Transcript Highlights:

• Students are among the most affected, with an almost 20% rise in student homelessness, double that of
• the state's increase in student homelessness.
• Students are among the most affected, with an almost 20% rise in student homelessness, double that of
• the state's increase in student homelessness.
• And as you all know, the problem of homelessness is unsheltered homelessness. It's not.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all students, including undocumented students, have access to financial aid and have the ability to
• In the most recent homeless count, there were over 75,000 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles
• or they were going to go homeless.
• We've got the highest homeless count.
• Where do those students sleep still?

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call and first dealt with a procedural dispute over four amendments to AB 1240. The Speaker ruled the amendments out of order as not germane, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on a 49-16 vote. Members then added co-authors to several consent-calendar resolutions, including measures on the National Conference of State Legislators, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Men’s Mental Health Month, before adopting the consent calendar. The chamber also heard guest introductions, including a welcome for Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and took up a motion to bring AB 41 up out of file, which failed 19-48. The bulk of the meeting was floor action on a long series of bills and resolutions, many of which passed with broad bipartisan support. Measures approved included ACR 40 supporting immigrant students and FAFSA privacy; AB 917 on permanent status for certain school employees; AB 985 on anesthesia access; AB 7 and AB 42 on higher education and student services; AB 245 providing property tax relief for wildfire victims; AB 255 allowing funding for drug-free recovery housing; AB 279 updating K-12 library standards; AB 289 creating a pilot for automated speed enforcement in highway construction zones; AB 291 on an educator apprentice program; AB 327 addressing swatting; AB 340 on confidential union communications; AB 341 creating an oral health technical assistance center for people with disabilities; AB 356 on San Diego health care infrastructure; AB 410 on bot disclosure; AB 476 on copper theft enforcement; AB 477 on educator pay targets; AB 485 on stolen wages and business licensing; AB 487, the insurance committee’s technical omnibus bill; AB 573 on tobacco retail license fees; AB 598 on school mapping technology; AB 635 on mobile home law enforcement referrals; AB 651 on remote participation for incarcerated parents in dependency hearings; AB 654 on homelessness hotline assistance in Los Angeles County; AB 662 creating a South County higher education task force; AB 667 on language access in professional licensing; AB 669 limiting early denial of addiction treatment; AB 670 on naturally occurring affordable housing; AB 695 on online continuation of community college for deported students; AB 723 on disclosure for digitally altered real estate images; AB 727 placing Trevor Project information on student IDs; and AB 736, a $10 billion affordable housing bond for the June 2026 ballot, which passed on a 61-11 urgency vote after extensive debate. Debate on AB 736 was the most extensive of the day, with supporters arguing the bond would help address California’s housing crisis and give voters a chance to weigh in, while opponents criticized the state’s bond debt and past spending results. The Assembly then recessed for caucus meetings and later returned to continue the daily file, where additional measures were taken up, including AB 798 adding diapers and wipes to the emergency food bank reserve program, which passed 56-0, and AB 821 on career technical education, which was presented as bipartisan-supported as the transcript continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are now, thankfully, formally homeless.
• Homeless shelter, is that correct?
• of how many people are homeless in the state?
• prevalent in the homeless population.
• I think the homeless population...

Bills: SJR 12, SCR 39, SB 7, SB 8, SB 27, SB 29, SB 125, SB 241, SB 371, SB 396, SB 406, SB 464, SB 568, SB 578, SB 608, SB 617, SB 660, SB 689, SB 693, SB 707, SB 731, SB 732, SB 763, SB 779, SB 836, SB 854, SB 857, SB 875, SB 878, SB 879, SB 906, SB 920, SB 921, SB 922, SB 942, SB 965, SB 985, SB 996, SB 1029, SB 1035, SB 1036, SB 1059, SB 1084, SB 1098, SB 1101, SB 1185, SB 1188, SB 1321, SB 1332, SB 1366, SB 1388, SB 1396, SB 1453, SB 1484, SB 1494, SB 1536, SB 1563, SB 1596, SB 1610, SB 1619, SB 1737, SB 1738, SB 1741, SB 1816, SB 1822, SB 1841, SB 1939, SB 2155, SB 2188, SB 2230

