Transcript Highlights:

• Native populations have consistently experienced the highest suicide rates of any racial or ethnic group
• As I started to look at it, I was a part of the 988 work group, so I have been a part of overseeing this
• And the reason I'm asking these questions is because I want to make sure there's not a block, right?
• You all are sitting on these work groups. There's a very complex governance structure.
• Those are all of our subject matter expert work groups, and 13 focus groups.

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will result in bullying an Ash Bradley: already marginalized group of human beings.
• I represent Haines Harbor Group Inc.
• House Bill 991 would block eligible voters from participating in elections.
• I was blocked along with 31,000 other Kansans eligible voters in 2014 from casting our ballot.
• So this bill will block others and have been litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you all for being here.
• Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Secretary.
• Madam Chair, Representative Block, we're anticipating 90,000 losing coverage from that group.
• So have you, are there votes for certain groups, and do you know what those are?
• They're a good group.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health, which might be on the chopping block through the appropriations process, was growing at a 10%
• There are other groups, these non-profit nursing homes.
• Back in January, we created what we're calling a Federal Fund Working Group, which has allowed us, the
• So it's been a really successful working group from some perspectives because it's allowed us to keep
• I would assume that we do, maybe within our budget group.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do have a group of kids that they can relate to.
• They do have a group of kids together.
• You see, I think so we are putting the kids in a block.
• we are putting the kids in in a block. we are putting the kids in in a block.
• It blocks the ability of this bill.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 72, a parental rights in education measure, and considered an amendment offered by Representative Raymond. Raymond explained that his changes were intended to narrow the bill so it would not force schools to act as “surveillance operatives” for parents, especially regarding older students, and to avoid requiring teachers to disclose private family matters such as a student’s sexual orientation or pronouns. He also struck the bill’s “clear and convincing” standard and replaced it with a lower “evidence” standard, arguing teachers should have some basis for concern but not a burden equivalent to terminating parental rights. He said the amendment was meant to preserve due process, avoid weaponizing the bill in civil disputes, and reduce the risk of lawsuits. Members then debated the scope of the bill and amendment. Supporters said schools should not withhold information about a child’s health, school environment, behavior, bullying, self-harm, or criminal conduct, and argued that parents have a right to know about serious issues such as mental health concerns, sexual assault, drug use, or other misconduct. Several members emphasized that teachers do not diagnose mental illness, but should report observable concerns and involve school administrators or counselors when necessary. Opponents argued the bill would chill communication between students and trusted adults at school, especially for children from dysfunctional or unsafe homes, and said it could force outing of gay or trans students and increase the risk of harm or self-harm. One member cited the Department of Education’s trusted-adult approach and said teachers are not covered by formal confidentiality rules in the same way as lawyers or doctors. The discussion included examples and hypotheticals about bullying, sexual assault, drug use, self-harm, gender dysphoria, and whether a teacher would have to tell parents if a student used different pronouns or a nickname. Raymond and supporters said the bill would require disclosure of serious safety concerns but not compel teachers to diagnose or pry into private matters. Opponents argued the bill’s language still sweeps too broadly and could force disclosure in situations where a student fears abuse or being kicked out at home. The transcript does not show a final vote on the amendment or bill in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leader Soroy yielded the remainder of his time in totality in that block; we're in the second block of
• Leader Soroy yielded the remainder of his time in totality in that block, we're in the second block of
• Speaker, we yield our time back in this block.
• Yield back the remaining time to this block.
• Time has expired in this block. Before we move on to the next block, we'll do some recognitions.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will end with experiences from an advocacy group in Australia that has worked closely with the safety
• Or simply block them if it wasn't worth the anxiety or stress.
• There's actually an adage in online spaces that I existed in, sort of, like, the block button exists
• An age ban, an age block. That is very much a place we are concerned about.
• And so I am constantly blocking, reporting comments, you know, that kind of thing.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ+ youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair members framed the discussion around the tension between protecting young people from addictive design, harassment, hate speech, exploitation, and mental health harms while preserving access to affirming resources, community, and crisis support that many LGBTQ+ youth rely on online. Members emphasized that the hearing was meant to inform future policy rather than relitigate prior bills, and several members of the LGBTQ+ Caucus attended or participated. The first panel featured lived experience and advocacy testimony from Madi Roby of Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described social media as essential to exploring identity, finding trans language and safety information, and connecting to Trevor Project resources during a family crisis, while also acknowledging online hate and bullying. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad age-based exclusions, warning that account bans and age-gating could cut off access to community, privacy-protective pseudonymity, and crisis resources. Pick testified that LGBTQ+ youth are more likely than peers to attempt suicide, that social media can be both a lifeline and a risk, and that Trevor Space and other moderated online spaces can improve mental health and reduce isolation; she also cautioned against policies that would push youth into less visible, less moderated spaces. Committee members questioned the witnesses about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to do more to protect youth. Several lawmakers distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive features such as infinite scroll and autoplay, and asked for more targeted prescriptions. Witnesses generally supported stronger privacy protections, limits on data collection and use, better reporting and moderation tools, digital literacy, and design changes that reduce harmful engagement patterns without eliminating access to community. The discussion also touched on the loss of LGBTQ-specific 988 services at the national level and the importance of maintaining alternative support pathways. The second panel presented research from Common Sense Media, UC Irvine, Hope Lab, and LGBTQ+ Health Australia. Researchers reported that LGBTQ+ youth often arrive online with higher depressive symptoms and limited in-person support, encounter homophobic and transphobic content at high rates, and may self-censor because of fear of harassment. At the same time, many said social media helps them feel less alone and find affirmation. Dr. Sean Young emphasized a harm-reduction approach, noting that online environments can be designed to support health and that policymakers should measure whether restrictions actually reduce harm or simply displace it. Dr. Amy Green echoed that social media is both harmful and supportive for LGBTQ+ youth, underscoring that the policy goal should be to make youth safer rather than less visible online.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 127 and 223-24 established the work group.
