Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Connorship, counsel to the committee.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Good morning to the committee members.
• Good morning, Madam Chair and committee members.
• Good morning, Madam Chair and committee members.

Bills: HB2447, HB1364, HB2632, HB2637, HB2520, HB2235, HB2401, HB2574

Keywords: shark conservation, marine life, state symbol, ecological importance, biodiversity, bingo, raffles, charity, nonprofit, amusement games, revenue threshold, licensing, fundraising, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, public records, public disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Committee on Culture and Arts.
• The need for spay-neuter services statewide is critical.
• </c> Stephanie does and what the Humane Stephanie does and what the Humane Society<00:13:03.680><c> does
• </c> okay um we have the Hawaii Humane okay um we have the Hawaii Humane Society<00:13:59.120><c> in<
• So, um, I'd also like to note those concerns in the committee report and allow the Finance Committee

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 547 HD1, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and support spay/neuter services, funded in part through a tax return check-off and other sources. The Department of Taxation said it could implement the check-off; the Attorney General and Budget and Finance raised drafting and placement concerns about which department should house the fund; and the Hawaii Humane Society strongly supported the bill, emphasizing statewide need and the importance of distributing funds to areas of greatest need, including neighbor islands. The Tax Foundation opposed the measure on special-fund grounds, arguing there was no sufficient nexus between the bill’s purpose and the proposed revenue source. The committee later recommended HB 547 HD1 with technical amendments and sent it to Finance, with members voting aye and no objections noted. The committee also heard HB 925 HD1, relating to arts funding, which would impose a 1% fee on ticket sales from concerts at state venues and direct the proceeds to a dedicated arts fund. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the measure, while the Attorney General suggested defining “concerts” for clarity and Budget and Finance was available with comments. In discussion, the committee chair asked about how other states fund arts programs, and Director Ewald said many states use dedicated funding sources such as concert fees, bond funding, cultural trusts, and hotel lodging taxes. The committee recommended HB 925 HD1 with amendments, including a preamble, a new Performing Arts special fund, a definition of “concerts,” and a defective date, and the recommendation was adopted. Finally, the committee considered HB 1378, also related to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Based on the Attorney General’s testimony, the committee proposed deleting a section of the bill, creating a Performing Arts special fund, specifying revenue sources such as legislative appropriations, foundation charges, grants, gifts, and interest, and using the fund for coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The amendments also added a definition of Performing Arts, granting standards, and a defective date, while blanking out the appropriation amount for the committee report. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation on HB 1378 with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Witt, members, the Health and Human Services Committee adopted a strike-everything amendment to
• Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Health and Human Services Committee, House Bill 2251 authorizes
• Madam Witt, members, the Health and Human Services Committee adopted a strike-everything amendment to
• Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Health and Human Services Committee, House Bill 2726 requires
• Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Health and Human Services Committee, House Bill 2617 prohibits

Summary: The meeting reviewed two caucus packets covering a wide range of bills, with most items described by staff and then passed over without questions. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, emergency shelter grants, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, and uranium contamination monitoring. Other measures addressed utility plant replacement, local government investment pools, task-order contract posting, ambulance reporting and certificate-of-necessity changes, short-term rental regulation, tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans, memorial authorization, manufactured home installer licensing, CPR/AED training in schools, national park fee exemptions for military members and veterans, and a tourism improvement area funded by lodging businesses. Several bills focused on child welfare and family law, including expanded kinship placement notification, a neglect definition change tied to poverty, evidence rules in custody and dependency matters, DCS investigations when a protective parent is involved, and parenting-time supervision requirements. Health-related bills included midwife practice changes, controlled substance monitoring program updates, interstate EMS licensure, prostate cancer screening coverage, sleep apnea coverage, and resident electronic monitoring in care facilities. Judiciary and property-related bills included enhanced trespass penalties, post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien excess proceeds procedures, and unlawful entry into residences occupied by vulnerable adults. A few members briefly explained or defended selected bills, including the child protection measures, the CPR training requirement, the ambulance reporting bill, the tourism improvement area bill, and the bill moving inter-facility transports away from police. The sponsor of HB 2950 emphasized it was a voluntary, opt-in lodging assessment with local approval and statutory guardrails. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and most bills were noted as being on consent or third-read consent calendars, with several removed from consent or not yet on a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Printed and referred to the House Health and Human Services Committee, thence the House Judiciary Committee
• Committee report is adopted. Mr. Speaker, your Health and Human Services Committee...
• Speaker, your Health and Human Services Committee has been referred House Bill 74.
• Committee report adopted. The Health and Human Services Committee has been referred House Bill 81.
• Speaker, your Health and Human Services Committee has been referred...

