Transcript Highlights:

• to high hazard design criteria because at the time of construction, they were low hazard and out in
• now to essentially conduct more of the same uh, operations and move further down the list on that backlog
• The market for industrial hemp, including textiles, construction materials like hempcrete and biofuels
• And you have a 192 million backlog in that. Yes, sir.
• Would fund, um, the, the, the amount of unfunded requests, the, the backlog, if you will, that we don't

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a construction detail that might require 15 nails in another state would require closer
• add costs and delays to home construction, which further limits housing production.
• Legacy homes is the same impact as driving 10 years of net zero new construction.
• Shorter approval periods mean reduced construction costs and getting homes online faster.
• And, you know, we don't want to wait decades for construction.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• What makes them the experts in the field of construction destruction?
• The when businesses have construction in front of them.
• They lose the visibilities, the construction site.
• But if if this construction of a gas court in a state park, if DEP he found that such construction would
• not cause substantial harm, can that be constructed?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and repairs, including the plan to reduce or eliminate that backlog by 2035.
• But if this construction of a golf course in a state park, if DEP found that such construction would
• If DEP found that such construction would not cause substantial harm, can that be constructed?
• But if this construction of a golf course in a state park, if DEP found that such construction would
• If DEP found that such construction would not cause substantial harm, can that be constructed?

Summary: The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved. The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• These initiatives reduce evidence backlogs, shorten investigative timelines, strengthen prosecutions,
• The Mayfield Police Department<00:14:31.519> is<00:14:31.760> constructing<00:14:32.160
• > its<00:14:32.480> own Department is constructing its own Department is constructing its
• <00:16:08.240> back initiatives reduce evidence back initiatives reduce evidence back backlogs
• ,<00:16:09.839> shorten<00:16:10.240> investigative backlogs, shorten investigative backlogs

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Office of the Attorney General 00:00:58 Office of Homeland Security 00:17:39, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government heard presentations on several Attorney General and Homeland Security budget items. Amy Burke of the Department of Child Support Services said the program inherited a structural shortfall of more than $13 million after the transition from CHFS, including about $14 million in federal child support incentive funds that had been used to cover core operating costs and county attorney contracts. She explained that federal law requires incentive funds to supplement, not supplant, baseline services, and said the Attorney General’s budget request seeks general fund support to replace that gap and help balance the program going forward. Members asked for clarification on the misuse of the funds, the size of the shortfall, and whether the requested money would be unrestricted; staff said the intent is to use it as a contract offset for core services. Commissioner Rich Ferretti then presented the Department of Criminal Investigations’ request for additional staffing and a Western Kentucky Digital Forensics Lab. He said DCI wants one additional special victims unit investigator and one digital forensic examiner to handle increasingly digital cases involving child exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, and technology-facilitated abuse. He also described plans for a lab in Mayfield, co-located with the new Mayfield Police Department facility, to reduce travel time, speed forensic processing, and improve access for rural communities. Committee members responded positively and asked no substantive questions. Finally, the Office of Homeland Security outlined Kentucky’s Next Generation 911 project. Officials said the current 911 system was built for landlines, while most calls now come from mobile devices, and the upgrade will add precise location routing plus text, photo, and video capability. Shelley Clark described the funding model, including wireless subscriber fees and a dedicated tech fund, and reviewed progress on mapping, vendor selection, and migration to the new platform, with completion expected by July 2027. Members asked about local maintenance costs and the impact on rural areas; officials said maintenance is local but supported in part by collected funds, and implementation will not be delayed for rural localities. The meeting concluded with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, our one-time funding request would help us handle a growing backlog.
• <00:37:29.640> I help us handle a growing backlog. I help us handle a growing backlog.
• They may not be involved in construction They may not be involved in construction but<02:19:28.920
• So again, development and construction.
• rehabilitation construction. rehabilitation construction.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , dollars to catch up on construction, dollars to catch up on construction, especially<00:21:09.039
• design build or or straight construction design build or or straight construction because<00:37:
• actually uh putting those construction actually uh putting those construction plans<00:42:55.200
• I come from the construction that.
• construction industry. construction industry.

