Transcript Highlights:

• Specialized programs include academic, vocational programming, substance abuse programming, preforestry
• The variety of programs provided has never been greater, from cognitive behavioral treatment to job training
• , volunteer programs to academic programs.
• programs.
• CTE programs.

Summary: The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse. The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their plans participate in public programs.
• Now, 17 states have adopted these automated savings programs, and 11 of those programs are already active
• And since that time, five states have passed this program legislation.
• And since that time, five states have passed this program legislation.
• Two of those programs do involve some issues here before the committee.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is unfortunate that we're not investing our funds in Missouri and programs like that.
• We'll go in here, the equal treatment.
• No special treatment, no inside advantage, just a level playing field.
• We have a program that we cover a handful of the highest-cost drugs for our people.
• You know, they really can't handle that participation, that type of program.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The habitat-friendly solar program is a cost-effective, successful program managed by Minnesota's Board
• The habitat-friendly solar program is a cost-effective, successful program managed by Minnesota's Board
• 01:11:26.080><c> a</c> friendly solar program is a friendly solar program is a cost-effective,<01:11:
• 27.120><c> successful</c><01:11:27.679><c> program</c> cost-effective, successful program cost-effective
• This program does and Soil Resources.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that we're going out, programming.
• Um, all of our federal programs.
• Um that are going into those programs.
• </c> has the resources to develop programming has the resources to develop programming and<01:08:36.560
• </c><01:35:01.840><c> that</c> agencies or departments or programs that agencies or departments or programs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 753, by the Health and Welfare Committee, an act relating to assertive community treatment
• terms, and to establish provisions regarding objectives and eligibility for assertive community treatment
• , to provide for the establishment of assertive community treatment programs and teams, to establish
• , to provide for the establishment of assertive community treatment programs and teams, to establish
• Like I said, we have a very robust program in the state of Idaho, and our young people hopefully all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received committee reports and bill referrals. Among the measures introduced or advanced were bills on restroom access and indecency, assertive community treatment, foreign law in Idaho courts, police dog protections, hospital taxing district petitions, legislative residency requirements, driver education options for parents, and redesigning the agricultural license plate. The House also passed several bills on second or third reading, including HB 652, HB 556, HB 602, HB 654, HB 549, HB 628, and HB 663, sending them to the Senate. HB 556 drew the most debate. Supporters argued the state should raise reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails because county costs have risen well above current reimbursement levels, counties are overcrowded, and property taxpayers are subsidizing state obligations. Opponents said the fiscal note was too large for the current budget year, though several members still acknowledged the underlying problem. The bill ultimately passed the House 59-10. HB 602, which limits the use of foreign law when it conflicts with Idaho or U.S. constitutional rights, also passed after questions about prior legislation affecting child support enforcement; the sponsor said this bill was narrower and preserved existing law as the guardrail. HB 673, which would require legislative candidates to have lived in their district for 120 days in the preceding year before filing, generated significant concern about retroactivity, fairness, and impacts on military members, missionaries, traveling workers, and others with temporary absences. After debate, the House voted to send it to general orders for further work rather than advancing it immediately. HB 628, concerning parent-taught driver education in urban districts, was defended as expanding parental choice and reducing costs, while opponents raised safety concerns about teaching teens on busy roads without dual brakes or other safeguards; it passed 63-6. The House adjourned after announcements and committee meeting notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• and culture community, and it helped to preserve culture, um, and also help fund arts, uh, arts programs
• culture um and also help fund arts uh culture um and also help fund arts uh arts<00:05:02.240><c> program
• 05:03.840><c> uh</c><00:05:04.000><c> and</c><00:05:04.320><c> so</c><00:05:05.360><c> uh</c> arts program
• , arts project uh and so uh arts program, arts project uh and so uh it's<00:05:06.720><c> it's</c><00
• and then once they're treatment and then once they're established<00:07:54.560><c> they</c><00:07:54.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It has been revealed that the Department of Budget and Management has been using training programs for
• 01:30.159><c> been</c><00:01:30.280><c> using</c><00:01:30.680><c> training</c><00:01:31.200><c> programs
• </c><00:01:31.680><c> for</c> has been using training programs for has been using training programs for
• Republicans have been made to apologize, and we are asking for the exact same treatment when the Democratic
• when the Democratic governor treatment when the Democratic governor of<00:03:45.400><c> Minnesota</c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is working program by program to develop performance metrics for DTSC.
• We do have the Mercury Thermostat EPR program at DTSC, and it is a relatively small program.
• Consumer Products program.
• We heard about EPR programs.
• We heard about EPR programs.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also introducing a bill to create statutory guidelines for programs at high risk of fraud.
• That's an overarching look at the program that we have a continuation from last year.
• That's an overarching look at the program that we have a continuation from last year.
• </c><00:17:44.320><c> Uh</c><00:17:44.640><c> it</c> perform that medical treatment in.
• Uh it perform that medical treatment in.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases. On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor. In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program, and I have seen firsthand what happens when children lose access to care.
• The program, and I have seen firsthand what happens when children lose access to care.
• Behavioral treatment requires flexibility to meet the child where they're at.
• Behavioral treatment requires flexibility to meet the child where they're at.
• recent press articles by The Wall Street Journal and the federal audit into these therapies and programs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2409, artificial intelligence program; AI and Innovation.
• HB 2409, artificial intelligence program; AI and Innovation.
• HB 26, who buyer assistance program requirement; Government.
• HB 2673, many, men, illness, prisoners, diagnosis treatment; Public Safety and Law Enforcement.
• H.R. 2044, preferential treatment, discrimination, prohibitive act; Government.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Prevention is upstream: it's youth programming.
• The program knows that there was a violent crime that was committed.
• So the only question, I think this is a really important program.
• them to do is establish and set up a brand-new program.
• And, yes, some of the programs out there aren't perfect.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:36:31.280><c> and</c> I am also a patient on our program and I am also a patient on our program
• Medical providers, addiction psychiatrists, and treatment programs across New Hampshire and the nation
• :52:58.719><c> programs</c> psychiatrists, and treatment programs psychiatrists, and treatment programs
• I run our prevention, enforcement, and treatment program, which means my job specifically in the Marramac
• We pick them up out of the treatment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in relation to conditional release for eligible offenders who complete post-secondary degrees or programs
• in relation to conditional release for eligible offenders who complete post-secondary degrees or programs
• and the types of programming is not equal.
• able to equip people and empower people to be successful when they come out, we need to have the programming
• So this would simply study what programs are available in men's facilities versus what programs are available