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: In this meeting, significant discussions revolved around the passage and modification of various Senate Bills, including SB1388, which pertains to family support services under the Health and Human Services Commission. Senator Kolkhorst advocated for the bill, emphasizing its focus on pro-life, family-centered care. The committee passed the bill after thorough examination, showcasing a collaborative effort among the members to ensure its alignment with successful past initiatives. In another session, Senator Hughes presented SB942, aimed at retroactive child support linked to prenatal care, which sparked a constructive dialogue reflecting bipartisan support for maternal and child welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was homeless. She was a Black lady.
• On behalf of the Cal State Students Association, the official voice of the CSU students, we'd like to
• On behalf of the Cal State Students Association, the official voice of the CSU students, we'd like to
• I'm a student at UC Berkeley and a board member of the UC Student Association.
• for all UC students. significant underfunding across all of the UC campuses, resulting in students like

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also must do better on housing and homelessness.
• want to attend are impacted and students cannot access them.
• So my question under homelessness, I have two questions under the homelessness budget: Can you outline
• Regarding how the homelessness efforts align with the new...
• homelessness between 2023 and mid-2025.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee opened its hearing on the governor’s 2026-27 budget with remarks from the chair and vice chair emphasizing the need for early, ongoing legislative partnership, fiscal restraint, and attention to housing, homelessness, and oversight. The Department of Finance presented a balanced budget for 2026-27 that relies on stronger-than-expected revenues, but also acknowledges large structural deficits in the out-years. The administration said the budget is a “workload” budget with limited new spending or cuts, includes a $4.5 billion Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties balance and a $14.4 billion rainy day fund, and proposes to address the current-year deficit largely by suspending a rainy-day deposit while still paying down long-term liabilities. Major budget items highlighted included Proposition 98 adjustments and a $5.6 billion settle-up obligation, higher education compact funding, climate and wildfire resilience spending, a new ZEV incentive, additional Health and Human Services costs tied to federal H.R. 1 impacts, child care funding, and three tax proposals involving delivery platforms, sustainable aviation fuel, and an extension of the California Competes credit. The Legislative Analyst’s Office warned that the budget is “precariously balanced,” citing downside risk to revenue estimates driven by elevated stock-market valuations and leverage, as well as persistent structural deficits that could worsen if not addressed early. The LAO urged the Legislature not to rely on optimistic revenue assumptions, recommended setting aside the Proposition 98 settle-up rather than spending it, continuing rainy-day fund deposits, and beginning to shrink multi-year deficits sooner rather than later. Committee members largely focused on the size of reserves, the timing of deficit solutions, and whether the administration should bring forward more detailed proposals before the May Revision so they can be publicly vetted. Members also raised a range of policy concerns. Topics included wildfire mitigation and home hardening, the shift of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund resources to Cal Fire and the loss of discretionary GGRF spending, transit funding, federal cuts and new state costs in CalFresh and Medi-Cal, the proposed sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, housing and homelessness accountability language, declining enrollment in K-12 and higher education, community college growth, CSU right-sizing, disability services reimbursement rates, wildfire and flood disaster recovery, and the closure of the California Rehabilitation Center alongside Prop. 36 funding. Finance staff responded that many of the federal cost increases are driven by H.R. 1, that the ZEV incentive is a response to the loss of the federal passenger-vehicle credit, that Prop. 36 funding remains in place through prior budget actions, and that the administration expects to continue working with the Legislature through subcommittee hearings and the May Revision.

Transcript Highlights:

• found that less than 1% of planned LCFF spending is used for homeless students.
• , then we must invest in stable, predictable state funding for students experiencing homelessness.
• Research shows that just targeted approach for our K-12 students experiencing homelessness.
• found that less than 1% of planned LCFF spending is used for homeless students.
• , then we must invest in stable, predictable state funding for students experiencing homelessness.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• students including undocumented students have access to financial aid and have the ability to succeed
• At risk of homelessness, in the most recent homeless count there were over 75,000 people experiencing
• homelessness in LA County.
• were gonna go homeless.
• We've got the highest homeless count.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or at risk of homelessness.
• or, subject to appropriation, at imminent risk of homelessness.
• I was homeless while in extended foster care due to decisions being made on my behalf.
• Most people look down at us for being homeless even when we tried not to be.
• Young people are still in Washington State's care and are experiencing homelessness.

