Transcript Highlights:

• In the second program, the child care assistance program provides assistance to MIP families who are
• assistance assistance program provides assistance assistance program provides assistance to<00:05
• that is state only a forecasted program that is state only as<00:14:26.720> well<00:14:26.880
• The state insurance program saw an average of 17%, and we saw other states experience the same need to
• The state insurance program saw an average of 17%, and we saw other states experience the same need to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are already existing technical assistance programs.
• A lot of these state housing programs that were administered by various agencies in the state were transformed
• In addition to that, we have a down payment assistance program, or several down payment assistance programs
• That's our Collateral Assistance Program.
• SSBCI Technical Assistance Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Food for All is an effort to expand the state-funded food assistance program for immigrants called CFAP
• Food for All is an effort to expand state-funded food assistant program for immigrants called CFAP, for
• As we look ahead to this year, the state will need to fortify these programs.
• , the Child and Adult Care Food Program, some bucks, and several other federal and state nutrition programs
• The California Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, provides state-funded food benefits for non-citizens

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking for two FTE to provide technical assistance to areas of the state where they're asking
• We've had meetings, and Assistant Commissioner Cadela has had countless meetings across the state with
• We have individuals from every county in the state participating in this program, and we have had more
• About $470,000 of that remains, working through technical assistance programs as well as pilot projects
• working through technical assistance working through technical assistance programs<01:36:06.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we really need state funding to continue to invest in CTE programs.
• Region and in our state, and then developing programs around that and ensuring that our programs are
• Students in our state, how many of our students may be being served in a virtual program?
• , and that the last line item is number six here, rental assistance programs.
• She then asked whether there was anything about reentry programs in the rental assistance program discussion

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In state preschool and child care, the legislative plan shifts state preschool programs operated by community-based
• Indigenous Care or state-funded, state pilot program for Medi-Cal emergency-only services for those falling
• We are very appreciative of the allocations to the state LIHTC program and the MHP program.
• The loss of this program comes at a time when food prices remain high and federal food assistance programs
• food assistance programs federally are facing increased scrutiny.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Social and Health Services for the state food assistance program, which is the SNAP match for legal
• We have the Emergency Food Assistance Program, EFAP, and EFAP Tribal, and that's our primary state-funded
• and the state-funded food assistance program.
• “These impacts also extend to Washington’s state-funded food assistance program for lawfully present
• Our goal is to have this program reaching every county in the state.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a public assistance program trainer at Dakota County. Thank you.
• is a related system that is used to administer the Child Care Assistance Program.
• Centralizing provider data gives the state better visibility into provider participation across programs
• Centralizing provider data gives the state better visibility into provider participation across programs
• Centralizing provider data gives the state better visibility into provider participation across programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Support is provided by R.S.TAC, the State Transformational Assistance Center, R-TACs, those are eight
• We lead the State Transformational Assistance Center.
• So through the California Community Schools Partnership Program, And our leadership within the state.
• , and also the State Transformational Assistance Center and eight regional transformational assistance
• Our state transformational assistance center, as well as our regional transformational assistance centers

Summary: The joint informational and oversight hearing focused on community schools in California, with members emphasizing that the purpose was to examine effectiveness, implementation, and sustainability rather than the Governor’s budget proposal. The California Department of Education described the California Community Schools Partnership Program, created in 2021 and funded with more than $4 billion, including planning, implementation, extension, and county coordination grants. Officials said nearly 2,500 schools are participating and highlighted the statewide technical assistance structure, including the State Transformational Assistance Center, eight regional centers, county offices, and CDE support. Researchers from the Learning Policy Institute and UCLA presented early findings and implementation data. LPI reported reductions in chronic absenteeism and suspensions, along with gains in math and English language arts, with especially large benefits for Black students and other historically underserved groups. UCLA described the Annual Progress Report as a statewide improvement tool showing growth in capacity-building, shared decision-making, whole-child supports, and continuous improvement. Members asked about how the reports measure outcomes, how to interpret outliers, and how to distinguish community schools effects from other concurrent initiatives; presenters said matched comparison methods and deeper case-study work are being used, with additional statewide findings expected in June. Panelists from Oakland Unified, LAUSD/UTLA, San Diego Unified, and advocacy organizations described key elements of success: integrated student supports, strong family and student engagement, collaborative leadership, community partnerships, and school-site decision-making. They gave examples such as wellness centers, dual enrollment, student senates, parent leadership, and community campaigns that built trust and increased participation. Members also raised concerns about sustainability, implementation fidelity, and whether community schools improve participation in LCAP processes. Presenters said major barriers include unclear early guidance, the need for a mindset shift away from top-down models, and uncertainty about long-term funding for coordinators and other staff. The panel’s recommendations centered on stable ongoing funding, stronger technical assistance, shared governance, and embedding community schools practices into district and county systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• We dusted off a couple of financial assistance programs: the Rural Water Assistance Fund (RWAF) and our
• programs throughout our great state.
• I'm John Foster, programs officer for the State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
• The State Board's newest program, the On-the-Ground Conservation Program mentioned earlier, has been
• We have programs to assist young farmers to get a start. We support area food banks.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amount shall be from the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program cash fund created in section 17
• The program sales to non-state entities.
• > program 29612 I childare assistance program 29612 I childare assistance program C1000<03:47:
• item state medical program line item state medical program line item appropriation<05:17:34.958>
• State-only programs: $11,059,911 for family support services; and state supported living services.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill will help CAL scale up its program that was launched with a $200,000 state investment
• Through that microgrant, technical assistance, and training program, we learned that the majority of
• hope that we can fund this program so that it can further assist our small businesses and entrepreneurs
• The similar program was called Business Development Competitive Grants with some technical assistance
• You also see that the program has benefited communities across the state of Minnesota and supporting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Enterprise Zone Program is... is a tool for local communities to partner with the state to
• Our International Business and Trade Program assists Texas companies that are looking to do business
• Well, the most basic definition is that it's a state-regulated insurance program.
• The next thing I want to talk about is our Early Assistance Program.
• The other thing that I touched on a moment ago was our early assistance program.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the case when it comes to the camp program at New Mexico State University.
• So, FMEF, Federal Matching Assistance Program, that's really around Medicaid.
• Thousand clinically-assisted abortions in the state of New Mexico last year. Yes. Yes.
• This legislation would allow the state to step in. ...provide some of that assistance. Mr.
• To really center the state and provide state control over this program.

