Transcript Highlights:

• that</c><00:21:35.160><c> specific</c> Should we be revising that specific Should we be revising that
• </c><00:48:27.040><c> expertise</c> department through statewide expertise department through statewide
• </c> imbalance in the statewide budget. imbalance in the statewide budget.
• </c> to the field and ensures statewide to the field and ensures statewide compliance.<01:06:02.600><
• </c> They urge us to imagine statewide They urge us to imagine statewide assessments<01:44:25.160><c>

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We anticipate that the May revise revenues and the disposition of the Proposition 98 settle-up may change
• Lastly, what I would say in terms of other asks, just for consideration in the May Revision, starting
• Lastly, what I would say in terms of other asks, just for consideration in the May revision, Lastly,
• what I would say in terms of other asks, just for consideration in the May Revision or as we head into
• It will be available to all of the campuses or districts statewide.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We anticipate that the May revise revenues and the disposition of the Proposition 98 settle-up may change
• We anticipate that the May revise revenues and the disposition of the Proposition 98 settle-up may change
• the current year growth target. 2026-27 without revising the current year growth target.
• Lastly, what I would say in terms of other asks, just for consideration in the May revision,...
• It will be available to all of the campuses or districts statewide.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, call the roll. revisions of Senate Bill 1998. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Senator Ye, you're recognized to explain the revisions of Senate Bill 1330.
• And so, my question is sincere and trying to really understand that if the goal is security statewide
• To explain the revisions of Senate Bill 1338. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, members.
• Senator Pugugh, you're recognized to explain the revisions of Senate Bill 1546. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: SB1189 , SB1295 , SB1297 , SB1330 , SB1333 , SB1338 , SB1341 , SB1344 , SB1355 , SB1377 , SB1378 , SB1546 , SB1859 , SB1946 , SB1990 , SB1998

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: school security, funding, public schools, security enhancements, resource officers, domestic violence, fatality review, revolving fund, database, public safety, Oklahoma, census accuracy, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, federal census, grassroots outreach, marketing campaign, SB1330, Pardon and Parole Board, parole board, pardon board

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives, House Bill 897 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to taxation, to revise
• Representatives, House Bill 935 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to dentistry, to revise
• Representatives, House Bill 934 by the Ways and Means Committee, an act relating to taxation, to revise
• And then... ...compiled by a third party on a statewide basis, so that's no longer applicable.
• the definition, to revise provisions regarding where a sex offender resides.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through routine orders including committee reports, gubernatorial appointments, messages from the governor, and messages from the House. Several bills were introduced and referred to committees, including appropriations measures for the Department of Health and Welfare, a firearms preemption bill, and House measures on taxation, Medicaid, dentistry, and the National Guard. The Senate also received and filed various enrolled bills and confirmations, and advanced multiple measures to later orders for consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading bills. Among the major policy items discussed were Senate Bill 1412, creating the Idaho Student Safety and Educator Disclosure Act; House Bill 789, approving the Coeur d’Alene Tribe water rights settlement; House Bill 570, expanding reckless driving provisions for school and construction zones; House Bill 654, expanding the definition of police dogs to include electronic storage detection dogs; House Bill 681, removing statutes of limitation for certain child sex offenses; House Bill 575, requiring the state controller to publish asset forfeiture information; House Bill 736, lowering the threshold for ballot name rotation; House Bill 793, redirecting beer tax revenue to replace lost Alcohol Beverage Control funding; House Bill 798 and 799, repealing outdated state treasurer and alcohol code provisions; House Bill 665, revising Appaloosa specialty plate funding; and House Bill 667, ending non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in Idaho. The Senate also debated housing and tax measures, including House Bill 707 on land division for financing accessory dwelling units, House Bill 722 on utility property tax reporting, House Bill 792 on occasional sales and yard sales, and House Bill 800 on manufactured home siting. Other bills addressed education, insurance, and health care. House Bill 815 corrected a transportation support funding issue for a charter school; House Bill 849 revised the career ladder for CTE instructors and pupil services staff; House Bill 562 increased notice periods for insurance cancellations and nonrenewals; House Bill 825 changed funding for the Idaho Heritage Trust and specialty plates; House Bill 788 created a preceptor-based prior authorization exemption for Medicaid providers; House Bill 785 established a school discipline framework for inappropriate online behavior; and House Bill 846 clarified student enrollment counts. Debate on these measures focused on consumer protection, workforce shortages, school safety, housing supply, and administrative cleanup. Most bills passed on voice or roll-call votes, with the Senate approving many measures by wide margins, though House Bill 849 passed narrowly and House Bill 788 passed with a closer vote. Several bills were returned to the House after Senate passage, and titles were approved without correction.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the AG's budget revised. We took $100,000 out of it total.
• a code reference; and amending Section 67-6533, Idaho Code, to revise a reference, and declaring an
• They would be required to campaign every two years at the size of a congressional level, a statewide
• election... ...congressional level, a statewide election, at their own expense.
• And to the good lady who suggested that we might have statewide elections for the legislature, I can

