Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Committee on Health and Human Services, having had under consideration SB 1236 relating
• We've got a Health and Human Services Committee amendment to read before we move on to the floor amendment
• President, your Committee on Health and Human Services, having had under consideration SB 1236 relating
• Excellent members you've heard that motion we've got a Health and Human Services Committee amendment
• your committee on health and human services having had under consideration SB 1236 relating to AHCCS

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and several guest introductions, including Scout groups from Phoenix/Levine, Dr. John Galgiani for Valley Fever Awareness, and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day. Senator Kavanagh read a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber also adopted a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy and observed a moment of silence. The Committee of the Whole considered SB 1036 on unemployment insurance, SB 1056 on reporting vacant state positions, SB 1236 on AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, and SB 1238 on the physician assistant licensure compact. SB 1036, SB 1056, and SB 1238 were approved in Committee of the Whole, with SB 1036 and SB 1238 amended. During floor debate, SB 1036 drew criticism from Democrats as adding burdens and reducing benefits for unemployed workers, while supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud; it later passed the Senate 17-12. SB 1056 also passed 17-12 after debate over whether automatic elimination of long-vacant positions would improve efficiency or harm agency staffing. SB 1238 passed with a conforming amendment and later the House version HB 2190 was substituted and passed. The Senate then took up several third-reading bills. SB 1126 on educational records passed 29-0. SB 1189 on campaign expenditures passed 27-2 after debate about political violence and campaign-related expenses. SB 1211 on sentencing passed 29-0. The chamber also reconsidered and substituted House bills for identical Senate bills: HB 2206 for SB 1333 and HB 2396 for SB 1368, both related to SNAP. HB 2206 passed 17-12 after debate over a proposed SNAP error-rate penalty and its impact on food access, and HB 2396 passed 17-12 after debate over restricting SNAP purchases. Finally, HB 2796 was substituted for SB 1236 and passed after debate over AHCCCS enrollment barriers. The Senate adjourned until Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services and Finance Policy Committee?
• Services and Finance Policy Committee?
• to the human services and finance<00:02:02.360><c> policy</c><00:02:02.719><c> committee</c><00:02:03.520
• human services uh but that will go on in human services uh but we<00:05:23.520><c> uh</c><00:05:23.720
• House File 1662 is re-referred to the Human Services Committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• in lieu of other state Medicaid plan services referred to the Committee on Human Services HP. 75 by
• to the Committee on Human Services HB 141 by Manuel relating to the adoption of the revised Interstate
• on Human Services.
• Commission officer to inspect general inspection referred to the Committee on Human Services HP 200
• on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:39.920><c> Services</c><00:10:40.360><c> will</c> the Department of Human Services will the
• services conference committee.
• </c><00:13:02.480><c> services</c> being discussed in the human services being discussed in the human
• services conference<00:13:03.480><c> committee.
• <c> and</c> in human services are strong and in human services are strong and fraud-proof.<00:13:18.680

