Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, community colleges are required to prepare and submit overlapping reports that often rely
• Our communities are paying the price.
• Our communities are paying the price and we must act.
• I'm a community member from Merced, and I support this bill. Hi, I'm Sarah Tracy.
• I'm a member of the UC Berkeley community, and I strongly support this bill. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on June 24, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum and began by hearing presentations only. SB 308 was presented as a bill to streamline fiscal reporting for California community colleges by combining two overlapping annual audit reports into one. SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond, drew extensive testimony from the authors and many supporters, who argued it would help offset federal research cuts, protect California’s science infrastructure, support jobs, and preserve life-saving research in areas such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s, ALS, climate resilience, and quantum computing. The bill was described as a bond measure that would require a three-party agreement and was sent to suspense. After quorum was established, the committee took up the consent and suspense calendars. Several bills were approved on consent, including SB 308 and a large group of other measures, while the suspense calendar was deemed approved, including SB 895 and other bills listed by the chair. Public comment on SB 895 continued for a long period, with many researchers, students, labor representatives, university officials, and patient advocates speaking in strong support and urging the bill be moved to the floor. The committee also heard SB 1350, which would expand green hydrogen by allowing renewable portfolio standard credits for certain hydrogen use in power generation; the author and supporters said it would help clean energy development, create jobs, and support projects like ARCHES and Element. Later, SB 1306 was presented to align California law with federal exemptions for certain chemical mixtures containing GBL used in semiconductor manufacturing research. The author and SEMI’s representative said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, avoid disrupting semiconductor supply chains, and not change rules for pure GBL. The bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with one no vote and one not voting. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Melissa Vilar of the holistic cannabis community is waiving in support.
• Medically technology G technologically Sorry, dependent children by Representative Oliver.
• , my community, and also an ounce of prevention as well.
• Many of them, including people I've seen in my community, live in their cars.
• It is happening in Hillsborough County in a community that was sorely needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We go through all of these screeners and and all of this pretty cool technology, so I'm wondering from
• I would like to just add that if we are able to implement this technology that, um, into the, uh, into
• It's, um, eligible eligibility after 5 years for both, uh, community supervision or conviction.
• It's about giving them a real shot at stability, employment, and contributing to the communities.
• However, we want to protect the community. Absolutely.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:37:20.080><c> and</c> worked in the maritime community and worked in the maritime community and
• Science and Technology Committee who spent a ton of time on this.
• </c><04:26:04.680><c> and</c> that you ask the science technology and that you ask the science technology
• </c><04:37:53.080><c> the</c> volunteering to help communicate the volunteering to help communicate the
• </c><05:16:50.600><c> colleges</c><05:16:51.200><c> or</c> schools community colleges or schools community

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act defines effective communication and states that communications with
• Communication Access Board.
• and states that effective communication and states that communications<00:11:25.120><c> with</c><00:
• So Brian provide equal communication.
• on this technology.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• Black communities across the country.
• Indigenous community is here on this floor with us.
• That would protect rural communities. That would protect minority communities.
• That would protect rural communities.
• His loss is a profound and heartbreaking blow to the Lake Forest community, the veterans community, local