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A statewide effort to honor our nation's founding, engaging families and students, and create lasting
• act relating to the Barber and Cosmetology Services Act, amending Section 54-510, Idaho Code, to revise
• by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section 33-1631, Idaho Code, to revise
• by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section 33-1631, Idaho Code, to revise
• by the Education Committee, an act relating to education, amending Section 33-601, Idaho Code, to revise

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, last Thursday, May 14th, the Governor announced revisions to his January budget.
• Last Thursday, May 14th, the Governor announced revisions to his January budget proposal.
• More specifically, our agenda includes May revision proposals from the California Housing and Homelessness
• And it's disappointing not seeing it in the May Revise.
• These are not statewide mandates on local fee authorities.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LCFF... ...and statewide accountability and transparency on the other.
• Allen, I think you have the overview of the statewide governance picture.
• Start by interrogating and revising the very processes by which laws are written.
• Darling-Hammond, I mean, the State Board of Education is the statewide policy...
• I mean, the State Board of Education is the statewide policymaking body.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those core projects that we typically talk about, roads, bridges, and wastewater, that have a statewide
• It sounds like projects limited to statewide impact. Does that rule out the XL request?
• Does that rule out the statewide impact. Does that rule out the XL<00:02:34.480><c> request?
• And will you have to come back after May in order to pass a revised budget following the budget that
• </c> after May in order to pass a revised after May in order to pass a revised budget<00:07:36.240><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So the main changes are that the core of the revision is that we tighten the definition of covered entity
• , legislation, resolutions... ...position statements, rule revisions, legislation, resolutions, technical
• , legislation, resolutions, position statements, rule revisions, legislation, resolutions, technical
• Senate Bill 405 by Senator Talbot, relative to nursing facilities, to provide for a statewide quality
• It establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for our nursing facilities.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 26 for what was described as the last meeting of the legislative session. H.R. 318 was voluntarily deferred without discussion. The committee first took up H.R. 298, which would have directed the Louisiana Department of Health, with the legislative auditor, to study LDH’s relationships with certain nonprofits, foundations, professional associations, and other nongovernmental entities. The author presented amendments narrowing the definitions, but LDH testified the language was still too broad, would still require substantial review of contracts, memberships, conferences, and related interactions, and would still carry a significant fiscal note. Members raised concerns that hospitals, provider associations, nonprofit care facilities, and other stakeholders could be swept in. The author then voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee then heard Senate Bill 405, which establishes a statewide quality oversight initiative for nursing facilities, directs LDH to work with facilities on care standards and remediation for lower-rated homes, and requires reporting and transparency for families. The bill drew broad support from members and stakeholders, including nursing home and senior advocacy groups, and was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 290, which asked LDH to study a possible correlation between gender-affirming hormone therapy medications and psychosis or related psychiatric conditions in people 26 and younger, prompted questions about the purpose of the study and concerns that it could affect broader policy debates. The author, a licensed clinical social worker, said the request was intended to examine whether medications were being used too quickly and what effects they might have on adolescent mental health; after discussion, the author voluntarily deferred the resolution, and the committee agreed. Finally, the committee considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 61, urging LDH and commercial insurers to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health crisis centers operating under a crisis receiving center license. Testimony focused on the Bridge Center for Hope, described as the state’s only Level 3 crisis receiving center, and the need to revisit Medicaid reimbursement for the first 23 hours of crisis care. With no questions or objections, the resolution was adopted. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff, and the committee adjourned for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning, what I'd like to do is present a statewide overview of the budget and the decision-making
• And so as you heard from Administrator Wolf yesterday, the state economists will revise that revenue
• the state economists will revise that revenue forecast based on economic activity and any law changes
• revise that once more this January.