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met under Chair Senator Julia Salazar and considered nine bills, with the first bill laid aside at the sponsor’s request for further stakeholder discussion. The committee then took up measures on correctional policy, including prohibiting county correction officers from dispensing medications to incarcerated individuals, expanding conditional release for eligible offenders who complete post-secondary degrees or programs, requiring at least one formerly incarcerated person on the State Board of Parole, and authorizing vocational training in solar hot water system installation for incarcerated individuals. Members generally expressed support for the rehabilitative and workforce-training goals of several bills. The committee also discussed a bill directing a study of gender disparities in programming and resources between men’s and women’s facilities, with Senator Pete Harckham noting concerns from women in his district about unequal access to programming. Another bill would authorize transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities, and a separate measure would establish emergency management release plans for correctional facilities during declared state disasters. The final bill would provide mental health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities. Most bills were moved by motion and reported from committee, often with Senator Dean Murray voting no or noting opposition/abstention on several measures. The conditional release bill was reported to Finance, while the others were reported from committee. No additional amendments or substantive votes were described beyond the committee actions on each bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program in 1985. program in 1985.
• </c> supports and trains the local programs. supports and trains the local programs.
• </c><00:46:15.240><c> to</c> And also codify the local programs to And also codify the local programs
• </c> we're moving forward with the program. we're moving forward with the program.
• </c> sex offender treatment and polygraph. sex offender treatment and polygraph.

Bills: SB118, SB203, HB420, HB414, HB363, HB405, HB261, HB263, HB327, HB348, SB118, SB203, HB420, HB414, HB363, HB405, HB261, HB263, HB327, HB348, HB228, HB282, SB273, HB7, SB296, SB199, SB47, SB204, HB80, HB11, HB192, HB228, HB282, SB273, HB7, SB296, SB199, SB47, SB204, HB80, HB11, HB192

Keywords: bail, offenses, constitutional amendment, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, Baldwin County, local bill, education funding, school tax, privilege license tax, county tax revenue, municipal school board, Baldwin County Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is a program that the district works with our communities to try to support which is a program
• , and then our river community assistance program... ...as addressed by our ag cost share program and
• and then our river community assistance program as addressed by our ag cost share program and then our
• So it's a very important program.
• Now, if we cut this budget into the six statutory programs, programs one through three account for about

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's also an alum of the Flynn Brown program and the Dodie Lennon program.
• Arizona has been awarded $167 million from the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program to improve
• She's been there for nearly a year, begging for treatment, and ICE is refusing to give... ...a cancer
• patient medical treatment.
• she is detained, but she should also, if she was free, be able to get cancer treatment without fear.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Zoe Schreiber, a survivor of an IEP partial IEP funded program, in strong support.
• of treatment for someone who is experiencing anaphylaxis.
• or not. ...their preschool programs or not.
• Different manufacturers have made these doses available through school programs.
• They deliver vital education programs for students.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• plant or a water a sewage treatment plant or a water treatment<00:20:06.800><c> plant</c><00:20:07.320
• </c> SEGIP program. SEGIP program.
• Director of Program Integrity Tim O'Malley, in his recently released report titled the Program Integrity
• Director of Program Integrity Tim O'Malley, in his recently released report titled the Program Integrity
• Director of Program Integrity Tim O'Malley, in his recently released report titled the Program Integrity

Keywords: 1187, senate, all