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, technology is always changing, and I think that our laws need to keep up with what...
• You know, technology is always changing, and I think that our laws need to keep up with what technology
• You know, technology is always changing, and I think that our laws need to keep up with what technology
• You know, we are very open to communication, and I hope to work with her and get to that support position
• There are also additional penalties of license revocation, fines, education, and community service.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a full roster of members present and heard a series of bills focused largely on criminal law, victims’ rights, and family law. The committee first heard HB 2133, which would require commercial websites distributing sexual material online to verify consent and age for each depicted person, including AI-generated or altered images. Supporters said it would close loopholes in existing revenge-porn and child-exploitation laws, while opponents warned it added more complexity to already lengthy criminal statutes. The bill passed 7-1. The committee then heard HB 2043, expanding felony murder to include unborn children; supporters argued it would close a gap in the homicide statutes, while opponents raised concerns about personhood, reproductive rights, and abortion-related implications. It passed 6-2. HB 2144, allowing child support calculations to begin during pregnancy and limiting pregnancy-related expenses, also passed 6-2 after testimony split between supporters citing parental responsibility and opponents warning about fetal personhood and abortion-related concerns. The committee next considered HB 2126, allowing a venue change in civil actions when a party is employed by the local judicial branch or clerk’s office. The sponsor described it as a fairness and public-confidence measure, and county representatives said they were working on amendments; it passed 7-0 with one member voting present pending amended language. HB 2045, expanding the definition of discharging a weapon from a motor vehicle to include the immediate area around the vehicle, drew testimony about drive-by shootings and concerns about vagueness and overlap with existing homicide laws; it passed 7-1. HB 2046, requiring notice to victims for pre-hearings in annual probation review hearings for certain young sex-offense probationers, passed unanimously. HB 2048, which would limit private process servers from serving certain exclusive-possession orders of protection, prompted debate over victim safety, service delays, and whether private servers were improperly charging fees; it passed 8-0 with one present. The committee also heard HB 2074, as amended, creating a mandatory reporting requirement for medical-facility employees, contractors, or volunteers who know a partial-birth abortion occurred, with the amendment increasing the penalty to a class six felony. Supporters framed it as a reporting and accountability measure, while opponents argued it targeted a procedure already banned and would add unnecessary abortion restrictions. The amended bill passed 5-3. Finally, the committee heard HB 264, creating criminal penalties for injuring or killing vulnerable pedestrians using mobility aids. Opponents said it duplicated existing traffic and homicide laws and could criminalize negligent accidents; after some members expressed reservations but voted yes pending further discussion, the bill passed 8-1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There could be a sea change in technology. Who knows? The value could go dramatically up.
• There could be a sea change in technology. Who knows? The value could go dramatically up.
• There could be a sea change in technology. Who knows? The value could go dramatically up.
• There could be a sea change in technology. Who knows? The value could go dramatically up.
• We don't have the technology in New Hampshire to know what we consume behind the meter.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• definition of vendor to apply to those who contract with the local government to provide information technology
• definition of vendor to apply to those who contract with the local government to provide information technology
• He said he is a policy analyst focusing on technology policy there.
• I'm a policy analyst focusing on technology policy there.
• For the sake of fairness, academic integrity, and respect for all communities, I urge you to vote no

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, with the advancements in educational technology, alternative methods have become more widely
• We know that our schools thrive best when parents are involved, members of the community, when they're
• “How are school or contact databases to be able to support communication digitally between parents and
• with their parents and community...”
• “Already have a means to communicate with their parents and community members through digital communications

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met for its first hearing of the session, adopted its committee rules on a 6-0 vote, and then heard several bills. AB 347, which would require written notice to students about the right to opt out of animal dissection and receive a comparable assignment, drew strong support from the author, a student, and multiple advocacy and education groups, while opponents argued it would burden teachers and duplicate existing law. The committee approved AB 347 on a 7-0 vote and sent it to Appropriations. AB 281, which would expand parent access to sex education materials and require disclosure of outside consultants’ credentials, drew mixed testimony. Supporters framed it as a transparency and parent-rights measure, while school administrators and county education officials said current law already allows inspection and that the bill would create an unfunded administrative burden. After extended member discussion, the bill failed on a 4-3 vote with one abstention, though reconsideration was granted. AB 65, which would provide paid pregnancy leave for educators without requiring them to exhaust sick leave first, was supported by teachers, CTA, and the State Treasurer, but opposed by school administrators and business officials over cost concerns; it passed 6-0 to Higher Education. The committee also approved AB 361, which would extend and expand LAUSD’s best-value procurement authority for school construction to all school districts for five years, on a 5-0 vote with one abstention. AB 86, which would require the State Board of Education to adopt standardized K-8 health education instructional materials, passed 5-0. Finally, AB 228, the Zaki Fast Act, was introduced to clarify that schools may stock any federally approved epinephrine delivery system, including newer devices beyond auto-injectors, and was presented with testimony from the bill’s young namesake and his family; the transcript cuts off before the committee vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• rural communities.
• We go community block grants. Uh, we do, uh, other grants, uh, produce safety grants.
• Not just the, the farming community, but also our food supply overall.
• So, uh, that's a lot of the new technology that is, that is happening across the state.
• We have long routes within how the agriculture industry works in our small rural communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is more enforcing communication between the teacher and the principal, especially for larger schools
• This is more enforcing communication between the teacher and the principal, especially for larger schools
• . ...or a method to establish interoperable communications capabilities that may prescribe requirements
• the facility's policies regarding the use of electronic monitoring devices and other monitoring technology
• HOV lane and restricting a vendor or technology provider from having any proprietary interest in any

