Video & Transcript Research : 'Italian immigrants'

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/09/2026 - House Public Safety & Law Enforcement

House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • status checks, no arrest for civil immigration violations only, and may be...” “...Solely for immigration
  • and a federal immigration enforcement agent.
  • Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.
  • A chilling effect on immigrant communities doesn't stay contained.
  • The immigration system is absolutely broken. I will never disagree with that.
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement first heard SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the Corrections Oversight Fund in FY27 to help operate the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Supporters, including Justice Action Network, Representative Blackman, and a family member describing her son’s death in custody, argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the Department of Corrections, including mental health care failures, staff shortages, lawsuits, and the state’s federal receivership. Members largely agreed the office could improve transparency and accountability, and the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 14-0 vote with one absent. The committee then considered SB 1107, which creates an alternative certification pathway for honorably discharged U.S. veterans who served as military police to become Arizona peace officers through abbreviated training and recognition of prior military training. Members asked whether the bill would include equivalent roles from all branches, such as Air Force security forces, and staff said the bill is intended to track Department of Defense training standards. Supporters emphasized the value of recruiting experienced applicants to address public safety staffing shortages, while one member raised concerns about applicants with prior misconduct in other states. The bill passed with a due pass recommendation on an 11-1 vote, with two present and one absent. Finally, the committee heard SB 1055, which requires law enforcement to immediately notify ICE or CBP when arresting a person unlawfully present in the United States. The bill drew strong support from one proponent who framed it as a public safety and immigration enforcement measure, and strong opposition from the ACLU and several community members who argued it would chill crime reporting, burden local agencies, raise civil rights concerns, and risk wrongful detention of citizens and tribal members. Representative Cruz offered a strike-everything amendment that would instead restrict DOC inmate telephone contracts from generating revenue above operating costs; supporters said it would reduce costs for families and improve communication, but the amendment failed 6-8. The committee then returned to the underlying SB 1055 and gave it a due pass recommendation on an 8-6 vote with one absent.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Mar 17th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The immigrant story is a part of what America is today.
  • Of a better life, immigrants came to America.
  • The threads of the Irish immigrants and all immigrants are woven deep into the fabric of what we know
  • His family immigrated here from Chihuahua, Mexico.
  • Alongside Chinese immigrants, Irish immigrants made up the bulk of the work force on the transcontinental
Keywords: 988, house, all
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:05:07.199><c> and</c> The actions of the immigrations and The actions of the immigrations and
  • Thank you. immigrant workers, both documented and immigrant workers, both documented and undocumented
  • So, I'm undocumented immigrants.
  • You know, the our immigration system?
  • We had there was a immigration system.
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: State legislators and farm leaders held an impromptu discussion focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement activity, especially ICE presence in Minnesota, on agriculture and rural communities. Speakers argued that agriculture is central to the state’s economy and said fear of raids is causing legal immigrant and guest workers, including H-2A workers, to stay home, disrupting farms, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and other parts of the food supply chain. They also linked the issue to broader federal uncertainty, including USDA funding freezes and cuts, and said the lack of transparency from federal agencies is making it difficult for state officials and producers to plan. Senator Rob Kupec and Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish said ICE activity in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota is creating fear, trauma, and labor shortages, with reports of workers avoiding work, lunch trips, medical appointments, and school. Wertish said the organization supports comprehensive immigration reform and called for an end to the ICE surge, while also emphasizing the need to respect local law enforcement and the rule of law. Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel said immigrants are a critical part of Minnesota’s food and agriculture workforce, warned that labor shortages could raise production costs and food prices, and said the state would not have its current food supply without immigrant workers. In response to questions, speakers said they had anecdotal reports from rural areas such as Pelican Rapids, Willmar, and Detroit Lakes, but that the situation is changing quickly and many incidents may not yet be public. They said the lack of coordination with local law enforcement and the use of masks contribute to fear and confusion. Legislators said they have no direct jurisdiction over ICE operations but see their role as documenting what is happening, communicating with constituents, and avoiding state actions that would worsen the problem. They also said the issue is not purely partisan and may be mobilizing concern across political lines, especially among farmers worried about labor availability for planting and other seasonal work.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • He's been waiting for an immigration remedy since 2001.
  • </c><00:10:27.920><c> and</c> care from undocumented immigrants and care from undocumented immigrants
  • Undocumented immigrants pay taxes in Minnesota.
  • </c><00:19:52.039><c> community</c> the fact that our immigrant community the fact that our immigrant
  • It's a lot of our immigrant folks. It's a lot of our immigrant community.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: Lawmakers and advocates from the POCI Caucus held a news conference focused on protecting recent DFL-enacted policies in a newly divided Legislature. They highlighted accomplishments from the last biennium, including earned sick and safe time, ethnic studies, unemployment insurance changes, environmental protections, and MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrants, and argued these measures should not be rolled back in budget negotiations. Speakers said Republicans were pushing cuts or carveouts that would disproportionately harm Black, brown, immigrant, women, and low-income communities, and they urged the House and Governor Walz to reject those changes. A major theme was opposition to proposed carveouts to earned sick and safe time. Amanda Otero of TakeAction Minnesota said the proposed changes would remove benefits from more than 100,000 workers based on employer size, and lawmakers said sick leave should be universal. Another major topic was MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants. Representative María Isa Pérez Vega, Council Member Jason Chavez, and others argued the program is affordable, reduces uncompensated emergency care, and improves public health by expanding preventive care. Chavez and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos shared personal stories about family members who benefited from health coverage and said cutting access would worsen disparities and hurt families and communities. The event also included remarks on ethnic studies and historical memory. Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura connected the Ethnic Studies for All Act to her family’s experience with Japanese American incarceration during World War II, and Sally Sudo described her family’s removal and imprisonment under Executive Order 9066. Speakers framed these stories as warnings against scapegoating and exclusion. In the question-and-answer portion, lawmakers said they were still in negotiations but emphasized that certain protections were non-negotiable and that any compromises should be distributed equitably rather than targeting specific groups.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 Apr 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • Business Immigration Coalition.
  • They don't ask for immigration status.
  • According to the American Immigration Council, beyond tuition, in 2023 undocumented immigrants in Texas
  • In-state tuition is not about immigration policy.
  • I'm an immigration attorney, and I've guided hundreds of Texans through their immigration journeys over
Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Item 13 relates to immigration legal services.
  • immigration detention.
  • immigration detention.
  • On immigration, we are grateful for the one-time funding of $20 million to immigrant legal services,
  • We oppose the Governor's proposal to further cut health care access for immigrants, including older immigrants
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Wed Mar 12, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • immigrants make this country great.
  • immigrants make this country great.
  • immigrants make this country great.
  • </c> our agricultural workers are immigrants our agricultural workers are immigrants 60%<00:37:09.560
  • </c> 60% of our housekeepers are immigrants 60% of our housekeepers are immigrants our<00:37:12.560><
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/02/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security