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not dogs; they're human beings, and I'm a human being too.
• Thank you, committee, Chairman, and members of the committee. My name is Gary R.
• Thank you, esteemed chairs of the committee, members of the committee, and staff of the committee.
• Thank you for public service.
• Thank you to the committee for... Yes, thank you. Thank you to the committee for...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened with procedural guidance for a very large hearing, explaining testimony limits, written testimony procedures, and rules for maintaining order. Members then heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including proposals to define antisemitism using the IHRA definition, regulate facial recognition technology, restrict weaponized robotics and drone use, expand protections for journalists’ confidential sources, address access to decedents’ email accounts, and create or adjust rules around municipal enforcement and animal cruelty fines. Several sponsors and advocates asked for favorable reports, and committee members asked clarifying questions on implementation, costs, and how the bills would interact with existing law. On facial recognition, sponsors and advocates described the technology as a threat to privacy, due process, and civil liberties, and urged adoption of the Special Commission’s recommendations, including warrant requirements, notice to defendants, and limits on untargeted surveillance. Support came from legislators, the ACLU, CDT, EFF, and a UMass professor, while committee members asked about current state law and municipal bans. On robotics, Senator Moore and industry witnesses from MassRobotics, Boston Dynamics, and AUVSI supported a bill prohibiting weaponized robots and requiring warrants for certain law enforcement uses, describing it as a public-safety and trust-building measure. On the shield law bill, newspaper publishers, journalists, NEFAC, and the Reporters Committee argued Massachusetts needs statutory protection for confidential sources, citing costly subpoenas and chilling effects on reporting. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the right of publicity to cover image and voice, with SAG-AFTRA members supporting protections against AI-driven exploitation and some discussion about viral content and consent. Another bill would allow limited access to a decedent’s email accounts, with one witness describing a family’s inability to use a deceased relative’s email to notify friends. The committee then took testimony on psilocybin-related bills: supporters described medical and personal benefits and argued for narrow decriminalization or study, while an opponent warned of public-health risks, impaired driving, and youth exposure; the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supported limited, safety-based decriminalization. Finally, the committee heard strong support for a “safe reporting” bill for sex workers and trafficking survivors, with advocates saying immunity would encourage victims and witnesses to report crimes without fear of arrest, and members raised questions about how the immunity would work in practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Assembly Human Services Committee to order.
• So that is all of the business before the Assembly Human Services Committee today.
• I shall call this meeting of the Assembly Human Services Committee to order—no, to adjourn.
• I shall call this meeting of the Assembly Human Services Committee to adjourn.
• Committee on Assembly Human Services to adjourn. You know. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee met with quorum established after beginning as a subcommittee. The committee heard AB 790, which would require jurisdictions receiving state homelessness funds to develop systems specifically supporting women and children, especially single mothers and survivors of domestic violence. Supporters said current homelessness programs overlook this population; the bill was amended and passed unanimously on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard ACA 4, the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which would dedicate a minimum share of the state general fund to affordable housing and homelessness programs. Supporters argued more stable funding is needed to address the housing crisis, while opponents questioned whether more spending would help; the measure passed 5-2 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Members then heard AB 349, which would index the infant supplement for parenting foster youth to inflation. The author and sponsor described the needs of pregnant and parenting teens in foster care and rising costs for diapers and formula; the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations. AB 779, which expands a domestic violence consultant pilot in child welfare offices statewide, also passed 6-0 after testimony that it would help keep families together safely and improve trauma-informed responses. AB 1335, which would remove a private CARF accreditation requirement for regional center employment programs and rely on state oversight instead, drew support from disability service providers but opposition from the chair over concerns about weakening quality checks; it failed on a 2-2 vote and reconsideration was denied. The committee also considered AB 1066, a bill to bar state-funded immigration legal services for people unlawfully present in the country who have certain serious felony convictions. Supporters framed it as a public-safety and fiscal-responsibility measure, while opponents said it would restrict due process and align California with mass-deportation policies. The bill failed on a 2-2 vote. Two bills, AB 277 and AB 318, were pulled by the author and not heard. After final roll calls on absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll call this informational hearing of the Assembly Human Services Committee to order.
• Good afternoon, Chairman Lee and members of the Human Services Committee.
• Good afternoon, Chairman Lee and members of the Human Services Committee.
• mean, sorry, the Human Services Committee members.
• Good afternoon, Chair Lee, and members of the Human Services Committee.