• So at a statewide level... So, at a statewide level, what exactly do those costs look like?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee received a broad budget overview from Legislative Services staff on the state’s fiscal position, focusing on the general fund, structural balance, cash reconciliation, and the governor’s budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Staff explained that projected revenues are below the current budgeted level, creating a need for either budget reductions or the use of cash balances and reserve funds to maintain balance. They reviewed major drivers of spending growth over recent years, including Medicaid expansion, public schools, the State Public Defender, IT services, and water resources, and noted that these statutory and ongoing obligations are crowding out other spending. Members also discussed the governor’s proposed use of interest earnings and reserve balances from several funds, the Budget Stabilization Fund cap, and the policy question of whether changes to fund interest allocations would require legislation or could be handled through appropriation language. The committee also reviewed current-year adjustments, including supplementals, rescissions, deficiency warrants, and the governor’s proposed holdbacks. Specific items discussed included public school enrollment adjustments, the proposed rescission of Empowering Parents funding, Medicaid growth and provider rate changes, Department of Corrections costs tied to inmate placement and medical services, invasive species treatment funding, and a possible tax conformity impact tied to federal law changes. Members asked about fire suppression deficiency funding, the use of reserve balances, and the difference between current-law and governor-recommended spending levels. Staff emphasized that the governor’s budget relies on short-term money and reserve transfers to smooth the current deficit, while the legislature must decide whether to follow that approach or make deeper structural changes. Later, staff provided an overview of the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, explaining the standard reports, agency organization charts, fund analyses, performance measures, and five-year snapshots that committees will use during hearings. Another presentation clarified the difference between deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, noting that deficiency warrants cover certain last-year expenses authorized by statute, while supplementals adjust the current-year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on state health insurance costs, including rising medical claims, reserve balances, the 80/20 employee-employer cost split, and projected FY 2027 premium increases. Members asked about school district participation in the state plan, the role of the insurance carrier contract, and whether broader participation could lower costs. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• With the May revision, that's cut by more than half.
• We're just utilizing it for the first time now in the May Revision.
• It is an addition in the May Revise.
• You guys did put in your May revise.
• You guys did put in your May Revise.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1038: An act amending Title 16, Chapter 4, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by amending
• Senate Bill 1133: An act amending Title 16, Chapter 3, Article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating
• So right now, specifically, it just prescribes exemption for statewide and legislative candidates with
• So right now, specifically, it just prescribes an exemption for statewide and legislative candidates
• 311, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to nominating proceedings.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and routine journal and calendar actions, including a gubernatorial nomination referral and bill references. Members also introduced guests in the gallery before the chamber resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider several election, health care, and child welfare measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered SB 1038 on cast voter records and public records, SB 1133 on nominating procedures and candidate financial disclosures, SB 1247 on assisted living centers, and SCR 1001, a constitutional election-requirements referral. Each measure was amended and given a do-pass recommendation. SB 1133 received a floor amendment exempting certain statewide and legislative candidates in an emergency-related provision, SB 1247 was amended to allow a person not receiving care services to live with a resident in an assisted living center, and SCR 1001 was amended to make major election changes, including proof-of-identity requirements, changes to early ballot and drop-off rules, and language affecting mail voting and election administration. Debate on SCR 1001 was extensive, with supporters saying it would improve election security and speed results, and opponents warning it would reduce access, create confusion, and disproportionately burden voters, especially those who vote by mail or in rural and communities of color. On third reading, SB 1038 passed 17-12, SB 1133 passed 23-6 with the emergency clause, SB 1247 passed 28-1 with the emergency clause, and SCR 1001 passed 17-12-1. The Senate also passed SB 1172 and SB 1175 by 28-1 votes. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the measures were properly assigned, committee meeting announcements were made, a moment of silence was held for Jesse Jackson, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, basically, Senate File 4938 is a request to revise the '23 capital appropriation language that was
• Uh, Senate File 4938 is a request to revise the '23 capital appropriation language that was included
• Um, our request to revise the language will allow us to still continue this to treat for nitrates and
• However, the statewide need exceeds $200 million.
• However, the statewide<00:26:56.640><c> document</c><00:26:57.240><c> needed</c> statewide document needed

