Transcript Highlights:

• Safety remains top priority, and I'm going to look for your assistance on this, Madam Chair.
• Safety remains top priority. Setting a 90-day approval mandate on driveway and curb cuts.
• Safety remains top priority. I’m going to look for your assistance on this, Madam Chair.
• I’m going to ask to do a committee amendment, changing just those two items on those two lines. priority
• the and I I'm going to look for priority the and I I'm going to look for uh<00:27:44.720> I'm

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I want to highlight just a few of those priorities.
• Addressing the workforce shortage remains a top priority for DDS.
• Our top priority is assessment and mitigation of risk.
• We have five programmatic priorities.
• And our fifth priority...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislative budget reflects those priorities, and I appreciate the very hard work of our speaker,
• I want to thank the sub-chair, the budget chair, and the Speaker's Office for making this a priority.
• That was another caucus priority.
• That was another caucus priority.
• Learning opportunities for children of all ages are important and must be a priority for California.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the 2026 Budget Act, which leaders said was the negotiated compromise with the Senate and was expected to move to the floor that evening. Opening remarks emphasized that the plan balances the budget over two years, reduces the structural deficit, and builds reserves, while also protecting core services in the face of federal cuts. Jason Sisney outlined the legislative budget framework and the likely floor bills, including AB 109, SB 110, SB 122, and SB 125. Department of Finance representative Eric Khali said the administration appreciated the two-year balanced approach and supported the modification in SB 122, while noting the package uses additional revenues and new spending to soften or reject some proposed cuts. Most of the discussion focused on major spending areas. Members and subcommittee chairs highlighted protections and additions for health care and human services, including rejecting the proposed Medi-Cal asset limit change, delaying premium increases, restoring clinic and dental funding, supporting distressed hospitals and county indigent care, and expanding county eligibility staffing to handle H.R. 1-related workload. Education members described record or expanded support for TK-12 schools, child care, special education, community colleges, teacher recruitment, and higher education, including a change to extend Cal Grant eligibility to age 30 for some community college students. Housing and homelessness funding was increased for HAP, multifamily housing, and the low-income housing tax credit, while public safety members pointed to investments in victims’ services, restorative justice, and prison closure savings. Several members also raised concerns or priorities tied to the budget deal. Some praised the package as a moral document that protects vulnerable Californians, immigrant communities, LGBTQ residents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Others noted unresolved issues, including the MCO tax’s impact on districts, the need for more support for local journalism, arts, biotech R&D incentives, transit and GGRF-related concerns, and the need for continued work on Prop. 98 and long-term fiscal resilience. The vice chair cautioned that despite the current progress, the state remains vulnerable to revenue volatility and warned that the budget should build more resilience against a possible downturn. No formal vote was taken in the portion provided, but the committee was preparing the budget package for floor action and final negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so what of your CIP priorities should be deleted so we could add this in?
• So are you not ready to propose this as one of your CIP priorities?
• I cannot propose it as a priorities I cannot propose it as a board<00:06:53.720> of<00:06:54.319
• by indicated to the board of priorities by indicated to the board of regions<00:08:23.520> approved
• . where it sits in the priority and where where it sits in the priority and where are<00:08:50.279>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on February 6 and began with decision-making items. SB 663, concerning additional positions for the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was deferred again after the chair said the university’s response did not include the requested details on vacant positions, recruitment status, and fill dates. The chair said the committee needed the full information before considering new positions, and the university apologized for treating the request as informal rather than a formal committee inquiry. The committee then discussed SB 672, relating to capital improvement projects for the Y. Manalo Research Station. University representatives said the project had been identified late because of timing and that they were still developing a broader plan for SEAR research facilities. The chair questioned how the project fit within the university’s existing Board of Regents-approved CIP priorities and whether any current priorities should be displaced. The university said it could not unilaterally reprioritize the budget, and the measure was deferred pending better direction on how it fits into the overall plan. For SB 557, which would require the John A. Burns School of Medicine to direct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention for Maui, the committee heard strong testimony in support from Maui health care providers and community representatives. Supporters described severe shortages of physicians and dentists, long waits for care, and the need for housing, loan repayment, scholarships, transportation, and telehealth support to retain providers. The university said it was willing to help and suggested the work could be done through existing rural health and AHEC efforts. The bill was kept alive for further work, with the chair encouraging the parties to develop a plan. The committee also heard SB 1107, establishing a medical education position at JABSOM to support ECHO-style mentorship and guidance programs. The university opposed the bill, saying it did not believe the measure addressed a problem that needed fixing and that Hawaiʻi already has five ECHO clinics administered through the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, not JABSOM. The committee then took up SB 1204, concerning integration of the Kakaʻako medical school and cancer center. University leadership asked for time to develop a plan and timeline, possibly with an external consultant, and requested the bill be withdrawn. The chair expressed skepticism, citing long-standing concerns about the cancer center’s finances and planning. Testimony included support from the American Cancer Society and a patient who warned that integration could jeopardize the cancer center’s NCI designation and clinical trials, while a university vice president said the NIH P30 grant does not require the cancer center and medical school to remain separate and that many NCI centers are integrated. No final votes were taken on the measures discussed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• what your interests are, what challenges and barriers you're trying to address, and your policy priorities
• other states, app analysis using DER's data, as well as any other data from state agencies, and priority
• I think setting the priorities is first and foremost, and then maybe setting up a separate time to talk
• Right, and to leverage this movement and the priority of apprenticeships.
• One hour is not enough for us to discuss them, but we do have those two focus priorities: state as a