• creative economy work group.
• A lot of things that happen are actually not aligned necessarily with census tracts or block groups or
• A lot of things that happen are actually not aligned necessarily with census tracts or block groups or
• It's a group called the Manitos.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future: Creative Strategies for Cultural Resilience, Economic Growth, and Global Leadership.” Chair Allen opened by framing the creative economy as a major state asset and urged support for arts funding in the May Revision, including California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, LA28 arts programming, and AB 2319, which would create a $100 million post-production incentive. He also emphasized the need for next-step funding to implement the strategic plan and noted concerns about federal headwinds and declining creative-sector jobs. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and Workforce Development Board representative Michael Weoff described how the plan was developed through AB 127 and related legislation, a 30-plus-member work group, and an interagency process. They outlined the plan’s phased approach and six priority areas, including preparing the workforce, stabilizing businesses, increasing revenue through cultural tourism, leveraging state incentives, defining and tracking ROI, and building state capacity. Testimony highlighted workforce pipelines, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, digital badging, and cross-agency coordination, with speakers stressing that the sector is shaped by AI, climate change, affordability, capital access, and social cohesion. A second panel of artists and advocates described on-the-ground implementation and the need for better data and support. Ricarlo Handy discussed the Handy Foundation’s apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and the difficulty of capturing freelance and 1099 creative work in state data. Joanna Reynolds described Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030. Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged the state to embed artists in health, aging, behavioral health, and climate resilience systems, and Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to treat arts careers as viable professions and expand residency and school-based artist programs. Senator Rubio, who joined the hearing later, shared her own background in teaching and the arts, supported arts education and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 town halls across eight regions, where more than 1,100 people attended and generally affirmed the plan while asking for better access to information, new financial models, clearer definitions and data, and stronger networks. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates argued the plan is an urgent blueprint for a sector that generates $288 billion and more than 820,000 jobs, but remains below pre-pandemic employment levels and is losing market share. She and others called for funding, statewide definitions, better data collection, and cross-agency implementation, while committee members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that the plan will require political will and resources to move from strategy to action.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we think that would be the group and we think that would be the better<00:12:06.760> way<
• <00:12:12.440> uh informally convene a working group uh informally convene a working group
• Yes, okay, we'll still be doing the work as a group, right. Thank you.
• Yes, okay, we'll still be doing the work as a group, right. Thank you.
• Yes, okay, we'll still be doing the work as a group, right. Thank you.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee procedures and then took up SB 1, relating to vegetation management near utility lines. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it would shift rights, responsibilities, and liability onto the state and private landowners. Hawaiian Electric supported the measure with amendments, describing it as a first step to address wildfire risk and improve public safety and system reliability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and Command Schools both raised concerns that the bill could impose significant costs, liability, and access burdens on farmers, ranchers, and other landowners, especially where easements are old or unclear. Life of the Land argued the issue belongs before the Public Utilities Commission, and PUC staff explained that the commission is already reviewing Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire mitigation plan and vegetation management in a docket, with a decision expected by September and public meetings scheduled for April 23 and 24. Committee members questioned the need for legislation versus negotiated solutions, and witnesses said private parties could potentially renegotiate easements without statute. The committee then heard HB 1296, relating to disaster recovery. DLNR and OPSD supported the bill, saying it would ease regulatory burdens in post-disaster rebuilding and help speed permit review. Testimony and member questions focused on the bill’s five-year rebuilding timeline, the role of the coastal zone/SMA process, and how long permit reviews typically take; OPSD said SMA major/use permits generally take about six months, while minor permits are faster. Members also discussed whether the bill would apply to existing structures damaged in disasters and whether the amendments from the Attorney General’s office and OPSD were acceptable; no objections were raised. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. HHFDC supported the bill, and testimony from a Maui affordable housing project said the measure is needed to rebuild the Weinberg Court Apartments, a 63-unit affordable project in Lahaina, using insurance funds rather than government money. Members asked whether the bill would help existing affordable rental projects damaged before the enactment of related coastal rules, and the response was that the bill is aimed at existing structures damaged during events and intended to speed rebuilding of affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of individuals receiving group health and transfer program. On page 1539, health care authority.
• We are going straight to our Public Health Working Group. That's right.
• I will kick us off quickly for the Public Health Working Group. I appreciate your flexibility.
• I just wanted to confirm that aging will be handled in catch-up cleanup and not in a work group.
• Great job to our public health working group. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Jacobs Engineering Group.
• I want to keep my comments kind of grouped into three general areas.
• And they've allocated an immense amount of time and met with both their group and our group to provide
• And they've allocated immense amount of time and met with both their group and our group to provide that
• And that's something we can easily change the model and just block.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, burned, roadways being blocked.
• largely um confined to about a 10b block largely um confined to about a 10b block area<00:26:54.320
• County is 4,600 square miles, not the 10 blocks at ...
• <00:35:01.680> streets destruction, vandalism, blocking streets destruction, vandalism, blocking
• You get cancer groups, you get ALS groups, you get people who have a heart to solve a problem, and they