Summary: The Assembly Human Services Committee held an informational hearing with members of the API Legislative Caucus on California’s Stop the Hate Program and broader efforts to address hate incidents. Opening remarks emphasized the rise in hate during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of culturally and linguistically competent services, and the program’s role in serving not only AAPI communities but also Latino, Black, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other impacted communities. Legislators and presenters repeatedly highlighted the value of trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) in reaching people who may not report to law enforcement or seek traditional services. The first panel included the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), and the Commission on the State of Hate. They described the program’s origins in the state’s equity budget, its funding structure, and its service model: direct victim services, prevention, and intervention. CDSS said 180 organizations statewide have participated, with grantees selected based on experience, capacity, and service to priority populations. The Commission on the State of Hate reported that hate remains widespread and underreported, citing survey data showing about 3.1 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year and that many victims need mental health, legal, and other supports beyond police response. Members asked about best practices, youth impacts, administrative costs, and the role of regional leads; CDSS said it would provide more detail on funding distribution and that the final evaluation is still in progress. The second panel featured grantees from Jewish Family Service San Diego, Inland Chinese American Association, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, and Equality California. They gave examples of how Stop the Hate funding supported culturally specific response teams, counseling, language-access services, self-defense and safety workshops, youth and elder programming, legal navigation, and reporting tools. Several speakers said the program helped build trust, reduce isolation, and connect people to services they otherwise would not use. Legislators pressed the panel on lessons learned, whether the model should be reauthorized, and what would be lost if funding ends. Panelists emphasized that the program’s flexibility, regional convenings, and support for small, trusted organizations were key strengths, while also noting the need for more direct funding to frontline providers and more data on what interventions work best.

Transcript Highlights:

• by giving this information to the chairs and staff of the Human Services Committee, there were no real
• By giving this information to the chairs and staff of the Human Services Committee, there were no real
• </c><00:19:01.760><c> service</c><00:19:02.080><c> committees</c><00:19:02.640><c> who</c> of the human
• service committees who of the human service committees who would<00:19:03.120><c> have</c><00:19:03.360
• Um, and so this is moving House File 4145 from Human Services to the Committee on Commerce.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Medi-Cal and CalFresh are among the largest health and human services programs administered by the state
• So to begin, across health and human services, the governor's budget includes an additional $1.4 billion
• So to begin, across health and human services, the governor's budget includes an additional So to begin
• across health and human services, the governor's budget includes an additional $1.4 billion general
• Reduces the demand on health and human services.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s safety net, focusing on Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The chair and vice chair framed the discussion around major federal changes to work requirements, eligibility redeterminations, immigrant eligibility, and financing rules, while noting the state’s own structural budget deficit and the need for a second hearing later in March on county and safety-net impacts. The first panel included the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Department of Finance, the UC Berkeley Labor Center, and the Food Research and Action Center. LAO and Finance described H.R. 1 as driving major enrollment losses and cost shifts. LAO estimated that Medi-Cal work requirements and six-month redeterminations could affect 3.5 million people, with 1 to 2 million potentially disenrolled, while CalFresh changes could subject more than 800,000 people to work requirements and cause over 600,000 to lose food assistance. They also highlighted new ineligibility for certain non-citizens, reduced federal matching for emergency Medi-Cal services, tighter provider tax rules, and higher state and county administrative costs for CalFresh. Finance said the governor’s budget reflects about $1.4 billion in new General Fund costs in 2026-27 and a $2.4 billion reduction in federal funds, with larger out-year impacts and up to 2 million Medi-Cal disenrollments by 2029-30. The UC Berkeley Labor Center projected up to 3 million Californians could lose full-scope Medi-Cal by 2028 when H.R. 1 is combined with state budget changes, though it said the state could limit losses by choosing not to apply some new requirements to state-funded populations and by keeping some immigrants in full-scope state-funded coverage. The Food Research and Action Center argued that CalFresh cuts and time limits would increase hunger, homelessness risk, and health costs, while also hurting local economies and increasing administrative burden. Committee members from both parties questioned the fiscal sustainability of Medi-Cal growth, the 11% CalFresh error rate and possible $2 billion penalty, county indigent care costs, and the effect of work requirements; several Democratic members argued the federal changes and state cuts would disproportionately harm low-income Californians, immigrants, and communities of color, while Republican members emphasized program growth, work incentives, and the need for budget restraint. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Allison Ryan, staff to the committee.
• Nurses are human beings caring for other human beings.
• Chair, members of the committee. Kim Wydener, staff to the committee.
• Chair and committee members.
• Chair and committee members.