Bills: HB2455, HB2468, HB2529

Keywords: housing assistance, youth, foster care, pilot program, social services, terminology correction, healthcare, regulatory compliance, department reorganization, Washington, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, accountability board, oversight board, child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, juvenile justice, early learning, family preservation, children and families

Summary: The Early Learning and Human Services Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2468 would update the Revised Code of Washington to match DSHS’s 2025 reorganization, replacing references to eliminated administrations with current names or broader agency references. The bill also removes the 2028 sunset on the Dementia Action Collaborative, adjusts DSHS membership on the Permanent Supportive Housing advisory committee, and eliminates a requirement to hire two full-time employees for the no-paid-services caseload. The sponsor and DSHS testified in support, describing the bill as technical cleanup tied to the department’s “Reimagined DSHS” initiative, while members raised questions about possible amendments and the policy choice to extend the dementia collaborative. DSHS indicated it was open to changes, including correcting remaining outdated statutory references. House Bill 2529 would rename the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board, move it to the Office of Financial Management for administrative purposes, broaden some membership qualifications, and reduce reporting from annual to every other year starting in 2027. The prime sponsor said the changes were intended to make the board less political, improve attendance and flexibility, and focus on a concise, useful report. A union representative supported the restructuring but asked for language ensuring the DCYF caseworker board member can attend meetings as part of the job without being forced to use personal leave, saying the issue had raised retaliation concerns. Members also discussed whether the report should remain annual and whether it should include stronger recommendations. House Bill 2455 would create a two-year pilot program providing rental assistance and housing fees for 50 youth in extended foster care who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, beginning in 2027. The bill limits assistance to 24 months and requires DCYF to report on the pilot by June 30, 2029, while also adding transition planning for youth approaching age 21. The sponsor and multiple youth advocates testified that stable housing is essential for education, employment, mental health, and safety, and described personal experiences with homelessness and instability while in or after foster care. Some testimony urged the pilot to be expanded beyond 50 youth, and members questioned whether the timeline should include an interim review or be adjusted so the report can inform future decisions. The hearing concluded with no votes taken, and the committee then made housekeeping announcements about upcoming meeting times and amendment deadlines before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• who are now going to be homeless and are going to be considered McKinney-Vento students.
• who are homeless.
• students in our state get some additional support.
• and our low-income students.
• It's basically six students, right?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research shows that students of color are disciplined at higher rates for the same behaviors exhibited
• by other students, which can lead to disengagement in school and lower graduation rates.
• Half of all students in higher ed in the state of California go to a community college.
• Because of her work, more students are reaching their goals and charting their future.
• College, in partnership with the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several floor recognitions. Members honored the Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team for their championship season, and the chamber also recognized the 2026 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awardees for work on homelessness, education, youth civic engagement, community college success, and mental health. Individual awardees highlighted included Chris Chapman, Leanne Chun, Darla Cooper, Virgil Moorhead Jr. and Amy Matheson, Adrian Hillman and Aaron Garner Ford, and Selina Alvarez. The Senate also welcomed former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios Perez and later heard committee and budget subcommittee announcements. On legislation, the body considered and passed Senate Resolution 88 by Senator Blakespear, commemorating the 50th anniversary of modern biotechnology and the 20th anniversary of the California Biotechnology Foundation. The resolution emphasized California’s role in biotech innovation and the industry’s economic and public health impact. The Senate also passed Senate Resolution 90 by Senator Gonzalez, recognizing April 14–16 as Khmer New Year and celebrating Cambodian American culture, especially in Long Beach. The chamber confirmed five gubernatorial appointments: Alan Guy, Henry Nutt III, and Steven Pennelli to the Contractors State License Board; Jacob Arkavakotov to the Medical Board of California; and Dr. V. V. Ling Sai to the Medical Board of California. All confirmations were approved by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The Senate also suspended a rule to allow Senate Bill 1447 to be heard in policy committees after the deadline, and later announced that the next floor session would be held on Monday, April 13, 2026. The session concluded with adjournment in memory of Rod Diridon Sr., with extended remarks from Senators Cortese, Wahab, and Becker describing his long public service, leadership on transportation and environmental issues, and lasting influence in Santa Clara County and beyond.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about with the students, your interactions with the students at FAU?
• I've had limited interactions with the students outside of our fellow trustee or students that have made
• Vidal Dwar serves on the homeless trust back in Miami-Dade County.
• And I can tell you homelessness is a big problem down there. Obviously.
• And I can tell you homelessness is a big problem down there.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• What about with the students, your interactions with the students at FAU?
• I've had limited interactions with the students outside of our fellow trustee or students that have made
• Vidal-Duart serves on the homeless trust back in Miami-Dade County.
• And I can tell you homelessness is a big problem down there. Obviously.
• And I can tell you homelessness is a big problem down there.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why you're homeless.
• in chronic homelessness.
• state's homeless budget to auditing the monies spent to reduce homelessness is a wise investment.
• state's homeless budget to auditing the monies spent to reduce homelessness is a wise investment.
• You have the sheltered homeless. You have the unsheltered homeless.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with introductions of members and staff. The committee first considered HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites. Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin argued the state should explore use of large brackish groundwater reserves amid Colorado River concerns, while one speaker opposed the bill on aquifer-protection grounds. The committee voted 11-6-1 to give HB 2056 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up HB 2798, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials relevant to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. Rep. Carbone and others framed the bill as an economic development and national security measure, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has meaningful deposits and whether the state should fund the research. The University of Arizona testified that the Geological Survey could do the work. The committee adopted the Livingston amendment and then approved the bill 11-5-1. Next, the committee considered HB 2303, which codifies investment standards for the State Treasurer, emphasizing safety and principal preservation and prohibiting speculative investments and insider misuse. The Treasurer’s Office supported the bill, saying it reflects existing policy and ethics rules, though members asked for clearer definitions of “speculative” and how the bill would interact with other statutes. The committee passed HB 2303 15-0 with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344, which directs the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool internally and allows a third-party contract only for emergency backup, also passed after questions about local control and whether the bill was necessary; the vote was 12-2-3 with one not voting. The committee later heard HB 2759, a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veterans programs. Retired Navy SEAL Chief Richard Rodriguez testified about Embry-Riddle’s veteran population and emergency assistance needs for housing, travel, and equipment, while opponents objected to using state funds for a private institution and argued veterans services should be broader and statewide. The bill received a due pass recommendation 11-6-1. The committee also approved HB 2207, which funds the prison Braille transcription program at $300,000 and was described as a successful rehabilitation and service program, and HB 2224, as amended to $1 million, which funds the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP; supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• One out of every five students in Minneapolis has experienced homelessness or the threat of eviction.
• is the type of building use that supports our mission to ensure every student receives access to the
• One out of every five students in Minneapolis has experienced homelessness or the threat of eviction.
• is the type of building use that supports our mission to ensure every student receives access to the
• </c> our mission to ensure every student our mission to ensure every student receives<00:02:32.879><c