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements. Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that has to be our number one priority.
• So, that should be our priority here.
• So, that has to be our number<00:07:58.040> one<00:07:58.240> priority.
• There's there's number one priority.
• So, let's should be our priority here.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on affordability concerns in Minnesota, especially housing costs for first-time homebuyers, rising license tab fees, and property taxes. The senator said many constituents are struggling with everyday costs and argued that recent state spending and tax increases, along with mandates on local governments, have worsened the situation. She also cited waste, fraud, and abuse in state government as a reason to rein in spending and keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets. A major topic was her support for bills to conform Minnesota tax law to federal policy on no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. She said these measures would help workers, including service employees and hairdressers, by letting them keep more of their earnings, and would also benefit small businesses by making them more competitive in hiring. She noted that other states have adopted similar policies and said Minnesota had not yet held a hearing on the bills in committee. The senator also discussed a proposal to roll back vehicle license tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are higher than neighboring states and can exceed car payments. She expressed hope that the legislature could act on affordability measures before the end of session, and said she expected these tax-relief ideas to be a priority if her party gains more power in the next election.

Transcript Highlights:

• and personality conflicts. on system priorities, personality conflicts.
• demonstrated consistently that providing the best quality of water to our customers remains our top priority
• . our customers remains our top priority.
• All of these priorities will make a direct impact. of these priorities will make a direct positive impact
• Our customers remain our priority and will always be.

Bills: SB330

Keywords: water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and focused squarely on priority issues.
• squarely on priority issues.
• It is an absolute priority for our caucus.
• Where is that in your priority list?
• Where is that in your priority list? Where is that in your priority list?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about this is truly her priority, and we did all of the work as a committee to get there.
• And I think it just shows that this is a priority that we are ready to actually get something really
• Um, this is the governor's priority, and I would like to be able to deliver this.
• It's about this is truly her priority, and we did all of the work as a committee to get there.
• Um, this is the governor's priority, and I would like to be able to deliver this.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners. The chair announced a staffing change, noting Representative Comtois was no longer vice chair and Representative Barber would serve in that role. The chair then explained that the committee had before it an amendment incorporating Senator Pearl’s updated language and additional technical changes requested by DEES Director Whimsat for FBI background-check requirements, and a separate amendment offered by Representative Patenza that would add language from the budget bill relating to a site evaluation committee, moratorium provisions, and harms-and-benefits language. Representative Patenza argued that the governor’s solid waste and site evaluation language had been developed over years with the committee, the governor’s office, and DEES, and should be moved into a standalone bill so it would not be lost if the budget failed. She said she had been told by Senator Roseford that the budget language would be placed into a separate House bill, and several members supported having a standalone vehicle as a backup. Representative Bixby, Haskins, Gruber, and others said they favored keeping the work alive in a separate bill, while Representative Scully said he disliked non-germane amendments and would vote only for the base bill and the chair’s amendment. Representative Barber asked for clarification on why the amendment was considered non-germane, and the chair and Representative Patenza explained that the budget-related policy had not had a separate public hearing. Members discussed legislative procedure, including whether the committee should recess to allow a hearing on the non-germane amendment and then return to act on SB 302. After discussion, the committee took a show of hands and overwhelmingly favored recessing the executive session to Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. in LOB room 301-303, so a separate hearing could be held on Representative Patenza’s amendment before further action on SB 302.

