Transcript Highlights:

• </c> communicate with the sergeant staff. communicate with the sergeant staff.
• </c> state investment transforms communities. state investment transforms communities.
• </c> communities and our what our communities communities and our what our communities are<01:23:51.199
• </c> be addressing different community needs. be addressing different community needs.
• </c> Our community is showing strong support. Our community is showing strong support.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been on the community Advisory I've been on the community Advisory board<00:53:36.920><c> for</c
• Stigma is so huge in my community.
• </c> who um Provide support in our community who um Provide support in our community and<01:13:18.360
• </c><01:31:28.239><c> these</c> hard-to-reach communities these hard-to-reach communities these communities
• </c><01:32:21.679><c> Services</c> in these homebased Community Services in these homebased Community

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Community members again ranked a community center as their highest priority.
• </c><00:10:43.480><c> Uh,</c> to community. Owatonna is thriving. Uh, to community.
• </c> and community events. and community events.
• </c> and the um community center? and the um community center?
• . community. community.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also would turn immediately to the community to find out community priorities because our work is
• about community self-determination.
• Fifth, it creates the Community Reinvestment Program work group to facilitate the transition of the Community
• The Community Reinvestment Program was created to invest in communities hardest hit by the war on drugs
• We need to backfill and support those communities.

Summary: The committee took up executive action on the capital budget, Proposed Substitute Senate Bill 6003, and several policy bills. Staff described amendments to the capital budget that shifted funding among behavioral health, local/community projects, irrigation projects, and juvenile rehabilitation capacity, plus a technical fix to the water pollution control revolving program. The committee adopted Senator Dozier’s budget-neutral amendment and a technical amendment, then advanced the amended capital budget to the Rules Committee. It also moved House Bills 2441, 2124, 2471, 2133, 2610, and 2338 forward with due-pass recommendations, and advanced Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 on Climate Commitment Act accounts to the Transportation Committee after adopting two amendments and withdrawing three others. A major public hearing focused on Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, which would terminate and restate LEOFF Plan 1 in 2029, transfer surplus assets, and direct portions to the Climate Commitment Account and the pension funding stabilization account. Staff said the plan is currently about 160% funded and explained the bill’s IRS-review process, statute of limitations, and estimated implementation costs. Testimony was sharply divided: some retirees, firefighters, counties, and cities opposed the bill as an improper use of pension assets and urged benefit enhancements or protection of local medical obligations, while others supported using the surplus for broader public purposes. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2179 on PERS coverage for certain port workers, with ports and the Washington Public Ports Association supporting clarification for railroad employees covered by the federal railroad retirement system. House Bill 1069, allowing Department of Corrections employees to bargain over supplemental retirement benefits, drew support from Teamsters and corrections workers, while House Bill 2091, expanding employee-information sharing with bargaining representatives, drew union support and privacy objections from Washington Policy Center. Finally, Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 on targeted urban area tax preferences drew support from labor, local governments, and project proponents, and opposition from contractor groups and environmental advocates over project labor agreement requirements and nuclear-related concerns; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 on community preservation and development authorities and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974 on land bank authorities for affordable housing were also heard, with both receiving supportive testimony from community and housing advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• as we do these community outreach programs so that we are in line with... ...communities as we do these
• as we do these community outreach programs so that we are in line with, communities as we do these community
• of promotoras and community health workers.
• Each community is feeling these in different ways.
• And I saw that throughout the community. I see that in the construction community.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees focused on the “cost of uncertainty” in health coverage, access, and affordability amid federal policy changes. Opening remarks from committee leaders and members emphasized that California’s gains under the Affordable Care Act and Health for All policies—high coverage rates, consumer protections, and lower uninsured rates—are now threatened by federal rollbacks, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and H.R. 1. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the risk of coverage losses, especially for low-income Californians, workers, seniors, and immigrant communities. The first panel featured federal policy and state implementation experts, including Don Joyce, Jessica Altman of Covered California, and Elizabeth Lansberg of HCAI’s Office of Health Care Affordability. Testimony described the ACA’s coverage expansions and the current federal threats: shorter open enrollment, more verification requirements, loss of enhanced subsidies, and changes affecting immigrants and preventive coverage. Covered California reported that average monthly premiums could nearly double without the subsidies, new enrollment is down sharply, and more consumers are shifting into bronze plans with higher deductibles. HCAI explained its affordability strategy through spending targets, consolidation review, and primary care investment, while members asked about the impact of federal cuts on provider taxes, uncompensated care, and whether California can sustain coverage without new revenue. The second panel, with UC Berkeley Labor Center’s Miranda Dietz and California Health Care Foundation’s Christoph Stremikis, broadened the discussion to statewide cost drivers and consumer impacts. They highlighted that more than half of Californians under 65 rely on job-based coverage, yet premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs have risen faster than wages. They also pointed to medical debt, administrative waste, market consolidation, and underinvestment in primary care as major drivers of unaffordability. Members asked about the 25% of health spending that does not improve patient care, the role of fraud versus administrative friction, the effect of cost growth targets on workers, and the need for preventive care and possible revenue solutions. The hearing then moved to a third panel on human impacts, beginning with testimony from a Central Valley promotora describing how families are choosing lower-tier coverage, struggling with diabetes care, and facing higher premiums after subsidy losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the communications piece, this would be communications for the agency as a whole that includes HCD
• really systemically disadvantage poorer communities, communities that have already been the subject
• . ...that addresses the needs of our communities.
• Because no two communities are the same, and some of the smaller communities there, their numbers may
• We are in a community, largely African American, which has the highest density of unhoused community