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1340, authored by Chair Lee, which would expand the use of housing infrastructure bonds to support the adaptive reuse or conversion of buildings into affordable housing. The author described the bill as a way to help nonprofit and other affordable housing developers compete for surplus buildings, especially when school districts are selling unused properties on the open market. Tom Parent of Minneapolis Public Schools testified in support, explaining that school districts manage facilities through separate capital budgets and that selling surplus property at fair market value helps offset future property tax burdens. He said districts often face tension between maximizing sale proceeds and meeting community needs, and pointed to Minneapolis examples where former school buildings are being converted to housing, including projects serving youth experiencing homelessness. He argued the bill could better align reuse of school properties with community housing needs while protecting local taxpayers. In response to a question from Representative Scraba, the author confirmed the bill does not allocate new dollars but instead expands eligible uses under the statute for housing infrastructure bonds. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the bill was presented as part of a broader bipartisan discussion about reuse of vacant buildings for housing and other community purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is requiring the Department of Education to maintain student records of charter public school students
• </c> heard from my spies that the students heard from my spies that the students were<04:18:49.800><c
• , but for all the other students.
• , but for all the other students.
• , but for all the other students.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first noted that House Bill 398, concerning Holocaust and genocide studies, and House Bill 131 had already been handled previously and were off the schedule. It then took up House Bill 740, which would require the Department of Education to maintain permanent records for closed charter schools. After brief discussion about overlap with another charter-school bill that already addressed closure and records, Representative Freeman moved to table the bill. The committee voted 16-0 to table/ITL the bill, and it was placed on the consent calendar. The main discussion centered on House Bill 557, which would require additional information on school budget ballots, including average cost per pupil, enrollment history, and teacher-to-administrator ratios. Members raised concerns that the bill was duplicative of existing law, overly detailed, costly to towns, and potentially electioneering or cumbersome on ballots. Supporters argued it would improve transparency and help voters who do not attend deliberative sessions or use online resources. The committee did not vote on the bill during the discussion; instead, members moved into caucus and later indicated they would hold the bill until Monday for further review. Later, the committee turned to House Bill 699 on special education definitions and considered Amendment 0606H. The sponsor explained the amendment was developed with the Department of Education after hearing testimony and was intended to align state definitions with federal law and incorporate recommendations from a prior audit, including changing “functionally blind pupils” to “students with visual impairments.” Some members supported the changes as responsive to the hearing and audit, while others objected that the amendment was still confusing, had not fully addressed stakeholder concerns, and should wait for a more comprehensive special education audit. The discussion also referenced House Bill 754 and another amendment, but the transcript ends before final action on HB 699 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both initiatives are central to the state's broader strategy to prevent and reduce homelessness.
• Another population that is an example of this is the homeless population.
• Another population that is an example of this is the homeless population.
• Also looking at other tools such as educational databases that reflect student enrollment because it
• These are formerly homeless adults.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </p> <p>Emergency housing is housing or supportive services to homeless people or families for up to
• Also, all students must have a high school and beyond plan to graduate from high school.
• They inform course taking that aligns with students' secondary goals.
• However, it is unknown how many new additional students would be eligible for it, how many existing students
• would be eligible for it, and how many credits newly eligible students would take.