Transcript Highlights:

• about how that's one of our priorities about how that's one of our priorities should<00:13:44.079
• Let's focus on our priorities.
• Let's focus on our priorities.
• And if money grew on priorities.
• first ought to be our first priority. first ought to be our first priority.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher-dollar local ICIP priorities continue to be the most underfunded in our capital outlay process
• Higher dollar local ICI priorities continue to be the most underfunded in our capital outlay process.
• I do appreciate that because, once again, sometimes local priorities and state priorities, they're not
• versus very local priority.
• And so it's like I think... ...very local priority.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh top priorities to combat fraud?
• It is a top priority to that question.
• involved in some of the DFL priorities involved in some of the DFL priorities to<01:28:08.800>
• <01:28:12.800> you<01:28:12.960> were top priority bills that you were top priority
• I don't know what their priorities are to stop fraud.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through routine business including first reading and referral of Senate File 5019 to the Health and Human Services Committee, along with referral of Senate resolutions 73 to 75 to Rules and Administration. Senator Westrom’s motion to withdraw Senate File 3893 from Finance, give it a second reading, and place it on general orders was adopted. The chamber then took up House File 3556, which renames Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. Senator Hoffman presented the bill as a tribute to Speaker Melissa Hortman’s role in creating and advancing community solar in Minnesota, with Senator Marty and others supporting the recognition. The bill was read a third time and passed on final passage by a vote of 59-7, with the title agreed to. Senate File 1251 followed, a bipartisan bill to remove the June 2026 sunset on crossbow use during archery season and make the allowance permanent. Senator Pa and supporters cited a DNR study showing no negative impact on deer or turkey populations and argued the change would improve participation among women, youth, and older hunters. An A3 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 67-0. The Senate then considered Senate File 3868, a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota due to fraud concerns. The author and supporters described widespread scams targeting seniors and others, citing losses in Minnesota and national fraud data. An A2 amendment requiring lawful-presence verification for foreign remittance transfers was ruled not germane, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 34-33 appeal. Debate then began on an A3 amendment related to cash transfers through airports, with members arguing over germaneness and the scope of the fraud-prevention bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recruiting and retaining staff is our top priority for the foreseeable future.
• for the foreseeable future top priority for the foreseeable future the<00:04:51.039> healthc<
• Part of it is we get the priority admission, and I'm guessing at some point you'll want the priority
• Part of it is we get the priority admission, and I'm guessing at some point you'll want the priority
• Data privacy is the top priority for us around data as we kind of move forward.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to just quickly mention that the veterans homes are a priority.
• The state leadership made ending veteran homelessness... ...a top priority, and that focus identified
• It is a priority for us as well. We just want to make sure it's done right.
• We want to make sure that's a priority, whether or not this is the final number that we come to after
• But it is a huge priority to us. And then finally, I wanted to come to the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a shared priority. This is about things like that.
• of representative government, that the priorities of this Legislature are the priorities of the people
• So I am proud of the priorities of this Legislature.
• They're ones that match the priorities of the state. And I thank you and appreciate.
• They are ones that match the priorities of the state.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight heard ACA 20, the Safe for California Futures Act, a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund). The authors, Assembly Members Gabriel and Valencia, said the measure would raise the reserve cap from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, change how reserve deposits are treated under the Gann limit so deposits would not count against the spending cap until withdrawn, and update eligible debt repayments to include items such as budget loans, Proposition 98 settle-up obligations, and unemployment insurance debt. They emphasized that the proposal was intended to protect schools and core public services and to help California better withstand revenue volatility and future downturns. Committee discussion focused heavily on the technical effects of the measure, especially its interaction with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit. LAO and Department of Finance staff explained that Prop. 98 funding would not be changed directly, that the reserve deposits would be treated as exclusions from the appropriations limit, and that withdrawals would count when spent. Members asked about current reserve levels, mandatory deposits, and whether the measure would create more room for discretionary spending; supporters argued it would simply allow the state to save more in good years, while one member expressed concern that it could function as a slush fund and expand spending opportunities. Several members cited recent budget volatility, record revenues, and the need for stronger reserves, while others stressed that the measure should be understood as a future-oriented savings reform rather than a response to this year’s budget choices. Public testimony was uniformly supportive. California Forward, Elevate California, and the California Chamber of Commerce all backed the proposal, with the Chamber noting support for the policy and highlighting the importance of addressing unemployment insurance debt for small businesses. The chair concluded by thanking the authors, staff, and witnesses, and said ACA 20 was expected to move to the Assembly floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I rise to introduce amendments to the Senate bill that will better align with the priorities of
• It underfunds public safety. by not funding Prop 36, which is the voters' priority, and underfunding
• They reflect the priorities of our elected officials. And let me tell you, your priorities stink.
• Our priorities are misplaced if we don't do it, and the governor continues to cut that money.
• There are solutions to the high speed rail, but the highest principle, the priority.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But right behind that came committee priority bills.
• So those were a high priority.
• So those committee priorities were among the 107 bills that were designated as a priority of this session
• So right after the committee priority bills then came senator priority bills.
• But keep in mind that all priority bills aren't created equal.