Transcript Highlights:

• include the 50 state drinking water programs, five territorial programs, the Navajo Nation, in the District
• The PWSS grant program is a critical funding source for state programs, but is not kept up with inflation
• and the costs associated with maintaining a state drinking water program.
• of state revolving fund-based capital grant, states will have to begin cutting important programs and
• Sustainability is critical for federal and state funding programs as well.

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The point is that direct care and treatment is a state-funded program.
• The point is that direct care and treatment is a state-funded program.
• The point is that direct care and treatment is a state-funded program.
• The point is that direct care and treatment is a state-funded program.
• The point is that direct care and treatment is a state-funded program.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4476, described as the human services program integrity package, and first adopted a motion declaring urgency so the bill could move quickly to conference committee before the end of session. The House then adopted a DE amendment to insert House language, followed by a technical A7 amendment clarifying that prepayment review would apply to all fee-for-service systems. Members then debated the A5 amendment, which would have removed a sunset on the periodic data matching reporting requirement tied to eligibility checks for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare. Supporters argued the report is essential for fraud prevention, accountability, and ensuring only eligible recipients receive benefits, citing missed or delayed reports and claiming the process can save the state money. Opponents said the report had been received, that federal HR1 changes would require different data-matching procedures, and that the amendment was not the right vehicle. After roll call, the A5 amendment failed, 63-67. The House next debated the A6 amendment, which would require DHS reporting on homelessness programs, including outcomes, costs, and participant movement, and would allow recoupment of funds if reporting was not provided. Supporters said the state spends tens of millions on homelessness without clear results and needs better data to guide policy; opponents said homelessness reporting and stakeholder work are already underway and objected to the amendment’s approach. Debate continued with questions about the amendment’s details and stakeholder consultation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on A6.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, the federally funded public workforce system is broken, and public assistance programs
• And then public assistance programs—I was very involved in 1996 in the state of Utah with implementing
• And right now in Arkansas and other states, they're back to being seen as welfare programs.
• to experiment with doing public assistance programs better.
• “That allowed states to experiment with doing public assistance programs better.

Summary: The committee met to hear consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie discuss Arkansas’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. Bishop argued that the current system is fragmented across multiple agencies, offices, and portals, making it hard for job seekers and employers to access services efficiently. He said the goal is to create a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as a model, describing how that state combined workforce and public assistance functions into a single agency, used statewide cost allocation to blend funding streams, and improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said Arkansas should consider integrating governance, service delivery, and financing, including possible waivers, a statewide cost allocation plan, and a benefits-cliff pilot. He also said Arkansas’s current local workforce board structure creates duplication and weak coordination, and that Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Committee members asked how the proposal would work in practice, including whether TANF could be used to cross-train DHS workers, how federal waivers might be obtained, how local boards would be affected, and how disabled clients would be handled. Bishop said TANF should be treated as part of a workforce strategy, that federal pilot authority for workforce reform nearly passed but did not, and that waivers are now the practical path. He also said Arkansas could either merge functions more fully or at minimum co-locate workforce staff in DHS offices statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with plans to continue the discussion in August, including a focus on case management and whether the state is managing programs or people.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to focus on low-income assistance programs.
• assistance, or LIHEAP, that is part of the utilities bill assistance program.
• assistance, or LIHEAP, that is part of the utilities bill assistance program.
• assistance, or LIHEAP, that is part of the utilities bill assistance program.
• assistance, or LIHEAP, that is part of the utilities bill assistance program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and CalAIM Assisted Living Facility Transitions Community Support Program.
• Recently some facilities and all assisted living program participants to keep a personal needs allowance
• Including those addressed in this bill who participate in Medi-Cal programs such as the assisted living
• It's just for participants of the Assisted Living Waiver Program.
• What are the components of the ALW program and also the assisted living transitions program and they

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Assembly Bill 262, CALOZA, regarding the California Individual Assistance Program.
• AB 262 as stated would create the California Individual Assistance Act under the California Office of
• to provide both public assistance and individual assistance to support where there are state or local
• , by our state programs.
• That program proved so successful it recently transitioned to the state of California.

Keywords: 988, house, all