on capital gains from single-family home sales for large corporate investors to discourage investor competition with homebuyers; AB 2522, which would exempt over-the-counter medications from sales tax; AB 2444, which would add a state deduction for ScholarShare 529 contributions and align California law with federal Roth IRA rollover rules; and AB 1550, which would allow deductions for tips and overtime. Each drew support from sponsors and allied groups, while tax reform and local government representatives opposed several bills over revenue and policy concerns. All of these measures were also sent to the suspense file, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I say us, every year here have to figure out how to compensate our farmers for the damage done by
• Director Miller replied that they are constantly looking at compensation issues.
• Certainly compensation is a concern, especially when it comes to the cost of living in a lot of places
• We’ll continue to evaluate and look at compensation issues.
• We’re trying to figure out the compensation piece, and we’re working toward that.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Sustained investments in teacher compensation and retention are the best way to make sure educators are
• I urge you to make sure that certification reform is aligned with 100% commitment to compensation and
• I urge you to make sure that certification reform is aligned with 100% commitment to compensation and
• Stability, respect, and competitive compensation should be the ultimate goals for recruitment and retention
• Stability, respect, and competitive compensation should be the ultimate goals for recruitment and retention

Bills: S1062 , S1718 , S7038

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Low compensation has always been a systemic issue with nonprofit organizations.
• Low compensation has always been a systematic issue with nonprofit organizations.
• underpay frontline workers while maintaining substantial administrative overhead, including executive compensation
• And your constituents deserve compensation that reflects both the value of the work and California's
• And your constituents deserve compensation that reflects both the value of the work and California's

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Low compensation has always been a systemic issue with nonprofit organizations.
• Low compensation has always been a systematic issue with nonprofit organizations.
• underpay frontline workers while maintaining substantial administrative overhead, including executive compensation
• And your constituents deserve compensation that reflects both the value of the work and California's
• And your constituents deserve compensation that reflects both the value of the work and California's

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Select Committee hearing focused on the nonprofit sector’s mounting challenges in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance in California, the impact of federal funding disruptions and new federal tax policy, and the need for stronger public-private coordination, especially during disasters. Witnesses and members repeatedly pointed to nonprofits as essential providers of food, housing, health, education, environmental, and emergency services, while warning that sudden funding losses are forcing layoffs, service cuts, and operational instability. Testimony from community foundations and food bank leaders described how federal cuts, delayed reimbursements, and disaster-related demand are straining nonprofits. Monica White of Food Share Ventura County said H.R. 1 and USDA food cancellations are worsening hunger needs, while immigration enforcement fears are keeping some families from seeking help. Abby Browning of Cal OES outlined how the state coordinates with nonprofits, philanthropy, and businesses through VOADs and long-term recovery groups in wildfire response. Bruce Yerman of the Camp Fire Collaborative said recovery groups are effective but lack dedicated funding, and urged flexible spending, sustainable support, and streamlined partnerships. The second half of the hearing focused on institutional reforms, including a proposed Office of Nonprofit Empowerment, advance payments, prompt payment, and higher indirect cost coverage. Jeff Green of CalNonprofits argued for a central state office to coordinate policy, technical assistance, and interagency alignment. Annie Chang of Nonprofit Finance Fund cited survey data showing widespread late payments, low cash reserves, and indirect cost rates below federal guidance. Alfredo Cruz Jr. of Community Resource Project described how reimbursement-only contracts, delayed payments, and underfunded overhead create cash-flow crises and staffing problems. Members discussed possible interim steps, including expanding advance pay, improving payment timeliness, modeling best practices, and using state leadership to spotlight nonprofit needs. The hearing ended with public comment from nonprofit, labor, and advocacy representatives, and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up first, we have House Bill 423, House Draft 2, relating to workers' compensation.
• House Bill 423, House Draft 2, relating to workers' compensation.
• House Bill 423 house draft 2 to we have House Bill 423 house draft 2 to workers<00:21:59.600><c> compensation
• </c><00:22:00.600><c> members</c><00:22:00.919><c> the</c> workers compensation members the workers compensation
• Members, moving on to House Bill 480, House Draft 1, relating to workers' compensation.

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology met on March 12 in Room 224 at the Hawaii State Capitol and heard testimony on several labor, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, and related measures. On House Bill 202, which would revise the definition of the adequate reserve fund for calendar year 2026 and beyond, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations strongly supported the bill, saying it would protect the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance trust fund. The department explained that the reserve standard had been lowered from 1.5% to 1% in 2010 and argued that restoring it would better prepare the fund for future shocks. Questions focused on whether the change would affect employers’ costs and whether the trust fund had recovered fraud losses from the pandemic; the department said some fraud had been recovered and additional fraud tools were now in place. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and a defective date, and adopted the recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 477 on the Hawaii Employment Security Law, which the department supported as a modernization of the UI system but asked to amend for clarity, especially on registration-for-work language. The committee accepted those requested amendments and recommended passage with amendments. It then took up House Bill 1026 and House Bills 1027 through 1039, covering emergency appropriations for public employment cost items and collective bargaining for units 1 through 14. Testimony from the Budget and Finance director, United Public Workers, the University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, UHSC, and others was generally in strong support, with one opposition noted on HB 1038. The committee moved all of those measures together and recommended passage with amendments. In its later decision-making agenda, the committee approved several previously heard bills with technical amendments and defective dates, including House Bill 423 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 480 on workers’ compensation, House Bill 162 on collective bargaining arbitration procedures, House Bill 164 on indebtedness to the state, and House Bill 1152 on tax administration. House Bill 214, relating to government and school resource officers, drew discussion about labor shortages and whether the bill should help train existing school resource officers into law enforcement roles; the committee still passed it with amendments. House Bill 874 on child performers was amended to require trust accounts for certain minors’ earnings and place oversight with DLIR’s Wage Standards Division, and House Bill 159 on qualified community rehabilitation programs was passed with amendments after the committee blanked the $850,000 cap for further discussion. All recommendations were adopted without recorded opposition, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our recommendation is to see both policy and appropriations there. compensation writ large, and you'll
• see this described as strategic teacher compensation.
• Just because as you as you roll out compensation supports you need to be thoughtful about the incentives
• So part of it is teacher compensation that clearly is an important. piece of it and and you you'll you'll
• my presentation I have an exceptional item request it says please to do something about teacher compensation