Bills: LR509, LR510, LR511

Keywords: congratulations, Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame, Deloris Marshall Adamson, recognition, achievement, service, retirement, Nebraska Legislature, public service, legislature, Nebraska, 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these proposals might be funding activities that are priorities for districts.
• So part of the language does give priority to those 11 during the selection process.
• Priority will be given to the existing 11 county offices.
• It's been a high priority for many communities.
• As we move toward June 15th, hopefully we can work together. these priorities. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, we have two priorities.
• So you all have made this a priority, and I think rightfully so.
• This includes some of the governor's own priorities.
• Okay, so those are priorities that we need to complete.
• As an I.C.I.P., they put that priority on their I.C.I.P.

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:03:34.640> concerns<00:03:35.080> to<00:03:35.239> building priorities
• and concerns to building priorities and concerns to building housing<00:03:36.799> and<00:03:
• the other priorities uh especially the<00:16:42.360> 5%<00:16:43.279> for<00:16:43.800
• and preferences for projects priorities and preferences for projects utilizing<00:19:20.760> light
• So we feel that those things and the current priorities could be improved.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of housing measures focused on streamlining approvals, reshaping financing programs, and expanding affordability requirements. SB 27 would exempt state-financed housing developments from County Council approval; SB 38 would bar county legislative bodies from changing housing proposals in ways that increase project costs; SB 25 would let counties reduce housing capacity in one area only if they offset it elsewhere with no net loss; and SB 379 would require perpetual affordability covenants for HHFDC projects and prohibit affordable housing in special flood hazard areas. SB 378 would create an HHFDC working group to identify mixed-use Maui properties for possible acquisition, SB 414 would authorize condemnation proceedings for a new Lānaʻi access road tied to disaster recovery, and SB 13 would eliminate the state income tax mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Testimony was mixed across the bills, with state agencies and housing advocates generally supporting faster permitting and more production, while county planners, NAIOP, Catholic Charities, and others raised concerns about local control, marketability, financing feasibility, and long-term affordability enforcement. A major portion of the hearing centered on the rental housing revolving fund. SB 70 would limit eligible applicants to government agencies or organizations that reinvest all surplus into additional housing; HHFDC said most developers would not object in principle but questioned how the surplus requirement would be enforced, while NAIOP and Catholic Charities opposed it as too restrictive and difficult to monitor. SB 71 would amend the fund’s preference criteria and eligibility rules, and SB 163 would require HHFDC to prioritize projects with the shortest repayment terms and highest unit production per dollar per year. HHFDC and some advocates supported the goal of faster recycling of funds, but NAIOP and Catholic Charities warned that shorter loan terms and narrowed preferences could burden developers and disincentivize projects, especially for lower-income tenants. The chair indicated SB 163 would be deferred and its concerns folded into amendments to SB 71. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 27, SB 38, SB 70, and SB 71 with amendments, and SB 25 unamended. The chair said SB 27 would be amended to include projects with a state financing commitment and a report note that such projects still undergo 21-38 review; SB 38 would receive technical changes and language preventing county bodies from imposing cost-increasing conditions; SB 70 would add language addressing enforcement of the surplus requirement and a preamble citing the need to recycle taxpayer-financed housing value; and SB 71 would be amended to incorporate concerns raised in SB 163, including a broader preamble and revised priority criteria. SB 163 was deferred, while the other measures on the agenda were heard but no final action was described in the transcript excerpt.