Summary: The committee reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across campaign finance, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, rural development, transportation, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent items or strike-everything amendments, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data, insurance and contractor conduct during emergencies, continuation of various boards and commissions, school safety and communication systems, DCS and child welfare procedures, public records fees, utility submetering, foreign adversary restrictions, and multiple health care licensing and reimbursement provisions. Several members asked for clarification on a number of bills, including school discipline communication, DCS photo documentation, and utility billing changes. A few bills drew more extended discussion. SB 1074, concerning teacher-initiated classroom removals and principal certification of return and discipline, prompted questions about parental notification and the purpose of the bill. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction, led to concerns about privacy and the scope of documentation, with supporters saying it would improve continuity and child protection. SB 1751, which would expand execution methods to include firing squad, generated strong opposition from one member and support from another, with debate focused on the morality of execution methods and the implications for those carrying them out. SB 1336, continuing the State Land Department and creating an oversight board, was pulled from the consent calendar. The committee also heard brief comments in support of bills on hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living, research security at universities, and EMS licensure compacts. Toward the end, members reviewed bills on virtual currency investments and payments, telecommunications infrastructure, tax lien and revenue administration changes, and retirement system investment limits. No floor votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting primarily consisted of bill presentations, questions, and a few items being removed or pulled from consent calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that public hospital districts play a critical role in our communities.
• And PEMCO's mission is to free our communities to worry less and live more.
• There have been advances in technology.
• And sorry for technology here. Thank you. Thank you. I'll do that. Thank you. Thank you.
• We now have Senate Bill 595 before us concerning the Health Technology Assessment Program.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 6159 would create a public hospital infrastructure account funded by a new annual coverage assessment on insurers and other businesses subject to the premium tax, and would allow public hospital districts and other public health entities to collaborate more freely and access capital financing for major construction or modernization projects. Senator Dhingra said the bill is intended to help public hospitals compete and modernize, especially amid federal Medicaid and ACA subsidy cuts. Supporters included UW Medicine, while hospital districts supported the general concept but said Section 2 could unintentionally narrow existing cooperative agreements with nonpublic entities. Health plans and insurers opposed the bill, arguing it would raise premiums, increase consolidation, and improperly sweep in property and casualty insurers and mutual companies; testimony also raised concerns about pass-through costs and retaliatory tax effects. The hearing on SB 6159 closed with 5 pro, 74 con, and 2 other sign-ins. The committee then heard SB 5845, which would modernize timely payment rules by requiring carriers and public employee plans to pay or deny all clean claims within 30 days, require prompt notice and a single request for additional information on incomplete claims, and impose interest or penalties for missed deadlines. Senator Slaughter said the bill would reduce uncertainty for providers and stabilize payments without increasing patient costs. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems strongly supported the measure, citing large volumes of late clean claims and examples of prolonged delays, including a Harborview claim that remained unpaid more than a year after billing. Health plans opposed the bill, saying the current 95% standard is workable, that they already meet high compliance rates, and that the bill could limit fraud, waste, and abuse review on high-dollar claims; they also sought more flexibility and additional time for responses. The hearing closed with 69 pro, 4 con, and 2 other sign-ins. The committee also heard SB 5916, which would prohibit health plans from disadvantaging non-opioid pain treatments relative to opioids in formularies and utilization management, and would require a Department of Health educational pamphlet on non-opioid alternatives. Senator Harris described the bill as a response to opioid deaths and a way to encourage safer pain treatment options. Patients, recovery advocates, and rare disease advocates testified in support, saying insurance barriers and step therapy often make non-opioid care harder to access and can push patients toward opioids. The Health Care Authority and an association of health plans opposed the bill, arguing it could reduce formulary flexibility, increase costs, and limit tools such as prior authorization and step therapy. The hearing closed with 8 pro, 1 con, and 2 other sign-ins. Finally, the committee heard SB 6102 and SB 6103, both sponsored by Senator Muzzall, and SB 6071. SB 6102 would align the ambulance transport quality assurance fee with federal rules after H.R. 1 barred new provider taxes, preserving the existing fee rate and adjusting the Medicaid add-on rate annually; the Washington Ambulance Association supported it, saying the program had improved wages and benefits for EMS workers. SB 6103 would make Medicaid payments for services provided by a rural emergency hospital subject to appropriation, creating a framework for East Adams Rural Health Care to convert to the new federal rural emergency hospital model; East Adams and the Washington State Hospital Association supported it as a way to preserve rural access. SB 6071 would shorten overpayment recovery timelines for all services to six months, or nine months for coordination-of-benefits cases, matching the shorter timelines already enacted for behavioral health services; providers and specialty associations supported the bill as a way to reduce destabilizing clawbacks, while the remaining testimony was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, we believe that these changes show that Florida's community newspapers have sought to keep
• I'm a community organizer who resides here in Tallahassee, and I'm speaking today in opposition to SB
• This emphasis on wrongful death suits may shift the narrative from community-based healing and support
• The added legal risk may further reduce provider availability in underserved communities. ...risk in
• The added legal risk may further reduce provider availability in underserved communities.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up two bills. SB 98, by Senator Harrell, would let self-storage facilities advertise lien sales either in a newspaper or on a qualifying website, while keeping other notice requirements in place and updating contact information provisions. Supporters, including the Florida Press Association and several newspaper/storage owners, argued print and digital newspaper notices already provide broad public notice and that the bill could reduce notice effectiveness; the sponsor said the bill is an optional modernization and does not affect government notices. After debate, the committee voted 8-1 to report SB 98 favorably. The committee then heard SB 164, by Senator Grall, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development, with carve-outs for the mother and lawful medical care. The sponsor said the bill aligns civil law with Florida’s criminal protections for unborn children and gives families a remedy where current law may not. Opponents, including the ACLU of Florida, health care workers, and others, warned it could invite lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, friends, family members, and people involved in abortion access, and could worsen OB-GYN shortages and deter care. Supporters said it recognizes unborn life and should be treated consistently with existing wrongful death law. The committee approved SB 164 on a 4-3 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• public safety. safety, to lock up the criminals who are violating our laws and victimizing our communities
• Her disappearance shook the community and the details that emerged through... to the investigation were
• If your communities want to be in it as long as the governor's office is okay and your community I'm
• This bill is a crucial step toward safeguarding our community.
• I'm with the Center for Democracy and Technology. Thank you. for Democracy and Technology.