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for statewide project management.
• And a 2022 RAND study looked at the need statewide, found, I think, it was 7,800 beds.
• And a 2022 RAND study looked at the need statewide, found, I think, it was 7,800 beds.
• So... ...the need statewide, found, I think, it was 7,800 beds.
• I know you mentioned information you were going to share before May revise or as part of May revise.

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the chair and members about recent federal cuts to public health, mental health, family planning, and Title X funding, with strong concern about the impact on California programs and providers. The committee then turned to the Department of State Hospitals, which presented its 2025-26 budget proposal of $3.4 billion, including new positions, capital improvements, and funding tied to increased patient costs and incompetent-to-stand-trial services. DSH reported major progress in reducing the IST waitlist and wait times, said it had met the court’s 28-day treatment benchmark for those without extenuating circumstances, and described workforce recruitment and retention efforts such as residency programs, fellowships, outreach, and hiring streamlining. Members asked about future IST referral trends, SB 1323’s effect on diversion and community treatment, and workforce lessons in high-cost regions; public comment urged reconsideration of county IST growth cap methodology in light of new criminal justice initiatives. The committee next received an informational overview of Proposition 1 and its changes to behavioral health funding and governance. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that Prop. 1 restructured county MHSA funding buckets, expanded the Commission for Behavioral Health, shifted prevention and early intervention responsibilities, and authorized a $6.4 billion bond, including $4.4 billion for behavioral health facilities through BHCIP. DHCS said it had released guidance for county integrated plans and was receiving extensive public comment. Members focused on BHCIP application requirements, especially letters of support and tribal projects, and raised concerns about whether DHCS’s implementation matched statutory intent. DHCS said it had authority to set application requirements and that tribal entities were treated differently because of sovereignty and funding structure. DHCS then updated the committee on BHCIP, the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program, and related bond implementation. The department said BHCIP had awarded about $1.7 billion across five rounds, with more than 130 projects and 223 distinct facilities funded, and that it was preparing to award the new bond funds after receiving nearly $8 billion in applications. The LAO’s assessment found that more than half of awards served at least 80% Medi-Cal enrollees, but also raised concerns that the regional allocation model could reinforce inequities, that the program had not sufficiently addressed the highest-need regions such as the southern San Joaquin Valley, and that smaller counties and less launch-ready applicants faced barriers. For bridge housing, DHCS said more than $1.1 billion had been awarded, serving over 5,000 people and supporting more than 2,000 operational beds, but the Governor’s budget proposes to eliminate Round 4 funding as the administration weighs other statewide investments and Proposition 1 implementation workload. Public commenters and members urged more accountability, better regional equity, stronger labor and community involvement, and caution about funding for for-profit psychiatric facilities. Finally, the committee heard on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. CalHHS and DHCS described CYBHI as a broad prevention- and equity-focused effort with more than 1,300 organizations funded, over $2.1 billion awarded, and multiple work streams spanning schools, community programs, workforce, and digital supports. DHCS highlighted school-based services, the fee schedule rollout, and digital platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna, which it said are reaching users statewide and providing low-barrier access to coaching and support. Members and public commenters raised concerns about delays in school fee schedule implementation, the large share of funding going to digital tools, the need for more in-person services, and whether the initiative is sufficiently tracking outcomes and equity impacts. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the AG's budget revised. We took $100,000 out of it total.
• and providing an effective date. ...amending Section 18-40105, Idaho Code, to revise a code reference
• Amending Section 67-6533, Idaho Code, to revise a reference and declaring an emergency and providing
• Does that mean, as the good lady from 19 suggested, that in fact all of us should be elected statewide
• And to the good lady who suggested that we might have statewide elections for the legislature, I can