Bills: SB6256, SB6275, SB5868, SB5954

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Summary: The committee held public hearings on a series of housing, social services, education, labor, court, and veterans-related bills. Early testimony focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5884, which would expand a sales and use tax deferral for redevelopment of vacant or underused land into affordable housing and allow cities to set lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Supporters from Spokane, Kent, and housing developers said the bill would help projects pencil and increase workforce housing, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed language they said could encourage project labor agreements and disadvantage small contractors. No action was taken beyond closing the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6256, which would extend a property tax exemption for low-income nonprofit housing to include portions of projects used for certain community-serving purposes during construction and extend the pre-occupancy period from two to three years. Testifiers from housing nonprofits and local governments said the change would help mixed-use affordable housing projects that include child care, behavioral health, and other services. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which would broaden allowable uses of local affordable housing sales tax revenue, allow pooled bond financing, extend a REET exemption timeline, redefine emergency housing, and expand uses of the Affordable Housing for All account; counties, King County, housing advocates, and Snohomish County supported the flexibility, with Snohomish County asking for rental assistance to be added. Additional hearings covered Substitute Senate Bill 6018, which would modernize the Housing Finance Commission’s authority and allow more direct lending and financing flexibility; Substitute Senate Bill 6028, which would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income affordable homeownership projects; and Senate Bill 6275, which would make the community reinvestment program permanent and require periodic plan updates, reporting, and evaluation. Testimony on SB 6275 emphasized racial equity, accountability, workforce development, small business support, and legal services for immigrants. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5961 on moving the Imagination Library program to OSPI, Substitute Senate Bill 5969 on aligning IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 on setting paid family and medical leave rates by actuarial report, Senate Bill 5868 to add superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 to allow pre-discharge certification for veteran civil service preference, and Senate Bill 5954 on veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some opposition to PFML from the Washington Policy Center and questions about court funding and PFML rate-setting. The hearing concluded without recorded votes or final committee action on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• color, immigrant students, and LGBTQ+ students, many of whom are still struggling with the social-emotional
• that are struggling the most academically, namely our students of color, students with disabilities,
• What are some of the other causes for students, I guess, structural and systemic causes for students
• I mean, the homelessness crisis overall is a massive problem, but the young adult homelessness crisis
• “The homelessness crisis overall is a massive problem, but the young adult homelessness crisis is a solvable

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion. Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system. The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me say that again: almost 25% of our community college students have experienced homelessness.
• An unacceptable number of students are homeless: 8% of our UC students, 11% of our CSU students, and
• But right now, one in every 20 UC students is homeless. At the CSU, this number rises to 1 in 10.
• There's simply not enough university housing options to prevent students from becoming homeless.
• We must continue our momentum until we see a real decrease in homeless and housing-insecure students.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• About half of homeless women are sexually assaulted over the duration of their homelessness, and over
• About half of homeless women are sexually assaulted over the duration of their homelessness, and over
• . ...where there was a threat made by one of the students, as far as shooting other students, that was
• threatening death upon another student.
• is at any school and is threatening death upon another student this that if a student is at any school

Bills: HB2205, HB2265, HB2413, HB2415, HB2418, HB2495, HB2589, HB2661, HB2720, HB2771, HB2833, HB2870

Keywords: criminal damage, trespassing, critical facilities, felony, Arizona Revised Statutes, court fees, public defender, criminal justice, legal aid, indigent defense, appeals, administrative assessments, sex offender, electronic monitoring, registration, public safety, youth protection, Kratom, narcotic drugs, regulation