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: A Minnesota Senate leader discussed the end-of-session budget deal and said the Senate had passed a comprehensive budget that addresses several recent crises and federal policy changes. He highlighted funding to respond to gun violence, Metro Surge, and the effects of a federal Republican budget bill, saying the package includes retroactive medical assistance coverage, support to keep SNAP functioning, $10 million for food banks and shelves, rental assistance, and aid for counties and property taxpayers. He also said the Senate secured $205 million for HCMC, a $30 million uncompensated care pool for other distressed hospitals, and a $500 million health care stabilization reserve, along with a one-year license tab fee reduction and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. He said some priorities were left out or rejected in negotiations, including small business relief, low-income rent, energy assistance, rural EMS stabilization, a manufactured home bill of rights, a social media platform data collection tax, and proposals to block private equity from nursing homes and single-family homes. He also said the House Speaker had promised but not brought a gun vote to the floor, and he expressed disappointment that immigration-related action and some gun control measures did not advance further. He defended the rental assistance as available to Minnesotans regardless of documentation status and said it was not tied only to Operation Metro Surge. The leader also addressed concerns about payment withholding and program integrity in human services, saying the goal was to fight fraud without cutting services. He said hospitals seeking access to the stabilization reserve would need to show distress and financial need, and that both the governor and a legislative advisory committee would have to approve. He closed by saying the process had been difficult and too much negotiation had moved into backroom settings, but that the chambers were working toward an orderly conclusion and that he expected the remaining bills to be finalized and sent to the governor.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Uh that's the Senate Committee Uh that's the Senate Committee Resolution,<00:01:01.520><c> a</c>
• </c><00:02:23.720><c> is</c> the management advisory committee is the management advisory committee is
• </c> of a merit plan by the director of human of a merit plan by the director of human resources<00:02
• ,</c> further approval by the rules committee, further approval by the rules committee, is<00:03:06.360
• The director of human is correct.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services.
• Department of Health and Human Services.
• <c> they</c> and Human Services sheet that they and Human Services sheet that they should<01:41:00.040
• ><c> how</c><01:43:34.560><c> you</c> and Human Services has regarding how you and Human Services has
• </c><02:03:49.599><c> Services</c> Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:09.559><c> Services</c> Department of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human
• ><c> sole</c> Human Services the association's sole Human Services the association's sole purpose<00:
• ><c> of</c><00:31:19.799><c> that</c> and Human Services manages all of that and Human Services manages
• ><c> not</c><00:33:28.760><c> we</c> and Human Services because we're not we and Human Services because
• <c> attached</c> and Human Services where it's attached and Human Services where it's attached um<04:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call to order this special oversight hearing of the Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees
• Department of Health and Human Services, CSBG Region 9.
• , as well as our sister departments with the California Health and Human Services.
• I'm the Director of the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department.
• I'm the director of the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• before the committee should notify the committee administrator by noon the day before.
• But there are copies in your packets of their presentation. committee my name is Sarah Bas with me committee
• Minnesota Human Rights Act.
• </c> alignment with the Minnesota Human alignment with the Minnesota Human Rights Rights Rights Act<01
• Rights and the Department of Human Rights and the Minnesota<01:17:22.920><c> Human</c><01:17:23.120>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Erke, and welcome to the committee.
• Erke, and welcome to the committee.
• However, committee members typically will present their bills after non-committee members.
• Chair, committee members, and staff.
• Last August, our committee partnered with the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Affairs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyway, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee is a review...
• services, right?
• services, right?
• Questions from committee?
• It really supports critical activities and services.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the chairman had asked us to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to develop this
• I will defer to the Department of Health and Human Services for a few of the areas of the bill that they
• It doesn't specify any committee, so it could be budget section, it could be the Human Services Committee
• Now, most of this stuff is going to be done by non-Department of Health and Human Service people, and
• ... ...non-Department of Health and Human Services people.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Division met in a work session on the draft Rural Health Transformation appropriations bill, 25.1392.01000, with no public testimony taken. Legislative Council and the Department of Health and Human Services walked through the bill, which would appropriate about $397.8 million in federal grant funds over two federal fiscal years, provide transfer authority, allow certain federal funds to be used for salaries and wages without counting against existing transfer limits, and authorize OMB to adjust other agencies’ spending authority if they receive grant awards through HHS. The bill also includes several temporary statutory exemptions to help implement the program, plus recipient acknowledgement/reporting requirements, periodic reports to Legislative Management, and an immediate effective date upon filing. Committee discussion focused heavily on how the federal rural health transformation money can be used and administered. Department officials explained that CMS will review projects for allowability and sustainability, that the state has flexibility to move funds among categories, and that the grant is limited to 10% administrative costs. Members asked about whether the funding could support renovations, equipment, ambulances, bulk purchasing, food distribution, and other rural health ideas, and were told many details will depend on CMS approval and the eventual applications. Questions also addressed cash flow, timing of obligations and reimbursements, FTE funding, and whether grant recipients should be told the program will not continue beyond the federal period; officials said the language is meant to prevent expectations of automatic continuation, not to bar future legislative action. The committee also discussed the bill’s use of a two-year appropriation amount, with staff explaining that the state must appropriate enough authority to cover the federal grant cycle and that unused authority would lapse if the full amount is not received or spent. Members raised concerns about whether the bill’s language could limit creativity or future program design, but department officials and several members emphasized the need for flexibility because CMS may reject overly specific directives. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the bill draft to the full committee; the motion carried on a roll call vote, and the chair said the full Joint Appropriations Committee would take up the bill at the special session next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• Prior to this position, she was serving as the Director of the Department of Human Services.
• Before that, she was the Inspector General for the Independent Office of Department of Human Services
• She was approved by the Rules Committee on a 5-0 vote.
• Services.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through several gubernatorial confirmations. The chamber confirmed Irena Ortega to the Public Employment Relations Board, Monica Erickson as director of the Department of Human Services, Armin Mayor as senior deputy commissioner in the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Uca Dunkay to the California State Lottery Commission. All four appointments were approved overwhelmingly, with final confirmation votes taken after the calls were lifted. The main floor debate centered on SCR 152, designating April 10, 2026 as Dolores Huerta Day. Senators spoke at length about Huerta’s leadership in the farmworker movement, civil rights advocacy, nonviolent organizing, and ongoing influence, with several members sharing personal reflections and noting the role of Filipino farmworkers and Larry Itliong in the broader movement. The resolution passed unanimously. The Senate also adopted SR 91 recognizing Cambodian Genocide Memorial Week, SCR 149 marking World Autism Awareness Day, SCR 150 honoring National Librarian Day, and SR 98 designating Heat Pump Week in California. The chamber also passed SB 1078, an urgency tax measure giving Santa Cruz County voters the opportunity to approve a local tax above the 2% combined rate to help fund services, including medical services. The bill passed 29-9 on both the urgency and the bill itself. Later, the Senate approved the consent calendar and special consent calendar without objection, and members made committee announcements about upcoming budget subcommittee hearings. The session ended with an adjournment in memory of Deanna Mooney, a longtime San Francisco nurse, labor advocate, and community figure. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1002, a bill to be entitled: An act relating to utility service
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 1137, a bill to be entitled: An act relating to utility service restrictions
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 1237, a bill to be entitled: An act relating to human trafficking
• Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee
• Committee substitute for Senate Bill 1804, a bill to be entitled, an act related to capital human trafficking