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 8,319 employees at our community colleges, our 15 community colleges in the state.
• We have 8,319 employees at our community colleges, our 15 community colleges in the state.
• We have 8,319 employees at our community colleges, our 15 community colleges in the state.
• </c> executive director of the community executive director of the community college<00:35:06.079><c>
• . graduate from Jones Community.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> communities at significantly less cost. communities at significantly less cost.
• </c> suburban communities to have input. suburban communities to have input.
• </c> job in my community. job in my community.
• </c> community, they love Southwest Transit. community, they love Southwest Transit.
• </c> their community. their community.

Bills: HF3676 , HF3593 , HF3785 , HF3774 , HF4111 , HF3513

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of these communities are essentially mobile home communities.
• We went to over 50 cities, border to border, and we heard community after community saying that they
• <01:25:55.159><c> and</c> communities and communities and provide<01:25:57.560><c> opportunities</c><
• </c><01:27:01.360><c> communities</c><01:27:01.800><c> and</c> build sustainable communities and build
• Removing them weakens community engagement, and we're asking you not to take the community out of community

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's vital, vital really, for our communities.
• All of it went right back into the community.
• I live in the 39th District, and I'm CEO of Sherwood Community Services and a member of the Community
• We are a bedroom community for the Tri-Cities.
• We are a bedroom community for the Tri-Cities.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on multiple bills, beginning with a motion to suspend the five-day notice rule for a long list of Senate bills, which passed on a voice vote. The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 6026, a governor-request housing bill that would require cities and counties over 30,000 population to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones, limit mixed-use/ground-floor commercial requirements in some areas, and allow added height where such requirements are imposed. The lieutenant governor testified strongly in support, arguing the bill would add needed housing capacity without requiring ground-floor retail burdens. The hearing on SB 6026 was then suspended so the committee could move through the agenda. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6294, a broad local government finance measure with eight parts, including expanded uses for certain REET revenues, a new county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, expanded housing-related tax uses, changes to county levy structure, longer lid lift periods, and expanded use of rental car tax revenue. Local government, housing, and public health witnesses largely supported the bill, emphasizing flexibility for affordable housing, rental assistance, children’s services, and county fiscal stability. Opponents, including wireless industry, water/sewer district, auto dealer, realtors, energy, and cannabis representatives, objected to specific tax provisions as regressive, costly, or likely to raise consumer prices. Several witnesses requested amendments, including adding public health clinic funding and flood recovery language from House bills. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5400 on local news sustainability, which would create a state grant program funded by a surcharge on large search engines and social media platforms to support journalism jobs and the Murrow Fellowship program. News organizations, the League of Women Voters, open government advocates, and local journalism supporters testified in favor, saying local news is essential to civic life and that the bill would help sustain reporting without using general fund dollars. Technology industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it unfairly singles out tech companies and could face legal challenges. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6211, which would let opt-in GMA jurisdictions impose REET-2 without voter approval; cities and counties supported it as a parity and infrastructure funding measure, while Realtors opposed the loss of voter approval. Senate Bill 5650, authorizing local cannabis excise taxes, drew support from some local officials but strong opposition from cannabis businesses, which argued Washington’s cannabis taxes are already too high and drive sales to the illicit market. Senate Bill 6033, waiving penalties and interest for taxpayers who failed to collect new sales tax on certain services, was supported by NFIB as a compliance and fairness measure. Senate Bill 6297, exempting temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health providers from sales tax, drew strong support from behavioral health organizations citing workforce shortages and unsustainable costs. Finally, Senate Bill 6343, extending and expanding tax relief for disaster-damaged property and repairs, was presented as aid for flood recovery; local officials testified in support. No final committee votes on the bills were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and communities are not being honored. and communities are not being honored.
• </c> cost-effective integrated community cost-effective integrated community setting<00:16:20.240><c>
• </c> able to achieve sustained community able to achieve sustained community living.<00:16:53.920><c>
• </c> to home and community based services. to home and community based services.
• </c> and home and community based services. and home and community based services.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> as a vehicle for building a community as a vehicle for building a community and<00:15:35.880><c>
• as our group in our Austin Community as our community<00:26:19.080><c> changed</c><00:26:19.440><c>
• </c><00:57:56.480><c> to</c> students and our broader community to students and our broader community
• Dylan Young: So I think communicating how we are making our return on investment starts with communicating
• </c> I think it is about communicating I think it is about communicating telling<01:04:13.920><c> the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and really impact those communities that are.
• We work a lot with our... ...community.
• We went out to a senior home in our community.
• We went out to a senior home in our community.
• We communicate with them all the time.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a vibrant community.
• The community is upset. The community is worried.
• We are a community driven community related university more so than those that are in large cities.
• You have to have people that are vested in the community and invested into the mission of the community
• and contribute to that community.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The law works and keeps communities safer.
• For 50 years, Ross Drug has put the community in community care.
• He led a life of service and building community.
• Michael will bring her expertise in government relations, strategic communication, community engagement
• MICHAEL WILL BRING HER EXPERTISE IN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Israel Via, with the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice, in opposition, also with Communities
• Israel, via with the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice and strong support, also Communities
• These are people who have stepped up and protected our communities, your communities, under the toughest
• And I remember so many obstacles in communities of color in particular, and poor communities.
• of color, particularly Black and Brown communities, as well as members of the LGBTQI+ community.