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, June 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:06.160> constituents school system were blocking constituents school system were blocking
• , the first amendment due to the blocking, the first amendment due to the blocking, but<00:13:35.680
• Because the counties and the cities pay for their lobbying through a group.
• Because the counties and the cities pay for their lobbying through a group.
• Uh and so ESNS in an attempt to block.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not often we have a group of employees involved in political action committees and the policies
• our state definitions on IEPs with the federal definitions due to the fact that We could move into block
• of the things that I've worked with the federal Department of Education on is if the feds were to block
• We are codifying a law and I believe changing the governance structure to be able to receive these block
• Members, it's a distinct honor for me to introduce to you a fine group of young people from my senate

Bills: HB1427, SB1403, SB1448, SB1489, SB1546, SB1557, SB1614, SB1377, SB1990, SB1439, SB1630, SB1632, SB1696, SB1796, SB1824, SB1362, SB1849, SB2066, SB2071, SB2104, SB933, SB1633, SB1224, SB1246, SB1280, SB1303, SB1346

Keywords: tax credit, clean-burning fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, environmental impact, vehicle modification, renewable energy, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, deceptive practices, exemptions, statutory exemptions, Corporation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• We've decided to go ahead and do a block vote on them at our last committee meeting.
• We've heard from each appointee, and we'll be taking up the entire group in a block vote unless someone
• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation by a block vote? Is there an objection?
• Seeing no objection, we will vote then in a block. Seeing no objection, we will vote.
• Then in a block vote on all individuals in tabs 2 through 13.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do want to lend whatever I can as a state representative to supporting this group and what they've
• know that it's important that we be a part of policy that directly impacts us, and that's what this group
• We filed legal action to enable access to blocked internet resources for vulnerable students.
• We filed legal action to enable access to blocked internet resources for vulnerable students.
• We filed legal action to enable access to blocked internet resources for vulnerable students.