Bills: SB5877, SB5904, SB5988

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, opioid treatment, accreditation, health department, fee authority, substance abuse, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2655, election committee. HB 2656, election committee. HB 2656, election worker harassment.
• But denying humanity is not how we change policy.
• My faith teaches compassion, acceptance, and humanity.
• Monday afternoon committees.
• Representative Bliss: Health and Human Services Committee is meeting in HHR 4 in 10 minutes, and I understand

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please welcome to the Senate Finance Committee.
• services to the people of Minnesota.
• </c><00:04:02.000><c> Resources</c> and Chief Human Resources and Chief Human Resources officer<00:04
• </c> the state's financial and human the state's financial and human resources<00:04:08.720><c> and</
• that maybe maybe the other committees that maybe maybe the education<00:20:19.600><c> committee</c><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:33.120><c> services</c> department of health and human services department of health and human
• Other questions from the committee? >> Representative Gro. Um I do direct service.
• rights anti-discrimination law, discriminating based on sex for services is a human rights violation
• wasn't enough to escalate that. based on sex for services is a human based on sex for services is a
• You know what committee he sits on because he—health and human services. bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:00:54.239><c> services</c> with my local county human services with my local county human services
• </c><00:12:16.800><c> services</c> modernization of human services modernization of human services technology
• </c> a laugh with the director of human a laugh with the director of human services<00:16:11.519><c>
• </c><00:20:01.919><c> services</c><00:20:02.480><c> advisory</c> about that the human services advisory
• </c> the legislative commission on human the legislative commission on human services<00:20:35.679><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee. Committee.
• We serve together on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and such time as he may consume. innocent human life
• Oh, we're joined by my colleague, John Maguire, member of the Armed Services Committee and a distinguished
• </c> Maguire member of the armed services Maguire member of the armed services committee<06:17:49.760
• </c><06:28:58.400><c> services</c> The 2025 Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill, and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additional key partners include the Department of Human Services, which manages Safe Harbor shelter housing
• A map of services and an overview of our state's human trafficking responses were included with your
• </c><00:04:22.560><c> Services</c><00:04:23.120><c> which</c> Department of Human Services which Department
• of Human Services which manages<00:04:23.759><c> Safe</c><00:04:24.040><c> Harbor</c><00:04:24.320><
• with</c><01:04:30.079><c> how</c><01:04:30.240><c> to</c> human services and dealing with how to human

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services to order.
• This cross-sector functionality typically appeals to state health and human services agencies for its
• It is good language, but in all fairness, in service to the committee, we took another critical, candid
• First, I’d like to thank the committee, the Department of Developmental Services, and Disability Rights
• We already see gaps between services authorized and services actually utilized. ...gaps between services