Keywords: 00:32 Call to Order and Roll Call 02:30 Road Fund Report 17:22 Approval of Minutes 18:07 High Growth Counties Projects 56:00 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Transportation met without a quorum at first, then later approved the July 15 minutes by voice vote after quorum was reached. The committee heard an update from the Transportation Cabinet on the road fund for FY 2024-25. Cabinet staff reported road fund revenue came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, with motor vehicle usage tax receipts setting an all-time high for the fifth straight year. Motor fuels tax revenue was below estimate and down from the prior year, while overall road fund collections totaled $1.86 billion, essentially flat year over year. Staff said the road fund ended FY25 with a $61.6 million surplus, which under the budget bill must be appropriated to state construction. Members discussed the gas tax formula, with Senator Higdon arguing it no longer works well because revenues fall when fuel prices fall, and the chair noting the committee may need to revisit the formula. The committee then received an update on High Growth County projects in the 2024 highway plan. KYTC said $16 million in HGC authorizations had been made, nine projects already had construction funds authorized or were otherwise underway, 12 more were scheduled to be let by the end of 2025 with estimated construction costs above $250 million, and one additional project was expected to be awarded through alternative delivery. The cabinet said it anticipated authorizing the full $450 million appropriated by the General Assembly. Members praised the effort and emphasized the need to get projects to market before the next budget cycle. Jason Sala of KYTC also explained why transportation projects take time, citing planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, and utility relocation as major steps that can delay delivery. He said these processes are complex and require coordination with property owners, utilities, consultants, contractors, and local governments. Eric Pelfrey then briefed the committee on professional and personal service contracts, saying they are used to expand cabinet capacity for design, inspections, right-of-way appraisal, safety, and related work. He reported that authorizations and payments for these contracts have trended upward over the past decade, and that the number of contracts has also increased. In response to questions, Pelfrey said design-build can speed some projects by overlapping steps, but it does not eliminate right-of-way or utility work when those are required; he said KYTC has been using alternative delivery more often, but project complexity still limits how quickly work can move.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those buildings are being constructed on existing sites.
• Those buildings are being constructed on existing sites.
• We have virtually no backlog of requests for advice, no backlog for enforcement activities, investigations
• My question comes to the backlog.
• The backlog is not going away tomorrow.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have we gotten rid of the backlogs? Chief Justice: Have we gotten rid of the backlogs?
• So if you got 350 in backlog, how long does it take you to work your backlog off?
• backlog back then.
• We had a significant backlog back then.
• We were trying to eat away at that backlog, and we've gotten a handle on that backlog now.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• bridge the gap between construction bridge the gap between construction costs<00:31:08.000> and
• And you can see construction period.
• Kind of what construction season.
• forward during the next construction forward during the next construction season,<01:01:54.319><
• <01:39:14.480> This construction work has given me. This construction work has given me.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• investigate and catch up on the backlog investigate and catch up on the backlog of<01:31:36.960>
• backlog and you know I think having two backlog and you know I think having two two<01:36:55.520>
• The backlog currently now with our wage standards division, you know, we have about 76 backlog cases.
• We’ve had a continuous backlog on this chapter 104. about 76 uh you know about 76 uh you know backlog
• <02:42:59.439> for actually get out to construction for actually get out to construction for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, of backlog continues to grow.
• today's construction costs. today's construction costs.
• pay 100% of our facility construction pay 100% of our facility construction and<00:36:22.400>
• million per year in federal construction million per year in federal construction and<00:36:28.160
• <01:04:39.119> of preservation addresses the backlog of preservation addresses the backlog

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• workgroup to initiate active case management in the civil courts, given the increased workload and backlogs
• But in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, we had cleared a significant number of that backlog, and we're actually
• They also had jury trial blitzes to close pre-church cases to avoid developing a backlog.
• for 2023-2024 and pandemic recovery funds, they now have the additional resources to handle that backlog
• I come from such a place of gratefulness that I almost don't have any constructive criticism to share