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the journal. It also received several communications, including gubernatorial notices of signed bills, Senate-enrolled bills for the Speaker’s signature, and committee reports enrolling or advancing various measures. House Bill 971, an appropriations bill for the Attorney General’s office, was introduced and later considered under suspension of the rules. The House also advanced several Senate bills and resolutions to second reading or enrollment, including bills on health and welfare, education, state affairs, and procurement-related matters. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 822, as amended in the Senate, dealing with pediatric social transition and parental notification. Supporters said the bill clarified that state resources could not be used for social/sexual transition of children and emphasized parental rights and disclosure. Opponents argued it imposed overly punitive, potentially unconstitutional penalties, would chill teachers, health care workers, and child care providers, and would make Idaho more hostile to families and professionals. The House suspended the rules, debated the bill, and passed it 60-9; later, a motion to let one member change her vote failed after the Speaker ruled that House Rule 79 barred post-announcement vote changes without the required two-thirds support. The House also passed Senate Bill 1430 on firearms after debate over state preemption and local restrictions, and Senate Bill 1359, the virtual currency kiosk fraud prevention bill. Supporters of SB 1359 described widespread fraud involving crypto kiosks, especially targeting seniors, and said the bill would require operator registration, disclosures, fraud warnings, recordkeeping, and transaction limits for new users; opponents called it overbroad, intrusive, and a privacy concern. The bill passed 39-9. Senate Bill 1410, concerning Medicaid reimbursement updates for community health centers, also passed. Senate Concurrent Resolution 127, urging rejection of a proposed medical marijuana initiative, passed after debate over public safety, costs, and out-of-state influence versus arguments that patients with serious conditions should have access to medical cannabis. Senate Bill 1436, a procurement clarification bill, failed after concerns about broad administrative discretion and pending litigation. The House later recessed and returned to continue with additional Senate bills and appropriations measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:01.199><c> is</c> uh, or in the potential revisions is uh, or in the potential revisions is
• </c> possibility for how we could revise possibility for how we could revise those<00:05:28.639><c> and
• is being submitted to FEMA to revision is being submitted to FEMA to revise<00:48:31.119><c> the</c>
• </c> organization for three large statewide organization for three large statewide networks,<01:04:42.319
• </c> statewide. to testify on this measure. statewide. to testify on this measure.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard three University of Hawaiʻi-related measures. HB 718 HD1 would appropriate funds for faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in cardiovascular, law, biology, tropical medicine, quantitative health/biostatistics, and environmental health and safety. Testimony was in support, including from university representatives and others who submitted written testimony. Members asked whether the positions were additional and how they would affect enrollment; the university said the hires would teach medical students and conduct biomedical research, helping increase the class size to about 77 and eventually 80, and noted a workforce paper requested by the committee would be provided soon. The committee then discussed SB 1170 HD1, which would grant resident tuition at any UH campus to certain graduates of Hawaiʻi high schools enrolling in undergraduate programs. UH supported the bill and said it had adjusted its testimony in response to prior committee concerns. Members focused on the proposed four-year window, asking why that timeframe was chosen and whether the change was needed at all. UH explained that four years would allow students who left the state to return and still complete an undergraduate degree or prepare for graduate school, and said the bill would help students who come back after one or two years but otherwise would have to wait a year to reestablish residency under current rules. UH also said it was discussing possible administrative rule changes as an alternative if the bill did not pass. Finally, the committee heard HB 1300 HD1, which would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center pilot study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and people living near landfills in Nanakuli, focusing on social determinants of health, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and resilience factors. Testimony from researchers and advocates strongly supported the measure, saying the study could help explain cancer disparities and support future research funding. Members questioned the cost, the reliance on future federal or foundation funding, and the practical outcome of the study. The Cancer Center said the pilot would cost about $500,000 per year for two years, with later funding sought from federal, nonprofit, or private sources; it said the study would produce longitudinal data that could help identify at-risk groups and provide evidence for policy decisions, though members expressed concern that the project needed a clearer end goal and stronger case for public investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Okay, I would ask Finance to consider this for the May Revise to identify the highest of needs.
• So you'll have those by May Revise and a sense of that. Okay."
• thank you for reminding I was going to ask about something the needs statewide.
• So you'll have those by May revised and a sense of that. Okay. And go from there.
• So you'll have those by May Revise and a sense of that. Okay.