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including remarks from Senator Berman on Democratic priorities and introductions of military leaders and an intern. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, with many bills substituted to House companions, amended, and passed, while several others were temporarily postponed. Major measures approved included the dangerous dogs/Pam Rock Act (SB 572/HB 593), which tightened penalties and procedures for dog attacks and passed 36-0; local government land regulation (SB 1080), which was amended to remove agricultural enclave language and passed 26-8; vessel/freedom-related legislation (SB 1388/HB 1137), which passed 35-0; blood clot screening and treatment (SB 890/HB 1421), which added registry and training provisions and passed 36-0; fleeing or eluding law enforcement (SB 468/HB 113), which increased offense levels and passed 36-0; concealed carry/licensing for certain officers and service members (SB 490/HB 383), which passed 33-3; timeshare management (SB 496/HB 897), which clarified governance and annual meeting requirements and passed 36-0; background screening education (SB 614/HB 531), which created a public webpage and passed 36-0; utility service restrictions (SB 1002/HB 1137), which preempted local energy-source restrictions and passed 36-0; Medicaid oversight (SB 1060), which created a joint oversight committee and passed 35-0; health facilities authorities (SB 68), amended to make fentanyl urine screening more discretionary, and passed 36-0; and veterans’ nursing home beds (SB 78/HB 797), which authorized veteran- and spouse-designated beds and passed 36-0. The chamber also passed disability history and awareness instruction (SB 540/HB 447), a highly personal bill honoring Evan Hartzell that drew extended debate about disability language, inclusion, and education; it passed 35-0 after 35 co-sponsors were added. Manufacturing policy bills SB 600 and SB 602 were approved after amendments to add reporting, ranking metrics, and fee-use restrictions, both passing 35-0. Educational opportunities for military children (SB 1528) passed 36-0 after testimony from student sponsors and senators praising the bill’s origin. Several other bills, including Medicaid oversight, mammograms, Parkinson’s disease, condominium/cooperative associations, waste management, human trafficking, and Bright Futures, were postponed or not taken up during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Judiciary Committee, and then back to the Business and Professional Committee.
• Thank you for your service, Sam. You will be missed.
• who is providing services to 500,000 individuals.
• They started with two people in a closet providing services.
• Because when you grow in your own humanity, you make it easier to see the humanity in others.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, a lot of the human-wildlife conflict is caused by careless human behavior.
• So I appreciate you refocusing on the human health and safety.
• So I appreciate you refocusing on the human health and safety.
• services space.
• Good morning, committee members.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• : AB 317, Jackson, from the Revenue and Taxation Committee to the Appropriations Committee, and AB 1331
• , Elhawary, from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee.
• AB 1331, Elhawary, from the Judiciary Committee to the Appropriations Committee.
• Earlier this week, as a member of the Public Safety Committee, survivors of human trafficking stood before
• Human Services, Capitol Room 444; Judiciary, Capitol Room 447; Natural Resources, Capitol Room 126; Privacy