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing Caltrans to proceed with applications as the project progresses will avoid large backlogs of
• As the project progresses, it will avoid large backlogs of applications that would otherwise accumulate
• during months-long construction projects.
• At the same time, every other type of construction project can occur adjacent to the freeway.
• There's no ongoing construction, and the property isn't within the freeway's right-of-way.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Organization heard several bills related to outdoor advertising, open meetings, and San Francisco economic development. SB 364 by Senator Strickland would speed up processing of outdoor advertising permits by allowing Caltrans to act on applications as freeway projects are completed in segments, and clarifies customary maintenance of signs. Supporters said the bill would reduce permit backlogs and help local governments and the billboard industry; there was no opposition. The committee passed SB 364 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for additional votes. SB 470 by Senator Laird would extend until January 1, 2030 the sunset on the alternative Bagley-Keene open meeting rules adopted in SB 544, allowing state boards and commissions to continue using remote participation under specified conditions. Supporters from the Little Hoover Commission and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities said the current law has increased public participation, saved money, and improved access for people with disabilities and caregivers. Opponents, including ACA of California Action, the California News Publishers Association, and media and transparency groups, argued the bill weakens in-person public access and accountability. The committee approved SB 470 to Appropriations, with some no votes and the roll held open. SB 395 by Senator Wiener would let San Francisco create a hospitality zone in Union Square/Yerba Buena with up to 20 additional non-transferable liquor licenses for restaurants to support downtown recovery. City and business representatives said the measure would help fill vacancies, attract restaurants, and boost foot traffic, while remaining temporary and geographically limited. The bill passed to Appropriations with broad support and no opposition. SB 783 by Senator Rubio would extend until January 1, 2029 the special outdoor advertising rules for signs in former redevelopment areas; supporters said it would give affected communities time to find a permanent solution, while billboard industry opponents warned about compliance and federal highway funding risks. The committee passed SB 783 to Appropriations as amended, and then adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a construction industry trade group with over 365 members across the state that employ over 23,000
• men and women in the construction industry.
• Over 365 members across the state that employ over 23,000 men and women in the construction industry.
• As you know, cities of all sizes across the state engage in all sorts of construction projects that are
• As you know, cities of all sizes across the state engage in all sorts of construction projects that are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For public safety officers, bus drivers, construction workers, and all those who tend the streets and
• Senate File 823, a bill for an act relating to transportation; modifying appropriation for construction
• modifying appropriation for construction modifying appropriation for construction of<00:12:30.399
• I know in judiciary committees and other committees, there's a backlog of bills where people are waiting
• <00:41:43.280> of other committees, there's a backlog of other committees, there's a backlog

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• category addressing some of the backlog category addressing some of the backlog to<00:02:59.680>
• significant rise still in construction significant rise still in construction cost<00:27:07.679>
• It is not the construction cost.
• We would come back to you when we understand the full construction cost.
• <00:30:56.039> cost don't know what the construction cost don't know what the construction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Minnesota Department of Administration on the governor’s capital budget requests. Commissioner Tamara Grundal described the state’s deferred maintenance backlog, saying Minnesota owns more than 4,800 buildings across 19 agencies, with an estimated replacement value of $11.2 billion and about $2.2 billion in deferred maintenance. She urged continued bonding support for asset preservation, CAPRA emergency repair funding, Capitol Complex security upgrades recommended by the ACAS advisory committee, and a budget-neutral account to help leverage federal funds for renewable energy storage and electric vehicle projects at state facilities. Members asked follow-up questions about prior security spending and CAPRA use. The commissioner said some 2018 security funds were used for items such as bollards, projectile-resistant glass, key card readers, and security kiosks, but specific details would be provided offline. On CAPRA, staff said recent projects included public safety upgrades, correctional facility repairs, water main and sewer work, roof repairs, lift station repairs, and boiler and steam trap replacements. The commissioner said the account has recently been used heavily, with about $1.9 million remaining, and estimated a typical target range of roughly $3 million to $5 million based on past spending and expected emergencies. A staffer said they did not know whether bonds had been issued ahead of time to fund the reserve and would follow up. The committee then heard from the Department of Public Safety on BCA capital projects. Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Superintendent Drew Evans said the governor’s proposal includes a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory in Mankato, expansion of BCA regional office and lab space, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters using trunk highway cash. Evans said the Mankato project is needed because of growth in DNA analysis, digital evidence, controlled substances, cyber tips, and sexual assault kit testing, and because the current St. Paul facility is over capacity. He said the new regional facility would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for scientists and law enforcement, support training, and improve evidence intake and crime scene response in southern Minnesota. Senator Pappas questioned the increase in the Mankato project cost from about $48 million to $68.6 million. Evans said the increase was driven by rising construction costs and additional specialized laboratory and support-space needs identified during design work with the Department of Administration. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of the capital backlog and DOCS, a lot of that work hasn't been done yet, at least in my
• And because of the capital backlog and docs, a lot of that work hasn't been done yet, at least in my
• And so I think, unfortunately, it's statutory construction. It's yes or no, right?
• incarcerated individuals to be safe, but I want them to be safe and be able to come home to be constructive