Military Affairs and Border Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just looking up some statistics because this isn't about immigration or immigrants; it's about asylum
  • It's immigration, Mr. Chair.
  • What is all the immigration issues?
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
  • I just don't understand what we're talking about: immigration, illegal immigration.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Special Session A Jan 27th, 2025

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Combating illegal immigration; B. Condominium regulation; C.
  • President's reference: Fiscal Policy. ...entitled an act relating to combating illegal immigration.
  • Senate Bill 14A, a bill to be entitled an act relating to combating illegal immigration.
  • Senate Bill 22A by Senator Martin, a bill to be entitled an act relating to combating illegal immigration
  • I want criminal illegal immigrants to be deported efficiently and effectively, and the best way to do
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The Secretary then read Governor DeSantis’s proclamation calling the Legislature into special session from January 27 to January 31, 2025, limited to five subjects: combating illegal immigration, condominium regulation, agricultural relief after natural disasters, replenishing the My Safe Florida Home Program, and changes to the citizen initiative petition process. The chamber read the filed bills within the call, including several Senate bills on illegal immigration and petition process issues, all referred to Fiscal Policy. A motion was adopted to send any bills filed outside the call to the Rules Committee to determine whether introduction was warranted. The Senate President then discussed President Trump’s immigration executive orders and said Florida would align with federal efforts while preserving the Legislature’s constitutional role. He announced that Senator Gruters would sponsor legislation to implement Trump’s border and immigration plan, including funding to reimburse law enforcement costs and incentives to recruit more officers. He said the bill would be posted, referred to Appropriations later that day, and heard on the floor the next day. The session then adjourned sine die by motion without objection, with senators told the chamber would reconvene momentarily for the special session.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 041 Feb 24th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> immigrants for years. immigrants for years.
  • . immigration. immigration.
  • </c> immigration enforcement activities. immigration enforcement activities.
  • </c> a civil immigration enforcement issue. a civil immigration enforcement issue.
  • </c> in civil immigration enforcement. in civil immigration enforcement.
Keywords: 981, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on State-Federal Relations Mar 13th, 2025

S/C on State-Federal Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And general civil rights abuses and does not make a meaningful impact on immigration.
  • I am an immigration law.
  • I practice in immigration, so I understand the complexities of both the immigration system as well as
  • Um, what Particular federal immigration laws, um, Does this alter?
  • It, it doesn't alter any federal immigration laws.
Bills: HB176, HB180
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 29th, 2026

Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:
  • It says for unsatisfactory immigration status.
  • , and, you know, although Black immigrants make up only about 7%... ...although Black immigrants make
  • But undocumented immigrants will be. Can I just add that?
  • So we are prioritizing undocumented immigrants over legal immigrants, correct?
  • Chloe Amelcio with the California Immigrant Policy Center.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Mar 11th, 2026

Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • About one-third of the state's workforce is immigrant, and immigrants contribute over $1 trillion to
  • And so the jobs that so many immigrants, That so many immigrants concentrate in the sectors that are
  • mostly of immigrants.
  • It's immigrants in general.
  • , increased immigration enforcement.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 5th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as an immigrant, this is particularly disturbing to me.
  • Unless you are Indigenous, we are all immigrants originally.
  • But somehow you guys find $573 million to spend on immigration?
  • Is it truly an immigration emergency? Is it truly an immigration emergency after three years?
  • Kevin Guthrie never wanted to be in the immigration business, ever.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
Summary: The committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present and took up four bills. SB 434, relating to assessment of residential property, was presented as a measure to prohibit counties from increasing a home’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation improvements; it was reported favorably. CS for SB 110, concerning homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases that terminate at death, was described as a clarifying, remedial change for long-term leaseholders and was also reported favorably. SB 856, which requires online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew supportive testimony from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and local government groups. Senators emphasized consumer transparency and the problem of buyers being surprised by post-sale tax increases. The bill was reported favorably after discussion about where the estimates would appear and whether realtors already have disclosure duties. The committee then spent most of the meeting on SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund through December 31, 2027. Supporters, including the Executive Office of the Governor and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie, argued the fund is needed for hurricanes, other disasters, and emergency response operations, and that reimbursements from federal or other sources are returned to the fund. Opponents, including the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, SPLC, Florida for All, and others, argued the fund has been used too broadly for immigration enforcement and detention-related activities, lacks sufficient oversight, and should be narrowed to true disasters. Senators questioned spending levels, reimbursements, detention facilities, State Guard involvement, and oversight; no final action on SPB 7040 was taken in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Republican Press Conference 3/12/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • The first is that it mandates any illegal immigrant arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, as defined
  • by Minnesota State Statute 624.172, subdivision 5, to be reported to ICE or immigration officials at
  • enforcement authorities and carrying out federal immigration enforcement on this statute.
  • Ultimately, we had an election in November that was primarily adjudicated on illegal immigration.
  • </c><00:02:11.680><c> in</c><00:02:11.840><c> our</c> curb illegal immigration in our curb illegal immigration
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, and that's for moving the unsatisfactory immigration, those with unsatisfactory immigration status
  • Okay, another question I have. ...of unsatisfactory immigration status.
  • , and, you know, although Black immigrants make up only about 7% And, you know, although Black immigrants
  • But undocumented immigrants will be. Can I just add that?
  • So we are prioritizing undocumented immigrants over legal immigrants, correct?”
Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review heard the 2026-27 budget package, including AB 111 and AB 112 plus 16 trailer bills and two policy bills. Chair Laird described the budget as balanced over two fiscal years, with about $351.7 billion in total spending, $251.5 billion General Fund, and record reserves, while emphasizing investments in child care, homelessness, housing, Medi-Cal, education, courts, and other core programs. The Department of Finance presented each bill, outlining major items such as Medi-Cal adjustments tied to federal H.R. 1, child care and early learning funding, education and higher education investments, human services, developmental services, health, skilled nursing, resources, energy, transportation, housing, labor, state government, courts, taxation, and two policy bills on education governance and ballot measure placement. The LAO said it had no additional comments but was available for questions. The committee later achieved quorum and moved to member questions and comments, with no votes taken in the portion provided. Members largely focused on the budget’s fiscal structure and policy implications. Several senators praised staff and noted the compressed timeline, while Vice Chair Niello criticized the process as overly complex and burdensome. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas supported the budget but raised concerns about Medi-Cal changes for people with unsatisfactory immigration status, asking about access to care, the number affected, and county eligibility support; Finance said about two million people would transition to fee-for-service and that $39 million was included for care coordination, along with additional county eligibility funding. Senator Durazo said the agreement delayed, but did not resolve, cuts to immigrant health coverage, dental, and clinic payments, and argued that the budget did not create a true restoration mechanism. Senator Richardson highlighted hospital funding, public hospital definitions, DMV data protections, and court construction and maintenance needs, while Senator Grove questioned the sustainability of spending, the Medi-Cal savings assumptions, distressed hospital funding, Planned Parenthood transparency, developmental services changes, high-speed rail costs, and the property tax postponement program. Other members emphasized different priorities. Senator Blake Spear praised climate and parks investments, support for HAP homelessness funding with accountability, transit stabilization, and Care Court referral funding, while expressing concern about the lack of wildlife coexistence funding and long-term transit operating support. Senator Weber Pearson raised a technical concern in the health trailer bill regarding menopause language, arguing that the bill should refer to perimenopausal symptoms and should not narrow provider participation through contracting language. Throughout the hearing, Finance repeatedly explained that many of the budget’s savings came from reduced caseloads or delayed implementation of prior proposals, while some new spending was added to mitigate impacts and support administration of the changes. No final committee action or vote was shown in the excerpt.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 12th, 2026

California Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • For 40 years, Korean immigration was banned. Discrimination.
  • I feel a deep connection to those first immigrants, like them.
  • After the Immigration Act of... ...cultural economy during its most demanding years.
  • After the Immigration Act of 1965, a new generation of Korean immigrants made the Central Valley their
  • We honor them as we honor all immigrants in this great state.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the January 5–8, 2026 journals, and granted several requests to remove measures from the inactive file, including S.J.R. 9, SB 626, and SCR 89. The main floor item was SCR 106 by Senator Choi, designating January 13 as Korean American Day in California. Senator Choi and many members spoke in strong support, highlighting the history of Korean immigration, the contributions of Korean Americans in business, public service, culture, and civic life, and the significance of Korean American communities across the state. The resolution passed 38–0. After the vote, Senator Choi introduced visiting Korean American guests, including the Consul General of Korea in San Francisco and community leaders, and the chamber welcomed them. Committee announcements followed, including upcoming meetings of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Senate Human Services Committee. The remainder of the session was devoted to adjournment memorials. Senators Umberg, Allen, Pérez, and Menjivar honored Monica Lynn Martinez-Hays, the 19 people who died in the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, and Sergeant Adrian Carrillo. Members described the victims’ lives, community ties, and the broader impact of the fires and other tragedies, and asked the Senate to adjourn in their memory. The session ended with notice that the next floor session would be Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m., with the Senate in recess until then.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 5th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our concern is specifically related to the immigration issues.
  • And as an immigrant, this is particularly disturbing to me.
  • Unless you are Indigenous, we are all immigrants originally.
  • But somehow you guys find $573 million to spend on immigration.
  • Is it truly an immigration emergency? Is it truly an immigration emergency after three years?
Bills: S7040, S0110, S0434, S0856
Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations. The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government. Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Medi-Cal premium for some immigrant groups, Item 57.
  • , our immigrant communities, are protected.
  • , Medi-Cal, as well as other delays that target immigrant communities.
  • All Coalition's comments on health care for immigrant Californians.
  • Anayeli Martin with the California Immigrant Policy Center and also on behalf of the Immigrant Legal
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Medi-Cal premium for some immigrant groups, Item 57.
  • , our immigrant communities, are protected.
  • All Coalition's comments on health care for immigrant Californians.
  • Anayeli Martin, with the California Immigrant Policy Center and also on behalf of the Immigrant Legal
  • Anayeli Martin, with the California Immigrant Policy Center and also on behalf of the Immigrant Legal
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Human Services held its final hearing on the budget, with the chair framing the Senate’s plan as a counterproposal that rejected major cuts and preserved revenues. Public comment was overwhelmingly supportive of the subcommittee’s actions, especially on Medi-Cal, IHSS, PACE, behavioral health, child care, CalFresh outreach, immigrant legal services, and long-term care. Testimony from disability, aging, county, health plan, provider, labor, and advocacy groups urged the committee to keep rejecting asset tests, immigrant coverage reductions, IHSS cost shifts, PACE rate cuts, and behavioral health reductions, while supporting mobile crisis, 988, Title IV-E workforce funding, and the “Be Home Soon California” proposal to expand home- and community-based care. Several speakers also pressed for additional or related funding and policy changes, including county alternatives for people losing Medi-Cal under federal HR1-related changes, more support for public hospitals and indigent care, CalFresh and Cal Food investments, child care slots and COLAs, dental rate cut delays, and expanded immigration legal and food assistance. Others thanked the committee for restoring or preserving funding for behavioral health innovation and advocacy grants, public health IT and disease investigation, diaper banks, hearing aids for children, and distressed hospital loans. The committee also heard concerns about fee-for-service shifts, outpatient dialysis coverage, and other implementation details, with some groups asking for trailer bill language or guardrails. After public comment, the subcommittee took three votes on large blocks of budget items. The first block of consent items passed 3-0, the second block passed 2-1, and the final block passed 2-0, with the chair announcing that the items were approved and out of committee. The hearing then adjourned.