Summary: The Assembly met with a quorum after a roll call and prayer, then moved through routine business and a lengthy floor debate centered on AB 379, a bill dealing with protections for minors and human trafficking victims. Assembly Member DeMaio first sought to bring the bill up without Public Safety Committee amendments, arguing the committee had gutted the bill and removed felony language for purchasing 16- and 17-year-olds for sex. The body instead adopted a substitute motion to take up Assembly Member Schultz’s floor amendments to AB 379, and the bill became the focus of intense debate over whether the amended language would still adequately protect minors or instead weaken penalties and create a lower standard for 16- and 17-year-olds. Supporters of the amendments, including Schultz, Petri-Norris, Mark Gonzalez, Krell, Wynn, and others, said the changes were intended to strengthen and clarify the law, protect trafficking survivors, and preserve prosecutorial effectiveness while avoiding misinformation about existing law. Opponents, including DeMaio, Gallagher, Dixon, Macedo, Castillo, and others, argued the amendments watered down the bill, failed to restore the original felony treatment for buyers of 16- and 17-year-olds, and amounted to political maneuvering rather than real protection. The chamber also briefly considered a motion to table the amendments, which failed, and an appeal of a ruling on decorum, which was rejected. After debate, the Assembly adopted Schultz’s amendments to AB 379 by a 55-21 vote and then rereferred the bill to the Appropriations Committee. The chamber also handled several procedural items, including re-referrals of other bills, consent calendar actions, and a series of unanimous consent votes on numerous bills and resolutions. The session ended with announcements of committee meetings and the next floor session, followed by adjournment until Monday, May 5 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments deemed adopted.
• We see humans being reduced to headlines and holding cells.
• This is a bridge loan to ensure that our safety net services, our transit services, remain viable and
• It is imperative that we continue to fund BART's service.
• I now want to serve the community and state in public service.'

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and pledge that reflected on Japanese American incarceration during World War II and recent storm-related losses in California. The chamber then handled routine procedural matters, guest introductions, and several consent and file items before moving to floor debate on a series of resolutions and budget measures. The main policy item was HR 82, declaring February 19, 2026, a day of remembrance for the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Members from both parties and several caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the injustice of Executive Order 9066, the importance of remembering civil liberties failures, and the need to guard against similar abuses today. The resolution drew some criticism of its rhetoric toward federal law enforcement, but after debate the Assembly added 72 coauthors and adopted HR 82 by voice vote. The chamber also adopted ACR 128, a resolution recognizing solidarity with Ukraine, and later passed ACA 7, a constitutional amendment related to government preferences, after a partisan debate over whether it would restore or prohibit discrimination. The Assembly also took up two budget-related concurrence items. AB 107, described as technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and adjustments related to Proposition 4 projects, passed concurrence 59-3 and was sent immediately to the Governor. AB 117 authorized the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to borrow up to $590 million from already awarded transit capital funds to support operating costs for BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; supporters called it a bridge loan to stabilize transit, while opponents called it a bailout lacking accountability. The measure passed concurrence 52-16 and was also transmitted to the Governor. The session ended with adjournments in memory of former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, with members praising his leadership in city government, energy policy, and clean energy development. The Speaker then announced the bill introduction deadline and the next floor session date before adjourning the Assembly until Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see humans being reduced to headlines and holding cells.
• We thank you for your service and thank you for bringing this up.
• This is a bridge loan to ensure that our safety net services, our transit services, remain viable and
• It is imperative that we continue to fund BART's service.
• I now want to serve the community and state in public service.'

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our neighbors are all of humanity, regardless of culture or beliefs.
• to specialized human trafficking units.
• Additionally, we are also adding managed service organizations, or MSOs.
• MSOs help provide a variety of non-clinical services, like billing and collections, information service
• Members, we have one committee hearing.

Keywords: 988, house, all