Bills: HB166, HB2000, HB3248, HB3513, SB155, SB1659, SB1730, SB1778, SB1790, SB1848, SB2017, SB2105, SB2794, SB2917, HB2756, HB353, HB166

Keywords: child endangerment, controlled substances, penalty group, elderly protection, disabled individual rights, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, defense, peace officers, local government, security, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, dangerous dogs

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology is important.
• Communities being labeled in part...
• Communities being labeled in part. Thank you. concerning it, communities being labeled in part.
• Pride flags are an emblem of community acceptance.
• And our community best.

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, paragraph E on line 2.26 provides the technology and communication stipend for another fiscal
• </c><00:04:20.040><c> and</c> provides the technology and provides the technology and communication<00
• The communication reimbursement is the same as last year.
• The communication reimbursement is the same as last year.
• The communication reimbursement is the same as last year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're large employers in their communities.
• And they're large employers in their communities.
• And they're large employers in their communities.
• As a conservation community, I think that sometimes we've public access.
• Communities are working to protect clean water and critical infrastructure.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <c> after</c> Labor, and Technology, after Labor, and Technology, after consideration<00:31:11.680><c
• ,</c><00:35:17.120><c> and</c> communities with tools, knowledge, and communities with tools, knowledge
• </c> the public safety communications the public safety communications revolving<03:09:51.520><c> fund
• </c> would be better served at community would be better served at community college.<03:23:27.000><c
• </c> disservice to our community colleges. disservice to our community colleges.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lenovo is only one of three large-scale enterprise PC and technology infrastructure providers to government
• from continuing to do business with Louisiana colleges and universities where we provide secure technology
• Technology is important, et cetera.
• Often the challenge is communicating those resources and making people aware of them.
• Often the challenge is communicating those resources and making people aware of them in a cost-effective

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.