Summary: The committee heard several public safety measures, beginning with housekeeping items and the adoption of a four-bill consent calendar. Bills on the consent calendar included AB 476 on metal theft, AB 619 on California Conservation Corps training for formerly incarcerated people, AB 1192 on child abuse or neglect reporting, and AB 1239 on human trafficking data. Several bills were pulled by the authors before hearing, and the committee also announced that AB 379 would be heard with a file notice waiver and AB 63 would be for testimony only. The most extensive discussion was on AB 366, which would require ignition interlock devices for anyone convicted of DUI. The author, Senator Archuleta, and a MADD representative gave emotional testimony about family members killed by drunk drivers and argued the bill would save lives. Support came from law enforcement, fire, medical, auto club, and safety groups. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates focused on loss of judicial discretion, costs for low-income drivers, and concerns about vendor oversight and effectiveness. The committee voted to pass AB 366 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway into firefighting careers for formerly incarcerated people who served on Cal Fire hand crews. The author and supporters said the bill would recognize service, improve reentry, and reduce recidivism; a fire labor group withdrew its opposition after amendments were discussed. The measure passed to Appropriations, though it remained on call pending one additional vote. AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for parents of truant K-8 students and replace them with supportive responses, drew broad support from education and justice advocates but no opposition testimony; it was also passed to Appropriations and left on call pending one more vote. ACR 60, recognizing the Downey Police Department’s special-needs communication program for interactions with people with disabilities or sensory challenges, was adopted unanimously. The committee then heard AB 746 on creating an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve for incarcerated workers. Supporters said it would build job skills, dignity, and reentry success; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed to Appropriations and was left on call pending votes. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking drew strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials for creating a survivor services fund and targeting buyers, but also strong opposition from survivors and civil liberties groups who warned it would criminalize vulnerable people and revive harmful loitering enforcement. The committee discussion continued with members weighing survivor support, public safety tools, and concerns about the bill’s amendments and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very communities.
• This was our community. These were our neighbors.
• THIS WAS OUR COMMUNITY. THESE WERE OUR NEIGHBORS.
• Love for our communities. Love in our differences.
• LOVE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. LOVE HE INDIFFERENCES.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior journal, and processed several messages from the Assembly, including motions to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills for Assembly bills on the calendars. The chamber also reconsidered and restored Senate Print 1788, an act amending the Real Property Tax Law, to the third reading calendar. The Rules Committee reported Senate Print 10324, the state budget appropriations bill, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the message of necessity and laid the bill aside before taking it up on the controversial calendar as a budget extender. A lengthy debate followed on the budget extender, with Senator O’Mara and others criticizing the continued delay in finalizing the state budget, the lack of public details, and the absence of a schedule for joint budget committee meetings. Senator Serrano responded that the extender was necessary to keep state government operating while final budget negotiations continued, but could not provide specifics on policy items such as Tier 6 pension changes, New York City aid, local government support, or school aid. The extender was ultimately passed 56-2, with Senators Rhoads and Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted several previously adopted resolutions, including a memorial resolution for former Congressman Eliot Engel and a resolution marking the fourth anniversary of the Tops Friendly Markets mass shooting in Buffalo. The Buffalo resolution prompted extensive remarks from multiple senators about racism, gun violence, community trauma, and the need for policy responses; it was adopted with broad support. The chamber also passed a series of bills on the third reading calendar covering highway, municipal, environmental, banking, veterans, education, public health, and public service matters, with most passing overwhelmingly and a few drawing minority opposition. Notable floor debate occurred on a study bill regarding battery energy storage systems, where senators raised concerns about fire safety and siting; the bill passed 45-13. The Senate adjourned to reconvene on Monday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:33.199><c> proud</c> They made their Milton community proud They made their Milton community
• They include mentor communities.
• </c> which is an act relating to community which is an act relating to community action<00:21:15.200>
• an annual community action plan.
• </c> South Southeastern Vermont Community South Southeastern Vermont Community Action<00:25:12.960><c

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are more likely to invest in our communities, create jobs and also strengthen our economy. communities
• Our community in the state.
• Enjoy the opportunity to serve my community.
• I'm firmly planted in our community and has served for patient care community service.
• It communication errors problems. Okay.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The construction of fire stations in communities is about community safety and firefighter safety.
• First, rural and underserved communities will lose access to this tool.
• And encouraging communities to think this is the only bill that encourages communities, community-wide
• You could have 10% of the people in your community do that, and in your community, 10% of the people
• Not every community.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all