Summary: The hearing focused on three developmental services proposals: standardizing regional center intake eligibility assessments, modernizing the strengths-and-needs evaluation used in individual program planning, and combining the Community Placement Plan and Community Resource Development Plan. The LAO and DDS said the first two proposals are intended to improve statewide consistency, equity, transparency, and data quality, while preserving the person-centered IPP process and requiring further legislative approval before implementation. DDS emphasized that current practices vary widely by regional center, that the CEDER is outdated and inconsistently used, and that better assessment data could improve planning and resource development. Advocates and regional center representatives were split: some supported updating or replacing the CEDER and developing a more reliable tool, while others urged caution, more community co-design, and clearer safeguards against unintended service reductions or loss of trust. The committee also discussed the proposal to set 24-month transition timelines for people at Porterville Developmental Center and Canyon Springs, with a 12-month provisional placement and right of return if community placement fails. DDS argued the time limits would create urgency, reduce long stays in restrictive settings, and better align with the Lanterman Act and Olmstead principles. Supporters, including Disability Rights California, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Public Defenders Association, said the proposal could reduce unnecessary institutionalization if paired with individualized transition planning, stronger mental health supports, public reporting, and notice to counsel. They also noted the high cost of institutional care and said the amendments made since May improved the proposal. Opponents, including a Napa County district attorney and some regional center stakeholders, argued that a fixed 24-month cap could be too rigid for people with the most complex needs and could create public safety risks if community supports are not ready. They stressed that current court review processes already allow case-by-case extensions and that some residents have serious criminal histories or behavioral challenges. Several speakers urged the Legislature to ensure any transition deadlines are matched with adequate community capacity, clear implementation plans, and a meaningful safety net. No votes were taken in the hearing, and the chair said the committee would continue reviewing the proposals and public input before any next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:08:47.120><c> but</c> provide special education services, but provide special education services
• </c><00:11:58.400><c> and</c> does so much to support my service and does so much to support my service
• </c> had a divine ability to see the humanity had a divine ability to see the humanity in<00:21:08.440
• spirit of humanity.
• </c> one of us with that spirit of service one of us with that spirit of service and<00:23:00.160><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I don't sit on the Human Services Committee.
• "I don't sit on the Human Services Committee. I don't have authority to set any of those agendas.
• services committee.
• ><02:03:28.239><c> services</c><02:03:28.719><c> committee</c> out that our human services committee
• </c><02:03:59.920><c> This</c> human services committee. This human services committee.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair Ramos and committee.
• I'm the Director of Facility Services.
• of human trafficking survivors.
• That is what human trafficking victim services offers under H.T. VAP.
• We built it on the most modern cloud services available, Amazon Web Services.

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear budget-related updates from the Judicial Branch and the Office of Emergency Services, with no votes taken. The Judicial Council supported the Governor’s proposed budget, highlighting $70 million for increased trial court operating costs, additional funding for court-appointed counsel, Court of Appeal case processing, and courthouse construction and facilities. Trial court representatives emphasized staffing retention problems, especially in counties like San Bernardino, and said stable funding is needed to avoid delays and maintain access to justice. Members also discussed the branch’s remote proceedings program, which has been used in more than 6 million hearings statewide since 2022 and was described as especially important in rural areas and for vulnerable litigants; several members urged making the authority permanent rather than extending it temporarily. A major portion of the hearing focused on Proposition 36 implementation. Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains the $130 million provided in the 2025 Budget Act for court workload and pretrial services, but adds no new Prop. 36 court funding. Judicial Council staff reported nearly 35,000 felony Prop. 36 filings in 2025, with most cases still pending and only a small share of treatment-mandated cases already dismissed after treatment. Witnesses said courts are using the funds for staffing, coordinators, clerks, and treatment-court operations, but that workload varies widely by county and that data collection is limited because courts report aggregate information rather than case-level outcomes. The LAO raised a technical concern about the Department of Finance’s Prop. 47 savings estimate and recommended revising the methodology at May Revision. The committee also reviewed the Orange Central Justice Center facility modification project, where the Judicial Council explained that hidden construction deficiencies and fire-life-safety issues caused costs to rise substantially after demolition began. The LAO said the project itself was supportable but recommended that the Legislature set an ongoing funding level for court facilities, require a long-term facilities plan, and consider more oversight of facility modification projects. Finance said it continues to fund courthouse projects individually and through the State Public Works Board, while acknowledging project delays and cost increases. Finally, Cal OES and advocates discussed victim services funding. Cal OES said it administers about $315 million annually for victim service programs, including VOCA-funded services, but federal VOCA allocations have fluctuated sharply and the state has used one-time General Fund backfills to maintain services. Trauma recovery center advocates warned that an 85% reduction in funding would sharply reduce services for survivors of violent crime, while human trafficking advocates urged reauthorization of the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program before funding reverts to pre-pandemic levels in July 2026. Members asked about federal and state funding stability, referral pathways, and the long-term value of these programs in preventing worse outcomes and reducing public costs.