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's a lot of ways you can see compensation, retirement, debt waivers, education, all the different
• So, you know, Hartzell goes, and I have a, I may be getting compensation for a disability, but I didn't
• realize I also was supposed to be getting compensation for something else.
• Getting compensation for something else. And it should have been backdated to when I was serving.
• And we get that retroactive compensation brought in. And again, why is that important?

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a base budget overview for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which was presented as a $46.8 billion starting point for the silo. Staff explained that HHS accounts for about half of the state base budget and roughly 36% of general revenue, with AHCA and Medicaid making up the largest share. The committee then reviewed the PACE program for the elderly, including its eligibility, service model, growth in applications, slot funding and reversions, and the agency’s plan to move from the federal three-way agreement to a more detailed two-party contract to improve accountability, transparency, and reporting. Members raised concerns about unfilled slots, reversions, rural access, and the need for clearer return-on-investment data; the agency said it would follow up on some of those questions. The committee also heard from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on its statewide dental program. APD described its history of appropriations, the failed January 2024 solicitation, and a new up-to-$11.5 million solicitation focused on preventive care, community partnerships, teledentistry, and coordination with other services. Members questioned overlap with Medicaid dental coverage, the effect of Medicaid unwinding on APD clients, and whether state dollars were duplicating federally supported services; APD said it tries to act as payer of last resort and that services would continue during procurement. Public testimony from an APD stakeholder and the Florida Dental Association emphasized Medicaid eligibility problems for waiver recipients, low reimbursement rates, limited access to anesthesia and hospital-based dental care, and concerns that proposed Medicaid changes could reduce access for special-needs patients. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs then presented on state veterans service officers and benefits assistance. FDVA highlighted its role in helping veterans access federal benefits, reporting about $27.9 billion in federal dollars flowing into Florida and a high return on state investment. The department said it has increased outreach, claims processing, and services, and has trained staff to identify mental health concerns through its Overwatch program. In response to questions, FDVA discussed plans to expand adult day health care at a new veterans nursing home and possibly at existing locations with additional state funding. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed its presentations and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> insurance companies they're prohibited insurance companies they're prohibited under<01:54:49.159
• </c><01:54:58.880><c> uh</c> written uh would prohibit uh written uh would prohibit uh underwriting<01
• </c> medical services that does not prohibit medical services that does not prohibit balance balance
• That's what the state-level balance billing prohibition does.
• Number two, it prohibits ground ambulance providers from balance billing.

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill ensures that settlement payments intended to compensate those affected by this emergency are
• would reduce the resources available for that recovery and undermine the basic purpose of the compensation
• The Orange County Board of Supervisors believes individuals receiving compensation for losses associated

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee met to consider three Senate-amended bills. AB 672 would extend an existing property tax exemption for community land trust projects that develop or rehabilitate low-income housing. The author and sponsor said the measure helps preserve and create permanently affordable housing, noted the exemption has supported 101 units at a relatively low state cost, and argued it is essential for project feasibility. No opposition was presented, and the committee recommended concurrence in the Senate amendments on a 5-0 vote, later completed as 6-0 with an absent member’s vote. AB 760 would exclude certain settlement payments from California taxable income for residents and businesses affected by the Garden Grove chemical incident that displaced more than 50,000 people. Supporters, including the Orange County Board of Supervisors, said the bill would preserve compensation intended to help with housing, lost wages, business interruption, and other recovery costs, and that taxing the payments would undermine relief. The measure had no opposition in the hearing and passed the committee 6-0, with a later vote from an absent member recorded in support. AB 1519 would clarify the state’s 20-year statute of limitations for Franchise Tax Board collection actions by preventing fees, penalties, or interest from restarting the clock. The author said the bill would create a true limitations period and not materially affect revenue, while supporters from the California Society of Enrolled Agents and the California Society of CPAs said it would provide certainty and resolve ambiguity for taxpayers and practitioners. There was no opposition, and the committee recommended concurrence in the Senate amendments on a 6-0 vote, later finalized with the absent member’s aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> clean drinking water fund, prohibiting clean drinking water fund, prohibiting the<02:17:23.760><
• </c> We'll go after compensation levels for parents taking care of their kids at home.
• We had to reduce compensation growth for state employees and for community providers.
• We had to reduce compensation growth for state employees and for community providers.
• We had to reduce compensation compensation compensation growth<05:40:17.360><c> for</c><05:40:17.600>