Summary: The committee heard an informational discussion on California’s educator pipeline and shortages, with testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Learning Policy Institute, CSU educator preparation leaders, and CTA. Witnesses said state investments of more than $2.1 billion have helped rebuild teacher supply, with credential issuance and preparation enrollment rebounding after COVID, but demand remains high because of turnover, early-career attrition, and persistent vacancies. Panelists emphasized that shortages are especially acute in special education, bilingual education, STEM, and in high-need schools and regions, and that underprepared teachers, substitutes, and emergency permits remain heavily used. Several speakers stressed that retention, working conditions, compensation, and stable funding are as important as recruitment. Members focused on whether current data systems are sufficient to measure need and track where teachers end up working. The Commission said it can monitor assignments for credential alignment, but does not have full employment data to determine whether grant recipients or credentialed teachers are actually deployed in the shortage areas for which they were trained. The chair asked for better regional and subject-area data, and the committee discussed the risk that layoffs and budget instability could undermine teacher pipeline investments. CSU representatives urged stronger support for student-teacher stipends, better coordination with districts, more capacity for special education preparation, and more stable CSU funding to expand educator preparation. CTA testified that school climate, class size, health benefits, and administrative support are essential to retaining teachers. The committee then moved to budget proposals. For the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, Finance proposed a $14.4 million reappropriation for 2026-27, and the Student Aid Commission supported continued funding, saying the program has influenced candidates’ decisions to enter teaching and work in priority schools. For educator residencies, Finance proposed $250 million one-time Proposition 98 funding through 2029-30; the LAO said it could be adopted if aligned with legislative priorities, and CTC said the program has strong uptake and supports retention. For the computer science supplementary authorization grant, Finance proposed increasing awards from $2,500 to $6,000 and reducing the match requirement, but the LAO recommended rejecting the change because only about one-fifth of the original funding has been used. The committee also discussed registered apprenticeship pathways, rural access, and whether federal Title II, Title III, or IDEA funds could support bilingual and special education teacher preparation. Several items were held open for further information and follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, the focus of the bill is to make this statewide and to bring more GRT.
• So is the point of this bill to revise the G-code reimbursements for all line.
• So this would be statewide. And I will defer to my expert witness to.
• Into the state, so this would be statewide.
• We are really trying to revise and mandate our MCOs to... ...really trying to revise and mandate MCOs

Summary: The House Health and Human Services Committee first heard House Bill 256, which would require school cardiac emergency response plans to address sudden cardiac arrest at school athletic activities and ensure AEDs are clearly marked and accessible at those events. The sponsor and an American Heart Association representative said the bill builds on last year’s law and is meant to improve implementation, not add new equipment costs. Members asked about funding, were told the AEDs are already in place, and the bill received a due pass with no opposition. The committee then took up House Bill 278 on Medicaid reimbursement for toxicology testing in substance use disorder treatment. The sponsor and Southwest Labs argued that current payer policies limit providers’ clinical judgment, that a new flat-rate code for unlimited analytes would improve care, keep Medicaid dollars in New Mexico, and support local laboratories. Several members raised concerns about whether the bill effectively rewrites bundled G-codes, whether it mainly benefits one company, how it affects MCO contracts, GRT/tax issues, and whether the fiscal estimates were realistic. After extensive questioning and conflicting views, a due-pass motion was made but the vote ended in a tie, so the bill did not advance. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 287 to create a permanent, full-time Health and Human Services Committee with a director and expanded membership, similar to other permanent legislative committees. Supporters from advocacy and policy groups said health care is too large and complex to be handled by a part-time interim committee and that year-round staffing would improve oversight and policymaking. Members discussed committee composition, staffing, subpoena power, and the proposed appropriation, and the sponsor said the bill is a starting point that could be refined later. The committee approved HB 287 on a do-pass motion and then adjourned until Monday morning.