Keywords: student advocacy, SB12, SB13, public education policy, youth engagement, marginalized communities, legislative representation

Summary: Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) held an advocacy event at the Texas Capitol focused on youth participation in policymaking and opposition to recent education-related legislation. Speakers, including student organizers and SEAT leaders, argued that students should have a direct voice in decisions affecting public schools, curriculum, and school governance. Representative Donna Howard briefly attended to support the group, praised their advocacy, and referenced the idea that if young people are not given a seat at the table, they should “bring your own chair.” Several student speakers criticized the newly passed school vouchers bill as a threat to public education and said it would divert resources from public schools. Others opposed bills such as Senate Bill 12 and Senate Bill 13, describing them as harmful to LGBTQ+ students and inclusive education. One speaker also condemned book bans and library censorship, arguing that students need access to diverse books and truthful, inclusive curricula. The speakers framed these issues as matters of student rights, belonging, and free expression. SEAT executive director Cameron Samuels closed by describing the organization’s history of student-led activism against book bans and exclusion from school policymaking. Samuels said the group had distributed challenged books, pursued legal action over blocked internet resources, and delivered a Student Bill of Rights to superintendents and legislators. The event ended without any formal legislative vote or committee action, serving instead as a press conference and advocacy rally urging lawmakers to listen to students.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want 120 homes, group homes, either 12 children or six.
• We want 120 homes, group homes, either 12 children or six.
• We want 120 homes, group homes, either 12 children or six.
• TANF is a federal block grant.
• the uh child care development block the uh child care development block grants<00:45:20.800>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, a lot of work goes both legislators and the leadership group within the LSOHC.
• , because there were a large number of stakeholder groups that wished to participate.
• be structured as a partisan group depending on who is in charge, and Sen.
• ITS A BIPARTISAN GROUP BUT IT COULD BE STRUCTURED AS A PARTISAN GROUP DEPENDING ON WHO IS IN CHARGE AND
• The childcare modernization—we heard groups in support and we heard groups in opposition.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we are supportive of the COLA, as well as the discretionary block grant, though ask that
• Funding for LCFF and COLA. $1.7 billion for the discretionary block ramp. 2.1 billion for UTK to lower
• Sorry, we're going to swap out probably to another group of folks.
• I don't know if the group of people that is... She has questions, fire impacted. Hi. Hi. Hi.
• Christopher Assangez, with the Messer Reader Group, here on behalf of a couple of our clients.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• a working group to specifically recommend how to handle these issues and ensure a smooth transition.
• part of the stakeholder group.
• And that's a to that particular group?
• to choose a primary or a partisan group to choose a primary or a partisan group for<00:46:57.640
• Um, a group and rights of crime victims.

Bills: SB2041

Keywords: land court, real property, legal documents, bureau of conveyances, judicial confirmation, property registration, working group, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reform, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 2041, which would repeal the Land Court, transfer its functions to the Bureau of Conveyances, and create a working group to recommend implementation. DLNR and Judiciary stood on their written testimony, while Realtors supported the bill and one testifier raised concerns about the loss of judicial authority, title disputes, adverse possession, and possible effects on Kuleana lands. Members questioned whether property could be deregistered and what the legal consequences would be, and the Bureau of Conveyances said deregistration is already available but burdensome. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by both committees. The Judiciary Committee then heard SB 2247, which restricts certain governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed executive branch employees from participating in campaign fundraising. The State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill as a way to curb pay-to-play concerns and the appearance of undue influence, and several advocacy and civic groups also testified in support, with one person opposing. The committee agreed to amend the bill so the restrictions apply only after confirmation and continue until the person leaves the covered position. The committee voted to pass SB 2247 with amendments. Finally, the Judiciary Committee heard SB 2143, which would make the Attorney General the interim Chief Election Officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. Supporters argued the bill would provide continuity, prevent delays in certifying election results, and protect election integrity; opponents argued it would politicize the office, create a conflict of interest, and was unnecessary because current law already provides a process for filling vacancies. Testimony was extensive and sharply divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript provided does not include a final vote or action on SB 2143.