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met with a quorum of members present and considered 10 bills. The committee held a lengthy debate on S.2656, a bill to repeal provisions related to solitary confinement, with supporters arguing the current law is not fully implemented and that solitary confinement is harmful and ineffective, while opponents said the law has made facilities less safe and removed needed disciplinary tools. After discussion, the bill failed to advance, with five negative votes and no report to the floor. The committee also considered several correctional administration and health-related measures. S.394, the Clemency Justice Act, and S.2509A, concerning transfers of incarcerated individuals from county jails to state facilities, were both reported to finance. S.5134, creating a uniform electronic medical records system for correctional facilities, was reported, as was S.9126A. S.8492, establishing a digital legal mail program, drew concerns about privileged communications and was defeated in committee. S.9467, setting radiation standards for employees and visitors at correctional facilities, was reported to the Health Committee. Two additional bills, S.9916 on employee mental health services and S.9928 on rights of sexual assault survivors during the investigative process, were reported after brief discussion and expressions of support. One bill on the agenda was laid aside at the sponsor’s request. Overall, the meeting featured a mix of correctional policy, facility operations, health, and survivor-rights legislation, with several bills advancing and one major reform measure on solitary confinement failing to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT WE DID THERE IS ACTUALLY DEMOLISHED THE HOME AND THEN ELEVATE IT ON TOP OF IT AND MAKE A CONSTRUCTION
• WE HAVE NO RETROFIT INFRASTRUCTURE AGAIN RAISE IT, MAKE IT MORE RESILIENT, AND THEN CONSTRUCTION.
• EEOC AND OTHER CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CODE PLUS CONSTRUCTION
• YEAR CHAIR HOOPER THROUGH THE SENATE SIDE I THINK LAST YEAR OF THE YEAR BEFORE ACTUALLY WE HAD A BACKLOG
• OF SCHOOLS THAT WERE IN NEED OF THIS AND HE GOT AN ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION TO TAKE CARE OF THE BACKLOG

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an increase of $7.6 million in overall authority for the construction phase.
• Issue 10 is a BCP to address the waiver personal care services backlog.
• So we're starting to improve the backlog on that side.
• And we have redirected resources, both Earlier on in the process compared to this backlog.
• Thank you. earlier on in the process compared to this backlog.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard May Revision items for child support, child care, and related human services. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the LAO said raised no concerns. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a shift in how federal and Proposition 64 funding reductions would be absorbed, a 2.01% COLA, disaster-related child care infrastructure grants, an increase in in-contract administrative support costs for alternative payment agencies, reversion of prospective-pay implementation funding after a federal rule change, a one-time allocation to cover the first quarter of Cost of Care Plus payments in the next fiscal year, reappropriation for existing infrastructure grant closeout work, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The department also outlined trailer bill language on a single rate structure, site safety and emergency procedures, CalWORKs child care data sharing, and child care oversight. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more justification for shifting reductions from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment Program, noting that CAP reductions affect more slots and that General Child Care has had significant unspent funds. It supported removing prospective-pay funding, but recommended rejecting the administrative cost shift to a percentage-based rate because it could create future General Fund pressure. It also suggested the Legislature review alignment between the disaster grants and the child care infrastructure program. Senators and members pressed the administration on why the budget would reduce child care slots and COLA percentages while the state still has waitlists and unspent funds, and questioned the need for early funding of Cost of Care Plus payments and the move from a flat administrative amount to a percentage. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, county offices, and infrastructure partners, urged full COLA funding, preservation of child care slots, support for prospective pay, and continued investment in child care access and facilities. After a short recess, the committee moved to Part B on health and heard the Department of State Hospitals. DSH presented a May Revision budget of $3.2 billion and described proposals for a central utility plant replacement at Metropolitan State Hospital, an electronic health record implementation, reduced county bed billing authority due to phased-in LPS bed capacity, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscriptions, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal shifting some costs to Behavioral Health Services Act funds, including support for an additional psychiatric training cohort at Napa. The department also outlined IST-related savings and a trailer bill to remove the sunset on the independent placement panel program.